belfast3

1 minute ago, Brunolem said:

Somehow, the population always manages to split in two groups: democrats vs republicans, socialists vs capitalists and so on

 

With the covid 19 two new groups are emerging:

 

supporters of the herd immunity

vs

supporters of the herd mentality

 

But unlike the other groups which are generally more or less equal in size, these two groups are not.

 

Members of the second group outnumber those of the first group by at least a factor of ten...which is very worrying for people able to think, but very reassuring for our overlords.

 

After all, as Bertrand Russell once said:

 

"People would sooner die than think, indeed this is what they do"

 

The socialist vrs capitalist debate in this whole scenario has been interesting, I think every billionaire on the planet has now been demonised for causing some part of this pandemic ????

14 minutes ago, sucit said:

My God, thank you. 

 

It brings great joy to my heart to know there are at least a few of us out there able to use our brains, look at information and think for ourselves. 

 

That is exactly right. Despite what 99.9% of everyone is saying, even many scientists, lockdowns have not been scientifically proven to be effective. In fact, there are new studies that say the worst place to be is inside your home, and out of the sunlight. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.04.20053058v1

 

That does not mean locking down was a bad decision, it just means it was a guess and we do not know yet how effective it actually is. 

Executed well, a strict lock-down combined with mass testing would enable the majority of cases to be discovered and isolated quickly before starting to lift restrictions. However, many of the lockdowns imposed seem to be out of government-panic without any testing or exit strategy so it's become a total <deleted>show.

Added to that, many people are panic and fear-stricken so the governments hands are essentially tied. If they lift lockdowns too early, there will be a huge backlash.

I received a Non-O B visa in March to work in Thailand.

However, given the current situation I haven't been able to travel. I need to enter Thailand before the visa expires on 3 June. However, this also seems like it may be unlikely.

In the event that I can't, is it possible to get the visa re-issued from the London Embassy, using existing paperwork from employer in Thailand?

Note: Have already contacted the embassy, they just assured me that travelling before 3 June will be no problem. 

It is bad, but mostly for a certain subset of the population.

The numbers are also heavily skewed. The mortality rate is based on people who have been tested, which is mostly those who have severe symptoms, so it's much lower than the 3-4% we keep seeing.

There is also some scepticism around the death numbers, it seems like some countries are reporting deaths if the person had covid-19 at the time of death (which is pretty likely if they're in a hospital surrounded by infected people) but doesn't necessarily mean that it was covid-19 killed them. 

I think we'll start to see a different perspective once mass testing begins in the majority of countries. 
 

As usual, it's poorly communicated what the requirements are but it's 99% likely that no doctor is going to produce a medical certificate certifying no evidence of covid-19 without a test.

Even getting a non-emergency doctors appointment is impossible in most countries right now. The health systems are under enormous pressure and signing holiday certificates for people to go to Thailand is the last thing they're concerned about. 

You need a covid-19 test and a certificate/doctors letter confirming you tested negative. If you arrive before midnight tonight, you should be fine without it. 

The policy will most likely be scrapped in the coming days, and replaced with something else. There is already refutes from the government about it, and there has been several flip-flops on other COVID-19 related policies in the past few weeks. 

Worst case scenario is that it's in place for 21-30 days, but there isn't a chance in hell this will become a long-term thing once they realise that tourist numbers have been decimated as a result. 

4 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

What a total mess.  

 

Once again Thailand, the total inability to create a workable rule, communicate it in a top down manner, and stick to it, seems entirely impossible in this culture

It'll (hopefully) be a different rule tomorrow once they realise there is no such thing as a covid-19 medical certificate for a healthy person. 

55 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

Yesterdays order revoked

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/03/19/govt-refutes-govts-order-requiring-travelers-to-present-virus-certificate/

 

Total cluster<deleted> Thailand.  Once again.

How reliable is this? Seems that yesterdays order has propagated to official sources, such as the UK Gov website.

I think this is Thailand's polite way of shutting down the borders. It's going to be close to impossible for most people to get a health certificate now with healthcare systems under so much pressure. Most insurance companies won't cover covid-19 on new polities either. 

You do not need a medical certificate travelling from the UK. There is a lot of fake news.

Use the Thai DoDC website for the latest accurate information: https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php

Also, the Embassy in London website: http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/114909-Travel-measures-to-control-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).html

It is stressful though, I'm flying next week and the requirements could change at any moment – there's no chance of getting a medical certificate in the UK right now. 

You will most likely be fine at Mae Sae, the IOs there are usually very friendly and never ask questions. If you did one only a month ago, why don't you just extend for one more month instead of the hassle of going to Mae Sae?

You'll probably be fine given you haven't been in the country for extreme periods of time and flying in from your home country.

Just make sure you have the SETV, 20k cash and hotel reservation.

On 1/17/2020 at 5:10 AM, ExpatDraco said:

Send them an email some days ago, still didn't receive an answer.

Same, but I just sent them a message on FB and they got back straight away - perhaps an issue with the form on their website preventing emails going through.

30% is a killer – % based taxes are fine but then paying an extra % to the company for managing payroll + insurance doesn't make sense given they are fixed costs. 

Has anyone used Shelter to obtain a business visa/work permit?
 

Looks similar to Iglu although with better options for entrepreneurs and remote workers (not just freelancers). Website seems to be missing important information like how much it costs though. I sent them an email a few days ago but haven't heard anything back ????

There is a BOI proposal at the moment to extend the SMART Visa to remote workers (in specific industries with a minimum income). There were two BOI forums held in Chiang Mai last year were they invited digital nomads to provide input on the SMART Visa and recommendations moving forwards. Chiang Mai University also conducted research on the economic impact of digital nomads. The authorities are very aware of the situation and seem to be working towards creating a way for remote workers to work in Thailand legally.

When (and if) it will happen is the big question.

On 1/9/2020 at 6:41 AM, Snacks said:

Great advice, thanks!... also wondering if anyone has EVER heard of anyone being denied entry at Chiangmai airport w a valid tourist visa (not VOA, but actual SETV or METV)?

 

Im currently deciding whether to risk CMX or just go to the friendship bridge in Laos. Any opinions would be appreciated ????

There is one or two stories - one of a guy who had been abusing TV and ED visas for 11 years so hardly surprising. I only know personally of one person who has been questioned at CNX (VE, no 20k, no hotel booking) but was let through. 

I flew into CNX in August with extensive history + SETV and had no problems, the immigration staff seemed to be very neutral and efficient – I didn't see anyone being questioned or having issues. If you have SETV or METV and 20k cash you will most probably be fine at CNX. 

 

If flying into BKK with a connecting flight on to CNX - does the immigration processing happen in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

It’s all booked under one ticket with Thai Airways.

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

We’re you asked to show the 20k, return ticket etc... or just flat out denied?


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

All issued from London, and i have been back to the UK for at least 3 months between each of my visits to Thailand - and have no extension stamps in my passport.