Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

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Gaybutton
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Re: Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

Post by Gaybutton »

gera wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2020 2:38 am when you edited my post on this issue in this thread you (I presume inadvertently) deleted the link to the article I posted.
I did not edit your post or delete the link. I would have no reason to do that. If the link wasn't there, it was never there in the first place. Next time, before assuming I edited your post, proofread both before submitting and after submitting to make sure everything you want in your post is there.

Yes, it is quite obvious, probably to everyone who reads this board, that you and the other gentleman despise each other. Fine with me. Hate each other all you want, but you both have been warned not to bring your personal animosity toward each other to my board and I will take further action if it doesn't stop - as of now.

If you want to make sure your posts cannot be discredited, that is very simple - include a link to your information source within your post. Then only an attempt can be made to discredit the source, not you.

NOW can we get back to the topic? I hope so, because if anything more about the 737 Max or anything further having to do with personal feuds appears on this topic, I will delete the post and I will also delete the membership of the person who posts it, no matter how subtle. I don't want to take such action and I am trying not to, but I am tired of being caught in the middle of other people's personal disputes and having my wishes disregarded.

The only reason some of these posts still stand is because I am certain other board members are greatly enjoying the show. This is getting to be like Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It might be entertaining, but there is no place for it on this board.
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Re: Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

Post by Gaybutton »

But there are still a couple catches . . .

And my guess is long before Thailand even considers opening the borders for normal foreign incoming and outgoing travel, they're first going to try to sell as many of these elite cards as possible. I believe there is zero chance of normal travel to Thailand until sales of the elite card slow down enough or even stop.
__________________________________________________________

Government gives go ahead for Elite card holders to enter Thailand

By Barry Kenyon

July 25, 2020

The latest group of foreigners allowed to enter Thailand includes those with a membership of the Thailand Privilege or Elite Card. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has included them in the list which already includes medical tourists, some guest workers from neighboring countries, students, work permit holders, foreigners with Thai spouses, permanent residents (with a police red book) and some short-stay business people.

The Elite card, a multiple entry visa which permits stays of up to 20 years in return for a one-off cash fee, is now seeing applications boom in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and Thailand’s success in handling it. Agents in Australia, China, Singapore, USA and UK all report enormous interest following the CCSA decision. Current membership numbers worldwide are currently around 11,000 and are expected to double before the end of the year.

There is a variety of options within the Elite program, but the most popular is a five year visa for a one-off cash fee 500,000 baht or equivalent. Apart from free entry in and out of Thailand anytime, there are perks such as fast-track progression at the airport and discounts in nominated hotels, restaurants and clubs. However, the visa does not permit working without a permit or ownership of land. 90 days reporting is a still a requirement, although currently excused under the amnesty until September 26.

Jessataporn Sriboo, a Pattaya-based Elite agent, said, “There are many foreigners trapped abroad who want to return to Thailand and now see this visa as their route here. The big advantage is that the Elite visa is not issued by Thai embassies abroad but by the government. Applications can be made from anywhere in the world and on-line.” But he cautioned that the authorities must be ready for a surge in applications and be able to process them speedily.

A spokeswoman for Thailand Privilege said, “We are aware of the worldwide interest in Elite and will be emphasizing that a key advantage is Thailand’s first class medical facilities. Also, we will be offering testing for coronavirus in our publicity.”

Elite visa entrants to Thailand, both old and new, will still need a certificate of entry from the Thai embassy in the country where they are based and will need to pay for their own 14-days quarantine on arrival.

https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/go ... and-308755
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Re: Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

Post by gerefan »

Hmmm I’m not so sure about this Elite Visa ...yet.

Just supposing some holders arrived and were found to have Covid 19. Just holding a visa doesn’t make you a safe bet. Quite a few people in quarantine have been found to have Covid and must have passed through all the hoops.

Im sure the authorities would instantly revoke any further arrivals. And at 500,000 baht it would a lot of money down the drain.

The Rayong incident shows just how fickle the Thais can be!
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Re: Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

Post by Gaybutton »

gerefan wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:03 pm at 500,000 baht it would a lot of money down the drain.
I think it is a lot of money down the drain anyway. I certainly would not recommend it. Even if you have it and can use it to return to Thailand for a holiday, there still is not much to come back to yet. Several businesses that reopened have already closed again because there just were not enough customers.

People have to make up their own minds, but that is an awful lot of money, more than US $16,000 or £12,500, to spend before even paying for the long haul airfare, accommodations, food, quarantine, etc - and that's only the beginning - to go to the few go-go bars that are open, none of which have all that many boys. Of course it's still mostly a moot point since even if you have the card, it may be a little difficult to find any flights to Thailand right now in the first place.

Many places, including some top-of-the-line hotels are offering excellent discounts. Of course, if you have the money to buy the elite card, what the hell do you need with discounts?

In my opinion, unless there is a virtually compelling reason to buy the elite card, I'd say to save the money, wait it out until Thailand properly reopens, and spend that same money on a fabulous time once you're here. I'm the type that before I'm willing to part with large amounts of money, I at least would want it to be something worth spending it on.
Jun

Re: Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

Post by Jun »

Gaybutton wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 7:01 pm People have to make up their own minds, but that is an awful lot of money, more than US $16,000 or £12,500, to spend before even paying for the long haul airfare, accommodations, food, quarantine, etc - and that's only the beginning - to go to the few go-go bars that are open, none of which have all that many boys. Of course it's still mostly a moot point since even if you have the card, it may be a little difficult to find any flights to Thailand right now in the first place.
I suspect it's called an Elite card as it's priced at a level where it's easier to justify for the seriously wealthy and not your average person. If you have >£10 million and need to get to Thailand, it's probably not a bad deal. Then just charter/share a private plane for part of the trip.

For the rest of us, it's poor value & irrelevant.
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Re: Thais don't want foreign tourists yet - poll says

Post by Gaybutton »

Jun wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 7:20 pm Then just charter/share a private plane for part of the trip.
That would work - if the plane is allowed to land in Thailand . . .
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