I'm unsure which section to post this in so I'll leave it to the mods - it relates to both travel and the pandemic.

 

I'm not really a tourist, I have family, a home and friends in Thailand so like many, I have no choice but to accept problematic travel and restrictions.  I first resumed travel back to Thailand in December last year and have just returned to the UK after a second trip - I have to say that things were worse on this second trip than they were on the first.  There is no one sector that is to blame for the problems I encountered but nevertheless, I wonder just how many 'real' tourists will accept this - if I simply wanted a holiday in the sun, I wouldn't.

 

Some of the problems I experienced were as a result of changing carrier and therefore not enjoying the benefits of the Gold Card I hold with my usual carrier. This time I flew with Qatar - it was my first trip with them and it will be the last.  I'll simply list my moans in chronological order.

 

Hotel refused to refund my Day 5 booking after the rules changed - offered a credit instead.

 

Test & Go application took 6 days as apposed to about 6 seconds using the same supporting documents as I did for my first trip.

 

Massive queues for check in at Manchester Airport (according to the news today that was not down to Qatar but it was much the same at BKK on my return). I didn't see any similar queues at other airline check-ins.

 

No hotel car waiting for me at BKK - took almost 1.5 hours for it to arrive. Although I requested that I be the sole passenger - as I did on the first trip, they sent a van and I had to share with 5 others.

 

I used the same hotel for Test and Go as I did for my previous trip, yes a cheapie - I wasn't planning on staying overnight as the TAT say that PCR test results are to be received within 6 hours so I wasn't bothered about a decent hotel. First trip - results received within 6 hours, this trip 13 hours! The hotel have changed the test provider - no doubt a cheaper deal.

 

Handed an Antigen Test Kit on check out with no instructions on what to do with it - OK, I know but would a tourist?

 

Morchana App extremely slow but at least it worked this time. If I wasn't already aware of this I would have simply given up.

 

Many bars and clubs still shut.

 

Restaurant in Chiang Mai would not let me in until I returned with my vaccination record.

 

Queued for 1.5 hours to check in at BKK on my return leg.

 

Girl at check in asked for my vaccine certificates - I told her they were no longer needed for the UK. She made a fuss and called a supervisor over who told me that if I didn't want to show them, it was OK! Yes, I had them with me but I'd packed them in my hold luggage which was locked with zip ties. Hardly surprising the queues were so long.

 

By the time I checked in and got through security and immigration all the cafe's had closed - I couldn't even get a coffee.  This is a 24 hour, international airport and it was the only one of three on my trip where I couldn't get a hot drink or snack.

 

No charging point on the aircraft on the flight from BKK to Doha - I had an almost flat battery on my phone and its been a long time since I've travelled on a long haul flight without a charging point on the seat. Thankfully the cabin staff kindly charged my phone for me.

 

On all flights the seats were more cramped than they are with my usual carrier.  That wasn't so much of a problem until I ended up sat next to a big guy from Doha to Manchester.

 

Huge queues for passport control at Manchester and a 2 hour, yes 2 hour, wait for my luggage.

 

As I say, none of this is down to one particular area but nevertheless - all these items are likley to be faced by 'normal tourists'.  Some of my 'moans' are fairly minor but they all contibuted to making this the worst trip to Thailand that I can remember.  In my opinion, any 'real' tourists that do visit Thailand will be left with a bitter taste and are unlikely to return.

 

Added to the above I'm now more convinced than ever that Thailand is merely 'box ticking' with its restrictions - in December the gogo's on Cowboy had become 'restaurants' with the girls sitting outside fully clothed.  This trip, at least one gogo appeared closed until the 'hello' girls advised me that the action was back on the upper floor. Passing through the dark, deserted ground floor and up the stairs revealed they were telling the truth. Obviously the police were not aware of this ????. No names here but it has a glass floor.

 

It looks to me as if the Soi 3/4 area of Sukhumvit is going to be re-developed - its looking really delapidated now. It could be the effects of the Pandemic but new deveopments are all around this area and its often a sure sign that things are planned when landlords and tenants stop taking care of properties.

 

Sooooo... what are you doing in Soi Cowboy, if you claim to have family in Thailand?

1 hour ago, Swiss1960 said:

Sooooo... what are you doing in Soi Cowboy, if you claim to have family in Thailand?

I gave the OP a Like for his efforts in reporting info that probably be helpful for someone thus his foray into the clubbing areas i guess...

Good post, confirms my plans to avoid a trip to UK until after covid restrictions stop for Thailand airports, and so easy to test positive and you get in a world of pain

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Good post, confirms my plans to avoid a trip to UK until after covid restrictions stop for Thailand airports, and so easy to test positive and you get in a world of pain

That's where I am too. I find no hardship in staying here but crowded planes and airports are a big turn off.

i have to go back to uk next March, hopefully when they see another 6 months of disaster, no tourism, they may abandon this lunacy policies

It seems part of the problem is that you seem to be a cheap Charlie. 

Don't expect first class service if you are not willing to pay for it.

 

When I arrived in Thailand a couple of month ago I had to quarantine for a week in a hotel. No problem on the departing airport, no problem arriving in Bangkok airport, Mercedes limousine ready just for me. And then a week luxury food, pralines and espresso. I would do it again - but it definitely wasn't the cheapest offer. 

Sadly, flying internationally is no longer an enjoyable experience, but an obstacle....

Lot of it seems totally not Thailand related. But your carrier and even some UK stuff. So tourists who want to travel will all have to accept this.

As for you asking to be alone in your bus is reasonable but is it a rule or not ? Also depends again on how much you pay. You said it yourself it was cheap. Cheap often means they cut costs.

 

A lot of it seems normal to me. Yes its a 24 hour airport but with so many less guests shops will close earlier because of it It is the same all over the world. Why operate at a loss. So your moans are understandable. But you are comparing it to a normal situation and it still is not a normal situation.

An interesting note... I was talking to the sister of  Thai lady restaurant owner in East pattaya, she was telling me  about her arrival experience at Bangkok airport having arrived that very afternoon from Belgium, i asked why are  you not staying  the 24 hours in a hotel like all arrivals to Thailand..

She replied  if you 'pay enough'  you dont have to stay !!!

Simply dont travel during a pandemic.

Stay at home and whatch netflix, hbo or read a good book.????

 

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And then a week luxury food, pralines and espresso. I would do it again - but it definitely wasn't the cheapest offer. 

I stayed a week too, and the food in my luxury hotel was always luke warm at best, next time i stay at some 'luxury' hotel I will ask for a room nearer the kitchen than the 4th floor - either than or they install a microwave on the floor or have a hot food plate on the serving trolley !

53 minutes ago, Tom H said:

Simply dont travel during a pandemic.

Stay at home and whatch netflix, hbo or read a good book.????

 

Obviously written by somebody with no family or not stuck away from them !

As far as the hotel goes book one which has a refund promise if things change, a lot do even if they deduct a bit for admin fees. Some things have nothing to do with covid effect, in 2019 I waited 2.5 hours for bags after landing at Bangkok. Travel has become more of a pain since 9/11 covid is just another thing we have to put up with.

Lots of the OP sounds like a pretty typical international travel experience in the cheap seats, even before Covid.  Some go better, some actually worse.   United out of the USA aspires to do that well.

 

But I calculate the cost difference per hour to upgrade to a nicer seat, and grin and bear it.  I've done all kinds of unpleasant jobs in my life for less than $100 an hour.  

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Lots of the OP sounds like a pretty typical international travel experience in the cheap seats, even before Covid.  Some go better, some actually worse.   United out of the USA aspires to do that well.

 

But I calculate the cost difference per hour to upgrade to a nicer seat, and grin and bear it.  I've done all kinds of unpleasant jobs in my life for less than $100 an hour.  

Ha ha someone who thinks like me. I too am pretty happy to put up with a bit of discomfort in a plane, a few hours in an airport etc all the while saving a few hundred dollars.

12 hours ago, Swiss1960 said:

Sooooo... what are you doing in Soi Cowboy, if you claim to have family in Thailand?

Since when do I have to answer to you?

3 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

Since when do I have to answer to you?

You don't have to, but it's still a valid question ????

9 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

It seems part of the problem is that you seem to be a cheap Charlie. 

Don't expect first class service if you are not willing to pay for it.

 

When I arrived in Thailand a couple of month ago I had to quarantine for a week in a hotel. No problem on the departing airport, no problem arriving in Bangkok airport, Mercedes limousine ready just for me. And then a week luxury food, pralines and espresso. I would do it again - but it definitely wasn't the cheapest offer. 

Complete twoddle.  I always travel economy - I couldn't visit 6 to 8 times per year if I didn't and as I already stated, it was the worst trip I've ever had (20 years and over 150 trips). My post, if you hadn't realised is asking if a 'normal' tourist would put up with the conditions as they are at the moment - that is what the Thai government are hoping but in my opinion they are peeing in the wind.  I can alsOverall, you post seems to be more about bragging than comenting on the actual purpose of my post.o tell you that the queues at business class check in were comparibly large - something I've never experienced with Etihad.

 

You may like to waste money but I don't - on my first trip back I waited just 6 hours for my PCR result, why would any sane person wish to pay 9 or 10,000 for 6 hours. Business class is a very nice experience but is it worth 3 times the price of an economy ticket - no way. You clearly haven't travelled enough to realise that like myself, the majority of travellers travel economy.

 

Overall, you post seems to be more about bragging than comenting on the actual purpose of my post.

 

Its a sad part of being an Asean Now member that posters often have to put up with comments from people bent on trying to be-little rather than on the actual content. I say trying because your post just made me laugh and also told me much about your personality.

 

You may not realise this but most people reading your post will derive your bragging and boasting - they will not be impressed by your 'pralines and expresso', they are more likley to think you are a something that rhymes with hat.

14 minutes ago, Swiss1960 said:

You don't have to, but it's still a valid question ????

Given the purpose of my post, your comments have no validity at all.

7 hours ago, impulse said:

Lots of the OP sounds like a pretty typical international travel experience in the cheap seats, even before Covid.  Some go better, some actually worse.   United out of the USA aspires to do that well.

 

But I calculate the cost difference per hour to upgrade to a nicer seat, and grin and bear it.  I've done all kinds of unpleasant jobs in my life for less than $100 an hour.  

I've travelled to Thailand for over 20 years and I can guarantee you, my experience was nothing to do with 'cheap seats'.

 

At all 3 airports, both outbound and return, the queues at Qatar check in and baggage collection were very noticeable by their size. Yiu didn't need to ask which check in they were using - just head for the largest queue.

yeh i lost the op when he mentioned he organised a hotel taxi and wasnt happy when a van arrived with other customers on board, when he clearly asked for a solo trip!

 

Lol thats Thailand and the more time you spend here the more you have to just brush these type of things off, as the are a regular occurrence and they will take advantage of you if you let them.

I recently flew back to the U.K with Qatar and had no problems at all .

9 hours ago, actonion said:

An interesting note... I was talking to the sister of  Thai lady restaurant owner in East pattaya, she was telling me  about her arrival experience at Bangkok airport having arrived that very afternoon from Belgium, i asked why are  you not staying  the 24 hours in a hotel like all arrivals to Thailand..

She replied  if you 'pay enough'  you dont have to stay !!!

And there is the Thai magic

Qatar Airways are busy....  they have been on of the few reliable options throughout the pandemic, they cancel very few flights and stick to schedule, they offer free changes, free cancellation. 

As a result everyone seems to know that if they book QR they will travel, if they book TG you never know !

 

Regarding the arrival issues: No van and long time to process PCR.

Which hotel and how much was the T&G rate ?

 

I’ve been in and out of Thailand a number of times now and have had no issues, flight are getting busier - some T&G hotels are taking the pish...  others are reliably good.

I’ve just cancelled my T&G hotel at Grande Centre Point T21 (used them twice before) after I saw that they were offering a discount to Thai’s but not foreigners, I told them why I was cancelling (dual pricing) there response was just ‘noted’ !!!

 

One other point - book T&G through Agoda (always) they have better control over the refunds. 

Agoda has ‘Easy Cancel’ option and if chosen anyone can cancel for any reason up to 3 days before hand.

 

 

 

I normally travel business class to and from UK, but in the last six months have travelled there twice in Economy.

Two of the most pleasant long haul economy flights that I have had. Partly due to the low numbers of passengers. Flights left on time, Covid passenger processing through airport arrival and Covid hotel testing all went smoothly

My worst problem was arriving London hotel at 08:30am and no room check in until after 2pm.

 

Suvarnabhumi was a bit of a let down both times due to most restaurants, and many shops being closed air side. Couldn't get a meal. 

9 minutes ago, ed strong said:

yeh i lost the op when he mentioned he organised a hotel taxi and wasnt happy when a van arrived with other customers on board, when he clearly asked for a solo trip!

 

Lol thats Thailand and the more time you spend here the more you have to just brush these type of things off, as the are a regular occurrence and they will take advantage of you if you let them.

I would not brush that off - The reason these things happen is because people do brush these things off. 

IF the hotel has promised ‘single occupancy transport’ then thats what they should provide. I’m not sure if the hotel did promise this or if the Op just requested this. 

My T&G bookings have always confirmed ‘single occupancy transport’ - I don’t want to be in transport and then have one of the other strangers in the van test positive and the government want to isolate me as a proximity case (I don’t want to risk that hassle, argument, debate, discussion or whatever may happen at the time if this occurs). 

 

 

17 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

I've travelled to Thailand for over 20 years and I can guarantee you, my experience was nothing to do with 'cheap seats'.

 

At all 3 airports, both outbound and return, the queues at Qatar check in and baggage collection were very noticeable by their size. Yiu didn't need to ask which check in they were using - just head for the largest queue.

Flying through 3 airports, one of them being abu dhabi (or that area) in this day and age is asking for a ruff trip. Just travle to london and fly direct, would be easier and less stresfull.

 

As mentioned not flying economy would help also, especially direct as you will not have any queues at the airport.

Normal......??

9 hours ago, actonion said:

She replied  if you 'pay enough'  you dont have to stay !!!

You shouldn't need to do that: