1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Dreamers, living in a parallel universe, of their own fantasies. The real numbers (at least until the cowards abandon test & go) will be closer to 60,000 tourists a month for the remainder of the year, and possibly 30 billion from domestic tourism. What these goons do not enjoy admitting, is that they have utterly decimated the domestic economy, and made Thailand very unappealing to international travelers. Thailand is being forgotten, and millions are struggling here to put food on the table. Granted, the middle and upper income Thais will continue to travel, but far less than before, with restrictions in place, bars closed in some areas, and the islands a pale shadow of their former selves. Time for the clowns to get a dose of realism. 

 

 

Let’s be honest, it was pretty bad pre Covid. Businesses were still struggling, bars were forced to shut down, the military patrolled the streets and the amount of scams and ripoffs reached its peak. 
 

This is a systematic approach by the government to destroy the tourism sector because they were afraid the middle class became strong, while being influenced by westerners who entered the country and shared their way of life. 
 

Myanmnar 2.0 in the making. 

19 minutes ago, sead said:

Isn't there any station showing how it now looks in Europe regarding masks etc. There's none. Perhaps that would put some pressure on the government

I have travelled recently through 5 european countries and everywhere masks were obligatory.

In one country I was told to change my an ordinary hospital blue mask to a proper PF95 respiratory mask, when boarding long distance couch. 

My vax was checked at checking in at hotel.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

As the government prepares to declare Covid-19 an endemic disease in July, authorities are seeking to ease travel restrictions in tandem with the policy in the hopes of attracting more tourists to Thailand.

Drop every entry document BS and people will come.

Try to make Thailand look safe with bureaucracy and they'll go elsewhere.

Plus.... clarify if the 300 baht covers all accidents while in Thailand or if insurance cover for each individual is necessary?

2 hours ago, 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

It's always about money.... 

2 hours ago, 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

I just arrived March 10 my Covid test in the USA was $206 my hotel at grand Central point terminal 21 one night when Covic test and a ride from the airport total 150 US I think the people in the US are making the most money

31 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

If you can't afford any insurance, it is likely you are not the quality tourist they are seeking. unfortunately you are where many of us will be at some day.

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

2 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)

YOU can fake the PCR date with photoshop, than all that is left is hotel booking

2 hours ago, connda 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

Absolutely convinced that it's a money grab for the privileged class ... Worst part is I think they could even be falsifying tests in order to gouge the tourist victims ... insisting on private hospitalisation with the mild symptoms of the current covid strain can only be attributed to a scam... Glad I got home this week before testing positive ... I have had worse colds in my time ...Disgusting bunch of criminals in charge of a beautiful country ... so sad .  

23 minutes ago, racket said:

the military patrolled the streets and the amount of scams and ripoffs reached its peak

`been here a long time, where was there military patrolling streets? Have never seen this in 20 years... are you sure we are in the same country?

7 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

`been here a long time, where was there military patrolling streets? Have never seen this in 20 years... are you sure we are in the same country?

Maybe he was thinking 2014 after the coup or just before when all of the streets had checkpoints on them, well at least in BKK.  When I had my Condo on Langsuan there was a checkpoint with the military running at at the end of the street before Lumpini Park.  Every time I drove out to go to work I was stopped checked and let to pass....

2 hours ago, connda said:

I do agree with you.  Private hospitals are making windfall profits from testing and forced Covid incarceration.  Then special rating for special expensive hotels and restaurants with friends in high places. 
The losers?  Middle and lower class Thais who used to work in the leisure and tourism industry.  This won't be given up as it's a massive wealth transfer to the richest segment of the population at the expense of tourists and middle/lower class Thais.

"a massive wealth transfer to the richest segment of the population at the expense of tourists and middle/lower class Thais."

 

Struck a chord with me as only a couple of days ago I read these words:

 

"The Oligarchy is the largest monopoly of trusts (or robber barons) who manage to squeeze out the middle class by bankrupting most small to mid-sized business as well as reducing all farmers to effective serfdom."

The Iron Heel - Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, internationalism said:

  2 hours ago, popabear said:

Drop the medical / covid insurance to travel to Thailand , as I am well over 75 years old and unable to get such insurance and maybe even if I could , it would be totally to expensive to buy. Now I am discriminated against because of my age , by T.A.T on entry to Thailand, which after coming for the past 40 years , really makes me feel sad .   Regards Popa

Try WR Life. 

Restrict the number of cases in the country.  Haha!  Too late for that.  When they decided  to let people start coming in back Oct 2021 they let the virus in, and what is the obvious  result?  You have record  numbers of cases of covid and death from it happening now!  Too late just open up already!

     We're already well into March; no way will 10 million tourists visit this year.   Nobody is coming so just drop all the requirements except for vaccination--don't wait until July, for heaven's sake.   Right now it's all just way too complicated and the requirements have changed so often that it's just a big, confusing muddle.  Ditch it all and start your marketing with a fresh slate with just the vaccination requirement.  Numbers will still be low but at least it gets you on the way to an easier process for everyone to use.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He advised the government to implement regulations and policies from other countries

Now there's an idea!

Just now, newnative said:

     We're already well into March; no way will 10 million tourists visit this year.   Nobody is coming so just drop all the requirements except for vaccination--don't wait until July, for heaven's sake.   Right now it's all just way too complicated and the requirements have changed so often that it's just a big, confusing muddle.  Ditch it all and start your marketing with a fresh slate with just the vaccination requirement.  Numbers will still be low but at least it gets you on the way to an easier process for everyone to use.

Instead they are headed to Russia to attend a Trade show for tourism where they hope to revive the Russian Tourism....one has to wonder if the plan isn't to give them 1 free day for every 6 purchased.....

With keeping the RT-PCR test a requirement for arriving tourists TAT has understand nothing.

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.  

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, he stated that RT-PCR testing protocols will continue to be used to restrict the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

somebody somewhere (at the government cronies0 must be making a lot of money

Wife and I are waiting for the entry restrictions to be removed completely.

There's 2........hope someone in authority reads this stuff.

Travelling to/from Switzerland does not need any test nor vaccination!

Wife and I are waiting for the entry restrictions to be removed completely.

There's 2........hope someone in authority reads this stuff.

Finally get on a plane next week after being locked in Aus for 3 years. Lot of rigmarole to do it still.

555555555555555555555555

1 hour ago, racket said:

Forget it, no one will come. Thailand needs to get rid of test on arrivals.

Yep, there are destinations out there that require none of the rigmarole Thailand wants to get here. And what the TAT seem to be overlooking is that these other destinations want repeat custom, not to just be a stop gap until Thailand gets back on it's feet so they are going all out to make peoples visits as memorable as possible. Even if (and it's a big IF) TAT drops ALL the requirements, they will still be behind the curve because all those bars and places that have been closed for a year will not just spring up and be popular again overnight. So anyone reopening will be facing heavy overseas competition and working at a disadvantage because those overseas places already have the customers.

I for one can hold out until the TAT stop playing games. More money more honeys when i return...haha

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

If you can't afford any insurance, it is likely you are not the quality tourist they are seeking. unfortunately you are where many of us will be at some day.

It is nit that the insurance is unaffordable; it is that there are other countries to choose holiday that do not have the hoops that Thailand imposes.

The usual whining, whinging, variations of negativity by armchair nabobs, again.  It never ends here.  Just returned from a one month lovely stay Bangkok facilitated by the intelligent design of Thailand Pass. Was very encouraged by the methods employed to monitor Covid infections regards the safety all..  The city showed daily growing signs of recovery of businesses and night life.  Vibrant and you want for nothing.  God bless the governments of the world, including Thailand, that have grappled with the pandemic, protected their citizenry and others as best they could from Covid infections and it's consequences.  And to hell with the foaming at the mouth know nothings spouting their ignorance and simpleton rants, trying to tear them down.

4 hours ago, timendres said:

Won't restrict the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, but it will restrict the number of tourists that come.

I wouldn't be too sure of that.  Many countries have a pre-flight testing requirement and I think that's likely to be with us for quite some time.

As long as the TP is in place thailand is not opened to tourism which is its intended purpose, i am in the process atm only because I am returning