News Forum - Minister of Tourism is sure tourists will flood Thailand November 1

[Stonker]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:25 PM, JohninDubin said:

Stealing SIM cards. I think they were only 49BT, and you still need to put money on to them. Mind you though, this was in the days when you didn't need to pre-register a SIM.

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I've seen / done the same thing with Indians buying plastic phone covers, costing 80 baht or so. Wierd. I think it's as much about them getting away with it as it is the money.

[yselmike]

  On 10/13/2021 at 8:08 PM, Marc26 said:

I got a couple decades to go! But I would imagine they would

But this VIP Arrival really is awesome. I only take carry-on, so don't have to wait for bags.....

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I've used a few times but they clamped down on it about four years ago.Only for proper VIPs or first class passengers and I hope the over 70s.

[Stonker]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:19 PM, JohninDubin said:

For all our criticism of TH, apart from Vaxxing, just about everything they did, their metrics were better than the UK.

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I just read that the NHS Covid passport app crashed yesterday for four hours, leaving people unable to either leave UK or return from abroad.

Automation and tech isn't always the answer.

[Soidog]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:40 PM, yselmike said:

I've used a few times but they clamped down on it about four years ago.Only for proper VIPs or first class passengers and I hope the over 70s.

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Not sure what VIP you are referring to, but it’s certainly not been “clamped down”. There are many businesses offering this service. It’s what they do! It’s not a perk oferred to business class or real VIP’s. It’s either in the ticket price or you can buy the service as an add on. 
 

A couple of links 

https://royalairportconcierge.com/Airport/bkk/

https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.php

[Freeduhdumb]

Which variant will be used for the next seasonal "Casedemic?" Anyone have any predictions? And when that hits, does anyone think the current vaccinations will manage all of those "breakthrough infections?" Lol. It's all a circus show folks. 

Edited October 13, 2021 by Freeduhdumb
Grammar correction additional content.

[Freeduhdumb]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:48 PM, Stonker said:

I just read that the NHS Covid passport app crashed yesterday for four hours, leaving people unable to either leave UK or return from abroad.

Automation and tech isn't always the answer.

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Vaccine passports are a mechanism to a totalitarian slave system. They should be eliminated and forgotten. It's not going to be pleasant when that Chinese Social Crediting/Digital Control Grid goes fully online... 

[Soidog]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:58 PM, Freeduhdumb said:

Vaccine passports are a mechanism to a totalitarian slave system. They should be eliminated and forgotten. It's not going to be pleasant when that Chinese Social Crediting/Digital Control Grid goes fully online... 

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Past your bedtime I think. You are not making any sense at all now 

[Benroon]

  On 10/13/2021 at 7:45 PM, Marc26 said:

On another note, I have done the VIP arrivals for the last few years at BKK

It is awesome, for around 2k-2500 baht you go through the diplomatic lane with a car waiting for you right outside

They meet you as you get off plane

Feel like a superstar  :)

From landing to in car, it usually takes less than 15mins

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If I can just temporarily go off topic - how does that work ? So this is a separate thing from the flight ? So you book it separately where ? You say as you get off the plane but surely after you have cleared customs right ? I've landed at Swampy probably 50+ times and I cannot even begin to envisage getting through in 15 minutes - the walk just to get to baggage recall takes at least that !

You also say a car is waiting for you but how far will they take you - I'm assuming there is a sliding price scale as to final destination ?

[Benroon]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:58 PM, Freeduhdumb said:

Vaccine passports are a mechanism to a totalitarian slave system. They should be eliminated and forgotten. It's not going to be pleasant when that Chinese Social Crediting/Digital Control Grid goes fully online... 

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NURSE !!!! Another ones got out !

[Benroon]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:48 PM, Stonker said:

I just read that the NHS Covid passport app crashed yesterday for four hours, leaving people unable to either leave UK or return from abroad.

Automation and tech isn't always the answer.

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That's why I will also have the printed version as well. You can get a letter sent to you with the same information as the app.

[Sawarot]

  On 10/13/2021 at 10:16 PM, Benroon said:

If I can just temporarily go off topic - how does that work ? So this is a separate thing from the flight ? So you book it separately where ? You say as you get off the plane but surely after you have cleared customs right ? I've landed at Swampy probably 50+ times and I cannot even begin to envisage getting through in 15 minutes - the walk just to get to baggage recall takes at least that !

You also say a car is waiting for you but how far will they take you - I'm assuming there is a sliding price scale as to final destination ?

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I used this type of service a few years ago. A lady was waiting with my name on a sign as I walked off the plane into the terminal. Then she escorted me to a separate passport control area for VIPs and diplomats etc. It was very quick and well worth the money. But that particular company was not allowed to continue and I was told that kind of service was no longer available. It's obviously going to be an issue if too many people use it. 

[Stonker]

  On 10/13/2021 at 10:21 PM, Benroon said:

That's why I will also have the printed version as well. You can get a letter sent to you with the same information as the app.

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Ditto for me with the Thai version. TBH I can't understand why someone would go on holiday without a printed version.

[Stonker]

  On 10/13/2021 at 10:16 PM, Benroon said:

If I can just temporarily go off topic - how does that work ? So this is a separate thing from the flight ? So you book it separately where ? You say as you get off the plane but surely after you have cleared customs right ? I've landed at Swampy probably 50+ times and I cannot even begin to envisage getting through in 15 minutes - the walk just to get to baggage recall takes at least that !

You also say a car is waiting for you but how far will they take you - I'm assuming there is a sliding price scale as to final destination ?

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  On 10/13/2021 at 10:38 PM, Sawarot said:

I used this type of service a few years ago. A lady was waiting with my name on a sign as I walked off the plane into the terminal. Then she escorted me to a separate passport control area for VIPs and diplomats etc. It was very quick and well worth the money. But that particular company was not allowed to continue and I was told that kind of service was no longer available. It's obviously going to be an issue if too many people use it. 

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To try to put this one to bed, it's an old system that's not available any more as for from only 1,200 baht it was too popular. Like similar information on Covid checks at Vancouver it's out of date and wildly misleading.

[Soidog]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:52 PM, Soidog said:

There are many businesses offering this service. It’s what they do! It’s not a perk oferred to business class or real VIP’s. It’s either in the ticket price or you can buy the service as an add on.

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Forgot to add and can’t edit my post. The arrival service is of course temporarily unavailable due to Covid restrictions and the need for testing etc. It seems departure service is still available? 

[Disenfranchised]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:58 PM, Freeduhdumb said:

Vaccine passports are a mechanism to a totalitarian slave system. They should be eliminated and forgotten. It's not going to be pleasant when that Chinese Social Crediting/Digital Control Grid goes fully online... 

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Obviously an American who has gone off his meds.

Fetch the lithium!

[Robert2020]

Go to Thailand they said, It'll be fun they said... comes back with face mask tan line....

[gummy]

  On 10/13/2021 at 11:37 PM, Disenfranchised said:

Obviously an American who has gone off his meds.

Fetch the lithium!

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Most of the anti Chinese idiots seem to be, perhaps the medication in their water supply is not strong enough 

[Bangkok_Gary]

"Recently Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn suggested dropping the complex and frustrating certificate of entry requirement as well the reduce the costs of the required RT-PCR..."

Good idea!

[yselmike]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:52 PM, Soidog said:

Not sure what VIP you are referring to, but it’s certainly not been “clamped down”. There are many businesses offering this service. It’s what they do! It’s not a perk oferred to business class or real VIP’s. It’s either in the ticket price or you can buy the service as an add on. 
 

A couple of links 

https://royalairportconcierge.com/Airport/bkk/

https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.php

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The fast track immigration lane is what I used,the limousine one.There were various services offered,the basic one that I used where they met you at the plane handed you the card and you went through the priority lane,that is separate from the normal immigration.You could be met with a golf trolly walked through passport and helped with your luggage to your ride,from a van and various levels of limo's.my basic service cost about baht 820.As a sign of the times I didn't need it anymore because the scrum at immigration lessened over the years up to last year.I seem to remember something about the Chinese were using fast track.

[Freeduhdumb]

  On 10/13/2021 at 11:37 PM, Disenfranchised said:

Obviously an American who has gone off his meds.

Fetch the lithium!

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It's called freedom... we had to show the Brits what that word means... clearly many of you here still haven't figured out what it takes to be free. Now go get your booster shots like your masters demand. 

[Marc26]

  On 10/13/2021 at 8:58 PM, JohninDubin said:

My experience with the automated machines at LHR, are that it always refers me to a human. Schiphol, is never a prob in that regard.

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We do the machine, it prints out a paper and you hand it to the agent 

90% of the people(it seems) walks through 

[Marc26]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:07 PM, Stonker said:

I'm sure Vancouver airport will be interested to know that they've got it wrong, as will the Canadian government site:

https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/takecare/passenger-steps/new-travel-requirements-for-entering-canada-by-air

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid?utm_campaign=gac-amc-travelborder-part2-21-22&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=ggl&utm_content=ad-text-en&utm_term=canada arrival covid test&adv=2122-147654&id_campaign=14643232225&id_source=125810504863&id_content=545679435742&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjwh5qLBhALEiwAioods4DmLCsQudgtLbhWNWgerHAKx-lw1LFgVk7fYh3iaYcYydN2MVnzJxoCz_0QAvD_BwE

https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/takecare/covid-19-testing#:~:text=Location and hours

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As I said above

That was my experience the 3x I flew right after they lifted the hotel quarantine 

And I said it could have changed now

When I have flown in the vast majority had to get tested at the airport 

And my point stands that it flowed pretty fast even when they were testing hundreds in a pretty short period of time

Taking a covid test does not take a long time

[Marc26]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:40 PM, yselmike said:

I've used a few times but they clamped down on it about four years ago.Only for proper VIPs or first class passengers and I hope the over 70s.

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The website still advertise the same service I have used 

https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.php

[Marc26]

  On 10/13/2021 at 9:52 PM, Soidog said:

Not sure what VIP you are referring to, but it’s certainly not been “clamped down”. There are many businesses offering this service. It’s what they do! It’s not a perk oferred to business class or real VIP’s. It’s either in the ticket price or you can buy the service as an add on. 
 

A couple of links 

https://royalairportconcierge.com/Airport/bkk/

https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.php

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The email  for "limousine " kicked back so it may be not available anymore, as others have said

To bad, it was a great service 

[gummy]

  On 10/14/2021 at 12:28 AM, Marc26 said:

The email  for "limousine " kicked back so it may be not available anymore, as others have said

To bad, it was a great service 

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I have no doubt that that wizard of facts and business acumen, Thailand's Minister of Tourism, will no doubt come up with a brainwave , he will suggest a VIP limousine service from the airport to other destinations, now who would have thought of that, he is a clever guy you know