International tourism will be significantly revived after Test and Go ends, Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman says

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[misterphil]

The penny has finally dropped. ????????????

[jesimps]

10 hours ago, sungod said:

its peanuts. I just did a quote with roojai, 650 baht. If that the difference between coming or not I would suggest you cant afford to come in the first place.

 

and right, everyone used to turn up with their own insurance, thats why there was a go fund me everyday with a hard luck story

It's a while since I saw a "If you can't afford to .........., you can't afford to come here" post. How the pillocking heck do you know?

[CG1 Blue]

1 hour ago, gerritkaew said:

But you still need to be full vaccinated iff you don't want to spent some 10 days in a quarantaine hotel, and lots off people who want to go haven't got or don't want to be vaccinated ..

I thought unvaccinated people simply need to take a pre-flight Covid test now. Where did you read about 10 days quarantine? 

[LikeItHot]

7 hours ago, topt said:

One of the problems you see is that many tourists seem not to bother these days - look at all the Go Fund me stories.

Some form of mandatory insurance that covers everything and Covid for tourists would make a lot of sense.

So take the travel out of it you must also believe in mandatory insurance in a person's home country based on your logic. So then what would be the penalty you impose for those who do not comply? A fine, jail time, revocation of citizenship and deportation?  There will always be sad stories and losers. Don't punish the masses because of them. 

[NorthernRyland]

What is the nature of this 5 day quarantine for unvaccinated? Is it locked in a hotel room or road around Phuket?

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, Bwazi said:

Probably why the left keep on clamouring for more taxes to fund the NHS to treat everyone for free.

As an American I learned during COVID that the NHS is the same as public schools in America, they're given more money every year and every year they're underfunded. ...never satisfied and always wanting more.

[Oblomov]

11 hours ago, RandiRona said:

No...they need to self pay or carry their own insurance just like world did before. And that 10k of unusable covid insurance wont save you from Dengue, Malaria and thousands other hospitalization reasons so they still need to pay themselves. Also only one percent of incoming tourists are turned up positive , would you like to penalize 99% for 1 %?? 

Dead right there RandiRona - before so many started believing that this ... virus was the only thing that may get us on our travels, most of us managed to cover ourselves or have the means to cover expenses incurred without a single illness insurance for one health condition on top and with somewhat vague levels of cover.

 

 

[DGS1244]

Getting there but still a very long way to go. The Tourism Agency still rely in cuckoo land for information. Dream on.

[Sticky Rice Balls]

11 hours ago, smedly said:

Until they dump the insurance scam requirement - not much will change

THIS!  They have been dying to install insurance BEFORE Covid

If they ever drop it it will be the sure sign of desperation regarding tourism-economy

[topt]

1 hour ago, LikeItHot said:

So take the travel out of it you must also believe in mandatory insurance in a person's home country based on your logic. So then what would be the penalty you impose for those who do not comply? A fine, jail time, revocation of citizenship and deportation?  There will always be sad stories and losers. Don't punish the masses because of them. 

Since we are talking about foreign travel I have absolutely no idea how you come to that conclusion and do not see the relevance to home country........

 

Weird reply and no idea what "the masses" has got to do with anything other than some political bias?

[JimTripper]

11 hours ago, Gold Star said:

A friend arrived from the UK as a tourist, travelled in a van to the hotel with others, and got tested in a dirty parking lot by a guy that didn't change gloves between vans, or between testing other people. PCR tested not positive, not negative, but 'trace detected'.

The elephant in the room is that a lot of stuff is not done correctly here, no matter what it is.

 

That's why it's better to just wait until things settle down. Otherwise, you just get the parking lot guy (in many different scenario's).

Edited April 23, 2022 by JimTripper

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

What is the nature of this 5 day quarantine for unvaccinated? Is it locked in a hotel room or road around Phuket?

[mania]

Better than before but as others have said not quite ripe yet.

 

Vacations are preferably as stress free as possible. Too much up front nonsense with Thai Pass

& Insurance (covid specific) is still a speed bump

About insurance I think most of us ( I know I do) have travelers insurance. But this covid specific policy is just an added hassle

 

Last but not least..."Under Vaccinated" That is a scary loop hole for sure if not clearly spelled out

My wife had 2x Pfizer & plans no more no boosters etc

I had 1x J&J & also plan no more

 

If that constitutes under vaccinated then a non starter for us. Let us know clearly do we now need a pre-flight PCR?

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by mania

[Graham n So]

I was going to wait until June to visit Thailand on some business to avoid the "TEST and GO" then I saw that it had been scrapped as of the 1st of May so booked a flight for the 15th of May. However having paid for the flight, insurance, and down loaded my vaccination documents from NHS I found I am unable to upload them onto the Thailand Pass as it still requires me to have a booking for a "hotel + SHA". Could anyone tell me when or how to apply for the (new requirements) Thailand Pass. 

[Canuckluck]

I may of jumped the gun on understanding what the easing of restrictions means.I thought it included the end of the Thailand Pass and covid insurance.Wrong! From what i've gleaned reading the posts that's not the case,which means plans to visit my wife's family are still on hold.Bummer.

Edited April 23, 2022 by Canuckluck
Grammar/punctuation correction

[mania]

2 hours ago, Graham n So said:

booked a flight for the 15th of May. However having paid for the flight, insurance, and down loaded my vaccination documents from NHS I found I am unable to upload them onto the Thailand Pass as it still requires me to have a booking for a "hotel + SHA". Could anyone tell me when or how to apply for the (new requirements) Thailand Pass. 

I believe they said that site will not be update functional till May 1st (Which I know is dumb right?)

[Harvey81]

Better than before. Only hurdles remaining are pre-departure testing and insurance. Even Australia doesn't need these testing for tourists.

[kiwikeith]

21 hours ago, sungod said:

So you think people should just turn up, and if they get sick expect someone else to pay?

I don't think he means that, general health insurance yes but covid is a joke now. 

My wife's best friend got BA. 1,and hospital Sent her home to Isolate 11 days, then a few weeks ago she got BA. 2 and the kids and hubby all got it again went to Huahin hospital and sent home with paracetamol and told to isolate, she talks to my wife every day and she did not get sicker just a runny nose and mild headache for a few days the kids never knew they had it, so unless you're a tourist who is obese, with lung disease or diabetes, then maybe, unless you have had Omicron already you should consider covid insurance, but that's only how it seems to be with omicron worldwide.

Edited April 24, 2022 by onthedarkside
misinfo comments removed

[morrobay]

17 hours ago, brommers said:

Forget about the changes because they still do not put Thailand on par with many other destinations. Look at the experience that tourist will have when they get here and it is not good. Bars forced to operate as restaurants and many restrictions on social distancing, dancing etc. Many businesses closed leaving ghost towns. And it's a long flight from the main markets in the Americas & Europe who have many better alternatives. And as for the new saviours India it remains to be seen if there is anything like a large volume wanting to visit. All in all this set of changes are really little more than tinkering at the margins.

 

They will drop all these restrictions sooner than later . But 'many businesses closed ' as in blocks of gutted out small establishments and aluminum siding . Is the real problem. Along second Rd in Pattaya and then even between Beach Rd and second Rd on Pattaya Tai. And even along beach Rd. Looks very bad. Then the endless street and sidewalk unfinished works. Sidewalks on Pattaya central between Beach and second Rd. 

 

[jacko45k]

10 hours ago, CG1 Blue said:

I thought unvaccinated people simply need to take a pre-flight Covid test now. Where did you read about 10 days quarantine? 

Correct......although they can do quarantine as an alternative.

Thai Embassy London.

[sungod]

11 hours ago, jesimps said:

It's a while since I saw a "If you can't afford to .........., you can't afford to come here" post. How the pillocking heck do you know?

@ 650 baht a pop would be my guess

[gunner1]

If and WHEN is the key word!  believe it when I see it.

 

[Enzian]

10 hours ago, JimTripper said:

The elephant in the room is that a lot of stuff is not done correctly here, no matter what it is.

 

That's why it's better to just wait until things settle down.

That's why I plan to take just one big trip out and back, and in the second half of the year (my Non-O renews in Dec.). And I'll still be taking a chance on the "things settle down" factor.

[Heng]

Well the parking lot at BKK is certainly back to its packed norm this morning now that we don't have to do one of those minivan rides when we get back in country, but of course that isn't tourists.  

Edited April 24, 2022 by Heng

[NoshowJones]

On 4/23/2022 at 10:15 AM, AgentSmith said:

A preflight pcr test is just 1 hoop extra over fully vaccinated travellers. I don't think these people mind that.

 

The biggest drawback of test&go was the uncertainty after arrival. That's gone now. Then again never can please everyone can you?

I think everyone will be pleased when things are the same as before the pandemic, but this soldiers government also need to make it easier for long stayers under the age of 50.

[RafPinto]

Figures will not improve a lot.

Massive inflation and rate hikes very soon.
Be prepared for a Recession end of this year.

US is already preparing a massive rate hike.
All the ones buying properties etc on massive loans....be prepared.
Thailand must raise interest rates soon as well due to the high inflation but... most are in debt to their necks.

[Misterwhisper]

20 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Anyone have any idea how the insurance element works for those on a Thai extension of stay and a re-entry permit? Will the insurance have to cover until the extension of stay runs out?

Yes, edwinchester. The regulation says that the insurance policy must cover the ENTIRE VLAIDITY PERIOD of the visa. In your case that would mean that you need to get a policy that covers you until your current extension of stay runs out. In other words, a cheap travel insurance valid for 2 or 3 weeks is NOT sufficient.

 

But there are options that you should check:

> your current general health insurance may actually include treatment for Covid-19 (and satisfy the minimum $10,000 coverage requirement)

> some credit cards include comprehensive insurance, provided you pay your tickets with them

> there are several Thai insurance companies that offer quite affordable insurance for Covid-19 only (i.e. excluding any other health issues) for up to 1 year; for example: https://www.tuneprotect.co.th/en/product/coronavirus-covid-19-insurance/ONCOVIDL

[morrobay]

1 hour ago, Enzian said:

That's why I plan to take just one big trip out and back, and in the second half of the year (my Non-O renews in Dec.). And I'll still be taking a chance on the "things settle down" factor.

The elephant isn't going anywhere

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Is COVID insurance being dropped as well?

You kidding? The soldiers will always want their pockets to be kept filled.