An end may be in sight to separation of Thai-farang families

By The Nation

 

Barry Mutch interacts with his two-month-old baby through a video chat app. The new father missed his son’s birth due to Thailand’s lockdown restrictions. 

 

Foreign nationals who are permanent residents or hold work permits will soon be allowed to return to Thailand, a government official said on Wednesday (May 27), in response to a recent plea from foreigners wanting to return to their partners.

 

The authorities are currently working on repatriating Thai nationals stranded abroad, and after that it will work on allowing back foreigners who have permanent residence permit or a work permit to re-enter the country, Natapanu Nopakun, deputy director general of Foreign Ministry’s Information Department and deputy spokesperson, said in reply to The Nation’s query.

 

He said Thailand has to find a balance between limited resources and effectively repatriating stranded Thais, which continues to be the priority for now. 

 

“Our repatriation mission is nearing completion, and once that is done, then we can accommodate the flow of foreigners stranded outside Thailand.

 

We appreciate the sacrifices and regret the inconvenience caused, but hope everyone understands that even though it appears as if Thailand has won the battle against the virus, this is only the beginning and we have not yet overcome the war,” he said. 

 

Our decision was made under careful consideration with the ultimate goal of minimising the risk of new infections as well as preventing the scenario of an overwhelmed public health system, he added.

 

“The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is currently discussing the option of letting foreigners enter the country in due course. We also plan to give priority to permanent residents and those with work permits to return as soon as the situation has eased,” he said. 

 

The government has been slowly easing restrictions since the beginning of May, with Phases 1 and 2 already in place. Phase 3 of the easing is set to start from the beginning of June. The number of new infections remains below 10 per day, with some days having no cases at all, he said, adding that this success should be credited to the public’s compliance with precautionary measures and the effective management of international arrivals. 

 

“We hope if this situation continues, then restrictions can be eased further to finally bring normalcy to the country,” he added. 

 

Many foreign nationals who have Thai spouses have been complaining that the lockdown and flight ban is keeping them from their families. 

 

Barry Mutch, for instance, is stranded in Oman. He was denied entry to the country, and missed his son’s birth. His baby is now eight-weeks-old, and he can only see his partner and the newborn via video call. 

 

Mutch said he has been coming to Thailand regularly for eight years, but works offshore on a four-week-on, four-week-off rotation. Hence, he rarely spends more than 25 to 26 days at a time in Thailand, and has never required a visa or work permit. 

 

“My son needs a father with him. It’s tough right now. I should be there bonding with him,” he said, adding that he is willing to go into 14-day quarantine, undergo Covid-19 tests and even pay for it himself if he can be allowed to be near his family. 

 

Foreign nationals with Thai spouses have set up two Facebook pages, namely Farangs Stranded Abroad Due to Lockdown in Thailand and Thai Expats Stranded Overseas Due to Covid-19 Travel Restrictions, which have 870 and 1,600 members respectively. They use the pages to share information and experiences as well as a platform to campaign to reunite with their families in Thailand. 

 

Meanwhile, Thailand has extended the state of emergency and incoming passenger flight ban until the end of June, as government claims that it is still worried about importing of new virus infections, given that the Covid-19 pandemic remains serious in many countries.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388623

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-05-28

 

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Interesting, hope this becomes more specific very soon. 

I don't envy anybody trying to get back to Thailand

 

Just now, scorecard said:

Interesting, hope this becomes more specific very soon. 

Specifics, Thailand, you must be joking

Will be clear as mud, just like they like it

The hurdles to jump over will be 10 foot tall, and open to all kinds of interpretation 

Immigration officers will be rubbing their hands together in glee, looking forward to turning filthy foreigners away who haven't seen their wives/kids for months, for a teeny weenie indiscretion 

 

Pathetic post.

Don't hold your breath!

Soon, we will get a better understanding of the difference between tourist visas, multiple entry visit visas (to visit wife), extensions of stay (to live with wife), and permanent residence.

47 minutes ago, Canuck1966 said:

Specifics, Thailand, you must be joking

Will be clear as mud, just like they like it

The hurdles to jump over will be 10 foot tall, and open to all kinds of interpretation 

Immigration officers will be rubbing their hands together in glee, looking forward to turning filthy foreigners away who haven't seen their wives/kids for months, for a teeny weenie indiscretion 

 

They are worried about importing new cases of c19 ,they kept the borders open and allowed thousands of Chinese in. What did that do to countries when infected people returned home, that action was probably responsible for exhalerating the spread of c19 worldwide 

Good news up to a point. The foreign spouses, however, are less of a parent and spouse if they do not have the worthless residence permit or a work permit?

If anyone ever needed a valid reason for relocating your family back to your home country - this should be it. Once all this blows over, Ill be taking my kids and wife back home where family units are respected and rights are given the same to everyone in the family unit. 

33 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

Good news up to a point. The foreign spouses, however, are less of a parent and spouse if they do not have the worthless residence permit or a work permit?

Correct, no mention of Non 'O' visa which i'd imagine a few will be one.

 

This guys been coming for 8 years and never needed a visa......hmmm

I don't follow this story. The guy with the newborn son does not have a work permit or PR so how does this news story help him. I would imagine that most guys that are married to a Thai are in same boat.

Sadly don't see a lot of joy in this for many with family/wife in Thailand.

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

They are worried about importing new cases of c19 ,they kept the borders open and allowed thousands of Chinese in. What did that do to countries when infected people returned home, that action was probably responsible for exhalerating the spread of c19 worldwide 

There was only 1 country who reacted perfect to the situation a couple of month ago, that was Taiwan.

The rest of the countries simply reacted too late and too slow. Fact !

I don't think this is going to help many people since I image most of us stuck overseas have either marriage or retirement one-year visas, not permanent residency or a work permit. 

 

3 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

This guys been coming for 8 years and never needed a visa......hmmm

Hmmm what? 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The authorities are currently working on repatriating Thai nationals stranded abroad, and after that it will work on allowing back foreigners who have permanent residence permit or a work permit to re-enter the country,

WTH?

 

Why can't parent of Thai children or Spouse of Thai citizen just be allowed to return on the same flights as Thai's being repatriated?

They have complained already the cost of a plane for so few were high...that would make cost less

 

Besides it is the year 2020 why does a parent of a "Thai" or the Spouse of a "Thai" not have any right to return? Especially given their current Visa allows it.

 

4 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

Hmmm what? 

Well if he's on a 4/4 rotation and coming to Thailand every time he's 'off' should that not require some sort of visa?

 

I'll help you out here, that's 6 months ( approx ) a year here or 6 visits.

So people on "Thai wife" extensions who don't have a work permit won't be allowed in. Why does one need to have a work permit to take care of one's family?

4 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Well if he's on a 4/4 rotation and coming to Thailand every time he's 'off' should that not require some sort of visa?

 

I'll help you out here, that's 6 months ( approx ) a year here or 6 visits.

28 days working (travel time is generally taken out of the 4 off), so 26/27 days in Thailand at a time.

 

If he's from a country where you get 30 days on arrival, and he's always landing by air, then please explain when he would have ever needed to apply for a visa.

5 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

The rest of the countries simply reacted too late and too slow. Fact !

Taiwan closed borders to foreign nationals March 19 same date as NZ. AU and Vietnam along with many others March 20.

AU has had some of the strongest internal controls. On top of that state leaders have imposed their own controls.

Thailand closed borders March 26 yet have less deaths and positive tests than AU.

Just now, bkk_mike said:

28 days working (travel time is generally taken out of the 4 off), so 26/27 days in Thailand at a time.

 

If he's from a country where you get 30 days on arrival, and he's always landing by air, then please explain when he would have ever needed to apply for a visa.

I thought you were only allowed a certain amount of 'visa exempt' ( 30 days on arrival per year )? 

 

3 in any one year period rings a bell, but i may be wrong.

 

I did 30 day entries for 14 years but stopped when it was becoming scrutinized and now do Non O's.

10 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Well if he's on a 4/4 rotation and coming to Thailand every time he's 'off' should that not require some sort of visa?

 

I'll help you out here, that's 6 months ( approx ) a year here or 6 visits.

 

Yeah I know I a rotational worker, genius. 

 

No, you dont need to get a visa I did it for years no problem at all and if I needed more time I just extended at immigration. Hell of alot simpler than managing a non-o and there's no need to invest anything in Thailand money-wise - which should prove beneficial because as noted in the OP it will never matter how much you tie to Thailand, you will always be a second class or even third class person. 

So 'Barry' only stays for 25-6 days and so has never needed a visa.

Does that mean he gets visa exempt stamps x 6 per year? How come??

Just now, Mama Noodle said:

 

Yeah I know I a rotational worker, genius. 

 

No, you dont need to get a visa I did it for years no problem at all and if I needed more time I just extended at immigration. Hell of alot simpler than managing a non-o and there's no need to invest anything in Thailand money-wise - which should prove beneficial because as noted in the OP it will never matter how much you tie to Thailand, you will always be a second class or even third class person. 

you know a rotational work - wow.

 

I am sure people will not be allowed to return to their families by only rocking up to get a 30 day stamp, if they have non O's there may be a chance.

2 hours ago, lkv said:

Soon, we will get a better understanding of the difference between tourist visas, multiple entry visit visas (to visit wife), extensions of stay (to live with wife)

And work permit trumps wife !!

7 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

you know a rotational work - wow.

 

I am sure people will not be allowed to return to their families by only rocking up to get a 30 day stamp, if they have non O's there may be a chance.

 

????

 

Engage your brain for a half a second and realize that a non-o is easily attainable if needed by anyone who is married, so if thats required then people will do that. 

PRIOR to covid it wasn't needed which was the point you were originally brain damaged by. 

Some slightly good news, however it doesn't really address the full issues.

 

Unless there is a real change with possible longer term residency visas here then we are still just aliens on temporary extensions of stay. 

 

13 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

you know a rotational work - wow.

 

I am sure people will not be allowed to return to their families by only rocking up to get a 30 day stamp, if they have non O's there may be a chance.

They are the one's making it harder for everyone else, policy should be changed to only allow 2 visa exempt entries per year............. and make sure it is policed.

2 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

They are the one's making it harder for everyone else, policy should be changed to only allow 2 visa exempt entries per year............. and make sure it is policed.

 

Yes, following the rules and doing what's allowed under immigration law is surely making it hard for you and 'everyone else' ????

1 minute ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Yes, following the rules and doing what's allowed under immigration law is surely making it hard for you and 'everyone else' ????

The visa exempt entry is for tourists.......... not people jobbing the system to avoid obtaining a visa.