TAT to ease travel regulations in line with new Covid policies

[jacko45k]

30 minutes ago, rabang said:

I don't think it is mandatory outdoors anywhere in Europe anymore. The rules vary but I am sure one could find 5 countries to visit without having to think about masks (except planes) or testing. Thailand on the other hand seems like it is still 2020/21.

I had to undergo a RTK test before my dental appointment yesterday.  The dentist came to talk to me as at first I resisted it...(I thought it was just a money making exercise, or using up stock they had inadvisably purchased). My point was that it was 2 years into the pandemic, and this was the first time required....including 5-6 appointments  in that time, one just 3 weeks prior. 

She said in Bangkok testing was being implemented more than Pattaya, but her persuasive point, was to protect her staff and business. She would have to close if a single positive was detected in her clinic (each member of staff tested twice weekly). Anyhow, my point, Thailand is a month or so behind European Countries in the omicron infection wave.... so let it go through the same processes. 

(PS I was negative and it cost me 75 baht).

Edited March 12, 2022 by jacko45k

[Karma80]

It will take another ASEAN nation dropping PCR testing completely. Thailand rarely leads, it follows.

 

A Malaysian colleague emailed me regarding their government's press release of dropping quarantine and I should attend a public trade event. My reply was simple - a covid test before I leave, 1 on arrival, 1 before I return to Thailand, a Thai Pass and then 1 more when I get home. All with the roulette game of forced quarantine in Malaysia, or home quarantine hassles here, exorbitant PCR test costs and mandatary hotel bookings. So I can stand in an exhibition hall and mix with 10,000 people. Forget it.

 

And that's just to get on a 60-minute flight! But I can fly to Bangkok without any problems. For long haul travellers, quite why anyone thinks now is the time to travel to Asia with all the restrictions for a short leisure holiday given the additional uncertainties of war is beyond me.

 

 

Edited March 12, 2022 by Karma80

[tlcwaterfall]

17 minutes ago, Karma80 said:

It will take another ASEAN nation dropping PCR testing completely. Thailand rarely leads, it follows.

 

A Malaysian colleague emailed me regarding their government's press release of dropping quarantine and I should attend a public trade event. My reply was simple - a covid test before I leave, 1 on arrival, 1 before I return to Thailand, a Thai Pass and then 1 more when I get home. All with the roulette game of forced quarantine in Malaysia, or home quarantine hassles here, exorbitant PCR test costs and mandatary hotel bookings. So I can stand in an exhibition hall and mix with 10,000 people. Forget it.

 

And that's just to get on a 60-minute flight! But I can fly to Bangkok without any problems. For long haul travellers, quite why anyone thinks now is the time to travel to Asia with all the restrictions for a short leisure holiday given the additional uncertainties of war is beyond me.

 

 

Philippines no longer requires a PCR test prior to travel. They now require an antigen test only. No tests on arrival.

[Karma80]

14 minutes ago, tlcwaterfall said:

Philippines no longer requires a PCR test prior to travel. They now require an antigen test only. No tests on arrival.

But they still require a negative test before you arrive. To leave the Philippines and fly to Thailand, I will need to take a PCR test locally there. I wonder what will happen if I test positive?

[rabang]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

I had to undergo a RTK test before my dental appointment yesterday.  The dentist came to talk to me as at first I resisted it...(I thought it was just a money making exercise, or using up stock they had inadvisably purchased). My point was that it was 2 years into the pandemic, and this was the first time required....including 5-6 appointments  in that time, one just 3 weeks prior. 

She said in Bangkok testing was being implemented more than Pattaya, but her persuasive point, was to protect her staff and business. She would have to close if a single positive was detected in her clinic (each member of staff tested twice weekly). Anyhow, my point, Thailand is a month or so behind European Countries in the omicron infection wave.... so let it go through the same processes. 

(PS I was negative and it cost me 75 baht).

They might be a month or two behind in the infection wave but a year or two behind with their policies. But I said it all a long time ago that this is a marathon where the initial 'leaders' with low case numbers can be caught later.

[jacko45k]

Just now, rabang said:

They might be a month or two behind in the infection wave but a year or two behind with their policies. But I said it all a long time ago that this is a marathon where the initial 'leaders' with low case numbers can be caught later.

Do you have an example?..... I can only be grateful Thailand is not at, or got to, the stages the UK, USA, Italy, Mexico etc got to...... maybe their actions were beneficial. The only low case numbers, early on, are places like Australia, NZ, Japan etc. Now it is a case of Omicron catching up with them.... a better result than had Delta done it!

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

I had to undergo a RTK test before my dental appointment yesterday.  The dentist came to talk to me as at first I resisted it...(I thought it was just a money making exercise, or using up stock they had inadvisably purchased). My point was that it was 2 years into the pandemic, and this was the first time required....including 5-6 appointments  in that time, one just 3 weeks prior. 

She said in Bangkok testing was being implemented more than Pattaya, but her persuasive point, was to protect her staff and business. She would have to close if a single positive was detected in her clinic (each member of staff tested twice weekly). Anyhow, my point, Thailand is a month or so behind European Countries in the omicron infection wave.... so let it go through the same processes. 

(PS I was negative and it cost me 75 baht).

I have had to test for over the past year anytime I see my dentist or doctor here in Bangkok. It started last year at the hospital I use after one of the doctors was infected by a patient.  I think it's a good thing, no negative issues.

[sandyf]

19 hours ago, internationalism said:

flying anywhere in europe only vax (to austria with a booster).

to thailand - insurance from $20 (to many $k), Thailand pass, hotel+transport from $30, 2pcr (from $40 abroad and $65 in Thailand). Sometimes visa (say from $100) with supporting documents.

Plus logistics of it, when, how. The first time organising it might be a struggle for some.

Would thailand Pass take 3h, 7 days, would be refused for some reason?

If they decide to keep PCR in thailand then most probably they will also keep hotel quarantine and danger of hospitalisation/hospitelasation (the most dreaded by travellers, because forced and expensive in $k, rarely covered by insurance)

And how does that compare to a Thai wishing to go to the UK.

My wife has an unused visa in her passport from 2020. Bojo said companies should compensate those who could not travel due to the pandemic, but excused the government from that responsibility. Have to go through the process again and pay another £100 visa fee. There is also the expense of travelling to Bangkok and charges for return of passport.

Took nearly 2 weeks for biometrics appointment, but could have been a bit earlier if VFS was paid 3700 baht. Was told yesterday visa would be 6 to 8 weeks, but if VFS was paid 43,000 baht, could get a decision in 24 hours.

Of course it wouldn't matter how corrupt the UK immigration system is, could never surpass the perception people have of the Thai system. Being able to enter the country without a visa is just taken for granted.

[popabear]

14 hours ago, geisha said:

Some are even reduced to begging , old men or women holding a timid hand out when you pass by,

 Yes Thailand has jumped back to the first time I traveled there 42 years ago , the above is what it was like then and over the many years  I spent traveling to Thailand ,it improved very much , until I hear what you say hear, really makes me feel sad.   Regards Popa

[popabear]

14 hours ago, geisha said:

i was honestly quite shocked when I arrived back in Thailand to see how the place had degraded, I stayed in Phuket and most of the beach villages looked like abandoned shanty towns . Horrific.

Yes a good post. i am very surprised that more people that have travel to Thailand have not mention the sad issues the Thai people are going through , because of the harsh visa  entry requirements. Regards Popa

[Spilornis]

In the latest Singapore round of relaxation they say that the near term goal is to remove all testing and rely upon vaccination status.

In many countries masks are gone and now the question revolves around the definition and isolation (if any) of close contacts.

The West is simply moving on. The next big thing will be the removal of pre flight testing for entry into USA.

Bali has re-opened but their conditions are such that tourist numbers will be very low.

At the very least it's time to remove the outdoor mask mandate throughout Asia

[Road Warrior]

anyone can make figures work to ones advantage 

[NoshowJones]

18 hours ago, popabear said:

can afford insurance ,if I can get at a reasonable price at my age , but maybe with so many hoops to jump through in returning to Thailand , I will give it a miss and find some where else to go.  In all the many years that I have travel to Thailand , the last 7 years it has got harder and harder, year on year to get a visa and they have always wanted to jump private insurance onto us , why not put it on our air ticket if they are so concerned about tourist not paying our hospital bills. Regards Popa

"why not put it on our air ticket if they are so concerned".  They are already going to put an extra 300Bt on the price of your air ticket for some sort of insurance cover, or so they say, but I think we all know what a liar the soldier "there will be no coup" posing as a PM really is.

[fulhamster]

On 3/11/2022 at 1:28 PM, smedly said:

seems like some people of influence is making huge amounts of money from covid and want it to continue, that is the only conclusion I can come too - it has to be about money

The obvious contenders -- as usual

[spidermike007]

Total nonsense, again. Cha Cha, you sincerely want more tourists? Trash the pass. Along with the ridiculous, heinous and draconian threats of quarantine if any of the 40 people sitting close by on the plane are found positive.

This is Covid. This is not the Bubonic plague. Get real. Man up. Behave yourself.

Otherwise, be content with 50,000 tourists a month, 14% long term unemployment, broken souls and a future of poverty and decline. This is ALL on you!

[daveAustin]

On 3/12/2022 at 12:33 AM, jacko45k said:

I had to undergo a RTK test before my dental appointment yesterday.  The dentist came to talk to me as at first I resisted it...(I thought it was just a money making exercise, or using up stock they had inadvisably purchased). My point was that it was 2 years into the pandemic, and this was the first time required....including 5-6 appointments  in that time, one just 3 weeks prior. 

She said in Bangkok testing was being implemented more than Pattaya, but her persuasive point, was to protect her staff and business. She would have to close if a single positive was detected in her clinic (each member of staff tested twice weekly). Anyhow, my point, Thailand is a month or so behind European Countries in the omicron infection wave.... so let it go through the same processes. 

(PS I was negative and it cost me 75 baht).

How would it play out if you tested pos; would you have to self isolate or d’you think they’d notify the authorities and have you ‘sectioned’? Serious question as also looking to have dental work done soon. 

[Mitkof Island]

On 3/11/2022 at 1:28 PM, smedly said:

seems like some people of influence is making huge amounts of money from covid and want it to continue, that is the only conclusion I can come too - it has to be about money

Yea I figured that out last year with the worthless insurance and the over priced scam hotels. Only their richest friends are getting richer. While most of the population gets vaccinated months late with the Sinovac <deleted>. So what happened with all the free vaccines given to the Thai government for free for the younger population? Let me guess. Once if ever most rid themselves of the Covid time to rid the corrupt government.

[CartagenaWarlock]

On 3/11/2022 at 12:38 AM, internationalism said:

flying anywhere in europe only vax (to austria with a booster).

But people don't fly to Europe to find their brides at the age of 60. 

[ThailandRyan]

18 minutes ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

But people don't fly to Europe to find their brides at the age of 60. 

Are you sure about that.  You need to watch a few of the 90 day fiance shows.  They fly to wherever there are brides to be found.  At one time Russian mail order Brides were also all the rage as well as those from Brazil etc....

 

Had a friend actually fly to Spain and find a gal to marry....it is not just Thailand like you think.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail-order_bride

Eastern Europe[edit]

Women in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Eastern European countries are common mail-order bride candidates.

Economic and social conditions for women in Russia and other Post-Soviet states are a motivational factor in finding foreign arrangements. 52 percent of Russia's workforce is made up of women, yet according to some sources they often hold low positions of prominence in their home country and work jobs with less respect and lower wages (such as teaching or physician positions);^[20] and women earn 43 percent of what men do.^[21]

Finding a foreign husband gives a woman a chance to leave her country and find better economic opportunities. Marriage is a substantial part of Russian culture, with 30 years being the age at which a woman is considered an "old maid".^[22] With 4,138,273 more females than males from the ages of 15 to 64, marriage opportunities are slim at home and worsened by the life expectancy difference between men (64.3 years) and women (73.17 years), as well as the fact that a large portion of successful males are emigrating out of Russia.^[23]

In testimony before the United States Senate, Professor Donna Hughes said that two thirds of Ukrainian women interviewed wanted to live abroad and this rose to 97% in the resort city of Yalta.^[24]

Asia[edit]

Many international brides come from developing countries in Asia. The countries the women come from are faced with unemployment, malnutrition and inflation.^[25] However, economic factors are not the only driving factor for women in Asia to enter the mail-order industry. Filipino women often entered the mail-order industry in the hope of marrying abroad, and then sponsoring their family for immigration.^[25] In some cases women were recruited based on their physical appearance, with an emphasis placed on youth and virginity.^[25] This is found among boutique agencies, most of which cater to wealthy men from other Asian nations. The majority of Asian mail-order brides come from the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and China.^[26]

Country-specific information[edit]

Australia[edit]

Since 2003, the Government of Australia's resolve to decrease what was deemed "inappropriate immigration" by then-Prime Minister John Howard has gained momentum. Initial reactions to the program were mixed. However, during the January 2004 visit to Eastern Europe by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Philip Ruddock, Australian-Russian relationships were strengthened while both nations committed to a timetable for reductions in Russian human trafficking into Australia. The Australian public further embraced its government's new policies following the media circus of the Jana Klintoukh case. This case first exploded into the public's view when current-events program Today Tonight aired footage of a young Russian-born Australian, claiming she was imported via an Internet site and was kept as a sexual slave by her "husband" while being confined to his Sydney home.^{[citation needed]}

Belarus[edit]

In 2005, President Alexander Lukashenko attempted to regulate "marriage agencies" in Belarus and make it difficult for them to operate. He believed that Western men were draining his country of women of child-bearing age.^[27] However, as most agencies are being run from outside Belarus (either in Russia, other European countries or the United States), he has been unable to stop (or otherwise regulate) this activity.

Cambodia[edit]

Thousands of women from Cambodia were mail-order brides to men in South Korea. Viewing the practice as a form of human trafficking, in the 21st century the Cambodian government passed a number of laws, such as prohibiting marriage between Cambodian women and men over the age of 50, a ban on marriage between Cambodian women and Korean men, and a ban on marriages with foreigners (which was rescinded after six months).^{[10]: 197–198}

Canada[edit]

Canadian immigration laws concerning mail-order brides have traditionally been similar to (but slightly less restrictive than) their U.S. counterparts; for instance, previously not requiring the Canadian citizen to prove minimum-income requirements (as has been a long-standing requirement of United States immigration laws). While there is still no formal requirement for a minimum salary, the sponsor must provide evidence of income (such as the T4 income tax slip from an employer) with their IMM 5481 Sponsorship Evaluation.^[28] Until 2001 Canada's immigration policy designated mail-order brides under the "family class" to refer to spouses and dependents and "fiancé(e)" class for those intending to marry, with only limited recognition of externally married opposite-sex "common law" relationships; same-sex partners were processed as independent immigrants or under a discretionary provision for "humane and compassionate" considerations.^[29] In 2002, the Canadian Immigration Law was completely revised. One of the major changes was conjugal partner sponsorship, available for any two people (including same-sex couples) who have had conjugal relations together for at least one year. Canadian immigration authorities frown upon conjugal-partners sponsorship for heterosexual couples, and now require the couple to marry before a visa is granted^{[citation needed]} (unless serious reason can be demonstrated why the couple is not yet married).

There have been reported instances in which foreign spouses have abandoned their Canadian sponsors upon arrival in Canada or soon thereafter,^[30] often collecting welfare, which the sponsor is obligated to repay.^[31] In some of the cases, federal immigration authorities have made no attempt to revoke fraudulently-obtained landed immigrant status or deport the claimants, treating cases where one spouse is duped by the other as low-priority and difficult to prove.^[32]

A two-year conditional residence requirement (like that in force in Australia and the United States) was proposed in 2011 and is now applied to new arrivals.^[33]

China[edit]

China is one of the main source countries of East Asian mail-order brides. Vietnamese women are traveling to China as mail-order brides for rural Han Chinese men to earn money for their families and a rise in the standard of living, matchmaking between Chinese men and Vietnamese women has increased and has not been affected by troubled relations between Vietnam and China.^{[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]} Some Vietnamese women from Lào Cai who married Han Chinese men stated that among their reasons for doing so was that Vietnamese men beat their wives, engaged in affairs with mistresses, and refused to help their wives with chores while Han men actively helped their wives carry out chores and care for them.^[42] Cambodian women also travel to China as mail order brides for rural men.^[43][44]

Colombia[edit]

According to immigration statistics from the United States Department of Homeland Security, Colombia has ranked in the top 10 of countries since 1999 from which fiancées have emigrated for the United States. As well, the number of Colombians being admitted to the United States between 1999 and 2008 using fiancé visas (including children) has increased 321 percent.^[45]

A dissertation by Jasney E. Cogua-Lopez, "Through the Prisms of Gender and Power: Agency in International Courtship between Colombian Women and American Men", suggests various reasons for this growth, including continuing cultural inequality between the sexes despite equality being codified in the country's laws (honor killings were not made completely illegal until 1980).^[46]

Because of the large number of Colombians wishing to leave their country by marrying foreigners, a black market for marriages to foreigners has developed, with some people allegedly paying as much as 20 million pesos ($10,000) to illegal groups.^[47]

According to Colombia Decrees No. 2668/88 and 1556/89, passed in 1988, foreigners are allowed to marry nationals in the country provided they supply the proper paperwork, including a birth certificate and proof that both parties are not already married. A notary is required, but because the laws are open to interpretation, the requirements can vary from notary to notary.^[48]

Japan[edit]

Main article: Asian migrant brides in Japan

During the 1980s and 1990s, local authorities started government-led initiatives encouraging marriage between women from other Asian countries and Japanese farmers due to the lack of Japanese women who wanted to live in the countryside.^[49] These Asian brides came from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China and South Korea.^[49] The phenomenon of marrying women from other Asian countries later spread to urban parts of Japan as well.^[50]

[TheAppletons]

There's a graphic in an article in the Bangkok Post (which I can't post here) that lays out a four step sequence for "living with COVID".  (No idea if this is approved or just a proposal.)

 

Some of the highlights:

 

1.  Phase 1 is now-early April; Phase 2 is April-May; Phase 3 is end of May-June; Phase 4 is 1 July and forward.

 

2.  Phases 2 and 3 do not show PCR tests as being required.

 

3.  Phase 4 (after 30 June) says there will be no more ATK or PCR tests.

 

4. Phase 3/4 also shows the re-opening of pubs and bars.

 

If you want to search for this on your own, the title of the article is "COVID-19 to be endemic from July".

 

There is a link to the same article in post #16 of this thread on Flyertalk.com:

 

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thailand/2069678-thailand-phuket-easter-break-hospital-quarantine.html

 

  

[Straight8]

On 3/11/2022 at 7:19 PM, ThailandRyan said:

To put this into context, Testing prior to arrival and upon arrival is still being required, as well as testing 24 hours prior to returning to the US.  So lets just say a family of 4 from California who wants to visit here will have to spend approximately $1000 to $1200 dollars for the first test in the US, then add in another $360 upon arrival and then around the same for the return.  Off the top and before they even book flights, or hotels etc...they are already out of pocket just under $2k USD.  If this Government would stop the nonsense that would actually be $2k or 60K THB more the local economy would pick up.....

 

My sisters family is heading to Mexico for the 2 week spring break they have, flights were cheap and no testing required for them either. Only requirement was to be vaccinated before flying.   Total cost, and already paid up front through their travel agent, $5k USD and that's an all inclusive resort where they never have to leave and can enjoy the beaches as well as horseback riding etc....

 

They had wanted to come here to visit us since I had just visited them, but the extra cost was more than enough to put them off, and of course it is for my sisters 50th birthday as well.

Even if the number are true that about 50,000 tourist are coming at the moment, that is amazing. 50,000 fools, making this much of an effort to come to Thailand when so many other options are available with much much less headaches, costs and hassles???. Unbelievable.

[impulse]

On 3/11/2022 at 9:11 PM, possum1931 said:

"why not put it on our air ticket if they are so concerned".  They are already going to put an extra 300Bt on the price of your air ticket for some sort of insurance cover, or so they say, but I think we all know what a liar the soldier "there will be no coup" posing as a PM really is.

They're idiots for holding it out as some kind of insurance.  What it really is is a tax (a reasonable one in my mind).  One of the objectives is to cover the hospital expenses of foreigners unable or unwilling to pay their unexpected hospital bills.  There's been many threads about how much that is on an annual basis, and it's not insignificant.   But they're going to go after payment from the foreigners, and anyone expecting that payment to be forgiven because they paid a $9 tax is in for a rude awakening.  IT IS NOT INSURANCE.

[jacko45k]

15 hours ago, daveAustin said:

How would it play out if you tested pos; would you have to self isolate or d’you think they’d notify the authorities and have you ‘sectioned’? Serious question as also looking to have dental work done soon. 

She said I would have to reschedule my appointment and recommend I go home and isolate myself. (I did ask). So no mention of being carted off kicking and screaming. 

[farangnomore]

On 3/11/2022 at 2:30 AM, blazes said:

The first and main barrier to a resurgence of tourism....

I will not go to a country requiring PCR as PCR test can be positive up to 16 weeks after the infection,

[LivingNThailand]

On 8/19/2021 at 2:18 PM, ThaSalaPaul said:

Well this thread appears to have turned into something of a bun fight ????

I love that phrase.  never heard before I started reading Thai Visa.  ????  I use it all the time now.  Thanks.

[Will B Good]

Just in time to let in the new, virulent omicron sub-variant from HK.........So not only did we get covid from China, HK now seems to be the new breeding ground for its variants.

 

Better hope those multi-millionaire Indians and Saudis get their act together.....god forbid Thailand has to rely on those ßloody Europeans. 

[baboon]

On 3/11/2022 at 4:18 PM, swm59nj said:

Again how can they predict how Covid will be in July.  
But if it’s high or not.  Come to Thailand and have fun.  So what if you get Covid.  At least you got to drink cheap booze and have cheap fun. It’s all that is what matters in life?  
Getting a little off topic.  I was riding from Ekamai back to Asoke this past Tuesday.  I noticed on Sukhumvit that just about every westerner was not wearing a mask.  It’s amazing that people think you can come to another country.  But you don’t have to adhere to the rules.  

Anyone going to Thailand for cheap booze will be in for a rude awakening, perhaps Scandinavians being the exeption...

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, baboon said:

Anyone going to Thailand for cheap booze will be in for a rude awakening, perhaps Scandinavians being the exeption...

True......BKK getting on for London prices in areas that are interesting to drink in.

[baboon]

On 3/12/2022 at 3:26 AM, soi3eddie said:

Already happened. London-Bangkok-London. Economy class. 24/3 to 16/4. £940 Roundtrip. At least 40% more than pre-pandemic.

 

I presume you are talking about TG. In my own personal experience, I have found their prices outrageous for donkey's years.

I flew KLM last December and did not pay any more than usual. Shop around unless you HAVE to fly direct, in which case I am afraid you are a captive audience. 

[Will B Good]

44 minutes ago, baboon said:

I presume you are talking about TG. In my own personal experience, I have found their prices outrageous for donkey's years.

I flew KLM last December and did not pay any more than usual. Shop around unless you HAVE to fly direct, in which case I am afraid you are a captive audience. 

Qatar £680 at the mo.