natsume

I’m in a different situation. I’m flying from Bangkok TO Shanghai. I was given a list of the ONLY hospitals/clinics/labs in the Central Thailand area they’ll accept (actually quite extensive). Luckily I can go to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, which is good because I’ve been hunkered down in Jomtien since February, and didn’t want to go Bangkok for the test, I’m fine and safe where I am. China wants the test done within 120 hours before the flight, because the Embassy needs to give the document that I’ll need to get on the plane, hence the time extension. They will probably look VERY closely at all the time stamps.

Colleague of mine, who was teaching university in Indonesia when COVID hit, came to Thailand early on when her university shut down to visit colleagues who work here, was just granted a 6 month education visa to study Thai. We’re all US citizens. She really has no desire to return to the US atm,  and has a deep interest in Thai food and culture. So that’s one way to stay. I return to my university in China in 12 days. That’s one way to leave. I originally came to Bangkok at the end of January for a professional development conference, originally planned to stay for 5 days after, return for spring semester, then the world turned upside down. I feel pretty grateful that I’ve had a relatively safe harbor here, although I did have a three day Immigration nightmare back in March with my one and only Embassy letter.

By the way, about the March 26th date. I have seen it interpreted two ways. You're good if you expired on that date or later (since the 26th), or you're good AFTER that date. This is where my overstay fines worries come in. If I tell you I have been reading this novel SINCE March 26th, that means I was reading it ON March 26th. I have seen both interpretations by English speakers on TV.

Just went to Jomtien IO. American, arrived 1/28, for a conference. Was going to return to my job originally on 2/7, but was told to not come back now (I teach at a Chinese university) by HR. 30 day already renewed once, expired ON March 26th, COVID letter from Embassy put me "under consideration" for about two weeks. Went back and was put "under consideration" until yesterday (Sunday). Went back today and was told "you are good until 7/31, don't need another stamp". The stamp part may or may not be true, waiting to hear from others on this. I tried to get another opinion and was told the same (I'm finding it's good to ask several people in an IO in Thailand the same question, very often get different answers).  I intend, if at all possible, to return to (of all places) China, IF they open in late May/June/July (I hope, who knows). I have a residence permit in China, and am expected to work at least until August 2021. But no foreigners allowed in ATM. This, being Thailand, I am just going to expect they will charge me whatever the overstay they deem is whenever I leave. Better to expect that than be "pleasantly surprised", but would be quite surprised if they gave me a year penalty. I'm working 9-12 hour days, no days off, by the way. I'm not trying to get pity out of anybody, just saying this isn't a party. I work for an international university, about 100 of the 120 faculty are not currently IN China. I have very good internet, and that is helping immensely. I have colleagues stuck in places where the internet is very unreliable (Africa, Cypress, Indonesia). We were all on spring holiday when the [/] hit the fan.