Why did the US change their mind on extension letters?

[ehgnyc]

I am not claiming credit for the Ambassador's decision, but my and other Americans' emails may have had something to do with it. This may be helpful to citizens of other countries. Unfortunately, your individual problems are not of interest here. Your countries' actions on the international stage and the associated media coverage are what matter. Here is the email I sent on August 24th with a cc to the New York Times:

Subject: Repatriation Not Guaranteed

"Dear Ambassador DeSombre,

 

In light of the order that may be forthcoming, as per the article below, saying that US Citizens will not be guaranteed repatriation, I ask you please to reconsider issuing letters to US citizens to help them extend their stay in Thailand.

Trump Considers Banning Re-entry by Citizens Who May Have Coronavirus

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/10/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-border.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

I understand that Thailand will not be considered a "hot spot", however that may not be true of countries one has to transit through. In addition, airlines often will not allow boarding for passengers who for any reason may not gain entry at their destination.

 

My personal situation is the following: For 2 1/2 years I lived and worked in Cambodia. In December I took 3 months off to travel with a return to work date of March 31. I was in Thailand when Cambodia issued an order

that banned passengers "from the United States." It was the airlines who quickly interpreted that to mean anyone with a US passport. Now, US citizens can enter, but they have to have a health certificate from their home country, among other requirements. In other words, to go right next door to Cambodia, I'd have to run the risk of flying to the US, self quarantine in a hotel, then try to get tested and have results in the necessary time frame, fly back and then quarantine again. It doesn't seem possible or safe.

 

My greatest fear is to be stuck in an airport somewhere in the world unable to board a flight to my destination and be forced to fly to the US, which may or may not admit me. I truly want to stay in Thailand until all of the above is worked out.

 

I ask you please, in these dire times, to reconsider and issue letters to US citizens.

 

Thank you.

 

Best regards,"

[WhateverDude]

I sent the embassy a rather scathing email last month. Several others that I talked to who are essentially "stuck" here like we are did the same thing. I'm sure that collective effort had a lot to do with them having to change their tune.

[Sheryl]

I'm pretty sure the health certificate can be issued by the country where you are and does not have to be from your home country.

 

Certainly people have entered Cambodia from other than their country of nationality. Yiou have to have insurance, quarantine, pay a deposit and all that, and you'd have to take a convuluted and costly flight routing since there are no direct flights from Thailand to Camb (e.g. via Seoul or other 3rd country that allows transit passengers) but I do not think it is the case that you have to first return to your country of nationality for a health certificate.

[ehgnyc]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I'm pretty sure the health certificate can be issued by the country where you are and does not have to be from your home country.

 

Certainly people have entered Cambodia from other than their country of nationality. Yiou have to have insurance, quarantine, pay a deposit and all that, and you'd have to take a convuluted and costly flight routing since there are no direct flights from Thailand to Camb (e.g. via Seoul or other 3rd country that allows transit passengers) but I do not think it is the case that you have to first return to your country of nationality for a health certificate.

It's not immigration that would necessarily be the problem. It's the airlines. People have been stopped in Seoul and had to return to their home countries because the airline didn't like their paperwork. A health certificate from one country and a passport from another could easily be a red flag.

[Sheryl]

Just now, ehgnyc said:

It's not immigration that would necessarily be the problem. It's the airlines. People have been stopped in Seoul and had to return to their home countries because the airline didn't like their paperwork. A health certificate from one country and a passport from another could easily be a red flag.

I very much doubt it if the health certificate is from your country of departure.

 

I haven't heard of  this being an issue for anyone.