New Special Tourist Visa: A drop in the ocean compared to 2019 as many retirees feel abandoned

[Matzzon]

I can´t see the problem here. Now there are possibilities for everyone to come back to Thailand. The question is only how much they want to come back. If want to come back be happy and live up to the requirements, if not want why this constant moaning?

[BritManToo]

Just now, Ratcher said:

Fact is the writing was on the wall early March. It was evident then that people would get locked out of Thailand if they didn't return quickly. Same old drivel has been spouted by many on this forum every other day about how bad Westerners are treated here. If you don't like it vote with your feet. 

Yep, back in March I got an email from AirAsia (5pm) cancelling my return flight to Thailand and informing me the border would be closed from midnight. Really I should have stayed in Cambodia, and just dumped my mortgage and kids, I would have had no VISA problems ($300/year no paper chase).

 

Foolishly I returned, would really like to vote with my feet, but nowhere I want to go will let me in.

[PEE TEE]

This STV visa .what is the documentation needed ? where do you get it VOA or your own country ?

i know you have to quarantine for 14 days . also do you need this covid insurance cover . and mony in the bank ? 

 

[MRToMRT]

2 hours ago, mlkik said:

As someone who has a non o retirement extention and visited my elderly Mother in the UK early March I have not been allowed to return.

The Thai government rules are that I must have 800 000 Thai baht in my Thai bank account. I have about 1 000 000 .

I bought a new car in May 2018 and I had a bungalow built on my other halfs Fathers land. I have to pay the bills as her beauty salon does not generate enough income to pay for 1st class car insurance and air con electric bills.

I expected wrongly that people on retirement extentions would be allowed to register for repat flights in the near future. 

Some people have said that this new tourist visa will be ideal for people like myself. I dissagree as I have an extention that is valid for another 4 months and a re entry permit. Why should I have to change this and apply for a tourist visa ?

I am prepared to pay for the ASQ and get my covid test within 72 hours of my flight and have an insurance policy that is ready to go but am not considered worthy of return to a place which I wrongly thought was my home.

As someone else mentioned people thinking of retiring in Thailand think very carefully !

 

I read yesterday that you may not have to. Its still possible that retirees could be added to the group of 11 this week as its was put forward as a proposal to the "covid governing council" 2 weeks ago. 

 

I also find it infuriating how retirees have been left in the cold so to speak.

[micmichd]

4 hours ago, Berti said:

There are many tourism workers but they are still a minority.

The majority is still in panic when it comes to Corona.

 

We have to acknowledge that they are building up a quarantine industry to let in foreigners, but somehow I get the feeling they want to get rid of retirees.

 

They want to get rid of Western bums who behave like the masters of the universe in Thailand when in fact they're losers in their Western home countries. 

[n210mp]

4 hours ago, Berti said:

 

Why wealthy? The visa costs 2.000.- Baht.

Because to be able to pay the Bangkok hotel quarantine bill of 2600 GBP as my friend had to do last week you either have to be desperate (As my friend was because of family he hadn't seen for a long time ) or wealthy and desperate!

 

Coupled with that its a wonder my friend didn't go mad (He was released this morning)   

No contact with anyone other than the phone 

His food left at the foot of his door.

Not allowed to leave the room for 14 days!

 

  

[curious297]

Here is my take on this topic

 

• I've lived in Thailand for over 16 years. Fully compliant with a Non B Working Visa which is was just renewed and valid until late 2021.
• I have a business which before Covid was worth in the region of 60 Million THB.
• Employ over 15 Thai staff.
• Pay all my Thai taxes and licenses yearly.
• Have bought over 5 properties ranging from 5 million to 18 million THB.
• Put my child through British standard schooling for over 14 years.
• Purchased over 4 new cars, each one costing over 1 million THB each.

 

I visited immigration to confirm what to do about my Non B visa after the visa amnesty is over on the 26th September. I was informed that I need to write to my embassy / consulate and request a support letter to extend my Non B visa. I did this and was informed by the embassy that they will issue me a letter within 5 working days. It is written on the embassy's site that this letter is actually for British citizens that are "Stuck" in Thailand and not for people like me that are actually living here full time. 

 

I was informed this letter, once I have receive it and take it to immigration, this will allow me 30 days extension for the price of 1,900 THB!!!! I normally pay round 1,500-2,000 THB for flights every 90 days to receive my entry stamp however, now I must pay 1,900 per month + Support letter and Beg visit immigration to process my request to stay!!

I will have to do the same "Support letter" process month on month (if this is even possible) to stay here in Thailand as currently, nobody can cross Thai boarders as I would usually do every 90 days to renew my entry stamp. 

 

This is proof that no matter how many years you live in Thailand, no matter how millions you have invested in the Thai economy, whether you employ many thai staff, pay your taxes etc, you are just a glorified tourist. 

 

What if I can only get one embassy support letter?  According to Thai immigration, without this support letter, I must leave Thailand post haste, effectively ruining my business, No one to take care of my properties, will have to take my child out of university and more. This is bloody ridiculous!!! 

 

Immigration know I have lived here for almost 20 years. Myself and immigration have a full history of my yearly visas, work permit renewals, 90 day re-entry visa stamps etc, yet I am still just a tourist.

 

A simple solution:

 

1. Anyone that has proof of living in Thailand for let's say over 5 years, would have complete amnesty during this Covid from having to do 90 day reporting, no need to renew visas or at least be able to renew your visa at your local immigration office.
    
2. Automatic permanent residency for those living here legally longer than 5-10 years.

Well I understand this is not Utopia and will never happen in my lifetime so I guess it's wishful thinking on my part. It would be very interesting if say the UK reciprocated the same 90 day rules to Thai's, having to leave the UK as us expats do here. Better still, all thai operated companies within the UK must employ 2-3 British citizens for every Thai working within said company, you can only imagine the outcry. Oh, and God forbid if one of your employees listed under your work permit stops working in your company for any reason, less than 90 days before your visa renewal, effectively invalidating your visa.

OK, Enough ranting.

 

For those British Citizens whom need to get a support letter from their embassy please read the following:

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Email:  Bangkok Documentary Services at - [email protected]

 

This mailbox is for applications for the following consular services: 

 

1.             ED visa support letter  

2.             Supporting letter for Thai Nationality application  

3.             Submission of Affirmation of Marital Status and supporting documents prior to appointment -Please allow 2 working days for us to reply to your email 

 

Consular letter relating to the death of a British National in Thailand (funeral directors only).  A member of the team will be in touch with you as soon as possible to organise preparation and collection of documents. 

  

Visa Extension Letters 

 

The British Embassy can issue a letter to support applications to extend existing visas for British Nationals who require a letter to: 

 

1.       Apply for a Non-Immigrant visa OR 

2.       Those who are unable to travel to their country of residence due to border closures or the FCDO advises against travel to that country. 

 

To apply, reply to this email with:  

1. Copy of the biodata page of your passport 
2. Entry stamp in to Thailand 
3. Proof of residence in a third country e.g. visa (if applicable) 
4. Supporting documents relating to your long-term visa application e.g. marriage certificate, employment contract (if applicable) 

  

You will receive an auto-reply from us once we have received your documents. Please ensure your email is less than 5MB. 

 

We will issue you with a letter within 5 working days of receiving all supporting documentation. 

  

The British Embassy will not be issuing a visa extension letter to British Nationals in Thailand on short-term visas who can travel to their country of residence. 

  

Please use our contact form for other consular enquiries www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-bangkok 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I hope this helps you and good luck.

[Chongalulu]

For all the various comments on the endless Ill thought through,unworkable schemes, they are simply window dressing to give the illusion of a strategy. The reality is until the devastating economic reality ,not only for the tourist industry but the knock on effect across the board ,hits home in the form of political unrest and threatens the powers that be,will there be a complete reversal of strategy driven by panic. That saying 'You are only 2 meals away from a revolution' will be felt after the loss of the high season .

[Dart12]

46 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It's never been a good idea to transfer assets (beyond day to day living expenses) to Thailand.

I've little sympathy for those guys sinking their last dime into setting up a business or house in some Thai woman's name, no matter how 'different' she is.

It's never wise to buy a single family home, anywhere in the world, these days.  You are much better off buying multiple unit cashflowing properties and simply renting your current "home" space.
 

[cardinalblue]

2 hours ago, mlkik said:

As someone who has a non o retirement extention and visited my elderly Mother in the UK early March I have not been allowed to return.

The Thai government rules are that I must have 800 000 Thai baht in my Thai bank account. I have about 1 000 000 .

I bought a new car in May 2018 and I had a bungalow built on my other halfs Fathers land. I have to pay the bills as her beauty salon does not generate enough income to pay for 1st class car insurance and air con electric bills.

I expected wrongly that people on retirement extentions would be allowed to register for repat flights in the near future. 

Some people have said that this new tourist visa will be ideal for people like myself. I dissagree as I have an extention that is valid for another 4 months and a re entry permit. Why should I have to change this and apply for a tourist visa ?

I am prepared to pay for the ASQ and get my covid test within 72 hours of my flight and have an insurance policy that is ready to go but am not considered worthy of return to a place which I wrongly thought was my home.

As someone else mentioned people thinking of retiring in Thailand think very carefully !

 

You have thai family correct? Why can’t you return or at least be eligible to return? 

[DUNROAMIN]

Where are these mega rich people going to stay while visiting Thailand? 5 Star hotels here are the equivalent to 3.5/4 star in developed countries around the world. Amazing Thailand, however, not for the wealthy, they all head to Europe. Thailand holidaying has always been for the middle class, because that's what it offers, middle class tourist destinations and accommodation. Oh, and lets not forget the quarantine regulations. 

[johng]

6 minutes ago, curious297 said:

I normally pay round 1,500-2,000 THB for flights every 90 days to receive my entry stamp however, 

If you have a Non B visa and run a business why are (where) you doing 90 day visa runs ?

[mlkik]

7 minutes ago, cardinalblue said:

You have thai family correct? Why can’t you return or at least be eligible to return? 

Because I am not married. I used to be married to a Thai but after 22 years we divorced. Now having been with my new partner for 5 years I am not elligable.

[laocowboy2]

You are assuming a knowledge of both basic math and entry-level economics. This government lacks both

[ukrules]

14 minutes ago, curious297 said:

This is proof that no matter how many years you live in Thailand, no matter how millions you have invested in the Thai economy, whether you employ many thai staff, pay your taxes etc, you are just a glorified tourist.

Correct, and it pays to remember that when making decisions about investing.

 

Having said that you often don't need to be where your investments are if you have made appropriate arrangements.

[jojothai]

I still don't understand why this is being referred to as a "Tourist visa".
do tourists go abroad for long stay eg 9 months?
The original wording was
"The Cabinet has approved a proposal of issuing long-stay visas for foreigners visiting Thailand.

Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Tuesday (September 15) that the Cabinet has agreed to allow foreigners to live in Thailand for up to nine months per trip, provided they can prove they have spent 14 days in quarantine."
then it became called a tourist visa.
Looks like a pathetic political play on words. As if 1200 tourists means anything.

Clueless.

[Puchaiyank]

To feel abandoned...you must have first been accepted in Thailand...never have...never will...

 

You are not being abandoned...just cast aside like a used condom...

[Cake Monster]

4 hours ago, Berti said:

 

Why wealthy? The visa costs 2.000.- Baht.

Its all about.... Yes ! you guessed it.....FACE

[dutchberliner]

1 hour ago, Proboscis said:

With all the discussion about inviting in tourists from far off countries with higher levels of Covid-19 infection, why does Thailand not consider starting off by inviting in tourists from the very low infection rate countries on their own doorstep. Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia have varying numbers of expats who would consider a break in Thailand for medical tourism if nothing else. Many citizens of these countries used to travel to Thailand for shopping and medical treatment too. Each of these countries have very low or zero rates of infection. Thailand could also consider other nearby countries with low levels of infection too, including limited numbers from China.

 

My suggestion would be to test and trace all visitors to the country and let them stay in pre-reserved resorts. You could impose a further test after a few days and then let them go free.

 

This would be low risk with a higher rate of take-up.

The fact that dead poor countries like myanmar, cambodia and laos have the same covid numbers as thailand indicates that climate and lifestyle are the reasons for the low numbers in this region.

The thai junta likes to pretend that they are doing something right regarding covid but there is no evidence to suggest this.

The only result the junta achieves is murdering the thai middle class. I guess the thai Gini index didn't look horrendous enough to them.

[Dialemco]

Just a distraction whether or not taken up by so few will not assist tourism industry nor Thai economy. Let's face it no tourism income for the rest of the year and every one should plan accordingly. As things stand quarantine on arrival and upon return home countries makes travel a non starter. Let's see how other South East Asian Countries open up next year.

[terryofcrete]

4 hours ago, Berti said:

 

Why wealthy? The visa costs 2.000.- Baht.

Quarantine at an expensive hotel. Insurance including Covid is very expensive especially if you are older . The testing before you depart is at least €300 because it’s a time sensitive appointments you need . There is crucially a debate about whether you can choose your own flight or designated carrier... has to be padded so it will be exoensive same as the chosen hotel nonsense . It’s a ripoff. 

[redwood1]

 October 2019 figures reveals that 3,042,282 tourists came to Thailand.

 

In case anyone is wondering 1200 is even less than 99.9% of 3,042,282 ......

[curious297]

21 minutes ago, johng said:

If you have a Non B visa and run a business why are (where) you doing 90 day visa runs ?

I prefer to get out every 90 days or so. I take a small vacation in a neighbouring country. It gives me a change of environment plus peace and quite to get some work done ???? I have a multi entry non B visa for this reason. Im normally out of the country for work quite often so I don't need to visit immigration for 90 day reporting as I have 90 days every time I leave the Thailand.

 

[curious297]

19 minutes ago, jojothai said:

I still don't understand why this is being referred to as a "Tourist visa".
do tourists go abroad for long stay eg 9 months?
The original wording was
"The Cabinet has approved a proposal of issuing long-stay visas for foreigners visiting Thailand.

Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Tuesday (September 15) that the Cabinet has agreed to allow foreigners to live in Thailand for up to nine months per trip, provided they can prove they have spent 14 days in quarantine."
then it became called a tourist visa.
Looks like a pathetic political play on words. As if 1200 tourists means anything.

Clueless.

My point exactly!!! It reminds me of the mobile companies that give huge discounts etc to new customers but me, having been with them for 5 years cannot get the better new customer tariffs.

 

So these "New tourist" get 9 months visa and me as a long term 16 year expat can only get 1 month visa and have to jump through hoops of fire to get it.

 

[Brunolem]

40 minutes ago, curious297 said:

Here is my take on this topic

 

• I've lived in Thailand for over 16 years. Fully compliant with a Non B Working Visa which is was just renewed and valid until late 2021.
• I have a business which before Covid was worth in the region of 60 Million THB.
• Employ over 15 Thai staff

Considering all this, why exactly don't you have a work permit? 

[shackleton]

1 hour ago, Ratcher said:

Well that's your view. Many foreigners currently in Thailand on long stay visa extentions based on marriage or "retirement" don't share it. Fact is the writing was on the wall early March. It was evident then that people would get locked out of Thailand if they didn't return quickly. Same old drivel has been spouted by many on this forum every other day about how bad Westerners are treated here. If you don't like it vote with your feet. 

We all made our choice of being here retired ect in Thailand come the bad or good 

Agree with above statement I for one will not be going any where 

As no doubt will others

[Baht Simpson]

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

This is nothing new and has been known for 30 years I have been here.

Quite true. I remember thinking 15 years ago that it could all change tomorrow. Best to be as flexible as possible, and even more so now within the current exceptional constraints.

[curious297]

4 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Considering all this, why exactly don't you have a work permit? 

 

Curious wrote:
 

"Immigration know I have lived here for almost 20 years. Myself and immigration have a full history of my yearly visas, work permit renewals, 90 day re-entry visa stamps etc, yet I am still just a tourist."

 

I mentioned at least 4 times my Non B Visa

 

Non-Immigrant B Visa (Employment)

Foreigners who intend to work in Thailand should apply for an initial 90-Day Non-Immigrant B visa from their home country under employment category. ... 90-day reporting to any Thai Immigration Office is required to the visa holder under this category.

 

Please pay attention in class, thank you ????

[CapeTown]

A lot of thought and consultation has evidently gone into the STV. This seems the best Thailand can manage for the moment.

 

The difficulties come from the bigger players who are losing considerable revenues and national companies must be facing bankruptcy.

 

Tourism is the main source of income for many millions of less well off Thais too. They are living on loans or earnings from the last high season 2019/20. They have no buffer beyond this year. What are they to do? Who is looking after them? Many have already returned to the village, to the homes of their parents and grandparents and to agriculture.

 

This is not just short term distress, the resentment and bitterness felt at home and abroad will have permanent long term consequences too, I would imagine.

 

But what else can the government do? The resources for plugging the gaps in the economy are not there. Neither is the health infrastructure for treatment. It cannot permit covid to rip through. It must wait for a vaccine.

 

For the moment, on balance, maybe best to stay closed, given the levels of fear in the people (Phuket is an example) and wait for the vaccine. Wait for the vaccine and think about the needs of all 70 million Thais and just as important, the needs of all future long and short stay visitors. It is a real challenge to keep hope alive and keep the welcoming smile.

 

For now, in practical terms, the most important job is presumably to focus on setting up the network of clinics that will be required for delivery of the much-hoped-for vaccine. This is very important.

 

 

[Lokie]

Best advice I ever got years ago from an old Expat was...

Never buy anything your not prepared to leave behind, keep a suit case packed, this is a country that cycles through military coups every ten yrs or so, No need to buy anything large as is so cheap enough to rent - If does go Pear shaped pick that suitcase up and just get on a plane out of here...

 

Cheers Eddy (from Wigan) 13 years later and all holds true