Overall negative reaction to Thai Covid-19 center meeting, majority of business owners, tourists want much further and faster easing of restrictions

[david555]

2 hours ago, Reigntax said:

I also believe the pre flight testing is a requirement to board some airlines

But some does stop the mask wearing as forced ...as KLM  decided now

[Enzian]

I like Bangkok Barry's long explanation just above. My simplification of his #7 is that Thai drivers seem to have no concept of leaving "a margin for error". Just watch them. There is no apparent awareness that driving like they do, if anything goes wrong they and/or someone else is screwed. 

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, david555 said:

But some does stop the mask wearing as forced ...as KLM  decided now

I would have thought an aircraft was a fare contender where mask wearing would be needed and beneficial.....

[superal]

2 hours ago, Swampy999 said:

In the past 5 months 8 friends have decided not to come to Thailand due to the pathetic covid regulations here. 2 of them are UK company directors and they have spent a lot of money in previous visits to Thailand but for them the risks of having a positive test whilst here and the ensuing ramifications are simply not worth the risk. 

I often wonder if the Thai authorities and TAT read this Aseannow media . I have a feeling they do but resist taking some first hand opinions / guidance from those who post on here with info on what the farang tourist would like to happen . Entry restrictions need to be reviewed and simplified . There is no stopping covid spreading but we can help protecting ourselves with vaccines and basic hygiene habits . Thailand needs to remember that it is a long haul flight for Europeans as opposed to a short hop to say Spain and if the traffic light scheme came back where countries change from green to red overnight , Thailand is almost impossible to leave at a moments notice and also expensive air flights .             The strange thing is that Thailand insists on testing farangs OTT yet barely tests is own population .Indeed Thailand needs to find an inducement to attract tourists instead of repelling and fleecing  them . Thai tourism  is on a downward slippery slope with no hope of recovery with the current entry regulations . The Thai baht bubble has to burst soon .

[david555]

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I would have thought an aircraft was a fare contender where mask wearing would be needed and beneficial.....

One excuse from them is that it provoke cases of agressions from passengers and they like to protect their workers ....

Also Dutch gov. Are going announce after 23 March more easing of restrictions ....it seems only a personel healt declaration would be demanded by arrival at  airport 

Edited March 21, 2022 by david555

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, david555 said:

One excuse from them is that it provoke cases of agressions from passengers and they like to protect their workers ....

Well there is not shortage of videos on social media of on-board disputes by Karens and Keiths in the USA..... 

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, dj230 said:

No PCR test to arrive in Thailand now? 

 

I guess another lockdown is coming 

As already stated, dropping the PCR negative within 72/48 hrs of departure is not the way to go.

 

In reality fast/full PCR swab tests are now available at many international airports in many countries globally, some providing test results within 1 hour, some 2 hours. 

 

Why not go for the above, much more meaningfull.

 

And if needed have a requirement for a PCT test on day 5 but provide 1 or 2 walk-in/drive through free PCR swab test centres in most/all tourist centres in Thailand and well publicized. Can't be that hard, they already have gov't medical institutes/disease control institutes/government hospitals in many loctions, and make it all free. 

Edited March 21, 2022 by scorecard

[mar zarych]

I've been to Thailand every year out of the last 15 with the exception of 2021. Always enjoyed myself despite some minor frustrations when I had to deal with ANY governmental agency. Everyday I spent money on goods and services as well as medical costs if needed. Last year I visited 3 other countries and spent my money there after simply complying with required covid testing as I,m triple vaccinated.     That said I simply can't bother to jump through their hoops when it just isn't necessary, ie: covid  insurance, having to overpay even one day for lodging etc.  I passed on visiting this High season and will do the same for as long as they keep up these ridiculous requirements.  

[scorecard]

15 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Well there is not shortage of videos on social media of on-board disputes by Karens and Keiths in the USA..... 

True but many/most of these videos are very obviously staged. Sad that people need to involve themselves in making these videos and causing others to try to copy these 'events'.

Edited March 21, 2022 by scorecard

[malibukid]

4 hours ago, mjakob007 said:

Most airlines require PCR testing prior to departure, so passengers wont escape pre-travel testing.

 

So ideally, they should have lifted hotel stay upon arrival, if they were trying to be helpflu.

 

but who wants to queue at the arrival airport for another test, + immigration+ baggage claim?  no thank you.  travel has just gotten to be to much of a hassle for many.  unless of course you have your own jet

Edited March 21, 2022 by malibukid

[Dukeleto]

2 hours ago, newnative said:

Listen to the FTI--eliminate everything except vaccination proof.

Actually the most logical thing to do in the current covid climate is eliminate everything except the pre flight test.

[david555]

27 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I would have thought an aircraft was a fare contender where mask wearing would be needed and beneficial.....

Mask not enforced on KLM....BUT  if like to wear one also not forbidden..... so a free choice to use that protection anyway ....????

Edited March 21, 2022 by david555

[TooMuchTime]

1 minute ago, Dukeleto said:

Actually the most logical thing to do in the current covid climate is eliminate everything except the pre flight test.

Are you trying to tell me being "fully vaccinated" means you can still contract and spread covid?  Did the "vaccine" that was made within 9 months for a 2019 virus prove to not be effective for 2021/2022 variants?

[jacko45k]

Just now, TooMuchTime said:

Are you trying to tell me being "fully vaccinated" means you can still contract and spread covid?  Did the "vaccine" that was made within 9 months for a 2019 virus prove to not be effective for 2021/2022 variants?

Yes.

No.

 

[NoshowJones]

6 hours ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

The lifting of a PCR  prior arrival flight was a joke,  this Government has lost the plot, and would appear that they don't want to lift restrictions  and want to continue there tight grip of Thalands citizens.

Money! Money! Money! Then there's the protesters. The Philippines and Cambodia can open up, why can't Thailand?

Surely the answer is obvious to everyone, yet there is still the very odd one or two who cannot see this.

[Adumbration]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

The road accident problem isn't addressed because it is out of control and insoluble. Why?

1 - I have never detected any sign of common sense in a Thai, and I've been living here for over 25 years. I am not sure how you teach that, but anyway there is no movement to do so.

2 - The Thais have a Me First mentality that is deeply ingrained, and that is the last thing you want to see in a driver.

3 - The education system demands that you do not think for yourself but listen and obey, so Thais do not develop the necessary skills to actually think. That may result in my first point above.

4 - Learning to drive in a proper and responsible manner is quite difficult, and Thais do not do difficult. Thais do 'near enough', but on the roads that isn't 'good enough'. One mistake can cost lives, so being lucky enough to get it right most of the time isn't good enough either.

5 - They have absolutely no concept that the vehicle they are attempting to operate is a potential killer. No concept at all.

6 - Along with inadequate teaching of all things about how to drive properly and safely, there is no test to determine if you have reached a standard where you are not a danger to yourself and others before you take to the road.

7 - Thais do not seem able to join the dots, and realise that if, for example, they drive at 120 kms an hour five metres behind the vehicle in front, or drive at night with no rear light (or front light if they are driving on the wrong side of the road because they have no concept of the danger), then they would have no time to react if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly. Ask any Thai what their safe braking distance is and they would have no idea.

8 - There are zero police patrols to help prevent accidents by pulling aside selfish and stupid drivers. Their only presence is setting up road blocks which seems in my experience to have only one purpose - to check your tax disc is in the window and up to date.

9 - Police have absolutely no interest in enforcing the law even when they are static beside the road, watching kids three or four on a bike go by with no helmet, no license, no ability to properly control the bike they are on. And that goes also for the parents and schools who allow Thailand's future to play Russian Roulette every time they go out. The police know they get paid anyway, so why work?

10 - The government does nothing to resolve the road death/accident toll as nothing practically can be done. The problem began decades ago when Thais first began to drive in numbers. No meaningful test was introduced and enforced, and now it is far, far too late. It would mean retraining every driver (and who would do that - it would be similar to those who teach English not being able to speak the language themselves). And it would mean the drivers having to take a proper western-style test before gaining a license. And it would mean police patrols to catch those who drive as if they are playing a video game. Now, anyone can drive as they like and put themselves and others in danger as they know they have zero chance of being caught. They can drive that way with total impunity. And it would require said (non-existent) police to actually enforce the law. And not one of those things is possible in Thailand.

And that is why the government does absolutely nothing to address the problem, as it is out of control and without a fundamental change in the whole of Thai society and culture it cannot be remedied. The government knows that but can't say it.

 

All of the problems you have outlined could be fixed.  But they won't be because it would interfere with a significant income stream for the Thai elite.

[placeholder]

4 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

My buddy got a pre-flight PCR test in US and still got pushed into 10 day hotel on arrival due positive test in Thailand. If one is worried one is still free to undergo a pre-flight test on ones own volition.

 

Pre flight test, waste of money and burdensome, good riddance to it.

Only a problem because there was post-flight testing, not because of pre-flight testing.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, Adumbration said:

@spidermike007s an intelligent and articulate guy.  But he is off the mark here.  It has nothing to do with puritanism.  The elite are sending as many workaday Thais to the wall as possible with of overall objective of obtaining their land holdings.  

I cannot see where Spidermike007 is off the mark, I believe that as usual, he has got it spot on.

[thailand49]

Sound like it was just another get together on the dime of the tax payer?  ????

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

No worse than self appointed generals that took power by a military coup. 

Who are of course no worse than corrupt politicians who spent tax payers' money to get themselves and their family members elected so they can enrich themselves even more. 

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, Adumbration said:

@spidermike007 is an intelligent and articulate guy.  But he is off the mark here.  It has nothing to do with puritanism.  The elite are sending as many workaday Thais to the wall as possible with of overall objective of obtaining their land holdings.  

You could be right. A few things are certain. There is far more here than meets the eye, the interests of the public are of no concern whatsoever, and the general agenda is diabolical in nature. 

[Harveyboy]

7 hours ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

The lifting of a PCR  prior arrival flight was a joke,  this Government has lost the plot, and would appear that they don't want to lift restrictions  and want to continue there tight grip of Thalands citizens.

Controll..never been easier has it 

[Captain Monday]

2 hours ago, mjakob007 said:

Qatar, EK, JAL, these are demanding PCR withing 48-72 hours of departure

You are suffering from a fundamental misunderstanding. None of those airlines require covid testing. There is no testing requirement to transit DOHA or Dubai airport or Japanese airports. They go by testing requirement for country of destination and country of transit.

 

For example JAL, does not require covid testing. PCR test is required to enter Japan. It is not required to transit Japanese airports.You can fly from Bangkok thru Narita or HND airport to a country that does not require testing to enter such as Mexico, UK or Switzerland , with no test requirements at all.

 

If I wish to book on JAL to fly BKK-NRT-SFO I must get a covid test latest one calendar day before flight. Not because JAL or Japan requires it, but because the USA requires the test for entry. As soon as the US drops its ludicrous rule (the whole country is lousy with omicron already) no test will be required. Similarly from April 1 travellers from the US will be able to book a flight on JAL to Bangkok, with no requirement for preflight testing. A wise decision that will save time, money and hassles.

Edited March 21, 2022 by Captain Monday

[Mironov55]

7 hours ago, Petey11 said:

They got it the wrong way around, should have kept PCR before arrival and get rid of the other tests and Thai Pass.

Spot on as most airlines still require a pre- departure covid test before flying anyway

[thairookie]

6 hours ago, TooMuchTime said:

Simple solution to keep Thailand happy.

 

Full reopening, 0 restrictions as if it was 2019 for ALL Asian countries.

 

Thaipass and other restrictions apply to western countries.

I think they will consider 0 restrictions for just one country - China.

[smedly]

6 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

It’s a catastrophe. ????????

It's a corruptstrohpe

[Captain Monday]

13 minutes ago, Mironov55 said:

Spot on as most airlines still require a pre- departure covid test before flying anyway

Name one airline please . Every operation I know of uses the requirements of the country of destination and any country of transit. To do otherwise would put them at a potential commercial disadvantage and introduce unnecessary complication.

[mlkik]

6 hours ago, mjakob007 said:

Most airlines require PCR testing prior to departure, so passengers wont escape pre-travel testing.

 

So ideally, they should have lifted hotel stay upon arrival, if they were trying to be helpflu.

 

You clearly have not flown recently as your info is wrong.

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, moe666 said:

What a lot of people here do not get is government officials are covering their asses from law suits down the road for not doing enough to protect the citizens of Thailand. That is what many are worried about.

You mean it is possible for the likes of the unelected PM and his Health Minister, the one with the engineering degrees, to get law suits??. Is that why they keep their money in off shore accounts?

[mlkik]

21 minutes ago, Mironov55 said:

Spot on as most airlines still require a pre- departure covid test before flying anyway

You also clearly have not flown recently.