Far East travel prospects

[anonymous-user]

Thai tourist authority announced today that they believe it is unlikely the Government will open the Thai border to leasure travel in this year.

[Mark V GTD]

I cancelled my ticket last week and got my money back as there just seems to be no short/medium term prospects for flying to Asia.

The CV-19 testing requirement from Etihad was actually the last straw (would need to get one to come home too) - but to be fair to them they refunded within a few days and they have actually been excellent throughout. Just a shame I cant fly with them for the foreseeable :-(

[jamoor]

I don’t think anywhere will be open this year

[jontysafe]

Yup, I cancelled as not a chance it was going to happen. Won't be going anywhere until Oct now back to UK

[Mark V GTD]

New Year in Thailand it is then....

[smifffymoto]

Even Thailand isn’t looking good for this year.

[jamoor]

smifffymoto said:

Even Thailand isn’t looking good for this year.

Yep when countries like Thailand look at Greece + Spain its not a surprise they want to keep closed.

[anonymous-user]

Thailand border is now open for Thai nationals to travel out and in, mechanic from Bangkok turned up on Saturday to Kula Lumpur to fit the ECU for my Lotus Carlton that he has been rebuilding, he's had it since Feb and couldn't return it, But Malaysia yesteday closed the border completely to Philippines, Indonesians and Indians, even people who hold long term visa's can't come in, European visa holders can with certain conditions and pre approval of flight plans. I say no prospect of the Borders in SEA opening to Europeans this year.

[Mark V GTD]

Easter in Thailand it is then.....

[Kit352]

Tanzania for christmas it is then.

Seriously, i cant find a single asian country right now that is easily traveled to. If the country doesnt have requirements then the airlines do and i just cant justify taking the risk of having to take multiple tests to allow me to get there and back. Im not worried about the quarantine here in the Uk as i can build that into my vacation.

[jamoor]

Kit352 said:

Tanzania for christmas it is then.

Seriously, i cant find a single asian country right now that is easily traveled to. If the country doesnt have requirements then the airlines do and i just cant justify taking the risk of having to take multiple tests to allow me to get there and back. Im not worried about the quarantine here in the Uk as i can build that into my vacation.

Yeeeep.

We used to take hopping on a plane for £350 return to the other side of the world for granted.

[Mark V GTD]

jamoor said:

We used to take hopping on a plane for £350 return to the other side of the world for granted.

That ability is starting to seem like it was in another life....

Kit352 said:

Seriously, i cant find a single Asian country right now that is easily travelled to.

I think I am actually getting depressed about this now.

[GT4P]

We are looking to book our annual return to Thailand in February(being doing this for 10years). We always book everything separate and what I have noticed is flight costs haven risen dramatically normally pay £550-600 with Thai but they have remained at over £900 for a while, looking at alternative carriers ie Quatar which is still circa £700 but with flexi fair.Personally I think demand for Asia will be high this winter and countries like Thailand will be open, there covid numbers were low even with millions of Chinese entering the country earlier in the year. When we were their in early March they had heat sensors , hand gel at the airports whilst Heathrow had nothing. Tourism is important to Asia so I am sure they will open but with testing on entering etc.
Noticed yesterday TUI are taking bookings and whilst pricing looks normal I can see these increasing as we approach the New Year, but I suppose everything at the moment is a bit of a gamble but you can't stop living!
Is Africa not one of those continents waiting to explode with cases like India?

Edited by GT4P on Thursday 10th September 06:38

[jamoor]

GT4P said:

We are looking to book our annual return to Thailand in February(being doing this for 10years). We always book everything separate and what I have noticed is flight costs haven risen dramatically normally pay £550-600 with Thai but they have remained at over £900 for a while, looking at alternative carriers ie Quatar which is still circa £700 but with flexi fair.Personally I think demand for Asia will be high this winter and countries like Thailand will be open, there covid numbers were low even with millions of Chinese entering the country earlier in the year. When we were their in early March they had heat sensors , hand gel at the airports whilst Heathrow had nothing. Tourism is important to Asia so I am sure they will open but with testing on entering etc.
Noticed yesterday TUI are taking bookings and whilst pricing looks normal I can see these increasing as we approach the New Year, but I suppose everything at the moment is a bit of a gamble but you can't stop living!
Is Africa not one of those countries waiting to explode with cases like India?

IMO the Thai will look at other tourism dependent economies such as Greece and Spain.

And then think fk that.

Oh and I had a quick look at prices, you can fly PE from LHR - BKK for £750, just take that it's worth the extra.

Edited by jamoor on Wednesday 9th September 13:34

[GT4P]

jamoor said:

IMO the Thai will look at other tourism dependent economies such as Greece and Spain.

And then think fk that.

Oh and I had a quick look at prices, you can fly PE from LHR - BKK for £750, just take that it's worth the extra.

Edited by jamoor on Wednesday 9th September 13:34

PE ?
You can fly BA for £519 which incorporates Quatar Airlines thats booking direct with BA.,I always book direct! But not sure about BA as a carrier????
I have booked with Thai last 10 years as always good service,flight times,bags checked in at Heathrow all the way to destination ie went to Luang Prabang via Bangkok this year on way out and fly on A380 nice plane for the long haul part to Bangkok.

[jamoor]

GT4P said:

PE ?
You can fly BA for £519 which incorporates Quatar Airlines thats booking direct with BA.,I always book direct! But not sure about BA as a carrier????
I have booked with Thai last 10 years as always good service,flight times,bags checked in at Heathrow all the way to destination ie went to Luang Prabang via Bangkok this year on way out and fly on A380 nice plane for the long haul part to Bangkok.

Sorry Premium Economy on Lufthansa.

I'd skip BA imo.

Although my opinion is that you won't get there this year or in Feb.

https://www.google.com/flights?hl=en#flt=/m/04jpl.BKK.2021-02-03*BKK./m/04jpl.2021-02-17;c:GBP;e:1;sc:p;sd:1;t:f

[GT4P]

jamoor said:

Sorry Premium Economy on Lufthansa......... (problem is the journey will take longer, Thai or Quartar one short stop before flying on to Phuket)

I'd skip BA imo.......(did think that although cheap only part of journey with BA partner is Quatar and Bangkok airlines but direct booking)

Although my opinion is that you won't get there this year or in Feb........(maybe/ maybe not but a flexi ticket should cover,but need to remain positive!)


{{}

[h0b0]

Same flights in economy are £379 (return) when I check google flights in the US.

[StevieBee]

Kit352 said:

Tanzania for christmas it is then.

I assume you jest.... but just in case, President Magufuli trumped 'Trump' back in June, stopping reporting on Covid cases and swiftly announcing the country to be Covid free. It really, really isn't. (I have some friends in Dar el Salam). And it's not the sort of place you want to be struck down with it.

[GT03ROB]

GT4P said:

Is Africa not one of those countries waiting to explode with cases like India?

Quotes from Bruno..... "Africa is not a country honey, it's a continent"