Tourism Council Urges Scrapping of Thailand Pass

[webfact]

 

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has urged the government to remove the “Thailand Pass” system.

 

TCT Vice-President Vichit Prakobgosol said the organization agreed with the administration’s move to cancel the Test & Go system and the RT-PCR test requirement upon entering the Kingdom, along with the reduction of mandatory COVID insurance coverage to US$10,000.

 

Vichit noted, however, that the Thailand Pass continues to limit the ability of tourism operators to bring in tour groups. He cited the extensive documentation agencies must file individually even as other restrictions are scheduled to be lifted by May 1.

 

The TCT vice-president added that if the Thailand Pass is repealed by June, the nation will almost certainly see arrivals surge by 10 million this year.

 

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Tourist numbers could potentially exceed 12 million in the best-case scenario, in which the Chinese market resumes outward travel by the end of the year.

 

Vichit acknowledged that this projection would be contingent on the actions of the Chinese government, particularly concerning its Zero COVID policy stance.

 

However, he warned that if the Thailand Pass program remains in place through June, the number of inbound tourists could be as low as 8 million. He also said tour groups could accommodate the additional 2 million tourists.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-26

 

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[RandiRona]

Yes, please remove all registrations/preapproval if Thailand wants to move in Post Pandemic world. Look at China they are living 2020 in 2022 now in Beijing and Shanghai with all these strict lockdown. Take a right step and let anyone who wants to travel come without registration/approval.

Edited April 26, 2022 by RandiRona

[86Tiger]

 

 

Power/Control.  So hard to relinquish once obtained.

[John Drake]

Insurance industry doesn't want to let go the Covid insurance scam. Face it. That is the reason the TP continues to exist. 

[ezzra]

The decision makers are still grappling with the fact that domestically the number of infections and death is still high and now they are being asked to do away with all the restrictions and it causes conflict in their limited capacity brains...

[Ohyesuare]

11 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Insurance industry doesn't want to let go the Covid insurance scam. Face it. That is the reason the TP continues to exist. 

Yup. Just like the hotels didn't want to let go of getting full payments for a short time use of their rooms. I'm surprised they scrapped it so early.

[realfunster]

17 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Insurance industry doesn't want to let go the Covid insurance scam. Face it. That is the reason the TP continues to exist. 

 

I believe you are misdirecting your ire. It is doubtful these TP related insurance policies are in any way financially significant for the Thai insurance market.

 

[Misterwhisper]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Vichit noted, however, that the Thailand Pass continues to limit the ability of tourism operators to bring in tour groups. He cited the extensive documentation agencies must file individually even as other restrictions are scheduled to be lifted by May 1.

In case you haven't heard yet, Mr. Vichit: Thailand no longer wants Cheap Charlie tour groups. The country intends to veer away from mass tourism and instead attract millions over millions of independently wealthy travelers and their retinues, who will arrive on these balmy shores in private aircraft instead of crammed charter flights. They rich don't join tour groups. So how dare you?! 

[AgentSmith]

1 hour ago, 86Tiger said:

 

 

Power/Control.  So hard to relinquish once obtained.

The Thailand Pass is but a fraction of what it was so that's clearly not the case here. This is not power but merely a formality now and as such nothing but a nuisance. It will go away soon.

[TheFishman1]

Get rid of the pass TIT

[Thailand]

Helped a friend fill out an online ArriveCAN for his entry to Canada, he was simply returning home..

 

A pia and that is what Thai Pass + insurance is. Scrap both and maybe next year a few tourists will come.

[malibukid]

3 hours ago, 86Tiger said:

 

 

Power/Control.  So hard to relinquish once obtained.

yes, but at the  expense of who?

[malibukid]

2 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

In case you haven't heard yet, Mr. Vichit: Thailand no longer wants Cheap Charlie tour groups. The country intends to veer away from mass tourism and instead attract millions over millions of independently wealthy travelers and their retinues, who will arrive on these balmy shores in private aircraft instead of crammed charter flights. They rich don't join tour groups. So how dare you?! 

when Thailand becomes a first world country, dreamers

[AMFWolfie]

Interesting regarding travel/medical insurance. Spoke to an insurance company only yesterday https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/ for European cover for the wife, absolutely no problem, then, because they are one of the very few who have no upper age limit, I enquired for me. They said their maximum cover was only 93 days which is fine for a 90 day trip but they have removed Thailand from their list of World Wide Cover!! Wouldn't give a definitive reason but cautiously hinted the restrictions in place leading to too many claims!!

 

The Thailand Pass insurance/medical requirement may now only be $10,000 but for over 65 or 72 in some cases, it may as well still be $100k or more because few companies apart from AXA Thailand (providing no pre-exisiting medical) will provide cover for any extended period unless you are prepared to pay in excess of £700 - £1200 for a policy. 

 

Would be interested if anyone staying for six months in Thailand and six months in their own country in the over 65 group take out travel insurance or medical insurance and with who, or do they simply not bother or take out a 30 day cover just to get over the Thailand Pass issue!!

[timendres]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Tourist numbers could potentially exceed 12 million in the best-case scenario, in which the Chinese market resumes outward travel by the end of the year.

China will not change any of its policies before November, and then it will be completely unpredictable. 12 million is a pipe dream. The only question is whether or not they will drop the ball on yet another high season. When they first "opened up", I was surprised to see that US citizens were the bulk of visitors. This should give them a clue that the best strategy right now is to encourage and facilitate "western" tourists to come to Thailand. They simple don't seem to get it.

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The TCT vice-president added that if the Thailand Pass is repealed by June, the nation will almost certainly see arrivals surge by 10 million this year.

Complete idiocy. People are booking their holidays now based on what they see now - not what might be later. Yes, millions may come but low millions due to booking somewhere else that is already open, worry of covid complication and the new financial squeeze.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

TCT Vice-President Vichit Prakobgosol said the organization agreed with the administration’s move to cancel the Test & Go system and the RT-PCR test requirement upon entering the Kingdom, along with the reduction of mandatory COVID insurance coverage to US$10,000.

Why the continued need for Covid insurance?

I thought the new "extra price per head" was to cover insurance on arrival for every traveler?

[Millcx]

Should have been scrapped by now .. Thailand trailing the world while elite make money

[superal]

30 minutes ago, AMFWolfie said:

Interesting regarding travel/medical insurance. Spoke to an insurance company only yesterday https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/ for European cover for the wife, absolutely no problem, then, because they are one of the very few who have no upper age limit, I enquired for me. They said their maximum cover was only 93 days which is fine for a 90 day trip but they have removed Thailand from their list of World Wide Cover!! Wouldn't give a definitive reason but cautiously hinted the restrictions in place leading to too many claims!!

 

The Thailand Pass insurance/medical requirement may now only be $10,000 but for over 65 or 72 in some cases, it may as well still be $100k or more because few companies apart from AXA Thailand (providing no pre-exisiting medical) will provide cover for any extended period unless you are prepared to pay in excess of £700 - £1200 for a policy. 

 

Would be interested if anyone staying for six months in Thailand and six months in their own country in the over 65 group take out travel insurance or medical insurance and with who, or do they simply not bother or take out a 30 day cover just to get over the Thailand Pass issue!!

Goodtogo insurance have taken Thailand off their listed countries , I wonder why ?  Could it be that they did offer insurance for asymptomatic covid hospitalisation and got hit with heavy claims ? As far as I know there are no insurance companies who will cover you for asymptomatic covid . You must read their policy wording because they often state that they cover covid  when they advertise but within the policy details there are exclusions.

The mandatory Thai insurance that meets the requirements for the Thai Pass can be had cheap if paying for the basic 30 days  . Then buying a travel insurance from a reputable western company will cover most other eventualities for a reasonable premium if you are not too old but when you break 70 the cost will shoot up ..  

[Derek B]

So I have to the end of this year to make serious progress with my Thai Bucket List.

[Bangkok Barry]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

Insurance industry doesn't want to let go the Covid insurance scam. Face it. That is the reason the TP continues to exist. 

Please tell us how it is a scam. Thanks.

[freedomnow]

For the individual it really is a blip now on the radar long as you have the pass in time with the potential surge coming end of this month from 29th or so onwards...

 

Less than 1000 baht for $10k insurance on 30-day cover...?

Big deal.

 

Only really applies, as they say, to the tour group aspect.

 

Entry is back to normal as far as i'm concerned - being vaxxed up 3x.

Edited April 26, 2022 by freedomnow

[Harveyboy]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

Insurance industry doesn't want to let go the Covid insurance scam. Face it. That is the reason the TP continues to exist. 

yep with all the kickback for government ministers...no insurance no envelopes

[Thailand]

24 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

For the individual it really is a blip now on the radar long as you have the pass in time with the potential surge coming end of this month from 29th or so onwards...

 

Less than 1000 baht for $10k insurance on 30-day cover...?

Big deal.

 

Only really applies, as they say, to the tour group aspect.

 

Entry is back to normal as far as i'm concerned - being vaxxed up 3x.

But of course it is not hence the lack of tourists.

 

As mentioned on many occasions, revert to pre Covid restrictions and then you will see a steady return of tourists.

[zzaa09]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

Insurance industry doesn't want to let go the Covid insurance scam. Face it. That is the reason the TP continues to exist. 

Yes, the obvious.

Someone has to profit - as it's been the base behind the TP program from the start. They just can't let go.

 

The more logical manner in which to approach the final freed up opening would be to trash all of it - not just the T&G project, but the base Thailand Pass [including the accompanying insurance scam] along with it. 

 

Nothing wrong with going back to pre-COVID procedures and processes. They might even benefit more than they could dream of. 

[Blumpie]

6 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Yes, please remove all registrations/preapproval if Thailand wants to move in Post Pandemic world. Look at China they are living 2020 in 2022 now in Beijing and Shanghai with all these strict lockdown. Take a right step and let anyone who wants to travel come without registration/approval.

It's hard not to see the control that they have and, despite their reassurances otherwise, they are perfectly happy having their citizens go nowhere for holidays.  

The problem here is that China likes people to follow their lead.  To open right up would be a bit of a slap in the face to them.  So in that sense, I don't see Thailand doing it even though it's insane not to.

Have friends going to the UK for holidays.  No testing there or coming home.  NO problems.  Just go.  The way it should be.  

[denis911]

"best-case scenario, in which the Chinese market resumes outward travel by the end of the year". Hahaha China is locking down by the day, Shanghai already and Beijing following soon, where do these clowns get their information from?

 

[freedomnow]

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

But of course it is not hence the lack of tourists.

I did say  - "as far as I'm concerned."

 

Entry requirements are nothing now...vaccine cert. and cheap insurance..big deal.

[spambot]

4 hours ago, AMFWolfie said:

Interesting regarding travel/medical insurance. Spoke to an insurance company only yesterday https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/ for European cover for the wife, absolutely no problem, then, because they are one of the very few who have no upper age limit, I enquired for me. They said their maximum cover was only 93 days which is fine for a 90 day trip but they have removed Thailand from their list of World Wide Cover!! Wouldn't give a definitive reason but cautiously hinted the restrictions in place leading to too many claims!!

 

The Thailand Pass insurance/medical requirement may now only be $10,000 but for over 65 or 72 in some cases, it may as well still be $100k or more because few companies apart from AXA Thailand (providing no pre-exisiting medical) will provide cover for any extended period unless you are prepared to pay in excess of £700 - £1200 for a policy. 

 

Would be interested if anyone staying for six months in Thailand and six months in their own country in the over 65 group take out travel insurance or medical insurance and with who, or do they simply not bother or take out a 30 day cover just to get over the Thailand Pass issue!!

Rather than give long answer - I have posted my own experiences here

 

[Meat Pie 47]

1 hour ago, denis911 said:

"best-case scenario, in which the Chinese market resumes outward travel by the end of the year". Hahaha China is locking down by the day, Shanghai already and Beijing following soon, where do these clowns get their information from?

 

https://www.9news.com.au/world/china-covid-19-shanghai-residents-wake-up-to-green-fences-as-coronavirus-lockdown-continue/e7c2813e-f66a-4aea-a191-588c79b7f298