puchooay

20 minutes ago, drbeach said:

That's because there was a statement by Emirates that clarified that they will only be suspending all flights to some destinations. Thai flights remain on the schedule, though that could change at anytime of course.

There was a subsequent announcement, as posted by another poster above, that ALL flights were suspended. In fact the whole of Dubai airport is now shutdown.

My point is, I booked a flight from London to Bangkok. How can they only cancel half of it?

I suspect I will receive another email at sometime that shows cancellation of the other legs too. 

I have already decided to get a travel voucher anyway. I will not worry about this trip but plan another.

I tend to disagree that some airlines will still e flying in May. I can see world wide airport closures. I don;t think a huge company like Emirates would simply make a decision to close down for 2 weeks. The logistics of it don;t make sense. I can see them extending bit by bit. Maybe the 2 weeks announcement was to keep the helplines from being jammed by people travelling in a month, 2 months or more.

On 3/24/2020 at 4:49 PM, Tropicalevo said:

Not looking good.

Emirates are closed down and will they fly in 3 weeks? Maybe, but not likely.

Is it possible for her family here to look after her until flights open up gain and she can refund them later?

Problem is that no one has any idea when 'later' is.

Emirates are giving full refunds or vouchers for future travel. Difficult to contact them but friends of mine now have refunds for their cancelled flight back to the UK.

 

I have a flight from Gatwick to Bangkok on 4th May (returning on 16th May), via Dubai, with Emirates.

I have received an email and SMS to say that my flight has been cancelled.

Strangely, when I check my flight on my account on Emirates website it only shows Gatwick-Dubai and Dubai-Gatwick as being cancelled. Nothing about the Dubai/Bangkok/Dubai legs.

Great information. Thanks.

My wife is currently here with me in UK. She is on a visitor visa. Our flight back to Thailand has now been cancelled by Emirates. 

We have been informed by the Thai embassy that any document she needs to travel back to Thailand needs to be collected personally. I believe it is still a requirement for Thais to have a medical cert and a letter from the Thai embassy to board a plane.

We are planning to apply for a settlement visa on our return to Thailand. We booked the A1 English test in London for next month. That has now been cancelled.

I can only ask anyone to speculate but I would like to ask anyway.

What is going to happen when my wife's visa expires? She can't get the letter required as she cannot travel to London to get it. So she can't board a flight, even if there were any.

Extension from UKVI? Facility to apply for a further visa here in UK? Maybe they would allow us to apply for settlement while here? Will they do nothing and my wife will end up overstaying her visa?

To add to the dilemma it is my belief that UK airports are not far from closure too.

Thoughts?

Just now, Moonlover said:

 

Car parks were completely full. Cars were parked for miles down the roads. Park authorities said that it was the busiest weekend that had seen for many years, surpassing even public holiday weekends.

 

In a country that is having such a serious problem, which by all accounts is far worse than we're going through here. In a country that has been told to stay home and minumise travel that is just crazy.

At the time the restrictions were less. The idea was to go somewhere out of the way.

I repeat, at the time of leaving their homes for a walk in the countryside, how did people know it was busy, carparks were full and there were queues? 

20 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Because I know the Snowdonia national park very well and I'm aware of just how popular it is. Even during a quiet period there are many people out on the many mountain trails.

I don;t doubt you do. However, I asked how those going there would know. 

48 minutes ago, Stevemercer said:

Buriram is the Health Minister's power base and he is good mates with the Governor. So you will be supporting Anutin for PM?

There is a much more powerful force in Buriram that does the hiring and firing. The one who got the above two their jobs in the first place, for example.

6 hours ago, Moonlover said:

The PM in the UK has been lambasting citizens for ignoring these common sense rules about 'social distancing'. Just yesterday I watched a video of the hoards of people visiting the Snowdonia national park in north Wales.

 

I would agree that getting out for some fresh air and exercise makes sense, I do it every morning. But not all heading for the same place!

Interesting comment. I wonder how those people, when leaving their home for a trip, know that others have the same idea. That is until they get there. By which time it is too late.

1 hour ago, Golden Triangle said:

Hopefully this as near as damn it the right place to post this.

 

I really despair at how ignorant some people are about what's happening as far as travel is concerned.

 

I had an in depth conversation with a guy at about lunchtime today who is going home next month, he thinks he will be okay to just book a flight back early next year and all will be okay, no idea about health certificates and insurance for COVID-19, another friend is going home in the next few days and has booked (and paid for) a flight back end of April, again no clue about what is required to re enter the country, both Muppets are from South East of UK and senior (but very stupid) citizens.

 

I sometimes wonder how people managed to get that far in age ???? 

Would you be able to tell us exactly what will be required at end of April or early next year or are you calling people "muppets" just because they disagree with you?

Finally got through to Emirates.

17 year old passengers can fly alone. No problems.

Thanks for the replies.

15 hours ago, Monomial said:

 

I honestly don't know about Thailand, but as a general rule, a minor travelling alone internationally should carry:

 

1. Passport (obviously)

2. A complete birth certificate showing parents names

3. A signed affidavit from both parents (must match the birth certificate) allowing him/her to travel

 

I really don't think you can go wrong by putting together the above documents.  I wouldn't want her going without it if she were my daughter.

 

Thanks for your post. However, the question still remains as to what age a passenger is considered a minor. The ticket she has is listed ans "adult" and adult price was paid. That is with regards to the airline. Emirates website shows 5 - 15 years old "must have" accompanying adult or must pay for the airline accompanying service. Looks like she will be OK.

We have contacted, as received a reply, from AOT and they have said that there is no problem with her leaving Thailand alone.

Typical social media propaganda. "Lockdown" is such an exaggeration.

5555.

I just called the Emirates help line in Manchester for confirmation that a 17 year old can fly alone. They put my on hold with a message saying someone will be available within 12 hours and 48 minutes. Really?

So back to the TV gurus. Can anyone confirm that my 17 year old daughter will be able to travel alone?

Thanks.

I won;t go into a long drawn out story but just get to the point.

My daughter may need to travel Bangkok to London alone. She has all the required travel documents, Thai and UK passport. She will be 17 at time of travel. I have checked Emirates website and they appear OK with a 17 year old travelling alone. My concern is Suvannaphumi airport.

Will Thai immigration let her out alone? Will she need a document/ letter from a parent(s) giving permission?

Thanks.

There are currently no travel restrictions from Thailand to UK. Get back quickly. That would be the simplest way to do things. Flights are very cheap right now too.

1 hour ago, Number 6 said:

I couldn't disagree more. School's struggle because they'd not asked a foreign teacher to help put an ad on ajarn because that's all agencies do. Agencies are no better equipped to land good teachers as they are landing a man on the moon. They might be a better judge of character but in the end any warm body will do. I worked with two alcoholics and one very creepy guy in central Bangkok my first year and with an agency. If teachers are happy in issarn, it's issarn it's not the pay or the treatment by their agency/ies. I certainly don't think there is only one school in town, especially in the larger cities. I also don't think the education is worth a damn and that environment is a magnet for foreign teachers that don't give a damn. I'd be hard pressed to name twenty good public schools up north. I would agree you probably get fewer backpacker types, but they're many types don't give a toss.

 

The agencies that I have had direct contact with advertise in the media in most English speaking countries. Something schools would not do.

I am speaking from over 20 years experience. It appears you are not. Nuff said. Thanks.

19 hours ago, Number 6 said:

Only two types of situations teachers could be forgiven for working for an agency. First, they're brand new. Actually first year money is same direct or agency often. Trouble is the smart folks will be gone first year and burn a waiver in process. Next, teachers that live in Nakon Nowhere and are stuck and fkuced on the farm forever. That school and dread agency is only game in town. Bullet to head might be optimal.

Agencies play their part, in particular in the less touristy places. Schools struggle to recruit and even some don't know where or how to advertise. There are a few very good agencies that operate in Issan, as an example.

Also, the teachers are often a better breed too. Not the fly by night teacher that is looking for a quick buck for a few months so he can sun himself on the beach, drink and chase the girls at the weekend. You will find that there are many happy teachers in Issan, both agency hire and direct hire, and many of them are long term in a school. Not because it is the only option, why is it that people from larger cities like Pattaya and Bangkok seem to think there is only one school per town in Issan, but rather because they enjoy the job, they like the school and get on with the people there.

20 hours ago, Scott228 said:

I genuinely believe because I kept making sure she had my paperwork (mortgage statement/council tax/ bank statements/self employed tax returns) I had stressed her out. 

All of this for a visitor visa? I think it is you that is stressed out.

On 3/4/2020 at 4:39 AM, sotonfarang said:

Yipee thanks Joe,once again, much appreciated.....saves me $90

 

Chong Chom border are notorious for not accepting $$$. They will usually ask you to pay 1500 baht.

19 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

This is really interesting and most likely represents a change since the move back to the UK.  But how did she get her passport back?

This is not the first time I have seen a refusal notified by email.

That last one I saw was prior to the move to Sheffield.

I'm not sure how much the officers look at past applications. I know of an application that was built on lies. A couple that had never met, only spoken via Skype. On the application they said they had met three times in Thailand. They included photoshopped photos. The rejection cited lack of Thai stamps in expats passport, phone calls to applicant going un answered and also the expat lying on the phone about previous travel. All this done via an agent too.

A second application done 2 weeks later was successful.

12 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

In issan/Lao it's Baxi Da. The fruit is Maxi Da......just to add to the confusion.

Aren't dialects great confusing?

The Issan Laos speakers that I have met refer to both the people and the fruit as Baksida. I've never heard Maksida. That is not to say that it is not used in provinces where I have never been. 

Khmer has is quirks too. The one that I always remember as confusing was during a trip to Sissaket and some areas of Surin that border Sissaket. I kept hearing Kliatbai. Turns out they were saying "I am hungry". In Buriram and the western side of Surin they would say Hellbai.

2 hours ago, khunPer said:

Thanks, I saw the Wiki-link – and please note that I said "Many sources I've read...", I didn't state anything...????

 

It's however a fact that the Khmer speaking population of Isaan have no problem with "R", whilst the Lao-speakers, which are the majority, pronounce "R" as "L" – please note that I'm not stating that the word "farang/falang" is part of Lao-language, or Isaan-Lao dialect, only talking about pronunciation, I said "the Lao-Isaan version".