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JackTheBat Forum Moderator UID 56406 Digest Posts 0 Credits 32124 Posts 2124 Karma 31726 Acceptance 7954 Reading Access 150 Registered 1-12-2010 Status Offline

#1 Post at 6-11-2020 21:34  Profile Blog P.M.  Font size: S M L Bangkok sitrep November 2020 Hello again gents, your Bangkok correspondent here. There are other mongers in town, and some have written reports. I'm glad they did so and urge interested bros to read any and all reports from the Thai capital. This is what I observe based on my preferences. I haven't been to a gogo bar in ~15 years, because IMO they became too mercenary. Some were better than others but I recall seeing a stage full of gals completely ignoring the audience (us) as they shuffled back/forth, chatted among themselves and even checked their cellphones. Because Sugar Daddy #4 would be arriving from Tokyo bearing gifts in a week, so why bother doing anything else besides showing up? That was my distinct feeling on the night when I decided to cease patronage of said establishments. That said, as soon as another dance contest is announced, I'll be there early--those things are nuts. So I have no intel on the gogo scene other than what I hear: a few bars (Billboard & Butterflies in NEP) are doing well, the rest...just be glad you didn't invest in one, let's put it that way. Prices seem as inflated as ever. We must accept that pre-COVID and post-COVID are two different eras. This global pandemic is the single most important event of our lifetimes. Perhaps something will eclipse it, but I don't even want to think about what that may be. Thailand is doing very well in terms of pandemic response. Before the Songkran new year holiday (which happens in mid-April), the govt took drastic action to "flatten the curve": closed all bars, restaurants and shopping malls, and imposed a curfew (ironically, many European countries are now implementing identical measures now). They also banned all sales of alcohol (more about this in a bit), and cancelled the Songkran holiday--as Thais traditionally travel to their home provinces for Songkran, the advance cancellation meant that many upcountry Thais working in Bangkok went back to their home provinces early. Many are still there--with a family network that's helping keep them safe. It may not be glamorous, but these folks are reasonably OK. Rooftop parties were going on, and this was the motivation for the curfew + alcohol ban. Humans are social creatures and like to gather, but what happens if there's a contagious and asymptomatic virus about, when people are getting comfy, removing their masks, then leaning forward to shout at each other over loud music? You guessed it: superspreader event. There was in fact a superspreader because some bigshot held a Thai kickboxing event three days after the lockdown, and many ended up COVID-positive. As for the alcohol ban, well, it's common knowledge that mom & pop shops will sell under-the-counter. As is often the case here, as long as you're not causing problems for someone and keeping things private, it's all good. I was here when it was locked down tight, and when it opened under strict conditions, then ever since restrictions have been gradually reduced. Bangkok is spacious enough that distancing isn't that difficult. Masks are mandatory on public transportation but almost everyone wears one anyway. Thailand saw what SARS did in the region and the culture is collectivist: people look out for each other. There's hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, etc etc. The result shows in the COVID infections/deaths statistics which can easily be checked via the Net. Despite land borders, Thailand's COVID situation is roughly similar to Aus/NZ, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. It's...impressive. One downside of course is that international tourists aren't arriving. I'm not going to get into details, but there are competing agencies that say they're in charge, and various bureaucrats are prone to public announcements which aren't helpful. The first one was that tourism would begin July 1, and we know how that turned out, don't we? For an idea of what's involved in making a tourist visa to Thailand at present, please read this--from the website of the Thai embassy in Washington DC: https://thaiembdc.org/2020/11/05/trsingle_entry/ Also be aware that this information may not be 100% accurate, or reflect the difficulty a potential tourist may encounter trying to follow this procedure. Check forums for firsthand accounts. My analysis: this year's "high season" began evaporating in the summer, when many repeat visitors make their plans for a Thai trip. Now it's November and there's no clear path for tourist entry. There's been a lot of talk about various schemes, many aimed at Phuket. Various interests in Bangkok have formerly profitable ventures there and have tried to create Phuket-centric schemes. The latest? They're talking about shortening the quarantine period from 14 days to 10. Phuket is in dire straits, but don't forget: there are still Thai citizens in other countries awaiting repatriation (they get State Quarantine free-of-charge). There are many tourists who ended up in Thailand and whose original visas ran out long ago--the govt announced amnesty after amnesty, now the subject seems to be on the back burner. Whether they want to go "home" or not isn't always relevant--there are few flights leaving Thailand at the moment. The bottom line is that Thailand is closed to casual tourism for the foreseeable future. Maybe next high season we'll have fast-testing for COVID, a workable and distributed vaccine and some flights will resume. But it won't be like before. That's the reality. However, it'll be worth the trip. How it is for me now: I've found a few regulars on Thai Friendly and frankly, they've become friends. I invite them over regularly. Yes, they're professionals, but they know Jack is OK, so they're happy to visit. I'm careful not to ask them too much, but I know their routine has been severely disrupted by the pandemic. They have the same expenses with greatly reduced revenue. And this is just the ones I like enough to repeat with...er, pretty much every week. There's a routine but...if I wanna DATY I just do it, if I wanna CIM I just do it, if I wanna wind them up with a buzzin' vibrator I just do it. I'm getting rather kinky with one of them. And that's all I'm gonna say right now. It sounds great and frankly, it's not bad! But I sympathize with these women, and with other Thais just trying to get by in these difficult times. I listen to their tales and try to encourage them. Oh I'm selfish, I absolutely want to blow my load. I call who I want on any given night. So...I guess I'm a thoughtful and kind...uh, manslutpig. I dunno. Things have been weird lately and like everyone, I'm trying to cope. Hope this is useful and/or entertaining. Comments welcome, send PMs anytime. I know many of you would hop on a plane next week if you could. Keep the faith, my brothers! At some point you WILL be able to visit, and there will be much rejoicing. Stay positive. JtB Recent Ratings obe   18-2-2021 07:43   Karma   +10   Great update agamemnon33   21-11-2020 20:04   Karma   +2   Stay safe AnzeLV11   17-11-2020 15:34   Karma   +2   Thanks for the update! susman   8-11-2020 09:53   Acceptance   +1    diamonddog   7-11-2020 18:53   Karma   +3   Thanks for the update anabikumi   7-11-2020 15:26   Karma   +2   Thank you as always. Has the protests disrupted anywhere else in Bangkok other than the places reported in CNA? povar123   7-11-2020 13:37   Karma   +2   Thanks for sharing Bonesrat   7-11-2020 13:20   Karma   +3    boscitc   7-11-2020 10:43   Karma   +4   I’m ready to come back. Just need a window and access haha. thed4rklord   7-11-2020 02:55   Karma   +3   Thank you, great information Freelancer   6-11-2020 23:54   Karma   +8   Excellent

JackTheBat Forum Moderator UID 56406 Digest Posts 0 Credits 32124 Posts 2124 Karma 31726 Acceptance 7954 Reading Access 150 Registered 1-12-2010 Status Offline

#2 Post at 8-11-2020 20:35  Profile Blog P.M.  Font size: S M L @ anabikumi: I was caught up in one of the early protest areas--the one that shifted to Siam BTS Station, where they used the water cannon truck for the first time (and last time as the first blast hosed down the entire front line of cops). I was at the Ratchaprasong intersection and thought I could get on the BTS at Chit Lom, but there were masses of cops and some blocked the stairs to the BTS. So I walked (car no traffic, pedestrians had to walk around cops and obstacles) then got on at Ploen Chit. The same sort of thing happened to me in Hong Kong during the protests there. Since then, the protests seem to have disappeared. But of course, this is Thailand, so who knows. @ boscitc: Well, I wish you could hop on a plane, buddy. But right now that's not happening. Below is a firsthand account from an Aussie who lives in Phuket and managed to return. As Aus has additional steps his journey was a bit more complicated, but even without what his gov't required, it's...well, just read his tale: ASQ report: A Phuket expat’s personal account of re-entering Thailand Long-term Phuket expat Ian Lancaster left Phuket in March to visit his home country of Australia and enjoy a five-day wine trip of vineyards around Adelaide. Then the COVID-19 lockdowns began, leaving Ian unable to return to Phuket, where he has lived for the past eight years. Ian is no stranger to living Southeast Asia and the bureaucracy that entails. He has been living and working in Asia since 1985, based in Singapore, Taiwan and Beijing, with involvement in many other countries. Here is Ian’s first-hand account of the process and experience of re-entering Thailand through the Alternative State Quarantine requirements. By The Phuket News Friday 6 November 2020 https://www.thephuketnews.com/as ... -thailand-77896.php Many of my friends know I left Phuket on March 14 for two weeks in Australia that included a five-day wine trip of vineyards around Adelaide. Then with COVID-19 spreading, the Thai government shut the borders on Saturday, March 21. It took seven months then to return to Phuket, which I did on October 14. With an APEC Business Travelers visa and in my seventh year with a Thai Elite visa, I started out thinking positive, but then the optimism soon faded. I had cruises booked, flights to London to see our daughter cancelled. My Jetstar return flight to Phuket was cancelled and only a voucher issued. I had bought a Business class ticket on TG (Thai Airways) on March 19 hoping to get back before the curfew, but without luck. I finally got a credit voucher mid-September. All up I eventually recovered over AUS$45,000 in refunds for flights, hotels and cruises – but it took five months and I still only have credit vouchers from the two airlines and a hotel stay in London outstanding,  about AUS$8,000. In Australia I used the time and refunds to do upgrades and repairs to our Sydney home and realised it was going to be a marathon – as indeed it turned out to be. Initially I was relaxed and busy catching up with friends and family in Sydney, so I waited, waited and waited.  By July there were rumours that the next tranche of foreigners to be approved for a Certificate of Entry (COE) were those with a Thai Elite Visa. I started the email saga and after six weeks finally had confirmation that I could apply. The process started on August 21, and the application process changed before finally being accepted. After various follow ups, three weeks later I finally had confirmation that I could apply for a COE through the Royal Thai Embassy in Sydney. I applied online, but was then told I had to submit documents via mail. To double check, I visited the Thai Consulate in Sydney, they then helped submit forms after they saw my name was on the list to re-enter Thailand via Thai Elite/Foreign Ministry. Interesting challenge is that you have to specify a flight number and date, but can’t confirm without a COE and in Australia you also need the Australian Border Force to approve the exit of Australian nationals. A real Catch-22, so I took a punt and nominated September 28 and that is when the stress build-up started. The stress, and I mean “STRESS”, is caused because you have no control over the process. You need about nine pieces of paper and some require payment for a ticket on the TG476 flight and ASQ In Bangkok, both about B60,000 each, for which there is no refund. Others are time sensitive. • You finally get your COE about six days before the flight, then are told to contact Thai Airlines to pay the airfare. You can’t use an existing open ticket and the repatriation flights are charter flights. Guess what? Thai Airlines are operating on minimum staffing levels and four different phone numbers and eight phone calls later you finally speak to a helpful staff member to pay for the flight • You can’t apply to the Australian Border Force for an exit visa until you are confirmed and originally it took about 10 days – in the end the online application was approved in five hours • The Fit To Fly certificate signed by a doctor has to be done within 72 hours (before the flight departs) • A COVID-19 test also happens within 72 hours of the flight. The flight was on a Monday, and many places take 48 hours to report test results and don’t work on weekends. You need a certificate and there are only a handful of places in Sydney that will issue an approved form Finally, you have all the documents and approvals so the trip to the airport starts. You are required to be there a minimum of three hours before the flight. Bags checked in, documents checked, but then as an Australian you have to wait while the TG staff check with ABF if you are permitted to leave. After a further 30 minutes, with confirmation received, you are issued with a boarding pass so you proceed through deserted immigration, customs and security areas to wait in a deserted airport for the 10:00am flight The flight leaves on time but it feels eerie with the crew heavily dressed in plastic and goggles. Masks are worn for the full nine hours of the flight and I later learnt that there were 270 passengers on a new A350 flight. No alcohol was served and meals were pre-packed even for business class. 80% of the passengers were believed to be Thai citizens with less than 40 foreigners. We landed in Bangkok about 4:30pm and as one of the first off the plane, I was stunned to see about 200 Thais lined up to process the flight • Temperature and health records were checked in the first area before proceeding • Documents checked and ticked off the “list”, then you move on to the next area • ASQ bookings were confirmed then seated in groups of 10 • Then allowed to go in groups to Immigration and then to collect your own bags • As you exit through customs there are no checks • Outside there is the “list” again and you are escorted to a van. One person per van • As I am over 60 it was from the airport to Bangkok Hospital for the first night for temperature check, blood pressure and later a COVID-19 test. • You get the results at 7:00am the next morning, and with the all-clear from a negative test, it is off to my ASQ which was Movenpick BDMS • At the entrance, take off your shoes and put on hotel slippers that were to be worn anywhere in the hotel apart from the garden • So now to ASQ – it is actually 16 days not 14 – the first and last days don’t count as they are part days only. Simply, you initially download an app called Coste and record temperature readings in the app twice a day • No alcohol allowed • Temperature and blood pressure taken at 7:00am • Breakfast at 8:00am • Lunch at 1:00pm • Temperature check at 5:00pm • Dinner at 6:00pm • You can book 45 minutes exercise walking in the garden once a day • Door bell on each occasion – you understand about Pavlov’s dog first-hand about responding to stimuli. Meal is left on a coffee table outside the room door and after the meal, leftovers and utensils left in a red plastic bag on the outside coffee table. I thought I used to be strong mentally, and the first week is relatively easy because you have books and TV (there were 69 channels but after eliminating Thai,  Korean, Arabic, Chinese and Russian channels you effectively only have 15) and some exercise equipment. But on day eight I started to hit the wall when you realise no matter how good the food is or pleasant the staff and even though you can open the balcony and breathe “fresh” Bangkok air, you have no control over your life. I can now understand why solitary confinement is used as a punishment. My blood pressure kept rising and at one point hit 190/120 even though I tried deep breathing and meditation. Interestingly, later within two days of getting out (of the hotel quarantine) my BP had dropped to 135/75. On day 11 we had a final COVID-19 test and got the results the next day. On the final day you could book a departure from 6:00am – I was outside at 6:05am. Fortunately a friend was driving from Bangkok to Phuket and the 11-hour drive started the destressing process. Now feeling relaxed. Final thoughts: • So glad to have made it back to Thailand and be settled in once again in Phuket • Admiration for the Thai approach, protocols and professionalism from airport arrival through ASQ. Amazing how good it was • Saddened to see how deserted Phuket is and see so many businesses suffering • Realising that the people who live or retire in Thailand are a special breed who really make you feel very welcome and very special • Be careful in ASQ – with too much food and not enough exercise, it is so easy to put on weight • Feeling safe in Thailand with everyone taking care with temperature checks and compulsory wearing of masks JtB [ Last edited by  JackTheBat at 8-11-2020 20:39 ] Recent Ratings obe   18-2-2021 07:43   Karma   +10    anabikumi   10-11-2020 13:04   Karma   +2   Thanks for updating me. This article is great. Even with a vaccine looking like on the horizon, visiting Thailand is go ...

JackTheBat Forum Moderator UID 56406 Digest Posts 0 Credits 32124 Posts 2124 Karma 31726 Acceptance 7954 Reading Access 150 Registered 1-12-2010 Status Offline

#3 Post at 9-11-2020 09:17  Profile Blog P.M.  Font size: S M L QUOTE: Originally posted by JackTheBat: ...used the water cannon truck for the first time (and last time... Ha! Sunday's protest got frisky and the cops used the massive squirt gun again on Sunday night. However, according to the Bangkok Post: This time the water sprayed from the cannon was not laced with any chemicals, as had been the case during an Oct 16 event, according to members of the protest group that the Bangkok Post spoke with. Officers then apologised for the use of the water cannon but warned the protesters to keep at least 10 metres away from their cordon. However, this admission only served to further rile the crowd, who yelled taunts and obscenities as security forces struggled to keep the situation under control. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2016215/palace-march-turns-ugly So....yeah. JtB Recent Ratings obe   18-2-2021 07:44   Karma   +10   Going to get interesting anabikumi   10-11-2020 13:04   Karma   +2   Thank you. I got a little bit of this news on SCMP. This tells a more full story.

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