5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I saw a report supposedly out of China showing rather large numbers of deaths occurring there from Covid.... surely a new mutation can also be more pathological?

Yes. You are right. But usually the new mutation get less and less severe...this is the pattern that has been found with most viruses.  There is a very low chance of a more severe mutation happening. 

 

I think will backfire on China.  As their people have poor quality vaccines and they don't offer imnunity to the New strains of covid.  They also haven't been exposed to the New strains from outside China. 

 

So when they go to other countries they wi get infected with these covid strains and get very sick.. Perhaps needing to go to hospital.  They could also take back the new strains to China on their return, and make people there sick...and with their already overflowing hospitals they are going to get overwhelmed. 

4 hours ago, at15 said:

Sherpa updated, cant believe it. Thailand has now joined only 15 other countries in the world with this bs.

 

https://pr.moph.go.th/?url=pr/detail/2/04/184146/

 

 

Flew in and out of Indonesia (Bali) a month ago, so not quite sure what restrictions they have as it was all very normal.

I spoke to a few Chinese last night, from Harbin to Hong Kong and they say last week was really bad but now everyone is better. 

Does anyone know for sure if arrivals now require to show covid hospitalization insurance?

11 minutes ago, sungod said:

Flew in and out of Indonesia (Bali) a month ago, so not quite sure what restrictions they have as it was all very normal.

You have two injections. To inject substances into your body to board that plane, thats called a restriction.

1 minute ago, at15 said:

You have two injections. To inject substances into your body to board that plane, thats called a restriction.

Nobody asked me......no proof was given. Simple 32 USD paid for visa on arrival.

3 minutes ago, sungod said:

Nobody asked me......no proof was given. Simple 32 USD paid for visa on arrival.

Had to pay 32USD to get in, that is a restriction! ????

Free for Brits!

4 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Had to pay 32USD to get in, that is a restriction! ????

Free for Brits!

I think you are mistaken, I am a Brit ????

7 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Had to pay 32USD to get in, that is a restriction! ????

Free for Brits!

No. UK citizens also pay 32usd to get into Bali.

24 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Yes. You are right. But usually the new mutation get less and less severe...this is the pattern that has been found with most viruses. 

That's not strictly true though, is it? Some viruses get less virulent, some don't, as mentioned in the article below.

 

Debunking the idea viruses always evolve to become less virulent

 

Even with Covid itself, we have seen this. The Delta variant was more transmissible and more deadly than the original "wild-type" strain.

 

Delta variant 133% more deadly than original COVID strain

 

Bird flu is another example. When it first started infecting humans it was relatively mild but evolved to become more deadly as time went by, as stated in the AP News article below.

 

Viruses can evolve to be more deadly

3 minutes ago, sungod said:

I think you are mistaken, I am a Brit ????

30 days Visa free for Brits, I usually only stay there a week maximum. Yes stay longer, can get a Visa on arrival (35USD, still only 30 days but extendable for 30 more).

4 minutes ago, orchis said:

No. UK citizens also pay 32usd to get into Bali.

I didn't, a few times!

3 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

That's not strictly true though, is it? Some viruses get less virulent, some don't, as mentioned in the article below.

 

Debunking the idea viruses always evolve to become less virulent

 

Even with Covid itself, we have seen this. The Delta variant was more transmissible and more deadly than the original "wild-type" strain.

 

Delta variant 133% more deadly than original COVID strain

 

Bird flu is another example. When it first started infecting humans it was relatively mild but evolved to become more deadly as time went by, as stated in the AP News article below.

 

Viruses can evolve to be more deadly

Well I have no answer. The way it is its surprising we are not all dead already. 

 

Why it it even still a problem nke anyway if most people are vaccinated?  What is the end goal, as we never hope to eradicate it? 

 

 

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I didn't, a few times!

Not disputing you, but how long ago?

 

Reason I asked is I was there for 5 days and still had to pay 32 USD at the visa counter before I went through Immigration. I was with 2 Americans who both paid also.

6 hours ago, Eleftheros said:

 

There are still some people who are capable of doing their own research, and coming to their own conclusions about whether the risk/benefit of the Covid "vaccines" makes any sense for them, rather than blindly accepting everything the Government tells them.

 

Totally unlike all those idiots who got vaccinated. None of whom is capable of doing their own research, and all of whom are a mindless herd that just takes orders.

 

You can tell by the text and tenor of these ''anti-vax'' posts, and listening to  them being interviewed at their ''protests'' on TV, that the originators are of a spoiled generation who have never known serious deprivation or disease, and who have never in their lives genuinely faced off against authorities which can seriously compromise their lives and livelihoods and are willing to do so.

 

Most of their ''leaders'' disappear out of their respective countries when the heat mounts over their ignorant, damaging rants and lies. Like the vegan cook in Germany who obviously knows more about virology than the Robert Koch Institute, and has put even more ''research'' into the subject than its scientists and doctors. He's been hiding in Turkey since just before his arrest. No guts even to face off against the relatively cushy German justice system. 

 

They make me wanna projectile puke.

 

 

On 1/5/2023 at 8:31 PM, rbkk said:

Genuine question: How long is a Covid-19 vaccine/booster "Valid" for travel? I'm off next week for a short trip and I've had 4 in total but the last booster was about 9 months ago. Do I now need a "Top-up?"

They are effective for about three months.

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I didn't, a few times!

When?

 

Things have changed (since last May): https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/front/faq

39 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Does anyone know for sure if arrivals now require to show covid hospitalization insurance?

Medical insurance is ONLY required if the travellers onwards destination is to a country that requires a negative test in order to allow entry, eg China.

53 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Sometimes personal integrity is more important that succumbing to governmental demands. I got 3 vaccines but no more, as I know the truth now. 

Please enlighten us with ''the truth''.

Oh my dear Lord. So anyone who got their shots a year ago, for example, can enter without any problems. Despite the fact that the vaccinations no longer have any effect? And anyone who hasn't taken them can spend their money in another country? Very smart

 

21 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

You miss the point. This is sprung on people days before they fly. Either they have no time to get a vaccine, which some say takes up to 14 days to take effect anyway, or they don't want to be vaccinated for whatever reason and thought they were free to travel to Thailand. Which they were, until now and this latest reversal of policy.

As far as I can tell, it hasn't been sprung on anyone - yet. Based on all the reports I've seen so far, no date has been given for the introduction of these measures.

50 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Yes. You are right. But usually the new mutation get less and less severe...this is the pattern that has been found with most viruses.  There is a very low chance of a more severe mutation happening. 

 

I think will backfire on China.  As their people have poor quality vaccines and they don't offer imnunity to the New strains of covid.  They also haven't been exposed to the New strains from outside China. 

 

So when they go to other countries they wi get infected with these covid strains and get very sick.. Perhaps needing to go to hospital.  They could also take back the new strains to China on their return, and make people there sick...and with their already overflowing hospitals they are going to get overwhelmed. 

"But usually the new mutation get less and less severe". Ridiculous. What viruses have gotten less severe over time? Polio? Measles? Ebola? Syphilis? Typhoid? 

That's a total myth. 

"There is a very low chance of a more severe mutation happening". 

 

Absolutely totally ridiculous bull based on zero scientific knowledge held by the writer.

 

 

2 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

As far as I can tell, it hasn't been sprung on anyone - yet. Based on all the reports I've seen so far, no date has been given for the introduction of these measures.

There was a post on here earlier today, with a graphic of the new rules coming into affect from 9 Jan.

 

7 hours ago, MicroB said:

The EU has a 270 day rule for vaccine certificates; you need to have had a booster no more than 270 days before travel, and no less than 14days. Singapore, Israel and Bahrain enacted the same ruling. The UK takes a similar path, in terms of defining "full vaccinated".

Do you have source for this?  The tool I use to check doesn't mention 270 days.  Here's a few examples:

 

 

 

Just a futile <deleted>-take to make it look like they’re not singling out their Chinese pals ????

Four or five weeks ago, an acquaintance of mine who lives in the Caribbean told me they were coming to Bangkok on 11 January. Two days ago, I sent them a message to be aware of the changes for entry into Thailand, in case they haven't been notified. Not a problem, she said, because as soon as she heard the Chinese were going to be allowed to come wide open to Thailand, she cancelled her trip. Just one among how many others?

Just now, sungod said:

Not disputing you, but how long ago?

 

Reason I asked is I was there for 5 days and still had to pay 32 USD at the visa counter before I went through Immigration. I was with 2 Americans who both paid also.

It was a while ago, 2019, and trips prior. I  suspect VOA was made obligatory post Covid, and this has not been lifted yet. That seems to be the case from UK Embassy.  Asean members are Exempt.

I had to cancel a trip in 2020... 

1 hour ago, pomchop said:

Does anyone know for sure if arrivals now require to show covid hospitalization insurance?

Rules have just been published...

 

"

1. Passengers over 18 years old are required to present vaccination certificate or a letter from a doctor certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19 no longer than 6 months (180 days).

 

2. Passengers coming from countries with measures to prevent people infected with COVID from returning to the country must have health insurance covering COVID treatment throughout the duration of the trip in Thailand. Expats with Thai social security are exempt.

 

3. Passengers holding Thai passports are exempt from having documents checked for vaccination and health insurance.

4. Passengers who are in transit are exempt from checking vaccination documents and health insurance documents.

 

5. The airline must check the documents as mentioned. If the Passenger is unable to present these documents, the carrier should refuse the passenger to board.

 

6. Airlines must adhere to relevant requirements and follow guidelines as appropriate, such as asking passengers to wear masks throughout the journey. Except during the meal or in an emergency.

 

7. Passengers with symptoms of COVID-19 during the journey will be advised to undergo a test upon arrival at their destination.

 

This will start from 9th January at 1:00 a.m. until 31 January 31 at 4:59 p.m."

24 minutes ago, Salerno said:

There was a post on here earlier today, with a graphic of the new rules coming into affect from 9 Jan.

Re the above, no idea where it was posted on here, can't find it, but QANTAS have updated their site:

 

Travel from 9 January 2023

All passengers entering Thailand must provide evidence of being fully vaccinated according to Government of the Kingdom of Thailand guidelines. 

 

See: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/coronavirus/international-travel/thailand-flights.html

12 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

It was a while ago, 2019, and trips prior. I  suspect VOA was made obligatory post Covid, and this has not been lifted yet. That seems to be the case from UK Embassy.  Asean members are Exempt.

I had to cancel a trip in 2020... 

Yeah, thats the way I am reading it.