News Forum - FTI warns Thailand must reopen to international tourists

[stevenkongju]

Simple. I am vaccinated. I already did two 14 day quarantines. I work in Korea but my Thai wife has been staying at our two homes in Thailand since Covid started. This winter, I will visit my elderly parents in the US for the first time in 2 years. I would go to Thailand for a month if no quarantine, I'd spend money. But I am not wasting any more days.

 

No more quarantine. I'll take tests, no problem

[Tanuki]

So.. Good ole Blighty has taken the Los off it's red-list.. Well that got me to start planning a return trip, BUT, once I got onto the Thai E-visa pages (& read the Emirates info pages too) about the sheer timing of submitting all the relevant documentation, certificates, proof of payments, and a Covid test certificate/proof 72 hours before flying... JUST to obtain a CoE... I simply thought Nah!

 22 years of running a bar, and obtaining a multi-entry  visa all these years without any hitches, and now I'm met with a near as damn it brick wall!

 My Emirates flight voucher is valid till April.. The Thai Gov has hardly altered anything over the last few months to make it any easier for long-stay folk to come, so I have ordered more fuel for my central-heating and will stay home in the UK for winter. Sorry Thailand but your Immigration/Government simply thinks it can do without tourists/visitors for yet another high-season, & again keeps banking on 'Domestic tourism' to pull it on thru' (Well good luck on that score).

I'm sure I'm not the only guy on here with this way of thinking just now.

[Stonker]

5 minutes ago, stevenkongju said:

Simple. I am vaccinated. I already did two 14 day quarantines. I work in Korea but my Thai wife has been staying at our two homes in Thailand since Covid started. This winter, I will visit my elderly parents in the US for the first time in 2 years. I would go to Thailand for a month if no quarantine, I'd spend money. But I am not wasting any more days.

No more quarantine. I'll take tests, no problem

Simple indeed.

Don't come and don't encourage tourism until the country's prepared for it.

[Soidog]

1 minute ago, Tanuki said:

So.. Good ole Blighty has taken the Los off it's red-list.. Well that got me to start planning a return trip, BUT, once I got onto the Thai E-visa pages (& read the Emirates info pages too) about the sheer timing of submitting all the relevant documentation, certificates, proof of payments, and a Covid test certificate/proof 72 hours before flying... JUST to obtain a CoE... I simply thought Nah!

 22 years of running a bar, and obtaining a multi-entry  visa all these years without any hitches, and now I'm met with a near as damn it brick wall!

 My Emirates flight voucher is valid till April.. The Thai Gov has hardly altered anything over the last few months to make it any easier for long-stay folk to come, so I have ordered more fuel for my central-heating and will stay home in the UK for winter. Sorry Thailand but your Immigration/Government simply thinks it can do without tourists/visitors for yet another high-season, & again keeps banking on 'Domestic tourism' to pull it on thru' (Well good luck on that score).

I'm sure I'm not the only guy on here with this way of thinking just now.

You describe my exact thinking. I was going to return in September but it was simply too difficult. I’m now looking at possibly by January. The real pain is the COE. I’m ok to get a visa, but all the COE nonsense with additional Covid cover and certificate to show you have booked and paid for an SHA+ etc etc. All far too much of a pain in the ass. Especially for something that’s supposed to be enjoyable and fun. If things don’t ease by mid December in terms of the CoE, I’ll keep pushing it back. 
 

I’ll get a visa. I’ll get a PCR test before flying. I’m fully vaccinated and will have a booster in November. I’m not doing anything further. 

[Bob20]

Maybe take care of the views other countries hold of Thailand first?

Telegraph.co.uk: Thailand: the country with the most complicated entry restrictions on Earth.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/thailand-country-complicated-entry-restrictions-earth/

[ace035]

Open everything up with the exception of the nightlife industries

[ace035]

4 hours ago, Jason said:

Absence makes the heart grow...lonely. Yes, I can only hope that the COE will be a thing of the past. I saw an announcement that Visa on arrival is to come back. What is COE? It's another form of Visa. If Thailand wants a return to pre-Covid international tourist levels, the COE needs to go! International visitors are fully vaccinated (they have to be to travel)

Possibility by May 2022, it could go back to a normal travel with no mask wearing & social distancing. If I was you, just wait. I'm telling you that first 3 months of reopening will be a huge chaos at the airport after arrival.

[Bob20]

2 minutes ago, ace035 said:

Open everything up with the exception of the nightlife industries

Sure, because the virus only targets nightlife folk

Open, and then close everything down two weeks later after a wave with skyrocketing case numbers and deaths to follow.

And then new lockdowns and start from scratch...

You can't compare us with countries that open up, because we have low vaccination numbers and they are even lower than they seem because of the virtually useless Sinovac.

[Stonker]

5 hours ago, MikeTexas said:

Fairly silly as most other similar destinations for tourism have also had their borders closed so there has been no other place in which to wander.   Tourism taxes, dual pricing, ect., while a limited hinderance to tourism, are more a deterrent than closed borders while the rest of the world has been closed as well.  

"Fairly silly"?

You're a master of understatement.

You'd think it'd be blindingly obvious that everywhere else is either closed or not a competitor, as you say, but that doesn't stop the doomsters and gloomsters on here banging on about all the tourists going elsewhere.

[Soidog]

8 hours ago, MikeTexas said:

Fairly silly as most other similar destinations for tourism have also had their borders closed so there has been no other place in which to wander.   Tourism taxes, dual pricing, ect., while a limited hinderance to tourism, are more a deterrent than closed borders while the rest of the world has been closed as well.  

What do you mean by similar destinations? Do you mean geographically? Or do you mean the weather and cost of living while there? 
 

There are many destinations around the world that are offering what most people go on holiday for without all the Thai nonsense. If you want Sun, sea, sand and  nice hotels then there are plenty of places. If you want something in SE Asia then yes, the options are limited. 
 

I think many people are holding off from long haul flights right now. They want to be closer to home. As for European countries looking for winter sun and have no choice to travel further, I think places like Dubai are far more likely to attract tourists. Dubai simply wants a negative PCR test. If you travel with Emirates airlines then you automatically get Covid insurance. No COE nonsense. No 7 days quarantine, No booking SHA+ hotels with prepaid certificates and multiple PCR tests. Lots of places doing similar things. Thailand needs to wise up and quick or another wasted high season.
 

Either that. Or they really need to wise up and realise that unlike Dubai they are at a low level of vaccination. The coming high season is already lost. They need to start spending some government money (plenty in reserve) to support businesses and individuals. Get vaccinated and then think about next year. 

[Marc26]

9 hours ago, USASteve said:

Ironically this article comes at a convenient time as I write this reply from my plan B, Costa Rica, another prime destination for world tourists. CR is reaping the rewards of opening their country. I say let Thailand eat this high season and teach them a lesson. 

Costa Rica has gotten tourism better than most countries

And they are serious about eco-tourism

 

Limit how much can be built 

 

The beaches aren't really that great but I enjoy it overall 

[Mamachigawa]

5 hours ago, Soidog said:

You describe my exact thinking. I was going to return in September but it was simply too difficult. I’m now looking at possibly by January. The real pain is the COE. I’m ok to get a visa, but all the COE nonsense with additional Covid cover and certificate to show you have booked and paid for an SHA+ etc etc. All far too much of a pain in the ass. Especially for something that’s supposed to be enjoyable and fun. If things don’t ease by mid December in terms of the CoE, I’ll keep pushing it back. 
 

I’ll get a visa. I’ll get a PCR test before flying. I’m fully vaccinated and will have a booster in November. I’m not doing anything further. 

Not doing anything further than applying for a visa and doing one PCR test you will never return to Thailand. COE, covid insurance, prepaid tests in Thailand and mandated SHA+ hotels will be permanent. covid-19 hysteria  the final nail to the coffin of Thai tourism industry and  completely self-inflicted.

Edited October 9, 2021 by Mamachigawa

[MelBurn]

What  kind of  _tourist_  will go through all the hassle to go to Thailand? Only long term stay makes sense under those restrictions.

[Cathat]

I don't believe for 1 second that the thai  GDP is positive.

The official figures just for tourism is 20 percent and when you take the amount of invisible cash into account it is probably more like 25 to 30 percent yet they want us to believe gdp is increasing with that cash cow removed.

Industrial exports are suffering big time also.

One percent increase,no way,the country is in deep reccesion and is probably on the verge of an economic meltdown.as to the alleged banks stuffed with money,well why are they not using the liquidity,why is the baht falling and why have the banks recently reduced the deposit protection amounts.

I was a bangkok resident all through the years of the asian economic crisis and things were a lot better for most people during those times.

I don't recall people quing up for charity food in those days.

 

 

[smartcontrol]

Thailand has shown the tourist there are many other better places to go. we just did not look at them before. now that I have been to Costa Rica, I will never go to Thailand again. it does not make any difference what Thailand does now.  I did not know what I was missing. absents makes the heart wonder.

[Saltire]

2 hours ago, Cathat said:

I don't believe for 1 second that the thai  GDP is positive.

The official figures just for tourism is 20 percent and when you take the amount of invisible cash into account it is probably more like 25 to 30 percent yet they want us to believe gdp is increasing with that cash cow removed.

Industrial exports are suffering big time also.

One percent increase,no way,the country is in deep reccesion and is probably on the verge of an economic meltdown.as to the alleged banks stuffed with money,well why are they not using the liquidity,why is the baht falling and why have the banks recently reduced the deposit protection amounts.

I was a bangkok resident all through the years of the asian economic crisis and things were a lot better for most people during those times.

I don't recall people quing up for charity food in those days.

Agree 100%. I am surprised that more large, economic cow pats have not already hit the fan, but they are coming.

"invisible cash into account it is probably more like 25 to 30 percent" - maybe more especialy in the 'entertainment' side of tourism. Like all the other numbers, everything is just a best guess as no one actually knows (or knows how to calculate them).

 

 

 

[Stardust]

15 hours ago, Soidog said:

I note an article in the BKK Post which restated a number of other areas will open to tourists in November 1st. The article is a little confusing as it doesn’t make it clear if this is for foreign arrivals or domestic. It goes in to explain the challenges of international arrivals as though the plan does include foreign arrivals. My question is this. How do you get from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya or Hua Hin for example? Will they have convoys of busses with police and army escorts with staff in full hazmat suits? 
 

When I say busses I mean a couple of 12 seater mini-busses

I guess as usal they have no plan and as usal this empty heads open their mouth before thinking and after and thats why they jumping around everyday. But what can we expect from cliwns and empty heads? Try to explain to the clowns what is competence if they not can reflect themself. There interesting studies in which age small kids becomes able to reflect themself and knows who they see in the mirror, then you know on which level they are.

[Davefrombrisbane]

hi, I am an Australian,  double vaccinated, and ready to travel to Asia when Australia opens its border and reasonably priced flights become available. 

So where to go ?

The answer for me is an Asian country with the least restrictions and requirements.  Pretty easy really. 

Thailand seems to be making it hard for itself,  but government attitudes around the world are changing fast. Thailand needs to be part of that, or miss out.

No I don't want to go to Singapore,  somewhere little more interesting. 

cheers Dave 

[Rayjen]

We ate in Central qld and can't wait to go back to pattaya but everything needs to be open otherwise not worth going

[Malc-Thai]

13 hours ago, Bob20 said:

They've used every trick in the book to confuse the numbers already. Why change now?

BTW, I just saw that the "opening" date of 1 November has been made conditional on there being no significant clusters.

That takes CM off of the list, as a few square miles have been locked down in the city today because of 160 market workers testing positive this morning and they were still testing so that number will rise.

You do remember phuket said, if 90 in a week, then 90 in a rolling week, then if 3 areas 'tambons' have infections, if hospital beds go over 80%!  Let's hope they stick to this rule of clusters! 

[Tim]

14 hours ago, Bob20 said:

Sure, because the virus only targets nightlife folk

Open, and then close everything down two weeks later after a wave with skyrocketing case numbers and deaths to follow.

And then new lockdowns and start from scratch...

You can't compare us with countries that open up, because we have low vaccination numbers and they are even lower than they seem because of the virtually useless Sinovac.

Dude, if a bunch of fully vaccinated tourists were now strolling the streets of Thailand, I don't see how it would hurt the Thai people, since the tourists are fully vaccinated with a real vaccine and have tested negative before boarding their plane.

I don't see how they can do more damage to the current situation in Thailand, the gvt should worry about their own people and let their people earn a living.

This virus is here for a long time, one day you will have to admit to live with it.

[Bob20]

20 minutes ago, Tim said:

Dude, if a bunch of fully vaccinated tourists were now strolling the streets of Thailand, I don't see how it would hurt the Thai people, since the tourists are fully vaccinated with a real vaccine and have tested negative before boarding their plane.

I don't see how they can do more damage to the current situation in Thailand, the gvt should worry about their own people and let their people earn a living.

This virus is here for a long time, one day you will have to admit to live with it.

Dude, anyone who is vaccinated can pick up the virus in Thailand and spread it around. The problem is not just the tourist. The problem is movement of anyone spreading the virus to the mostly unvaccinated population of Thailand.

Maybe you missed this point, which has been discussed here for months and what also caused the miserable failure of the Phuket experiment with high case numbers, full hospitals and deaths way beyond what they were promised.

Even domestic travel should be discouraged until high levels of vaccination with a decent vaccine have been reached.

[Tim]

17 minutes ago, Bob20 said:

Dude, anyone who is vaccinated can pick up the virus in Thailand and spread it around. The problem is not just the tourist. The problem is movement of anyone spreading the virus to the mostly unvaccinated population of Thailand.

Maybe you missed this point, which has been discussed here for months and what also caused the miserable failure of the Phuket experiment with high case numbers, full hospitals and deaths way beyond what they were promised.

Even domestic travel should be discouraged until high levels of vaccination with a decent vaccine have been reached.

Dude, if they keep following your logic, they will never ever open. This virus is here to stay and more viruses are on the way. Old people and people with diseases were already dying from viruses such as flu before covid, it's nothing new. Now that everybody that was willing to be vaccinated in Phuket is vaccinated, I don't see why it's a problem if people are "spreading" asymptotically the virus.

More dangerous than the covid19 virus is the disastrous economic situation inflicted on these poor people.

[Bob20]

15 minutes ago, Tim said:

Dude, if they keep following your logic, they will never ever open. This virus is here to stay and more viruses are on the way. Old people and people with diseases were already dying from viruses such as flu before covid, it's nothing new. Now that everybody that was willing to be vaccinated in Phuket is vaccinated, I don't see why it's a problem if people are "spreading" asymptotically the virus.

More dangerous than the covid19 virus is the disastrous economic situation inflicted on these poor people.

This is an old and discredited discussion. Take the time to read up on the science before you comment.

There is a reason why governments set vaccination targets before opening up. 

Countries around the world don't delay indefinitely, but open up when they can take a calculated risk.

What Thailand is doing is publicly declare a target, and then recklessly ignore it, which can result in a spike in cases and deaths, like in Phuket, like last year with Songkran etc.

That would be followed by new lockdowns and starting from scratch, which would be even more disastrous.

The people advocating opening up for economic reasons have mostly been double jabbed and feel secure. And their attitude now shows selfishness towards others who didn't get a vaccine yet (or had a useless one). 

No respect for that type of people at all!

[AlexPTY]

17 hours ago, Bob20 said:

Sure, because the virus only targets nightlife folk

Open, and then close everything down two weeks later after a wave with skyrocketing case numbers and deaths to follow.

And then new lockdowns and start from scratch...

You can't compare us with countries that open up, because we have low vaccination numbers and they are even lower than they seem because of the virtually useless Sinovac.

it allegedly came from bats, right? see the reason?