News Forum - Easier entry for foreign tourists: CCSA approves ATK for on-arrival screening

[ace035]

6 hours ago, BIGGLES said:

Is it just me, or does this have built in scam all over it?

ATK not accurate, lots of false positives reports.

Take test at a hotel that you're not staying at. What happens if you get a positive result?

Still need approved transport.

I can see the opportunity for scam written all over this.

What do you guys think?

You are right, COVID-19 ATK test is not accurate at all, too many reports of "false positives" so if I was you, stick to a PCR-testing at a SHA/ASQ hotel for 1 day unless you want to get scammed. Those people at the airport trying to trick you and get screwed later on.

[AussieBob]

12 hours ago, Stonker said:

I've had plenty of refunds here and plenty of honoured guarantees, from a few hundred baht to a few hundred thousand.

I've also been the subject of some sharp practice and bad work, but caveat emptor none where I got stung.

Due diligence isn't difficult.

True.  But a lot easier for a 'local' than a potential tourist - many tourists have no idea and just dont plan - most in the past came to Thailand without any insurance. Some people are just too gung ho and just go for it - until that one bad day ..............

[AussieBob]

8 hours ago, ace035 said:

You are right, COVID-19 ATK test is not accurate at all, too many reports of "false positives" so if I was you, stick to a PCR-testing at a SHA/ASQ hotel for 1 day unless you want to get scammed. Those people at the airport trying to trick you and get screwed later on.

You are correct - but it must be said that the majority of places and people in Thailand are not like that at all.  We will not be going there until there is no severe penalty for testing positive (10-14 days in an expensive Thai private hospital that your travel insurance may/may not cover). 

By the way to all reading - if you happen to get covid (asymptomatic) while in Thailand and then test positive on arrival back home, does your insurance also cover the costs of whatever impositions are there for positive testing arrivals? 

It is like riding a motorbike - I would never do that without a helmet and jacket and boots in Australia. But in Thailand, I do not ever intend to ride a motorbike again (scooter) - maybe around the local gated village. Besides the massive dangers (80+% of deaths on Thai roads are on bikes) the quality of local medical services are not that good and the costs are horrendous.  Some blokes say:  'stop worrying, I do it all the time, helmets are for girls, just enjoy life and go for it'.  I was young too .......... remember it well - older and (I hope) a little wiser now.

[HiuMak]

18 hours ago, Thaiger said:

Entering Thailand will get a little easier, and a bit cheaper. The CCSA approved the use of rapid antigen tests to screen international arrivals for Covid-19 starting December 1. The ATK method will replacing the RT-PCR test, meaning travellers won’t need to wait long before they are allowed to travel throughout Thailand. The measure will apply to travellers entering under the quarantine exemption scheme and “sandbox” scheme. While the RT-PCR test is said to be more accurate, the results come back much slower and travellers entering the country have been required to book a night at an approved hotel while […]

The story Easier entry for foreign tourists: CCSA approves ATK for on-arrival screening as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Stardust]

14 hours ago, Stonker said:

Despite the 'jokers' who think they're being funny, all those who've been through similar systems here involving refunds from hotels and who've commented on it here have got one, without any problems at all.

That doesn't suit the 'jokers', but that's how it's been according to those who actually know.

Oh advertising scams again like moderna and tell the people about refunds never existing in Thailand. Any scams writing like a fact and promoting it. Thais are angry at the moment about the scams and the ones who promotes them like you. Did you read the hashtag top lis in the Thai social media . 

[Stardust]

52 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

True.  But a lot easier for a 'local' than a potential tourist - many tourists have no idea and just dont plan - most in the past came to Thailand without any insurance. Some people are just too gung ho and just go for it - until that one bad day ..............

We remember well how many scams and dumb programs he advocated and he doesn't stop. You are right there are many who still sit on their bills also for the forced quarantine which the insurance not willing to pay because tested negative, moderna , etc etc

[AussieBob]

16 hours ago, BIGGLES said:

Is it just me, or does this have built in scam all over it?

ATK not accurate, lots of false positives reports.

Take test at a hotel that you're not staying at. What happens if you get a positive result?

Still need approved transport.

I can see the opportunity for scam written all over this.

What do you guys think?

I think - dont come to Thailand now (for a short 3-4 week holiday).

 

[Stardust]

14 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

I think - dont come to Thailand now (for a short 3-4 week holiday).

The cases (quarantine) what also were in the past in Thaiger (sandbox) had to pay it by themself. Now we read also if they had to book new packages they got no refund. These scams were in the Thai media and they demanded from the ccsa to protect the travellers and not to allow scams. It should be also in the english Thai media more, too. Also the Thais are angry about the moderna scams, so it is a lot in the tv, media or social media at the moment.

[Stonker]

56 minutes ago, Stardust said:

Oh advertising scams again like moderna and tell the people about refunds never existing in Thailand. Any scams writing like a fact and promoting it. Thais are angry at the moment about the scams and the ones who promotes them like you. Did you read the hashtag top lis in the Thai social media . 

Not "advertising" or "promoting" anything - simply repeating what everyone who's been through the various systems has confirmed here from their own, first hand experience.

[farang]

well crap!!this is not good news or dropping anything!!if anything its worse.so now you are makeing a croud in the hotel lobby and now paying the hotel???im sure many ,many test are going to fail!!then you are in the lobby wanting a room at rates jacked up because you are not prebooked.seems like a worm on a hook,ready for the jerk.forget it.stay home.

[farang]

one other big question,why would you have to go to a hotel to get this simple  instant test??the airport has more room and then the tourtist can leave  from the airport.i smell a big rat b/s  scam.

[Stonker]

22 minutes ago, Stardust said:

The cases (quarantine) what also were in the past in Thaiger (sandbox) had to pay it by themself. Now we read also if they had to book new packages they got no refund. These scams were in the Thai media and they demanded from the ccsa to protect the travellers and not to allow scams. It should be also in the english Thai media more, too. Also the Thais are angry about the moderna scams, so it is a lot in the tv, media or social media at the moment.

Actually, 'no' they didn't, 'no' we don't, and 'no' they weren't. That's totally incorrect.

... if anyone's only source of information is what they're told is on social media, then despite the restrictions on English and Thai language media they're unlikely to have a very realistic or informed view of anything.

[LoongFred]

13 hours ago, riclag said:

That's not part of the new revenue rape scheme!

 In Thailand its who you know, if your lucky enough to own a caravan of limo's or if you own a hotel chain that has excess to quantities of ATK  at wholesale prices then you will be a approved vendor. imop

They ,powers that be ,do something similar in the GOVT hospitals here. They spread the revenue around !

As a example, I went in for a biopsy consultation (large suspicious skin mole) after seeing the specialist he sent me to just about every department in the hospital with each department charging a fee ,one was for HIV consultation 555.

Since they don't have your history, they need to build one. This is very important for proper care. When you see a physician in your home country they should have your history.  Some insurance or state run systems won't authorize screening tests, which is unfortunate. 

Relax you are probably getting the best care.

BTW skin lesion or growths might be an early sign of HIV.

[palooka]

19 minutes ago, LoongFred said:

BTW skin lesion or growths might be an early sign of HIV.

Or you're turning into a zombie as some (anti vax) would have us believe. 

[Thommo]

22 hours ago, stevenkongju said:

I am booked for Dec. 23rd. All paid. How many more changes would you bet will be made prior to my arrival. 

my bet is 26

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

CCSA approves ATK for on-arrival screening ….. maybe they should approve of a large glass of Sangsom on arrival, it may help with the false positive! 

[longwood50]

 

 

 

[Soidog]

My only concern with all of this, is that they are opening up tourism before they have fully opened the country. I realise 80% of it is open and functioning. However the high risk businesses such as nightclubs, bars, busy restaurants and concerts are all either heavily controlled or closed. The only exceptions being a few locations like Bangla road where clusters have occurred. If and when they do open in mid December or mid January and problems flare up, what will they do in terms of allowing foreigners in?  If they still allow it (I’m sure they will?) what will tourists think when they are on their way or half way through their holiday only to find bars and restaurants are closed or closed early? Surely the process is:

Vaccinate

Open slowly to test

Fully open 

Open borders 

[Bob20]

28 minutes ago, Soidog said:

My only concern with all of this, is that they are opening up tourism before they have fully opened the country. I realise 80% of it is open and functioning. However the high risk businesses such as nightclubs, bars, busy restaurants and concerts are all either heavily controlled or closed. The only exceptions being a few locations like Bangla road where clusters have occurred. If and when they do open in mid December or mid January and problems flare up, what will they do in terms of allowing foreigners in?  If they still allow it (I’m sure they will?) what will tourists think when they are on their way or half way through their holiday only to find bars and restaurants are closed or closed early? Surely the process is:

Vaccinate

Open slowly to test

Fully open 

Open borders 

Morning @Soidog

Had a long discussion with (I think) Stardust yesterday about PCR Vs ATK on arrival.

I explained about genomics testing that's done when PCR testing takes place as international effort, but he wouldn't have any of it as he thought TH doesn't do it (a lot).

Well, what do you know, within hours all papers report on a potentially nasty variant found by genomic testing in travelers.

So, yes, your order for things is great.

But no, don't replace PCR with ATK testing! (quite besides not addressing accuracy concerns etc.)

[JackIsAGoodBoy]

Very few tourists have come so far, most of them have been regular Thailand visitors and winter birds anyway or simply service crews to the factories. If the clubs and bars stay closed very few will come. The competitor countries are happy Thailand screwed up big time.

[Soidog]

15 minutes ago, Bob20 said:

Morning @Soidog

Had a long discussion with (I think) Stardust yesterday about PCR Vs ATK on arrival.

I explained about genomics testing that's done when PCR testing takes place as international effort, but he wouldn't have any of it as he thought TH doesn't do it (a lot).

Well, what do you know, within hours all papers report on a potentially nasty variant found by genomic testing in travelers.

So, yes, your order for things is great.

But no, don't replace PCR with ATK testing! (quite besides not addressing accuracy concerns etc.)

Morning @Bob20  yes that’s totally correct in terms of genomic testing. Many countries use PCR tests for such purposes. As you rightly say, ATK would remove that. However, there are plenty of people leaving their own countries who require PCR before departure and there would be no reason why a sample test of arrivals could not have two swab samples taken for such screening processes. 
 

After best part of two years of this virus, it sometimes feels people have learned nothing. One can only hope that’s not true of the scientific community. This virus has made my misanthropy much stronger! 

[Bob20]

4 minutes ago, Soidog said:

Morning @Bob20  yes that’s totally correct in terms of genomic testing. Many countries use PCR tests for such purposes. As you rightly say, ATK would remove that. However, there are plenty of people leaving their own countries who require PCR before departure and there would be no reason why a sample test of arrivals could not have two swab samples taken for such screening processes. 
 

After best part of two years of this virus, it sometimes feels people have learned nothing. One can only hope that’s not true of the scientific community. This virus has made my misanthropy much stronger! 

That's funny as I posted something similar about not learning anything from experience.

And we don't disagree on much, but PCR testing before a flight doesn't necessarily capture a positive result and if Omicron is really as contagious as is claimed and the AMS flight seems to confirm, then even one false negative can cause a huge number of infections on arrival. Now, I would prefer the easiest way to travel, but I prefer even more doing so safely. 

[Soidog]

4 minutes ago, Bob20 said:

but PCR testing before a flight doesn't necessarily capture a positive result and if Omicron is really as contagious as is claimed and the AMS flight seems to confirm, then even one false negative can cause a huge number of infections on arrival.

Agreed Bob. I was meaning more in terms of still conducting sufficient PCR tests worldwide in order to do Genomic testing to detect new variants. If we reduce the quantities of PCR testing then we reduce our capabilities to detect new variants

[ace035]

7 hours ago, Bob20 said:

Morning @Soidog

Had a long discussion with (I think) Stardust yesterday about PCR Vs ATK on arrival.

I explained about genomics testing that's done when PCR testing takes place as international effort, but he wouldn't have any of it as he thought TH doesn't do it (a lot).

Well, what do you know, within hours all papers report on a potentially nasty variant found by genomic testing in travelers.

So, yes, your order for things is great.

But no, don't replace PCR with ATK testing! (quite besides not addressing accuracy concerns etc.)

I'll stick to the PCR testing rather than ATK, 85% of the ATK testing inaccurate which is "false positives". I'd rather be in my 1-day quarantine hotel to do my PCR test rather than be around thousands of farangs to do my ATK test at the airport.

[Bert]

On a lighter note:

Since it's a RAPID test they should bring travellers to a SHORT time hotel