PeteC wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:22 pm
The program is rife for abuse if certain groups are so inclined. Easy to manage a person into hotel confinement at a cost he has no control over, with no actual proof given to him that he tested positive. Guards everywhere preventing him from going anywhere, even outside of his hotel room door, and I doubt any chance of next day follow up testing to confirm the first positive result.
It's an easy scam and I'm surprised we're not hearing about it happening more.
You're effectively being held to ransom once you land in Thailand and test positive. They can extort as much as they like and nothing can be done about it. Seems to be orchestrated this way on purpose.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Big Boy wrote:Whilst I don't doubt the potential 'scam' element, when I looked up Vismaya Hotel, it was listed in the 2,600฿/night bracket.
And yet the OP put it in the 600 Baht a night category? Although price is no guarantee that you won’t get scammed, the potential risk is bound to be higher at a budget hotel. Looking back I’m glad that when I returned last November I dug deeper into my pocket and stayed at a 5* hotel - it was only one night and definitely if I have to do it again, would do the same.
PeteC wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:22 pm
The program is rife for abuse if certain groups are so inclined. Easy to manage a person into hotel confinement at a cost he has no control over, with no actual proof given to him that he tested positive. Guards everywhere preventing him from going anywhere, even outside of his hotel room door, and I doubt any chance of next day follow up testing to confirm the first positive result.
It's an easy scam and I'm surprised we're not hearing about it happening more.
You're effectively being held to ransom once you land in Thailand and test positive. They can extort as much as they like and nothing can be done about it. Seems to be orchestrated this way on purpose.
Unfortunately mandatory insurance is probably making it easier if they are extorting. More cooperative victim who will probably get his money back so he may not put up too much of a fight about it all.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
OK just to clear up a couple of issues,
I was told as I have my own house in hua hin I could quarantine after 5 days at home by the hospital.
Although I effectively had 2 insurance one of which they demanded the cover note (policy)as soon as they said I tested positive they actually did nothing with the details but demanded payment before I left.
This is why I had to claim myself.
My barclays travel plus which I have had for years came to the rescue and are paying into my account.
So much for comparison websites as I bought a policy from ergo who are useless.
My general feeling is yes of course I have been scammed as how on God's earth can I be charged 59,400 for medical supplies I never received.
As for the hotel, I have stayed there before when flying out and never payed more than 600bht.
It's tucked away in a small soi, no way would you ever pay 2.400 bht per night.
As an add on, this former hotel is now leased to the hospital in question which is probably better not to name.
It is a quarantine registered hotel now so maybe that's why someone posted 2.400bth per night.
But christ is run down with a half empty pool of green stagnant water.
I'm guessing it went bust due to lack of tourists in the last 2 years.
I managed to get out in November without any problems and consequently I'm prepared to try again but I do accept that there is a risk that things can go wrong and you could end up a few thousand out of pocket.
My personal situation is that I wasn't able to get home for almost two years and need to get life progressing again so I'm prepared to take more risk than I would for a pure vacation.
I was in the same boat, flew back to the UK 18th January 2020 and this was my first opportunity to return.
Hopefully things will get better now but such a shame to see so many businesses gone including my favourite restaurant Khun oi.
Looks like this insurance scam appears to be quite common, spoke to someone and his wife yesterday that were fleeced for 300K in very similar circumstances.
Be aware when coming in through Bangkok, the govt appointed SHA+ hotels and hospitals appear to be working together on it. Looks like I won't be going anywhere for another year.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I don’t see why so many tests,first pcr test before you fly from your country,another on arrival in BK,then another on day 5? At overinflated prices.why not accept a Rat test at 120 baht? Here in Aus school kids have to do 2 rat tests a week,so they must be ok,a lad recently arrived from the uk into Thailand tested at airport had to wait 17 hours in a shite hotel for results? Then on day 5 in HH did his test at HH hospital
maccastime wrote: ↑Thu Feb 03, 2022 10:07 am
I don’t see why so many tests,first pcr test before you fly from your country,another on arrival in BK,then another on day 5? At overinflated prices.
Thats exactly why - over-inflated prices, someone up there is profiting from it. Thailand in a nutshell.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Arrived on Tuesday expecting Stop and go with prebooked BKK hotel stay, only to be told at airport that it didn’t start until Weds so forced to accept 7 days quarantine, with my Thai wife,
In a room (prison) for 7 nights.
Not allowed out of the room until after second PCR test on day 6, and then only 45 mins on roof garden.
Not surprisingly the airport was empty when we arrived at 11.00 with not a single person waiting at passport control.
We were out of airport in less than 20 mins after disembarking the plane.
Should be in HH early next week hopefully.
Arrived in the US today. Leaving Thailand I was asked for the covid results only, nothing on vaccinations. Narita asked for a assertion paper that one did take the vaccine but that was all. The US didn't ask for anything, breezed through immigration and customs in less than 30 minutes.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
