FlyingSloth

The U.S government treats our (non-rich) citizens like crap. Experienced it several times now when I went to U.S embassies overseas with basic requests.

BinSabai

do you think other countries' embassies are different? there are some exceptions though, but it depends on the according embassy and not the country...

travelinmanS

Yes, other countries embassies are different in my experience. Every western country’s embassy or consulate that I have worked with in my career has been a better experience than dealing with the US state department or commerce department employees I’ve encountered abroad. Sad to say this as an American, hopefully my experience is not the norm.

Kalboz

Cartoon posted by Richard Barrow: Enjoy you Phuket sandbox vacation!

Kalboz

New restrictions in Bangkok, other provinces announced

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...nces-announced

SKT-DK

Here we go again - anybody with just a tad of brain activity could have seen that coming... Guessing new nationwide measures next?

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...d-to-provinces

transpac

A government pandemic center spokesperson said Wednesday the number of infections could rise to 10,000 daily next week due to the more contagious Delta variant now spreading in Bangkok and beyond. @KHAosodEnglish



New Suvarnabhumi airport terminal to become Covid hospital

Authorities plan to convert a terminal at the main international airport into a field hospital as a surge in coronavirus infections that’s straining the public health system shows little sign of easing.

Airports of Thailand Plc, operator of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, has been asked to convert the newly completed terminal into a facility with an intensive-care unit, medical rooms and support for patients with mild to medium symptoms. The hospital will initially provide at least 5,000 patient beds, according to a government statement late Tuesday.

Medical facilities are already at capacity, and deaths could double by August if the outbreak doesn’t ease, Kumnuan Ungchusak, an expert in epidemiology and adviser to the Health Ministry said at a seminar last week. Most cases have emerged from Bangkok, which continues to report the most infections and deaths each day.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144959


Thailand may have infection numbers “3-4 times higher” than government-declared total

Experts say that Thailand may have Covid-19 infection numbers 3-4 times higher than the total number declared by the government per day, according to insiders within the healthcare sector.

According to a doctor at the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group, experts at the Private Hospitals Association meeting on Wednesday suggested that the real number of Covid-19 infections could be much higher than that being declared by the government.

“We have no idea what the total number is but it could literally be 3 to 4 times higher than what is being declared based on the statistics we have gathered at our hospitals,” the doctor said on condition of anonymity.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/29512/t...eclared-total/

SKT-DK

And meanwhile - the panic starts:

https://nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002942

If risking being put under quarantine because you were on the same flight as someone testing positive (who is supposed to be vaccinated and what now, true or false positive, does not matter), then I would imagine that is a deal breaker for most people. I for one have zero desire to visit Phuket any time soon, and I would be a domestic visitor (albeit one of those "dangerous" farangs..)...

BinSabai

other media state that he was a member of a group traveling together and the other members were put into ALQ hotels
can hardly imagine that they put the whole flight in ALQ hotels...

transpac

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Nikkei-COVID-19-Recovery-Index

transpac

pogonation

Looks pretty worrying indeed.

Does anyone here know what the rules are for Thai citizens going abroad. My friend is Thai but studied and lived in US for years so has US citizenship (and passport). Thought it would be nice to catch up somewhere in Europe as it’s easy for me (British) and might even find somewhere for them to get a J&J jab booked.

Does anyone know what the rules would be on leaving and returning? Presume there would be a mandatory quarantine on return or does it depend on the country visited?

BinSabai

Also Thai citizens have to stay 14 nights in a ASQ hotel and pay for it; it does not depend on the country they visit. The free state quarantine for Thais has been discontinued.

Kacee

Many US states are vaccinating (mRNA) without any proof of residency. No charge.

The only US entry restriction is a negative covid test. As noted already, Thailand is mandatory 14 day quarantine (or Phuket sandbox) for everyone.

transpac

Your friend entered Thailand most recently on their U.S. passport? I'm guessing, no.

Your friend would use their Thai passport when returning to Thailand?

One assumes your friend is familiar with the logistics, and issues, of using the two passports.

I think most airlines and destinations have a requirement for a negative COVID test within 72 hours.

Has your friend been vaccinated in Thailand? Some countries may have specific vaccination requirements.

The sandbox, and other schemes, require a minimum of 14 days after being fully vaccinated (J&J is acceptable, but some have been denied because of a misunderstanding regarding its single dose). I don't think that Thais returning via the sandbox from an international trip retain the same "1-shot is fine" right as they may have now when traveling domestically to Phuket?

All Thais would have to enter 14-day ASQ (quarantine) or go to a sandbox, as of today. ASQ does not, obviously, have the 14-day vaccination requirement.

Most Thais who can (visa, passport), are going to the U.S for a vaccination. If you can travel to the U.S. that might be the best place to meet, assuming the vaccination is a top goal.

There are a lot of moving parts, and I think your friend is probably in the best situation to identify the requirements?



Thailand closed its borders on 30 March 2020, and while there are a few cracks in the door (ASQ, Sandbox, illegal entry overland) and quite a few requirements, the borders remain closed. Not seeing that changing - yes, the government has mentioned a plan to open "within 120 days" (roughly estimated to be 1 Nov 2021), that "opening" will simply be pushing the door slightly ajar. It is not the opening you are looking for, waves hand.

The old days of winging off to Thailand on a whim, and entering on a 30-day tourist visa exemption, are a long way off. Maybe years.