I 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.

@Michael *******

Governments the world over are generally incompetant and unethical in my view. Not unique to any one country.

Higher than Japan last time I checked

@Brett *********

Consult the data - Cambodia has one of the highest vaccination rates in Asia.

@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.

@Michael *******

reasonable question. However at a different hotel they had only three sample collection times.

There appears to not exist a comparison chart for all the quarantine hotels so one can make an informed consumer choice.

Just installed FB Messenger where I experimented using this messaging app instead of email...

GRACE HOTEL replied unambiguously. Only one meal provided. Good news, because I don't eat much Thai food, preferring to order in West Asian or South Asian.

THB3900 for 'Test & Go'. Room has microwave so they saw me coming. Android TV also. Think I'll spring THB600 for a better room. I have stayed in their ancient basic rooms and the mattress or something was mediocre.

Only thing I am skeptical about is the claim that they will take me directly from airport to hospital for test. At 2 a m.? I am very skeptical, so asked for verification.

One more hotel replied (within 12 hours, maybe sooner, I do not know as I was sleeping, then busy) and Ambassador replied to my clarification questions...

1. Royal President: First hotel to be completely unambiguous and simple about my particular challenge of late arrival ..

"If you arrival at hotel after 23.00 hrs.(11PM.) please make the reservation for 2 nights."

This is how I expected it would have to be, but the other two hotels danced around/ignored the question. My buddy living in Pattaya says this should be obvious at the get go, but I like to see things in black and white. No surprises.

"1 Night package

Deluxe room (40 sqm.) for 1 person is 4,900 THB

2 Nights package

Deluxe room (40 sqm.) for 1 person is 6,400 THB"

2. Ambassador...

"1. If you are include Eligible Countries that Thai government approved (Customer must reside in the eligible countries for at least 21 consecutive days and Fully Vaccinated not less than 14 days) you can book package 1 night 2 days (Standard room THB 5,000.-)"

OK

"2. If your flight arrives at BKK airport on Nov. 10 at approximately 00:15 (just after midnight) you have to book room check-in 11 Nov’21 and check-out 12 Nov’21"

I think they have their math wrong or don't understand how calendars work. Why would I check in for what practically speaking is night arrival (but technically arrival) on . Makes absolutely no sense to me. Am I missing something here. If they can't get this right, what will they foul up during my stay?

"3. If your flight arrives at BKK airport on Nov. 10 at approximately 00:15 hrs. if mean your booking will confirm on 11 Nove'21 and you have to swab test at 08.00-09.00 hrs on 11 Nov’21 and we will receive result at 20.00 hrs. in same day (approximately) , you can check-out on 12 Nov’21 after receive result (Hotel do not charge for late check-out). But if you need to extend stay we have additional charge."

Clear as mud and inconvenient. Why would I want to have a medical test six hours after I arrive from a series of not short flights? I will probably sleep for 10-12 hours, being available only in the afternoon of .

The only good news I got out of this is that for late check-out this hotel does not charge extra. But he/she did not say how far this extends. Key point to me.

The gist seems to be that I must book two nights

"4. The package include indian food (as menu) If you need additional you have to pay extra charge."

Is he/she saying that yes, Indian food is available on the quarantine menu and that the only circumstance where I would have to pay extra is if I order dishes not part of the three meals per day or that there is a more extensive Indian menu that is not part of the package, or that the quarantine package meals does not include but I can order at extra charge from the menu instead?

He/she completely ignored my request for clarification about vegetarian protein dishes. This is what happens when you stay in an enclave populated by overwhelmingly Muslim visitors from KSA and the Gulf rather than Hindus and Sikhs from South Asia. I can't be bothered to find out where they quarantine. This is taking too much time for what will amount to less than 48 hours.

"5. Please note Swab test schedule issue by Thai government not hotel."

Huh, I thought it was the hospital scheduling this. Or is the hospital just following Ministry of Health instructions?

Still no knowledge at my end whether the swab is done at the hotel or whether I have to be transported to the hospital and back.

Sounds like an expensive headache. I would rather just be herded into a gov't facility, tested, and released ASAP. Instead what exists is a facsimile of tourism. But I have already cancelled two trips due to COVID so I will just 'bite the (silver) bullet'.

@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.

@Michael *******

Kee nyau kee-nok