52 minutes ago, TB20 said:

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

Same as most countries ?

3 hours ago, Thailand said:

Tourists will come when Thailand reverts to pre Covid restrictions. Quite simple.

They need to do it soon or potential tourists will book alternative destinations.

Yes, maybe as many as 5 million a year, 5 or 10 years from now. That is about it. They have essentially destroyed the industry and pumped 1,100 rounds of lead into the Golden Goose. 

2 hours ago, racket said:

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. 

Very true about all the pre Covid issues. Nobody in a position of authority wants to talk about any of this. They missed a golden opportunity to reform and get better. Regression has it's costs. But, dinosaurs are not capable of progress. 

 

I also think part of the deliberate destruction and sabotage of the industry is about the goons in charge focusing their efforts in all the wrong areas. They are trying to make Thailand a Quaker State. A land of purity. Total BS. Nonsense. Misplaced priorities, and wasted efforts. And completely fake and hypocritical. No doubt these terribly misguided fools are trying to rid Thailand of one of it's most popular attractions. The nightlife. And we are not just talking about the "industry". Little do these ninnies know, the girls will just go underground, and online, but it will operate more in line with the enormous sex industry in the US. Illegal, underground, unprotected, unregulated, potentially overpriced, and potentially more dangerous for all involved. So, they would be moving the nation backwards, and harming their people, and tourism, in the process.

 

Many nightlife venues will never re-open. Many are permanently sabotaged. And I would venture to guess this was intentional sabotage. The fake puritans want to remake Thailand, in their own image. At least the image they perceive of themselves, which we all know is a major form of pathological delusion.

 

So, that included killing Thailand's nightlife. Willfully. Covid became that opportunity and it was seized with vigor. And within their bubbles of self delusion, they do not get the fact that the nightlife here is part of Thailand's charm and appeal, to a significant portion of tourists, regardless of whether or not they partake of it. 

 

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

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.

Yeah that is true.  But @racket op was misleading as it does not specify why times were bad nor when. 3-7 years ago pre-covid things weren't doing so bad as the Thai bht can attest. Maybe in the girlie and bar industry, but I do not go to these places. 

16 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Meanwhile, the TAT governor stated that the agency will follow the CCSA’s judgment on whether or not the upcoming Songkran holiday festivities will be suspended.

funny that... the PM said it was going ahead the other day.   so who exactly runs the country? i think we know now!

57 minutes ago, paulikens said:

funny that... the PM said it was going ahead the other day.   so who exactly runs the country? i think we know now!

Tourist Authority of Thailand is a misnomer, it has no authority. 

Thailands government had better get its act together to save the tourist business from disaster. Start by vaccinated all its people with decent vaccins and booster, feed their poor and give them help.  Ive just left Thailand and im happy to be home where life goes on , yes, people wear masks , I will too when needed. Everyone ( nearly) has had their 2 vaccins and booster, the Covid sick are being handled in the proper way , with expertise and heart. 
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.

Nothing has been done there to help the Thais who have worked hard all their lives, and have been let down by their government. Some are even reduced to begging , old men or women holding a timid hand out when you pass by, or very often cars stopping to ask if you need to go anywhere, usually older people too. Heart breaking.  Everyone suffering. My stay actually made me unhappy, just like when I went to India years ago, there’s only so much misery I can see. I help where I can, as lots of tourists do. It’s in the government’s hands now to fix this, instead of calling out how many millions are going to come this year , or how many billions are going to come in. Shame on them.

3 hours ago, 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.  

I think most people are not worried about COVID itself, it's the enforced testing and then hospitalisation at expense that worries them. If it was fully vaccinated, PCR before flight I would seriously consider coming back. UK now quarantine is only recommend, not compulsory, hence most people I know of don't even test anymore, myself included.

Is there actual infos on the main issue of forced hospitalization ?

They recommend people with no symptom or very light to stay at home, officialy, so is there a different treatment for foreigners arriving now in Thailand ? Any official info ? Or some actual experiences ?

 

Edit : more specific topic :

 

Clear as mud of course...

4 hours ago, 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.

It is not about allowing tourists in. It is about maintaining a level of supposed control, extending the Emergency Decree  and fleecing people.

Covid has been the perfect cover for retired soldiers who are scared of students and Westeners.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, the TAT governor stated that the agency will follow the CCSA’s judgment on whether or not the upcoming Songkran holiday festivities will be suspended.

On again ... off again... onoff ..?

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I also think part of the deliberate destruction and sabotage of the industry is about the goons in charge focusing their efforts in all the wrong areas. They are trying to make Thailand a Quaker State. A land of purity. Total BS. Nonsense. Misplaced priorities, and wasted efforts. And completely fake and hypocritical.

Or perhaps they realize that pimping out the country's sons and daughters isn't a good model going forward. 

 

Look at what happened to Las Vegas when they cleaned it up.  For every monger buck lost, they replaced it with 4 or 5 family dollars. 

 

5 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

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.

Yeah, like a few months, Of course we can discuss about what 'many' actually means. The point being that one can find plenty of places to visit without such requirements meanwhile others wait for the reality to set in.

9 hours 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. 

 

 

Looks like zombie apocalypse. Meanwhile I expect European destinations to thrive at least by the summer holiday season.

9 hours ago, popabear said:

Thanks for the information , but this is only for covid  insurance , I do also need medical health insurance along with the covid insurance , which I would be very surprised , if it was possible for me to get , and if possible I would think it might be very expensive.  Regards Popa

You don't say where you are based but in the UK at 77  I can get comprehensive cover, with medical expenses up to £3 million, including Covid as standard, for a 90 day trip for about £450. This is from Good2Go, through JustTravelCover.com. I'm sure equivalent cover would be available in other countries if you really wanted to bother. What puts me off is the suspicion that it wouldn't be accepted for some preposterous reason, eg it's not worded correctly in USD, or doesn't state that Covid is covered in block capitals; and then the Thai insurance would be required on top. I guess it all depends on how motivated you are.

11 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 can vouch for that.  I'm in CA purely because of the uncertainty in booking a $2000 trip to Thailand. 

12 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.

At least now we know while there is plenty of time for alternative plans & locations 

1 hour ago, DoctorB said:

You don't say where you are based but in the UK at 77  I can get comprehensive cover, with medical expenses up to £3 million, including Covid as standard, for a 90 day trip for about £450. This is from Good2Go, through JustTravelCover.com. I'm sure equivalent cover would be available in other countries if you really wanted to bother. What puts me off is the suspicion that it wouldn't be accepted for some preposterous reason, eg it's not worded correctly in USD, or doesn't state that Covid is covered in block capitals; and then the Thai insurance would be required on top. I guess it all depends on how motivated you are.

I'm not as old as you but I'm not a 'spring chicken'.  £15,000,000 medical expenses, 12 months multi trip but maximum 45 days per trip. If ordered to quarantine only the cover is limited to £2000 for additional accomodation. £144. Alll Clear Gold policy without cancellation cover.

 

They will quote for adjustments on some parts of the cover - maybe they would quote for a 90 day trip.

 

My cover is stated in £ and my Thailand Pass was approved (twice).

TAT to ease travel regulations in line with new Covid policies

 

That headline is somewhat sensationalist. The TAT won't be easing anything - there's only one man that decides that and he's a little above the TAT.

8 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

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.

Pre-flight when I am still at my home is different than being subjected to multiple tests when I'm on the ground in a country halfway around the planet

Won't change, as thi is doing what the Thai Elite have wanted to do for years:-

Stop all the 'undesirables' ( i.e. Backers, sex tourists, budget travellers, etc...) coming to Thailand, and only admit the "Quality Tourists" they want.  Close all bars and 'entertainment' venues, mainly owned by Farangs

Covid has given them the excuse they have been looking for.  All they need now is for the World's millionaires to  get into their private jets and head for Thailand.

it will suit the Elite for Thailand to have millions of poor people, desperate for any income, so there will be no shortage of servants and other minions to do their dirty work

12 hours ago, racket said:

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

Wow! Military patrolling the streets? I never saw that in Thailand in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 despite many months (total about 2 years) in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Pattaya and many other parts of the country. Are you sure you're talking about Thailand?

 

14 hours ago, webfact said:

However, he stated that RT-PCR testing protocols will continue to be used

With ond night in a quarantine hotel ?? About insurance ?

 

If the price of oil continues to rise, flying to asia might be very/too expensive

11 hours ago, internationalism said:

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.

In France mask is no longer obligatory outside since january 10th, and as from monday 14th it will  be no longer obligatory inside excepted in public transport (buses, trains, planes)

17 minutes ago, daejung said:

If the price of oil continues to rise, flying to asia might be very/too expensive

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

 

16 hours ago, RafPinto said:

Means, they don't ease anything.

They used the future tense in the OP.... you did not. I say they will ease requirements.

Singapore moving to pre flight PCR and a self administered rapid test on arrival for most arrivals. (VTL countries) Takes affect on Tuesday next.

Could lead to other South East Asian countries doing the same.

While not perfect it's a far less cumbersome system but even better with no VTL restrictions (just a few restricted countries if absolutely necessary)

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/vaccinated-travellers-to-singapore-from-low-risk-and-vtl-areas-can-take-non-supervised-art

3 hours ago, daejung said:

In France mask is no longer obligatory outside since january 10th, and as from monday 14th it will  be no longer obligatory inside excepted in public transport (buses, trains, planes)

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.

Thailand is up there with around six or eight other nations that have not been able to flatten the Covid curve. So, time to admit that international tourists are the ones taking the big risk, by coming here. And also time to show some humility (if that is possible), and admit Thailand needs tourists 30X more than they need Thailand. At this time, Thailand is being forgotten, and the longer the restrictions and the 1st nite quarantine, and threats of a long expensive hospital stay remain in place, the more Thailand is being forgotten. The real risk, is that this could be permanent. 

 

So, scrap test & and go by tomorrow. Show some courage and man up. Try to do the right thing, just once Prayuth and Anutin. Just once do something that benefits your nation. 

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).