A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

[Froggy]

Until today, there is still no clear cut whether how many days vaccinated tourist or homeward bound thai spouse resident have to quarantine. One minute announcement by CDC, then Gen Prayuth, Health Minister Anutin and tourist promotion board. Really a big headache for all the tourist and homeward bound residents.

This is a failed country, it’s been a failed stated for the past century so what do you expect? Everything here is fucked. Fucked badly. Most of all Thais allowed themselves to be fucked so nobody can do or say nothing.

 

[Peace Maker]

I would say Thailand is a nice place to stay as long as you need not deal with the government. Good for retirement as long as you are willing to spend money for your O visa or retirement visa yearly. Renewing it by yourself is a nightmare

 

[nayr69sg]

This is a failed country, it’s been a failed stated for the past century so what do you expect? Everything here is fucked. Fucked badly. Most of all Thais allowed themselves to be fucked so nobody can do or say nothing.

Politics aside, I think you have a very good quality of life in Thailand.

 

[Froggy]

Politics aside, I think you have a very good quality of life in Thailand.

All foreigners especially Singaporeans who are willing to leave their perceived comfort zone and come to this 3rd world surely will enjoy Thailand’s good quality of life.

 

[Froggy]

COVID cases in Thailand today:

Total New Cases 10,288 ( -2,065 )

Deaths 101 ( -24 )

 

[nayr69sg]

All foreigners especially Singaporeans who are willing to leave their perceived comfort zone and come to this 3rd world surely will enjoy Thailand’s good quality of life.

What about raising a family? Education?

 

[dredd]

I would say Thailand is a nice place to stay as long as you need not deal with the government. Good for retirement as long as you are willing to spend money for your O visa or retirement visa yearly. Renewing it by yourself is a nightmare

If you want to renew any visa, better to just pay a lawyer to do it. The hoops and loops you have to go through as well as the wanton change of rules and regulations make this a red tape nightmare. You are right.

In Thailand, it is every man for himself. Expect very little help from the authorities. Money talks here very loudly. So if you need any help, be prepared to pay.

 

[yinyang]

Until today, there is still no clear cut whether how many days vaccinated tourist or homeward bound thai spouse resident have to quarantine. One minute announcement by CDC, then Gen Prayuth, Health Minister Anutin and tourist promotion board. Really a big headache for all the tourist and homeward bound residents.

No denying the flip flops with the bureaucratic wrangles. The former especially with Oct 1 > now Nov 1 reopening for foreign tourists. Local biz very frustrated, and risk missing out on the traditional high season. Even airlines need 2-3 months to gear up with landing rights etc.

But latest reduced quarantine (7-10 days) for inbound tourists is clear enough, no? Unsure for inward bound thai spouse resident. Clarify with your local embassy or MFA. Reasonably expect latest quarantine reduction applies.

 

[yinyang]

If you want to renew any visa, better to just pay a lawyer to do it. The hoops and loops you have to go through as well as the wanton change of rules and regulations make this a red tape nightmare. You are right.

In Thailand, it is every man for himself. Expect very little help from the authorities. Money talks here very loudly. So if you need any help, be prepared to pay.

Yes and no (for visa renewal part). For normal O-A (retirement visa), renewal at your respective immigration precinct takes 1 day. But must meet 2 criteria ie bank confirmation minimum bt800k (park 2-3 months) and expat insurance renewal.

Easy way out is to get trusted local visa agent (many, not necessarily lawyer).

And not disagree, money speaks volumes here

 

[Froggy]

 

[Froggy]

 

[Froggy]

COVID cases in Thailand today:

Total New Cases 9,489 ( -799 )

Deaths 129 ( +28 )

 

[yinyang]

 

[yinyang]

 

[yinyang]

 

[yinyang]

 

[yinyang]

Monk asks muslim why no makan pork? Muslim asks monk why no wife, as wife tastes better than pork

 

[Froggy]

https://www.tatnews.org/2021/09/tha...se-reopening-plan-from-october-until-january/

Thailand’s CCSA approves 4-phase reopening plan from October until January

October continues to see 4 beach resort destinations welcoming vaccinated foreign tourists, while November will see 10 more destinations reopening to international tourism.

Photo of TAT Newsroom TAT Newsroom Send an email 15 hours ago 20,825 1 minute read

Bangkok, 27 September, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to report that during today’s meeting, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved a four-phase timeline for the country’s reopening plan to revitalise the nationwide tourism industry.

Pilot Phase (1-31 October, 2021)
This will continue with the four popular beach resorts, which were the first destinations to reopen – beginning with Phuket on 1 July, then Surat Thani’s Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao on 15 July, and most recently Krabi and Phang-Nga on 16 August linking with Phuket under the 7+7 Extension arrangement. This phase will also see reopening of new designated areas in Krabi – Khlong Muang and Thap Khaek.

First Phase (1-30 November, 2021)
This will see the reopening extended to 10 other tourism-driven destinations. These include all areas of Bangkok, Krabi and Phang-Nga, and designated areas in Buri Ram (Mueang), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Doi Tao), Chon Buri (Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Na Jomtien, and Sattahip), Loei (Chiang Khan), Phetchaburi (Cha-Am), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), and Ranong (Ko Phayam).

Second Phase (1-31 December, 2021)
The reopening will be extended to 20 more provinces which are tourism-driven, well-known for art and culture, or border destinations. These include Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Pathum Thani, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phrae, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, and Yala.

Third Phase (1 January, 2022, onwards)
This will see the reopening of 13 border provinces, including Bueng Kan, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Surin, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani.

The CCSA has asked all concerned government agencies to prepare for the Phase 1-3 reopening. Meanwhile, foreign tourists can continue to visit the four pilot beach resort destinations under the existing conditions.

TAT will be providing more details of Thailand’s reopening plans as soon as official information becomes available

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

nice drink from Thailand

 

[Froggy]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/C...10&pub_date=20210928150000&seq_num=9&si=44594

Thailand to let more businesses open and shorten curfew hours
Kingdom begins to work the rust out of its long-dormant tourist infrastructure

A health worker on Sept. 24 administers an AstraZeneca shot to a patient at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok, which is a little more than a month away from welcoming back international travelers. © AP
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerSeptember 27, 2021 20:54 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand this week is expected to allow spas, cinemas and museums to reopen and also shorten its nighttime curfew as it moves to get its tourism infrastructure back up and running, a crucial step now that it is weeks away from welcoming back the free-spending international travelers who support much of its economy.

The government's policymaking agency for coronavirus-related issues is recommending 29 provinces, including Bangkok, be allowed to trim an hour off the curfew and that more businesses be given the go-ahead to resume operations.

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, on Monday decided to start the curfew at 10 p.m. rather than 9 p.m. The 4 a.m. end time remains in place.

Other businesses it wants to reopen include gyms, swimming pools and tattoo parlors. The previous round of reopenings affected restaurants, hair salons, foot spas and outdoor sporting venues. The serving of alcohol at eateries will remain prohibited.

The easing will be considered on Tuesday at a weekly cabinet meeting. The cabinet is expected to endorse it as the CCSA meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. The easing will be implemented once its measures are published in the government's public journal, the Royal Gazette.

The agency will hold another meeting in two weeks to adjust the restrictions in line with the pandemic situation.

The CCSA has also decided to cut the required quarantine period for international arrivals to seven days if they carry a certificate of full vaccination. Without a certificate, visitors arriving by air or sea will have to quarantine for at least 10 days. Those crossing a land border will have to remain secluded for 14 days.

The Prayuth administration in late August shifted its COVID-19 strategy from completely eradicating the virus to coexisting with it. Along with the shift, the government began encouraging Thailand residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

People pray while maintaining social distance at a shrine near the Central World shopping mall on Sept. 11, 2021. © AP

According to Our World in Data, 22.7% of Thailand's population was fully vaccinated as of Sept. 22, while 42.2% had received at least one dose. Before August, only 5.6% of Thais had been fully vaccinated, with 19.7% having received at least one shot.

The increase in administered jabs has slowed the virus's spread. The delta strain began tearing through the kingdom in early July, protracting and expanding the country's third COVID-19 wave, which began in March.

Despite stringent business lockdowns that the government implemented in mid-July, daily cases maintained an upward trajectory, reaching 23,418 on Aug. 13. On Monday, new cases totaled 10,288.

With new daily infections on the wane, the country has room to start lifting restrictions, which have devastated Southeast Asia's second largest economy and threaten more harm if left in place.

On Wednesday, the Asian Development Bank downwardly revised its growth forecast for the Thai economy to 0.8% from 3%, reflecting the damage caused by the lockdowns.

By allowing more attractions and services to reopen, pushing back the curfew and shortening the quarantine period, Thailand hopes it can lasso some foreign travelers who are now beginning to think about international vacations. The CCSA says Bangkok and nine other tourist destinations will be open by Nov. 1.

Authorities have been sending mixed messages regarding Bangkok's reopening. The central government was pushing to reopen the capital by October, but the local government insisted next month would be too soon, that it needed additional time to vaccinate more residents. The CCSA's announcement on Monday may settle the debate.

As for the shorter quarantine period, it might make it easier for expats in Thailand to go on long-delayed visits to their home countries.

Thailand's vaccination drive kicked into a higher gear when the country decided to mix and match vaccines, allowing Sinovac doses for the first shot and AstraZeneca for the second.

The unconventional cocktail approach, which has not been adopted anywhere else, helped the country solve a vaccine shortage that cropped up despite local production of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Although there is no published science behind the approach, it has allowed more Thailand residents to receive two shots amid the short supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine.