Tears and heartbreak as flight ban keeps farang-Thai families apart

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

 

The ban on international flights is stopping Michael O’Halloran from returning to his three daughters and wife in Chonburi. O’Halloran is stranded in Ireland. 

 

Foreign nationals married to Thai citizens who are stranded overseas due to the ban on incoming flights are pleading with the government to let them return so they can be with their families. Some have even contacted Nation Thailand to ask for help.

 

James Jacobs, seen here with his wife, is stranded in France.

 

 

Briton James Jacobs, who is stranded in France, says he wants to return to his wife Sopa, 29, who lives in Chiang Mai.

 

Speaking to the Nation over the phone, Sopa said her husband has been stranded in France since April, when Thailand stopped all incoming flights for fear of importing Covid-19 cases. She said she can only keep in touch with him online.

 

Another Briton, Alan Cheetham, who is stranded in the UK, said he wants to get back to his family in the northeastern province of Udon Thani. 

 

Cheetham set up a Facebook page called “Thai Expats Stranded Overseas due to Covid-19 Travel Restrictions” last week and nearly 150 people who are in the same predicament have joined so far.

 

Foreign nationals married to Thais have created two Facebook groups – Thai Expats Stranded Overseas due to Covid-19 Travel Restrictions and Farangs Stranded Abroad due to Lockdown in Thailand – to share information as part of their efforts to reunite families. 

 

Michael O’Halloran, who is trapped in Ireland, said he wants to be with his three daughters, aged 13, nine and 20 months, who are living with his wife in Chonburi. 

 

Alan Edwards, another expat who is in a similar situation, said it is unfair that families are being kept apart during this difficult period just because one of the spouses is not Thai. 

 

“I understand that in these difficult times, many difficult decisions have to be made by the Thai government, but does the prejudice against Thai/foreigner families have to go on for so long? How is it fair that Thai people and children must be without a loved one or a parent because they are not Thai?” he asked. 

 

Rob Kennedy, who is trapped in Brunei, said the Thai embassy there was helpful, but the high-ranking officials in Bangkok are showing little interest in his case. He said he is willing to pay for quarantine if he is allowed to return.

 

Kennedy belongs to the “Farangs Stranded Abroad due to Lockdown in Thailand” Facebook group, which has 300 members. 

 

Another expatriate, who has a family in the southern resort city of Phuket, said on condition of anonymity that he left Phuket in March and now cannot return to Thailand. He has a four-year-old son who has a medical condition. 

 

Mam, a Chiang Mai resident who did not wish to reveal her real name, told the Nation that her husband has been stranded in Canada. “My two-year-old girl often asks, ‘where is Daddy’?” she said. 

 

Daniel Nolan has been stranded in Australia for close to three months now and can’t return to his wife and child. He said he went to Australia to attend his father’s funeral in March, only to learn he could not take the flight back to Bangkok.

His spouse, Chonpiti Duangsangaram, told the Nation that their child is only 7 months old. 

“My husband is missing helping me look after the baby. Now I have had to move to my father’s home so someone can help me look after my little girl,” she said. 

 

Chonpiti said she has spoken to immigration officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport about her husband being allowed back, but they said it was beyond their authority. 

 

For Jaco Willem Kotze, the reason for separation was different. He and his wife and daughter left Thailand for a holiday in South Africa on February 25. However, when they returned on March 25 – he with all his documents attested by the Thai Embassy in Pretoria – officials at the airport forced him to return to South Africa because no foreigners were allowed to enter Thailand despite having a long-stay visa and marriage certificate. 

 

“Now my wife and daughter are in Thailand and I am sitting in South Africa,” he said.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand banned all incoming passenger flights since April 4 and has extended the ban several times. The latest extension is until June 30. 

 

The government says it is worried about people bringing new Covid-19 cases to Thailand as the rate of infections is still pretty high in many countries, while here it has dropped to a single digit for several days. 

 

The authorities, however, are letting Thai nationals stranded abroad return home in limited numbers based on the capacity of state quarantine facilities and hospitals. 

 

Recently, the government decided to have hotels and hospitals work together on quarantine facilities that can accommodate people who want to be comfortable and are willing to pay for it. This model may also apply to foreign tourists.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388342

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-05-23

 

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Little chance of opening up until October, 14 day quarantine when returning to the UK from 8th June now.

Same issue with Australia letting out 28 million prisoners to tend to urgent matters and going back to countries where they have set up homes and families, one can understand the restrictions put on holiday makers but many of us just wanna go back home...

I'm in the same boat and it's heart-wrenching not to be together with the missus and the kids.

 

11 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

I'd prefer they stay locked out than risk importing the wuFlu.

For how long? 

 

Thai's can return (when there are flights) but foreigners with families in Thailand can't. Why is that ok for you?

Why would a Thai present any less risk than a foreigner?

 

So.. is it only foreigners you want to prevent from entering Thailand, or everyone?

 

Think about that and work out if you are being a little sanctimonious or just cold, or both.

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Little chance of opening up until October, 14 day quarantine when returning to the UK from 8th June now.

 

Interesting, where did you get October from? - Thats another 5 months with no incoming flights? or just no incomming tourists? or no incoming Western tourists?

 

You could be right, but why October and not November, or September? what thought process?

 

 

 

 

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

For how long? 

 

Thai's can return (when there are flights) but foreigners with families in Thailand can't. Why is that ok for you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You seriously think they should also ban Thai Nationals from returning home ?

Tough but understandable move by the government. The Thais knew what they were dealing with and responded appropriately.

Yes, some foreigners would have respected the  self isolation requirements and yes some have legitimate reasons to return,  Unfortunately, there are alsoforeigners up to no good without  the financial means or health insurance to  take care of themselves. Some would not have respected the self isolation. Thailand did not have the means or resources to manage that exposure. Because of a few duds, everyone will suffer.  And please, no lectures on how  this is unfair when  we see in the forums the stories of how some farangs  play the system  and cheat. Sorry to the many people who  are suffering, but this is the  cost of tolerating scum who are often excused away as poor hard done folk. All it takes is a few selfish gits landing from  Italy, Russia, USA. UK to spread death and disease.

1 minute ago, Don Mega said:

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

For how long? 

 

Thai's can return (when there are flights) but foreigners with families in Thailand can't. Why is that ok for you?

 

You seriously think they should also ban Thai Nationals from returning home ?

You seriously think that's what I meant? read again...

 

-----

 

Of course, every Thai should be permitted home - that is a basic human right. As is the right for a family to be together.

Thus, my point: If Thai's can enter Thailand to return to their families, why can't foreigners (with families in Thailand).

 

For those who can show proof of marriage, proof of fatherhood to a Thai child, and even those who can provide proof of long term dwelling in Thailand I see no greater risk in allowing these folk in than allowing in Thai's who present an exactly similar degree of risk - this is precisely what Quarantine is for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

I'd prefer they stay locked out than risk importing the wuFlu.

A little compassion goes a long way you know

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

You seriously think that's what I meant? read again...

 

-----

 

Of course, every Thai should be permitted home - that is a basic human right. As is the right for a family to be together.

Thus, my point: If Thai's can enter Thailand to return to their families, why can't foreigners (with families in Thailand).

 

For those who can show proof of marriage, proof of fatherhood to a Thai child, and even those who can provide proof of long term dwelling in Thailand I see no greater risk in allowing these folk in than allowing in Thai's who present an exactly similar degree of risk - this is precisely what Quarantine is for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowing non Thai nationals to enter increases the risk of the WuFlu spreading, sucks to be them but it is what it is and I appreciate Thailand's (and the other countries with similar/same policies) hard stance on this.

7 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Tough but understandable move by the government. The Thais knew what they were dealing with and responded appropriately.

Yes, some foreigners would have respected the  self isolation requirements and yes some have legitimate reasons to return,  Unfortunately, there are alsoforeigners up to no good without  the financial means or health insurance to  take care of themselves. Some would not have respected the self isolation. Thailand did not have the means or resources to manage that exposure. Because of a few duds, everyone will suffer.  And please, no lectures on how  this is unfair when  we see in the forums the stories of how some farangs  play the system  and cheat. Sorry to the many people who  are suffering, but this is the  cost of tolerating scum who are often excused away as poor hard done folk. All it takes is a few selfish gits landing from  Italy, Russia, USA. UK to spread death and disease.

With the correct visas and mandatory quarantine, how could that be abused. 

1 minute ago, baansgr said:

A little compassion goes a long way you know

A little WuFlu goes a long way too...I'd prefer me or my family don't die from it.

More and more countries are now letting foreigner married with local people to fly back home.

 

Thousands of hotels closed all around Thailand and plenty foreigners ready to pay for quarantine and be able to reunite with families...

 

It sounds like a win win situation for everybody... I am even ready to fly with THAI if it can help!

 

I hope more hotels can do like the ones in BKK, offering quarantine packages, and allow more Thai people and foreigners to come back home.

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

For those who can show proof of marriage, proof of fatherhood to a Thai child, and even those who can provide proof of long term dwelling in Thailand I see no greater risk in allowing these folk in than allowing in Thai's who present an exactly similar degree of risk - this is precisely what Quarantine is for.

 

Exactly, but the longstanding truth that I noticed within the first year of living here (and that has only really gotten worse, and that most people refuse to believe) is that Thailand is for Thai people. There is very little, if any, consideration for foreigners in any way. Its always been like this, it will always stay like this. When push comes to shove it will always be Thai first, and even if you marry one you will always be a second-class person. 

 

Itll never change. 

4 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Allowing non Thai nationals to enter increases the risk of the WuFlu spreading, sucks to be them but it is what it is and I appreciate Thailand's (and the other countries with similar/same policies) hard stance on this.

 

How does allowing non-Thai people married to a local with a family to return and quarantine just like the Thais are (and pay for it themselves) increasing the risk of spreading anything? 

 

They would be in quarantine. 

3 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Tough but understandable move by the government. The Thais knew what they were dealing with and responded appropriately.

Yes, some foreigners would have respected the  self isolation requirements and yes some have legitimate reasons to return,  Unfortunately, there are alsoforeigners up to no good without  the financial means or health insurance to  take care of themselves. Some would not have respected the self isolation. Thailand did not have the means or resources to manage that exposure. Because of a few duds, everyone will suffer.  And please, no lectures on how  this is unfair when  we see in the forums the stories of how some farangs  play the system  and cheat. Sorry to the many people who  are suffering, but this is the  cost of tolerating scum who are often excused away as poor hard done folk. All it takes is a few selfish gits landing from  Italy, Russia, USA. UK to spread death and disease.

Harsh...  as I am one of those who are stuck away from my Wife and Son and I struggle to disagree. However, Thai's also abuse regulations. This was highlighted when the first 'bunch' of quarantined returnee's escaped their quarantine.

 

The lock-down was all about preventing overwhelming the health services which have been nowhere near overwhelmed because lock-down worked. Continued lock-down draws out the inevitable when Thailand opens up and second wave occurs causing a further lock-down and kneecapping of the recovering economy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

No sympathy for the likes of the family who went for a holiday to South Africa on 25 Feb.  It was obvious from late January that the pandemic was coming with all sorts of consequences possible. Some people regard themselves as entitled and immune.

3 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

How does allowing non-Thai people married to a local with a family to return and quarantine just like the Thais are (and pay for it themselves) increasing the risk of spreading anything? 

 

They would be in quarantine. 

Limiting entry to only Thai Nationals decreases to risk of the WuFlu being imported.

 

lol @ Quarantine... I'll bet that can easily be negotiated !!

5 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Limiting entry to only Thai Nationals decreases to risk of the WuFlu being imported.

 

This doesn't make any sense at all. The risk is exactly the same between Thai and Non-Thai entries. 

 

And if they are quarantined, the risk is negated, because of the quarantine. 

 

Not talking tourism here, simply talking about families being reunited. I know Thailand doesn't give a turd about allowing family to return, but that doesn't mean its right nor that it makes any sense whatsoever. 

1 hour ago, Don Mega said:

I'd prefer they stay locked out than risk importing the wuFlu.

In other words, a logical and careful step by step action to relieve these situations, and compassion, are not in your DNA! Your sad.

7 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

This doesn't make any sense at all. The risk is exactly the same between Thai and Non-Thai entries. 

 

 

Less people allowed entry equals a reduced chance of further infections.

 

Which part of this are you struggling with ?

45 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Interesting, where did you get October from? - Thats another 5 months with no incoming flights? or just no incomming tourists? or no incoming Western tourists?

 

You could be right, but why October and not November, or September? what thought process?

 

 

 

 

I read in the BP this week about hotels gearing up for October. They are still repatriating Thais with 14 day quarantine, so why would they open up in July or August to foreigners, it defeats the object.

3 minutes ago, scorecard said:

In other words, a logical and careful step by step action to relieve these situations, and compassion, are not in your DNA! Your sad.

A foreigner allowed entry that has the WuFlu goes onto infect 10 other people..... Yeah I have compassion for those innocently infected.

If they loved their families so much why did they leave them in the first place?

6 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Exactly, but the longstanding truth that I noticed within the first year of living here (and that has only really gotten worse, and that most people refuse to believe) is that Thailand is for Thai people. There is very little, if any, consideration for foreigners in any way. Its always been like this, it will always stay like this. When push comes to shove it will always be Thai first, and even if you marry one you will always be a second-class person. 

 

Itll never change. 

 

I disagree with this.

 

At the beginning of this crisis there were a few plane loads of Thai's who were stranded abroad, unable to return because they did not have the correct paper work (Covid-19 free certificates and letters from the embassy affirming their reason to return to their home nation) - this in itself in the EU would be a contravention of human rights laws.

 

Thai's are also treated incredibly poorly in Thailand when it comes to civil and human rights. Thus, I think your 'Thailand is for Thai people' comment is not correct, its just that when we recognise the same indifference Thai's are treated with it shocks us

 

While I am unable to return to Thailand to see my family, they are also unable to come to the UK to see me. This is a unique situation - the 'new normal'... families separated to protect the many, I get that.

 

Moving forwards, what happens when there is a second wave, a third wave, etc etc...  the next new virus?

 

This crisis has taught me that while working abroad I may be unable to get to Thailand to my family, whereas if they are in the UK it would take something far more significant than this to separate a family.

 

This is where human and civil rights make a a difference - when they are valued by a government.

 

Of course, the counter argument to the above point is the UK's Covd-19 caseload vs Thailand's, a comparison which could be used to suggest Thailand is correct in its handling of this crisis and its block on all passenger flights is the right move (except a handful of repatriation flights). However, I suspect Thailand's lower numbers are not an impressive result of any action; look at how Thailand remained so porous and open while geographically situated so close to the epicenter of a global epidemic, rather, I consider Thailand has been very fortunate due to climatic advantages it may have to kneecap this contagion, either that or the numbers have been fudged by a Military power hell bent on proving 'they got it right'....

 

Either way, People are being prevented from being with their families - this should not happen. The numbers of those Thai's wanting to get back and those Westerners wanting to get back is not significant to impact the spread when there is a quarantine in place.

I would also argue that quarantine is not necessary and that 'isolating' home is sufficient, expecially (and I repeat) when the lock down is not about avoiding spread, but avoiding overwhelming the health care services.

 

The curve has been flattened, preventing any further case is ineffective in this battle against this virus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just now, Don Mega said:

Less people allowed entry equals a reduced chance of further infections.

 

Which part of this are you struggling with ?

 

The part where you keep disregarding the 14 day quarantine for all arrivals, Thai and Non-Thai. 

 

The part that, you know, stops the chance for further infections. 

55 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

I'd prefer they stay locked out than risk importing the wuFlu.

Clearly you aren't away from your wife or maybe don't have one.

 

54 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Little chance of opening up until October, 14 day quarantine when returning to the UK from 8th June now.

But at least that quarantine can be spent at home. Looks like my wife will be able to visit me before I'll be allowed to visit her. The quarantine in the UK will be reviewed every 3 weeks, its possible that it may be removed for people from countries with low infection rates.

 

32 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Yes, some foreigners would have respected the  self isolation requirements and yes some have legitimate reasons to return,  Unfortunately, there are alsoforeigners up to no good without  the financial means or health insurance to  take care of themselves. Some would not have respected the self isolation.

Many Thai's have also not respected the quarantine requirements. I'd be happy to stay home if I was allowed to come to Thailand but I agree that maybe some wouldn't.  The UK will carry out spot checks and if the visitor is not at the quarantine address, they will be fined £1000.

 

34 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

All it takes is a few selfish gits landing from  Italy, Russia, USA. UK to spread death and disease.

Possibly but remember this virus is going to be around for quite some time. The Thai government is either going to have to accept that new infections will be part of life for a while unless they are prepared to stay closed and totally destroy their tourist industry.

2 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

Possibly but remember this virus is going to be around for quite some time. The Thai government is either going to have to accept that new infections will be part of life for a while unless they are prepared to stay closed and totally destroy their tourist industry.

I think the mass tourist industry is pretty dead for a while in Thailand, wouldn't stop me from going anywhere if a country will let me in.

4 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

The part where you keep disregarding the 14 day quarantine for all arrivals, Thai and Non-Thai. 

 

The part that, you know, stops the chance for further infections. 

As a standalone action quarantining people alone does not eliminate the chances of further spreading.

1 minute ago, Don Mega said:

As a standalone action quarantining people alone does not eliminate the chances of further spreading.

 

Not if they catch the sh*t when they walk out the front door of the quarantine facility, no. 

 

And besides, its apparently good enough for Thai people, and the WHO, CDC etc... 

 

Add a Covid test on the 14th day if that makes you feel more secure.