News Forum - Officials discuss ending second Covid-19 test requirement for international arrivals

[Fundok]

1 hour ago, AussieBob said:

All good mate - no problem at all - it was a joke reference by me.  There was a great comedy actor called Leslie Nielsen (passed away now) that starred in some hilarious movies starting back in the 80s. One of his best lies was this:

I loved him in is role as Inspector Frank Drebbin in the "Naked Gun"-sequels, together with Priscilla Presley. Hilarious!

[Fundok]

1 hour ago, AussieBob said:

All good mate - no problem at all - it was a joke reference by me.  There was a great comedy actor called Leslie Nielsen (passed away now) that starred in some hilarious movies starting back in the 80s. One of his best lies was this:

PS. As I watched this in German sadly some of the play of words got lost in transition ehhh translation. Don't know what they were called in English, but the Zucker-Abraham guys also didna sequel with Leslie making fun of the original "Airport" film - likewise hilarious!

[Fundok]

2 hours ago, AussieBob said:

All good mate - no problem at all - it was a joke reference by me.  There was a great comedy actor called Leslie Nielsen (passed away now) that starred in some hilarious movies starting back in the 80s. One of his best lies was this:

PPS. My memory lane of Leslie Nielsen is admittedly a bit off topic, hopefully I won't be reprimanded by the mods...

[mickeboy]

On 2/19/2022 at 11:57 AM, AussieBob said:

I agree with what you said, but I must push back and clarify some parts.  Yes it is wrong, and yes there are scammers taking advantage of it - but it was not a planned thing by all of the Thai hotels and hospitals and authorities. 

I learned a long time ago that Thais are 'natural' scammers - but they do it to everyone - especially other Thais. In Thailand it is not such a bad thing to get away with business practices that in the West are illegal and strongly cracked down upon.  It was pointed out to me by a experienced Expat a long time ago, that Thais are always scamming other Thais - so why should they not also scam expats and tourists too? When I asked my Thai wife about that, she just smiled. After that, I became more and more aware that it is just a normal practice - Thais will get away with whatever they can get away with to get money off others or the Govt - within reason and not other family members (usually). 

Yes the test and go is a big scam - but that is because many Thais have been taking advantage of it - it was not setup to be that way - but it was badly setup and Thais can see opportunity like that straight away.  Do you remember that first 'domestic tourist bonus scheme' the Junta started? The Thais relentlessly scammed it for massive amounts of money (some I know) - most of which was never recovered - a few got caught and fined/jailed (mainly to save some face) - but the only solution was to scrap the whole scheme because it was too easy to scam. The latest domestic tourism schemes have not been very popular or successful - too hard to scam 

Good post.   Indeed, many of the issues here are deeply rooted in cultural differences.  
 

I would also add in Thailand there’s barely any room for upwards mobility between the hierarchical classes.   The upper classes can do nothing, indeed often do nothing, and continue to have their nationwide corporations and government freebies.   Foreign companies aren’t allowed to really enter the markets to compete.  You can’t complain in any public manner, it’s against the law.   
 

Thais don’t trust Thais, it’s got little to do with foreigners as you point out.   We’re just a bit simple to think we find open communication and a certain degree of transparency that we’re accustomed to.   
 

The quicker you get this, the easier it is to get the best from this kind of country/situation. 
 

 

[AussieBob]

4 hours ago, mickeboy said:

Good post.   Indeed, many of the issues here are deeply rooted in cultural differences.  

I would also add in Thailand there’s barely any room for upwards mobility between the hierarchical classes.   The upper classes can do nothing, indeed often do nothing, and continue to have their nationwide corporations and government freebies.   Foreign companies aren’t allowed to really enter the markets to compete.  You can’t complain in any public manner, it’s against the law.   

Thais don’t trust Thais, it’s got little to do with foreigners as you point out.   We’re just a bit simple to think we find open communication and a certain degree of transparency that we’re accustomed to.   

The quicker you get this, the easier it is to get the best from this kind of country/situation. 
 

Thanks - and well said mate - I hope some Expats are listening.  Thailand aint Kansas, and the Bosses (Wizards) are an untouchable protected species.  They should think 'Fuedal System' when complaining about certain things in Thailand - the Thai system is like the Fuedal Lords and corrupt Officials of old.  Certainly complain about certain things and express critical views on Forums - but understanding why helps to accept it like the Thais do - with humour (watch Jett to see how).  People like Transam and NCC-1701 and Dedinbed and many others here have the right idea. 

[TheDirtyDurian]

They should been all alcohol sales between 4am and 3am. That will get the right kind of tourist flooding back in. 

[LoongFred]

55 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

Thanks - and well said mate - I hope some Expats are listening.  Thailand aint Kansas, and the Bosses (Wizards) are an untouchable protected species.  They should think 'Fuedal System' when complaining about certain things in Thailand - the Thai system is like the Fuedal Lords and corrupt Officials of old.  Certainly complain about certain things and express critical views on Forums - but understanding why helps to accept it like the Thais do - with humour (watch Jett to see how).  People like Transam and NCC-1701 and Dedinbed and many others here have the right idea. 

 

55 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

Thanks - and well said mate - I hope some Expats are listening.  Thailand aint Kansas, and the Bosses (Wizards) are an untouchable protected species.  They should think 'Fuedal System' when complaining about certain things in Thailand - the Thai system is like the Fuedal Lords and corrupt Officials of old.  Certainly complain about certain things and express critical views on Forums - but understanding why helps to accept it like the Thais do - with humour (watch Jett to see how).  People like Transam and NCC-1701 and Dedinbed and many others here have the right idea. 

What a bunch of garbage. There are self made billionaires in Thailand as well as in the  west. Sure it’s easier to start  with money, but not all do.

[Janneman]

They should skip the entry test on day 1. Every incoming tourist has had a pcr test 72 hours before departure. If they picked up covid after that (like in an overcrowded departure lounge) they will still test negative on arrival. But positive on day 5.

[ThaiFoodGuy]

On 2/19/2022 at 7:17 PM, sprez33 said:

BTW, to reduce the possibility of a false positive if you're scheduled for an RT-PCR test, do frequent nasal lavage to remove any dead cells.  

I just had to do quarantine in Mexico after a positive PCR test. They told me I could either do the 10-day quarantine, OR take another PCR test to see if I test negative. I tested positive two more times. I decided to try mixing little salt packets in bottles of water, sucking it into one nostril so it would rinse everything out, and doing that three or four times a day until my next test. On day 6 I took a test, and on day 7 in the morning I got the result - NEGATIVE! I'm absolutely convinced that rinsing my nose out with a primitive saline solution is what got me out. I was able to enjoy 2 more days on the resort before heading home to Canada.

[Ksmui]

30 minutes ago, ThaiFoodGuy said:

I just had to do quarantine in Mexico after a positive PCR test. They told me I could either do the 10-day quarantine, OR take another PCR test to see if I test negative. I tested positive two more times. I decided to try mixing little salt packets in bottles of water, sucking it into one nostril so it would rinse everything out, and doing that three or four times a day until my next test. On day 6 I took a test, and on day 7 in the morning I got the result - NEGATIVE! I'm absolutely convinced that rinsing my nose out with a primitive saline solution is what got me out. I was able to enjoy 2 more days on the resort before heading home to Canada.

Definition or moral:

 

1. concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.

 

2. holding or manifesting high principles for proper conduct.

"he prides himself on being a highly moral and ethical person"

 

 

[Thommo]

On 2/19/2022 at 11:31 AM, ace035 said:

I kept on saying over and over again, I guessed at least 100 times now, it's all about corruption in Thailand and they scammed and ripping off incoming tourists to false positive, instead of sending them to the AQ Hotel of their choice, they are force to go to the hospital and have to pay upfront of at least B100K for quarantine. Not just that they will tell you that your COVID-19 insurance not cover and will not get their money back because Thailand wants to recoup the lost money for 2 years so this is their solution. So for now, Avoid Thailand for now, unless they get rid off that Day 1 and Day 5 PCR test on quarantine

Do you really think the business plan is to recoup losses from the past 2 years is reality.  If your comment had basis of fact then I woud be interested in reading it. 2-3% of arrvials  with  positive tests is not going to refill anyones coffers.

 

 

[HiuMak]

Finally, what took them so long. A step forward but still miss the mark

[AussieBob]

11 hours ago, LoongFred said:

What a bunch of garbage. There are self made billionaires in Thailand as well as in the  west. Sure it’s easier to start  with money, but not all do.

Sometimes Fred, you are such a 'Thai apologist' that Bangkok Pat would avoid you at all costs. Please let me pass on my views, which I am sure are similar to the vast majority of long term Expats.

The vast majority of 'self-made' rich people in Thailand are part of the elite crowd - through family connections. There are about 9 families in Thailand that own just about everything - they have their 'fingers' in all the major industries and many of the smaller ones. They are not all under the same roof (like in the west or like the Marcos' etc), they are part of the 'extended family' under Asian culture. I cannot say anymore in detail (laws), but most of the Expats who have lived in Thailand a long enough time, know exactly what I am talking about. 

Think of it this way.   There are lots and lots of the 'stars' in Hollywood that are are related to the older generations and each other. Heaps!!  Most hide it by changing names etc. - although some like the Douglas and others dont.  They become actors and stars and directors and producers etc etc, through the family connections - either as relative or they marry into it. Same in Thailand - the wealthy are very strongly tied together - and they keep it that way. 

Think of the old wealthy families in Europe and UK - they kept most of that wealth between them for hundreds of years through family connections - many of the Kings/Queens right across Europe were related by blood and/or marriage - it was how it was done back then.  Thailand is a lot like that nowadays and anyone saying otherwise needs to take a good deep long look around.  I could name some of the 'families' - and I could point out that many are 'Sino-Thai' and not ethnic Thai - but I better not - there are laws and rules in Thailand that prevent that sort of thing (and surely you know why).  Even the 'mafia' knows its place in Thailand - they never go too far anymore - and any 'breach' is very swiftly 'fixed'. 

[LoongFred]

14 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

Sometimes Fred, you are such a 'Thai apologist' that Bangkok Pat would avoid you at all costs. Please let me pass on my views, which I am sure are similar to the vast majority of long term Expats.

The vast majority of 'self-made' rich people in Thailand are part of the elite crowd - through family connections. There are about 9 families in Thailand that own just about everything - they have their 'fingers' in all the major industries and many of the smaller ones. They are not all under the same roof (like in the west or like the Marcos' etc), they are part of the 'extended family' under Asian culture. I cannot say anymore in detail (laws), but most of the Expats who have lived in Thailand a long enough time, know exactly what I am talking about. 

Think of it this way.   There are lots and lots of the 'stars' in Hollywood that are are related to the older generations and each other. Heaps!!  Most hide it by changing names etc. - although some like the Douglas and others dont.  They become actors and stars and directors and producers etc etc, through the family connections - either as relative or they marry into it. Same in Thailand - the wealthy are very strongly tied together - and they keep it that way. 

Think of the old wealthy families in Europe and UK - they kept most of that wealth between them for hundreds of years through family connections - many of the Kings/Queens right across Europe were related by blood and/or marriage - it was how it was done back then.  Thailand is a lot like that nowadays and anyone saying otherwise needs to take a good deep long look around.  I could name some of the 'families' - and I could point out that many are 'Sino-Thai' and not ethnic Thai - but I better not - there are laws and rules in Thailand that prevent that sort of thing (and surely you know why).  Even the 'mafia' knows its place in Thailand - they never go too far anymore - and any 'breach' is very swiftly 'fixed'. 

You make it sound like if you didn't come from money or the 9 families you don't have a chance. This isn’t  true and there is upward mobility in Thailand.  Sure it helps if Daddy's rich as everywhere else but many make it on there own.  

I don't want to get into an argument because it's not that important to me, but I've known many well to do Thais over the years and have socialized with them in Thailand and the US. Most come across as very normal and unassuming people. 

BTW I have no idea who Bangkok Pat is. 

[Marc26]

1 hour ago, LoongFred said:

You make it sound like if you didn't come from money or the 9 families you don't have a chance. This isn’t  true and there is upward mobility in Thailand.  Sure it helps if Daddy's rich as everywhere else but many make it on there own.  

I don't want to get into an argument because it's not that important to me, but I've known many well to do Thais over the years and have socialized with them in Thailand and the US. Most come across as very normal and unassuming people. 

BTW I have no idea who Bangkok Pat is. 

But upward mobility is much harder in Thailand than in the West

I don't think you can compare the two

Sure, there are many that make it on their own

 

But the barrier to move up from the bottom is way more hard

 

In Thailand most need a degree to serve drinks at a hotel and they don't even consider someone who is smart and can do a better job than most already working there, because they don't have a degree

 

My wife's 2 best friends in Vancouver are Thai chefs

They were to culinary school, worked in big hotels in Thailand, then globally and now are part owners of a profitable Thai restaurant branch

By all measures, they are a success

 

Yet they will feel uncomfortable going to a 4 star hotel in their own country, even though they are more successful than most working there, because of some petty caste system Thailand has.

That is not a country that promotes upward mobility 

[AussieBob]

3 hours ago, LoongFred said:

You make it sound like if you didn't come from money or the 9 families you don't have a chance. This isn’t  true and there is upward mobility in Thailand.  Sure it helps if Daddy's rich as everywhere else but many make it on there own.  

I don't want to get into an argument because it's not that important to me, but I've known many well to do Thais over the years and have socialized with them in Thailand and the US. Most come across as very normal and unassuming people. 

BTW I have no idea who Bangkok Pat is. 

I think Marc26 said it best - upward mobility is a big hurdle in Thailand.

Not arguing - but are you not living in a rural village. How are you socialising with billionaire Thais?  I think you mean 'done well' Thais - not those called HiSo.  Any Thais can do well, and as long as they 'behave' the big fish will leave them alone.  Go too far and go where not invited - big trouble will come their way.

Youtube - Bangkok Pat - how long you been in Thailand?