Answered5 years ago
Why are fully vaccinated travelers facing high entry costs in Thailand?
Why are double vaccinated (by supposedly among the world's highest standard vaccines - Pfizer) asymptomatic persons who *had a PCR test within 3 days* required to effectively pay a $400+ CAD tax for the privilege of entering Thailand?
PCR test Canada $173
hotel stay $150+
Insurance $105+
I am an old & healthy pensioner, a low-budget sojourner (not exactly a backpacker but not quite an expatriate, more of an eastern-oriented 'snowbird'). My habit is living on the cheap for four to six months at a time in ASEAN countries. I would not normally stay in such fancy hotels. But I am forced by circumstance to travel like a middle-class tourist. Maybe for persons who fit my profile, the time of easy and cheap travel has run out. IMHO, despite COVID being real, it is also being used as an excuse to weed out 'undesirables'. We are not welcome anymore. Certainly in Cambodia, charter flight of Chinese tourists (and not just from PRC) are the cash cows. And for other nefarious non-economic reasons that I won't go into here because this is not a political group.
The only good news I see is that versus Cambodia, Thailand is less troublesome and cheaper.
If I didn't have a business appointment in Thailand I would instead go to loosey-goosey Colombia or great value Argentina. I just cancelled a trip to Tanzania (wide open) in part because of very high-pricing. Until recently they had the ludicrous approach of 'pray COVID away' but at least the country was wide open.
Maybe SEA is finished so I am looking for a tourist-friendly country with sensible policies, based more on science and economics. As soon as India has reopened I will go there. Nepal is open but has such poor medical infrastructure I am wary.
I consider Thailand just a stepping-stone, getting 'my foot in the door' in Asia this winter.
PCR test Canada $173
hotel stay $150+
Insurance $105+
I am an old & healthy pensioner, a low-budget sojourner (not exactly a backpacker but not quite an expatriate, more of an eastern-oriented 'snowbird'). My habit is living on the cheap for four to six months at a time in ASEAN countries. I would not normally stay in such fancy hotels. But I am forced by circumstance to travel like a middle-class tourist. Maybe for persons who fit my profile, the time of easy and cheap travel has run out. IMHO, despite COVID being real, it is also being used as an excuse to weed out 'undesirables'. We are not welcome anymore. Certainly in Cambodia, charter flight of Chinese tourists (and not just from PRC) are the cash cows. And for other nefarious non-economic reasons that I won't go into here because this is not a political group.
The only good news I see is that versus Cambodia, Thailand is less troublesome and cheaper.
If I didn't have a business appointment in Thailand I would instead go to loosey-goosey Colombia or great value Argentina. I just cancelled a trip to Tanzania (wide open) in part because of very high-pricing. Until recently they had the ludicrous approach of 'pray COVID away' but at least the country was wide open.
Maybe SEA is finished so I am looking for a tourist-friendly country with sensible policies, based more on science and economics. As soon as India has reopened I will go there. Nepal is open but has such poor medical infrastructure I am wary.
I consider Thailand just a stepping-stone, getting 'my foot in the door' in Asia this winter.
Answer summary
The post discusses the frustrations of a double-vaccinated traveler facing high costs to enter Thailand, including PCR tests, hotel stays, and insurance fees, totaling over CAD $400. The author reflects on the increasing expenses associated with travel during the pandemic, expressing feelings that such measures may be aimed at filtering out low-budget travelers. Additionally, there are sentiments about considering alternative destinations in Southeast Asia and beyond due to these challenges.
49 repliesnewest first
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Todd *********
That’s cheap…
It’s mostly just a wake up call to Canadians that they are neither exceptionally well vaccinated not strongly desired. The days of ultra low budget travel in Thailand may be over. Tough to tell so far. Many other nations will not welcome you at all presently, so take what you can get.
Sri Lanka is a exceptional value also though. But really, anything is an improvement on your current situation in Canada. Happy travels!
It’s mostly just a wake up call to Canadians that they are neither exceptionally well vaccinated not strongly desired. The days of ultra low budget travel in Thailand may be over. Tough to tell so far. Many other nations will not welcome you at all presently, so take what you can get.
Sri Lanka is a exceptional value also though. But really, anything is an improvement on your current situation in Canada. Happy travels!
Oliver ********
Maybe they are trying to keep the low-budget sojourners out.
Wilmont ******
@Oliver *******
one Baht, w baht or one million baht it all adds up to recovery. When you have 50 thousand spending 5 thousand baht a week is more then they’ll make of the rich because the rich are the cheapest people on earth.Wilmont ******
It’s because these people are so money hungry.
Christopher ********
OP@Wilmont *****
I smell facaetiousness well expressed
Paulie *********
@Christopher *******
I smell facetiousness incorrectly spelt..😊Brett **********
So you don't want to pay prices that try to ensure you don't bring a highly contagious disease into the country but, equally, you don't want to go somewhere with poor medical facilities but less onerous entry costs in case you catch a highly contagious disease from someone who was let in because of poor screening? Have i got that right?
Jo **********
@Brett *********
the disease is widespread in Thailand.Christopher ********
OP@Brett *********
I would go to Turkey if I was looking for a holiday or a place to spend six months on the cheap.I have a business appointment in Thailand/ Cambodia that is on hold. This is why I am getting to BKK, because it and Singapore (well, KL too) are transportation hubs for ASEAN region. And because Thailand is the only place open +more or less) right now. It has nothing to do with being in love with the place. It is a strategic decision.
Bangkok stopped being great value 15-20 years ago.
Christopher ********
OPTypo: surname is Tufekci
Christopher ********
OPI don't single out Thailand. Few governments in my opinion have made rational decisions during the pandemic. Have you read Zeynep Tofeski?
BTW, no need for personal attacks. I have made none. Please re-read the rules of this forum.
BTW, no need for personal attacks. I have made none. Please re-read the rules of this forum.
Brett **********
A personal attack would be calling you an over privileged, whiny, cry baby but I wouldn't stoop so low as to do something like that. Telling you to get over yourself for being mildly financially inconvenienced by the restrictions brought in because of the biggest pandemic in 100 years is not a personal attack. If the costs upset you so much rest assured you'll recoup it in the costs of your accomodation throughout your stay as prices are at rock bottom.
Brett **********
@Christopher *******
personal attack? Jesus weptBrett **********
@Christopher *******
still doesn't answer the question does it? How easy/ cheap was it to get into Canada 6 months ago. The Asian countries are behind the west as far as vaccination goes as we hogged all the vaccines. That you're able to travel here at all is pretty impressive. C$150 for a PCR, transport and night in hotel really doesn't sound too crazy to me and proper insurance coverage just makes sense. Can't be much of a business opportunity if you're complaining over a couple of hundred bucks Brett **********
@Christopher *******
do.you know what requirements I'd have to meet to enter Canada currently? A PCR before flying, a PCR on arrival and insurance? Get over yourself Christopher ********
OPHigher than Japan last time I checked
Christopher ********
OP@Brett *********
Consult the data - Cambodia has one of the highest vaccination rates in Asia.
Jonas *************
Actually if you want to save money on 7 day sandbox hotels in Phuket at least seems to be much cheaper per night in total and I'm not sure if it includes the testing fee even?
Jonas *************
Self being here, I can't leave as, I don't want to take the cost of a long insurance when coming back...
The only way I see around it, is to come back some month just before it expires and buy a short insurance, if that's allowed, and then extend the stay for another year.
The only way I see around it, is to come back some month just before it expires and buy a short insurance, if that's allowed, and then extend the stay for another year.
Christopher ********
OP@Jonas ************
Conclusion I have is that regardless where I go in Thailand, coming from - the privilege of travelling will cost me CAD500 on top of all usual travel expenditures. Doesn't matter how you 'slice and dice it' for the moment, travel is for the wealthy, like in the 1950s.
David *********
Agree ..it's UTTERLY ludicrous ..
Luiza *****
Sri Lanka is "doable" at the moment for fully vaxxed people. Mexico is wide open. No need for anything Covid related. Not even need for applying for a visa. You get 180 days on arrival at the airport. And yes, we all want India to open up again :)
Christopher ********
OP@Luiza ****
I looked into SL, but at least a few months ago it looked rather bureaucratic to enter and it also involved staying a week I believe it was in more expensive than usual hotels.I am looking for somewhere in Asia as loosey-goosey as Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia and Dubai were in the spring (I was in all four - all easy & fast) But guess what, according Skyscanner's COVID regulation map, there are *zero* countries with no or even low restrictions now.
Marguyvin **********
@Christopher *******
zero countries in Asia, but there are 6 'wide open' in the world according to this site. 😉****************************************************
Luiza *****
@Christopher *******
Sri Lanka has opened up by now. That is fully vaxxed people do not need to quarantine anymore. Not even for one day. You do need a PCR test taken 72 hours before your flight. You need to apply for an ETA (visa online) and will get 30 days, which you can extent later in the country. You need your vaccine certificate. Any vaccine which is accepted in the country of origin, is accepted in SL. And you need to fill in a Health Declaration form. Also online. It has a QR code. But you do that last (I think) because you need your flight details. Oh, and you need a return ticket, or at least a ticket OUT of SL.Luiza *****
@Christopher *******
Many useful tips on this fb group: Hello Again Sri Lanka Tourism 2021Luiza *****
@Christopher *******
Online visa 30 days costs 35 USD and extension 100 USD.Christopher ********
OP@Luiza ****
much obliged
Zac ********
Another perspective on this, once you have done the first expensive day you will be free to go where you like. At the moment the accommodation providers that have survived the last 20 months are so desperate for people, the prices are quite a bit cheaper than pre covid days. If your accommodation is 20% cheaper than normal for a three month stay, this can offset the cost of the first expensive day. There are quite a few people that fit your demographic that stay in the village on Koh Chang where I live, I know this as I have some regulars who stay at my small resort. To be honest the small businesses here really need people of your demographic, I hope you have a great time.
James ***********
Because thailand has a pipe dream of becoming the rich man's vacation paradise.. They use pandemic as a tool to filter out the low earners..
Ben *********
There are other options, check well. Good luck.
Harry **********
Can someone confirm this - is it really $150 for a 1 night stay in the hotel.
or is this including all of the ride from hotel, etc
or is this including all of the ride from hotel, etc
Michael ********
@Harry *********
cheapest seen so far is 3900 baht all in. Room transport test and foodHarry **********
thanks guys. Sounds good
Christopher ********
OP@Michael *******
Mr. Dawson, I did look at a website 'cheapest ASQ hotels in Thailand'. Although I am using it as a basis for contacting hotels directly, it is out-of-date.What resources did you use to find budget-friendly ASQ hotels?
Christopher ********
OPCuriously, while looking for hotels in Tanzania I observed that Agoda has lower prices for same rooms than Hotels com does. However, it does have a reputation as sometimes being difficult to get refunds from for cancelled reservations, even within limits of reservation. I do not have personal experience, though will soon (aborted Africa trip)
Michael ********
@Christopher *******
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Michael ********
@Christopher *******
Being a moderator i browse through related websites and that particular one was on one of them.Agoda and Booking are a good start in my eyes and anything takes your fancy look on that particular hotels website. Sometimes cheaper sometimes not
Christopher ********
OP@Harry *********
all-inclusive. And I quoted in CADLynnette *******
Whats the C$ 400 tax for entering Thailand? Not seen that.
Christopher ********
OP@Lynnette ******
Note my use of the adjective 'effectively'. Or is that an adverb? 'For all practical purposes' is the intent of my phrase.Lynnette *******
@Christopher *******
pcr test pre flight is required by a few countries to enter. The country your leaving are the ones charging you. Its a free test in uk UNLESS you're flying, then you have to pay privately. My govts rules. Christopher ********
OPDo the math: PCR test + isolation hotel + insurance
Jared **********
@Lynnette ******
most countries also don’t require hospital quarantine if you’re asymptomatic As far as covid treatment most people are fine unless they are at risk, and even more so if they are vaccinated
There is some sense to the extra insurance and precautions but it’s hard to take it seriously given the nature of Thai politics and economics
Lynnette *******
@Christopher *******
hotel and pcr is fairly cheap. Insurance is a no brainer, why would you travel without enough to cover you including covid treatment? Which could cost you a lot more than the cost of insurance. Most countries should be trying to stop irresponsible burdens on their health system from uninsured travellers. Lynnette *******
@Christopher *******
still none the wiser. Cant find any reference to a $400 cost/charge/tax. 
Briton *********
Just got back from Colombia. Better policies all around. Nepal is living normal life right now. No worries here.
Eric **********
Interesting and thoughtful. Good luck in your travels.
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