habuspasha

1 hour ago, from the home of CC said:

potential disease exposure and re entry requirements, I wouldn't ask my wife to do that but everyone has their own priorities.. 

Of course I'm concerned about potential disease exposure and the re entry requirements are a major problem as I see it now.  She is not an experienced traveler and she hates to fly, having never flown alone further than Krabi or Luang Prabang to meet me. But she wants to see me as much as I want to see her. It's been almost a year now. 

2 hours ago, patman30 said:

i know someone that just left Thailand to meet her boyfriend in Dubai, then onto turkey and Georgia for extended holiday,
the cost for him to come here was above the cost for her (and him) to have 2-3 months holiday

I have thought of Dubai (Georgia and even the Mediterranean will be cold by November) and I don't mind the cost. The real problem is her getting back to Thailand. I need to be sure that after a month or two together, when I will have to return to the US, she is able to fly back to Thailand easily.

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Do foreigners entering Cambodia still need to deposit US$3000 into local bank as local insurance on top of US$50,000 medical insurance cover ???

 

Land borders are closed (officially) so a flight will be necessary. 

 

I think re-entry may require applying through the Thai Embassy in Cambodia for Certificate of Entry and Quarantine for 2 weeks in Thailand. There could be delays in trying to return with the application process. 

 

-----

 

It's a horrible situation for those missing those they care about. 

 

 

You wrote ‘better half’ are you married? (Marriage Certificate?) ????

 

 

 

Thanks, Richard.  Information on Cambodian requirements are not clear or changing.  I read $2,000 deposit or payment and $90 insurance policy.  Quarantine is personal unless arriving in plane with someone who tests positive.  It hadn't occurred to me that she would need a CoE just to return--Good point, though deeply troubling.  And no we don't have a marriage certificate.

Assuming Thai borders are probably closed to US passport holders (even with an Elite Visa) for the rest of the year, where can we meet?  Cambodia is one of the few countries now accepting Americans and Asiana flights seem to be running to and from JFK and between ICN and PNH.  But can my Thai Better-Half get to Cambodia and back?  Flights look dicey but possible.  Are their land alternatives?  Might she be delayed reentry?

I applied to the company (https://www.thailandelite.com) Aug 1 and just got the letter Sept 4.  I'm from U.S.

As long as we're making requests as they work out the details, here's my 2 cents:

1.  Allow GF/Wife to join in quarantine.

2. Permit beach and local restaurant access within 1 km area allowed.

3. Option to make own flight reservations, including flights thru BKK.

4. Limit or expedite paperwork (CoE etc) and approvals.

Should I wake up now?

At the risk of striking a discordant note, I am eager to be one of the moron tourists eager to jump at this offer.  I haven't seen my SO except on Line since Dec, am hoping for Elite approval and the chance to keep all the reservations I've made for Oct and Nov, against the odds.  As for the tracing, this is a pea-shooter in the hands of the modern state.  I'm pumped, even if the ap doesn't replace the ASQ.

It s such an inefficient and outdated mind-set to distinguish by countries (by origin or residence) in this globalized era.  Populations within countries are more diverse than populations between countries: a fact that is true of infection rates like everything else.  The overall experience of the United States has been horrid, including that of my native New York.  But New York now has a positive testing rate of 1 % and a reproduction value under 1.  TEST INDIVIDUALS NOT COUNTRIES.

When holders of the card could enter, they were met by someone who walked them through immigration where the visa was stamped on their passport.  

1 hour ago, rickudon said:

So, get the Thai Elite visa which may or may not allow you to get on the COE list, for a repatriation flight which may be fully booked within hours of it being announced, so could take months to get one, fly business class and spend 14 days in quarantine so you can have a holiday (maybe). Either desperation or insanity.....

Desperation or insanity...or love (which may be the same thing).  You may want to take a look at the forum I started on the same topic "NYC - BKK in Oct: what did I get wrong?"  I got some very useful advice.  But I think the description above is essentially right.  One minor point:  I think there has been a statement from somewhere in Thailand that Elite Visa holders (which I have also applied for) will likely be admitted before others in the 6th stage of opening (whatever that means).  Good luck!

Again, thank you all.  I figured I would get a lot of responses from this group with a red-meat subtitle like “what’s wrong with this plan?”  I didn’t expect such helpful advice though.  Wars, especially, thanks for the detail on dealing with the NY consul.  Much obliged.  Others have clarified the issue of available flights and the sequence of steps.  And I will not book an ASQ before I have a date.  (I would have cancelled before full-payment deadline anyway.)  TV has just become an essential part of my life.  Up there with the NY Times.

I want to thank everyone for your helpful replies.  I might be able to add something about cancelled flights.  I've already had two round trips cancelled for May and August.  Actually I cancelled the JAL August flight to BKK because they changed the date.  I noticed on Flight Tracker that the JAL flight to BKK was canceled 2 or 3 days out of every 4, the JFK flight to Haneda ran about every other day.  I thought by October, the odds would have improved.  (As I mentioned in the OP, I pay in miles so refunds are not a problem.)  What I didn't realize is the distinction in treatment between elite visa holders and new applications.  And I still don't understand the proper sequence of steps--flight, ASQ, and CoE, or when and whom to ask for what.  But I have written to the Consul in NY and will continue to follow the news here on this invaluable source.  Thanks again.

NYC – BKK in Oct: What’s wrong with this plan?

First,  I notice that there ARE flights now on Qatar and JAL.  I book business (in case it matters) with points (so it’s refundable).

Second, I apply for an Elite Visa.  They tell me it will take about a month.

Third, I book an ASQ for expected date of JAL arrival (reservation changeable).

Fourth, I jump through preparatory hoops (CofE, insurance, test,) when asked.

What am I missing?  (Besides a lot of baht)?

11 hours ago, Borzandy said:

My "girlfriends" are working in a bar, can I get a visa?

Not if you have to put it in quotes, and add an "s" no less.  Let's all laugh at those who really have one girl friend that they are separated from.

1 hour ago, Max69xl said:

Well, how are you supposed to prove without any doubt in writing to the Thai authorities,read Thai embassies in the world, that the relationship should be seen as a "common law marriage" when tens of thousands of Thai girls have more than one bf (when checking incoming money to their bank accounts)? Are friends and family supposed to be witnesses? Do you need to have kids or have stayed in Thailand a certain amount of years?  

All problems to be worked out, as in any administrative policy.  But I would say you ask for a signed declaration by each that they consider themselves married to each other, maybe an additional family or friend statement, evidence of cohabitation, shared finances or support.  None of that is exceptional.  And few things are proved "without any doubt."  The preponderance of evidence should be enough.

5 hours ago, natway09 said:

Basically because you may have some huge responsibilities back home with a wife

The judge was referring to a "settlement" & had ascertained that the relationship in this context ONLY 

was applicable. In this situation only he is right.

You may be surprised to learn that any land & houses we purchesed together , although in my

partners name cannot be sold without my approval & signture (as long as I am alive)

which is why I sleep alone behind locked doors 555 & cook for myself

I'm not sure Natway understands this particular case, the details of which are easily googleable.  See https://scandasia.com/danish-man-wins-lawsuit-against-thai-wife-for-not-sharing-assets/ or https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/07/01/buriram-judge-justice-for-danish-man-thai-wife-relationship-breakdown/ among others.  The judge was a she, not a he.  She did not declare anything about this context "ONLY."  She wouldn't have to since, as the same sources indicate, judicial decisions short of the Supreme Court do not establish precedent.  But she did not only settle a disagreement, she also (contrary to what another poster wrote) issue a judgment that the couple's relationship of a year or two was a common law marriage.  Now, it is true that Thai marriage law does not now accept common law marriages.  But as a couple of the articles indicate, this decision might open other litigants to ask that their common law arrangement be accepted as marriage for the purpose of other benefits.  In addition to the distribution of property in a divorce, why couldn't these include entry to the kingdom when the goal is reuniting a family or separated spouses?

4 hours ago, Puccini said:

Because a common law marriage is not a de jure marriage. The Covid-19 pandemic does not change this fact.

 

"In law and government, de jure describes practices that are legally recognised."  The judge recognised it.  While de jure is distinguished from de facto, it is not limited to the letter of the law or legislation.  It includes judicial interpretation.  Of  course Covid 19 has nothing to do with whether or not a common law marriage should be legally recognised.  It is, or has been.  It could be now as Thailand seeks to reunite families as well.

15 hours ago, ChouDoufu said:

lock down the islands as a tourist bubble.

your vacation IS the quarantine.

 

That is exactly what the Maldives are doing.  

Here's an opportunity to combine two initiatives.  Requiring tourists to spend 14 days alone in a single room with mediocre food can serve the same purpose as the proposal of the justice minister to turn Thai prisons into tourist attractions.  

16 hours ago, The Theory said:

You need to contact Turkish Airline In Bangkok, if that will be the one. These days nothing is guaranteed. Flight could be canceled even though they give you a return date.

Thanks, but even their listing would be no guarantee.  And there is the added problem of Thai welcoming policy.  Further, all of this could change in a month or so.  I'm back to meeting in Thailand with the help of elite visa.

5 hours ago, Max69xl said:

Why don't you sit tight for a while? Spend 500k for an Elite visa just to meet your gf? Plus 14 days (at the moment) quarantine in BKK on arrival, and those hotels are not cheap if you want a proper one. 

You've never wanted to see someone that much? It's been 8 months. I DO worry about her quarantine, but she says she's willing to do it.

5 hours ago, xtrnuno41 said:

You are from New York, do i need to say more? No one would like to meet you.

Thanks for the vote  of confidence.  NYC now has a R (effective reproduction) Value of 1, essentially stable, at a much lower rate than March and April (about 1/10).

1 hour ago, The Theory said:

 

I actually think that would a great option, if can happen. Turkey is a beautiful country and cheap for a US man. Lots of fun and a lot to do in Istanbul, but of course European part of the city would be more pleasant. 

I love Turkey, but would she be sure of getting back to Bangkok?

49 minutes ago, marin said:

Lotta love you have going on mate. B500,000 for an Elite visa..

Thank you.  I feel very lucky. 

Already saved good part of the cost by having to cancel May and July reservations.  Haven't been together since December.  Thank the gods for Line.