General Reports

[Downandup]

So here's the latest if you want to get in to Thailand.

Those who have an Elite Visa and invest 1 million can stay in Thailand long term and get a work permit.

That's not right. The Thai Elite visa is 500,000 Baht for a 5 year stay, 1,000,000 for 10 years amd 2,000,000 for 20 years. There is absolutely no requirement to invest in anything and it is not a work permit. You seem to be merging the visa program with the work permit?

[Banana Boi]

So here's the latest if you want to get in to Thailand.

Those who have an Elite Visa and invest 1 million can stay in Thailand long term and get a work permit. Great I thought. Invest 1 million baht? No problem! WRONG! If you want to get to Thailand now you must invest 1 million USD (31 million baht) in real estate! Of course the work permit comes with it because most of us are going to need to work to tie up 31 million baht in Thai real estate. Hmmm, are they going to allow Farang to buy actually land now? Doubtful. It'll be 1 Million USD invested in condos! Don't forget you still have to pay an arm and a leg on top of that to get an Elite Visa.

So who actually still believes they will get in to Thailand any tine soon?

[GettingFedUp]

If these are not fakes news or if the authorities do not change their minds along the way

P,

Change their minds? Those in control haven't expressed their minds.

You might like to check Mr Phiphat's utterances over the last few months against the outcome. Maybe go back to May, June or July. How many of them have actually happened? Easing from 1 July, 1 August? Remember? Villa Quarantine? Islands of Isolation? Covid corridors and travel bubbles?

Whilst he is the Tourism and Sport Minister as best I can tell he seems to be unelected and part of the Prime Minister's cabinet quota and Reuters tells me he's still the President and CEO of PTG Energy (an operator of gas stations).

He's also neither an ex-General nor a medic on the CCSA. They are the authorities whose minds decide.

[Pimpampoumpipo]

If these are not fakes news or if the authorities do not change their minds along the way, here are the ideas of what to do next. It can be a good start and prove that things are finally moving.

Sorry the articles are in Thai. I attach a summary in English. You can still use google translate or ask your girlfriend Thaie for the translation.

1) The Thai tourism minister very optimistic about the return of foreign tourists https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/899418.

Administrator Friday September 25,2020.

Thai Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn presented all these ideas to reopen the country to foreign tourism.

He now expects tourists to flock to the kingdom by the thousands (per day) and trigger an economic boost. Most importantly, he said that if the first interim measures to open up the country prove successful next month, then in November he was proposing to the government that the 14-day quarantine be down to SEVEN days. Pipat expects the details of the "special tourist visa" to be worked out next Tuesday. He expects the first batch of 300 tourists to arrive on Thursday, October 1 and enter 14-day state quarantine, Bangkok Biz News reported.

Pipat said on a tour organized by the Tourism Council that if the first two batches of 300 foreign tourists per week do not have Covid-19 after testing, he will continue with his "step by step" plan to get it. More and more.

"Three cents a week is clearly not enough," Pipat concluded. He said this needs to be extended to as much as health authorities can handle.

The Tourism Ministry's work with the relevant authorities in Phuket has indicated that the number could soon be 1,000 tourists per day.

And if it works seamlessly, then it could be scaled up to 3,000 per day.

Pipat continued that work is underway with private hospitals to increase the capacity to screen foreigners at alternative state quarantine facilities and alternative local quarantine facilities.

He believed that everything had to go as planned, he would be able to approach the cabinet by mid or end of November with proposals to test foreigners twice in seven days and limit quarantine to only 7 days from 14.

Then the tourists would have the freedom to visit anywhere in the country they want.

He continued his upbeat message by saying he wanted to "turn the crisis into an opportunity" and help drive Thailand's economic recovery from the pandemic.

2) Special tourist visa: "difficult" deployment on October 1, but as soon as possible (Head of TAT) https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/.../9630000098133.

Administrator Friday September 25,2020.

Thailand Tourism Authority Governor Yutthasak Suphasorn told a meeting in Bangkok that discussions are still ongoing regarding the very popular STV or special tourist visa that will see foreign tourists returning to Thailand.

Yutthasak said it would be difficult to meet the original October 1 deadline, but he expected the STV to be available as soon as possible next month.

Discussions are underway with airlines, and the 29 TAT offices around the world are engaging in marketing strategies to inform potential tourists of the arrangements, especially the 14-day state quarantine they will face.

He told the meeting at the Waldorf Astoria that this could happen in Phuket or other tourist areas, it would depend on the willingness of each area to join the plan.

[LittleBigMan]

https://www.thailand-faq.com/article...tv-513701.html

If you go to Yahoo news you might find a report talking about the details of this so call visa, even before it was purposed fully you can see it isn't going to happen and the comments suggest it pretty much won't the article is something like.

" Special Tousit Visa " STV plus the 25 steps one got to go through to get it!

[Pimpampoumpipo]

https://www.thailand-faq.com/article...tv-513701.html

I have not seen a list of eligible countries specified. Is it open to everyone ?

[GettingFedUp]

I've been getting the feeling over the past two years or so that Thailand is no longer interested in encouraging foreigners into their country. I suspect they are using the pandemic to accomplish their aim.

Turgid,

I'm not sure what's causing this feeling. If some part of it comes from other forums (Bangkok Post comments / or the loathsome TVisa) then be aware that quite a significant proportion of the moaners complain about Thailand because that's where they are. If they were in Vietnam / Europe / PI they would be complaining about Vietnam / Europe / PI and may well be doing so in other non-Thai forums. They are not moaning about Thailand, they are moaning because they are moaners.

There's also a sizeable group of long term expats who've been playing the visa system for years if not decades. So when Thailand clamped down on people doing back to back monthly border runs to get another 30 day visa / visa waiver they screamed "they don't want us here". They then took up going to Vientiane or Penang to get back to back 60 day tourist visas and maybe alternating between this and the 30 day border run. This got closed down and they screamed "they don't want us here". Next came the ED Education Visa (sign up to a language school for the duration and you got a year). A couple of years ago Immigration made a high level of attendance at the classes (and tested the applicant's Thai language skills on occasion) as a compliance measure. "They don't want us here" they cried.

I believe a lot of them then went for the Non-Imm O (other) visa with multiple entries. 12 months validity but with a maximum stay of 90 days each visit. No need for funds in Thailand (and I'm doubtful the Embassies had the means to check proof of funds overseas) or proof of income. Importantly for many (but not me) no need for a criminal records check. With the borders closed they couldn't do their 90 day border runs but had the visa amnesty so no worries. Of course the visa amnesty finishes tomorrow and border runs or going to KL / Phnom Penh / Vientiane to get a new 12 months isn't possible and they are screaming "They don't want us here".

These are also the mob who rant about having to leave is ridiculous when they bring vital dollars to the economy. They kind of let themselves down by quoting just how much. Figures of 30,000 baht or $1,000 / month are often used. High rollers indeed.

Well guess what? These people are right. But I emphasise the "us" is not all foreigners but those who have played fast and loose with the visa system, those who work without a work permit or paying tax and social security, those with a criminal past (and often present and future). What country would want them there? Take a look at the US visa requirements. From memory if you have a criminal record for an offence which could have gotten you a prison sentence, even if it was suspended or you were fined instead, you don't get in.

Finally there is the idiot Anutin spouting off about "dirty farangs". It was of course completely out of order. It was not sadly completely untrue. Soi Nana, Patong and particularly Soi Buakhao amongst other areas all have a hard-core of serious soap dodgers. None from this forum, of course!

[Pimpampoumpipo]

Wouldn't everyone on this site suddenly agree and even promote the quarantine rule. This would solve the sex tourist issue for them. They should just make the quarantine city Pattaya and no one here would be complaining.
....
Only tourist group keen on coming to LOS is us. Guys willing to take the risk of barebacking a working girl would have no problem risking covid. Unfortunately, the Thai gov is not interested in us or our providers and figuring out solutions for us.

Ahaha true.

Moreover, it seems that there are thoughts on this subject and encourage tourists to come back by reducing and adjusting the quarantine period in this direction :

1) Reduce quarantine to 7 days :
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/touri...sts-to-7-days/

2 ) Amazing Thailand: massage parlors and spas to quarantine foreign tourists. :
https://www.dailynews.co.th/politics/796788
Sorry the article is in Thai. The synthetic Google translation is: " Administrator Friday September 25,2020.

The Daily News reported that Thai health officials were moving forward with a plan to use massage and spa facilities to quarantine foreign tourists. Dr Tharet Kratsanairawiwong of the Department of Health Promotion said the government has decided to reopen the country to foreigners. And a great way to quarantine them would be the world famous Thai massages and Thai spa facilities.

The industry is already studying this issue and a pilot project could start in Krabi, in southern Thailand. Discussions have already taken place subject to certain restrictions. For example, the locations chosen would be far from high population densities. He expected that the program would be presented to the various authorities for their approval within the next month with a decision of the CCSA central committee at the end. ".

[Pimpampoumpipo]

It was very easy for the Thai authorities to take advantage of the general lockdown and keep the girly bars and gogos closed. To break everything and transform these spots into a "family destination". Many people mentioned it and I myself feared it. I remember that at best some information said that these would be the last places to reopen.

But if I believe these last videos, it seems that emblematic places like WS or Nana are reopening little by little. Despite the fact that there are hardly any tourists!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly-FXEKP0sA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnLhEaS-COQ

I find it hard to think that these places would start opening again if there was no hope of a recovery in activity over time (by the end of the year ?)

Beware of false hopes, however, we thought that the lockdown would last 2 or 3 months and it is still ongoing 7 months later. In addition, the virus is still very active and many countries are reconfining while most are still closed.

[GettingFedUp]

Wouldn't everyone on this site suddenly agree and even promote the quarantine rule. This would solve the sex tourist issue for them. They should just make the quarantine city Pattaya and no one here would be complaining.

DazeUp,

You don't seem to understand what quarantine means in Thailand. It is not self-isolation or stay at home notice and be a good boy. I can think of various phrases to describe it. Solitary confinement, enforced isolation, house (or room) arrest amongst them. No alcohol (except what you bring in with you so make that litre of duty free last), no deliveries (Food Panda / Grab Eats / Supermarket shopping bought online), no popping out to 7-11, Soi 6, Walking Street or anywhere else. Definitely no visitors, socially distanced or otherwise.

Some but not all of the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotels (for foreigners or Thais who want to pay to upgrade) allow the inmates out for half an hour a day once they have tested clear in the first test around day 5 to walk around the pool or terrace but not to go swim in the pool. I've even read blogs from people who paid extra for an ASQ room with a balcony only to find the balcony doors were locked and use was not permitted. In others the only times people get to leave their room is when the cleaners come in every 3rd day and they go to another hotel room for half an hour or to take half a step out of the door to pick up the meals left outside the room. Does it really matter what city the quarantine is in? Indeed if you had to quarantine in this fashion do really want to be staring out at the beach, beer bars, massage parlours etc knowing that you won't be going there for (check the chalk marks on the cell wall) days yet?

But how would they solve the issue for the other 90% of tourists?

They ain't going to try. And the vast majority of Thais (in the country as a whole) don't want them to try. Maybe they've done the maths of what would happen if another lockdown was required and all the factories and offices had to close again. Maybe Khun Prayut sees "virus free Thailand" as some sort of mission to create a legacy. After all it's been 8 years since there was last a coup which well above the average of the last 90 years.

[Franciscass]

I've been getting the feeling over the past two years or so that Thailand is no longer interested in encouraging foreigners into their country. I suspect they are using the pandemic to accomplish their aim.

There are so many indications of this from getting a driving licence to dealing with immigration it is more than a feeling. My own take is that these pesky foreigners bring troubling corrupting ideologies like free speech and democracy that don't sit well with the entrenched establishment.

[Banana Boi]

One thing that is not discussed much on here about the order that Thailand allows people in to their country is the reciprocity rule. Thailand made a stink that they were not on the UK list of countries allowed in to UK. Now that UK has put Thailand on their allowed list I'm sure UK will be bumped up in the rankings even ahead of some other countries with less COVID infections. Thailand is one of 8 countries allowed in to Germany too without any restrictions. 3 other countries that Germany would allow in but are not allowing are China, Japan, and Korea in because of the reciprocity rule. Thailand is a no go to countries like USA and Canada so those 2 countries will be last in because they don't currently allow Thais in. People discuss losing face which I don't believe at all about bar girls. However I do believe Thailand as a country takes countries not allowing Thais to visit as losing face.

[Pimpampoumpipo]

I've been getting the feeling over the past two years or so that Thailand is no longer interested in encouraging foreigners into their country. I suspect they are using the pandemic to accomplish their aim.

That's what a number of people are saying and that's what I've been thinking for a while.

I now think the Thai government is very feverish and just doesn't know what to do.

All his changes of mind, sometimes several times a day, during all these months, seem to me to show that they would like to open the borders because the more time passes, the more quickly the economy sinks.

On the other hand, they are prisoners of their zero goal, of their pride in being the good students of the WHO and they have surfed so much on this theme and have so scared the population that the Thais no longer want to 'foreigners.

Finally, all of Asia is closed. It is even the only subcontinent to be still completely locked, unlike America, Europe, the Middle East and even Africa where many countries are already open or are in the process of opening up. It is complicated for them to take the risk of opening up, of having covid cases in the eyes of other countries in the region.

The result is a schizophrenic atittude. They would like to open but at the same time they set up walls of crazy entry conditions and almost impossible to cross.

And everyone is unhappy....

[Turgid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiU9SppsvJs&t=65s

It's probably easier to go to the moon with SpaceX (and maybe cheaper)

I've been getting the feeling over the past two years or so that Thailand is no longer interested in encouraging foreigners into their country. I suspect they are using the pandemic to accomplish their aim.

[DazeUp]

The difference is that you are allowed to quarantine wherever you want. In Thailand it is mandatory to quarantine in a designated government facility where prices are jacked up. If I owned a condo in Thailand or a gogo girl said I can stay with her I'm not even allowed to quarantine there, even if the gogo girl said she will quarantine with me in her home for 14 days.

Wouldn't everyone on this site suddenly agree and even promote the quarantine rule. This would solve the sex tourist issue for them. They should just make the quarantine city Pattaya and no one here would be complaining.

But how would they solve the issue for the other 90% of tourists? The truth is, even if they opened their borders their are not to many people out their thinking about real vacations right now. Countries that have opened tourism are empty, not too many people keen on risking covid for their whole family for another vacation, that is if they had the money for a vacation his year.

Only tourist group keen on coming to LOS is us. Guys willing to take the risk of barebacking a working girl would have no problem risking covid. Unfortunately, the Thai gov is not interested in us or our providers and figuring out solutions for us.