elitebook2

How do you go back and forth between Nana and Cowboy?  Motorbike taxi, tuktuk,  car taxi or skytrain?

I have to admit that at Cowboy closing time and the vultures are waiting at either end of the soi, I take the cheapest option, which is a motorbike taxi.  I suppose walking would be cheaper, but when the night is done, I just want to get back to the hotel.

I think I tried uber last time I was in Bangkok and there was no service.

How many of you will not take a motorbike taxi for safety concerns.  I have to admit that I have been uncomfortable with some of their antics, but haven't had any close calls.

I almost never take a car taxi, but I enjoy the tuk tuks and motorbike taxis.  

Always negotiate before getting in.

Listening to the sweet nasal sound of the Thai language on my flight from Frankfurt now.  A little worried about going straight to the dental clinic for an extended visit though.  The nightlife should help drown my sorrows!

19-22.  Hope to see things almost like they were 3 years ago.

I'm surprised that the topic of medical tourism hasn't come up in regards to Thailand.  I had a procedure done in Phuket years ago and now I'm looking at having more work done.  I just got back from the local dentist who wants to charge me $10k.  It looks like the same work would cost between $2k and 3K in Bangkok at a dental clinic.  I was satisfied with the medical procedure I had done in Phuket years ago, why shouldn't I make a quick trip to Bangkok to have some dental work done?

I'm kicking myself for not going to the dentist the last time I was in Bangkok.  I tried to schedule things too late, so I only made it to the skin clinic.

 Anyone have experience with root canals and crowns in Bangkok?  Or am I just a Cheap Charlie?

Have the taxi fares gone up much with the high price of fuel?  

I was hoping to make it back to Bangkok in December, but the business trips were all cancelled.  My next opportunity is April 2022.  I'm hoping that the citizens of Thailand will be ready to welcome foreigners and their money back into their country by then.  I'm not even close to buying tickets, yet, but prices are have remained reasonable.

It looks like the Phuket sandbox opened up.

I don't think November 2021 is looking good with the virus raging in India right now.  And the virus hasn't gone away in the States, even with a third of the population vaccinated (and at least 20% of the population already infected).

I think airlines are desperate for customers right now, but it's still way too early to pay money for them.  Anything can happen, but I still think that November is realistic for Thailand to be reopened and for vaccines to be available in farangland to paying customers.

Smithzac91,  using miles sounds perfect.  I bet you got the best deal on them too.  I was worried that with fewer flight options prices would soar, but it hasn't been the case.  

Really, I'm in a waiting phase.  Flights and hotels can be booked a few weeks in advance.  November is the first real option for a business trip with a side trip to Bangkok.  April/May just isn't a realistic option.

Any quarantine is a no-go for me.  I'll even take overnight flights to save time.  I can't sit around trapped in a hotel for any amount of time.  

I think by November people will be eager to travel and Thailand will be ready to let tourist money come back in, but I could be wrong.

Is it time to start posting a new travel date?  Is anyone else thinking about late November 2021?  A few things need to fall into place, but I think it's a possibility.  Thailand is not my only Asian destination, so other countries have to open back up for me, too.  

Airline tickets are very affordable.  I won't buy until Thailand opens up without quarantine.  I don't want to deal with the hassle of cancelled flights or the nightmare of an airline going bankrupt.  

I assume that getting vaccinated will be mandatory.  I don't think it will be a problem to find one in the next 9 months.

9 months is a long time and anything can happen.  Can Thailand vaccinate a decent percent of the population?  Will the vaccine work with the new strains of the virus?  Can the Thai people accept low levels of Covid without shutting everything down?  Does the tourism industry have the political power to push a reopening?   How much nightlife will be left if Thailand is shut down for another 9 months?  Will new people buy the old leases and open something new or will the spaces be vacant? 

I'm looking at late April.  I don't think it will happen, and China would have to open up for me to go as well.  The vaccine could be a game changer, after the current global surge ends.  Who knows.  I won't dare buy plane tickets, until I know that I can go.  I don't trust the airlines to refund my money (and not go bankrupt).

It's still more than 3 months away.  A lot can happen.  Or not.  The 2 week quarantine would be a no-go for me.  Would the special health insurance requirement be a no-go for you?  I don't know how much extra that would be. 

I'm not in the "Not a chance" category, yet, but I think it's looking pretty slim.  Maybe I can reschedule for April, but that's a big Maybe.  I think the Thai people will be spooked for at least 6-12 months more.   

On the other hand, how long can the Thai economy survive with no international travel.  Not just tourists, but business travel and foreign investment.  Is the food supply robust?  Missing a tourist high season didn't phase them. 

What are the odds now for a December trip?  I think less than 50% now.  Maybe reliable vaccines will help, but they are second quarter 2021.  Until the Thai people are willing to live with the virus, like the farang nations, nothing will change.  

I'm feeling pessimistic today about my December trip.  I just read a newspaper article saying that the 95% Thai people don't want foreigners back in the country.  Even the Prime Minister is frustrated that the media is over-hyping Covid.  No one cares about the real science, so until that changes, foreigners are not coming back to Thailand.  

I haven't bought tickets yet.  If I find a sale with an airline that I'm confident will refund my money, if it gets cancelled, then I'll book.  I think the chances are more than 50/50.  A lot can change in 4 months.  I don't understand why we can't get Covid tested multiple times and then have some fun.

I suppose all it takes is a news article:  Tourist who tested negative infects multiple people. 

What are the odds that we will all be there in December?  I think unless something drastically changes like a vaccine, partial cure for Covid or a positive antibody test travel document, I can't see Thailand letting riff raff like me in.  December is a long way off, though.    

I'm planning on being there in early December for a long weekend.  Flights are cheap, but I'm not booking yet.  Waiting to see what kind of new normal we will have by then.

I don't  believe it.  There are maybe 2 dozen flights per day coming to BKK from China, but they aren't the huge jets.  If you combine all of the large European long haul flights, there have to be more people from Europe flying to BKK than China.  Here is another article:

------------ 

For years, Thailand’s tourism scene has been dominated by Chinese visitors, with 10.5 million in 2018 alone – accounting for about 28 per cent of total foreign arrivals.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/world/why-indian-tourists-are-flocking-thailand-where-they-may-soon-outnumber-chinese-visitors

--------------

Thai tourism officials to raise their estimates of how many visitors will come from India, with its population of 1.3 billion. At least 10 million are now expected to arrive in 2028, a more than five-fold increase on last year’s visits.
-----------------------

The Chinese may be the largest single nation visiting Thailand, but "western" tourists are still the largest group, IMO.

Exactly.  So the honest taxi drivers will make a little more money and the rest will still charge the same crazy prices.  It's already impossible to find an honest taxi driver at closing time.

Transport minister needs to start by enforcing the existing laws.

That sounds like the immigration problem here at home.  Start by enforcing the laws.  If they are a problem, then fix them, but start by enforcing the laws.  

Maybe the transport minister should start by making them turn the meter on.

I've been hearing about longer lines at the Skytrain, so I was thinking about buying a pass for my next trip. Here is what I found about pricing:

Single Journey Pass: 16-44 Baht

Standard Rabbit Card / Stored Value Cards These are available for 100 baht plus 50 baht refundable deposit. The Standard Rabbit Cards are valid for 5 years and can be filled with a minimum of 100 baht and up to 4,000 baht.
 

One-day Pass Unlimited travel within the duration of a single day for 120 baht.
 

30-Day Pass for Adults -

For 15 trips (use within 30 days), 25 baht per trip unlimited distance, it costs 375 baht. -

For 25 trips (use within 30 days), 23 baht per trip unlimited distance, it costs 575 baht. -

For 40 trips (use within 30 days), 21 baht per trip unlimited distance, it costs 840 baht. -

For 50 trips (use within 30 days), 20 baht per trip unlimited distance, it costs 1,000 baht.

 

For me, I'm torn between buying the rechargeable Rabbit Card or one of the 30 day passes.  Most of my trips are shorter, so I rarely pay the max 44 baht.