News Forum - PM Prayut orders Thailand Pass to be improved, says tourists are essential

[Thaiger]

After some glitches with the Thailand Pass, which is required to enter the country, the system is being improved to make it more convenient for those travelling to Thailand. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered government agencies to quickly fix the system to ensure there are no delays with the approval process, adding that foreign tourism is essential for reviving Thailand’s economy, according to a government spokesperson. The email database collected through the Thailand Pass system has appeared to be compromised as some applicants have reportedly received spoof emails warning them that there is a problem with the request The email asks […]

The story PM Prayut orders Thailand Pass to be improved, says tourists are essential as seen on Thaiger News.

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[palooka]

Ahh the backtracking and saving face begins.

[TSS]

scrap the stoopid. crappy thing

[Pompies]

It is fascinating to see the control freak suddenly deciding that dirty farangs and other tourists are valuable assets. Only recently we were being told that the country only wanted high value visitors and now we see a modified attitude because so far Thailand has utterly failed to hit anything like the forecast numbers during previous entry programmes. It is interesting to see that those who are supposedly responsible for operating the latest iteration of the system are actually clueless when they are supposed to be a new specialist team! Thailand has totally missed the chance of attracting those wanting to take holidays in the mid year wave, they are already booked for Mediterranean & Carribbean destinations. Once again Prayuth is personally responsible for the ongoing decline of the Thai tourism industry. And voters who have lost their businesses due to his policies will not forget!

[Mazz11]

I am hoping to come to Thailand in April. I hope they have rescinded the requirement of the 5th day covid test by then.

[Fundok]

 

 

2 hours ago, Thaiger said:

After some glitches with the Thailand Pass, which is required to enter the country, the system is being improved to make it more convenient for those travelling to Thailand. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered government agencies to quickly fix the system to ensure there are no delays with the approval process, adding that foreign tourism is essential for reviving Thailand’s economy, according to a government spokesperson. The email database collected through the Thailand Pass system has appeared to be compromised as some applicants have reportedly received spoof emails warning them that there is a problem with the request The email asks […]

The story PM Prayut orders Thailand Pass to be improved, says tourists are essential as seen on Thaiger News.

Read the full story

Wrong approach. The way to go is not to accelerate the approval process, but to abandon the whole bureaucratic monster called 'Thai Pass'. Before boarding, get the Airline to check the vaccination docs and make them pay 5'000 USD for every case they fail. Why is Thailand so much more complicated compared with its neighboring countries?

At least in Western Europe the peek of Omikron numbers is reached; infection numbers are now starting to decline. Omikron, it seems, is nothing one needs to worry about too much if you got three vaccination shots. Thailand should start to accept the reality or else they will not see more tourists coming in. After all, not everyone is ready to pay for 3 PCR-tests which hardly serve a meaningfull purpose anymore (a pre-boarding antigen test should suffice).

It's all about choices in life. I doubt that the prospect of processing the Thai Pass faster is enticing greater numbers of tourists to decide to travel to Thailand.

[Fundok]

19 minutes ago, Mazz11 said:

I am hoping to come to Thailand in April. I hope they have rescinded the requirement of the 5th day covid test by then.

Same for me. Will wait now what happens before applying for a Thai Pass. Actually I hope that in two months time the Thai Pass will be history already. If not, hopefully at least the test on day 5 will be gone by then.

[DoUKnowWhoIAm]

2 hours ago, Thaiger said:

quickly fix the system

Whats the best way to deal with stuff that is beyond repair? Throw it in the garbage bin.

[Politenessman]

The issue is the testing, in a country where they are on the verge of declaring Covid endemic, the entry test serves no useful purpose (from a public health perspective), but the test on day 5 is lunacy from the perspective of attracting tourists - you get to walk around for four days in a population that is on the verge of having Covid considered endemic, then you come back on day 5 to be tested to see if your holiday is ruined.

Only a fool signs up for that.

[AussieBob]

As usual, no attempt to fix the core problem (IT Staff and Management). It is a bit like those corrupt Police who are merely re-assigned to desk duties - and then are put back out later when no-one notices. The entire Thai public service is a bastion of incompetence and inefficiency - there is no 'carrot' for doing a good job, and no 'stick' for doing a bad one - what else is going to happen? Having said that, they are mostly very friendly and wonderful people - they know trying to change and improve things is not going to happen (dont rock the boat), so they just do the best they can and help people.  

I see a lot of Star Trek in the Thai Government. The PM and all of his Government suffer from 'Picard Syndrome' - they truly believe that saying 'make it so' will magically make it happen.  As far as they are all concerned the only reason for TAT's projected numbers of tourists being massively wrong (and thus nowhere near that amount of money arriving) is the difficulties of the Thailand Pass system - and they think all they have to do is say a few words and it will all be fixed.  What do they think - the system was deliberately setup like a dog's breakfast - and now all they have to do is tell the same people to make it better and it will be instantly? 

We all know the truth - repeated testing and locking up tourists after they arrive might be making good money for some hotels and hospitals - but it is obviously the main reason why tourist numbers are down compared to Nov/Dec before people realised the scam.  Anyone know how many tourists have arrived, tested positive and died? I believe it is Zero. 

Obviously the only solution to remove the tests after arrival completely. Keep the insurance mandate so if tourists get sick with Covid they are covered, but clearly all the tests and quarantine are making no difference to infections.  Either open up quarantine free completely, or close the borders - trying to have it both ways is total rubbish and totally illogical. But TiT right?  

PS - I wonder how much money the Thai Government spends on Consultants from overseas. You know, the global expertise from global companies that specialise in selected fields of expertise and that is readily available - for a fee. Dont answer - I know - about Zero - same as the tourists in ICU/Deaths.

[Ksmui]

41 minutes ago, Fundok said:

Wrong approach. The way to go is not to accelerate the approval process, but to abandon the whole bureaucratic monster called 'Thai Pass'. Before boarding, get the Airline to check the vaccination docs and make them pay 5'000 USD for every case they fail. Why is Thailand so much more complicated compared with its neighboring countries?

At least in Western Europe the peek of Omikron numbers is reached; infection numbers are now starting to decline. Omikron, it seems, is nothing one needs to worry about too much if you got three vaccination shots. Thailand should start to accept the reality or else they will not see more tourists coming in. After all, not everyone is ready to pay for 3 PCR-tests which hardly serve a meaningfull purpose anymore (a pre-boarding antigen test should suffice).

It's all about choices in life. I doubt that the prospect of processing the Thai Pass faster is enticing greater numbers of tourists to decide to travel to Thailand.

Very true, the focus should be on getting people booster vaccinations and opening up tourism one test before an individual leaves their home country that’s it. I have Covid right now. I didn’t even realize I had it. My son got a fever for one night so we both tested. Both were positive but neither one of us is sick. We are obviously still doing our due diligence and quarantining the required amount of time this is in the USA. 

[Jason]

Having just been approved for the Thailand Pass for myself and my girl, it was a complicated and time consuming process. Having to have all documents in JPEG format for a start was cumbersome. I suppose like most who have been to Thailand pre-pandemic....walk up to Customs, hand over the passport, get the stamp for visa on arrival etc. so easy. Contrast now. Passport, vaccination certificate, insurance certificate, prepaid PCR test receipts and bookings, certificate from hotel for your booking of a room for a night and then another night at SHA+ hotel, flight bookings.... maybe Prayut should try it and see how he goes! 

I can only hope that the QR COdes that I have mean I don't need to provide all the originals of these documents on arrival....

[AussieBob]

8 minutes ago, Jason said:

Having just been approved for the Thailand Pass for myself and my girl, it was a complicated and time consuming process. Having to have all documents in JPEG format for a start was cumbersome. I suppose like most who have been to Thailand pre-pandemic....walk up to Customs, hand over the passport, get the stamp for visa on arrival etc. so easy. Contrast now. Passport, vaccination certificate, insurance certificate, prepaid PCR test receipts and bookings, certificate from hotel for your booking of a room for a night and then another night at SHA+ hotel, flight bookings.... maybe Prayut should try it and see how he goes! 

I can only hope that the QR COdes that I have mean I don't need to provide all the originals of these documents on arrival....

I would not rely on that Jason - print out copies of everything just in case.

[RedBirdy]

If they just had PCR negative in the last 72hr and maybe the insurance, I would be looking to book today! Ill leave it at that

[Ksmui]

5 minutes ago, RedBirdy said:

If they just had PCR negative in the last 72hr and maybe the insurance, I would be looking to book today! Ill leave it at that

Agreed that’s why I’m canceling my current BKK tickets and going to PH instead. 

[Soidog]

Part of the problem is that Thais themselves are still under restrictions. If Thais are restricted then it means that foreigners need to be more restricted. It simply wouldn’t do to make it the same or god forbid easier for foreigners. 

[Guevara]

2 hours ago, Jason said:

Having just been approved for the Thailand Pass for myself and my girl, it was a complicated and time consuming process. Having to have all documents in JPEG format for a start was cumbersome. I suppose like most who have been to Thailand pre-pandemic....walk up to Customs, hand over the passport, get the stamp for visa on arrival etc. so easy. Contrast now. Passport, vaccination certificate, insurance certificate, prepaid PCR test receipts and bookings, certificate from hotel for your booking of a room for a night and then another night at SHA+ hotel, flight bookings.... maybe Prayut should try it and see how he goes! 

I can only hope that the QR COdes that I have mean I don't need to provide all the originals of these documents on arrival....

I'd adopt the belt and braces approach. I don't intend relying on just the QR code, I'm going for the paper as well (just in case).

[Fundok]

3 hours ago, Ksmui said:

Very true, the focus should be on getting people booster vaccinations and opening up tourism one test before an individual leaves their home country that’s it. I have Covid right now. I didn’t even realize I had it. My son got a fever for one night so we both tested. Both were positive but neither one of us is sick. We are obviously still doing our due diligence and quarantining the required amount of time this is in the USA. 

Get well soon.

[farang]

until the hotel  2 times test and crazy covid insurance is dropped ill be going else where.this is total crazy for all this b/s and hoop jumping.not many are going to go thru this crap then come to a place where everyones wearing a mask on beaches and most things are closed. drop the b/s and open!!go back to paper work mailed in to the embassy and can your ''pass'' its b/s unneeded.

[totes]

8 hours ago, Politenessman said:

The issue is the testing, in a country where they are on the verge of declaring Covid endemic, the entry test serves no useful purpose (from a public health perspective), but the test on day 5 is lunacy from the perspective of attracting tourists - you get to walk around for four days in a population that is on the verge of having Covid considered endemic, then you come back on day 5 to be tested to see if your holiday is ruined.

Only a fool signs up for that.

So true - who would sign up for that lol - heading to Philippines !

[farang]

one big draw back is the do nothing insurance!!for people over 70/ to74  its cost is outragious and its not worth buying!al so most cant even buy the stupid insurance if over the 70/74 range.and some will sell it for one month,but you need it to cover your total stay!! so  how in the hell are they going to get a visa? drop the crap insurance.

[totes]

Change what you wish.  No one is coming to test go and test again.  It’s too late now - maybe next year.  Looking forward to a welcoming experience in Philippines & elsewhere!  🏝 

[PapayaBokBok]

Truth is a singular

Lies are plural

The lesson is repeated until it is learned

Up to You Thailand--keep it up, expecting different results---the truth is the truth...

Keep pretending the cup over flow-eth as the well is bone dry...

[EdwardV]

It's nice they want to make the pass easier to use, but that's only half the problem. Until they reduce the risk, they won't get many two week millionaires. The tourist who is the backbone of system. They want the Indians and Chinese to return, but they rarely stay more than 1-2 weeks. If you test upon arrival and again later, you increase the risk of testing positive and getting quarantined for 10-14 days. Not much of a vacation if that happens. Right now, it's just easier to go somewhere else.  

[Ksmui]

5 hours ago, Fundok said:

Get well soon.

Thank you sir. We are a few days in and both fine.  In retrospect I’m sure I had the previous week- I thought I just had allergies and was a bit tired.  I’m vaxed and boosted - didn’t realize I had it. Only reason I tested was because my son got a fever which lasted one day. Thankfully Omicron, at least in our case, is EXTREMELY mild. Now I understand why so many are surprised when they test positive - people have no idea they have it. 

Edited February 17, 2022 by Ksmui