Rants, Stupid Shit and Coronavirus in Thailand

[Sam Sanuk]

Many international travellers need a RT PCR test before boarding a plane. This is particularly true if flying from BKK to Cambodia. I am curious to know if such tests are available in the lower Sukhumvit area or at the airport. Turn around time and cost info would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

SS.

[Horatio]

What are some countries in south America that have similar overnight options like Thailand? I like overnight much better than short time. Thanks.

The juice is not worth the squeeze. There are too many countries that you can go to right now that do not have the hoops of "applying" for a pass beforehand, mandatory insurance, taking 10 million Covid tests, and quarantining. The most you have to do is flash a vaccine card or negative test. Why does Thailand complicate things so much?

[Banana Boi]

9 cases of Omicron subvariant BA. 2.

Where did this subvariant come from? Never even knew one existed until today.

[Downandup]

I have Thailand Pass and will be doing AQ. Not sure what the "testing requirements that keep changing" are that you speak of.

If you are doing AQ then you know what you are doing, your first question looked as if you had just bought a ticket. The testing requirements that I mentioned are all the PCR tests required. I did Test & Go where I needed a PCR test before departure and on arrival at a SHA+ hotel the first night. And when that restarts, you now have to return to a SHA+ hotel and get another PCR test on day 5. And then there are the recent antigen tests required to get into most establishments such as restaurants.

[IGotBottle]

Oh boy! You won't be flying into Thailand unless you are heading to Phuket or another sandbox area for two weeks, once you get to the airport you will have to show your Thailand Pass to prove this. The visa waiver program is suspended right now and does not restart until February 1st. What's more there are testing requirements that it appears that you are unaware of and should have been checking on since you booked as the requirements keep changing.

I have Thailand Pass and will be doing AQ. Not sure what the "testing requirements that keep changing" are that you speak of.

[Huacho]

The most you have to do is flash a vaccine card or negative test. Why does Thailand complicate things so much?

Could it possibly be because of all the assholes flying around with fake vax cards like you brag about doing?

[Mr Enternational]

Getting the Thailand pass was really easy. But the risk of testing positive on arrival or day 6 and being sent to a hospital is the crap part. Gave me too much anxiety in my first week of vacation.

I will not make a new trip to Thailand until the mandatory PCR testing is over and / or the nightlife is more open.

The juice is not worth the squeeze. There are too many countries that you can go to right now that do not have the hoops of "applying" for a pass beforehand, mandatory insurance, taking 10 million Covid tests, and quarantining. The most you have to do is flash a vaccine card or negative test. Why does Thailand complicate things so much?

[Finnish Fucker]

Pretty sure not many people will go through the hassle of getting a Thailand Pass, purchasing asymptomatic COVID insurance, pay for a RT-PCR test before departure and again on arrival, be stuck in a SHA+ quarantine hotel for 1 night, only to leave a day or 3 later. But if you don't mind risking 10 days hospitalization there is nothing stopping you from leaving on day 3 or 4 if you tested negative. Keep in mind you will be there a minimum of 11 days if you test positive on arrival. You also may raise red flags for a sharp Immigration Officer too.
If you are really interested in doing this, ask on a Visa board like The Thaiger or AseanNow.

Getting the Thailand pass was really easy. But the risk of testing positive on arrival or day 6 and being sent to a hospital is the crap part. Gave me too much anxiety in my first week of vacation. And combined with all the bars closing at 21, no agogos open, this trip was definitely the worst what I have experienced in Thailand in my 14 years of travelling. Not worth the stress if you have 2 weeks vacation. If I´d have 2 months trip then I would not give a shit if I get infected or not.

I will not make a new trip to Thailand until the mandatory PCR testing is over and / or the nightlife is more open.

[Explorer8939]

Exactly. This is not needed for Cancun or Mexico City, but is required for Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. So what disinformation are you talking about? If you had actually been there then you would have known this instead of thinking you can google your way through the rest of your life.

That mold in the basement must be getting to you. Come out and live real life and go somewhere cool like the rest of us. Or maybe your kids are doing the right thing keeping you locked down there. You know grandpa is not allowed to come out for any fresh air. Just make sure his computer stays charged.

The questionnaire is a vestige from last year, and has officially been abandoned. There is nobody to process any questionnaire.

[Downandup]

Hello folks,

First time on ISG. Nice to meet you all.

I am flying in to Thailand this week on the 30-day stay and have some questions regarding visa and extensions; if any of you could help me out with them that would be great:

1. Is it possible to apply for a tourist visa after I arrive in Thailand? Google seems to say no but I couldn't find a clear answer.

2. Is the maximum extension on the 30-day stay the 60-day Covid extension? Making the maximum stay 90 days? Any way to stay longer than 90 days, perhaps through multiple extensions?

Oh boy! You won't be flying into Thailand unless you are heading to Phuket or another sandbox area for two weeks, once you get to the airport you will have to show your Thailand Pass to prove this. The visa waiver program is suspended right now and does not restart until February 1st. What's more there are testing requirements that it appears that you are unaware of and should have been checking on since you booked as the requirements keep changing.

[Allover]

Governments are flip flopping as they balance the views of their focus groups with those of their more draconian overlords. Travelling anywhere in these times, as I am, involved a lot of extra uncertainty. Added to that, one has to deal with all kinds of min or ass holes, some of whom let the authority go to their heads. To take an ongoing example. And let's hope Mr Entertainment or some other ghetto dweller does not weigh in.

Thanks for supporting my decision but I'm very unimpressed with the rest of your post.

[Mr Enternational]

The Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers. Once

Completed, arrivals to PVR International Airport will receive a QR.

Complete the health questionnaire.

Exactly. This is not needed for Cancun or Mexico City, but is required for Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. So what disinformation are you talking about? If you had actually been there then you would have known this instead of thinking you can google your way through the rest of your life.

That mold in the basement must be getting to you. Come out and live real life and go somewhere cool like the rest of us. Or maybe your kids are doing the right thing keeping you locked down there. You know grandpa is not allowed to come out for any fresh air. Just make sure his computer stays charged.

[IGotBottle]

Hello folks,

First time on ISG. Nice to meet you all.

I am flying in to Thailand this week on the 30-day stay and have some questions regarding visa and extensions; if any of you could help me out with them that would be great:

1. Is it possible to apply for a tourist visa after I arrive in Thailand? Google seems to say no but I couldn't find a clear answer.

2. Is the maximum extension on the 30-day stay the 60-day Covid extension? Making the maximum stay 90 days? Any way to stay longer than 90 days, perhaps through multiple extensions?

[Banana Boi]

What if you are not staying 5 days? You want to go over just for the weekend. Can you just leave on day 3 or4?

Pretty sure not many people will go through the hassle of getting a Thailand Pass, purchasing asymptomatic COVID insurance, pay for a RT-PCR test before departure and again on arrival, be stuck in a SHA+ quarantine hotel for 1 night, only to leave a day or 3 later. But if you don't mind risking 10 days hospitalization there is nothing stopping you from leaving on day 3 or 4 if you tested negative. Keep in mind you will be there a minimum of 11 days if you test positive on arrival. You also may raise red flags for a sharp Immigration Officer too.

If you are really interested in doing this, ask on a Visa board like The Thaiger or AseanNow.

[Locamotive]

No one is going to sign up for this PCR test on the 1st and 5th day crap. I predict these rules will be amended over the next few days after they hear all the negative feedback people have. Then it will be posted in the Royal Gazette.

Example how silly this rule is. Guy flies in to Bangkok and does 1 night stay in Sha+ hotel. He came back to Thailand to be with his family in Rayong. So after 1 night he drives 3-4 hours to Rayong. On the 5th day he has to book a SHA+ hotel for 1 night and drive 3-4 hours back to Bangkok to get a PCR test. If he had COVID he's already spread it around Rayong so at the very least let him just get the 5th day COVID test in Rayong.

I think the thought process was that people would be lazy and book 5 straight nights at the Test and Go hotel instead of booking nights 1 and 5. One of the things SHA+ hotels were complaining about is that people only stay 1 night and leave.

What if you are not staying 5 days? You want to go over just for the weekend. Can you just leave on day 3 or4?