belfast3

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.

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.

 

 

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


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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. 

That’s reassuring - thanks. I’m flying back to Thailand in 2 weeks with an SETV from London after a 5 month break in the UK.


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I’ll pack my cravat too.


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.
 

Good point.


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Thank you. I am usually very presentable but I do travel in tracksuit bottoms and a hoody for comfort on the long flight. I’m going to pack a pair of trousers and a shirt and change before I go through immigration.


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Sawatdee krab 

 

I’ve been staying in Thailand for 6 months per year for the past few years on SETV and VE stamps without issue but am becoming increasingly concerned about entry problems now I have a history.

 

I’ve been back in the UK for 5 months and plan to re-enter next month flying to CNX via BKK.

 

Should I expect issues with immigration or will the fact I return to my home country for 5-6 months per year be evident that I’m not working in Thailand?

 

I have a new SETV, 20k in cash, onward flight ticket, hotel reservation and payslips showing foreign income.

 

Is there anything else I should bring/do to reduce the likelihood of being denied entry?

 

Thanks ????