Thailand Pass to End for Thai Returnees First

[alyx]

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Thai pass without a pcr test not a big deal to be fair. I’d rather see the ridiculous mask wearing outdoors be abolished first. 

But...the outdoor mask wearing is not compulsory...it has just become a trend. I, personally, jog, exercise and walk outside with my mask at hand, in case I need to enter premises. And even this virus dies down, this habit will not, among the Nationals 

[garyk]

.001% Is that correct? 1 in every 100,000 arriving passengers?????  

If correct that is a confession of guilt of the government, and the insurance companies of a government rip off scam. As well as a quarantine  scam.

Also if correct a scam involving the doctors , hospitals.

 

 

Edited May 5, 2022 by garyk

[alyx]

23 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

When you see a headline like this you know it is to get the TVF populace in a froth and it never fails.

I don't like Anutin at all, let's get that out of the way.  But consider Thais are covered under the 30 baht health scheme and/or social security, tourists are not.  They are obviously going to do this in steps, next step (within a month is my bet) is that this requirement is done away with entirely for everyone.  Step by step. 

But really, think about it and don't just react to the headline, and explain to me......how is this xenophobic or racist?  It is the first step in withdrawing these requirements and Thais are covered for medical by their government already.  If you are a foreigner employed by a Thai (or foreign) company you are also covered under social security and don't need this insurance either.  Where is the racism there?  If, in a month or so, numbers still drop they will remove this for the rest I am sure.

If a Thai wants to travel to the Schengen zone as part of their visa application they need to prove they have €30k medical insurance cover, EU citizens do not.  Is this racist?  Please answer me that.  And is this an "insurance scam" as everyone on here likes to bleat that the Thai insurance requirement is? (even though you can buy from foreign insurance companies).

Two different matters: the 30 euro Insurance is aimed at not weighing on the State "welcoming" the tourist. Hence definitely not a "racist based" move. Most visitors, but not all obviously, hold an insurance of some sort when landing in Thailand. The cost of a treatment when symptoms are mild is in excess ofd a few thousand baht. Furthermore, constitutionally (I hope) , Thai Nationals cannot be refused entry to their country and imposing them to take an insurance would be considered as discriminatory as not everyone can afford an insurance.

 

Now, I understand that some might find some decisions xenophobic as the suppression/suspension of the Pass has nothing to do with holding an insurance as that could simply be required or, even better, if they keep their word, pass the 300 Baht regulation on top of the airfare, aimed at providing an insurance for the travellers. Mind you, I recall my father telling me that my (European) country had decided to tax the highways, to provide a better retirement to the old age 555

 

 

This being said, applying for a Pass is totally unjustified as far as Thai citizens are concerned. They should be able to return home whenever they can without having to go through this.

[The Hammer2021]

5 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Covid doesnt discriminates between Thai and a Falang unlike this guy. I am all for being a nationalistic but this kind of Xenophobia doesnt bode well for a country which runs on tourism.

Why shouldn't a government favour  the men, women and children of it own country? They are not coming here for a holiday. Its a natural and good thing to prioritise the nationals over  foreigners in this particular  situation- for any country not just Thailand.

[Puccini]

5 hours ago, Bobtheblob said:

Thai racism rears its ugly head once again. They just don't care how it looks. 

Racism would be something else.

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

But really, think about it and don't just react to the headline, and explain to me......how is this xenophobic or racist? 

Because foreign residents with access to the Thai healthcare system still have to apply for the Thailand Pass... as does anyone else living and working here.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

7 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Covid doesnt discriminates between Thai and a Falang unlike this guy. I am all for being a nationalistic but this kind of Xenophobia doesnt bode well for a country which runs on tourism.

Why shouldn't a government favour  the men, women and children of it own country? They are not coming here for a holiday. Its a natural and good thing to prioritise the nationals over  foreigners in this particular  situation- for any country not just Thailand.

There's no need to reason to prioritise or favour anyone over anyone else, no need whatsoever.

 

What is the point of the Thailand Pass now ???

- Check for vaccination status ?? - that can be done on arrival.

- Check for Insurance cover ?? - that can be done on arrival.

 

OR, is it going to merge into ‘proof of insurance’ ???....  

 

The ‘insurance issue’ has been a bone of contention for a while with the Thai government blaming foreigners for some of them leaving debt for emergency treatment. 

 

Perhaps this is what the 300 baht ’tourist fee’ is about...  But should that be necessary if someone already has a good insurance policy ??? Perhaps the Thailand Pass is an elegant way of solving that issue. 

 

If a foreigner has their own annual policy or has residency and access to the Thai system they don’t need to pay the ’tourist tax’ or whatever its going to be called. 

 

But... I hazard a guess that one is not going to replace the other...... I still think the Thailand Pass will be phased out, so there’s no logical reason not to just do away with it at the same time as its abolished for Thai’s.

 

As far as the 300 baht thing... thats just going to get silly, I hope it's written into the tickets along with the Airport Departure tax. 

 

 

 

 

 

[webfact]

Thai Public Health Minister proposes to end “Thailand Pass” registration-but at first only for Thai returnees

By Adam Judd

 

 

National – Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today, May 5th, that he would propose the cancellation of the “Thailand Pass” registration initially for Thai returnees before possibly expanding it to foreigners in a further step.

 

The Minister stated also that the fatality rate of Covid-19 patients was declining. The bed occupancy rate was currently at about 20 percent, the infection rate found among international arrivals was at 0.001 percent, and the medicines and medical supplies were sufficient to treat COVID-19 patients.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/05/05/thai-public-health-minister-proposes-to-end-thailand-pass-registration-but-at-first-only-for-thai-returnees/

 

-- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-05-06

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Willy Wombat]

Ever so slowly they will come around and totally drop their rules when they see there won’t be this all mighty rush for tourists heading to the centre of the universe 

[webfact]

Thailand Pass linked to Emergency Decree as Anutin wants priority for Thais ahead of tourists

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, raised the possibility on Thursday of scrapping the Thailand Pass application for Thai nationals arriving in the kingdom ahead of foreign tourists. At the same time, he gave the impression that the kingdom was ready to return to normal and that the emergency could come to an end within two months.

 

Growth in foreign tourist arrivals since Sunday, May 1st has been impressive with a 63% spike in numbers arriving at Thailand’s main Suvarnabhumi Airport and a wave which will directly affect the economy, boosting growth and income generation. On Tuesday, the Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul made it clear that the kingdom was in a position to do away with Thailand Pass, the last entry control process. He also confirmed that endemic status in Thailand was now less than two months off which should see a full return to normality and the country’s Emergency Decree rescinded.

 

Speaking on Thursday, the Bhumjaithai Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister suggested that Thai nationals should be first in line to be given direct access to the kingdom ahead of foreign tourists. His suggestion comes before a meeting of a key government committee later in May which is scheduled to discuss the abolition of the Thailand Pass application as proposed last week by the Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Mr Anutin also linked the scrapping of the Thailand Pass regime with bringing an end to the country’s emergency decree which he suggested could be let lapse.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

Ahead of a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in May which will discuss the fate of the Thailand Pass entry regime for travellers to Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin suggested that he will propose the abolition of the application first of all for Thai nationals returning to the kingdom.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/05/05/axe-thailand-pass-for-thai-arrivals-first-minister-anutin/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-05-06

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[ukrules]

The 'Thailand Pass' is complete and utter nonsense.

 

It's not needed at all, we know this because they know it's 'not needed' for Thais

 

If it's not needed for Thais then it's not needed for anyone else either - not any real need anyway.

 

I'm reminded of the days some time ago when Thai nationals didn't need a PCR test to fly to Thailand but foreigners did. The reality is that anyone on the plane could have had COVID but they chose to allow infected Thais to travel, this is a classic example of hate. They hate the foreigner.

 

More nonsense from absolute morons.

[TooMuchTime]

25 minutes ago, ukrules said:

The 'Thailand Pass' is complete and utter nonsense.

 

It's not needed at all, we know this because they know it's 'not needed' for Thais

 

If it's not needed for Thais then it's not needed for anyone else either - not any real need anyway.

 

I'm reminded of the days some time ago when Thai nationals didn't need a PCR test to fly to Thailand but foreigners did. The reality is that anyone on the plane could have had COVID but they chose to allow infected Thais to travel, this is a classic example of hate. They hate the foreigner.

 

More nonsense from absolute morons.

Loving your country isn't hate.  The farang have this weird idea that Thais cannot have Thailand be for Thais.

 

Sorry that Thailand isn't going the western route and importing male "refugees" from the middle east in their 20's.

[EVENKEEL]

The road has been long and bumpy but we're getting there, slowly.

[blacksuitdandruff]

Maybe been answered elsewhere on the forum but anyone know when the insurance requirements wil be dropped also?

[Dukeleto]

20 hours ago, chalawaan said:

The WHO gave this billionaire credit for Thailand's success. The same guy who presided over the local Astra Zeneca fiasco, and publicly wanted the real heroes, the Clinicians, whipped like Soi dogs, when he panicked like a teen-age groupie caught in the crush back in the Deltacron days. 

The WHO are a pack of self-serving political opportunists, who recognise an "old mate" when they see one!

A disgrace, all of them. 

Ex-<deleted>-actly!

[ikke1959]

How about expats who live and work in Thailand... or people on retirement visa... or foreigners married with a Thai National???? These are no tourists too and are as good as Thai people.... Why discriminating all the time?? Do Mr A really think that double standards attrack more tourists??

[Dukeleto]

To be fair Thais generally expect this from their own government. They want to be considered first in their own countries especially in view of how many are treated outside of their country. Government is simply pandering to that in order to curry favour. It is good news though as it means they are taking the first baby steps in the right direction which means a total opening of Thailand for all is now on the cards as long as covid keeps playing nicely.

[Captain Monday]

 

Dropping Thailand Pass suddenly would just prove it was useless from the beginning. This announcement nothing more than face saving theatre to prove they are following an enlightened path informed by expert medical opinion and best practice. Most of what over the past 2 years was ACTUALLY nothing more than pseudoscientific nonsense. Was it 6 weeks go when we were going from "The combating phase, to the declining phase, them finally to to the  ENDEMIC phase" all on time by July 1? ????

 

Travel insurance is permanent, so is some form of Thailand pass they will just call it something else. As has been established by many counties to upload your vaccination or test docs prior to travel. That is fine it should be like Germany or others , takes at most 5 minutes to get a QR code and these countries don''t make easy sport of leaking personal details to all and sundry internet hackers. 

 

 

58 minutes ago, blacksuitdandruff said:

Maybe been answered elsewhere on the forum but anyone know when the insurance requirements wil be dropped also?

Never I'd reckon. They have been "mooting" it for years. covid-19. The gift that will keep on giving. Welcome to the new normal.

Edited May 5, 2022 by Captain Monday

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Covid doesnt discriminates between Thai and a Falang unlike this guy. I am all for being a nationalistic but this kind of Xenophobia doesnt bode well for a country which runs on tourism.

Strangely, a xenophobic approach to things is quite popular here!

[heybuz]

Its all going to end soon" thailand pass "its only face that keeps this sherade going . i think before end of june.

 

 

[Captain Monday]

10 hours ago, gearbox said:

Hopefully you can...the repatriation costs for serious cases can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. On top of that the hospital costs.

And this has happened to how many foreigners? It would be economically more advantageous for the Thai government to pay for the treatment and of a few unfortunate covid-19 cases from tourists  than forego the huge revenues  lost because of artificial burdens which discourage people from travel to Thailand in the first place.

[thaipo7]

How about the American husband married to her for 50 years and they have a home in Thailand?

[Ralf001]

3 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

How about the American husband married to her for 50 years and they have a home in Thailand?

Does he hold a Thai passport ?

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he would propose the government end the Thailand Pass registration initially for Thai returnees before expanding the policy to foreign visitors.

Prayut Chan-o-Cha   cha-cha- cha..

very slowly is a fitting name.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Covid doesnt discriminates between Thai and a Falang unlike this guy. I am all for being a nationalistic but this kind of Xenophobia doesnt bode well for a country which runs on tourism.

It's all about keeping control... not common sense

[Bangkok Barry]

12 hours ago, Cabradelmar said:

The only thing ThailandPass does is enforce an ongoing insurance scam, and last I checked, Thais have never needed to purchase supplemental COVID insurance to enter the kingdom. 

That might be because Thais don't need insurance when they have a virtually free health service.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Thai pass without a pcr test not a big deal to be fair. I’d rather see the ridiculous mask wearing outdoors be abolished first. 

I'd rather the opposite..  if you really have peoples health in mind.

Drop all the documentation so travel is unrestricted but keep the masks.

Pollution is a killer of thousands of Thais, and hospitals are full of people with respiratory ailments.

[mtls2005]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he would propose

OK, so nothing has been done yet.

 

 

I think those thais who are dual-citizens, returning for a short visit, often return on their foreign passport.

 

 

The thaipass should be dropped universally on the same date, and sooner rather than later.

 

It's already a confusing process, and having it in place for some and not others puts an extra burden on airlines.

[Chongalulu]

12 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This man repeatedly puts both feet in his mouth...

 

It's difficult not to see his comments as being racist and xenophobic.... I don’t believe he is of course, I just think he’s rather stupid and doesn’t actually think about what he says. 

 

 

Those two qualities aren’t mutually exclusive….

He’s a classic example of both Hanlon’s razor and the Dunning Kruger effect.

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, blacksuitdandruff said:

Maybe been answered elsewhere on the forum but anyone know when the insurance requirements wil be dropped also?

When they drop Thai Pass. Yet you always need to have insurance when you travel. GoFundMe is not insurance....