View Full Version : General Reports
Banana Boi
08-29-20, 06:34
Banana Boi for one. He's also willing to spend 2 weeks in Europe for the privilege. Some of us really miss LOS!FYI I'm not exactly a tourist. I live in Thailand. I just can't get back in! I have all my stuff there and a condo.
If I were a normal tourist there is zero chance I would consider a 14 day quarantine and jump through hoops and barrels to go to any country. The exception may be to visit Tobita Shinchi.
GettingFedUp
08-29-20, 08:38
FYI I'm not exactly a tourist. I live in Thailand. I just can't get back in! I have all my stuff there and a condo.
If I were a normal tourist there is zero chance I would consider a 14 day quarantine and jump through hoops and barrels to go to any country. The exception may be to visit Tobita Shinchi.Today's Bangkok Post has another piece on the "isolation island" plan https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1976599/long-stay-visits-possible-this-winter . It should be noted that the main guy being quoted in the article is a "Healthcare magnate" and one who possibly is trying to branch out into tourism. Or perhaps he sees a business opportunity in "accidentally" importing people who test positive in quarantine and filling his empty private hospitals with them. I know I am a cynic.
The article quotes a senior military (and therefore possibly Government) guy as saying the scheme would be for the likes of property owners and long-stay visitors, but expected numbers in the hundreds.
With regard to your previous question about passport. It is where you've been not what your nationality is that counts. However, whether you'd be able to pitch up in one of the countries they are going to fly from and get a flight reservation (the plan seems to be charter only which will likely be administered through the Embassy / Consulate) followed by a Certificate of Entry is a moot point. You could find yourself expecting to stay in the departure country for 2 to 3 weeks only to be told "next available charter flight 8 weeks time". Your then stuck in Copenhagen, Cologne or Croydon for the duration.
I would agree with the other answer that US isn't on the list as Thai haven't flown there for yonks. The powers that be love to blame the woes of Thai Airways on the losses on the corrupt purchase of gas guzzling planes for US routes, conveniently forgetting all the fat cattery, mismanagement and general snouts to the trough over the years. It may be that even if they wanted to fly to and from the US for the "snowbird" market the planes could be impounded by the creditors there where the bankruptcy protection isn't recognised.
With regard to your previous question about passport. It is where you've been not what your nationality is that counts.From what I've read this is unclear.
Also, if you have to go through a Thai embassy which embassy would it be? Any other Thai embassy than the one in the country where you reside or the one in your home country could refuse to process your application (same as with visas).
LittleBigMan
08-29-20, 11:11
Today's Bangkok Post has another piece on the "isolation island" plan https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1976599/long-stay-visits-possible-this-winter . It should be noted that the main guy being quoted in the article is a "Healthcare magnate" and one who possibly is trying to branch out into tourism. Or perhaps he sees a business opportunity in "accidentally" importing people who test positive in quarantine and filling his empty private hospitals with them. I know I am a cynic.
The article quotes a senior military (and therefore possibly Government) guy as saying the scheme would be for the likes of property owners and long-stay visitors, but expected numbers in the hundreds.
With regard to your previous question about passport. It is where you've been not what your nationality is that counts. However, whether you'd be able to pitch up in one of the countries they are going to fly from and get a flight reservation (the plan seems to be charter only which will likely be administered through the Embassy / Consulate) followed by a Certificate of Entry is a moot point. You could find yourself expecting to stay in the departure country for 2 to 3 weeks only to be told "next available charter flight 8 weeks time". Your then stuck in Copenhagen, Cologne or Croydon for the duration.
I would agree with the other answer that US isn't on the list as Thai haven't flown there for yonks. The powers that be love to blame the woes of Thai Airways on the losses on the corrupt purchase of gas guzzling planes for US routes, conveniently forgetting all the fat cattery, mismanagement and general snouts to the trough over the years. It may be that even if they wanted to fly to and from the US for the "snowbird" market the planes could be impounded by the creditors there where the bankruptcy protection isn't recognised.Some get it some don't? That is what I've been saying each day there are a number of articles posted on T. V. Or Bangkok Post some believe everything they read and some like me I take it with a grain of salt especially when it comes to Thailand.
I wouldn't even try to spell these guys names they are longer than the reports but this morning an article saying don't get your hopes up about the Phuket plan which is no different than the other plans already mentioned. Some Hotel tourist President chimes in that they are hurting and need to open things up but no who it is the main puppet Chan O with his advisor put the brakes on to all the suggestions by everyone including the Phuket suggestion to basically slow down things aren't going to open!
Response to the Phuket suggestion today it is a no go? Article today a known Doctor from their University (Chula) said don't open it up for another six months if you do it would be like the end of the world! Another article by a Thai saying country has got to open if not the locals are finished?
From the beginning, you got two camps of thought those from the science field whose livelihood is protected by a government paycheck just like a guy like Dr. Faci, see Faci know his stuff but anyone ever wonder why at his age he is still at it? It is easy money so why retire whether there is a pandemic or not he gets his paycheck every two weeks total in a year over 500,000 USD then you got those government Economist same situation and opinion reality they don't feel the pain so they stick with their opinions and situation, in the end, the politicians has to make the decision right or wrong!
So regardless of the article when you see clearly puppet O, comes out and say Open removing the majority of the restrictions which are in place there is no light at the end of the tunnel that tunnel is full of smoke if within that smoke there is light or even a dim one that leads to something I'm glad to be wrong!
Thai Airways is dead they aren't the only ones in the game no matter how hard the government keeps their doors open they can't even fly between LAX-BKK if the U.S. want entry all they got to do is deliever a few old cheap subs?
Franciscass
08-29-20, 12:13
Which bright spark in uniform thought that people will put themselves through the following to sit on a beach in Phuket and or OK get shagged.
Book a flight plus hotel not knowing they will get to use either.
Arrange a covid test with results needed not more than 72 hours before departure (less than straight forward in lots of countries).
Find $100 K health insurance cover which includes Covid (can be prohibitively expensive depending on age).
Visit a Thai embassy or consulate in person to file the application and return to pick up certificate to fly in the fortuitous event you get one.
Arrive in Thailand and go straight to into a strict quarantine for 14 days and get tested twice before you start your holiday.
Pay all fees associated with the process.
No doubt they will be some but there has got to be a better simpler way to allow visitors back while minimizing the risk of bringing Covid with them. There is but don't hold your breath waiting.
Mr Enternational
08-29-20, 13:42
Some get it some don't? That is what I've been saying each day there are a number of articles posted on T. V. Or Bangkok Post some believe everything they read and some like me I take it with a grain of salt especially when it comes to Thailand.It seems the people writing those articles are just as bored as the mongers that read them.
LittleBigMan
08-29-20, 16:15
It seems the people writing those articles are just as bored as the mongers that read them.The ability and the power of the pen aren't what it suppose to be here in Thailand by the long shot. As for the boredom of the reader? It is more I don't see what some are seeing?
GettingFedUp
08-29-20, 16:33
From what I've read this is unclear.
Also, if you have to go through a Thai embassy which embassy would it be? Any other Thai embassy than the one in the country where you reside or the one in your home country could refuse to process your application (same as with visas).XXL,
As LBM wisely points out there's a lot of "if it happens" which I tried to hint at by pointing out that they were quoting a "health magnate" on tourism and immigration issues.
As to which embassy? It will only ever be the one in the departure country. The Embassy in Pretoria, Den Haag or Bogota are unlikely to know anything about flights and certificates of entry from Denmark. That's why I pointed out the risk of BB looking to get in via a third country. I wouldn't wish Croydon on the worst of my many enemies!
FYI I'm not exactly a tourist. I live in Thailand. I just can't get back in! I have all my stuff there and a condo.
If I were a normal tourist there is zero chance I would consider a 14 day quarantine and jump through hoops and barrels to go to any country. The exception may be to visit Tobita Shinchi.I should have known better, my mistake.
Mr Enternational
09-02-20, 08:51
Totally forgot I have one gogo girl paying for my monthly storage locker fee and a civilian girl topping up my phone monthly so my Thai number doesn't get cancelled.Since I am leaving soon, I went over to AIS to see if they could keep my number active without doing the frequent top up method described before. It was showing in my phone that I had enough credit and was already set for the one year, but if I did not then the lady said it would only be 50 baht for her to make my number active in the system for 1 year. 1 year is the maximum that it can be done for.
the lady said it would only be 50 baht for her to make my number active in the system for 1 year. 1 year is the maximum that it can be done for.I'd love to pay B50 to keep my number but don't know how to do it. I'm topping up B30 from the USA Every month or so to keep my number. I looked for a way to reach their customer service from the US via their website and the myAIS app on my phone but can't find anything in English.
I just picked up a new 5 G phone. Has anybody used 5 G in Thailand? I thought their 4 G and even 3 G was good.
LittleBigMan
09-03-20, 12:06
Not sure if it is possible or offer any longer? I have AIS or 1-2 Call although I've had my number for over 15 years each time I top up those minutes are good for 1 year. Several years ago we needed to obtain a new number for my son's phone AIS and he indicated you can pick certain numbers or Sim cards that allow you to retain the minutes for a year like what I have had for all these years. I don't remember the cost to even be noticeable higher when we purchase it.
Nevertheless, stocks going up particularly the Nasdaq due to a vaccine getting closer to being on the market. CDC of course political decision Nov 1st?
Not sure 5 G exists in Thailand it is just talk?
GettingFedUp
09-03-20, 17:00
Not sure if it is possible or offer any longer?LBM,
With both AIS (including 1-2-Call) and True Move any top-up adds 1 month to the validity of the entire balance up to 1 year maximum. So 10 top-ups of 20 baht adds 10 months, a single top-up of 200 adds just 1 month.
Not sure 5 G exists in Thailand it is just talk?Back in May they announced a 26 member committee to "spearhead the roll-out of 5 G networks". Someone more cynical than I would suggest that a single mast will be unveiled to great fanfare sometime soon followed by years of expense claims by the committee, delegation to working parties (of relations and / or more military officers all claiming bountiful expenses) and contracts awarded to construction, food & farming and healthcare conglomerates.
Thankfully I am not such a cynic and am sure that Thai 5 G will be up and running brilliantly in the near future. Well in a corner of Bavaria at least.
Banana Boi
09-03-20, 18:31
it would only be 50 baht for her to make my number active in the system for 1 year. 1 year is the maximum that it can be done for.Good to know.
I'd love to pay B50 to keep my number but don't know how to do it. I'm topping up B30 from the USA Every month or so to keep my number.You only need to top up 20 baht per month. You don't need to do it on a month to month basis. You can obtain at least a 6 month extension by doing 6 separate 20 baht deposits at the same time on the AIS app.
LittleBigMan
09-04-20, 02:00
LBM,
With both AIS (including 1-2-Call) and True Move any top-up adds 1 month to the validity of the entire balance up to 1 year maximum. So 10 top-ups of 20 baht adds 10 months, a single top-up of 200 adds just 1 month.
Back in May they announced a 26 member committee to "spearhead the roll-out of 5 G networks". Someone more cynical than I would suggest that a single mast will be unveiled to great fanfare sometime soon followed by years of expense claims by the committee, delegation to working parties (of relations and / or more military officers all claiming bountiful expenses) and contracts awarded to construction, food & farming and healthcare conglomerates.
Thankfully I am not such a cynic and am sure that Thai 5 G will be up and running brilliantly in the near future. Well in a corner of Bavaria at least.Thanks, I don't know all the tech stuff like you but I usually top off at a 100 baht at a time I don't use my phone much except to call home to good old mom but when I do it is only for a few minutes. I like to retain about 150 baht at a time there are times I don't top off for 2 to 3 months I remember in the past after topping off they would give me my balance and indicate how long it was good for which was a year for the day I topped off? 2016 I was gone from Thailand for 4 months never had to top off to keep things going.
Mr Enternational
09-04-20, 05:03
Since I am leaving soon, I went over to AIS to see if they could keep my number active without doing the frequent top up method described before. It was showing in my phone that I had enough credit and was already set for the one year, but if I did not then the lady said it would only be 50 baht for her to make my number active in the system for 1 year. 1 year is the maximum that it can be done for.I just went up to AIS to top someone's phone up. I talked to a different lady and she said it was 50 baht PER MONTH to do it. I told her that makes no sense when you can do it at a machine or online for only 20 or 30 baht.
Banana Boi
09-04-20, 06:58
Since I am leaving soon, Are you leaving by choice because Thailand has made another 180 on tourists.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-to-get-unlimited-30-day-extensions-to-stay-after-visa-amnesty-ends-77201.php
LittleBigMan
09-04-20, 11:37
Are you leaving by choice because Thailand has made another 180 on tourists.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-to-get-unlimited-30-day-extensions-to-stay-after-visa-amnesty-ends-77201.phpDid you read the full article? It specifies for " Medical Reasons " for the unlimited extension.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-08-20, 12:46
". The Thai baht rose to a six-year high against the dollar last year to become one of the world's most stable currencies. Though it has depreciated in the past two months, it is still significantly stronger compared to three or four years ago. Seen as a safe bet amid the USA -China trade war, the baht has caused visitor numbers to drop and hotel occupancy rates to halve.
But for those living here on fixed savings or pensions, the baht's strength has decimated their income. British expats have lost about 30% of their purchasing power following the pound's plummet in the wake of Brexit.
Applicants must now also have health insurance. For someone aged 75, for example, that is a "big problem" as the premium could be as much as 100,000 baht per month, said Sebastian Brousseau, CEO of Isaan Lawyers.
Gerry, a USA Navy veteran who declined to give his last name, first visited back then and has stayed ever since. At 83, alone and estranged from his family, Gerry has built his life here. But barely able to cover his living costs, let alone the deposit he now needs for a visa, he feels trapped, having been "out of the USA System" for more than 30 years.
Gerry does not own property here, but for those who do, a downturn in the real estate market has dashed their chances of a quick sell.
Demand for properties has waned since last year as many expats, disgruntled with Thailand's tightening immigration system, have moved to other parts of Asia, while China has imposed new controls to curb capital flight, said Jean Charles, the founder of TwoFlat Real Estate. The situation has intensified Thailand's glut, which is set to worsen with arrival numbers decimated by the new coronavirus. ".
What remains of the interest of living in Thailand if incomes decline because of the prohibitive costs of health insurance and the unfavorable exchange rate? No more girls, uncomfortable accommodation.... The future seems to be moving in this direction. Taking a bet over 20 years or even over 10 or 5 years to come and settle in Thailand seems risky.
The full press article: https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Thailand-s-foreign-retirees-see-their-good-life-slip-away.
". The Thai baht rose to a six-year high against the dollar last year to become one of the world's most stable currencies. Though it has depreciated in the past two months, it is still significantly stronger compared to three or four years ago. Seen as a safe bet amid the USA -China trade war, the baht has caused visitor numbers to drop and hotel occupancy rates to halve.
But for those living here on fixed savings or pensions, the baht's strength has decimated their income. British expats have lost about 30% of their purchasing power following the pound's plummet in the wake of Brexit.
Applicants must now also have health insurance. For someone aged 75, for example, that is a "big problem" as the premium could be as much as 100,000 baht per month, said Sebastian Brousseau, CEO of Isaan Lawyers.
Gerry, a USA Navy veteran who declined to give his last name, first visited back then and has stayed ever since. At 83, alone and estranged from his family, Gerry has built his life here. But barely able to cover his living costs, let alone the deposit he now needs for a visa, he feels trapped, having been "out of the USA System" for more than 30 years.
Gerry does not own property here, but for those who do, a downturn in the real estate market has dashed their chances of a quick sell.
Demand for properties has waned since last year as many expats, disgruntled with Thailand's tightening immigration system, have moved to other parts of Asia, while China has imposed new controls to curb capital flight, said Jean Charles, the founder of TwoFlat Real Estate. The situation has intensified Thailand's glut, which is set to worsen with arrival numbers decimated by the new coronavirus. ".
What remains of the interest of living in Thailand if incomes decline because of the prohibitive costs of health insurance and the unfavorable exchange rate? No more girls, uncomfortable accommodation.... The future seems to be moving in this direction. Taking a bet over 20 years or even over 10 or 5 years to come and settle in Thailand seems risky.
The full press article: https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Thailand-s-foreign-retirees-see-their-good-life-slip-away.It would be helpful to know a few things not mentioned in that article;
How much of a monthly pension does 83 year old Gerry get as a USA Navy retiree who has been "out of the USA system" since he was about 50? Is he not receiving at least the minimum 65,000 THB per month required? If it is notably less than that and he has been skating by on a bogus notarized Income Verification Letter from the USA Embassy over the past many years then it was foolish for him not to have saved and set aside a small portion of his income over those past 3 damn decades until he had enough of a Thai bank deposit to offset the difference.
"Estranged from his wife." Is his wife Thai? If so and he can prove it, I think he can qualify for an annual retirement visa with only a 45,000 THB monthly income stream, not 65,000 THB. I forget what the one time only lump sum deposit in a Thai bank would be in that case but I'm guessing it must be more like 500,000 THB instead of 800,000 THB.
The new health insurance requirement might also be waved or greatly reduced if he is married to a Thai and applies for the pertinent visa based on marriage. Not sure about that since I don't choose to utilize that visa option.
Regarding another comment in the article that health insurance premiums for a 75 year old "could be as high as 100,000 THB per month," yeah, that is shockingly high for the required 40,000 THB of out-patient coverage and 400,000 THB of in-patient coverage. Of course, I don't know what my premium for the required coverage will look like in 7 years. But if it jumps from about 4,000 THB per month, which is roughly what it is now, to 100,000 THB per month I suppose I will have to take another look at the Philippines as my new retirement home country.
Until then, being retired in Thailand is still interesting to me. Glad I'm here and not in the USA right now. Or many other places on Earth.
GettingFedUp
09-08-20, 17:05
"The full press article: https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Thailand-s-foreign-retirees-see-their-good-life-slip-away.Article dated 5-March. Of course nothing in the world has changed since then. Or have I missed something?
I notice it also pushes the Elite Visa of which there were around 9,000 active members at the start of the year (https://www.imidaily.com/asia-pacific/after-record-2019-thailand-elite-visa-eyes-10000-member-milestone-in-2020/ for those who wish to check my source).
Article dated 5-March. Of course nothing has changed since then. Or have I missed something?Yes, a lot has changed for outsiders trying to get into the country on a new visa since then. Like from possible to virtually impossible on the near horizon. But I don't think much has changed for in country expats needing to renew their O-A Non Immigrant retirement visas since then. No new or radically different income/health insurance requirements or THB-USD exchange rates for us since then, that is.
GettingFedUp
09-08-20, 18:17
Yes, a lot has changed for outsiders trying to get into the country on a new visa since then. Like from possible to virtually impossible on the near horizon. But I don't think much has changed for in country expats needing to renew their O-A Non Immigrant retirement visas since then. No new or radically different income/health insurance requirements or THB-USD exchange rates for us since then, that is.And maybe the 83 year old who's struggling financially is now relieved to be living in an area where his life is not at major risk of the virus? THB-USD rates may be similar but against Euro and Sterling THB is at or near 12 month lows.
It would be helpful to know a few things not mentioned in that article;
How much of a monthly pension does 83 year old Gerry get as a USA Navy retiree who has been "out of the USA system" since he was about 50? Is he not receiving at least the minimum 65,000 THB per month required? If it is notably less than that and he has been skating by on a bogus notarized Income Verification Letter from the USA Embassy over the past many years then it was foolish for him not to have saved and set aside a small portion of his income over those past 3 damn decades until he had enough of a Thai bank deposit to offset the difference.
.The article doesn't state for sure that he is a military retiree. If he was, he should have enough income. Military retirement is linked to inflation so it increases over time. Also even military retirees can apply for social security payments when they turn 65. Of course, in divorce settlements you can loose a lot of your income. And having a vengeful ex would be reason to stay "out of the system".
This morning an article that the Hotel Association of Thailand " Demanded " that the country open up to foreigners. Where will this go the member is from a very powerful family and does have influence with the puppet man since the Hotel industry is pretty much at Zero!
But as you continue with the article it still is talking about allowing only certain countries and only into a specific location like Phuket and if that works which I really hope I'm wrong Chon Buri (Pattaya) will be next but as I noted there is no mentioned about removing all the obstacles in place just to get into quarantine! So I put this article into my smoke pile!I think a lot of people would be willing to do the 14 day quarantine for a 1+ month trip, assuming you can choose a decent hotel to do it in. Things are dead here and every hotel is hurting for money; they can't continue as is for much longer without serious harm to the economy in Phuket. Pattaya also more or less dead right now.
The Critic
09-09-20, 08:34
FYI.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMs
FYI.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMsI doubt it will be soon. There is talk about opening up Phuket for long visits but you have to stay in quarantine for two weeks and then stay on the island at least one week more, they is suggestions that tracking braclets might be part of it. All this is just ideas at the moment and I have yet to hear that it's going to happen. Thailand is still repatriating citizens at this time, in addition certain limited classes of foreigners in small amounts. I also hear that the Alternate State Quarantine hotels are pretty full right now.
I doubt it will be soon. There is talk about opening up Phuket for long visits but you have to stay in quarantine for two weeks and then stay on the island at least one week more, they is suggestions that tracking braclets might be part of it. All this is just ideas at the moment and I have yet to hear that it's going to happen. Thailand is still repatriating citizens at this time, in addition certain limited classes of foreigners in small amounts. I also hear that the Alternate State Quarantine hotels are pretty full right now.Tracking bracelets? You got to be real desperate to allow yourself to be treated like a criminal just to get some Thai poontang.
GettingFedUp
09-09-20, 16:29
I think a lot of people would be willing to do the 14 day quarantine for a 1+ month trip, assuming you can choose a decent hotel to do it in. Things are dead here and every hotel is hurting for money; they can't continue as is for much longer without serious harm to the economy in Phuket. Pattaya also more or less dead right now.Understand that quarantine doesn't mean a "stay home order" or self isolation. All hotels that act as quarantine facilities have to be certified by the Health Ministry, residents (inmates?) are in isolation at least until the 5 day Covid test comes back and then might be allowed a turn round the pool or garden for an hour a day. Meals are left outside the room by PPE suited staff. Food delivery (Grab / Foodpanda) not permitted. Alcohol not permitted. Leaving the hotel not permitted.
I don't know what you would view as "a lot" but the numbers quoted for the Phuket scheme were hundreds per week not thousands and it would require specially arranged charter flights. The suggested target market was those wanting to stay 90 days or more.
In terms of even that happening there was a fact finding trip to Phuket over the long holiday weekend which included a public meeting at which the majority were against. That in the most tourism dependent province of Thailand. Also note that the activist / reformists are certainly not calling for relaxation of border controls.
LittleBigMan
09-09-20, 16:49
FYI.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMsI hope it is but every day there is something old all dress up as new. This story said nothing that hasn't been said already, to be honest, I would gladly do a 14 day if that is all they want. Maybe you guys missed the other announcement the PM has basically shut down, slow down every idea and that includes the Phuket one. Today the Phuket Hotel Association? They need help or it is over for them they can't last the year. There just aren't any takers with all the restrictions even with a vaccine it would take at least two months for the signs to be positive that it is slowing down the virus plus airlines must be given a positive sign before they pull out the aircraft and get them ready which takes time!
The case with the DJ pretty much shot every idea down plus the inability to contain the borders Myramar and which has an outbreak and have no equipment or space to treat patients even if the skies open they aren't medically ready to handle the wave as of today they have done nothing to prepare throughout the country. Whether they know it or not the economy has already been damage they just refuse to admit otherwise their baht would drop instead it is being propped up by the rich.
FYI.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMsMore likely:
Soon:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/thailand-hospitals-appeal-for-aid-against-covid-19/1965264#.
Banana Boi
09-10-20, 05:47
Dream on if you guys are thinking of getting in to Thailand any time soon. The girls I know in Thailand are freaking out that there are 7 new cases in Thailand today today. As LBM states, the PM has shut down the Phuket option and China has been banned now because they had 7 new cases today.
On the bright side, the FKK clubs are slowly reopening even during a 2nd wave in Germany. Think of alternate plans on where to travel guys cause Thailand will not be in the cards for a LONG TIME!
LittleBigMan
09-10-20, 07:02
Dream on if you guys are thinking of getting in to Thailand any time soon. The girls I know in Thailand are freaking out that there are 7 new cases in Thailand today today. As LBM states, the PM has shut down the Phuket option and China has been banned now because they had 7 new cases today.
On the bright side, the FKK clubs are slowly reopening even during a 2nd wave in Germany. Think of alternate plans on where to travel guys cause Thailand will not be in the cards for a LONG TIME!I really don't like being so negative about their ideas but it doesn't take much to do so! I will be the first person that would like them to be right and be able to leave Thailand just for a few moments get back to S. F. see my mother and beautiful nephew who has special needs seeing him and getting one of his big hugs brings life back to me mentally. Sure the USA Isn't the same certainly my home town isn't but right now I dream of sitting at my favorite local donut shop having a cup of java and watching all the homeless outside, human shit everywhere, the smell of urine at every post office mailbox sitting on the corner, down and out guys pacing up and down talking to themselves with their pants hanging down to their knees.
Living here year-round strictly with Thais dealing with them (in general) especially the way they think it wears you down mentally the frustration leaves me unable at times to even want to be with other Thai women, to be honest even if it was free? Once or twice a year, I get into the dog house there right now frustrated as hell that it would be really tough to get LBM to rise to the occasion?
I would love to be wrong things are dying whether they want to admit it or not if they got to trace and check 1000 just because one guy can you imagine if they open up? Especially if there is nothing in place as for testing, treating when the wave does come but they never stop with all the bright ideas like spending over 2 billion baht to make Bali Hai pier a crown jewel of Pattaya.
Dream on but I wake up with sweats that I'm still here need a break bad and in another month I got to visit the wife farm no hot water, no a/c, sleep on a wooden floor, bugs everywhere mosquitoes are terrorist they bit through your clothes then I got to squat to get the job done at my age I must have done something GOD can't forgive I squat naked one hand got the scoop of water and on the other a finger up the ass trying to dig it clean. At times I think I'm already in hell? And all you guys are thinking of coming in?
LittleBigMan
09-10-20, 08:02
It would be helpful to know a few things not mentioned in that article;
How much of a monthly pension does 83 year old Gerry get as a USA Navy retiree who has been "out of the USA system" since he was about 50? Is he not receiving at least the minimum 65,000 THB per month required? If it is notably less than that and he has been skating by on a bogus notarized Income Verification Letter from the USA Embassy over the past many years then it was foolish for him not to have saved and set aside a small portion of his income over those past 3 damn decades until he had enough of a Thai bank deposit to offset the difference.
"Estranged from his wife." Is his wife Thai? If so and he can prove it, I think he can qualify for an annual retirement visa with only a 45,000 THB monthly income stream, not 65,000 THB. I forget what the one time only lump sum deposit in a Thai bank would be in that case but I'm guessing it must be more like 500,000 THB instead of 800,000 THB.
The new health insurance requirement might also be waved or greatly reduced if he is married to a Thai and applies for the pertinent visa based on marriage. Not sure about that since I don't choose to utilize that visa option.
Regarding another comment in the article that health insurance premiums for a 75 year old "could be as high as 100,000 THB per month," yeah, that is shockingly high for the required 40,000 THB of out-patient coverage and 400,000 THB of in-patient coverage. Of course, I don't know what my premium for the required coverage will look like in 7 years. But if it jumps from about 4,000 THB per month, which is roughly what it is now, to 100,000 THB per month I suppose I will have to take another look at the Philippines as my new retirement home country.
Until then, being retired in Thailand is still interesting to me. Glad I'm here and not in the USA right now. Or many other places on Earth.Fforu.
I've not lived here as some of you but what I do know from my experience I run into a number of Expat been here 25 years and it is if they have been in a bubble their whole time. If you go on the T. V. Forum you see the posting and comments that re-enforces my position. For example when it comes to applying for Visa day in day out for years even when things have been in place and they have been applying for years ask a question as if they have been dead and buried. After near two years questions still about how much you need to have in the bank for a retirement O? Then start to read the responses after the first page you no longer even know what the topic is about. I shake my head and pray LBM when is it all going to hit me will I end up going to the market one day and forgetting to put my shorts on?
I know a lot of Expat who are younger than this 83-year-old guy you be surprised how they get along although we are here and talking about Thailand people are the same everywhere human nature here in Thailand doesn't change much. There are guys who overthink everything try to make sure to head off everything I'm one of them then you got guys " mai pen rai " rolls off them and live for today. I knew a guy like this from the forum had the best of time living like a King couldn't even spend his Social Security check said when it is time he would just drop dead that is exactly what happened.
I know and meet guys in Pattaya that based on their story rate in 4-5,000 USD a month but have no savings never been to the doctor now they are fucked. I know Brits who came here when the baht was 80-1 live in a mansion on the Darkside drive a Benz now they are fucked never having a second thought it might drop these are guys who live and keep up with the Jones, live for tomorrow and tomorrow is here and they are fucked? Living here in Pattaya or Bangkok it isn't the same as other parts of the country you live in a bubble don't need to learn the language and have plenty of resources to get what you want. For example, my mother 102 now came to America (S. F.) in 1944 from China never had an education but she never learns how to speak English? What for she had Chinatown! They had all the resources how to obtain her citizenship she came and went unless you knew her would never guess she couldn't speak very much English. It is amusing when she gets cold calls, once she hears English she knows to say " no speak English and hangs up " I think she did this 2 years ago when Trump called on her 100th?
I think I see these 83-year guys all the times at Windmill, I see them throughout the town at night in particular Gogo these are the ones who know which one serving cheap draft beer go into a club like Dollhouse or Beaver all the guys with promotion draft beer are these 83-year-old guys. How they get by? They just do somehow? A while back before the name was changed to Beaver (Baby Dolls) I've seen this guy in town for a number of years I was checking the place out he comes in and ended up near me the odor nearly knock me over but all girls knew him he was buying drinks but before I got up and left as cheap as water is here and clothes I said what the fuck come on have some pride in yourself?
People like this guy are everywhere a year ago I met this one guy from S. F. Through another he was getting 5000 USD a month living down on Soi Buakhao renting a room for 4000 baht he wanted to borrow money from my friend in the conversation he was sending the majority of his money to some girl in Isan who he hasn't seen in a year haven't fuck her in 4 years then you got the friend who is like Charlie Tuna no one wants him each time he gets hooked and he is thrown back into the sea he takes the bait again whenever he comes to Thailand as soon as he lands he walks out thinks he is Bill Gates? Starts to throw money around saying these people need help I say to him if you want to help why not just give your money to Father Ray the guy has never stepped into a church back home. Two years ago he purchased a 2. 5 million baht home for a maid that clean his hotel room he never fucked and doesn't plan to fuck. Believe it or not, there are guys out there this same guy is so cheap he wouldn't buy me a cup of coffee.
People are funny tough to put a finger on them as to how they get by but they do? When it comes to family I think the article is referring to where he came from when you are at 83, and live here as long as he has those back home are mostly dead and those who aren't don't even know who he is for myself I have a big family but the only ones I know and keep in contact with are my first cousins I have something like 200 nieces and nephews I've never seen or met. I'm not this 83 year old with no money but one day I will be estranged from my family like him?
People are funny we are all different but not much when you get right down to it?
LittleBigMan
09-10-20, 11:29
Just announced! next week the cabinet is meeting to discuss another idea this time TAT wants to offer 90 days visa allowing thereafter the tourist to renew twice at 2000 baht a pop this allows the tourist to stay up to 270 days like always they list all the numbers how many jobs are going to be affected etc etc, hinted that they will offer countries with a low number like from Europe but the article provides little information whether they have to jump through all the hoops like before? Wait and see?
Pimpampoumpipo
09-10-20, 14:08
In the best case, in the event that a vaccine ends up being found, then distributed to the entire Thai population (end of 2021 ?) It will not be completely effective. In young adults, the effectiveness of the vaccine against seasonal influenza is considered to be in the order of 60 to 70% depending on the year. It works less well for the elderly, those who have the highest risk of complications and 90% of deaths are people over 65 years old.
There will never be zero risk in the face of COVID 19. The strategy of countries which aim for 0 cases condemns them to let their borders be closed until the virus disappears on its own, including with a vaccine available, this which can last maybe several more years, until another virus appears....
.....................People like this guy are everywhere a year ago I met this one guy from S. F. Through another he was getting 5000 USD a month living down on Soi Buakhao renting a room for 4000 baht he wanted to borrow money from my friend in the conversation he was sending the majority of his money to some girl in Isan who he hasn't seen in a year haven't fuck her in 4 years .................I do not ponder on blokes spending money as they wish as long as its not my money.
GettingFedUp
09-10-20, 19:16
It works less well for the elderly, those who have the highest risk of complications and 90% of deaths are people over 65 years old.
There will never be zero risk in the face of COVID 19.And what percentage of deaths from all causes are in people aged 65+?
Influenza is not a single virus but a group of viruses which cause the same symptoms. Most of these have relativly unstable genomes which increase the frequency of clinically significant mutations which render vaccine ineffective. There is the added complication of the powers that be having to choose in advance which strains to vaccinate for which is an educated guess at best.
SARS-CoV-2 is a single virus. Thus far the genome has been stable. Indeed just enough instability to be useful epidemiologically. For instance the big source of infection in the Americas can be traced as having come from Europe because the early patients had a mutation only previously found in Europe (and since exported back to Asia). Indeed the cousin coronaviruses SARS and MERS were in some ways victims of their own demise as whilst they were far more deadly than SARS-CoV-2 they didn't mutate to be any where near as transmissible.
This stability makes the potential for a successful vaccine far greater. A more suitable comparator than influenza might be Smallpox where the genome was near bullet proof meaning that vaccination was massively successful. Of course the knowledge of the Smallpox genome came long after the disease had been eradicated through vaccination.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-10-20, 20:20
SARS-CoV-2 is a single virus. Thus far the genome has been stable.
....This stability makes the potential for a successful vaccine far greater..
"We know that the virus constantly undergoes many mutations: according to the Chinese National Center for Bio-information, more than 7,551 mutations have been recorded.
....Could the Covid-19 epidemic then disappear on its own? It is far too early to say, cautiously advance the authors, especially since we do not know the frequency of this strain. Barely 16,000 genomes of the virus have been sequenced to date, "which represents less than 0.5% of circulating strains," reports Efrem Lim.
....These repeated mutations could jeopardize the development of a vaccine, especially those directed at surface proteins, they conclude.".
Futura Sante August 2020 according to The Cell (among others).
https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/actualites/coronavirus-coronavirus-il-devenu-moins-virulent-80914/
"We know that the virus constantly undergoes many mutations: according to the Chinese National Center for Bio-information, more than 7,551 mutations have been recorded.
....Could the Covid-19 epidemic then disappear on its own? It is far too early to say, cautiously advance the authors, especially since we do not know the frequency of this strain. Barely 16,000 genomes of the virus have been sequenced to date, "which represents less than 0.5% of circulating strains," reports Efrem Lim.
....These repeated mutations could jeopardize the development of a vaccine, especially those directed at surface proteins, they conclude.".
Futura Sante August 2020 according to The Cell (among others).
https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/actualites/coronavirus-coronavirus-il-devenu-moins-virulent-80914/In this day and age, no one should rely on anything coming out of the PRC or CCP. At this point, even the WHO is totally unreliable. Anyone trying to discredit the vaccines being developed are the puppets of the CCP, the Biden campaign or Democratic Party. The PRC and CCP are doing anything to prevent Trump from getting re-elected.
LittleBigMan
09-11-20, 01:35
I do not ponder on blokes spending money as they wish as long as its not my money.I wouldn't call it exactly pondering but unless you are deaf and blind tough to watch what is being heard right in front of you live and in color and not have an opinion especially when the individuals start to ask to borrow money then complain later the lady is spoiled and now wants more money complaining about opening the can of worms they opened. One can stretch " pondering " to a lot of things being said here including if one doesn't ponder then why the responds?
MichaelSamuel
09-11-20, 02:01
At this point I think countries like thailand aren't actually waiting for that, they are waiting for a semi-accepted vaccine. Does it matter if the vaccine actually works? Of course not, but it will save face for everyone who has crashed their economies. When the infections pick up they will just not test or bury the numbers and proceed with whatever the best treatment protocal is at the time. It's all about the show, they need to say they are only allowing vaccinated people in, even though any vaccination certification will be half fraudulent as well since there is no world wide agency capable of administering such a thing.
However to be a little less cynical. In theory you just need the are value of transmission low enough and the virus will generally die out. Given the herd immunity the USA is barrelling towards and that some others will get to as well, even if a vaccine is say 20% effective it may be enough to get that are transmission value low enough.
In the best case, in the event that a vaccine ends up being found, then distributed to the entire Thai population (end of 2021 ?) It will not be completely effective. In young adults, the effectiveness of the vaccine against seasonal influenza is considered to be in the order of 60 to 70% depending on the year. It works less well for the elderly, those who have the highest risk of complications and 90% of deaths are people over 65 years old.
There will never be zero risk in the face of COVID 19. The strategy of countries which aim for 0 cases condemns them to let their borders be closed until the virus disappears on its own, including with a vaccine available, this which can last maybe several more years, until another virus appears....
GettingFedUp
09-11-20, 03:42
The PRC and CCP are doing anything to prevent Trump from getting re-elected.And do they do bad stuff as well as these good deeds?
Banana Boi
09-11-20, 07:02
Living here year-round strictly with Thais dealing with them (in general) especially the way they think it wears you down mentally the frustration leaves me unable at times to even want to be with other Thai women,Only those of us who reside in Thailand understand this fully. It sure is draining living there year round. Not sure how some guys like ET, Goat, etc do it without continually traveling to other countries. Some wondered why I had decided to to stay in Japan and Korea for an extended period last year. I just wanted my sanity back.
Re. The 270 day Visa by the time they get it figured out it will be a full blown 2nd wave with kids back to school and the colder weather below 9 Celsius. This will cancel all talks of the new tourist visa.
Also read today that suicide is up 22% in Thailand.
Finally, am I the only person who was shocked to see live fans at NFL games? What are you thinking, USA?
Mr Enternational
09-11-20, 07:38
Living here year-round strictly with Thais dealing with them (in general) especially the way they think it wears you down mentally the frustration leaves me unable at times to even want to be with other Thai women, to be honest even if it was free? Amen to that! That is why I am ready for a change of scenery.
My girl told me that since I can not take care of her then I need to find a new lady. (And whenever I have asked a chick what this take care shit means I have never been able to get a straight answer in all these years.) The next day she asked what I was doing and I said looking for a new lady. She got all sad. No matter how many times I ask her if she told me to find a new lady, she will not acknowledge it even when I show it to her where she wrote it. She will just repeat you have new lady?
A couple days ago she came over without my approval so I acted like I was on the dark side with friends. She said she knows everything now. She knows I was in here with a lady (when I really was alone.).
Then the blatant lies from other chicks. I tell them there is no need to lie. This is Pattaya. Everybody is fucking everybody anyway. How the hell you constantly have your phone in hand and do not miss a message when you are with me, but when we are not together and I send you a message then you don't answer until 3 hours later or the next day saying you did not see the message, battery was dead, no signal, etc? And somehow them being sick automatically means they are unable to send a message even saying so. I refuse to play along with being an idiot.
*deleted by me for double post*
Only those of us who reside in Thailand understand this fully. It sure is draining living there year round. Not sure how some guys like ET, Goat, etc do it without continually traveling to other countries. Some wondered why I had decided to to stay in Japan and Korea for an extended period last year. I just wanted my sanity back.
Re. The 270 day Visa by the time they get it figured out it will be a full blown 2nd wave with kids back to school and the colder weather below 9 Celsius. This will cancel all talks of the new tourist visa.
Also read today that suicide is up 22% in Thailand.
Finally, am I the only person who was shocked to see live fans at NFL games? What are you thinking, USA?For me, I mostly socialize with Westerners from the USA, U. K. , France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and so on and only interact with Thais on a more customer-seller basis. Except for many of the girls I socialize with, of course. But I do try to maintain some of my sanity by not getting sucked into their penchant for drama and constant financial crisis. Recognizing much of that is just a social interaction game they play out of habit and boredom helps. Their lives and futures are really not as dependent on you and your helping them as they try to make you think.
As far as my interaction with the Thai government goes, I actually find renewing my annual retirement visa easier and cheaper than before. I no longer need to make an appointment and separate trip to the USA Embassy and pay them 1,900 baht for a notarized income verification letter each time I renew. I already had a health insurance policy here years before it was added as a requirement.
On the issue of virus transmission mitigation efforts at the NFL game, many Americans have been refusing to engage in those efforts since the very beginning when Trump knew the facts about the seriousness of it, its deadly airborne transmission capabilities, that even young people get it, die from it, are carriers of it and the potential for hundreds of thousands of American deaths from it but chose instead to spend months lying to everyone about it in sync with Xi, telling them to "Open up your schools!", making fun of people who wear masks and so on for his personal political benefit in trying to keep the Dow from tanking again on his watch.
Obviously, that was another one of his disastrous economic decisions that produced terrible results all around including in the Dow. The Dow has not gone anywhere but up, down, up and down again for almost 3 years.
Only those of us who reside in Thailand understand this fully. It sure is draining living there year round....From the outside its easy: surrounded by hot chicks; everything is dirt cheap; glorious weather; endless beaches. The list goes on.
I've been asked many times " I've visited LOS / PI / Indo / SEA a couple of times and want to live there". My reply is always that living in Asia is TOTALLY different to holiday visits.
Enjoy. G.
Amen to that! That is why I am ready for a change of scenery.
My girl told me that since I can not take care of her then I need to find a new lady. (And whenever I have asked a chick what this take care shit means I have never been able to get a straight answer in all these years.) The next day she asked what I was doing and I said looking for a new lady. She got all sad. No matter how many times I ask her if she told me to find a new lady, she will not acknowledge it even when I show it to her where she wrote it. She will just repeat you have new lady?
A couple days ago she came over without my approval so I acted like I was on the dark side with friends. She said she knows everything now. She knows I was in here with a lady (when I really was alone.).
Then the blatant lies from other chicks. I tell them there is no need to lie. This is Pattaya. Everybody is fucking everybody anyway. How the hell you constantly have your phone in hand and do not miss a message when you are with me, but when we are not together and I send you a message then you don't answer until 3 hours later or the next day saying you did not see the message, battery was dead, no signal, etc? And somehow them being sick automatically means they are unable to send a message even saying so. I refuse to play along with being an idiot.Lolol. Yeah, that's the way it is. But doesn't she behave like none if that happened or matters the following week when you meet up with her again? Mine behaves like there was no life or death emotional crisis whatsoever a few days after. Sometimes the very next day.
I stopped running for the fort and loading up with ammunition with these girls years ago. I just stay where I sit with my feet up on a stool. It will pass.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-11-20, 10:38
Then the blatant lies from other chicks. I tell them there is no need to lie. This is Pattaya. Everybody is fucking everybody anyway. How the hell you constantly have your phone in hand and do not miss a message when you are with me, but when we are not together and I send you a message then you don't answer until 3 hours later or the next day saying you did not see the message, battery was dead, no signal, etc? And somehow them being sick automatically means they are unable to send a message even saying so. I refuse to play along with being an idiot.lol so true!
The only way not to go crazy is to play the same game as them and to have a lot of romantic partners and to change them often. As they do.
..........unless you are deaf and blind tough to watch what is being heard right in front of you live and in color ................That's me on a trip, I'm focussed only on the pussy.
............The PRC and CCP are doing anything to prevent Trump from getting re-elected.And Russia's doing everything to get him re-elected.
LittleBigMan
09-11-20, 16:53
That's me on a trip, I'm focussed only on the pussy.Then you are deaf-blind, and plain fooling yourself only focuses on pussy that is just big talk the same as not pondering.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-11-20, 17:41
In this day and age, no one should rely on anything coming out of the PRC or CCP. At this point, even the WHO is totally unreliable. Anyone trying to discredit the vaccines being developed are the puppets of the CCP, the Biden campaign or Democratic Party. The PRC and CCP are doing anything to prevent Trump from getting re-elected.Mmmmm I am not sure this post is Banana Boi compatible.
Please use the appropriate words "pussy", "ball", "cock", "cum" instead of the words "PRC", "CCP", "Trump" and "Biden".
You can place them in any order.
Thank you.
Mmmmm I am not sure this post is Banana Boi compatible.
Please use the appropriate words "pussy", "ball", "cock", "cum" instead of the words "PRC", "CCP", "Trump" and "Biden".
You can place them in any order.
Thank you.Touche LOL.
I see where he's coming from though, reliable sources are very important. We should only rely on sources that never lie, are mostly accurate and base their views on factual evidence.
My girl told me that since I can not take care of her then I need to find a new lady. (And whenever I have asked a chick what this take care shit means I have never been able to get a straight answer in all these years.).It may mean give her financial support which Thais may associate with love.
Evidently she was feeling a lack of being taken care of. With emphasis on the word feeling. Hence the statement about finding a new lady. Not that she really wanted that to happen. It was just her mood of the moment. Maybe wanting to see where your heart is at.
IME Thai sex workers, especially regulars, often act like that. It's all just part of the fun of the game.
HorseTrader
09-13-20, 15:38
It may mean give her financial support which Thais may associate with love.Not just financial support for her and her kids, but also the whole family. Mother. Grandmother. Drunk brother. Lazy sister and her kids.
I've seen this concept extended by Thai women who married American men and moved to USA. The man is expected to send money to family in Thailand. I've seen one case where an adult child was brought to USA, a daughter, who carried on the tradition of sucking every penny possible out of her American boyfriends and then moving to the next when his bank account runs dry.
I've also seen some very good Thai women who have become good wives to American men. Those weren't found in bars. Not very many of these.
It may mean give her financial support which Thais may associate with love.
IME, that only applies to sex-workers. I've been seeing my fair share of low paid workers (7-11 staff, massage staff, farm staff, students, etc.), and "take care" means to give some emotional support, not money. Think: bringing over hot chicken soup if they're sick in bed, the occasional visit to the cinema / live music bar / picnic in the park, asking how they are doing, etc. I. e. , sometimes doing something other than putting my dick in their mouth.
Mr Enternational
09-15-20, 13:14
IME, that only applies to sex-workers. I've been seeing my fair share of low paid workers (7-11 staff, massage staff, farm staff, students, etc.), and "take care" means to give some emotional support, not money.I don't know why some guys equate girlfriend as sex worker. I see guys on many threads of ISG refer to a sex worker as their girlfriend. When I hand a sex worker the 500 or 1000 baht that I owe them, our business is done. They have the same chance of telling me something about "taking care" as the cashier at 7-Eleven.
In a facebook group a guy posed a question asking how much he should offer his girlfriend per month to live with him. The smart people said if you have to pay her then she is not your girlfriend. Other people chimed in with well I give my wife such and such amount. The problem solved itself when the guy made the girl an offer (20,000 baht I think) and it was not high enough so she told him to kick rocks.
If I ever did live with one of these women I would not be their free ride or rather their ride that pays them. I would give them responsibility. They would have to get a job and at least pay the electric and cable bills and the rest of the money they earn would be theirs to do what they please. There would be none of that I pay you to live with me and become an extra bill and headache shit.
I don't know why some guys equate girlfriend as sex worker. I see guys on many threads of ISG refer to a sex worker as their girlfriend. When I hand a sex worker the 500 or 1000 baht that I owe them, our business is done. They have the same chance of telling me something about "taking care" as the cashier at 7-Eleven.Yeah this sounds more like you. You lost points with your last post and had us wondering.
It was you who called her "my girl" and then referred to the rest as "other" chicks. How are we to understand this, that you have one "my sex worker" and " other sex workers" lie.
Asking you to take care of her, going to your spot and accusing you of being with someone else etc is not normal sex worker behaviour towards a guy who is very transactional towards them. Sounds and reads more like jealous girlfriend behaviour or working girl behaviour towards a chump like the one you just told us about which is probably where the confusion came in.
I don't know why some guys equate girlfriend as sex worker.Probably because the lines distinguishing the two are often blurry.
Also because that's largely the way the world in fact is & has been since the beginning of time.
If a so-called "girlfriend" or wife is not offering regular and or good sex, she is often dumped for something better. Or the guy wishes he could, but feels enslaved.
"I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, natural, wholesome things that money can buy." Steve martin.
Charlie Sheen reportedly said: "I don't pay them for sex. I pay them to leave."
"Sex for money is cheaper than sex for free".
Member #4698
09-15-20, 16:21
Anyone with a lick of sense knows that a hooker is not a GF, even a longtime favorite repeat working girl is not the same as a GF. Don't believe me? Just tell your favorite repeat working girl that you have lost all you money in the stock market and ask her if you can stay at her place and shag for free. We all know what 99.99999999999% of them will say. But this truth does not prevent me from having very friendly relations with a few of my favorite repeat girls. I enjoy my friendly hooker relations and see no harm indulging them a little while at the same time I keeping my wallet handy and my emotions under control.
But once in a blue moon it is the working girl that has a fantasy all her own. Example: she meets a young guy in her bar. He says all the right things, he looks good, fucks good, and the next thing she knows, she "loves" him, ha ha, and thinks of him as her "boyfriend" and that means she does not charge him for sex. It happens. Believe me, but it never works out because Romeo knows what he is doing, even though he may even invite the girl to visit him in Germany or where ever.
A variation of the repeat working girl is the mistress. It is the same principal involved and having a mistress is fine as long as the man knows what he has / what he has rented for the long term. In my own example, I have been sending Mini, one of my long time favorite repeat girls, rent money (4000 baht / month) since April. I guess that makes her my long distance mistress if I wanted to look at it that way. Instead, I prefer to think I am just helping her out. I know she is very grateful, but I don't expect anything in return other than her being there when I return. And I plan to see her on my 1st night back in BKK which is our custom, but then night 2, 3 and 4 will be spent with my other favorite repeat girls and on night 5 & 6 I will be out looking for new. Of course as soon as things return to normal I will stop sending Mini rent money. But I don't think there is any point in denying that I have a relationship with this little hooker, it is just that I am under no delusions about it.
IME, that only applies to sex-workers. I've been seeing my fair share of low paid workers (7-11 staff, massage staff, farm staff, students, etc.), and "take care" means to give some emotional support, not money. Think: bringing over hot chicken soup if they're sick in bed, the occasional visit to the cinema / live music bar / picnic in the park, asking how they are doing, etc. I. e. , sometimes doing something other than putting my dick in their mouth.Money is not always cash. Hot soup costs money. A date can come up to more than an hour with a hooker. Emotional support alone will not help a girl who is hungry or is behind on her rent.
Crocodilexp
09-15-20, 17:46
In a facebook group a guy posed a question asking how much he should offer his girlfriend per month to live with him. The smart people said if you have to pay her then she is not your girlfriend.
That's an academic discussion about the term "girlfriend". In more practical terms, for certain guys, if they don't pay up, the woman will no longer be around. They prefer to avoid that, perhaps because they don't find it easy to get a comparable partner.
Although ideally, both partners should pull their weight in the relationship, it's not exactly unheard of for the bulk of resources to flow from the man to the woman. The other way around is less common. Personally, I'm dead-set against a regular cash handouts, but if that's the way some couples roll, it's their business. Blatant, perhaps, but not as far out of the ordinary as it first appears.
LittleBigMan
09-16-20, 02:34
A few new articles floating around this morning " Cabinet okay 90 day extension " " all tourist need insurance to come into Thailand " before anyone start to pack their bags or get out their pom poms read between the lines if you can find them or the full article when you do nothing has changed you still need to play ball which is jump through all the hoops!
Banana Boi
09-16-20, 05:28
A few new articles floating around this morning " Cabinet okay 90 day extension " " all tourist need insurance to come into Thailand " before anyone start to pack their bags or get out their pom poms read between the lines if you can find them or the full article when you do nothing has changed you still need to play ball which is jump through all the hoops!1200 tourists per month! So 40 special people are allowed in to Thailand per day! Yep, this will get the economy rolling. Don't even dream about being one of the 1200 per month if you live in USA. This will purely be a China money grab with only the richest of the rich getting in.
LittleBigMan
09-16-20, 10:29
1200 tourists per month! So 40 special people are allowed in to Thailand per day! Yep, this will get the economy rolling. Don't even dream about being one of the 1200 per month if you live in USA. This will purely be a China money grab with only the richest of the rich getting in.That doesn't sound like a lot but as I noted after reading the article it is no different from the other proposal but the article on Yahoo and T. V. Make it sound like all you got to do is the 14 day quarantine when in fact you still need to jump through the hoops. The insurance cost is based on how long you stay, what country you are coming from sound familar " Bubble " " Safe and Seal " Earlier they even cancelled China and Korea from the Bubble no published enough but believe it or not they have problems not to exclude India!
Today in the car with the family my son, wife and mines were talking about the 90 days indicating concerns that opening up would allow the virus in of course even they are living in a dream world because they don't really work in the real sense because I'm their financial stimulist. But I joined into the conversation told them again what is required to get that first 90 days you got to again play the same hoop game. And in my book if true no taker before no takers now! Their Thai T. V. Reporting just like these reports on T. V. Don't explain any of the fine details. I told them " This is Thailand " if I wasn't paying attention to the road it would interesting to see their expression?
Franciscass
09-16-20, 11:58
I've been doing this quite often nowadays. Assuming she speaks and understands English reasonably well I find it lots of fun to log onto ISG, read out a bunch of posts on say for example the current discussion on handsome guys versus less attractive guys and ask her opinion. It can be both interesting and illuminating to listen to and can also lead to a better understanding of how these girls think and feel about us. Live and let live is a good maxim to follow in life but just as important is listen and learn.
I've been doing this quite often nowadays. Assuming she speaks and understands English reasonably well I find it lots of fun to log onto ISG, read out a bunch of posts on say for example the current discussion on handsome guys versus less attractive guys and ask her opinion. It can be both interesting and illuminating to listen to and can also lead to a better understanding of how these girls think and feel about us. Live and let live is a good maxim to follow in life but just as important is listen and learn.On the discussion of Handsome Guys/Customers vs Less Attractive Guys/Customers, didn't she simply tell you, "I prefer guys/customers just like YOU, Honey!"?
I might have felt a little pissed if she hadn't.
But maybe not as pissed as if she had said, "I only like to go with really ugly guys/customers, Honey," as she gave me a big sincere hug 😁
Banana Boi
09-17-20, 06:30
I think I'm the best looking guy on here! How can I not be!
I am 5'6".
I am obese.
I still have a tiny bit of hair and have a very stylish comb over.
I have hair on my chest and back.
I have a partial beard to cover my double chin.
I have yellowing teeth.
I have callouses on my hands.
I have hair on my fingers.
I have long nose hairs and hair growing in my ear.
I wear flip flops and wife beater shirts to gogo bars and Thermae.
I'm damn good looking and I get BBFS from 90% of the girls in Thailand because I will pay extra!
Banana Boi
09-17-20, 07:16
1200 tourists per month! So 40 special people are allowed in to Thailand per day! Yep, this will get the economy rolling. Don't even dream about being one of the 1200 per month if you live in USA. This will purely be a China money grab with only the richest of the rich getting in.Kind of what I was suspecting. Appears the 1200 tourists that will receive the highest priority for the 270 day Visas are those willing to invest in Thailand? Anyone willing to bypass the wait by investing in a new overpriced condo? Would investing in a bar beer count? Can't see how that would be expensive in Pattaya. Natty and I are willing to go in with a group of 38 other guys to buy Action Street or something.
Mr Enternational
09-17-20, 07:30
On the discussion of Handsome Guys/Customers vs Less Attractive Guys/Customers, didn't she simply tell you, "I prefer guys/customers just like YOU, Honey!"?I thought guys were paying for the acting, not the honesty. Maybe love starved guys are hoping the acting to be honest? Seems even some chicks get caught up in the role as well. As I am fucking 2 paid chicks separately who turns out are friends. One does not want the other to know that she has contact with me, even though the other was the one that told me her and the one were talking and realized I was a customer of each of them. So the one is trying to keep secret something that everybody already knows. Makes no sense to me.
Franciscass
09-17-20, 08:22
On the discussion of Handsome Guys/Customers vs Less Attractive Guys/Customers, didn't she simply tell you, "I prefer guys/customers just like YOU, Honey!"?
I might have felt a little pissed if she hadn't.
But maybe not as pissed as if she had said, "I only like to go with really ugly guys/customers, Honey," as she gave me a big sincere hug.I don't know about you ET but personally I don't need affirmation from working girls and also wouldn't you agree that at our age being vain is just silly?. That said though it's nice when a compliment or two genuine or not comes with the session. Anyway I digress back to the discussion on hand. As pretty much all members have indicated and is confirmed by the girls I've chatted to attractiveness is a non-issue for who they will go with. Yes they are certain situations where they refuse but it's not because of their looks it's because they feel threatened by their body language or behavior. So no need to fret ET, despite your standout model good looks your charm and generosity will always get you the best looking girls.
You can't get into LOS without a COE from your embassy so get one before booking a flight.
IME, that only applies to sex-workers. I've been seeing my fair share of low paid workers (7-11 staff, massage staff, farm staff, students, etc.), and "take care" means to give some emotional support, not money. Think: bringing over hot chicken soup if they're sick in bed, the occasional visit to the cinema / live music bar / picnic in the park, asking how they are doing, etc.If she is not a working girl she shouldn't talk about "take care" in the first place. The thing you're talking about is giving her some attention.
The meaning of "take care" by Thai WGs is to take care of her financial expenses.
Depending on the girl and how she perceives the guy that is supposed to "take care" of her it can go from paying for the food (not necessarily expensive stuffs), transportation expenses, paying for her rent (if the guy is supposed to be the boyfriend) and stuff like that, and as said by other members it can even go up to supporting the whole family in some extreme cases.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-17-20, 11:15
1200 tourists per month! So 40 special people are allowed in to Thailand per day! .1200 tourists per month also makes about 6 long-haul planes with 200 seats each. Or 1. 5 flights per week (or rather 2 a week, 1 the following week, etc.).
"Another impediment to the success of the new STV was revealed after the Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the tourists would have to travel on chartered flights from overseas directly to their destinations in Thailand. The cost and infrequent nature of these flights would add a further barrier to the success of the visa. " The Thaiger (https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/tourists-on-the-new-special-tourist-visa-will-have-to-arrive-on-charter-flights).
Roughly speaking, this means that we may be able to apply for a visa (after having accepted all the constraints of 14 days of quarantine or "fit to fly", both of which are equally useless) and obtain it. But we will still not be sure to have a flight to come to Thailand.
Unless the Thai embassies in the countries turn into a travel agency and allocate countries, companies, flights and places to visa recipients.
Anyone thinking in Thai government? Do they have advisors or something like that?
Franciscass
09-17-20, 12:14
1200 tourists per month also makes about 6 long-haul planes with 200 seats each. Or 1. 5 flights per week (or rather 2 a week, 1 the following week, etc.).
"Another impediment to the success of the new STV was revealed after the Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the tourists would have to travel on chartered flights from overseas directly to their destinations in Thailand. The cost and infrequent nature of these flights would add a further barrier to the success of the visa. " The Thaiger (https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/tourists-on-the-new-special-tourist-visa-will-have-to-arrive-on-charter-flights).
Roughly speaking, this means that we may be able to apply for a visa (after having accepted all the constraints of 14 days of quarantine or "fit to fly", both of which are equally useless) and obtain it. But we will still not be sure to have a flight to come to Thailand.
Unless the Thai embassies in the countries turn into a travel agency and allocate countries, companies, flights and places to visa recipients.
Anyone thinking in Thai government? Do they have advisors or something like that?Seems to me the uniforms are so smug in their 'achievement" in containing the virus and to fair they have done an amazing job, they don't want their reputation tarnished by even a single local infection. Look what happened when that DJ tested positive, all hell broke loose. They know the economic toll it's having on millions of Thai's out of work and business's failing so to be seen to be doing something about it they come up with these wacky visitor programs that will have little effect. In fact the reality on the ground is because more and more visitors are leaving before the September 26th amnesty runs out there will actually be fewer foreigners around. Those hoping to get here anytime soon would be wise to be realistic about their prospects of doing so anytime soon.
I think I'm the best looking guy on here! How can I not be!
I am 5'6".
I am obese.
I still have a tiny bit of hair and have a very stylish comb over.
I have hair on my chest and back.
I have a partial beard to cover my double chin.
I have yellowing teeth.
I have callouses on my hands.
I have hair on my fingers.
I have long nose hairs and hair growing in my ear.
I wear flip flops and wife beater shirts to gogo bars and Thermae.
I'm damn good looking and I get BBFS from 90% of the girls in Thailand because I will pay extra!Yeah but do you wear a Rolex?
That's an academic discussion about the term "girlfriend". In more practical terms, for certain guys, if they don't pay up, the woman will no longer be around. They prefer to avoid that, perhaps because they don't find it easy to get a comparable partner.
Although ideally, both partners should pull their weight in the relationship, it's not exactly unheard of for the bulk of resources to flow from the man to the woman. The other way around is less common. Personally, I'm dead-set against a regular cash handouts, but if that's the way some couples roll, it's their business. Blatant, perhaps, but not as far out of the ordinary as it first appears.Yesterday I called the guy, who I've known for many years now, who owns the outfit that provides me with escorts. He tells me that he has a girl who's on her first day on the job. I agree and she turns up at my door. She shows me her face but says she wants to keep the mask on during sex. I agree. I rate her about a 6.5.
After the deed we get to talking which we did for a much longer time than the actual sex. Without directly asking her I confirm that I was indeed her first customer. Her story is quite dismal. She has three daughters with two guys, the father of the first two gives her nothing. She told me she lives in an apartment with no furniture and has turned to hooking so she can buy school books and electronic devices for the kids who she leaves with her ailing mother. She showed me photos of her children. We exchanged phone numbers and she left.
She called me later and I offered to help. I am no chump so I decided that I must see where she lives before doing anything. So my plan is that in our next conversation I will ask to visit her place and only if it is as she described will I buy the schoolbooks and one device for her kids. I've never done this before so I'm quite anxious to see where it goes.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-17-20, 15:24
It is probably necessary to think carefully before initiating long and expensive procedures to arrive in Thailand.
Pattaya, Bangkok or Phuket now look like ghost towns that have nothing to do with what we experienced before the covid and will not return until the significant return of tourists.
Is it reasonable to put in a lot of effort and spend a lot of money just to find yourself in depressing and boring cities? There is probably more life in Europe and USA at the moment.
Nothing is really being done to change this in Thailand for a long time to come.
Now is probably the time to wait and see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsLfY5gcvM
Banana Boi
09-18-20, 04:24
Yeah but do you wear a Rolex?Even better. I wear a pink Fitbit so the girls know I take care of myself and I'm confident with my masculinity!
GettingFedUp
09-19-20, 15:17
You can't get into LOS without a COE from your embassy so get one before booking a flight."Booking a flight"? The only inbound flights available are those organised by the Embassies in the countries of departure and getting on one of those involves meeting the narrow criteria for those permitted entry (Thai citizens and spouses thereof, holders of Permanent Residence certificates, work permit holders etc). Likely you'll then go on a waiting list as there a a lot of Thai emigrants still waiting for repatriation.
Airlines or travel agents taking bookings for flights are at best borrowing from the customer or obtaining involuntary donations.
Pattaya, Bangkok or Phuket now look like ghost towns that have nothing to do with what we experienced before the covid and will not return until the significant return of tourists.Aside from the Sukhumvit area from Nana to Phrom Pong, Bangkok is really pretty normal. Get out of the tourist areas and about the only difference you'll see from pre-covid is everyone wearing masks. Thonglor bars and restaurants had very good crowds last night.
Banana Boi
09-20-20, 06:38
Pattaya, Bangkok or Phuket now look like ghost towns that have nothing to do with what we experienced before the covid and will not return until the significant return of tourists.One has to wonder if you have ever been to Bangkok. The sex industry is a VERY VERY small part of Bangkok. Bangkok DOES NOT need tourists or the sex industry to survive. imo Bangkok is one of the coolest cities in the world if you like shopping and culture and #2 for food only behind Tokyo. Bangkok area is 15 times larger than Paris, France in case you didn't know.
You are correct about Pattaya and Phuket. A gogo girl sent me a photo today trying to fool me. She said the Chinese tourists are back. Took a photo of 3 tour buses full of passengers driving down Beach Road. After I said WTF she fessed up and said it's a Thai tour of Pattaya.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-21-20, 10:50
One has to wonder if you have ever been to Bangkok. The sex industry is a VERY VERY small part of Bangkok. Bangkok DOES NOT need tourists or the sex industry to survive. imo Bangkok is one of the coolest cities in the world if you like shopping and culture and #2 for food only behind Tokyo. Bangkok area is 15 times larger than Paris, France in case you didn't know.
Thanks for the information. If we don't know what to do if Nana, Soi Cow Boy and Patpong are closed, we can still go shopping.
Perhaps we should rename ISG to International Shopping Guide.
Franciscass
09-21-20, 11:40
"Booking a flight"? The only inbound flights available are those organised by the Embassies in the countries of departure and getting on one of those involves meeting the narrow criteria for those permitted entry (Thai citizens and spouses thereof, holders of Permanent Residence certificates, work permit holders etc). Likely you'll then go on a waiting list as there a a lot of Thai emigrants still waiting for repatriation.
Airlines or travel agents taking bookings for flights are at best borrowing from the customer or obtaining involuntary donations.Don't know if anybody else saw the "Draft Process for Special Tourist Visa: in the business section of Bangkok Post Monday. Kafka in his most bizarre and surrealistic imaginings could not have come up the insane level of absurd bureaucracy involved. Available online at https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20200921/281994674919727.
In yet another article on the front page of the same edition it seems there are more than 150,000 tourists who if still here post September 26th amnesty without a valid visa can end up in jail. Most of these it seems had visas which have expired but are covered by the amnesty. Getting extensions is anything but straight forward or guaranteed.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/1989023/tourists-face-arrest-jail-for-overstaying
Apologies if this all sounds a bit too much doom and gloom but as we speak this unfortunately is the reality.
On a brighter note though some of us will be off to Soi 11 later tonight for some BBFS / CIP / BBBJ / CIM / swallow.
Banana Boi
09-21-20, 16:12
Thanks for the information..You're welcome Sirioja aka Bitumen.
Don't know if anybody else saw the "Draft Process for Special Tourist Visa: in the business section of Bangkok Post Monday. Kafka in his most bizarre and surrealistic imaginings could not have come up the insane level of absurd bureaucracy involved. Available online at https://www.pressreader.com/thailand/bangkok-post/20200921/281994674919727.
In yet another article on the front page of the same edition it seems there are more than 150,000 tourists who if still here post September 26th amnesty without a valid visa can end up in jail. Most of these it seems had visas which have expired but are covered by the amnesty. Getting extensions is anything but straight forward or guaranteed.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/1989023/tourists-face-arrest-jail-for-overstaying
Apologies if this all sounds a bit too much doom and gloom but as we speak this unfortunately is the reality.
On a brighter note though some of us will be off to Soi 11 later tonight for some BBFS / CIP / BBBJ / CIM / swallow.Is Mullis or Australian Club open yet?
One has to wonder if you have ever been to Bangkok. The sex industry is a VERY VERY small part of Bangkok. Bangkok DOES NOT need tourists or the sex industry to survive. imo Bangkok is one of the coolest cities in the world if you like shopping and culture and #2 for food only behind Tokyo. Bangkok area is 15 times larger than Paris, France in case you didn't know.
You are correct about Pattaya and Phuket. A gogo girl sent me a photo today trying to fool me. She said the Chinese tourists are back. Took a photo of 3 tour buses full of passengers driving down Beach Road. After I said WTF she fessed up and said it's a Thai tour of Pattaya.Bangkok needs foreign capital, not necessarily foreign tourists, but tourism is a big part of the economy and shouldn't be discounted. Its not that different than other major cities, and with Thailand being a tourist hub in general, its pretty significant part of the economy. Even Paris, Tokyo, and NYC have huge tourism industries. But Bangkok really needs that outside business-investment from foreigners more than the vacationers, if it becomes less welcoming to foreigners, its hard to predict the outcome on it. The south of the country though and Pattaya. Now those areas need the tourists, badly.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-22-20, 11:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiU9SppsvJs&t=65s
It's probably easier to go to the moon with SpaceX (and maybe cheaper)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiU9SppsvJs&t=65s
It's probably easier to go to the moon with SpaceX (and maybe cheaper)I'm close to losing my mind without a imminent return to mongering in Asia but these are some hoops I'm simply not willing to jump through. The whole thing is just insane and a farce. I'm presuming the overpriced flights and ASQ will have to be booked before your visa is approved, what happens then if you go to the embassy and they don't like your paperwork, we all know what its like dealing with these people in Thai consulates or if there is an issue or delay with your test before you fly, I doubt you will get your money back or they will be accommodating in any way.
Just think how much money this is going to cost after 2 - 3 weeks before your holiday even starts, I'm guessing around $5000 to basically spend 2 weeks on a leper colony and go through the worst bureaucracy on the planet and then to top it all off they want to track you on an app which leaves me with more questions. What happens if you run out of battery and the tracking stops or you lose your phone, will you get into trouble? There must be a lot more to this that they will only reveal once you land on the leper colony as you will have no choice but to comply.
This is really only for people that really need to return and there is no other way for them. There are just way too many obstacles and out of pocket expenses for the ordinary tourist for this to make any sense.
Just think how much money this is going to cost after 2 - 3 weeks before your holiday even starts, I'm guessing around $5000 to basically spend 2 weeks on a leper colony and go through the worst bureaucracy on the planet and then to top it all off they want to track you on an app which leaves me with more questions. What happens if you run out of battery and the tracking stops or you lose your phone, will you get into trouble? There must be a lot more to this that they will only reveal once you land on the leper colony as you will have no choice but to comply.
This is really only for people that really need to return and there is no other way for them. There are just way too many obstacles and out of pocket expenses for the ordinary tourist for this to make any sense.Most would agree that the high costs, the jumping through regulatory and medical hoops, time commitment to stay minimum 90 days, and the uncertainty in dealing with bureaucratic shape-shifting, is not ideal from a tourism product marketing perspective.
But their point is that we are in the leper colony now, not them.
Sure, economic complacency will set in eventually, but I'm not holding my breath any more. I've given up, been gasping too long.
...Bangkok DOES NOT need tourists or the sex industry to survive. imo Bangkok is one of the coolest cities in the world if you like shopping and culture and #2 for food only behind Tokyo....I totally agree Banana Boi. I love Bangkok and I love Tokyo. I enjoy the nightlife but also the culture. When I am in BKK, I usually get a BJ in the morning and then go off to explore and photograph Bangkok all day. I like to go to places where you don't see farangs or barely see them. I find the Thai people to be some of the nicest people anywhere I have ever traveled. If you show respect, they show respect. If you smile, they smile. The food is outstanding. I am missing Thailand badly. I was about to make my 8th trip there when all of the Covid stuff blew up. I wish I had gone. I would be safer there than here in the USA where people are so angry if you wear a mask.
Try Sukhothai. It is a pleasant little town. It has ruins from long ago. I photograph there all of the time. The different seasons have different light. Don't go in the burning season. In the summertime, it is all Thai tourists for the most part. I looked up hotels recently and they are so cheap. Places are showing up that I had never seen listed. If college is back in session, I recommend Phitsanulok as well. It is dead in the day. The students and faculty come out at night and they are fun. Interesting little town with some of the best street food in Thailand.(in my experience) The Chiang Mai train passes through Phitsanulok. It is an interesting ride north. Going south to BKK is grueling.
Most would agree that the high costs, the jumping through regulatory and medical hoops, time commitment to stay minimum 90 days, and the uncertainty in dealing with bureaucratic shape-shifting, is not ideal from a tourism product marketing perspective.
But their point is that we are in the leper colony now, not them.
Sure, economic complacency will set in eventually, but I'm not holding my breath any more. I've given up, been gasping too long.I suspect the whole setup is aimed at just some small VIP groups and business people that are just being given a legit way to enter so they don't have to jump through bribes or bureaucracy or who knows what to get back in and do what they need to do. These would be people who work or have business interests in thailand, but come in on tourist visas which is pretty. Business people have found plenty of ways around thai visa requirements, just like everyone else has.
1200 tourists per month! So 40 special people are allowed in to Thailand per day! Yep, this will get the economy rolling. Don't even dream about being one of the 1200 per month if you live in USA. This will purely be a China money grab with only the richest of the rich getting in.That is about how many boaters / rafters are allowed to raft the Grand Canyon in Arizona per day. That is a drop in the bucket for Thailand.
Mr Enternational
09-23-20, 01:33
I suspect the whole setup is aimed at just some small VIP groups and business people that are just being given a legit way to enter so they don't have to jump through bribes or bureaucracy What business people or VIP groups do you know that have 2 spare weeks to sit around waiting?
I totally agree Banana Boi. I love Bangkok and I love Tokyo. I enjoy the nightlife but also the culture. When I am in BKK, I usually get a BJ in the morning and then go off to explore and photograph Bangkok all day. I like to go to places where you don't see farangs or barely see them. I find the Thai people to be some of the nicest people anywhere I have ever traveled. If you show respect, they show respect. If you smile, they smile. The food is outstanding. I am missing Thailand badly. I was about to make my 8th trip there when all of the Covid stuff blew up. I wish I had gone. I would be safer there than here in the USA where people are so angry if you wear a mask.
Try Sukhothai. It is a pleasant little town. It has ruins from long ago. I photograph there all of the time. The different seasons have different light. Don't go in the burning season. In the summertime, it is all Thai tourists for the most part. I looked up hotels recently and they are so cheap. Places are showing up that I had never seen listed. If college is back in session, I recommend Phitsanulok as well. It is dead in the day. The students and faculty come out at night and they are fun. Interesting little town with some of the best street food in Thailand.(in my experience) The Chiang Mai train passes through Phitsanulok. It is an interesting ride north. Going south to BKK is grueling.I'm with these guys. I love Bangkok and am totally bummed I haven't been able to go there from my home here in Siem Reap. As soon as they ditch the quarantine BS and allow Visa waiver entries, me and my camera are heading back, I have a condo lined up and loads of spare batteries.
Phitsanalok is great, I though what Yai was gorgeous and I really spent some time with Phra Buddaha Chinnawat, which itself is worth a trip.
Banana Boi
09-23-20, 04:34
That is about how many boaters / rafters are allowed to raft the Grand Canyon in Arizona per day. That is a drop in the bucket for Thailand.Thailand will survive because the 40 people per day they will allow in will have "deep pockets". Their words, not mine. Just as a comparison those 40 tourists per day they will allow in to Thailand need to spend the equivalence of 109,000 tourists per day who visited Thailand in 2019 (39.8 million visitors in 2019). I think we can all do the math here.
What business people or VIP groups do you know that have 2 spare weeks to sit around waiting?What do you mean "spare weeks" they are working remotely anyways, they can do that from quarantine in thailand for a couple weeks to get back there to do whatever they need to do. People around the world are dealing with this type of thing.
GettingFedUp
09-23-20, 07:49
I'm presuming the overpriced flights and ASQ will have to be booked before your visa is approved, what happens then if you go to the embassy and they don't like your paperwork, we all know what its like dealing with these people in Thai consulates or if there is an issue or delay with your test before you fly, I doubt you will get your money back or they will be accommodating in any way.JohnnyO,
I've just answered a query in another thread which covers this. http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/forum/showthread.php?3663-Thailand-Lounge-and-Chat-area&p=2486278#post2486278.
Short answer is if they don't like your paperwork or you test positive at the required test within 72 hours of departure your cash is gone.
That is about how many boaters / rafters are allowed to raft the Grand Canyon in Arizona per day. That is a drop in the bucket for Thailand.
Thailand will survive because the 40 people per day they will allow in will have "deep pockets". Their words, not mine. Just as a comparison those 40 tourists per day they will allow in to Thailand need to spend the equivalence of 109,000 tourists per day who visited Thailand in 2019 (39.8 million visitors in 2019). I think we can all do the math here.Yeah. Looks small if we just focus on the daily number as an absolute and limited number. But this is cumulative, remember visitors under this scheme must stay minimum 90 days and up to 270 days with 2 extensions.
Do the maths now.
GettingFedUp
09-23-20, 08:44
I suspect the whole setup is aimed at just some small VIP groups and business people that are just being given a legit way to enter so they don't have to jump through bribes or bureaucracy or who knows what to get back in and do what they need to do.GrapeMan,
You've kind of hit the nail on the head. The Ministry of Tourism / Tourist Authority of Thailand blows hot air about stimulating the moribund Tourism sector, but in reality this is aimed at a very small market of individuals.
What business people or VIP groups do you know that have 2 spare weeks to sit around waiting?MrE.
You won't see them around Pattaya or the mongering mass tourism spots of Phuket, Samui etc but there are a small but significant band of reasonably (and some of them extremely) wealthy foreigners who come to Thailand to escape the cold northern hemisphere winter for 4, 5, 6 months each year. Chinese, Russians, Scandinavians, North Americans. Some are retirees, others may have business interests in Thailand or elsewhere in SE Asia.
There's a reason why the marinas of Phuket are always full of boats. And not cheap boats (or moorings) at that. I know a chap who worked on an Azimut 105 which is usually based in Phuket. The Chinese owner spent around 6 months a year living on Phuket and about 4 days of that on the boat but never stayed overnight because "only fishermen and sea gypsies sleep on the sea". For those 4 days of boating he retained a crew of 6 for the boat on top of the 4 or 5 Thais employed at the villa year round and certainly not at 330 baht per day (the Thais likely 10 times this, the two farang well into 6 digits USD). He had to leave his cushy job when the boat was sold to a Russian. He made the mistake of admitting he understood some Russian and the new owner would never allow any of the crew the opportunity to overhear or eavesdrop his dodgy dealings.
To everyone.
Understand this. Thailand has made its choice to avoid "second wave", renewed lockdowns, etc. And that means anything vaguely like mass tourism is closed until further notice. The vast majority of the Thai population nationally agree with keeping the borders effectively shut. The demonstrators / activists / reformists are not calling for a change to this policy. High season 2020 has been written off. Their country, their rules as they say.
As to the economic impact. It is what it is. It would be interesting to see a comparison of the overall impact of a second lockdown of all but essential businesses versus the tourism effect of the borders closing. A lot of people both here and on other forums display complete disregard for the composition of the Thai economy.
Mr Enternational
09-23-20, 09:19
MrE.
You won't see them around Pattaya or the mongering mass tourism spots of Phuket, Samui etc but there are a small but significant band of reasonably (and some of them extremely) wealthy foreigners who come to Thailand to escape the cold northern hemisphere winterI am not saying there are no rich people or businessmen that come to Thailand. I am disputing them willing or able to come to Thailand and sit in quarantine for 2 weeks.
The "special tourist visa" of 90 days is about as worthless as they come. The recent comments by the CP Group chairman that Thai tourism should be only for the wealthy ignores the fact that millions of poor Thais rely on the tourism business in some manner and that the industry makes up over 20% of Thailand's GDP!
The recent student protests will become a revolution if the government fails to recognize the needs of its people. A communist ploy of fermenting revolution to get rid of the monarchy will play in to the Communist Chinese Party's intention on making Thailand a client state or worse a complete take over with the PLA seizing the entire country. When 11 million Chinese tourists come from the PRC, one can easily see how the CCP would relish taking over Thailand.
The "special tourist visa" of 90 days is about as worthless as they come. The recent comments by the CP Group chairman that Thai tourism should be only for the wealthy ignores the fact that millions of poor Thais rely on the tourism business in some manner and that the industry makes up over 20% of Thailand's GDP!
The recent student protests will become a revolution if the government fails to recognize the needs of its people. A communist ploy of fermenting revolution to get rid of the monarchy will play in to the Communist Chinese Party's intention on making Thailand a client state or worse a complete take over with the PLA seizing the entire country. When 11 million Chinese tourists come from the PRC, one can easily see how the CCP would relish taking over Thailand.Must be an election coming up somewhere soon, maybe.
First paragraph is a complete non-sequitur. Surprising for such a supposedly financially educated person. Just shows how political obsession can dull the thinking processes.
As for the second paragraph; wow. I remember when this used to be an information exchange for guys who liked pussy.
LittleBigMan
09-23-20, 11:34
In general this idea will fail like all the rest! They would be better off just putting out a noticed you visa has ended anyone wants to stay longer just come down before the dead line and pay 1900 baht for another month a quick in and out no research no nothing in and out with a new stamp in 5 minutes.
There is speculation 150,000 people left if everyone stays 150,000 x 1900 = ? Why spend million, billions, trillion promoting all these dead end idea's?
I am not saying there are no rich people or businessmen that come to Thailand. I am disputing them willing or able to come to Thailand and sit in quarantine for 2 weeks.People were and are doing this in the US, Canada, and Europe already. 2-week quarantine on travel is fairly standard right now.
LittleBigMan
09-24-20, 01:36
People were and are doing this in the US, Canada, and Europe already. 2-week quarantine on travel is fairly standard right now.There is a difference? The articles or news I've been seeing and reading that those returning to USA Canada, Europe are returning to their homes not arriving as tourist. My cousin return to the USA And did 14 quarantine in his own home. Majority of the ideas Thailand has are to attract tourist or vacationers and before they can start their trip must do the quarantine.
Banana Boi
09-24-20, 05:16
People were and are doing this in the US, Canada, and Europe already. 2-week quarantine on travel is fairly standard right now.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.
There is a difference? The articles or news I've been seeing and reading that those returning to USA Canada, Europe are returning to their homes not arriving as tourist. My cousin return to the USA And did 14 quarantine in his own home. Majority of the ideas Thailand has are to attract tourist or vacationers and before they can start their trip must do the quarantine.It varies by location, usually you have to go "home" (for whatever that means) for two weeks. Its lessened a lot in the west but was pretty intense for a while. Business people are still doing it and dealing with stuff like being in a hotel for 2 weeks which won't be that different than many other places.
I think you're making FAR too much of the burden of a 2 week quarantine. If you've got to deal with it, people have, and they will.
Crocodilexp
09-24-20, 07:28
even if the gogo girl said she will quarantine with me in her home for 14 days.People like you are precisely why they don't let people quarantine at a place of their choosing. If you're in close contact with other people, you might infect them, and there's no point whatsoever to quarantine.
LittleBigMan
09-24-20, 09:12
It varies by location, usually you have to go "home" (for whatever that means) for two weeks. Its lessened a lot in the west but was pretty intense for a while. Business people are still doing it and dealing with stuff like being in a hotel for 2 weeks which won't be that different than many other places.
I think you're making FAR too much of the burden of a 2 week quarantine. If you've got to deal with it, people have, and they will.In all due respect my response is in no way " making too much of it " I was pointing out your remarks to Mr. E, there is a difference being quarantine as a tourist, vacationer compare to what you are now talking about " business " when it comes to Thailand even their government leaders understand this point the reason they are now trying to sell the long term visa program for people who want to stay and by doing so they know you have to have funds the average worker two-six week vacation isn't going to go through all the hoops to get into Thailand and then be quarantine which is what Mr. E is stating and if that is the case I agree with him.
I myself retired leaving Thailand have no problem doing a quarantine in the USA If required and just doing another 14 days returning to Thailand if that was all they wanted that would be fair but it isn't the case here in Thailand. The fact that the leaders keep coming up with nonsense idea is that at person who only has 2-3 weeks isn't going to want to be quarantine they main reason there are no takers unless the place is your home.
Franciscass
09-24-20, 12:08
The only people who would be remotely interested in this new visa will be.
Long term 3 to 6 month visitors who.
Have an agency do paperwork re visa application insurance quarantine booking embassy visits etc etc.
Have access to advanced rapid result testing where they come from.
Most likely own a high end holiday home here.
Have their own Gulfstream.
Haven't had Thai pussy since early 2020.
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.
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.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-24-20, 16:38
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....
Banana Boi
09-24-20, 19:43
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.
Franciscass
09-25-20, 02:19
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.
GettingFedUp
09-25-20, 10:30
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.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-25-20, 11:01
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.
Pimpampoumpipo
09-25-20, 11:21
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/tourism/thailand-plans-to-reduce-quarantine-for-foreign-tourists-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. ".
GettingFedUp
09-25-20, 11:28
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
09-25-20, 12:24
https://www.thailand-faq.com/article/application-procedure-for-special-tourist-visa-stv-513701.html
I have not seen a list of eligible countries specified. Is it open to everyone ?
LittleBigMan
09-25-20, 12:29
https://www.thailand-faq.com/article/application-procedure-for-special-tourist-visa-stv-513701.htmlIf 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
09-25-20, 12:52
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/detail/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.
GettingFedUp
09-25-20, 17:34
If these are not fakes news or if the authorities do not change their minds along the wayP,
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.
Banana Boi
09-26-20, 04:41
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?
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?
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?It was just announced that if you join the Thai elite program and invest $1 million in Thailand you will get a work permit.
GettingFedUp
09-26-20, 14:33
It was just announced that if you join the Thai elite program and invest $1 million in Thailand you will get a work permit.https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1989351/work-permits-for-thai-elite
Firstly, as with everything announced in Thailand, it has to pass cabinet approval. Time will tell and the Tourism Authority of Thailand has an even worse record than the Minister of Tourism on delivering on announcements (it was they who announced Elite Card would be allowed entry from July. Never happened and still hasn't).
Even then for THB 1 m you get a 10 year visa, for an extra THB 30 m investment you get a work permit thrown in. Alternatively you can set up a business employing 4 Thais on minimum wage (about THB 300 to 330 a day depending upon province) and get a work permit. Of course after the 10 years the investment may have appreciated but then again it may not or have become almost unsaleable because the sea or river view condo by then has one or more bigger developments blocking both the view and all daylight from it.
Caveat Emptor.
PedroMorales
09-26-20, 15:15
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1989351/work-permits-for-thai-elite
Even then for THB 1 m you get a 10 year visa, for an extra THB 30 m investment you get a work permit thrown in.r.31 million baht or $980,000 US allows you work in Thailand.
At $100 a Western bonk, that is 9,800 bonks.
Thais think Isaan pu$$ies are more valuable than gold.
It was just announced that if you join the Thai elite program and invest $1 million in Thailand you will get a work permit.Maybe this will help in clarifying the new expanded Elite program.
https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/09/25/rejigged-thailand-elite-card-promoting-country-as-an-oasis-for-the-wealthy/
Banana Boi
09-27-20, 05:07
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?Sure but AFAIK you can't actually get in to Thailand right now or in the foreseeable future with a Thai Elite Visa alone. The ONLY way Thailand will consider you to enter their country at this time is if you invest $1 M US. Even this is still at the proposal stage. Let me know if things are different because if all it takes is to buy a Thai Elite visa to guarantee entry to Thailand I've decided I will buy one. Have saved a ton of money not going to gogo bars, FKK clubs, and Las Vegas strip clubs in 2020. Not waiting another year and then another year to enter Thailand after the 2nd wave then the 3rd wave and 4th wave. Too many covidiots out there.
Getting a work permit would be nice. I would open up a good somtam shop where hot girls eat for free.
Member #4698
09-27-20, 13:51
if all it takes is to buy a Thai Elite visa to guarantee entry to Thailand I've decided I will buy one. Have saved a ton of money not going to gogo bars, FKK clubs, and Las Vegas strip clubs in 2020. Not waiting another year and then another year to enter Thailand after the 2nd wave then the 3rd wave and 4th wave. Too many covidiots out there.
Getting a work permit would be nice. I would open up a good somtam shop where hot girls eat for free.And you can hire my Mini to be your sous-chef at the new restaurant. She makes a great som tam. It's her specialty.
But what about the Wuhan vaccine? It is coming soon and I think it will be the game changer. But in the extraordinary circumstance that the Thai Government chooses not to allow vaccine certified tourists into their country, a possibility I guess, then so be it. It will be their loss. Remember a couple of weeks ago we were discussing Cambodian entry requirements and it was shot down on account of the difficulty of obtaining a Cambodian visa, but I am almost 100% sure that Cambodia allow vaccine certified tourists back in even if Thailand says no and I will be happy to spend a couple months in Cambodia. The longest amount of time I ever spent in Cambodia was 2. 5 weeks and that included side trips to Angkor and Kep, but I think a 2 month visit might be very interesting. It would give me the opportunity to get to know the girls really good.
And of course the back up, back up plan is still Sao Paulo. Brazil is open NOW! No quarantine. I could fly down tomorrow if I were willing to chance it. The SP clubs are open and according to various reports doing good business (lots of girls and customers). That says a lot to me about the country and I am warming up to the idea of a SA trip even though it has been over 16 years since I was last there. I stopped going because I prefer the Thai culture and Thai girls, but a change might be real good I know I will just have to accept wading through a lot of silly cones and butt enhancements. Ha ha, but the bottom line is SP definitely has what I like. No question about that.
Sure but AFAIK you can't actually get in to Thailand right now or in the foreseeable future with a Thai Elite Visa alone. The ONLY way Thailand will consider you to enter their country at this time is if you invest $1 M US. Even this is still at the proposal stage. Let me know if things are different because if all it takes is to buy a Thai Elite visa to guarantee entry to Thailand I've decided I will buy one. Have saved a ton of money not going to gogo bars, FKK clubs, and Las Vegas strip clubs in 2020. Not waiting another year and then another year to enter Thailand after the 2nd wave then the 3rd wave and 4th wave. Too many covidiots out there.
Getting a work permit would be nice. I would open up a good somtam shop where hot girls eat for free.You can get in if you already have an elite visa.
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?It seems that Thailand is merging them together: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1989351/work-permits-for-thai-elite.
GettingFedUp
09-27-20, 16:44
You can get in if you already have an elite visa.Goat,
It's certainly not on the lists of those eligible which are on the Immigration, Ministry of Public Health or the (admittedly few) Thai Embassy websites and Facebook pages I've checked.
It was one of the many "announcements" made by the Tourism Minister and / or Tourism Authority of Thailand which didn't make it into the Royal Gazette. Until it's in the Royal Gazette, even if it's "announced" as agreed by the Cabinet it means bugger all. This one didn't even make it through Cabinet from anything I have read.
I have heard from a fairly reliable source that for those in country affected by the ending of the visa amnesty they will allow the purchase of a shiny new Elite Card "for the usual fee, plus expenses" (Private Investigations, Dire Straits, 1982) of THB 500 k for a 5 year visa.
There's still a lot of Retirement or Business Visa holders (who didn't need a Work Permit) who aren't allowed in. I also hear anecdotally that both Thais and those with work permits / spouses are waiting significant periods for their turn to get on repatriation flights from some countries. Certainly there was a post on the Thai Embassy Washington Facebook page back in August that they were reopening the waiting list for people to return. It said that capacity for September was 2,400 but there were already nearly 5,000 registered to return.
Banana Boi
09-28-20, 04:21
You can get in if you already have an elite visa.This seems to contradict everything I am reading. From what I read even those with TE Visas have been unable to re-enter Thailand. Hopefully I'm wrong but unless I start hearing actually success stories of guys getting in I will hang on to my 500k baht.
And of course the back up, back up plan is still Sao Paulo. Brazil is open NOW! No quarantine.
Not sure many of us want to go to a country with 530,000 active REPORTED COVID cases.
Goat,
It's certainly not on the lists of those eligible which are on the Immigration, Ministry of Public Health or the (admittedly few) Thai Embassy websites and Facebook pages I've checked.
It was one of the many "announcements" made by the Tourism Minister and / or Tourism Authority of Thailand which didn't make it into the Royal Gazette. Until it's in the Royal Gazette, even if it's "announced" as agreed by the Cabinet it means bugger all. This one didn't even make it through Cabinet from anything I have read.
I have heard from a fairly reliable source that for those in country affected by the ending of the visa amnesty they will allow the purchase of a shiny new Elite Card "for the usual fee, plus expenses" (Private Investigations, Dire Straits, 1982) of THB 500 k for a 5 year visa.
There's still a lot of Retirement or Business Visa holders (who didn't need a Work Permit) who aren't allowed in. I also hear anecdotally that both Thais and those with work permits / spouses are waiting significant periods for their turn to get on repatriation flights from some countries. Certainly there was a post on the Thai Embassy Washington Facebook page back in August that they were reopening the waiting list for people to return. It said that capacity for September was 2,400 but there were already nearly 5,000 registered to return.You are right. I read the announcement but it is not official yet. MM2 H visa holders have been able to return Malaysia since May. I would imagine there are some foreigners holding retirement visas from Thailand that own condos here and cannot return. That must be really frustrating.
Member #4698
09-28-20, 12:43
This seems to contradict everything I am reading. From what I read even those with TE Visas have been unable to re-enter Thailand. Hopefully I'm wrong but unless I start hearing actually success stories of guys getting in I will hang on to my 500k baht.
Not sure many of us want to go to a country with 530,000 active REPORTED COVID cases.If I were under 45 and in good health, I wouldn't hesitate to go to SP right now. This is what guys over 60 should understand i.e. that for most healthy young people, the Corona is no more dangerous than the flu. Unfortunately, I am over 60, so yeah, I will wait for the vaccine. All I am saying is that as soon as I receive my vaccine (most likely around March / April 2021) I plan to travel right away. If Thailand still has any entry roadblocks up at that time. Then to hell with Thailand. Cambodia and other SE Asian countries is my 2nd choice and Brazil my third. I must say I respect Brazil's balls to stay open during the pandemic. This has elevated my appreciation of the country quite a lot and I am inclined to go there when the risk is back to normal post my vaccine inoculation. I do not appreciate the immigration visa games Thailand is currently playing. They are toying with you guys. Screw that!
So, I am already thinking about a spring trip assuming most countries will be open for certified vaccine travelers. One major question I have is whose nightlife scene will be back up and running reasonably well. BKK and Pattaya look very likely, Phnom Penh the same. But Jakarta is questionable, and Manila is very problematic especially considering the permanent closing of the EDSA Entertainment Complex and a few of my favorite Burgos Bars. W will have to see about MNL. Meanwhile there is no question about SP's post vaccine nightlife scene. I am taking all this into account before I decide where I will be going. The pandemic has had one positive effect, only one, my cash situation is very, very good. HA HA. So, the next couple of trips are going to be huge events regardless of where I go.
GettingFedUp
09-28-20, 16:23
You are right. I read the announcement but it is not official yet. MM2 H visa holders have been able to return Malaysia since May. I would imagine there are some foreigners holding retirement visas from Thailand that own condos here and cannot return. That must be really frustrating.Goat,
Yup there's a lot of very frustrated wrinklies in the mid to higher northern latitudes who are looking at a cold dark (and possibly locked down) winter now that October's nearly here and heading to their condo in the tropics until the March equinox is out. The ones I am in contact with are also very jealous.
Many will also have the issue of their annual visa expiring and having to start all over again. Certainly those on Non-Imm O (as opposed to OA) with annual extension ordinarily will not be able to renew outside Thailand.
GettingFedUp
09-28-20, 16:47
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1993035/thailand-extends-grace-period-for-stranded-foreigners
So the visa amnesty ended 31 August but a "grace period" until last Saturday 26 September was allowed. Today they announced (qv) a further grace period to 31 October when quite a few "do the right thing" types bugged out in the last few weeks because the options for staying were silly expensive, be it Elite or Investors visa, or dodgy like the volunteer visa or ED visa from a language school with no classes or customers.
Some might view this as another attempt to flog expensive visa options. Me? I just know This is Thailand (TiT).
GettingFedUp
09-28-20, 17:30
But what about the Wuhan vaccine? It is coming soonPantomime season seems to have started early. Even once if it's shown to be safe and effective it would take many months to ramp up production and then for priorities such as healthcare workers to be vaccinated before the wider population gets a sniff.
Maybe there'll be a breakthrough in Mid-October which will be promising deliverance but it will be shelved by around 10 November.
Banana Boi
09-29-20, 02:08
A new day a new Visa on being discussed. This Visa sounds much more reasonable. It's called the STV Special Tourist Visa. All you need to do is show you have 500,000 baht in your bank account "for some time". This Visa is in talks now. No idea which countries it will include.
LittleBigMan
09-29-20, 02:10
Good morning?
Here in Thailand another headline this morning this one seem a bit more promising? Thailand to let more Foreigners in? Now they are purposing another phase allow sports persons so if you cycle and play badminton you can apply. If you hold a Non-Immigrant visa and have 500,000 baht in a Thai bank for the last six month you can apply.
The S. T. V. Idea has gotten the nod to move forward. But some medical experts are saying if foreigners are allow in it will be a disaster to the country. The article today again ends with you contacting the Thai Embassy for details and when you do before jumping up and down will find the game is still the same you got to do and have all the things you needed before including quarantine. Of course just the other day suggested the 14 days drop to 7 but before the ink was dry Scientist said nothing less than 10 days so opinions like everything else is just smoke and mirrors?
On the surface ideas after ideas this latest one trumps the others why would anyone spend a million USA Dollars and invest when it is much cheaper to apply for these other visa that already been suggested medical, business, the reason the constant suggestion is non of the previous has worked or will work this latest the article makes it seem by 8th of October the arrival immigration area will be packed.
Vaccine? I've been reading articles relating, regardless of Russia and China already ready to put one out there something like 2 dozens in the works but only 2 that are near completion? The USA Has already taken a gamble and started to produce even before the final stage and put out alert for those who want to official distribute license to get ready. The two leading vaccine has to be kept in specific temperature one will required two shots something like 2 weeks apart the other only 1 shot, it seems both will take at least a month before your body starts to produce anti-bodies. The lastest article I read that within all the thousands being tested in phase three there aren't enough older volunteers so they have very little data / results how effective it will be.
I personally hope something is in place by the end of the year from there I hope it at least it slows down the virus so things start to open up along with airlines flying? List of countries Asia Pacific Economic cardholders? in low risk area? NZ, Austrilia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, China and Hong Kong.
Banana Boi
09-29-20, 02:14
In the news today is an American who is being sued for defamation over a bad review of a hotel on Trip Advisor. Just a reminder to guys on here that Thailand has zero tolerance to people who write online reviews that are damaging a Thai business. He is facing 2 years in jail. This could be as simple as a guy the other day saying he doesn't understand why guys like Kinnaree or doesn't agree with the services Offdek has to offer. In these dire times, expect more law suits from desperate Thai businesses so be careful what you say on the internet about a bar, massage place, hotel, etc.
In the news today is an American who is being sued for defamation over a bad review of a hotel on Trip Advisor. This is a little background on the American.
https://twitter.com/gavin_mac/status/1310793160327483393?s=19
GettingFedUp
09-29-20, 07:18
Friday is probably Wan Awk Phansa, a religious holiday marking the end of Buddhist Lent. I say probably because as often happens different countries use different dates and so until the formal order is issued dot, dot, dot (previous post about visa situation applies to this one as well). As with all religious holidays the sale of alcohol will be prohibited from midnight Thursday night to midnight Friday night. Article at:
https://thepattayanews.com/2020/09/28/end-of-buddhist-lent-will-be-held-in-thailand-friday-october-2-booze-sales-ban-nearly-certain/
It is not a public holiday so banks and Government Offices should be open as normal.
This is a little background on the American.
https://twitter.com/gavin_mac/status/1310793160327483393?s=19Incredible. Read the whole police affidavit. It gets crazier and crazier.
This is the Great American Martyr people are freaking out about.
Leaving a one-star review because the soup was cold or you got a toothy blowjob at a soapy probably won't land you in prison. If you want to stay out of prison, don't falsely accuse people of slavery, and don't be a serial killer.
LittleBigMan
09-29-20, 10:29
Saw a report today that they will allow the first flight into Thailand of course from China in a week this is under the Phuket plan? This is Phuket only for starter projected something like 12,000 a month which will generate so many millions billions for their economy whether they had to go through all the hoops but did mentioned tourist will be quarantine and need to be tested twice during that period.
Incredible. Read the whole police affidavit. It gets crazier and crazier.
This is the Great American Martyr people are freaking out about.
Leaving a one-star review because the soup was cold or you got a toothy blowjob at a soapy probably won't land you in prison. If you want to stay out of prison, don't falsely accuse people of slavery, and don't be a serial killer.
This is a little background on the American.
https://twitter.com/gavin_mac/status/1310793160327483393?s=19The police affidavit is interesting for sure.
But what was the Donald Trump mask in the trunk for?
Saw a report today that they will allow the first flight into Thailand of course from China in a week this is under the Phuket plan? This is Phuket only for starter projected something like 12,000 a month which will generate so many millions billions for their economy whether they had to go through all the hoops but did mentioned tourist will be quarantine and need to be tested twice during that period.https://www.yahoo.com/news/thailand-slowly-restart-tourism-flight-072241418.html
Incredible. Read the whole police affidavit. It gets crazier and crazier.
This is the Great American Martyr people are freaking out about.
Leaving a one-star review because the soup was cold or you got a toothy blowjob at a soapy probably won't land you in prison. If you want to stay out of prison, don't falsely accuse people of slavery, and don't be a serial killer.It's just a police statement. We don't know how that case ended up but as he doesn't appear to be on an FBI wanted list it's fair to assume he wasn't convicted or even charged with murder of any serious offence.
It's irrelevant anyway. The point is the hotel could have just replied directly to the reviews and explained their side of the story and the whole thing would have blown over very quickly. I'm sure everyone who reads reviews knows that there may be hyperbole in what disgruntled guests write. Now they've brought a PR disaster on themselves that they can never recover from.
It's irrelevant anyway. The point is the hotel could have just replied directly to the reviews and explained their side of story and the whole thing would have blown over very quickly. I'm sure everyone who reads reviews knows that there may be hyperbole in what disgruntled guests write. Now they've brought a PR disaster on themselves that they can never recover from.There are 2 sides to every story. The American wouldn't let it rest.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1992079/koh-chang-resort-defends-suit-against-unhappy-expat-guest
There are 2 sides to every story. The American wouldn't let it rest.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1992079/koh-chang-resort-defends-suit-against-unhappy-expat-guestHe posted two reviews but he posted them to both Google and TripAdvisor. That's hardly not letting it rest. The attitude of this hotel just shows the customer was right that the manager really is full of himself.
He posted two reviews but he posted them to both Google and TripAdvisor. That's hardly not letting it rest. The attitude of this hotel just shows the customer was right that the manager really is full of himself.In the Bangkok post article if you read down into the Richard Barrow tweet the hotel states he has been posting on going negative reviews every 1 to 2 weeks since June. What is the hotel supposed to do? Let this nut harass them forever? They didn't arrest him over 2 reviews.
In the Bangkok post article if you read down into the Richard Barrow tweet the hotel states he has been posting on going negative reviews every 1 to 2 weeks since June. What is the hotel supposed to do? Let this nut harass them forever? They didn't arrest him over 2 reviews.The facts don't appear to back up their claim. It seems they did indeed arrest him over 2 reviews unless you can find some actual evidence that there were reviews other than the two that have been published.
The facts don't appear to back up their claim. It seems they did indeed arrest him over 2 reviews unless you can find some actual evidence that there were reviews other than the two that have been published.Lesson learned then. Don't give a bad review on trip advisor and google in Thailand!
The police affidavit is interesting for sure.
But what was the Donald Trump mask in the trunk for?He's been convicted of at least three counts of burglary, so a mask is useful in his profession. He also claimed to be a hitman, and the DNA from various people on his bloody hammer and rags backs that up, so that's another profession in which disguises are handy. Unfortunately, masks don't help much during DUIs, which he has been convicted of at least four times. Funny that he was not only allowed to leave the US and enter Thailand, but was hired as a teacher in Thailand. This should be a scandal, but the ninnies shrieking about "prison for bad reviews" are confused about what the real scandal is.
Falsely accusing people of crimes ("modern slavery") is not protected speech even in the US, which has among the best free speech protections in the world.
BananaBoi said Thailand has "zero tolerance" for bad reviews. Yet nearly every business in Thailand has numerous bad reviews on Google etc. "Zero tolerance" would mean millions of people imprisoned every year. How many have actually been imprisoned for bad reviews, rather than false accusing people of serious crimes?
Banana Boi
09-30-20, 04:45
BananaBoi said Thailand has "zero tolerance" for bad reviews. Yet nearly every business in Thailand has numerous bad reviews on Google etc. "Zero tolerance" would mean millions of people imprisoned every year. How many have actually been imprisoned for bad reviews, rather than false accusing people of serious crimes?Zero tolerance for defamation. Look up Thai Criminal Code Sections 0326 to 0333. It's not like USA where there is freedom of speech and you can even say whatever you want about Trump. Try talking badly and disrespecting the King in Thailand and see where that lands them. Likely the hospital for starters.
Why have there not been numerous cases? Because most businesses know it's better to eat a negative review than to blow it up and receive lots of bad press. However, in these special times desperate businesses may do desperate things.
Bad dishonest reviews have no negative effect on an establishment that provides good service. A business that has its feathers ruffled by and takes action against bad reviews is one to be scrutinized very carefully.
PedroMorales
10-02-20, 15:40
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8797765/British-expat-62-dead-Thai-forest-girlfriend-43-claims-ran-away.html
An odd one this. Why did he run off with the strap of his girl friend's hand bag? Either he was murdered (no surprise) or high on yabba to relieve pain. Let's hope the girl friend, the real victim in this, finds another sponsor. The course of true love sure can be rough.
Mr Enternational
10-03-20, 04:18
So a teenage kid with no license takes someone's motorbike without permission. The kid runs into my friend's car causing damage to himself, the motorbike, and my friend's car.
Guess who was held responsible for all 3 damages? If you answered the foreigner then you are absolutely correct. They wanted 100,000 baht, but my friend bargained them down to 15,000 baht. I know you guys that don't like to ruin the mood by negotiating would have given them 150,000 baht for that most enjoyable BOHICA experience.
Pimpampoumpipo
10-03-20, 09:54
This press article pretty much sums up exactly what I think about the situation.
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/hard-truths-about-travelling-to-thailand-right-now
PedroMorales
10-03-20, 14:40
This press article pretty much sums up exactly what I think about the situation.
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/hard-truths-about-travelling-to-thailand-right-nowIt is information like that we need now. I doubt I will ever see Thailand again and your link tells me it is no loss. Corrupt people anywhere just cannot mend their ways, no matter what the cost is.
Is the Thai king still "quarantining" in Germany?
On a positive note, there will be no shortage of young women to plant and harvest Isaan's rice next season.
So a teenage kid with no license takes someone's motorbike without permission. The kid runs into my friend's car causing damage to himself, the motorbike, and my friend's car.
Guess who was held responsible for all 3 damages? If you answered the foreigner then you are absolutely correct. They wanted 100,000 baht, but my friend bargained them down to 15,000 baht. I know you guys that don't like to ruin the mood by negotiating would have given them 150,000 baht for that most enjoyable BOHICA experience.This is not hard for the Thai police to understand. The kid did not have insurance and the farang had insurance. If, there was was no farang car, there would not be an accident. So, its a no brainer.
Easy for Thai logic.
The police affidavit is interesting for sure.
But what was the Donald Trump mask in the trunk for?Did you ever see that movie Point Blank with Keanu Reeves? They use presidential masks of several former presidents during a bank robbery.
Pimpampoumpipo
10-06-20, 12:38
Considering the problems that arise to bring in 120 Chinese tourists, I do not see how they are going to reopen the borders to tourism.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1997011/reopen-now-or-face-collapse
------------------------------
"Thailand is bearing the brunt of the economic consequences of the crisis linked to the Covid-19 epidemic, in particular due to the almost complete closure of its borders. The country will sink into a recession of around 8% in 2020, notably following the end of international tourism and the fall in exports.
The social crisis linked to this economic recession promises to be unprecedented, in a turbulent political context. The recovery trajectory for Thailand after the crisis remains very uncertain, due to the uncertainties weighing on tourist flows and competitiveness problems which have steadily increased since the mid-2000's. ".
French Ministry of the Economy and Finance > Tresor-International > THAILAND > Indicators and conjuncture. September 24 2020.
(Google Translate by myself ....)
Pimpampoumpipo
10-09-20, 13:16
https://www.godsavethepoints.com/thailand-travel-tourist-stv-visa-program-fails/
I wonder how the Chinese feel who have been taken for unfortunate Guinea pigs....
https://www.godsavethepoints.com/thailand-travel-tourist-stv-visa-program-fails/
I wonder how the Chinese feel who have been taken for unfortunate Guinea pigs....The border closure and absence of tourism are hurting the people not the king (who is in Germany) and members of the government.
Pimpampoumpipo
10-09-20, 15:50
The border closure and absence of tourism are hurting the people not the king (who is in Germany) and members of the government.Mmmm not sure.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1186488-poll-majority-of-thais-say-no-to-foreign-tourists-they-fear-more-covid/
"90% of the inhabitants of Chiang Mai are afraid of return of foreign tourists" according to another poll by Maejo Poll published today (Sorry i only have french version :
https://cmdecidela.com/2020/10/08/90-des-habitants-de-chiang-mai-ont-peur-du-retour-des-touristes-etrangers/ )
After that, one can always wonder how these polls are made....
PedroMorales
10-09-20, 20:55
https://www.holidaypirates.com/flights/flights-to-bangkok-thailand-in-2021-from-gbp-327-return_37116
Cheap prices but I can't see it happen. They are giving flights in Europe away for next to zilch but few takers.
Pimpampoumpipo
10-09-20, 21:45
The rules of the game: the worse you are in your COVID results, the more you pay for your mandatory insurance.
https://www.tipinsure.com/CovidRegional/step_1
1 - Among the best: Germany. Ok no arguing, they are having exceptional results again. I don't know how they do it but once again they are the best.
In addition, the king does his lokckdown at their place. No one can fight. These are the winners.
2 - UK! They pay twice less for their insurance when they are among the worst scores in the world ! They must have bought the jury.
3 - At the back of the pack: USA and France. We pay twice the price of others because we are supposedly countries at risk! It is totally unfair. Let's make the revolution.
PedroMorales
10-09-20, 22:31
The rules of the game: the worse you are in your COVID results, the more you pay for your mandatory insurance.
https://www.tipinsure.com/CovidRegional/step_1I checked out 30 days as an alien (Star Trek) seeking medical help. 2500 Thai baht. Might be ok if you could hole up with "nurses" in Nana but I imagine the visa would be hard to get. For me, the SE Asian file is closed. But so are many others. Young are having house parties, raves etc, old are scared to death.
The days of the sex tourist 1970's-2020 RIP.
I am in touch with old timers still trying top turn a trick. The place is gone to shtt according to them.
"The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time".
Mmmm not sure.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1186488-poll-majority-of-thais-say-no-to-foreign-tourists-they-fear-more-covid/
"90% of the inhabitants of Chiang Mai are afraid of return of foreign tourists" according to another poll by Maejo Poll published today (Sorry i only have french version :
https://cmdecidela.com/2020/10/08/90-des-habitants-de-chiang-mai-ont-peur-du-retour-des-touristes-etrangers/ )
After that, one can always wonder how these polls are made....I wonder what percent are afraid of ghosts. Quite a few Thai ladies I've met were terrified of them. Some mentioned being afraid of the Rajah Hotel. Did someone die there and leave there ghost behind. LOL.
Bernard Trink's cremation is at Wat Ta Thong (Ekkamai station) today at 2 pm. Those of you who don't know who he is or are not familiar with his place in BKK nightlife history should do a little reading.
Banana Boi
10-11-20, 04:59
In calendar year 2020. I'm working on a few things to try getting in. Remember I'm not a typical tourist. I had heard this may become an option to getting in to Thailand so I booked a Bangkok hotel.
Foreigners who own property in Thailand have been added to the group of non-Thais who are now able to apply to return to the country. But before you get too excited, be warned there are a whole host of eye opening requirements that need to be met as part of the application process.
Firstly, property owners need to be able to provide documentation that shows they do indeed own a property, this could be in the form of a house registration book or proof of purchase documentation.
Next, (and this is the first of the eye opening requirements) they need to be able to provide a copy of a bank statement that shows a balance of at least 3 million baht deposited into a Thai bank account. They also need to show a bank statement from a <insert your country> bank account that has a balance of 500,000 baht for the past 6 months. They then need to meet all the other requirements necessary for any non-Thai returning to Thailand currently such as, Certificate of Entry, declaration form, quarantine booking, Fit to Fly Certificate, COVID-19 negative test result and an insurance policy which covers COVID-19 and up to 100,000 USD.
Once all of the requirements have been met, the foreign property owner then needs to apply for a Non-B visa to enter Thailand.
While the addition of foreign property owners gives hope to some foreigners to be able return to Thailand, it may do little to help what is arguably one the biggest groups of foreigners stranded outside the kingdom - expat retirees. <snip>
The full list of requirements for foreign property owners to enter Thailand can be found below:
For non-Thai who own property in Thailand
While Thailand still puts in place travel restriction, foreigners who own property in Thailand can apply for non-B visa and the Certificate of Entry to go to Thailand.
Required documents :
Your passport copy
Copy of property ownership document in Thailand, or proof of purchase of property and relevant documents
Copy of bank statements of a Thai bank account with deposit at least 3 million baht (approx. 77,000), or Thai government bonds at least 3 million baht
Copy of bank statement of a UK/Irish bank account with deposit at least 500,000 baht (approx. 12,800) for the past 6 months
Declaration form
A copy of flight confirmation
A copy of ASQ booking confirmation
<snip>
What you need to present at airlines check-in counter and upon arrival in Thailand:
The Certificate of Entry
Declaration form
Fit to Fly health certificate, issued within 72 hours before departure this is a statement by a doctor that you are free from symptoms and fit to fly (must be separate from COVID test)
COVID-19 test result, with a laboratory output indicating that COVID -19 is not detected (COVID test must be by RT-PCR method), issued within 72 hours before departure
Copy of your insurance policy which covers COVID-19 and no less than 100,000 USD
Copy of your confirmed booking at an ASQ hotel
T.8 form So even if you own property you still have to stay at one of the designated hotels. Guess that's not a huge deal other than you really wouldn't be allowed to leave the ASQ hotel as I'm sure staff has been instructed to monitor quarantine guests closely. The only minor issue is that I am pretty certain anyone who was out of Thailand when the borders closed would not have their proof of property ownership documentation with them. Guess they can have their favorite gogo girl send that stuff to them.
However, here is one big requirement that there is no chance in hell I will follow. I refuse to deposit 3 million Thai baht ($97,000 US) and leave it in a Thai bank account! I'd bet that most guys who own property in Thailand don't even have disposable cash like that. Anyone smart would have that money invested in other real estate or something else.
Even AFTER you have done all of the above and have the 3 million baht in the Thai bank account you are now qualified to APPLY for a Visa! No guarantee you will actually get in to Thailand!
Bernard Trink's cremation is at Wat Ta Thong (Ekkamai station) today at 2 pm. Those of you who don't know who he is or are not familiar with his place in BKK nightlife history should do a little reading.I still have a collection of his pages from the BKK post as night owl from the 80's,that's when the nightlife was best.
Didn't know he had snuffed it. Dinty moore stew could save him.
LittleBigMan
10-12-20, 02:36
I had heard this may become an option to getting in to Thailand so I booked a Bangkok hotel.
So even if you own property you still have to stay at one of the designated hotels. Guess that's not a huge deal other than you really wouldn't be allowed to leave the ASQ hotel as I'm sure staff has been instructed to monitor quarantine guests closely. The only minor issue is that I am pretty certain anyone who was out of Thailand when the borders closed would not have their proof of property ownership documentation with them. Guess they can have their favorite gogo girl send that stuff to them.
However, here is one big requirement that there is no chance in hell I will follow. I refuse to deposit 3 million Thai baht ($97,000 US) and leave it in a Thai bank account! I'd bet that most guys who own property in Thailand don't even have disposable cash like that. Anyone smart would have that money invested in other real estate or something else.
Even AFTER you have done all of the above and have the 3 million baht in the Thai bank account you are now qualified to APPLY for a Visa! No guarantee you will actually get in to Thailand!Sorry I don't have a bright answer for you I understand your need to return in fact I'm pulling for you because if you can get in we are making some progress for me to leave and return myself. Whatever the idea by the government you break it down through " critical thinking " I wish I was wrong but it isn't going to happen all they seem to be doing is throwing idea's out there to show the Thai people they are doing something which just end up to be nothing. The more they talk the worse it gets till one idea is falling all over the other?
Currently if you want to get in suppose to need $100,000 USD insurance but if you apply from one of the listed so call safe country you (STV) you need only the O-A insurance amount 40,000 baht out-patient 400,000 in-patient. Then you got programs if you invest $1 million USD = 30 M baht when they have already suggested programs for far cheaper the list goes on and on. For those who have a Elite minimum it is reported beginning of the year they are going to raise the amount 100,000 baht from the 500,000 now that is just damn smart on their part.
I still don't know why you are all discussing the weird intricacies of the current thai visa schemes, hoping to get back, when these new visas are clearly not meant for general tourism, but basically to formally accommodate a tiny sliver of people who fell through the cracks, business people, and rich Chinese flying in on their own chartered flights. General tourism in Thailand is dead right now and don't expect it to come back this year. When the tourist-centric businesses start feeling the pain early next year is probably when they'll start getting more open to letting tourists back in.
All of these rules and such are specifically them telling the travel community, but in an eastern way: Tourism is not happening right now, you can't come.... unless you're rich with business here of course, then we've got a way. They're just taking care of their high rollers.
TheNileRiva
10-13-20, 03:24
I still don't know why you are all discussing the weird intricacies of the current thai visa schemes, hoping to get back, when these new visas are clearly not meant for general tourism, but basically to formally accommodate a tiny sliver of people who fell through the cracks, business people, and rich Chinese flying in on their own chartered flights. General tourism in Thailand is dead right now and don't expect it to come back this year. When the tourist-centric businesses start feeling the pain early next year is probably when they'll start getting more open to letting tourists back in.
All of these rules and such are specifically them telling the travel community, but in an eastern way: Tourism is not happening right now, you can't come.... unless you're rich with business here of course, then we've got a way. They're just taking care of their high rollers.I thought with the three week delay for the first batch traveling on the STV, it all but confirmed that they were not tourists but business-people or VIPs. Turns out it's not even that.
https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/no-one-in-guangzhou-applied-for-the-special-tourist-visa
This is a real egg-on-face moment.
Franciscass
10-13-20, 06:38
I still don't know why you are all discussing the weird intricacies of the current thai visa schemes, hoping to get back, when these new visas are clearly not meant for general tourism, but basically to formally accommodate a tiny sliver of people who fell through the cracks, business people, and rich Chinese flying in on their own chartered flights. General tourism in Thailand is dead right now and don't expect it to come back this year. When the tourist-centric businesses start feeling the pain early next year is probably when they'll start getting more open to letting tourists back in.
All of these rules and such are specifically them telling the travel community, but in an eastern way: Tourism is not happening right now, you can't come.... unless you're rich with business here of course, then we've got a way. They're just taking care of their high rollers.Seems they don't want to open up to general tourism while there is the possibility of even a single infection coming in. Good luck with that. Even with vaccines it will be years before the world is free of Covid 19 if even then. Meanwhile Thailand's tourism infrastructure becomes moribund with the real possibility it will take years to recover. It's not as if there are no other destination options for travelers. So what will change the mindset of the uniforms? Public opinion? If you can believe the polls seems Thais are happy with the way things are. Umm really. Economics? More likely in my opinion. GDP shrinking, fiscal deficits soaring, banks straining under NPL's from failing businesses, unemployment in the millions. Sooner or later they will have to come to their senses and open up with a strategy of testing and containing. As somebody who is enjoying the mongering benefits of little or no competition I feel for the girls back in their villages with no income to support themselves or their families.
P.S. Monty Python couldn't have dreamed up the fiasco with the plane load of Chinese tourists that never existed.
LittleBigMan
10-13-20, 07:51
I still don't know why you are all discussing the weird intricacies of the current thai visa schemes, hoping to get back, when these new visas are clearly not meant for general tourism, but basically to formally accommodate a tiny sliver of people who fell through the cracks, business people, and rich Chinese flying in on their own chartered flights. General tourism in Thailand is dead right now and don't expect it to come back this year. When the tourist-centric businesses start feeling the pain early next year is probably when they'll start getting more open to letting tourists back in.
All of these rules and such are specifically them telling the travel community, but in an eastern way: Tourism is not happening right now, you can't come.... unless you're rich with business here of course, then we've got a way. They're just taking care of their high rollers.In all due respect I'm curious? " General Tourism " this thread was created years ago for a specific reason but like all the others threads topic can't be contain exactly nor perfectly so what exactly would you consider should be in this thread " General " your comment although valid just adds to the continuation of the discussion which makes you part of the problem if there is one? "General Tourism" that pretty much pin point as to why it is being discussed because like most stuff not all people can understand the weird intricacies of the current Thai visa schemes so it has to be discussed over and over again. Right now especially with things being closed there really isn't much to talk about?
Nothing personal didn't mean to turn your comments into sour grapes?
Pimpampoumpipo
10-13-20, 11:32
In fact the plane filled with Chinese that was to land in Phuket was empty.
Probably the reason it was canceled.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1187024-stv-not-a-single-chinese-person-actually-applied-for-a-special-visa-tat-supplied-list-of-names/
No Chinese, nor any tourist in the world, wants the STV visa with its delusional conditions (quarantine, insurance, bank deposit, .).
The other point is the question about the credibility of advertisements which contradict each other from one day to the next. How to trust?
Finally, how to get into cumbersome and complicated procedures, buy plane tickets, book a hotel or condo, buy insurance at an exorbitant price with a great chance that it will not succeed?
LittleBigMan
10-13-20, 13:33
The real truth is not one Chinese even applied! The Knuckle head that came up with the STV must be hiding behind a rock right now, has company with the fool in Rayong who suggested giving visa to those who want to do a prison tour.
Banana Boi
10-13-20, 16:31
I still don't know why you are all discussing the weird intricacies of the current thai visa schemes, hoping to get back, when these new visas are clearly not meant for general tourism,Agree that it appears any glimmer of hope we may have of getting in to Thailand is squashed by Thai Immigration before it becomes reality. Even for those who have an Elite Visa, own property in Thailand, or have a Thai spouse. However, imo discussion of how one is able to get back in to Thailand is the single most important topic there is right now for a Thailand sex board. Other than a small handful of members who are still in Thailand, reading any reviews online only matters if we can actually get back in to Thailand. Someone like ET, Goat, Mr. E, or MP may post face pics of the hottest girl in Thailand giving great PSE / GFE service at 1500 baht per night but what does that really matter to the rest of us who can't actually see the girl because we can't get in to Thailand!
I wasn't meaning to be a dick, and yes, basically nothing is going on right now to talk about. But I dunno, it seems like there might be something more useful than a failed thai visa scheme intended for not regular people is better -- like is there anything upcoming that might actually be useful? Thailand sure seems like its basically on lockdown for foreigners right now. Like, hell, especially for people there, what news is there on tourists coming back that we don't see on from the outside or has anyone got back and done the 14-day situation and intend to stay long (er) term? Are businesses failing hard yet? Especially I can see the south and islands economies getting trashed, but for many thais, they will see good and bad there, especially with how many foreigners own a lot of the tourist infrastructure.
Hell I mean if anything comes out of this visa situation good, maybe it will be them permanently extending the general thai tourist visa to 90 days without any extra work.
Pimpampoumpipo
10-13-20, 19:48
The real truth is not one Chinese even applied! The Knuckle head that came up with the STV must be hiding behind a rock right now, has company with the fool in Rayong who suggested giving visa to those who want to do a prison tour."Measures to arrive in China: In addition, all arrivals from overseas are subject to quarantine for a period of 14 days in a place designated by local authorities. ".
Who are the Chinese nationals who will agree to do 14 days of quarantine to arrive in Thailand and another 14 days of quarantine to return to China?
I find it difficult to understand the decisions of the Thai government. Most of the countries of Asia, Australia and New Zealand are hermetically sealed and do not want any arrival or under draconian conditions. But the Thai government continues to believe that it will be able to bubble travel with countries that have no covid cases and that tourists will flock.
They should open the borders to Europe and the USA who are the only ones who can and want to come to Thailand ^^
"Measures to arrive in China: In addition, all arrivals from overseas are subject to quarantine for a period of 14 days in a place designated by local authorities. ".
Who are the Chinese nationals who will agree to do 14 days of quarantine to arrive in Thailand and another 14 days of quarantine to return to China?
I find it difficult to understand the decisions of the Thai government. Most of the countries of Asia, Australia and New Zealand are hermetically sealed and do not want any arrival or under draconian conditions. But the Thai government continues to believe that it will be able to bubble travel with countries that have no covid cases and that tourists will flock.
They should open the borders to Europe and the USA who are the only ones who can and want to come to Thailand ^^News reports are now coming out that the "150 Chinese from Guangzhou" was just a story that was made up to make it look like someone would actually utilize the "Special Tourist Visa". Total BS by the government to look like they were doing something about the lack of any foreign tourists.
In reality, we all just have to wait for vaccines to be developed and distributed to the civilized world. Seems that there were several setbacks on the vaccine trials that were reported in the business news like CNBC and Fox Business.
Patience folks, give it three or four months and we will all just be back to normal and everyone around the world will be smiling again and sending their Covid bills to China for payment.
Patience folks, give it three or four months and we will all just be back to normal and everyone around the world will be smiling again and sending their Covid bills to China for payment.That's wishful thinking. Early next year is when the first vaccine is expected to become available but then it has to be mass produced and distributed to the most vulnerable in society. I don't think many sex tourists would qualify. It's definitely not going to give anywhere near 100% protection. 50% protection is the threshold that the regulators will be using to approve it. As Thailand has boxed itself into the zero covid mentality, I can't see them accepting even vaccinated tourists and it's going to be 2022 before any vaccine is widely available in Thailand.
I just this Bangkok Post article that says Astrazeneca will be manufacturing their vaccine in Thailand and it should be available in the middle of next year but it's going to take months to produce enough doses and give them to enough people so I still think 2022 is a realistic target.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2001551/thailand-to-make-supply-covid-jab-by-astrazeneca
LittleBigMan
10-14-20, 12:36
As all of you know there are a number of vaccines being produced and tested from what I'm reading there are only two that are close which requires shots in the arm one of the leaders require two shots. USA And someone else has already team up throwing gambling billions in already producing something like 100 million plus before the final testing and numbers are in just to get ahead of the game. As noted front line first then old folks like myself? Does that mean as soon as it happens the doors are going to open we all know that answer.
With all the bone head ideas that go nowhere which aren't thought out nothing more than hot air I think the contract sign by Thailand with Britain (Oxford) to produce their vaccine has more light at the end of the tunnel why it is about money! If Thailand is going to produce any vaccine for anyone whether it works are not they got to standby it to keep Thailand close as they are doing now while prducing the vaccine is a slap in the face so I'm hoping and that is a big hope as long you have gotten the vaccine you can come without jumping through all the nonsense hoops and idea's now!
No vaccine is going to wipe things out but if it slows it down and allow the world to get on with business that is more hope than what these *******es are coming up with! Remember it isn't all up to Thailand anymore it is up to the Airline they can't just say we are flying tomorrow it take a good month to get ready.
As all of you know there are a number of vaccines being produced and tested from what I'm reading there are only two that are close which requires shots in the arm one of the leaders require two shots. USA And someone else has already team up throwing gambling billions in already producing something like 100 million plus before the final testing and numbers are in just to get ahead of the game. As noted front line first then old folks like myself? Does that mean as soon as it happens the doors are going to open we all know that answer.
With all the bone head ideas that go nowhere which aren't thought out nothing more than hot air I think the contract sign by Thailand with Britain (Oxford) to produce their vaccine has more light at the end of the tunnel why it is about money! If Thailand is going to produce any vaccine for anyone whether it works are not they got to standby it to keep Thailand close as they are doing now while prducing the vaccine is a slap in the face so I'm hoping and that is a big hope as long you have gotten the vaccine you can come without jumping through all the nonsense hoops and idea's now!
No vaccine is going to wipe things out but if it slows it down and allow the world to get on with business that is more hope than what these *******es are coming up with! Remember it isn't all up to Thailand anymore it is up to the Airline they can't just say we are flying tomorrow it take a good month to get ready.Yes, most of us on this forum are older, so I was assuming that we would be in the priority group to get the vaccines, when ever they are available. I am just being optimistic that we can look forward to vaccine availability here in the US in a few months. I can't estimate what the rest of the world is looking at, but I am sure the companies developing the vaccines will be racing with each other to get them approved and produced ASAP. The last folks getting their vaccine on the market may find themselves with a lot of inventory where ever they are in the world. Just hoping for the best and whistling Dixie until then!
LittleBigMan
10-15-20, 01:57
Yes, most of us on this forum are older, so I was assuming that would be in the priority group to get the vaccines, when ever they are available. I am just being optimistic that we can look forward to vaccine availability here in the US in a few months. I can't estimate what the rest of the world is looking at, but I am sure the companies developing the vaccines will be racing with each other to get them approved and produced ASAP. The last folks getting their vaccine on the market may find themselves with a lot of inventory where ever they are in the world. Just hoping for the best and whistling Dixie until then!I agree, even if something comes out in the fall the second wave of people will be basically those like myself on Medicare. CDC has already been authorized to run the distribution in the States and put out notices to business like Walgreen to apply for the license and equip their facilities to be able to store the vaccine at a specific temperature. I have been in touch with my cousin who runs one of the Veteran Hospital in the West coast with updates mostly I want to know the results when they start their distribution.
For me stuck here in Thailand I seriously doubt they will have it available but private hospital like Bangkok / Pattaya might be able to obtain but I'm sure the price will be high. If this is the case I will only shell out the money if the Thai government clear all their hurdles so I can move freely which means leaving Thailand and returning without all the hoops that are require now.
Is the vaccine a cure of course not but for Thailand leaders since they don't have a clue what is left or right need something to loosen the strings to freedom if they can believe in all their mumble jumble religious stuff and bubbles a Vaccine would be a miracle?
LittleBigMan
10-15-20, 01:58
I wasn't meaning to be a dick, and yes, basically nothing is going on right now to talk about. But I dunno, it seems like there might be something more useful than a failed thai visa scheme intended for not regular people is better -- like is there anything upcoming that might actually be useful? Thailand sure seems like its basically on lockdown for foreigners right now. Like, hell, especially for people there, what news is there on tourists coming back that we don't see on from the outside or has anyone got back and done the 14-day situation and intend to stay long (er) term? Are businesses failing hard yet? Especially I can see the south and islands economies getting trashed, but for many thais, they will see good and bad there, especially with how many foreigners own a lot of the tourist infrastructure.
Hell I mean if anything comes out of this visa situation good, maybe it will be them permanently extending the general thai tourist visa to 90 days without any extra work.That is a very excellent general response!
I agree, even if something comes out in the fall the second wave of people will be basically those like myself on Medicare. CDC has already been authorized to run the distribution in the States and put out notices to business like Walgreen to apply for the license and equip their facilities to be able to store the vaccine at a specific temperature. I have been in touch with my cousin who runs one of the Veteran Hospital in the West coast with updates mostly I want to know the results when they start their distribution.
For me stuck here in Thailand I seriously doubt they will have it available but private hospital like Bangkok / Pattaya might be able to obtain but I'm sure the price will be high. If this is the case I will only shell out the money if the Thai government clear all their hurdles so I can move freely which means leaving Thailand and returning without all the hoops that are require now.
Is the vaccine a cure of course not but for Thailand leaders since they don't have a clue what is left or right need something to loosen the strings to freedom if they can believe in all their mumble jumble religious stuff and bubbles a Vaccine would be a miracle?If you are "stuck" in Thailand as a tourist and not living there on a retirement visa, you may want to raise the issue with the American Embassy in Bangkok to see if Medicare coverage will allow some sort of program to get vaccines to US citizens there. My friend is married to a Thai woman and lives outside of Bangkok. He is concerned if he would be able to get any kind of vaccine. He is worried that the Thai system of discriminating against "farang" will require an outrageous payment of some kind.
Yes, most of us on this forum are older, so I was assuming that we would be in the priority group to get the vaccines, when ever they are available. I am just being optimistic that we can look forward to vaccine availability here in the US in a few months. I can't estimate what the rest of the world is looking at, but I am sure the companies developing the vaccines will be racing with each other to get them approved and produced ASAP. The last folks getting their vaccine on the market may find themselves with a lot of inventory where ever they are in the world. Just hoping for the best and whistling Dixie until then!The vaccine has to be stored in the right conditions and then injected by trained medical personnel so it's not as if 100 million Americans can all be vaccinated within a few weeks. Medical personnel get it first, then the highly vulnerable with medical conditions. I think it's going to be late 2021 before healthy old guys like you get the vaccine.
LittleBigMan
10-15-20, 15:50
If you are "stuck" in Thailand as a tourist and not living there on a retirement visa, you may want to raise the issue with the American Embassy in Bangkok to see if Medicare coverage will allow some sort of program to get vaccines to US citizens there. My friend is married to a Thai woman and lives outside of Bangkok. He is concerned if he would be able to get any kind of vaccine. He is worried that the Thai system of discriminating against "farang" will require an outrageous payment of some kind.I understand your concern just a personal opinion the USA Embassy couldn't give a flying f--k what we want they can't even stand up to Big Joke when his adminitration was trying to shake down the major Embassy for a cut of the Income Letters. Every government talk about " Global " that has to do only with Trade, if they really meant it they would set up a program for those on USA Medicare to be used here if they can do it for the military it can easily be done here.
Like your friend if Thailand recognizes any vaccine that will be the opening we all need to be able to start to travel normally. But if you are here uwill pay a price certainly if they have a law on the books just past last year that they can charge different meaning higher prices for Foreigers usning their medical facilities even government hospital you will have to pay. If lucky my guess it would be somewhere 5-10,000 baht at a private hospital whether you like the W. H. O. Or not they have already step in to try to prevent it from happening let cross our finger and hope?
You are correct about distribution and handling the CDC is already ahead of the game and put out the word to major pharmacy like Walgreens to met the storage requirement one of the possible vaccine that requires the lowest temperature for storage from what I read on City Health Departments have such equipment. Like your friend I'm married here and if the Thai government says you get the vaccine and they allow me to travel and return pre-covid I will pay. I've already contacted my Medicare plan to advise them of my situation if I did have to pay for the vaccine here would my supplement plan cover the cost haven't heard yet.
Hang in there that is all we can do?
The vaccine has to be stored in the right conditions and then injected by trained medical personnel so it's not as if 100 million Americans can all be vaccinated within a few weeks. Medical personnel get it first, then the highly vulnerable with medical conditions. I think it's going to be late 2021 before healthy old guys like you get the vaccine.The J&J vaccine does not need to be refrigerated and is the third vaccine in the last stage trials, just six weeks behind the other two. The US government is paying up for all these trials and told the companies to start ramping up production in anticipation of approvals. So far, just a couple of reactions have paused the trials, but are expected to resume in a few days. The "bad reactions" may not be even related to the vaccine, but may have been pre-existing medical problems. The halt to the trials is precautionary, because the companies want to stop any future lawsuits as well. Heck, I am going to get all three if I can when they come out!
As for distribution, practically every pharmacy in the US will be giving out the shots. The US military and National Guard medical personnel will be plastering the entire population of the US with shots as well. The number of dosages of each vaccine is well over 300 million. That means which ever vaccine is approved first will have enough to hit the entire country population ASAP. Same goes with the other two vaccines in the pipeline right behind the "winner". The US is looking at nearly a BILLION shots to cover the US which has a population of 340 million. So don't worry, Trump does really know what he is doing!
As for distribution, practically every pharmacy in the US will be giving out the shots. The US military and National Guard medical personnel will be plastering the entire population of the US with shots as well. The number of dosages of each vaccine is well over 300 million. That means which ever vaccine is approved first will have enough to hit the entire country population ASAPJust for reference, the current estimate is that lower risk persons in the US may have to wait until 2022 for their vaccinations, while high(er) risk people may be able to get them early 2021. This is likely to change though when more is known about process and which vaccines are available and how they will be administered. But it looks like the fast track for approval is being set for multiple vaccines.
Just for reference, the current estimate is that lower risk persons in the US may have to wait until 2022 for their vaccinations, while high(er) risk people may be able to get them early 2021. This is likely to change though when more is known about process and which vaccines are available and how they will be administered. But it looks like the fast track for approval is being set for multiple vaccines.With old people the second priority (the first priority being first responders and medical personnel), us old fogies can look to vaccine availability in early 2021. The first priority folks will be pretty much vaccinated within weeks due to their proximity to the distribution points and necessity. Once at a hospital for example, it would take only days to get all the people working there and patients vaccinated. Same goes for first responders as well. Pfizer said today that with expedited clearances and approvals, they were looking at distribution before the end of the year in the US!
PedroMorales
10-17-20, 10:41
Hopefully Big Pharma will do well with all the mugs taking their shots. There is deep suspicion of such vaccines because they have been used for nefarious purposes in the past. I, for one, will be taking no shots as I do not want dangerous, unknown substances in my body. I follow the vaccine / Big Pharma debate on appropriate sites.
This is the LBFM General Reports section. Enjoy your colour revolution. Ain't no vaccine for that.
LittleBigMan
10-17-20, 11:14
With old people the second priority (the first priority being first responders and medical personnel), us old fogies can look to vaccine availability in early 2021. The first priority folks will be pretty much vaccinated within weeks due to their proximity to the distribution points and necessity. Once at a hospital for example, it would take only days to get all the people working there and patients vaccinated. Same goes for first responders as well. Pfizer said today that with expedited clearances and approvals, they were looking at distribution before the end of the year in the US!We can only speculate so much personally I hope it happens by the end of the year although I'm here in Thailand. Sure there is certainly going to be even a bigger debate as to whether it is effective enough and that is where Thailand comes into the picture as to whether they are going to open their borders without having to play all their games? Is the effectiveless result will happen fast enough for them to let down all their barriers and open their borders for travel internationally pre-covid with just a certification you had gotten the vaccine?
PedroMorales
10-17-20, 11:26
Here is an article summarising the current protests and current attitudes to the current monarch: https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/thailands-king-wears-out-his-welcome?fbclid=IwAR0xcga5Q_hiwMWD0jPcQLZcnatsJjuRPkmY606brpfqptpRSYaVukl3qV0.
If you are interested in Thailand, you should read it as there is a lot of violence around the corner. The Thais have had enough and I imagine the farang will have a heavy toll to pay. The article seems very informed, much more so than LBFMs and those who idolise them.
We can only speculate so much personally I hope it happens by the end of the year although I'm here in Thailand. Sure there is certainly going to be even a bigger debate as to whether it is effective enough and that is where Thailand comes into the picture as to whether they are going to open their borders without having to play all their games? Is the effectiveless result will happen fast enough for them to let down all their barriers and open their borders for travel internationally pre-covid with just a certification you had gotten the vaccine? Difficult to say. If you look at the flu vaccine, its effectiveness is between 10 and 70 percent depending on the year. 30-50% is the norm. To get regulatory approval the covid-19 vaccine needs to be 50% and I doubt that level of effectiveness would be enough to convince the Thais to open their borders. But most sources seem to think the covid-19 vaccine will be more effective, maybe 90% or more, so that together with much lower infection rates may be enough.
LittleBigMan
10-17-20, 15:16
Difficult to say. If you look at the flu vaccine, its effectiveness is between 10 and 70 percent depending on the year. 30-50% is the norm. To get regulatory approval the covid-19 vaccine needs to be 50% and I doubt that level of effectiveness would be enough to convince the Thais to open their borders. But most sources seem to think the covid-19 vaccine will be more effective, maybe 90% or more, so that together with much lower infection rates may be enough.I agree, but we are talking about the Thais up to now what have we been discussing? The nonsense the idea's etc etc they are desperate trying to put up a front as you noted norm but desperate people will do desperate things and overlooking the % I wouldn't be surprise one bit?
Member #4698
10-17-20, 16:13
At present there is a lot of dissent and internal pressure on the Thai Government to jump start the economy and therefore to open up the country. When the various vaccines (plural) begin to be distributed around the world these pressures to open up will be overwhelming. No one can say for sure what the Thai Government will do or how soon they will react. I have a hunch they will be slow to react and take their time. So be it. It is not like Thailand is the only country in the world with sexy, young girls to my liking. Thailand is still my 1st choice to travel to as soon as I receive the vaccine, but if the Thais still have restrictions in place when I am ready to travel I will go somewhere else and not think twice about it.
Like I have said in previous posts, Brazil is fully open now! As is the CR, Barbados, Zambia, Croatia, French Polynesia, and Ecuador to name a few. If I were 25, I would hop on a jet and be in Sao Paulo fucking sexy Latinas tomorrow. But I am not 25 and although I have a greater than 99.99% chance of surviving the Chinese Virus, I would not want to catch it and suffer through it, especially in a foreign country. A friend of mine recently underwent the virus. He complained of severe, debilitating headaches that seemed to never go away. But after 7 or 8 days of suffering the headaches went away and 12 days after contacting the virus he is 100% fine. But it was a harrowing experience. Something I would prefer to miss. 555.
So, I wait like most of us for the vaccine. But my point is that things will open up fast once vaccines (plural) become available. I hope Thailand chooses not to lag behind other viable girly nations, but that decision is up to them. Fortunately, I am not dependent on the policies of any one government, Thai, Philippines, Indonesian etc. So I will make my decision on where I go the moment I am cleared (vaccinated) for takeoff.
It will be a cold day in August in Thailand when the US embassy asks Medicare if they will reimburse American tourists or retirees for a Covid vaccine shot or the Thais would allow an introduction of 'some sort of (Medicare) program to get vaccines to US citizens there'.
If you are "stuck" in Thailand as a tourist and not living there on a retirement visa, you may want to raise the issue with the American Embassy in Bangkok to see if Medicare coverage will allow some sort of program to get vaccines to US citizens there. My friend is married to a Thai woman and lives outside of Bangkok. He is concerned if he would be able to get any kind of vaccine. He is worried that the Thai system of discriminating against "farang" will require an outrageous payment of some kind.
It will be a cold day in August in Thailand when the US embassy asks Medicare if they will reimburse American tourists or retirees for a Covid vaccine shot or the Thais would allow an introduction of 'some sort of (Medicare) program to get vaccines to US citizens there'.If we are of an age to qualify for Medicare and living/retired in Thailand with the pertinent visa, we are already required to have Thai-based health insurance. I assume most policy providers will get on board with subsidizing the cost of a Covid vaccine if not covering the cost of it 100% after one is approved and available. It would be in their interest to do so.
Pacific Cross added coverage for Covid to my approximately $140 USD per month in-patient (1,100,000 THB of coverage) and out-patient (40,000 THB of coverage) policy on the run between my renewals at no additional charge then or at my renewal date.
Franciscass
10-18-20, 07:39
Here is an article summarising the current protests and current attitudes to the current monarch: https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/thailands-king-wears-out-his-welcome?fbclid=IwAR0xcga5Q_hiwMWD0jPcQLZcnatsJjuRPkmY606brpfqptpRSYaVukl3qV0.
If you are interested in Thailand, you should read it as there is a lot of violence around the corner. The Thais have had enough and I imagine the farang will have a heavy toll to pay. The article seems very informed, much more so than LBFMs and those who idolise them.Not sure where you're presently residing Pedro but if in Thailand I would caution against sharing anti monarchy sentiments online. Not wise.
LittleBigMan
10-18-20, 08:15
If we are of an age to qualify for Medicare and living/retired in Thailand with the pertinent visa, we are already required to have Thai-based health insurance. I assume most policy providers will get on board with subsidizing the cost of a Covid vaccine if not covering the cost of it 100% after one is approved and available. It would be in their interest to do so.
Pacific Cross added coverage for Covid to my approximately $140 USD per month in-patient (1,100,000 THB of coverage) and out-patient (40,000 THB of coverage) policy on the run between my renewals at no additional charge then or at my renewal date.A correction? We aren't required as you noted for everyone on Medicare? Currently as far as I know it isn't required if you have a Retirement Extension Immigration O, which I have had for 15 years and it isn't required only Visa currently Immigration O-A!
A correction? We aren't required as you noted for everyone on Medicare? Currently as far as I know it isn't required if you have a Retirement Extension Immigration O, which I have had for 15 years and it isn't required only Visa currently Immigration O-A!You're right, I was just thinking of USA citizens over the age of 65 where Medicare coverage for a Covid vaccine was in question who are also O-A Non Immigrant long stay/retirement visa holders.
Here is an article summarising the current protests and current attitudes to the current monarch: https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/thailands-king-wears-out-his-welcome?fbclid=IwAR0xcga5Q_hiwMWD0jPcQLZcnatsJjuRPkmY606brpfqptpRSYaVukl3qV0.
If you are interested in Thailand, you should read it as there is a lot of violence around the corner. The Thais have had enough and I imagine the farang will have a heavy toll to pay. The article seems very informed, much more so than LBFMs and those who idolise them.I've been reading those reports with great interest. I remember when insulting the king could get you in jail. Now there are protests by thousands of Thais against the monarchy. Things are changing. Whither Thailand? Whither our hobby in its most favored destination?
PedroMorales
10-18-20, 17:03
I've been reading those reports with great interest. I remember when insulting the king could get you in jail. Now there are protests by thousands of Thais against the monarchy. Things are changing. Whither Thailand? Whither our hobby in its most favored destination?There are contrary reports too, saying the demos are small and foreign led. I see Thailand as being in play to contain China. The King is not helping. I would expect farang to find themselves literally in the firing line as the economy tanks. All this nonsense talk of a vaccine, when none exist for flus and people dispensing polio shots have been shot. The new normal is to get some providers and do things low key. A lot of Thais, I'd say, would love to see the back of Pattaya, the LBFMs and their lovers. Thailand is overdue an eruption.
Is this money ever used to help the Thai people?
Thailand Has a good economy. I always wonder why all the money goes.
PedroMorales
10-18-20, 21:58
I am very aware of the rules of lèse-majesté in Thailand. I once almost got lynched because taxi drivers thought I had insulted the Royal Flowers in Chiang Mai when King Bhumibol the Great ruled. I tired to save two Belgian arrested at gun point for defacing a 50 baht note with his head on it. I know the drill backwards. I am also ware of this web site's long standing policy towards King Bhumibol the Great. I am also aware of how King Bhumibol the Great became king when the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces surrendered.
I never even dreamed of insulting King Bhumibol the Great or watching The King and I (banned in Thailand).
However, King Bhumibol the Great is dead. He lived mostly in Hua Hin. This bloke is shacked up in Germany with 1000 Hi soc Thai hookers. It is all over international media. I am not making any positive or negative comment. Just saying the balloon is going up and it is not going to be pleasant.
Thailand is the Land of Smiles. But Pol Pot always smiled. It is going to be nasty. I was chatting to some Pattaya hookers tonight, They have nothing. Such people are dangerous. Guys here want to get a shot of some untested vaccine. There is no vaccine against machettes.
Not sure where you're presently residing Pedro but if in Thailand I would caution against sharing anti monarchy sentiments online. Not wise.
GettingFedUp
10-19-20, 06:29
I am also aware of how King Bhumibol the Great became king when the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces surrendered.Your awareness is flawed. The Japanese announced their surrender in August 1945 and the surrender agreement was signed on 2 September 1945. King Bhumibol became king when his brother died "in mysterious circumstances" on 9 June 1946. There's plenty of conflicting reading matter and conspiracy theories out there about these "Mysterious circumstances" but I've never seen any linking it to the Imperial Japanese occupation of (or alliance with, depending on viewpoint) Thailand during WW2.
Indeed neither of them were even in Thailand during WW2.
There is no vaccine against machettes.Machetes don't stop M16 rounds. Let us all hope it doesn't come to that this time.
I never even dreamed of insulting King Bhumibol the Great or watching The King and I (banned in Thailand)...The King and I might have been banned decades ago but not for the past several years. I have a great blu-ray disc of the 1956 musical version with Yul Brynner that includes Thai subtitles that I bought openly displayed on the shelf at a Thai owned home video store in Fortune Town mall at mrt Phra Ram 9. It is not censored or edited in any way from its original USA theatrical release. The girls love it. I must have watched it a half dozen times with different Thai girls here.
I understand there was some sensitivity about it in the past. But there is only one sequence in it that I could see being taken as insulting to the King's intelligence. A funny bit where, due to her superior English language skills, he dictates a letter to the English school teacher offering to send "two male elephants" to then President Lincoln to be released into the American wild so they can produce a herd of elephants to help him win the Civil War. She interrupts and tells him he might not really mean "two male elephants". He looks puzzled, dismisses her and walks away with "you fix up the details!"
On the surface that bit of comedy could be taken as insulting his intelligence, as though the King did not know it takes a male and a female to make a baby. Highly unlikely. But I think the author actually based the joke on a Thai language quirk that does not differentiate between male and female genders. For example, there is one word in Thai for girlfriend OR boyfriend ("fan"). And many times Thais refer to "she/her" when they really mean "he/him" and vice versa because their language does not generally differentiate in that way. There is a brief allusion to that language quirk earlier in the movie when the female English teacher is addressed a couple of times as "Sir."
I suppose the offence to the King could have been that Yul Brynner was not Thai. But it seems they have gotten over it as it is on the home video version at least.
Also, there are more recent live action (non Thai actor playing the King) and animated versions of The King and I that have played on Netflix Thailand off and on over the years.
Oh, one interesting side note about The King and I is the King's number one son in that story, the one Brynner's King hands the reigns of power to as he is dying and the new young King immediately begins to decree a more liberal demeanor with regard to royalty by the royal subjects is King Chulalongkorn, the King for whom a notable universitiy, hospital, etc in Bangkok are named.
I've been reading those reports with great interest. I remember when insulting the king could get you in jail. Now there are protests by thousands of Thais against the monarchy. Things are changing. Whither Thailand? Whither our hobby in its most favored destination?
While there are plenty of good reasons to protests, lets not be naive on why these protests are happening now and and who is fueling them...
First look at National Endowment for Democracy and other similar structures which have been created under Reagan to takeover the job from the CIA into destabilising other country but using democracy as an excuse to make it popular in the media.
https://williamblum.org/chapters/rogue-state/trojan-horse-the-national-endowment-for-democracy
Second look at how Mike Pompeo, former director of the CIA and current state secretary has been pressuring asian countries to take sides in the US vs China cold war.
Third look at the proximity of the thai protests with the HK protests in terms of methods, in terms of wording, and look at how close the leaders have been both online and in real life through meetings with US third parties medling.
PedroMorales
10-19-20, 08:27
So, finally we can discuss The King and I, and the opinion of LBFM movie buffs. This site never disappoints. Life has moved on since the Japanese surrendered (in Thailand, if not the Dutch east Indies and French Indo China). We also see posters up to speed on the see hina Containment game and others talking about AR15's / MI6's v machetes and bamboo spears. We all know when Thais fist fight, you should not join in. I'll be giving the AR15's, MI6's, machetes and bamboo spears a miss and thinking of those farangs who think a jab of a needle in Pattaya can allow them party on.
PedroMorales
10-19-20, 09:29
The King and I might have been banned decades ago but not for the past several years. I have a great blu-ray disc of the 1956 musical version with Yul Brynner that includes Thai subtitles that I bought openly displayed on the shelf at a Thai owned home video store in Fortune Town mall at mrt Phra Ram 9. It is not censored or edited in any way from its original USA theatrical release. The girls love it. I must have watched it a half dozen times with different Thai girls here..Good on you to keep the women happy with some good wholesome entertainment. Their tastes do tend to be simple, quite like my own. I miss Thermae, heaving with hookers as Maggie May plays.
While there are plenty of good reasons to protests, lets not be naive on why these protests are happening now and and who is fueling them...
First look at National Endowment for Democracy and other similar structures which have been created under Reagan to takeover the job from the CIA into destabilising other country but using democracy as an excuse to make it popular in the media.
https://williamblum.org/chapters/rogue-state/trojan-horse-the-national-endowment-for-democracy
Second look at how Mike Pompeo, former director of the CIA and current state secretary has been pressuring asian countries to take sides in the US vs China cold war.
Third look at the proximity of the thai protests with the HK protests in terms of methods, in terms of wording, and look at how close the leaders have been both online and in real life through meetings with US third parties medling.It seems you're the naive one. Thailand has been a US proxy state since WW2. The current elite built up its position with American financial and military backing. So do you really think the CIA are going to waste time with student protests when they already have their assets embedded in the establishment?
Of course students are going to get sick of a corrupt elite brainwashing them with an absurd authoritarian ideology and trampling over their rights and freedoms. And it's not surprising they're going to look over to what happened in Hong Kong and try to learn from them. They call it the Milk Tea Alliance. Your belief that this must be down to "foreign meddling" is straight from the trick book of the Chinese Communist Party.
It seems you're the naive one. Thailand has been a US proxy state since WW2. The current elite built up its position with American financial and military backing. So do you really think the CIA are going to waste time with student protests when they already have their assets embedded in the establishment?I'm really well aware of the ties between Thailand and the US for the past decades.
It doesn't change the orientation Thailand took in the more recent years and the fact it refused to side with the US against China but instead chose to embrace China as one of its most important partners.
Your belief that this must be down to "foreign meddling" is straight from the trick book of the Chinese Communist Party.Who cares about the trick book from CCP. You may dislike the CCP and yet open yourself to the idea that at the same time the USA has a specific agenda.
Its not like the US has been secret about this agenda.
The coalition Pompeo is trying to build in Asia against China is also public knowledge.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/06/asia/pompeo-china-japan-asia-intl-hnk/index.html
The financing of several Hong Kong groups through the national endowment for democracy is also public knowledge since the NED funding is documented through different votes as its itself funded by the american gov through votes / budgets.
The meetings between the american officials and various parties in HK have been also documented and proven by the american press.
And yes there have been ties with these activists in HK with Taiwan activists and Thailand activists.
If you wish to believe they are just a group of buddies who met on facebook/line by mistake and found common ground and suddenly decided to start mass protest, enjoy the cool story...
Again, opening yourself to the US interests in these events does not mean you believe the Chinese Communist Party to be the saviour of the world. I spend a lot of time in China too, not just thailand, and have a pretty good understanding of how things can be at times for the common people... so I don't need a reality check on that. That being said in a cold war you have 2 sides and both sides can be pretty narrow minded. Saying mccarthysm in the US has been excessive at times or the use of the CIA in various parts of the world did a lot of bad things doesn't mean you love Russia and fall for their propaganda. Its not all white or all black...
PedroMorales
10-19-20, 13:14
And yes there have been ties with these activists in HK with Taiwan activists and Thailand activists.
You wish to believe they are nice kids whom added each other on facebook or line and there is no larger scale financing or agenda behing, more power to you.As I've known quite a lot of middle class HKers over the years, I was shocked to see them torching people. Somebody has got those nice folk to a situation where they torch people to death, I don't mind being John Rambo but even Rambo knows when to get out of town.
Member #4698
10-23-20, 21:08
Has anyone broken up the long flight into 2 or 3 shorter legs with overnight layover? Would love to go but don't think I could handle the long flight.I used to enjoy laying over for a couple of nights in Amsterdam on my way to and from Thailand. I liked the Coffee shops and then doing the shop girls stoned on nederhash. I have not flown the trans European route in a long time, ultimately preferring the longer trans Pacific route, but I am sure that post pandemic USA. AMS- BKK will be available again. The shortest duration USA transpacific route is to either Manila or Hong Kong. Hong Kong now sucks and I will never lay over there again, but Manila is a great place to stop off for a few days on the way to BKK.
Banana Boi
10-24-20, 05:13
Has anyone broken up the long flight into 2 or 3 shorter legs with overnight layover? Would love to go but don't think I could handle the long flight.Moved response here from the Pattaya thread as the query is not Pattaya specific. I see Natty already had the same thoughts.
I think guys don't do overnight layovers on their way to Thailand because I find a short 2 or 3 day layover in another country like Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei, etc. Would have more expensive flights. They also may have only 2 weeks vacation and want to spend every minute possible getting Thai pussy. None of us enjoy long flights. Why would we?
If I have a short layover of 1 or 3 hours I try looking for an extended layover of 6 or 8 hours and sleep for a few hours at an airport hotel. That way when I arrive in Thailand I'm ready to roll immediately.
If I have a short layover of 1 to 3 hours I try looking for an extended layover of 6 or 8 hours and sleep for a few hours at an airport hotel. That way when I arrive in Thailand I'm ready to roll immediately.This is a good strategy if you arrive in Thailand after sundown. But I prefer a shorter layover (no more than 3 hours) and an arrival just after sunrise. Landing at that hour always gives me a boost, no matter how long the journey or how little sleep I got along the way. I feel fine as I deal with immigration, collect my bags, clear customs, buy my SIM card, change money and find my driver. Maybe a stop on the way to Pattaya for a coffee or a Red Bull. Still feeling fine, I check into my quarters (because I'm not a Cheap Charlie and I pay for the extra night). At this point it's still only midday, which gives me time to go shopping and have a bite of lunch. About 1500 I usually start to feel sleepy, and take a two or three hour combat nap. I get up around 1800 ready for a night on the town. Not a late night. But a night where I'm rested enough to have fun (provided I don't drink too much).
Obviously there's no escaping jet lag. So the next morning will find me up earlier than I'd prefer. But I make the best of it by getting outside and walking to Casa Pascal for the terrific breakfast buffet, which goes a long way toward resetting my body clock.
The shortest duration USA transpacific route is to either Manila or Hong Kong. Hong Kong now sucks and I will never lay over there again, but Manila is a great place to stop off for a few days on the way to BKK.I would always spend 2 nights in Hong Kong on the way to BKK enabling me to be fresh upon BKK arrival. Last year I flew non-stop LA to Osaka, then to BKK. Osaka is a great stopover. I plan to stopover in Taipei next time. Not a fan of Tokyo. I would prefer to stop in Manila but it's hard to get there non-stop from the west coast. I prefer not to fly Philippine Air for a long flight. Natty, I'm guessing Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei are shorter transpacific flights from the west coast than HKG or Manila.
HorseTrader
10-25-20, 21:10
As with everything in life, there is a trade off between comfort and money.
Upgrading your seat from economy to premium economy may cost an extra 50%, but for me it is much more comfortable. I used to fly Korean Air, but they don't offer that class. For me, Cathay Pacific and Delta offer premium economy and affordable prices.
In years gone by, my long business trips were in business class. Felt as fresh upon arrival as I did before departure. I might spring for that sometime in the future. Cost is about 5 times that of economy.
Minimize your total travel time from home to BKK. For me, this means taking an airport shuttle or Uber to an airport 70 miles from home instead of the airport 25 miles from home. This way I can get 2 legs to BKK instead of 3. Saves about 3 hours total travel time for me. It also eliminates the chances of flight delays associated with a 3rd leg. My first ever personal trip to BKK was 3 legs and the first leg was delayed, which screwed my entire trip. Didn't get my luggage until day 3 in BKK.
For layovers longer than about 5 hours, you might find sleeping pods in your transfer airport. Longer than 8 hour layover might warrant a day room at your transfer airport hotel.
Upon arrival in BKK I’m exhausted. I check into my hotel but cant sleep. A quick piece of ass at a place like Doki Doki completes the journey and I sleep perfectly for about 10 hours.
Member #4698
10-26-20, 04:14
I would always spend 2 nights in Hong Kong on the way to BKK enabling me to be fresh upon BKK arrival. Last year I flew non-stop LA to Osaka, then to BKK. Osaka is a great stopover. I plan to stopover in Taipei next time. Not a fan of Tokyo. I would prefer to stop in Manila but it's hard to get there non-stop from the west coast. I prefer not to fly Philippine Air for a long flight. Natty, I'm guessing Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Taipei are shorter transpacific flights from the west coast than HKG or Manila.I used to enjoy 2-night layovers in HKG too, but that was a long time ago when there used to be rockin' bars filled with hot Viet, Thai, Korean, and even Mongolian girls. HKG used to be great, but not anymore! I went back to HKG for the last 2 nights of my 2018 Fall Trip. The Wanchai bar scene was dismal. I did not see 1 doable girl. I arrived at the bar scene on a prime Friday night in Early November and every single FL girl I saw was friendly, fat, over 35 way past her prime, and from the PI. Now, I had just arrived in HKG after 10 nights in MNL and 5 nights in Macau shagging hot, young, Burgos Bar girls in MNL and supermodel Chinese and Korean girls in Macau, so the difference I saw in Wanchai was truly shocking. 555.
The HKG bar scene was so bad that around 1:30 am I gave up, grabbed some late night dinner, and went back to my hotel room empty handed. It was the only time that happened on my entire 75-day trip. The next night, the final night of the trip, I gave up on the bar scene and I booked an attractive Taiwanese 141.com hotel reservation girl for 1700 HK dollars. The girl was friendly and session was good, but was not completely satisfied. Note: this all occurred before the "disturbances" and later the Mainland crackdown. I don't think HKG will ever recover and I know I will never lay over there again, but I will always remember the good times and the fabulous girls I had there prior to 2011!
I have never laid over in Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, or Taipei. From what I have heard over the year, s it can be very challenging to monger in Seoul and please correct me if I am wrong, but unless you are fluent in Japanese or have a Japanese friend along to take you around, you will never get into the best bordellos and clubs or have a chance to meet the top girls. Taipei sounds interesting, however. I have never been there, so I might go one day to find out what's what. If you go, let me know if you liked the place.
And then there is Macau. I really like Macau. It is or was, pre-pandemic, ridiculously expensive, but some of the top sauna girls were nothing short of spectacular and the sex was most times right on too. I used to enter SE Asia through HKG, spend 2 or 3 nights there, and then take the ferry to Macau for 5 nights before heading to Thailand or the PI. What a great way to start or end a trip. I hope all the saunas reopen after the Pandemic.
My plan for my next big trip, to make up for all of 2020, will be to fly into MNL (spend 10 days), then Macau (5 nights), LOS (BKK 6 weeks / Pattaya 2 weeks), a visa run to Phnom (5 or 6 nights) and then finish up in Jakarta for 3 weeks. Now all this is contingent upon the venues in each of these destinations re-opening and being viable again by the time I get vaccinated and am ready to fly. It may turn out only Thailand is back up and running or Thailand and Cambodia only. It may turn out Thailand remains closed in which case I am going to Brazil. Fuck it! We all will just have to wait for the vaccine and then what's happening.
NB.
Member #4698
10-26-20, 14:30
As with everything in life, there is a trade off between comfort and money.
Upgrading your seat from economy to premium economy may cost an extra 50%, but for me it is much more comfortable. I used to fly Korean Air, but they don't offer that class. For me, Cathay Pacific and Delta offer premium economy and affordable prices.
In years gone by, my long business trips were in business class. Felt as fresh upon arrival as I did before departure. I might spring for that sometime in the future. Cost is about 5 times that of economy.
Minimize your total travel time from home to BKK. For me, this means taking an airport shuttle or Uber to an airport 70 miles from home instead of the airport 25 miles from home. This way I can get 2 legs to BKK instead of 3. Saves about 3 hours total travel time for me. It also eliminates the chances of flight delays associated with a 3rd leg. My first ever personal trip to BKK was 3 legs and the first leg was delayed, which screwed my entire trip. Didn't get my luggage until day 3 in BKK.
For layovers longer than about 5 hours, you might find sleeping pods in your transfer airport. Longer than 8 hour layover might warrant a day room at your transfer airport hotel.
Upon arrival in BKK Im exhausted. I check into my hotel but cant sleep. A quick piece of ass at a place like Doki Doki completes the journey and I sleep perfectly for about 10 hours.Extra legroom or premium economy is the way to go. United offers these seats as well as Delta and Cathay Pacific. I like Delta, especially on flights to MNL. United seems better for flights to BKK, Singapore or CGK. The problem with Delta is many of their trans-pacific flights are on Korean air and as you pointed out, there is no extra legroom on Korean Air, although many times I luck out with with an empty middle seat.
I also recommend getting an Ambien prescription from your doctor before the flight. I take 1 Ambien 10 MG pill and wash it down with a bloody Mary after dinner service with about 8 hours remaining on the flight. Twenty minutes later I am asleep for the next 5 hours.
Usually my flights arrive in MNL or BKK around 10/10:30 pm and although I am tired, I am not sleepy. Swampy or MNL Immigration, taxi, check in to my hotel room, take a shit, shave, shower, change of clothes and I am ready for action. Local time is a little after midnight. I Find a girl, we get it on, girl leaves around 2:30 am. I take another Ambien, watch TV, and I am back asleep in La LA land in 20 minutes. I wake up, it is 7:30 am to 8 am, Sun is out, no jet lag, and I am ready for the day. I text one of my regulars. Tell her I am in town. Confirm our reunion for the evening. My only issue is can I refrain from going to an oily in the afternoon or not.
I hear what you are saying a concerning hub airports, but for me living in South Florida, I detest Miami International Airport. They treat travelers like dog shit, so I prefer departing from FLL or PBI. I might gain 90 minutes on the longer flight duration, but I get it back with less travel time to the airport and a better experience in the airport once I get there regarding airline check in and airport security. To each his own, I guess.
Yes, I totally agree with you about Hong Kong and Wanchai. I have only been twice on layovers but the hotels and even AIR is quite expensive. Plus the P4 P girls are not all that great. I had a miserable experience with a Mongolian girl partially out of late night desperation. Met her in a popular bar but can't remember the name.
On one trip, I spent about $80 for a walk up broom closet but it was next to the ferry to Macau where I went the following day. Macau is expensive too but I did find a modern and hip type hotel for a reasonable Price under $100. Don't think they allowed guests but that was fine because the spas are so amazing there. I found out later that many of the spas it's possible to stay over as they have some dorm type rooms or sleep on the BarcaLounger. But, wow!, the ladies there are fantastic. I went to Familia Nobre but several other choices as well. Unfortunately, much of old Macao has been leveled and much of the island resembles a water bound Vegas with expensive hotels and casinos catering to the Chinese. There is a very small old section of Macau but Nothing to see culturally or of much historic significance except the old facade of St. Paul church.
I usually stop in Taipei from west coast of US via Eva Air but connections are good so carry on direct to Bangkok. I also generally travel to SEAsia in late December and the weather is always foggy and rainy in Taipei that time of year but would still like to check it out though there is no real club or bar scene like BKK or so I have been informed.
Banana Boi
10-27-20, 05:21
That French lady caught Covid from interacting with infected gym equipment in Pooket.French lady goes to Thailand. She satisfies the quarantine period and is now symptom free. Then she goes to a gym and catches COVID. Thailand's population is 70 million people and she is one of 135 active cases in all of Thailand. Pretty unlucky for her. If my rough math is correct without a calculator it's 500,000:1 odds she catches COVID.
French lady goes to Thailand. She satisfies the quarantine period and is now symptom free. Then she goes to a gym and catches COVID. Thailand's population is 70 million people and she is one of 135 active cases in all of Thailand. Pretty unlucky for her. If my rough math is correct without a calculator it's 500,000:1 odds she catches COVID.The rumour is that she's actually a Thai woman married to a French man but arrived on her French passport, which is why they're referring to her as a French woman.
French lady goes to Thailand. She satisfies the quarantine period and is now symptom free. Then she goes to a gym and catches COVID. Thailand's population is 70 million people and she is one of 135 active cases in all of Thailand. Pretty unlucky for her. If my rough math is correct without a calculator it's 500,000:1 odds she catches COVID.Hmmm. Interesting, nice catch!
Either that or as another BM noted. Maybe not all Thai covid case numbers are what they seem.
ChuchoLoco
10-27-20, 19:06
Moved response here from the Pattaya thread as the query is not Pattaya specific. I see Natty already had the same thoughts.
I think guys don't do overnight layovers on their way to Thailand because I find a short 2 or 3 day layover in another country like Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei, etc. Would have more expensive flights. They also may have only 2 weeks vacation and want to spend every minute possible getting Thai pussy. None of us enjoy long flights. Why would we?
If I have a short layover of 1 or 3 hours I try looking for an extended layover of 6 or 8 hours and sleep for a few hours at an airport hotel. That way when I arrive in Thailand I'm ready to roll immediately.Lots of seasoned travellers with excellent advices.
One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.
Thanks in advance.
Member #4698
10-27-20, 20:42
One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.I was in Istanbul a long, long time ago. It is very a interesting city from a cultural & culinary perspective and a good layover candidate for that reason, but I very much doubt the girly scene in Istanbul today has much to write home about.
Turkish Air can hook you right up: ORD. IST - BKK. They have just what you are looking for and currently at bargain prices on relatively short durations.
ChuchoLoco
10-27-20, 22:17
Lots of seasoned travellers with excellent advices.
One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.
Thanks in advance.There are flights with one stop in Qatar. Cost now is around $850 RT. Total time 13 hours and so, e minutes including layover. At least there is an alternative but really not saving a whole lot of hours but it may work for me. Chicago to Istanbul is about 9 hours. Got to check price. Probably will end up double of a cheap Chicago to Bannon.
Thanks again everyone. I'll probably end up in Colombia for now and when I visit family in eastern Europe, I have an option to get to Thailand.
One last question. Anyone ever go to Thailand from Istanbul? I could handle a nonstop from Chicago to Istanbul with some meds, no diapers hopefully and then fly to Thailand assuming Istanbul is about halfway.I've done Singapore to Istanbul which was pretty easy. If you have a star alliance gold card then you can use the huge lounge at Istanbul airport, which is really nice. Turkish airlines fly to lots of places, so getting connections through there is pretty easy. Not too bad of a place to have a couple of days stop over, all depends on how much time you have.
Flying East. West always seems to be the best with regards to minimising jetlag for me, no sure about others, so via Istanbul may make jetlag worse. Then again, if you arrive sometime in the afternoon and head straight out then jetlag won't be an issue.
Whn are you planning to go to BKK, at the moment it's effectively closed for tourist and is likely to sty that way for some time.
I usually stop in Taipei from west coast of US via Eva Air but connections are good so carry on direct to Bangkok. I also generally travel to SEAsia in late December and the weather is always foggy and rainy in Taipei that time of year but would still like to check it out though there is no real club or bar scene like BKK or so I have been informed.Taipei is a must see as it is mini version of China. I like the food in night markets and seafood restaurants. There are plenty of expat domestic workers who hang around central station on sundays. I hooked up with a girl from Indonesia. There are lots of things to see and places to visit. Transportation infrastructure is very good. Unlike China there is not much prostitution out in the open. There are local clubs and bars but on a westerner point view hard to mingle unless you have a local friend.
I like Eva Air. Efficient clean and connections from taipei to other places are easy. Very good prices as well. Unlike Cathay Pacific planes are pretty new.
MichaelSamuel
10-29-20, 03:24
Thought I would throw my information in as well. I have been flying Cathay almost exclusively for the last 25 or so trips. Mostly I have managed to fly business using AA miles, asia miles, or points from citi or chase. I have also done the purchase AA miles to use them for cathay redemption which works out to RT business for a little over $2 k USD, NYC. BKK.
I also agree you should minimize connections as much as possible. I take the train, sometimes amtrak to LIRR to Airtrain to JFK just to avoid a connection and it's worth it to fly direct JFK-HKG even if it's costing me extra. Also key is to have some type of lounge access whether due to status or flight class or something like priority pass from a credit card. Having a more relaxed place to be before a flight or being able to shower when arriving is the perfect setup to being ready to go on arrival.
Personally I actually like the 15 hour flight compared to a flight of 6+. The reason for it is that I know I have 15 hours of peace without any news or internet. I can focus on a bad movie or a good book and both are rewarding when you can't get distracted by your phone. It of course helps that cathay service is great. My personal recipe for handling jetlag and maximizing energy for the girls. 1. Eat on schedule even if you aren't hungry. 2. stay hydrated and try to sleep as much as possible on the flight and change into pajamas before the flight even takes off. 3. Drugs, ambien for sleep and strong coffee in the mornings.
I usually then do a layover in Macau mostly due to the hotels being better and more affordable and the girl scene so easy with the spas, albeit expensive. Though sometimes while transitioning through HKG I have enjoyed the affordability of 141's. Food is also great and within the central neighborhood between the ferry and airport express there are good restaurants and 141's available.
I have also done stopovers in Tokyo which are great as well but I used the paradise soapy primarily. There is lots else to explore P4 P scene wise in Tokyo but for simple ease of access for non-japanese paradise is the way to go.
I did a stopover last year in UAE, but was really more of a stop for 5 nights. I flew in and out of Abu Dhabi, but rented a car and went to Dubai for first 4 nights. Driving was easy and car was cheap. Dubai wouldn't be a bad spot to stopover on another trip. Hotels were affordable, food a bit pricey, and girls somewhere in the middle between LOS and Macau but with more variety to try.
As with everything in life, there is a trade off between comfort and money.
Upgrading your seat from economy to premium economy may cost an extra 50%, but for me it is much more comfortable. I used to fly Korean Air, but they don't offer that class. For me, Cathay Pacific and Delta offer premium economy and affordable prices.
In years gone by, my long business trips were in business class. Felt as fresh upon arrival as I did before departure. I might spring for that sometime in the future. Cost is about 5 times that of economy.
Minimize your total travel time from home to BKK. For me, this means taking an airport shuttle or Uber to an airport 70 miles from home instead of the airport 25 miles from home. This way I can get 2 legs to BKK instead of 3. Saves about 3 hours total travel time for me. It also eliminates the chances of flight delays associated with a 3rd leg. My first ever personal trip to BKK was 3 legs and the first leg was delayed, which screwed my entire trip. Didn't get my luggage until day 3 in BKK.
For layovers longer than about 5 hours, you might find sleeping pods in your transfer airport. Longer than 8 hour layover might warrant a day room at your transfer airport hotel.
Upon arrival in BKK Im exhausted. I check into my hotel but cant sleep. A quick piece of ass at a place like Doki Doki completes the journey and I sleep perfectly for about 10 hours.
Banana Boi
10-29-20, 05:34
Has anyone here taken a post-COVID international flight? Just wondering if there is still full meal service and beverages? If so, does that mean that whenever you have any sort of food or drink in your hand you do not need to wear a facemask? If so, I'll just be holding a bottled water in my hand the entire time. You're supposed to drink something every 10 minutes anyways to limit your chances on getting COVID.
Also, what constitutes a face mask? Does a face shield or neck gaiter qualify as a mask?
Has anyone here taken a post-COVID international flight? Just wondering if there is still full meal service and beverages? If so, does that mean that whenever you have any sort of food or drink in your hand you do not need to wear a facemask? If so, I'll just be holding a bottled water in my hand the entire time. You're supposed to drink something every 10 minutes anyways to limit your chances on getting COVID.
Also, what constitutes a face mask? Does a face shield or neck gaiter qualify as a mask?I just returned from a round trip on Delta to the USA. Delta was less than 10% full on every segment. I had an entire 9 person row to myself, going and returning. Jakarta to Seoul to Detroit.
Full food and beverage service provided.
I even scored an inexpensive Skymiles ticket.
Either facemask was acceptable. TSA was friendly!
Bule2004.
Has anyone here taken a post-COVID international flight? Just wondering if there is still full meal service and beverages? If so, does that mean that whenever you have any sort of food or drink in your hand you do not need to wear a facemask? If so, I'll just be holding a bottled water in my hand the entire time. You're supposed to drink something every 10 minutes anyways to limit your chances on getting COVID.
Also, what constitutes a face mask? Does a face shield or neck gaiter qualify as a mask?Not sure if it made the news here, but I will tell you that the airlines do not take the mask issue lightly. There have been more than a few pax removed for not following the rules, and if you put up a fuss, it just increases the odds you will be off loaded. I am not talking about fairness, or if it is necessary, I am just saying those are the policies and you are not required to follow them, but if you don't follow to the satisfaction of the crew you WILL be taken off the flight. It is all about making everyone else onboard feel safe, it is not about your comfort I will guarantee you!
Also, you won't have a bottle of water in your hand the entire time, because you are not allowed to pass security with a bottle of water in your carry on. If you fall asleep with the mask on, they will wake you and ask that you put a mask on, if you get up to go to the toilet, you will need to have your mask on. Do as you please, but you are not the one making the rules in this case.
BTW, I just returned from 4 months in the USA.
Having accelerated China's punishment before elections he now takes aim at Thailand.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-suspends-duty-free-access-022212941.html
How is this going to impact US mongers'relations with personnel in their favorite destination?
Having accelerated China's punishment before elections he now takes aim at Thailand.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-suspends-duty-free-access-022212941.html
How is this going to impact US mongers'relations with personnel in their favorite destination?None. I visited China several time in the last few years. The trade war had no effect on my abilities to get Chinese ladies to spread their legs. I even have a girlfriend who is a party member.
Banana Boi
11-02-20, 06:00
The Condo Association is trying to push a program where anyone who buys a condo worth 10 million baht receives residency status in Thailand. I'm sure most of you guys are richer than I am and can afford the $321k US price tag to get to go to Thailand.
I'm trying to understand these proposals. Rich people don't have COVID I guess.
LittleBigMan
11-02-20, 09:49
Having accelerated China's punishment before elections he now takes aim at Thailand.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-suspends-duty-free-access-022212941.html
How is this going to impact US mongers'relations with personnel in their favorite destination?It isn't going to have any large affect since Thailand had already made it choice as to the side they want to support although haven't come out in public to say it but their action surely has for some time! Personally living here I've been in support of this move for sometime and has even written to the trade commission as to why. Take Trump out of the conversation it is something that should have been done years ago and the delay of 2 plus years something they learn from China and the art of war. One only has to go to a place like Food land look on the shelves and see why they should have been on the list years ago plus even before the trade war China had already made arrangement with a number of large Thai companies to circumvent the USA Action by shipping products into Thailand then package it under a Thai company to get around the tariff going into the USA.
GettingFedUp
11-02-20, 17:12
The Condo Association is trying to push a program where anyone who buys a condo worth 10 million baht receives residency status in Thailand.Which at present means that someone outside Thailand can queue up for repatriation flights and pay for quarantine based on buying a new condo sight unseen for $300 k+. Of course the condo association will only want this to apply to new-build, so the buyer will have to wait for the development to be completed (if it ever is) to get in.
I'm trying to understand these proposals.Another translation would be "we have got no buyers, we want a bail-out".
Banana Boi
11-03-20, 05:26
the condo association will only want this to apply to new-build, so the buyer will have to wait for the development to be completed (if it ever is) to get in.Lots of newly built condos sitting empty now so there will be no wait. I almost bought one of these condos 4+ years ago that said something like 20 years residence Visa if you buy the new condo. At that time the condo in Jomtien was only about 4 million baht but it was way too small for me. I recall that it was priced about 1 million baht above market value.
GettingFedUp
11-03-20, 14:24
Lots of newly built condos sitting empty now so there will be no wait. I almost bought one of these condos 4+ years ago that said something like 20 years residence Visa if you buy the new condo. At that time the condo in Jomtien was only about 4 million baht but it was way too small for me. I recall that it was priced about 1 million baht above market value.I should have said "off plan". A lot of the empty newly built units that sensible people might live in (so not any of the Lumpini development 25-28 sqm boxes) are actually being resold by the developers on behalf of the speculators who bought off plan (for a chunky commission on the resale). These speculators are largely from a large, populous country to the north, the units aren't under foreign quota and dodgy Thai nominee companies were used to buy them.
Understand that most developments here don't even break ground until they have sold 50-70%.
As to a 20 year residence that can only be sales puff. Residence status is permanent in Thailand (and difficult to get). Maybe they were offering the top level Thai Elite (4 times 5 years for 2 mil) as the sweetener?
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