On 2/10/2022 at 6:41 AM, Willy Wombat said:

If my Thai wife who hasn’t seen her family for over two years refuses to even look at airfares with all the stupid rules Thailand has in place.

How is your wife looking? Perhaps she has a problem with looking? 

 

Just few days ago, from our friends, two different cases arrivals from USA , residents in USA, came for a short notice visiting their family, organizing the necessary docs (are there any country accessible now without a certain paperwork?), staying one night in Bkk hotel and carry on to their family up country. After 2 -3 weeks back to USA. 

 

Where is the problem?

  

8 minutes ago, Saanim said:

How is your wife looking? Perhaps she has a problem with looking? 

 

Just few days ago, from our friends, two different cases arrivals from USA , residents in USA, came for a short notice visiting their family, organizing the necessary docs (are there any country accessible now without a certain paperwork?), staying one night in Bkk hotel and carry on to their family up country. After 2 -3 weeks back to USA. 

 

Where is the problem?

  

There are plenty of flights available.

 

We have both had 3 jabs.

We will not act like performing seals jumping through hoops just to get to Thailand.

Thats our decision.

 

What other people do is none of business.

 

I wonder why the government make the first priority to open travel bubble talks with Malaysia and China to boost tourism rather than with the more restrictions relaxed Western countries. In anticipation of a growing tourists from the Asian tourists and expecting the decline of the western tourists. Got to say it is the correct marketing strategy. 

1 hour ago, moontang said:

Beer prices Mexico..Corona about 1.50 per liter.  My "loom"...17 USD per night...they even use hot water laundry..

A really dream sejourn 

23 hours ago, thaiman said:

What is more amazing is that they actually thought it would work!  How out of touch are they with their previous tourism market of over 30mil/yearly?  Do they not know anything about tourists?  It makes me wonder, what do the Thai leaders really know about anything!

Well this is a very good question. Or they really don't have any idea about needs of tourists or, and this is waht I believe more, they just don't care about it, because they are not the ones affected by the tourism crisis in short-time. They still have their jobs and the money to spend. Unfortunately they don't have a long-time view, not looking in the future and not having in mind, that people living from tourism loose a lot of money, don't have jobs ...... They simply don't realize, that sooner or later the crisis will affect them too.

20 hours ago, Nojohndoe said:

Apart from  business reasons which have in reality become less justifiable due to electronic  "meetings" if that  was/is a justification who the  hell would want to  travel to the UK  for tourism? Maybe the idiot  US  citizen who  idolizes the "Royalty" that  isn't? The weather is generally....t ! Half the population speaks anything  but English that can be understood !

 

I've seen and heard this attitude before.

You and people with the same mindset of you are actually quietly in awe of the Brits????????even to the point of wishing you were one.

I'm right on this and you know it.

God save the Queen????????????

On 2/10/2022 at 7:48 AM, Isaanlife said:

Disagree.

 

It is not only Thailand, every country has their own rules and regulations.

 

Inflation has rising prices all over the globe. People have less money to travel.

 

The pandemic smacks many into reduced salaries or unemployment.

 

People have found places closer to home and cheaper.

 

If you are not after cheap sex, what is the point in going to Thailand?

 

Nicer beaches all over the world, same lower cost destinations, etc.

Disagree with you on some point Bub. Yes, every country has some rules - obviously !! But to have a rapid antigent test before you enter eateries and bars ... and risking a lengthy and expensive stay in a Thai hospital .... Thailand gets 1 st prize in the nitwit stakes. As for inflation all over the world that is BS. Doesn't deserve an example. People having less money to travel ? more BS ... people (that retained their jobs - and most did) have truck loads to spend because they were confined and unable to travel. Also, only a fool would spend thousands for cheap sex and beaches. Every country has sex and beaches. Second on the nitwit list is Bali and Indonesia. This is now a pandemic of money making by all the rip off governments and medical industries etc.

Seems to me the Thai government is passively interested in attracting western tourists. They dont want to exclude anybodys money but they are going out of their way to attract the Chinese and Malaysians with the "Travel bubble".....

On 2/10/2022 at 8:02 PM, Isaanlife said:

Flocking back?

 

How ridiculous. You probably didn't read only 23,000 tourists arrived last month for the whole country.

Yep flocking...PHUKET is pretty lively these days.

On 2/10/2022 at 1:47 PM, tigerfeet said:

What about the expats that have been hear years that cannot get insurance because of medical and age reasons should they pack up go home leave the thousands of families that depend on their pension .? Just a thought as I am in that category

Medical insurance for the elderly is often very expensive or if pre-existing conditions were of a serious nature , you will not get a policy .  It is however a solvable problem , how ?

1/ Make 70 years of age and up , free medical treatment globally ( not likely to happen )

 

2/ A union of countries who are agreeable to treat over 70s free . ( Maybe on reciprocal agreements )

 

3/        Example ;  An expat over 70 years old to receive medical treatment abroad and the bill met by his  country of origin , that is , if his country of origin had an insurance scheme ( such as the UK has the NHS by way of national insurance contributions ) and the patient is fully paid up .

At this moment if you are an expat from the UK and think you can hop on a plane back to the UK if you have a medical problem , forget it cos the NHS hospitals and local doctor surgery's  are like dead donkeys ( post covid overworked ) and getting an appointment with your doctor can be up to a 3 week wait , or as I was told , go to the A&E , which I did and waited 7 hours and no treatment .  

Empty beaches, empty stomachs...

The main drawing card for Thailand is cheap booze and readily available sex.

No idea how anyone could call the food great. It is edible. The only people I know that live on Thai food are skint or too lazy to cook for themselves. My wife brings hoe some occasionally. I try to feed it to my dog

55 minutes ago, bang saen guy said:

The main drawing card for Thailand is cheap booze and readily available sex.

No idea how anyone could call the food great. It is edible. The only people I know that live on Thai food are skint or too lazy to cook for themselves. My wife brings hoe some occasionally. I try to feed it to my dog

Your wife brings 'hoe' sometimes. Wow your are a lucky fellow. Some bed variety hahahah

Should somebody be on the phone to Beijing about this plan?

 

Last time I heard they have no plans to open travel for their citizens to anywhere.

 

So Thai-China bubble might be in the minds of someone in Bangkok, but don't think it's on anyones mind in Beijing

On 2/10/2022 at 4:13 PM, Jimjim1 said:

They are cancelling only because their children are not vaccinated and the policy of vaccinating children is not yet in full swing leaving parents with no option.

So if you are going to comment on postings at least tell the whole reason and not just the bit that suits your particular aims.

Feel free to keep on complaining like there isn't problems elsewhere.

I went off the place years and years ago. About 1998 to be exact. I can even manage to avoid spending any time whatsoever in Bangkok absolute <deleted>hole

9 hours ago, superal said:

Medical insurance for the elderly is often very expensive or if pre-existing conditions were of a serious nature , you will not get a policy .  It is however a solvable problem , how ?

1/ Make 70 years of age and up , free medical treatment globally ( not likely to happen )

 

2/ A union of countries who are agreeable to treat over 70s free . ( Maybe on reciprocal agreements )

 

3/        Example ;  An expat over 70 years old to receive medical treatment abroad and the bill met by his  country of origin , that is , if his country of origin had an insurance scheme ( such as the UK has the NHS by way of national insurance contributions ) and the patient is fully paid up .

At this moment if you are an expat from the UK and think you can hop on a plane back to the UK if you have a medical problem , forget it cos the NHS hospitals and local doctor surgery's  are like dead donkeys ( post covid overworked ) and getting an appointment with your doctor can be up to a 3 week wait , or as I was told , go to the A&E , which I did and waited 7 hours and no treatment .  

England but in Scotland is no problem

On 2/10/2022 at 3:48 AM, Isaanlife said:

Disagree.

 

It is not only Thailand, every country has their own rules and regulations.

 

Inflation has rising prices all over the globe. People have less money to travel.

 

The pandemic smacks many into reduced salaries or unemployment.

 

People have found places closer to home and cheaper.

 

If you are not after cheap sex, what is the point in going to Thailand?

 

Nicer beaches all over the world, same lower cost destinations, etc.

Probably the most ignorant thing i've read on here and that's saying something

23 hours ago, sandyf said:

Feel free to keep on complaining like there isn't problems elsewhere.

You watch the rugby yesterday?

Notice all the stadiums rammed full of happy maskless fans roaring their teams on.

Like covid never happened?

That's what happens in developed countries when you have well coordinated proactive vaccine campaigns.

Your welcome to being tucked up in bed by 11pm and wearing masks outside in the stifling heat.

Back to normal for us. ????

The article seems to forget many European people would go for a beach holiday:

1, Spain

2, Portugal

3, Gran Canarias

4, Balearic Islands

5, France

6, Greece

7, Cyprus

8, Croatia

9, Turkey

10, Romania (Constanta)

11, Bulgaria (Varna)

12, Israel

13, Jordan

14, Egypt

15, Morocco

16, The Bahamas

17, Cuba

18, Grand Cayman

19, USA

20, Punta Cana

21, Mexico

22, Barbados

23, Netherlands' ABC islands

24, St Lucia

25, St Maarten

26, Antigua

27, French Caribbean Islands

28, the Maldives

29, Surprisingly, Saudi Arabia is building a lot of Red Sea resorts which due to be opened in the coming 2-3 years

30, Goa in India

31, Qatar

32, Salalah in Oman

33, and others like Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, Zanzibar...

 

Has Thailand now smelt the coffee yet? I doubt it.

8 minutes ago, ChC1 said:

The article seems to forget many European people would go for a beach holiday:

1, Spain

2, Portugal

3, Gran Canarias

4, Balearic Islands

5, France

6, Greece

7, Cyprus

8, Croatia

9, Turkey

10, Romania (Constanta)

11, Bulgaria (Varna)

12, Israel

13, Jordan

14, Egypt

15, Morocco

16, The Bahamas

17, Cuba

18, Grand Cayman

19, USA

20, Punta Cana

21, Mexico

22, Barbados

23, Netherlands' ABC islands

24, St Lucia

25, St Maarten

26, Antigua

27, French Caribbean Islands

28, the Maldives

29, Surprisingly, Saudi Arabia is building a lot of Red Sea resorts which due to be opened in the coming 2-3 years

30, Goa in India

31, Qatar

32, Salalah in Oman

33, and others like Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, Zanzibar...

 

Has Thailand now smelt the coffee yet? I doubt it.

Exactly.

Vietnam is reportedly opening up completely on the 15th of this month.

Reported in the BP.

https://apple.news/A63oZt6qUSlWUSgWZAdjD_Q

I came back yesterday, from a 4 weeks holiday in the Canary Islands (Spain).

 

Pretty simple/straightforward to get there, just needed to be vaccinated, download a "Spain Travel Pass " onto my phone.

 

Then before I went, I had to order a covid test kit online (£16) and then get tested on arrival back in the U.K (that wasn't needed in the end though, as the "rules" changed whilst I was away, so no need to take the covid test , once back to U.K.).

 

Then two days before I flew home, just needed to download a "passenger locator form*...all  was very easy to do, not too intrusive I thought.The weather was fine too, fair enough, the first weeks wasn't! The last 3 weeks I was sat by the pool nice weather, not expensive, staff and workers seemed to be friendly and very grateful to the tourists, for spending their money there.........

 

Whilst there, when talking to holidaymakers there, there were a fair few! who "normally" go to Thailand, but just couldn't be bothered with all the rubbish thats needed to get there now.

 

There were also some farang men there, with their Thai wives! Again, same story...they went to Spain and couldn't be bothered with the Thai nonsense!!

 

Ive been going to Thailand for 39 years now, I really want to go back, Im retired, my "plan" was to spend October-December over there, home for Christmas, then back to Thailand in January, back to blighty before Songkraen, then repeat.

 

Of course, Covid put paid to that. I think, tourism in Thailand will never recover (fully!) from this. Other countries are opening up, with far less restrictions, then when you get there, they are actually glad, to get your tourist pound/dollar/euro etc.  Not so in Thailand.

 

I wont be going back to Thailand. until these "restrictions" are drastically reduced, I suspect, the vast majority of other tourists wont either.

 

Thailand can try to entice/lure as many millionaires as they like! to holiday there...sorry to say, it aint gonna happen.

 

There are many many people,in Thailand, deeply affected by the loss of tourism ...of course, as they arent the rich/hi-so etc.......nothing much is likely to happen.

 

Im "hoping"! to go back to Thailand later this year....I was hoping the same last year...and the year before though!!!

 

On 2/10/2022 at 3:24 AM, Pinoydave said:

Thailand has lost its edge…… I think people will come less frequently……. I use to come 3 or 4 times a year, now I can’t envision coming more than once a year. I’ve been having fabulous holidays in The Gambia recently……. I want to try Kenya and then if I’m brave enough South America.

Just finished 6 months in Colombia. 

Me? Prob have at least another half dozen month or longer Thailand visits in me.

 

Love the culture, art, food, etc. at the same level that people go ga-ga over France or Italy. I'm more prone to a trip where I bus around the central region than go to the beach, so inflation will be less of an issue.

 

Laos tho, looks to be done for me with the Chinese high speed train up and running. Luang Prubang looks a bit too built up for my taste in recent Youtubes. Sakhanavet too.

 

So many of the atmospheric old 60's sun brick buildings have been torn down in Vientiane and they destroyed both the dining area around the fountain and the one by the river.

 

Whereas Phitsolanouk will not likely change much in the next decade.

On 2/11/2022 at 7:08 AM, moontang said:

Beer prices Mexico..Corona about 1.50 per liter.  My "loom"...17 USD per night...they even use hot water laundry..

Modela is the dogs Nutts.  First time I ever had one was about 10 years ago visiting LA

Not a Modelo fan, either.  Turns out, the Heineken brewed in Monterey, may be the best local beer.  473 ml cans (15.994 OZ), are better than the ones from Holland they sell in the US. More evidence that the long trip is bad for them, even under the best circumstances.  Paid 30.25 THB per can..so a bit less than half of Thai prices.  But, none of us expats drink much, so the yearly savings are nominal....hahahaha.

The Dos XX amber is quite good, and I would take it over Lao dark any day of the week.  Sol and Corona seem to be better here, too.  And Pacifico is quite possibly better than Tiger.  There is also real Guinness around, but I don't know the deal on it.  No 3-4 dollar bottles of wine, like US, but more 5-8 us per bottle, and not 13-20 that you see in LOS.

Booze is cheap in Thailand?  By what metric?  And they've proven they can't be trusted on the pour, or the contents of the bottle.  A friend bought some kind of flavored Absolut and it was easily identifiable as counterfeit...bought at Makro, HH, no less.  The counterfeiting, recapping, refilling of bottles is endemic.

 

Surprised no one has asked why there aren't boogers on my walls.

1 hour ago, moontang said:

Booze is cheap in Thailand?  By what metric?  And they've proven they can't be trusted on the pour, or the contents of the bottle.  A friend bought some kind of flavored Absolut and it was easily identifiable as counterfeit...bought at Makro, HH, no less.  The counterfeiting, recapping, refilling of bottles is endemic.

Yet another blatant obvious scam!

 

Thailand, the Land of Scams.

I'm not sure any long haul vacation travel will ever be the same again.

 

Thing is, many folks have discovered vacation destinations closer to home, less cumbersome in terms of restrictions, and they like it.

My wife is Thai, we own a house in Thailand but for the past two years haven't been back, just because she can't be bothered to deal with the requirements.

 

The other thing, I think, is that folks have also re-discovered the fact that vacation resorts closer to home, just tend to be better, cleaner, and overall better value

 

Mexico is a great example. The resorts are 'sanitized' in as much as they aren't really Mexico, you are just in a low cost version of Florida.

Cancun is a great example. Travel up and down the strip, then you cross the little bridge and you are in real Mexico.

 

Don't get me wrong, I've lived in Thailand a long time, but if I was travelling from North America or Europe, don't think it would be in my top 10 vacation destinations