Is it a good time to visit Thailand given recent restrictions on hotels and amenities?

Jan 27, 2022
3 years ago
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just checked into my favorite hotel in Bangkok.To my dismay I was told there is no wi-fi. Decided to take a swim in their beautiful pool.To my further my angst I discovered that the pool is closed.

I briefly indulged in some self righteous Fareng Disgruntlement and then began to think like a Sojouner, a Pilgrim , and a risk taker. The conclusion I arrived at is that I maybe the only guest in this hotel and they are aren’t financially capable of maintaining all their amenities such as they were 10 days ago.

My unsolicited advice : If you the option don’t come to Thailand now.

If don’t have that option, go for it. I’ve had a great time for the last 40 days in spite of the closures and recent edicts.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A traveler expressed disappointment over their favorite Bangkok hotel lacking Wi-Fi and a closed pool, reflecting on the financial struggles of the hotel industry during the pandemic. Despite these issues, they praised their overall experience in Thailand over the past 40 days, encouraging those with the option to postpone travel due to current conditions. The comments revealed mixed opinions on the availability of amenities like Wi-Fi and pools across various hotels, highlighting personal experiences and suggesting alternatives for internet access.
George *********
Does any one no do need a pcr test to leave Bangkok I'm jab up airline say not but just checking
Kevin ***********
George *********
Erik ******************
Come to Cambodia! Everything is open! No quarantine!
อาจารย์ *******
The Landmark Hotel in Bangkok, Sukhumvit, has rooms for only about 2,800 ฿ on Agoda… great pool and all amenities … was just there on 20-25 January …
Steve **********
@อาจารย์ ******
When I stayed at Landmark it was 900 baht w/ baht.

A view above the L.
อาจารย์ *******
@Steve *********
… Dynasty Inn and Nana Hotel were about 1,000 ฿… in low season in 2019… Landmark was always around 2,500 ฿… whenever I visit …

JW Marriott has rooms for about 3,000 ฿, but I prefer the Landmark location
Steve **********
@อาจารย์ ******
I do as well although JW much better.

I stay at Athene now when in Bkk.

Prices skyrocket.

How about Majestic Grand Soi 2, watched them build that.
Greg *********
Love the sarcasm, self-awareness, and resilient attitude! 😃
David *********
My view is not too bad ..
David *********
It's good for those of us who reside here , no doubt , but I'm with you ...

Just far far too difficult and risky to come and stay for 45 days or so , too hard ,wait till they change the rules - stress .
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Now that I’ve created a sufficient amount of hate,discontent , and confusion I shall make matters worse by stating that if I could find fullfillment ,adventure, wisdom, and knowledge by means of swimming pools and wi-fi I would of drove to Las Vegas.

Yesterday’s post was written while I was in the depths of solopsistic disgruntlement.

I am a swine .

Please forgive me.
Greg *********
The lazy river at Mandalay Bay is awesome... 🌊🤽‍♂️
Alberto *********
This Moment hotel in bkk Is paradise can stay for only 11 euro x 2 person in many noce and new hotel. Vith seimming pool and everithing vork good.
Mark *******
Mine is open. I thought to ask first as a lot of hotels around the world have all their facilities closed.
Declan ***********
@David ******
- I am back 6 weeks from Thailand, and paid 7,000 Bhats for the luxury of staying for my One Night Quarantine Hotel,. and I was only going by the *Pictures on the Main Hotel Site* which were stunningly LUXURIOUS. Collected from SUV airport in a Pickup truck, filtered to have my swab like going through a moving car wash type scenario - Taken to luxurious Hotel (As it was sold to me on the Website), and to find out I'd be kept in a kind of PORTO CABIN away from the proper GUESTS - ***Not the Hotel...*** I had 3 smallest coca-colas / and 8 am the day after told I was released - I was billed 100 baths each for the tiny Coca-Colas (Same size as our smallest red bull size) - (300) which cost 12 bahts in
****
. Later picked up by one of their cabs and charged 1,000 baths for my taxi to the AIRPORT, which would normally cost 180 Baths... I chose not to make a Fuss, but I really felt as if I was DRY - FU*KED - I won't name the hotel as they will have their own KARMA...... 🙇
Edward *********
@Declan **********
You sure do seem to have a lot of problems with the spelling of "baht."
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Declan **********
- The Pen is mightier than the sword , but Kharma can be catastrophic.
Karim ***************
@Declan **********
yes my room did not look anything like the photos and paid 6000 for the privilege. But I was out after
***
hours and out on the town. Returned tipsy enough not to remember the rest of the night lol. Out next day and into a decent place
Declan ***********
@Karim **************
- I'm going back on the 16th, but to a Hotel, I already know in PATTAYA on the Sandbox Program.. Just still wading through 40 pages of paperwork and bureaucracy to get sorted before I can put it all on my screen for the Dreaded Thailand Pass...😎
Arndt **************
Sorry hotel was terminal 21 Hotel
Arndt **************
Our hotel was amazing WIFI mini bar and brought up more things breakfast and dinner included . Test right in hotel . The menu was good . Room service if you wanted would stay here anytime
Michael *******
it's still paradise here in Thailand 🤗
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
-In many respects, yes.
Dallas ******
Seems like Phuket is back to their pre-covid greed and over-pricing (this is what I have heard and now not so keen to experience that)
Kevin ***********
While I was travelling in April/May I stayed in two hotels where I was the only guest (it was just after they had reduced quarantine to 7 days, so I think they had recently reopened in anticipation of some visitors).

One (in the Golden Triangle) didn't have a pool anyway, and the other one (Pai) had a pool that hadn't been cleaned for months. I can't say I let it bother me. It was rather nice having all the staff serving just me, didn't have to wait for anything.

I would recommend you don't come if you are incapable of fending for yourself and finding things like mobile internet or a place to swim. Otherwise, go and enjoy yourself. I fly next Tuesday.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin **********
-I can’t find a free swimming hole in Central Bangkok.Maybe The Chao Praya River if the current is not strong.
Kevin ***********
@David ******
The defence rests it case.
Charles ************
Or get a better hotel. I stayed in a hostel for $12 a night with lightning fast wifi
Greg *********
Let's hear it for sharing an unsecured network with random strangers who you're sharing a sketchy shower with! 😅
Greg *********
Better change your passwords! 🙄
Charles ************
@Greg ********
get a VPN mate 😆
Greg *********
@Charles ***********
A VPN is not a firewall, mate. 😂
Charles ************
@Greg ********
I got all kinds of firewalls 😱
Greg *********
@Charles ***********
Yeah, I'm sure they're AIRTIGHT when using your HOSTEL PUBLIC WIFI.
Marc ***********
I've been here a month now and it's different but great as ever... Having a blast
Brett *********
You are lucky your go to hotel is open. My favourite hotel in Bangkok is closed. The second favourite (stayed there many times) gave me grief because they wanted to see my covid insurance on check in after showing them my vax status certificate in Mor Phrom app. They couldn't understand that I have not left Thailand for over 2 years. Wife is Thai and it took her a while to explain it to the bossy lady manager.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett ********
-Indeed.Went to Koh Change many places closed and acquaintances moved away.But such is life.
Brett *********
@David ******
I think Koh Chang will take a while to recover. Lovely place but electricity and internet is unreliable in storms. Relaxed and laid back not much partying going on even pre covid...
McGregor **********
If tourists refrain from traveling to Thailand for a while maybe they will change the entry requirements?
Ruth *******
@McGregor *********
you’re aware that these policies have been in place nearly a couple years now, right? You know tourism has been down the same, yes? Do you realize people have had the delusion that their staying away will somehow change the policies for that same time period? Whining for years doesn’t change anything. Discouraging tourism in a country already suffering will not get some unhappy tourist a pool. SMH
Michael *******
@Ruth ******
exactly right 🤔
Ruth *******
@Michael ******
I just learned yesterday that my favorite, boutique hotel has shutdown. All those lovely people lost their jobs and I have no idea of their current status. It breaks my heart. People saying, “Don’t go to Thailand, because I want a pony.” just piss me off.
Ken ********
@McGregor *********
Thailand's entry requirements are easier than Australia's just ask Novak Djokovic
Shaun *********
@McGregor *********
what cloud did you drop off mate. Been no tourists for nearly 2 years if you don’t like the entry requirements don’t come. It’s that easy.
McGregor **********
@Shaun ********
I did Phuket sandbox in august was not a great experience wouldn’t recommend it in my opinion.
Karim ***************
@McGregor *********
if tourists refrain from entering Thailand, even more businesses will fail and close down. So many of my favourite venues closed already. My daughters little indoor play park closed. I live here, up in Chiang Mai. It’s not only solely tourist venues and activities that have closed… Even places which are 70% local clientele businesses have suffered and closed. That little bit extra that came from tourists was the difference between profit and loss.
Shelley ********
Erm.... You think now isn't a good time because there is no WiFi and the pool is closed. Could you not simply go somewhere with WiFi, or get an internet package (mine is 200 baht unlimited) and use another pool? I get it's annoying as you paid for the hotel, but not a reason to deter people from coming to Thailand....

What about the beautiful beaches with few people? Chilled atmosphere? Getting to know people better?

I'm in phi phi right now and a resort just opened their waterpark for me and my son, we paid 200 baht and the only ones here!

I feel so lucky to be able to say that I've spent the entire covid time here, what a blessing (for me) to experience Thailand as it is now.
Rowena *****
@Shelley *******
love Thailand too 💓💞

Gave birth here and still staying. Love it with a lot of people before and loved it more with a little... its awesome 😉
Craig *******
@Shelley *******
ya I don't know why anyone bothers with WiFi, local SIM is essential and dirt cheap
Robert **********
@Craig ******
yes hotel wifi is hardly worth bothering with
Ron *********
I just learned nobody has great taste like you?
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ********
“Please allow me to introduce my self.

I’m a man who lives hand to mouth

And of poor taste “.
Richard *****
So what hotel is it then ??
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ****
- I don’t want to nailed for defamation.Which of course the post wasn’t meant to indicate. It’s very good hotel . Like many businesses in Thailand, they are struggling.
Richard *****
@David ******
yes and isnt it good ! Love it now they know how it feels 😁😁 same as when the baht was 72 now 44 but r prices havnt come down
Steve ********
@Bangkok *********************************
. Great hotel. Everything open.
Kal *********
During covid times Thailand is at her best and maybe at her worse at the same time ... if you love the crazy nite life , it's not there .. if you like un -cluttered tourist areas, cleaner beaches and islands ... this is still the best time to come here ... hotels are still cheap maybe not all running at 100% but lots are open to welcome you and your money ...
Joseph ******
Yeah same for me too, the hotel I was in had their room service closed and breakfast closed too , no mini bar etc

The longer ppl keep crying over this flu the longer ppl suffer
Brett **********
@Joseph *****
do you have any idea how offensive that is to the very many people who have lost loved ones to this thing? Just go eat your dewormer and try not to make such callous comments
Joseph ******
@Brett *********
I'm sure you were crying and playing the moral high ground too when ppl were dying from the flu ?

Life has to move on mate.
Karim ***************
@Joseph *****
I’ve had hangovers which were far worse ffs.
Danger ******
Thailand is a wonderful country with lots to offer...even in times of COVID.
ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
I say come to Thailand. I am here now and having the time of my.life. and my hotel is excellent , Maybe this is just you and you had a bad experience but everyone is not going to have the same experience you have
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ ******
-I do not view closed swimming pools and no wi-fi as a bad experience. This hotel has 3 excellent English news channels. So many people in the world are living in horrible situations that truly are bad experiences.
Josh ***********
Where did you stay ? most 4-5 star hotels for like $80-$100 usd have wifi , pool, whatever else you want
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Josh **********
-This place only charges $20/ night.All things considered it is a great deal. I was in place in Ekkamai awhile ago, $33/night, that was incredible.
Garrett ***********
@Josh **********
Most 1-5 Star hotels habe wifi...
Derek ***********
Sounds legit
Durrant ********
If you come to Thailand now you deserve anything you get. In case you didnt know there's a pandemic going on
Tony ************
@Durrant *******
.. I have come twice since travel opened for Australia in November. I have had no problem at all in fact everything has been easier if you follow the rules and have all your paperwork. Some people are choosing not to live there lives hiding under the bed. We all have to choose what is best for ourselves.
Dallas ******
@Durrant *******
Don't need CNN with you to remind us 👍
Richard *****
@Durrant *******
is there its al bullshit
Karim ***************
@Durrant *******
get

Over it Rodders… We’ve all had the covaids now and know it’s nothing to fear. We’re all jabbed up to our eyeballs with vaccines that work so well, that we still get the virus, can still pass it on and recover after 1 or 2 days, whether jibber jabbered or not. It does frustrate me that people of your age will try and hold the younger generations from living and enjoying their lives after you’ve had ample time to enjoy yours, unrestricted. Also, Thailand is in dire need of every tourist it can get. Thais in their vast majority would agree with that comment. Hide out if you feel necessary but don’t dictate to the rest of us. Kiss kiss
Durrant ********
@Karim **************
you should check out the number of fully vaccinated that have died from Covid. The mainstream media never focuses on that. You obviously are only a mainstream news follower, Says a lot about your intelligence.
Karim ***************
@Durrant *******
actually, I would say it’s my ability to think critically for myself, that led me to not fear the agenda which mainstream media have attempted to push. As I said, enough now. We have given up enough for you. You should be grateful for our sacrifice until now. And asking for more time is a little selfish.
Sabine *********
@Durrant *******
I totally agree with
@Karim **************
! If you're so scared of that 'pandemic', then go ahead, lock yourself up inside and stay away from people! I'm also tired of old people telling me I'm allowed to do nothing else but work, so old people can enjoy their retirement longer at my expense!
Durrant ********
@Sabine ********
its your duty to pay for the older people
Sabine *********
Karim ***************
@Sabine ********
we were guilt tripped into losing enough of our lives. I know the older generations of my family want me to get on with my life now.
Gary *********
This is only your experience, plenty of hotels are offering all amenities including Wi-Fi and pool. I hope you got a very cheap rate, if you didn’t check out and find another hotel.
Drew *******
Not to rub it in. Arrived from the UK this morning. No complaints about our hotel, fast internet router in our room. And working great.
J ******************
Many hotels still have their pools open .Was in Thailand in December of 5 hotels I stayed in all had pools open except my Test and Go property which had everything closed.
Steve **********
Covid and economy is extremely taxing on businesses trying to stay above water. Try to not only be respectful, but assist where you can.
Ellwood **************
@Steve *********
Respectful to who ? I think the word you are looking for is objective.
Steve **********
@Ellwood *************
a resident of a hotel where he was the only guest. His questioning empty pool, other amenities, ie gym unavailable. Not fault of hotel.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *********
- No, of course not. But I think if some one has time on their side they should wait awhile before coming to Thailand.
Steve **********
@David ******
No Q, I suggest all wait.

Many friends want to return suggest patience.

I've been 18 years, so it's home
Mika ********
What a load of nonsense
Henry *********
Did you ask why the pool was closed? Maybe it was for essential maintenance? No Covid related reason for closing pools in Bangkok any more.
Karim ***************
@Henry ********
unless it’s an ASQ hotel. Think their pools may still be closed.
Shaun *********
@Karim **************
if its ASQ hotel it will be closed. Customers are not supposed to be in close contact.
Carlos *********
I think most pools in hotels are closed.
Carlos *********
Maybe in SHA+ hotels. Everyone I've stayed at is closed. Ambassador, Elegant,Crown 99, etc
Lisa ********************
@Carlos ********
no they are not
Karim ***************
Buy a pocket wifi device. Can get 4g and 5g devices… then you have wifi everywhere!
Jon *****
@Karim **************
... or get a thai sim card with unlimited internet and share connection
Karim ***************
@Jon **********
my phone is locked to my network in the U.K.. Cost, 8000 baht to get unlocked as it’s the new IPhone 13 and on O2 network. Made more sense to just buy a pocket wifi that comes with a Thai SIM card.
Martian ***********
@Karim **************
02 will unlock your phone for free, they’ve do e it for me before, there’s no charge to do this now
Karim ***************
@Martian **********
I will try going to O2 directly.
Jon *****
Karim Zalaf Romano OK I get it. You may find in Thailand a phone shop that will unlock your phone for cheaper than that... This is the reason why I neverbuy phones from telecom operators
Karim ***************
@Jon **********
it’s down to my particular network. The unlock codes for O2 are notoriously expensive for newer model phones. I unlocked an old IPhone 7 for 500 baht, so yes I know general unlocking isn’t expensive.
Dan ********
@Karim **************
yes I just bring older phones that the provider must unlock after 12-24months. I use the older phone for Thai sim, transfer over some well used apps (can have dual accounts for WhatsApps etc, then I hotspot to UK phone/sim when I have to. I don't always take out my UK phone now, just leave it at home, which removes the risk of loss or damage. If you have both Sims in a single phone, and lose phones like I do, your in for trouble.
Jon *****
@Karim **************
Maybe stick to your old iPhone while you are in Thailand and get a local sim card ? Having a thai number is also quite useful
Karim ***************
@Jon **********
I have my Thai partner for a Thai number… I do have the old iPhone too and a pocket wifi as well lol… I’m an all rounder
Blade ********
@Ka***
you got scammed by your provider.. 🤣
Karim ***************
@Blade *******
it’s a U.K. phone. It’s just how U.K. contracts work… Yes it sucks and they are as*holes for doing it. There is new legislation coming that will stop the practice but it was a way for them to try and keep you on their network.
Craig *******
WiFi is a waste of time, everyone travelling in SEA should have a local SIM card. Cheap as chips
Craig *******
@Karim **************
Costs about $5 to unlock a phone.....try Google or YouTube.....no one should have a locked phone these days
Karim ***************
Google unlocking iPhone 13 on O2 network and see what you get. £180 is best I could find for unlock codes.
Dan ********
You can always try your luck with O2, just give them a sob story, death in the family, paired with unemployment due to Covid, blah blah, then threaten them with media coverage if they don't. 😜
Dan ********
@Karim **************
£180 unlocking in UK or Thailand ?
Shaun *********
Take the hotel off your favourites

list. Been here 2
***
years never been anywhere and no WiFi, many hotels and condos have had restrictions on pools and gyms because of Covid, nothing to do with finances.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shaun ********
-It’s still my favorite place. Directly in front of the Nom Chongsi BTS, 4 English speaking news channels,
****
around the corner, and excellent front desk and maid service.
Joseph ******
@Shaun ********
why restrictions for some and not for others , makes no sense
Alessandro **********
@Joseph *****
if there are any suspects of spreading near the pool, they must close for 14 days. It's the same in condos
Shaun *********
@Joseph *****
there was a blanket ban on them all during some of the covid restricted times. If some hotels have restrictions on now I can't answer why they have. Maybe there choice if hotel is quiet as they need maintenance to keep clean.
Prieto ****
wifi ain't that expensive
Pieter *******
Dude I think that might have been a temple not a hotel
Garrett ***********
Ive been here since August, never not had Wifi, anywhere.
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