Jumbo1968

Stuck in the U.K. with my Thai partner and son, we were supposed to fly back this week no idea when we can return to Thailand. My partners visa expires the first week in September. She and my son have vouchers for B.A who are showing flights in September to BKK from Newcastle.

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Not sure if the embassy is issuing visas. 

A single entry non-o visa is valid for entry for 3 months from the date of issue.

Thanks Joe

In this day of social media surely if hundreds of friends ad family were more than normal it would be all over Facebook, Twitter etc ?

Tha Thais closed the airports, any returning Thai is forcibly quarantined, the U.K. have never closed any airports, ports  etc. They have announced that from the end of the month any arrivals have to self quarantine, what a farce, so for the next 3 weeks thousands still arriving !
It’s all about money and when the Challcellor decides he is not going to pay people 80% of their wages for sitting at home in the coming weeks there will be a massive return to work.

Is the Thai Embassy in London currently processing visas, if so if I apply for a 90 Day Non 0 based of being in receipt of my State. pension that have 90 days from the date of issue to enter Thailand ?

You can still book flights, that way the airlines are topping up their bank balance then a few days before if they have to cancel either give you vouchers, change dates foc, their preferences and the 3rd option a refund. To receive a refund from B.A. you have to call them, I did and the money was back on my card in 3/4 days.

20 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

My wife is also stuck in the U.K. we are on extension of stay and she is my dependant recently the Thai government announced that all foreigners had to have $100,000 health insurance policy which must have written in It that the police states you are covered from Corona virus this does not apply to Thai nationals there was also a requirement that both foreigners and Thai nationals must obtain a health certificate stating you are clear from Corona virus and this letter can be no older than 72 hours before you fly . I have already seen posts that Thai nationals who didn’t have this certificate were turned away at airports around the world my wife has already made  enquires in the U.K. on both issues and tells me that there is no chance of getting either requirement . It should also be noted if this couple were to return to Thailand they have to go into Quarantine for 14 days on a military base.

In a similar situation, my Thai partner and son are in the U.K. flights already have been cancelled. I have until the 26th of May to decide on a return date to Thailand with B.A. they say that flights will currently resume on the 1st of June. I would like to travel back but as yet details of restrictions which I assume will announced when the next lockdown ends.

I don’t think any Insurance company would cover you for Covid19 so the government will have to revise that decision for me.

10 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

OK, I understand now. As you may know, if the flights had begun in the UK i.e. UK-Thailand-UK, you would be entitled to a full refund by law.

Yes I was aware of that thanks, I have received a full refund on my return flight from B.A., I only called them Thursday.

13 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

Can you explain that a little more please? Were these flights Thailand-UK-Thailand and the only portion that's been used is the Thailand - UK?

My partners and sons flights were Thailand - U.K. and only the Thailand - U.K. portion has been used.

9 minutes ago, Letseng said:

Sounds easier than done.

I enquired at my UK Bank what protection I had with my Credit Card, I had to provide proof that the flight was cancelled by the airline and they were not prepared to give me a refund.

Airlines are not refusing refunds but are offering other alternatives so I doubt I would receive a refund from my Credit Card Company ?

5 minutes ago, samsensam said:

 

my friends arrived back in the uk from thailand, no one needed to tell them to isolate for 14 days they just got on and did it. i dont see why, at this stage in the pandemic, people need to be told to self isolate when they move from one country, or area within a country, to another. it's basic common sense.

 

people need to be more switched on and take responsibility and not just look for reasons to complain and criticise in these unprecedented times

So why is Thailand forcibly putting their own citizens in quarantine for 14 days when they return to Thailand. My Thai partner is switched on and would do 14 days self isolation with out having to be confined to a hotel/army camp ?

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

AFAIK most countries are only permitting entry to their own nationals, who then have to go into quarantine. Some governments are paying for that, some not.

IMO everyone should wait for three months, the dust won't settle before then.

The majority of countries are except the U.K. as I said in an earlier post my colleagues Thai wife arrived from BKK on Tuesday. She basically ‘walked’ into Newcastle no checks,no advice on self isolating.

My colleagues Thai wife arrived from Bangkok via Schipol with KLM last week. I read that all airports are closed but doing a flight search some airlines are still flying into BKK. I can’t see airlines flying empty planes just to bring a few back on the return journey ?

If eventually B.A. recommence flights do I have to advise anyone Thai Embassy or other she and our son are returning on a certain date or does she just go the airport.

7 minutes ago, Puccini said:

What Is the Canadian government advising?

 

The OP wrote that he would be flying from Canada

This from the Canadian Government website,

Travel abroad

Official Global Travel Advisory

Avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.

As foreign governments implement strict travel restrictions and as fewer international transportation options are available, you may have difficulty returning to Canada or may have to remain abroad for an indeterminate period.
 

The U.K. is advising only travel to Thailand if it’s essential so the chances of getting Travel Insurance is zero. Booking flights which are cancelled by the airline means you will be ‘chasing’ a refund for weeks and if I cancel because I can’t fulfil the criteria to return to Thailand it’s either change the date for a fee or lose the money. My partners and sons return flight to Thailand with B.A. on the 12th of May has been cancelled no voucher as part of the journey has been completed. A refund I would receive 50% of the original return fare nowhere near what it would cost for s single. I have until 14 days after the original date to change the return flight date for free. If B.A. cancel again I can still change for free, it’s a case of hanging on in there to see what appertains but until the U.K. figures improve Thailand will be reluctant to allow British citizens and returning Thais in without severe restrictions which you can’t blame them for.

I managed to get through to the B.A. U.K. Office today, for my partner and sons return flight from Newcastle to Bangkok, no voucher, 50% refund on the fares about £460 in total or change the date free. B.A. suggested the 1st of June, if they cancel it’s free again, if I cancel I would need to pay for new fares.

I was reluctant to rebook, we have until 14 days after the original flight date the 12th of May to make a new booking for free. I will wait to see what restrictions are in place for Thais and myself returning from the U.K.before I decide on a date.

My fare was a return, B.A. suggested a voucher, I requested a refund, no problem but it will several weeks for it to be processed.

The problem is no one can predict what restrictions will there be on returning to Thailand, my partner might have to travel alone, she has never travelled much, she has only transited through Heathrow once and will have a very lively 5 year old boy to contend with.

Do B.A. provide a service where she could be met at Heathrow after arriving from Newcastle and guided to the gate for the Bangkok flight ?

B.A. cancelled our flights for the 12th of May, mines was a return Newcastle to BKK via Heathrow, my partner and sons is the return leg. B.A.advised me in an the email to go to their website to either change dates or claim a refund. To predict a travel date is impossible so I opted for a refund, I was redirected to a Voucher Application Page. If I wanted a refund I would need to call them, impossible after going through the various press this that and the other you receive a message to say they are busy then the call ends, I have trying for 2 weeks now.

Under E.U. Law B.A.because are based in the U.K I am entitled to a refund to be paid within 14 days. I called my bank to try to see if I could raise a dispute via my C.C. To do that I have to prove the flights have been cancelled and they have refused to refund any monies. 
 

The Banking Rep. said Air Fares could double in the near future so if in the end I opt for a voucher what would be the value of it. I have ‘tweeted’ B.A. regards this but I am still waiting for a reply.

if Air Fares double Tourism globally will take a huge hit although I can’t see airlines flying empty aircraft ?

Is it free ?

2 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Heads up guys and gals: I just received an email from THAI Airways cancelling my flight from Bangkok to London for 2nd June. I called reservations (got through immediately to a helpful rep) and they told me that "right now" there is nothing scheduled to London, Paris or Frankfurt until 1st July 2020! Therefore I am now re-booked and "confirmed" to London on 1st July which is the earliest operating flight. She also said some routes (unspecified) will not be operating again until 27th October.

Well at least they rebooked but nothing to stop them cancelling your flight again ?

7 minutes ago, HerbyJFlash said:

If the government and immigration keep the same entry requirements that they had just before lockdown . I.e valid health insurance (impossible to obtain covid cover / if the foreign office is advising against essential It makes travel insurance invalid anyway), and a fresh medical certificate . It will be impossible to enter Thailand and pattaya even if flights are running. 
 

Do people think that will be the case ?

To start with unless you have the relevant documentation you won’t be allowed to board the flight as they are liable for returning you back to original departure point if you are refused entry.

Just now, bwpage3 said:

It will all depend on international airlines around the world, and when they start flying regular schedules. Until that happens, Thailand will not get enough tourists to sustain much of anything.

 

MOF is reporting GDP is already down 6.7%. 

 

 

Disagree flights won’t start till airlines find out what restrictions The government put on arrivals, 

I think governments the world over will move to easing lockdowns, their economies can’t go forever on total lockdowns neither can the citizens more so Thailand as there is no social security system, you don’t work you done eat !

Spain and I believe Italy have relaxed conditions on lockdown, it’s a case of watching and waiting to see what appertains there.

Easy Jet have announced that after the lockdown finishes and flights restart they will keep the middle seats vacant to adhere to the distance rule. That’s fine but what about going through the airport boarding the plane etc, sounds like desperate times, they can’t afford to have their aircraft sitting on the tarmac. Obviously operating an aircraft with spare seats will mean increased fares ?

Swiss Air on Skyscanner were showing prices of under £400 from Heathrow via Zurich to Bangkok yesterday on the 12th of May ?

1 minute ago, tso310 said:

I'd raise a dispute with the credit card company. It will be far quicker than trying to do it yourself. 

B.A. do answer tweets so I wait till they answer my last but I think I will be raising a dispute with my credit card company, as you say it will or should be sorted quicker.

The biggest issue is when flights resume and what restrictions the Government put on arrivals re Health Insurance which I doubt any company would insure our against Coronavirus.

The U.K.Government are recommending travelling to Thailand only if it’s essential so I doubt Travel Insurance will highly unlikely to get as well.

3 hours ago, tso310 said:

Was a BA flight or a code share with Qatar ? They are both One World Alliance so BA do use them on their website but it will have a BA flight number. I suspect your real problem will be entering Thailand as its easier to pick Euro Lottery jackpot numbers.

I booked direct with B.A., I know even if there were flights on the 12th of May it would be very difficult for me to return to Thailand in fact impossible even for my Thai partner and son as they might still be quarantining Thai people when they arrive.

What I want from B.A.is the value and the flexibility of the vouchers which they haven't divulged.

B.A. are Spanish owned, Qatar have a 25% stake but as I paid with my U.K. Credit Card I can raise a dispute.