habuspasha

It s such an inefficient and outdated mind-set to distinguish by countries (by origin or residence) in this globalized era.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.

Thank you both.  Good advice.  Guess I'll have to go back to plan A:  meeting in Thailand.  Maybe there's some hope if I spring for the elite visa.

In addition, I've learned that WHO says that the incubation period can be up to 21 days and one study from China reported an upper limit of 24 days.

One of the few places I can fly to from New York is the Maldives.  For my GF, Thai AirAsia lists flights between Bangkok and the Maldives. Are they for real?  (Bangkok Airways is no longer doing it.)  Is it clear that Thais can travel internationally to some places if they quarantine on return?  If so, are their other places we could meet?  She is willing to do the 14 day quarantine on return to BKK, but now she says she would feel the need to do another 14 days at home.  Are their reasons for that degree of caution?  Thanks for any info  or advice.

3 hours ago, 2 is 1 said:

Hmm good you are leading doctor from this matter! Maybe all other is wrong like all from these artickle!

And im not talking your balls i was talking testosterone!

Hope your get your balls working ,man normaly need it sorry them i have both in one sack. And working fine! 

Thanks for the articles.  Wish I could just copy and paste to get them.  On a more anecdotal level, I have been taking Androderm (brand) patches (4mg each) for over ten years now.  Carried me through my 70s (and my gf in her 30s).  In addition to increased sexual confidence, it has made me feel stronger, happier, and more vital.  I prefer two a day, but even one makes a big difference.  Originally diagnosed with low t and these boost it to normal range (though maybe not normal for my age).  Just get prostate checked every six months.  Also exercise more than I ever did before and dropped belly.  All highly recommended.

47 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Who mention "domestic"..?
International passengers can be in transit in Bangkok, bit not allowed to stop over – i.e. leave the airport for a trip into Bangkok – that's what's said in the article.

Exactly.  But the only way an international passenger to one of the islands would stop over in Bangkok is if they flew in from another country.  You are correct in pointing out that there are some international flights that do not require a stop in Bangkok, but the member's question was whether or not you had to fly direct to the island.  The answer "that is correct" from another member is what I tried to correct.  It is not correct.  I'm sure you would agree this is not an insignificant matter.  This proposed August reopening would be pretty slight if it was limited to the few international flights that bypass BKK or DMK.  I for one have hopes of flying in from New York (I know).  

3 minutes ago, khunPer said:

That is correct...???? – but I answered about international flights...????

This does not say domestic passengers only.  And a domestic passenger would have to travel through Bangkok to get to either airport.  Clearly this is about international passengers.

6 minutes ago, khunPer said:

–And Koh Samui, scheduled from Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; charter from China...????

“We plan to allow tourists to board a plane to a specified destination. If they have to take a connecting flight via Bangkok, for example, they will be prohibited from travelling in Bangkok,” he made it clear.

1 hour ago, HerbyJFlash said:

That is true . Which islands take international flights? Phuket only ?

3 hours ago, Starmocihc said:

Obviously the islands will only be open to direct flights. Which means red locusts, the preferred guests. 

No.  The piece said that international passengers could transfer through BKK.  It said they would not be allowed to travel in Bangkok.