Why can’t the Thai Govt speed up opening the doors to tourism?

[spidermike007]

The decimation and sabotage of a once dynamic industry is nearly complete. They still cannot demonstrate enough courage and wisdom to scrap the pass system. It is a bit like being monitored by big brother. Not a feeling most tourists are comfortable with. Most will simply decide on another destination. Thailand has learned nothing from two years of the shutdown. It is almost as if the current crop of so called leaders are incapable of learning. They still do not seem to understand that Thailand needs tourism 100X more than tourists need Thailand.

 

The economy here is anemic, at best. Skyrocketing unemployment, homelessness and suicide seems to be Prayuth's version of bringing happiness to the people. The only reasonable conclusion to come to, is that all of this was deliberate, and was a way of cleaning up the place, getting rid of the nightlife, and attempting to get rid of the "industry". Not gonna happen, despite all the foolishness. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chongalulu]

3 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Why can’t the Thai Govt speed up opening the doors to tourism?

 

As the title says. Stupidity, ignorance, lack of worldly understanding, blatant sabotage, organised disruption, strategic pilfering.

 

I could go on.

You could look up Hanlon’s Razor and the Dunning Kruger effect which largely sums up your assessment. ???? 

[spidermike007]

The real question is, why would a tourist want to come here at this time? Thailand is one of the few nations in the world, that has not been able to slow down the number of covid cases.

 

Yet, due to the terrible choice of the lowest quality vaccine available, highly selective shutdowns, and countless missteps, and a complete failure of leadership, this scourge continues here. Woe is Thailand, and woe are the Thai people. 

 

[johncat1]

Strange that there has not been a reported increase in Covid cases. Yet in my area in the North East, Covid cases are increasing daily since Songkran. The difference is we hear about it by word of mouth from local hospitals and government offices NOT from the controlled media.  My wife works for the local Tessaban and they are getting daily increases from their workers. They also are having to close the office every few days to spray the buildings. The government are being selective with the truth, not that they are able to tell the truth. 

[Sydebolle]

The minimum Covid-19 insurance coverage for all foreign arrivals will be US$10,000. Quite obviously, the deadly disease got cheaper by the week - lets wait and see until we see some money flowing the other way round. 

Almost all residents of Thailand meanwhile know of one, two or more "positive" cases. In my family, all double vaccinated and gone for boosters, three people tested "positive"; in one case he was negative the next day already. 

My question is; who is taking who for a ride on Thailand's - sofar - biggest ride on the governmental Merry-Go-Round? Just asking ........... 

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

So far, the expected spike in Covid cases after the Songkran holidays has not raised its ugly head

Probably due to not testing rather than lack of virus, heavens Thailand has tested less than 30% of its populace ! Complete Incompetents just fudging numbers.

[hotchilli]

44 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

We have a long wait before thinks get back to normal. Rushing it won't make it happen. So who takes the responsibility if all this open door let them in policy with little or no regard for other people doesn't work?

You're talking as if Thailand is squeaky clean and no internal infections...

Arrivals have more to fear from locals than vice-versa.

[superal]

3 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Why not do it a month ahead along with your flight ticket?

 

Is there some requirement the pass needs to be done right before you leave?

Many travellers fly at short notice for various reasons and the embassy quote 7 days to address your application but if there is a rejection and you are notified with only a day or 2 before your trip , that is when your problems begin .

If you plan further ahead your application is put to the back and I have heard that in a few cases people have been kept waiting for weeks for approval . Not the norm I know but it has happened . Booking ahead also means you are relying on your airline to not change or cancel your flight , as has happened recently also if there are new covid travel regulations made , they may impact on your travel plans . Even now I would be hesitant in making a booking a long way ahead .

[SoilSpoil]

So many questions arise. What about Thais? My kids are Thai, unvaccinated, and are clearly not tourists. I am ready to book, but if I wish take my family with me, the whole things becomrs very confusing. Friends and family back home will also give Thailand a miss this year because of the dreaded Thaipass. First book a ticket, get insurance and then apply at the Embassy not knowing how long tbe aporoval time will be. This doesnt provide that relaxed holiday feeling one is after. Thailands tourist market grew for years because of the easy entry rules. Good luck Thailand, to get that 20% of your GDP back

 

We went Siam Serpentarium yesterday (world class snake zoo/museum), and the place is in state of decay. Reason: no foteign tourists. They will close their doors soon according to the staff. Such a shame.

[Enzian]

Isn't it obvious that the answer to "why" is that 1) they don't care about the suffering, and 2) they secretly kind of like it this way. Do you think that guy coming at you in his car through the red light "cares" if you die? Of course he doesn't, it's you not him, his life is fine. And on point #2, it reminds them of the old days, when the natural hierarchy was even more in evidence; that's hard to let go of.

[mikebell]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The minimum Covid-19 insurance coverage for all foreign arrivals will be US$10,000. 

What can I do?  I've lived here for 18 years; have annual retirement 'visa'; 800K in bank; double jabbed.  If I visited family in UK how would I get insurance cover aged 80 to return?

[JimTripper]

3 minutes ago, mikebell said:

What can I do?  I've lived here for 18 years; have annual retirement 'visa'; 800K in bank; double jabbed.  If I visited family in UK how would I get insurance cover aged 80 to return?

If your 80 they should be visiting you ????‍♂️

[Enzian]

5 minutes ago, mikebell said:

If I visited family in UK how would I get insurance cover aged 80 to return?

Many international insurance companies will sell over 80s travel insurance that will satisfy the TP system. You will just spend more than is reasonably necessary. I've done it.

[ChrisY1]

4 hours ago, Sambotte said:

No need of tests for vaccinated.

Insurance is requested for both.

 

The tricky thing is now to anticipate the DELAY of Thai Pass approval.

Because you first have to buy the air ticket i guess.

Could be a LOT of registrations the first weeks starting 29.4

What you guys do you think ? 2-3 days for approval ? 1 week ? More ?

The days of just buying travel and going, have gone, IMO....pre-planning is likely going to be the norm for a long while yet.

Buy the travel...get your dates right etc..and send for the Thailand Pass....it takes 3 minutes to complete.

[Clarkey611]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

One word> CONTROL.

Could it also have something to do with losing face, if they dropped everything immediately?

[ChrisY1]

3 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

The Thai Pass needs to be scrapped from 1st May.

Australia is now open to vaccinated people..however..they have a Border Force digital form to be completed....this make the Thailand Pass seem simple!

[mikebell]

5 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

If your 80 they should be visiting you ????‍♂️

I want a big party - 80 in a few weeks.

[ChrisY1]

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

What is the new definition of "fully vaccinated" and what is the age limit for kids not needing to be vaccinated?

3 shots....they've been talking about this for months now.

[NorthernRyland]

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Unvaccinated travellers will be welcomed if they present proof of a negative RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before their trip and register via Thailand Pass.

They will be quarantined for five days, with another RT-PCR test on day 4-5. They will also be advised to do self-antigen testing during their stay.

So they're going to let COVID positive people who were vaccinated into Thailand and quarantine unvaccinated people who are COVID negative? These restrictions don't even have anything to do with a virus anymore it's just about getting people to take an injection every 6 months.

[NorthernRyland]

4 hours ago, Sambotte said:

No need of tests for vaccinated.

Then why test the unvaccinated if it doesn't matter if infected people enter the country? What are you actually trying to accomplish here?

[samui99]

They forgot to mention Opening the Bars and Clubs. A lot of Tourists go on holidays to have FUN.

[Bkktodd]

7 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Nice summary. I could not find anything like this before now.

 

The embassy website for the visa is just a mass of confusion with links all over and confusing info.

Follow Richard Barrows on twitter or fb. Best authentic information minus the moaning and rants found here

[Bkktodd]

10 minutes ago, samui99 said:

They forgot to mention Opening the Bars and Clubs. A lot of Tourists go on holidays to have FUN.

Bars and clubs(restaurants wink wink) are open until midnight. Plenty of time to have FUN 

[vandeventer]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

You're talking as if Thailand is squeaky clean and no internal infections...

Arrivals have more to fear from locals than vice-versa.

Thailand is not squeaky clean but neither are the tourist coming here. Do you think the Chinese are Squeaky clean? This long covid is all around me in my area so lets not add to the problem lets try to solve it. Slowly slowly is the only way right now.

[Skeptic7]

3 hours ago, davemos said:

I have 4 groups of friends who have decided to go to V N ,or Cambodia .... Great work gov you have destroyed the tourist sector .

You have a lot of friends! I don't have even 4, so much as 4 groups! ????

[hotchilli]

1 minute ago, vandeventer said:

Thailand is not squeaky clean but neither are the tourist coming here. Do you think the Chinese are Squeaky clean? This long covid is all around me in my area so lets not add to the problem lets try to solve it. Slowly slowly is the only way right now.

No need to fear China, Xi's keeping them at home to boost the domestic economy, he doesn't want them going away spending much needed cash.

But your point slowly is best.

[hotchilli]

59 minutes ago, Clarkey611 said:

Could it also have something to do with losing face, if they dropped everything immediately?

Nah, it's all about control.
Clubs, entertainment venues etc have to change to restaurants by applying for new licenses, alcohol only sold up to midnight.

Emergency decree remains.

[crazykopite]

Simple answer it’s a money making scheme and as long as they can get away with it they will do so a friend of mine who travelled to Europe yesterday paid for a PCR test in BKK only to find out that she didn’t need it as she has had 3 vaccines and has a vaccine passport but nobody told her in the clinic that the country she was travelling to no longer required the PCR test .

[KhunLA]

Why can't they ...

 

... they can & will release control, after the elections.

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Why can’t the Thai Govt speed up opening the doors to tourism?

 

As the title says. Stupidity, ignorance, lack of worldly understanding, blatant sabotage, organised disruption, strategic pilfering.

 

I could go on.

I would second every word of that.