Rants, Stupid Shit and Coronavirus in Thailand

[Chimpo Chinn]

I think we've established before that our outlook on mongering is totally different. You sound a very frugal gent who views the process as a business transaction. I'm on holiday and want to enjoy myself as well as going with lots of girls. It never ceases to amaze me on this forum there is always someone like you who thinks one rule fits all. There only one was doing things correctly (your way, naturally) and only one 'correct' price to pay.

I actually think some of your comments are naive. If I approached the girl from at Lai with your clumsy suggestion, she'd ignore me. She's too pretty and too popular. I'm getting vibes that you aim for girls a few rungs down the ladder, so it might work for you but it wouldn't for every girl, especially the popular ones.

Good clean rebuttal.

Me E views just unconventional. We want fun at reasonable prices. We don't want bottom dwelling girls, no offense to them.

[Sir Lancelot]

What chase? Are you guys not realizing these chicks are hookers or what a hooker is? They fuck for money. No need to coax them or kiss up to them with drinks. Determined to buy a girl a bunch of drinks before you pay her to fuck sounds weird. Why not just be determined to pay her to fuck from the start? You guys have this mongering thing totally mixed up.

I think we've established before that our outlook on mongering is totally different. You sound a very frugal gent who views the process as a business transaction. I'm on holiday and want to enjoy myself as well as going with lots of girls. It never ceases to amaze me on this forum there is always someone like you who thinks one rule fits all. There only one was doing things correctly (your way, naturally) and only one 'correct' price to pay.

I actually think some of your comments are naive. If I approached the girl from at Lai with your clumsy suggestion, she'd ignore me. She's too pretty and too popular. I'm getting vibes that you aim for girls a few rungs down the ladder, so it might work for you but it wouldn't for every girl, especially the popular ones.

[RacShack]

LOL. I have always said to use drinks as a reward, not a preward. Most guys think they have to walk in and immediately buy a drink for a chick. No. A chick has to show me she is worthy of me buying her drink besides the fact that she is there working.

Joke with her for a few minutes, ask about barfine, touch on her if you want, THEN buy the drink if you are getting good vibes or if she is entertaining. Don't just go throwing a 140 baht drink on every chick that you think looks good. After buying tons of drinks you may get a surprise such as Sam did. He could have walked in and said I like you; how much is barfine and would have known from the jump that she does not boom boom.

All I can do is fucking laugh. Sounds like you guys are the kings of buying ladydrinks, but the jesters of getting laid in a hooker den.

What chase? Are you guys not realizing these chicks are hookers or what a hooker is? They fuck for money. No need to coax them or kiss up to them with drinks. Determined to buy a girl a bunch of drinks before you pay her to fuck sounds weird. Why not just be determined to pay her to fuck from the start? You guys have this mongering thing totally mixed up.

Not everyone is on a strict budget like it's sounds like you are bud, plus his reports are excellent boots on ground reports very helpful, on like others, if he buys 50 drinks on his amazing trip he's having, its 200 dollars and it's his 200, the day I have to worry about 200 $ is the day I stop traveling, but that won't be happening anytime soon! Hope this helps you see he's just having fun his way, and sounds like not worrying about a few bucks! With many good reports on where to stay, drink, (and not to drink) eat, and so on!

[Mr Enternational]

Sam chose the place because he recognised a pretty girl he'd seen at Olny LK Bar the night before. He bought her a drink but when he asked about the bar-fine she told him 'I not boom-boom'.

LOL. I have always said to use drinks as a reward, not a preward. Most guys think they have to walk in and immediately buy a drink for a chick. No. A chick has to show me she is worthy of me buying her drink besides the fact that she is there working.

Joke with her for a few minutes, ask about barfine, touch on her if you want, THEN buy the drink if you are getting good vibes or if she is entertaining. Don't just go throwing a 140 baht drink on every chick that you think looks good. After buying tons of drinks you may get a surprise such as Sam did. He could have walked in and said I like you; how much is barfine and would have known from the jump that she does not boom boom.

Interestingly Sam had been working on a girl from this bar for a while, buying her ladydrinks, and when he asked about meeting her on her day off, she agreed. But next day she sent him a Line message saying she couldn't meet as her Dad died.

All I can do is fucking laugh. Sounds like you guys are the kings of buying ladydrinks, but the jesters of getting laid in a hooker den.

We went to at Lai and again my favourite girl was with a Korean customer. I enjoy the thrill of the chase and I'm determined to buy this girl at least one lady-drink.

What chase? Are you guys not realizing these chicks are hookers or what a hooker is? They fuck for money. No need to coax them or kiss up to them with drinks. Determined to buy a girl a bunch of drinks before you pay her to fuck sounds weird. Why not just be determined to pay her to fuck from the start? You guys have this mongering thing totally mixed up.

[MamaGuevos]

Answer to your question:

No, you are not taken directly to the hotel. You're taken directly to the hospital administering the covid test (nasal swab). It's a drive through test site and I stayed in my car the whole time. The hospital has a copy of your passport and you show yours to match their records. After taking the test (around 1:30 AM), I was dropped off at the hotel. During my transfer ride, the driver coughed a couple times which made me uncomfortable and paranoid haha. Front desk receptionist told me I should receive my results by 12 PM. At around 8 AM I called the front desk in hopes that the results came in early. They said no, and it should come in by 12 PM. At around 10:30 AM, I got a phone call with my negative result. I confirmed I can go out now and enjoy my time.

Other details:

I was scheduled to arrive at the airport on Feb 25 12 AM. Flight was a bit early and arrived around 11:40 PM Feb 24. On all the forms, I wrote that I arrived on Feb 25. Nobody gave me any problems with this..

It sounds like I should quarantine in the USA prior to boarding my plane as the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 is a minimum of 3 days. Even if I get exposed at JFK or on the plane, my PCR will be negative!

Not going to happen but that sounds like what I should do.

Many thanks for providing these details. I will hold off on the plane reservation. It makes me think that maybe I should skip BKK and just be satisfied with Manila (the next step of my trip) where the girls are super easy and the testing rules are simpler.

By the way, once you cleared your PCR test, could you bring a girl back to your room? Or did you have to change hotels?

[SinfullyKorean]

In Bangkok no bars or entrances to Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza require any testing. I think in Pattaya some may still require testing or proof of a recent test but I can't answer definitively.

None of the gogo bars are requiring tests. But The Cassette Sky Bar in BKK required an ATK test (150 B) to go in.

[Houston Player]

Are bars still requiring you to take an ATK test, or show results?

In Bangkok no bars or entrances to Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza require any testing. I think in Pattaya some may still require testing or proof of a recent test but I can't answer definitively.

[SinfullyKorean]

Answer to your question:

No, you are not taken directly to the hotel. You're taken directly to the hospital administering the covid test (nasal swab). It's a drive through test site and I stayed in my car the whole time. The hospital has a copy of your passport and you show yours to match their records. After taking the test (around 1:30 AM), I was dropped off at the hotel. During my transfer ride, the driver coughed a couple times which made me uncomfortable and paranoid haha. Front desk receptionist told me I should receive my results by 12 PM. At around 8 AM I called the front desk in hopes that the results came in early. They said no, and it should come in by 12 PM. At around 10:30 AM, I got a phone call with my negative result. I confirmed I can go out now and enjoy my time.

Other details:

I was scheduled to arrive at the airport on Feb 25 12 AM. Flight was a bit early and arrived around 11:40 PM Feb 24. On all the forms, I wrote that I arrived on Feb 25. Nobody gave me any problems with this.

When you book your hotel quarantine package, you have to call the hotel to confirm that you are indeed purchasing the Test & Go day 1 package. After I booked mine (Galleria 12 in BKK), you will receive instructions on transfer from the airport. Basically, when you exit to the general arrival area where taxi stands used to be, you'll see a bunch of stands coordinating the transfers to various hotels.

Suggestions:

As Mr E mentioned, quarantine restrictions are changing constantly and will undoubtedly change before May rolls around. Best advice would be to delay the booking and application for Thailand Pass as long as possible.

Interesting observations:

My hotel has a quarantine section attached next to it. I think it used to be the hotel gym or something, but repurposed as a quarantine facility. I asked the front desk and they said people who want to isolate but have mild symptoms are advised by their doctors to isolate in such facilities. So I think it's for people who may have the option of isolating at home, but are afraid of infecting others in the house. Or it could be a way of getting the government to pay for your stay for a few days. I asked if tourists are also put in there and he said no.

So what if tourists are diagnosed positive? He told me that the person should contact the insurance company to see which hospital he needs to be taken to that the insurance company would cover. It's the first time I was told about this so I found it interesting. Once you find out which hospital is covered, the ambulance should take you to the hospital.

Thank you Mr Enternational. I know that things might be different in two months, but I need to buy plane tickets now. So I will repeat my question. And please, if you don't know the answer and have not been to Thailand recently, please do nor answer.

Has anyone on the Board experienced this? From what I read, one has to go from the airport directly to the approved government hotel. Does that mean that an official car takes you to the hotel directly from the airport?

Where is the PCR sample taken (I assume they do a nasal swab)? At the airport, or at the hotel?

How long does it take for the result to come back?

Many thanks!

[Explorer8939]

Are bars still requiring you to take an ATK test, or show results?

[HorseTrader]

Has anyone on the Board experienced this? From what I read, one has to go from the airport directly to the approved government hotel. Does that mean that an official car takes you to the hotel directly from the airport?

Where is the PCR sample taken (I assume they do a nasal swab)? At the airport, or at the hotel?

How long does it take for the result to come back?

Many thanks!

As of February 26, this is the process for entry at BKK. Have all documents ready to show to multiple people.

During walk from gate to immigration, you will be stopped at least twice to check your paperwork. Passport. Thai Pass. Entry card/departure (which you fill out and sign on your airplane). Vaccination certification. Your completed health card, which basically says you will be quarantined if found sick (also completed on your airplane). If the papers you completed on the airplane were not fully completed, these people will assist you. RT-PCR test report from your home country. Hotel/transportation/RTPCR purchase documentation. Of all the documents you gathered, these people check every one except proof of insurance, for me that was only checked when applying tor Thailand pass and upon checking in to my first flight leaving my home country.

You will get final immigration check as normal, but these people have more papers than during pre-COVID days. These are the only people who will look at your E-visa.

Get your luggage, as normal.

Now is a good time to use one of the ATMs or cash exchange place in the luggage claim area. DTAC also has a place that sells SIM cards. Unlimited 30-day service for about 300 baht or unlimited 90 day service for about 900 baht are 2 of the choices. They will install and test for you. This will be your only time to see money exchange or SIM cards prior to entry into quarantine.

Walk through customs area and go to exit door 10. There will be hotel representatives there to help you find your proper transportation to hotel. Your hotel representative will need some of the papers discussed above and she will put you on your prearranged hotel shuttle. The transportation is a specially equipped van with plexiglass separating driver from passenger.

Once at my hotel I registered as normal but was sent directly to a RT-PCR test swab area. After that is finished I went to my secure floor where quarantine starts.

RT-PCR preliminary results were provided to me in about 10 hours and final results in 24 hours. Cannot leave room until receive negative report.

The airport process has many more paperwork steps than before, but there are enough qualified people to guide you without delay and they are happy to do it. Just be sure you have your paperwork hard copies readily available for the walk from airplane to hotel transportation. As described above, my entire journey from gate to my room took about 2 hours.

[MamaGuevos]

Thank you Mr Enternational. I know that things might be different in two months, but I need to buy plane tickets now. So I will repeat my question. And please, if you don't know the answer and have not been to Thailand recently, please do nor answer.

Has anyone on the Board experienced this? From what I read, one has to go from the airport directly to the approved government hotel. Does that mean that an official car takes you to the hotel directly from the airport?

Where is the PCR sample taken (I assume they do a nasal swab)? At the airport, or at the hotel?

How long does it take for the result to come back?

Many thanks!

[Mr Enternational]

I will be in Thailand in 2 months, so I do not need to know about day #5 (if I am lucky, the entire program will be dropped by then). Thanks.

2 months? Who knows what it will be then. Looks like you are already behind on times. Day 5 has been canceled and you do it yourself starting and insurance down to $20,000 March 1.

[MamaGuevos]

From March 1 it looks like the Test and Go entry program will involve being PCR tested on arrival, staying at an approved hotel on your first night and once your test results come back negative you are free to go.

There is some mention that the current 2nd hotel stay and test on 5 will be replaced by a normal Antigen test that does not require a hotel stay. The exact details of the second test are a little murky at this stage.

The official notice will become law and the 2nd test clarified when it is published in the royal gazette in the next few days.

Has anyone on the Board experienced this? From what I read, one has to go from the airport directly to the approved government hotel. Does that mean that an official car takes you to the hotel directly from the airport?

Where is the PCR sample taken (I assume they do a nasal swab)? At the airport, or at the hotel?

How long does it take for the result to come back? I will be in Thailand in 2 months, so I do not need to know about day #5 (if I am lucky, the entire program will be dropped by then). Thanks.

[Breadman]

Is there a tube? That sounds like is a ductless range hood which is pretty common these days. My house was built in 2002 and there is no duct for it to vent to outside.

No tube, just air being blown directly into the cabinet. Maybe its meant to filter the air like you are implying but half of the steam from the stove gets diverted to either side.

[HorseTrader]

Then he booked his 2 SHA hotels at the Landmark hotel in Bangkok and they too took their time confirming his reservation. Finally all of the documents needed to apply for the Thai Pass was in his possession. He uploaded all of them to the Thai Pass website, hit send and just over 2 hours later was approved. What does that tell you? Tells me there are very few people applying for this 2 day testing crap. There will be no big flows of tourists coming in March. It will be a trickle.

I had same problems with slow confirmation from hotels. Brief telephone calls prompted them to send proper confirmations quickly.

I applied for Thailand Pass and EVisa about 2 weeks ago. It took 3-4 days to get Thailand Pass and 5-6 days to get EVisa. Back channel contact with another board member indicates he had similar response time. Don't rely on 2 hour response.

I also expect a trickle of tourists in March, but my reasoning is hotter weather and increasing COVID. Still, some resorts are doing well, the premium villas at my favored resort are fully booked through March 22. I suspect there are plenty of standard rooms available.