anrcaccount

Absolutely correct in masking children, this needs to stop right now. Terrible behaviour from Thailand education + health authorities.

Great to see. It will continue, this is the beginning of the end of the mass masking in Thailand.

It's an example of common sense shown by the vast majority of people every day, all over the world. ... I'm not forcing opinions, just stating facts. The mass mask wearing in Thailand has nothing to do with health anymore and it's time for it to change.

Regarding masks, while Thais shouldn't be mocked for continuing to wear, what can be done is: Set an example yourself by not wearing one unless you're sick or vulnerable. Educate and inform them why it's no longer necessary in all settings and share how the rest of the world has moved forward. Help reduce the fear. It is changing slowly. Children do not have a choice, no children should be masked up anymore. This should be discussed and pushed at every possible opportunity.

Worthwhile? Thailand is literally the only country in the world where newsreaders wear masks. It's massively disproportionate. Genuine educated public health advice would be to mask up if vulnerable or if having symptoms. There has been a huge decrease in Covid case loads since late July when that advice was published.

I understand that. But the health authorities need to come out, do their job and tell the public there's no need for healthy people to wear face masks everywhere, anymore. They are only needed for the vulnerable and those actually with Covid. That's actual public health advice. If this doesn't change Thailand will find itself immensely out of step within the rest of the world.

So no vaccination certificates or testing required on entry., People infected with covid, need only isolate and wear a mask for 5 days. So, when do they come out and state there's no need for healthy members of the public to mask up anymore?

Lets hope October signals the true beginning of the end of the pandemic in Thailand, and the associated mass mask wearing starts to fade away, faster than it currently is.

I'm hopeful and optimistic that it will. It's already very gradually reducing in the main centers, but yes still almost universal. Outside of the main centers, a lot less masking, especially down in the south / islands. Next month should signal further steps from the health authorities towards 'endemic', along with that, time heals.

This is very sad and it's holding Thailand back immensely. Mass masking is becoming vanishingly rare outside of China, South Korea and a couple of others. The pandemic is definitely ending, it is simply completely unnecessary to wear them as Thais are. It will do Thailand a world of good to get rid of the masks. The direction needs to come from politicians, doctors and health authorities, the fear needs to end. In the meantime, anyone can/should make the decision to just go out and about without a face covering, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable for now. Every mask less person helps this get back to where it needs to be.

Can the stamp be longer than 1 year? Have asked this specifically and informed repeatedly by the BOI that it is a 5 year validity , not a 1 year permission to stay, a 5 year permission to stay.

Bumping this to see if anyone has any insight? So based on your two responses from the BOI, taking example of 'Work from Thailand Professional Category', do you think this is a fair summary? If you are granted the visa after application, it is valid for 5 years multiple entry. There is a 1 year address reporting requirement which could be avoided altogether if the holder leaves the country at least once per year. The BOI will do no checking or validation of the visa conditions or your continued employment status during that 5 years. Immigration will do no checking or validation of the visa conditions or your continued employment status during that 5 years. If you decide to self declare that your employment has ended, your visa will be terminated. Be interested to check if there are any penalties in that case above, or just a visa termination?

So based on your two responses from the BOI, taking example of 'Work from Thailand Professional Category', do you think this is a fair summary? If you are granted the visa after application, it is valid for 5 years multiple entry. There is a 1 year address reporting requirement which could be avoided altogether if the holder leaves the country at least once per year. The BOI will do no checking or validation of the visa conditions or your continued employment status during that 5 years. Immigration will do no checking or validation of the visa conditions or your continued employment status during that 5 years. If you decide to self declare that your employment has ended, your visa will be terminated. Be interested to check if there are any penalties in that case above, or just a visa termination?