News Forum - Can we say good-riddance to the Thailand Pass on July 1?

[TheDirtyDurian]

16 minutes ago, Soidog said:

I think the TP is one of these processes that goes well for some, and a nightmare for others. I would place my computer and IT skills as above average and I still encountered the odd problem. I will pick out the problems I found with it.

The inability to upload PDF files: This is a major issue for some. Yes people say just print off your document and take a picture on your smart phone, but in some cases it’s not that simple. Standing over a document and making sure you don’t cast a shadow, framing it properly and getting a sharp image. Obviously all of these can be written off as “Simple” but it’s unnecessary. Then having got the thing on your phone you then need it on your computer or laptop. Not many 70 year olds are familiar with Apple Airplay? So you have to mess about emailing it to yourself etc etc. Just a pain.

Uploading the vaccination certificate QR code:  So you’ve done all of the above and now you have to “crop” out the QR code. I found that simple as I do it on a almost daily basis, but many people wouldn’t know how.  When I uploaded it, I can’t recall the error message, but it wouldn’t accept it. 3 times it took before I got just the right amount of edge around the image. Too much and not happy, too close to the code and not happy.

All in I would say from sitting down at my computer, gathering, printing, photographing, cropping, uploading and sending took me around 30-40 mins  it then took 3 days for it to be approved.

I think if my computer skills weren’t so good, or I had been 10-15 years older, this could have been a massive frustration.  I never needed to call or fix any problems and so can’t comment on support.  I certainly wouldn’t let the TP application put you off. Just do it when you are in the right mood and give yourself time. Do it well before your travel date.

Good luck!  

I'd agree with that. I found the same things which I was able to deal with.

My father on the other hand. No chance. He struggled to share his Wordle on WhatsApp! 

[Soidog]

15 minutes ago, TheDirtyDurian said:

I'd agree with that. I found the same things which I was able to deal with.

My father on the other hand. No chance. He struggled to share his Wordle on WhatsApp! 

What I will never understand about websites, either TP or Air Asia for example, is have the people who issue them ever sat down and used them? The answer is clearly NO, but why not. In my job I often deal with the people who modify software and update user interfaces. It’s staggering how when they demonstrate the changes they simply can’t see the problems right in front of them. Perhaps a member who does this for a living could explain why? 
 

Many times the engineer has sat me down looking for sign off and run me through the changes. Within a minute or two they will suddenly do a two or three figures dance in the keyboard or a rapid movement of the mouse. I ask, what did you just do?  “Oh sometimes it does that but if you just toggle the drop down box it clear it”. WTF, REJECTED!!   They look at you in disbelief and claim it’s nothing and easy to do. There seems something in their DNA which on the one hand makes them good at writing code, also makes them blind the the bleeding obvious. Proper User testing is the answer of course. All too often this is not done or not done properly or extensively enough. 

[Marc26]

39 minutes ago, Soidog said:

I think the TP is one of these processes that goes well for some, and a nightmare for others. I would place my computer and IT skills as above average and I still encountered the odd problem. I will pick out the problems I found with it.

The inability to upload PDF files: This is a major issue for some. Yes people say just print off your document and take a picture on your smart phone, but in some cases it’s not that simple. Standing over a document and making sure you don’t cast a shadow, framing it properly and getting a sharp image. Obviously all of these can be written off as “Simple” but it’s unnecessary. Then having got the thing on your phone you then need it on your computer or laptop. Not many 70 year olds are familiar with Apple Airplay? So you have to mess about emailing it to yourself etc etc. Just a pain.

Uploading the vaccination certificate QR code:  So you’ve done all of the above and now you have to “crop” out the QR code. I found that simple as I do it on a almost daily basis, but many people wouldn’t know how.  When I uploaded it, I can’t recall the error message, but it wouldn’t accept it. 3 times it took before I got just the right amount of edge around the image. Too much and not happy, too close to the code and not happy.

All in I would say from sitting down at my computer, gathering, printing, photographing, cropping, uploading and sending took me around 30-40 mins  it then took 3 days for it to be approved.

I think if my computer skills weren’t so good, or I had been 10-15 years older, this could have been a massive frustration.  I never needed to call or fix any problems and so can’t comment on support.  I certainly wouldn’t let the TP application put you off. Just do it when you are in the right mood and give yourself time. Do it well before your travel date.

Good luck!  

That's all a bit nit-picking, IMO

 

And also, not much different than what I've had to do to travel to the US from Canada

 

As you said, it may cause issues for an older person trying to do it, but they'd have the same issues when trying to travel many places 

 

I don't really understand what you mean by cropping the QR code for vaccination 

 

This is what you get for a vaccine in US

And I just uploaded this and it was accepted

No QR code on them

 

 

Although I gave 2 different ones(Canada and US)

I may just take a picture of them together 

[Soidog]

2 minutes ago, Marc26 said:

That's all a bit nit-picking, IMO

And also, not much different than what I've had to do to travel to the US from Canada

As you said, it may cause issues for an older person trying to do it, but they'd have the same issues when trying to travel many places 

I don't really understand what you mean by cropping the QR code for vaccination 

This is what you get for a vaccine in US

And I just uploaded this and it was accepted

No QR code on them

Although I gave 2 different ones(Canada and US)

I may just take a picture of them together 

Im not sure limiting the uploads to PNG or JPEG is nit picking. It’s nonsense and unnecessary. 
 

In the UK we get a certificate which includes a QR code for each vaccine received. On the TP pass as presented to UK nationals, it requests this QR is picked out of the document and inserted in the application process.  It looks something likes this whereby you crop out the code at the bottom

[Tim_Melb]

1 hour ago, Soidog said:

Im not sure limiting the uploads to PNG or JPEG is nit picking. It’s nonsense and unnecessary. 
 

In the UK we get a certificate which includes a QR code for each vaccine received. On the TP pass as presented to UK nationals, it requests this QR is picked out of the document and inserted in the application process.  It looks something likes this whereby you crop out the code at the bottom

The certificate you are issued in the UK is an International standard one. In the states and Canada it seems that you have to apply to get one, but they are accepting a paper vaccination card for crossing into Canada or the USA, I'm not sure about Mexico. I have already heard complaints from Americans that those cards are not acceptable virtually everywhere else in the world and that it's too much hassle to apply for a proper international standard certificate (which takes a couple of minutes online). 

[Marc26]

8 minutes ago, Tim_Melb said:

The certificate you are issued in the UK is an International standard one. In the states and Canada it seems that you have to apply to get one, but they are accepting a paper vaccination card for crossing into Canada or the USA, I'm not sure about Mexico. I have already heard complaints from Americans that those cards are not acceptable virtually everywhere else in the world and that it's too much hassle to apply for a proper international standard certificate (which takes a couple of minutes online). 

So in Canada we also have to have this if we want to fly or take the train within Canada

It is more of the international standard

 

Now it's funny you mention this 

 

As I said, Thai Pass accepted the US vaccine card I posted above 

My wife got her acceptance and QR

 

But her friend just flew 2 days ago and sis they were insisting on this travel certificate with the QR code at check-in

 

Which doesn't really make sense because they give you a list of what you need and that is not on it 

 

I always bring all the documentation I have

So won't be an issue

 

But it falls in line with what you said 

Even though there is nowhere on the Thai pass that says it is needed at check-in

 

 

 

[Soidog]

1 hour ago, Marc26 said:

So in Canada we also have to have this if we want to fly or take the train within Canada

It is more of the international standard

Now it's funny you mention this 

As I said, Thai Pass accepted the US vaccine card I posted above 

My wife got her acceptance and QR

But her friend just flew 2 days ago and sis they were insisting on this travel certificate with the QR code at check-in

Which doesn't really make sense because they give you a list of what you need and that is not on it 

I always bring all the documentation I have

So won't be an issue

But it falls in line with what you said 

Even though there is nowhere on the Thai pass that says it is needed at check-in

Not great or slick then is it. It’s a mess frankly with the usual what works one day doesn’t work on another. 

[Pat61]

4 hours ago, Soidog said:

 

The inability to upload PDF files: This is a major issue for some. Yes people say just print off your document and take a picture on your smart phone, but in some cases it’s not that simple. Standing over a document and making sure you don’t cast a shadow, framing it properly and getting a sharp image. Obviously all of these can be written off as “Simple” but it’s unnecessary. Then having got the thing on your phone you then need it on your computer or laptop. Not many 70 year olds are familiar with Apple Airplay? So you have to mess about emailing it to yourself etc etc. Just a pain.

 

Maybe an easier way to convert the PDF file to .jpg is to open it on your phone and take a screenshot (+crop as necessary) which then becomes your photo document. That's what I did when I applied for the Thailand Pass last month (also because I don't have a printer at home).

[Soidog]

41 minutes ago, Pat61 said:

Maybe an easier way to convert the PDF file to .jpg is to open it on your phone and take a screenshot (+crop as necessary) which then becomes your photo document. That's what I did when I applied for the Thailand Pass last month (also because I don't have a printer at home).

Yes a good tip. But I can’t recall if it was the TP or my visa application, but one of them meant I needed two pages in one picture. I think it was my online Visa where I needed to upload flight details? 

[Marc26]

3 hours ago, Soidog said:

Yes a good tip. But I can’t recall if it was the TP or my visa application, but one of them meant I needed two pages in one picture. I think it was my online Visa where I needed to upload flight details? 

I think the online e-visa is much more a pain in the ass than TP

 

They ask for way too much info/documents for a simple 60 day tourist visa 

[Soidog]

4 minutes ago, Marc26 said:

I think the online e-visa is much more a pain in the ass than TP

They ask for way too much info/documents for a simple 60 day tourist visa 

Yes agreed. The picture of yourself holding the picture page of the passport was the final straw

[Marc26]

39 minutes ago, Soidog said:

Yes agreed. The picture of yourself holding the picture page of the passport was the final straw

Haha, i had to read that a few times to understand what they really wanted me to do! 

[Marc26]

5 hours ago, Soidog said:

Not great or slick then is it. It’s a mess frankly with the usual what works one day doesn’t work on another. 

The thing is............TP is working exactly how things always work in Thailand

We want the benefits of Thailand being "free wheeling" but then expect it to work in Western countries

 

I wrote to someone in another thread, my wife only needed an Antigen test to go to US last summer

I had her take a PCR test regardless, because I could envision some Thai check-in girl not knowing the requirements at BKK and demanding a PCR test result

[Poolie]

On 3/13/2022 at 9:05 PM, Grumpish said:

I really am very dubious about the figures put forward for the Chinese spend, having sat in Suvarnabhumi surrounded by Chinese package tourists packing and repacking their bags - with cheap snacks and sweets. Just what were they spending all that money on? And if you thought that what has happened to Phuket over the last two decades was bad, take a look what the "high-spending high-quality" Chinese tourists have done to Sihanoukville in Cambodia.

Paved the dirt roads and put in a practical traffic system?

[Grumpish]

54 minutes ago, Poolie said:

Paved the dirt roads and put in a practical traffic system?

Or drowned it in concrete and casinos - most of which are Chinese owned and provided very little real benefit to Cambodia even in pre-covid days.

[Marc26]

21 minutes ago, Grumpish said:

Or drowned it in concrete and casinos - most of which are Chinese owned and provided very little real benefit to Cambodia even in pre-covid days.

Asian casinos are a cesspool

 

I even went to the casino in the 5 star hotel in Singapore and they were all still nasty, rude, disgusting people

 

leaning all over my wife(and me) at the tables

[Poolie]

58 minutes ago, Grumpish said:

Or drowned it in concrete and casinos - most of which are Chinese owned and provided very little real benefit to Cambodia even in pre-covid days.

At least they aren't ankle deep in mud every time it rains.

[Dmitrii]

18 hours ago, Marc26 said:

I am going from Vancouver to Bangkok on Apr 27

I paid 950cad

Looking at future tickets 

It's cheaper.........

https://www.google.com/travel/flights/booking?tfs=CBwQAhpkagwIAhIIL20vMDgwaDISCjIwMjItMDUtMjVyBwgBEgNCS0siHgoDWVZSEgoyMDIyLTA1LTI1GgNOUlQqAkpMMgIxNyIfCgNOUlQSCjIwMjItMDUtMjYaA0JLSyoCSkwyAzcwNxpkagcIARIDQktLEgoyMDIyLTA3LTAzcgwIAhIIL20vMDgwaDIiHwoDQktLEgoyMDIyLTA3LTAzGgNOUlQqAkpMMgM3MDgiHgoDTlJUEgoyMDIyLTA3LTAzGgNZVlIqAkpMMgIxOHABggELCP___________wFAAUgBmAEB&tfu=CnRDalJJT1d4TlVUZ3lYMk4xWkZWQllVUTJXa0ZDUnkwdExTMHRMUzB0TFhCbVpHTXhOVUZCUVVGQlIwbDFiRzVyU1hKbE5FRkJFZ3hLVERjd09IeEtUREU0SXpFYUN3aml2UVVRQWhvRFEwRkVPQnh3bmFjRRIGCAEQABgA&hl=en

Hope you will get to Thailand my friend.

Because what Air Canada did to me is 

1. They sold me tickets for Feb 2022 in Oct 2021 for a good price (about $1K as well)

2. Then in November 2021 price went up - before the Omicron we believed that COVID is over ;)

3. Air Canada simply canceled my flight and started selling tickets on the same day (but another flight number) for double money.

4. I had to buy another ticket because the first one was bought on a booking website and the booking company refused to rebook my ticket (they offered only refund application assistance for $50).

I still have not received my money back for the first flight.

In the end I had my trip in Feb but paid 3 times the initial ticket price...

Edited March 14, 2022 by Dmitrii

[Marc26]

3 minutes ago, Dmitrii said:

Hope you will get to Thailand my friend.

Because what Air Canada did to me is 

1. They sold me tickets for Feb 2022 in Oct 2021 for a good price (about $1K as well)

2. Then in November 2021 price went up - before the Omicron we believed that COVID is ever ;)

3. Air Canada simply canceled my flight and started selling tickets on the same day (but another flight number) for double money.

4. I had to buy another ticket because the first one was bought on an aggregator website and that aggregator refused to rebook my ticket (they offered only refund application assistance).

I still have not received my money back for the first flight.

In the end I had my trip but paid 3 times the initial ticket price...

We know 3 people that flew out this week on AC flight from YVR to BKK

So can't really speak on what happened to you. American cancelled my flight 2 weeks ago to Florida 3hrs before my flight and I am still arguing with them for a refund

 

AC has changed our return flight a couple of times because was going through Hong Kong and that airport is basically closed

[Dmitrii]

15 hours ago, Marc26 said:

That's all a bit nit-picking, IMO

And also, not much different than what I've had to do to travel to the US from Canada

As you said, it may cause issues for an older person trying to do it, but they'd have the same issues when trying to travel many places 

I don't really understand what you mean by cropping the QR code for vaccination 

This is what you get for a vaccine in US

And I just uploaded this and it was accepted

No QR code on them

Although I gave 2 different ones(Canada and US)

I may just take a picture of them together 

QR code upload is optional.

I have no QR code on my vaccination record sheet either

[Marc26]

Just now, Dmitrii said:

QR code upload is optional.

I have no QR code on my vaccination record sheet either

Do you have that Federal Vaccination QR certificate I posted?

 

Because as I said above, my wife's friends have said they were asked for it at check-in(even though it really isn't required)

 

So if you have it, bring it with you or register to get it, I'd say, to be safe

[Dmitrii]

8 minutes ago, Marc26 said:

We know 3 people that flew out this week on AC flight from YVR to BKK

So can't really speak on what happened to you. American cancelled my flight 2 weeks ago to Florida 3hrs before my flight and I am still arguing with them for a refund

AC has changed our return flight a couple of times because was going through Hong Kong and that airport is basically closed

Just forgot to mention: in the end Air Canada postponed my flight by 24 hours because of "bad weather conditions". I would understand it as an explanation for 4 hours but 24 hours is a way too much

All in all, it is what happens when you have a monopoly, they just do not care what you think about their service

[Dmitrii]

10 minutes ago, Marc26 said:

Do you have that Federal Vaccination QR certificate I posted?

Because as I said above, my wife's friends have said they were asked for it at check-in(even though it really isn't required)

So if you have it, bring it with you or register to get it, I'd say, to be safe

I had my flight in February.

Luckily, they accepted my vaccination record paper without a QR code.

But now I see that I could be less lucky

[Marc26]

1 hour ago, Dmitrii said:

Just forgot to mention: in the end Air Canada postponed my flight by 24 hours because of "bad weather conditions". I would understand it as an explanation for 4 hours but 24 hours is a way too much

All in all, it is what happens when you have a monopoly, they just do not care what you think about their service

Well I wouldn't say Air Canada has a monopoly for flights to Asia at all

We have pretty much every Asian airline that Flys to Asia

 

But there seems to be a lot less available flights with those airlines at the moment 

 

But it does seem airlines are canceling flights that aren't fully booked and using other excuses on why they cancelled the flight

In my opinion 

 

 

I am curious how the Air Canada flight will be

I've never taken anything but an Asian airline to Asia

 

Well except once, I took a Delta flight from  NYC but I upgraded to Business

 

[EdwardV]

9 hours ago, Poolie said:

Paved the dirt roads and put in a practical traffic system?

The Chinese have also shall we say "centralized" the crime too. Nothing like knocking off a few rouge crime bosses in broad daylight and in public to keep the other criminals in line.