Perfectly legal but can't return: Retiree expat voices frustrations to Thaivisa

[webfact]

Perfectly legal but can't return: Retiree expat voices frustrations to Thaivisa

 

File photo: Reuters

 

A British expat who says he can't return to Thailand has voiced his "heartbreak", and frustrations. He also claimed discrimination at being unable to return to the kingdom.

 

We'll just call him Mr P as he has asked for anonymity. He is aged 60 and currently in the UK.

 

He said that he has a perfectly legal visa, but after leaving on a short holiday in March he has been unable to get back home to Thailand. 

 

He holds a "non-O" category visa with extension of stay based on retirement and is concerned that he and many like him are being treated differently to other classes of "O" visa holders. 

 

He has called on Thai immigration to correct this anomaly which he describes as "crazy".

 

Mr P told Thaivisa: " I left Thailand with my Thai girlfriend at the beginning of March for a month's holiday. We have been together for six years.

 

"We decided to return early and rebooked flights to Thailand on the 24th of March but missed out on being able to return by one day when Singapore announced closure of borders and no transit passengers."

 

He called this turn of events during the pandemic "unbelievably frustrating".

 

"My Thai partner returned on a repatriation flight in June", he continued.

 

"Since then I have been waiting for them to allow non-O holders back. I have held a non-O visa with a retirement extension for 9 years. 

 

"I cannot believe they are now only letting non-OA (or O X)visa holders in. I have a perfectly legal and valid visa with a re-entry permit.

 

"This is absolutely heartbreaking. I wish to return to my home and friends, to my house, my car and most importantly my Thai girlfriend/partner. 

 

"Why cause unnecessary distress both to her and me?", asked Mr P.

 

He said that he also wants to spend money and support the local economy, saying that Thailand is his home and the country he loves.

 

He went on: "I cannot understand why they are discriminating against non-O holders. All we want is fair and consistent application of the rules. It has been indicated to me that non-O are easier to get and regarded as inferior. 

 

"But that is not the case when you have applied for a visa extension based on retirement. Then you are required to provide the same financial records, medical certificate and police criminal check  as required when applying for a non-OA. There is no difference in the information provided to Thai Immigration.

 

"I would like representations to be made to Thai Immigration or the MFA to rectify this anomaly. 

 

"As I understand the position you can return on a non-O with a retirement visa if you are married to a Thai or have a Thai child, but not if you own or lease a property or have lived in Thailand for many years. 

 

"This is crazy", he concluded.

 

The news comes as another retiree who finds himself in the same situation at ‘Mr P’ shared on Thaivisa a response he received from the Thai Embassy in London.

 

The response confirmed that foreigners with Non-O retirement extensions are not currently permitted to enter Thailand. 

 

 

Are you a long term expat currently unable to enter Thailand?

If so, share your story with us

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-10-07

 

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[Youlike]

I think it's right to let the married spouses in first...that's why they were married and you could have done the same if you wanted.

[sammieuk1]

Toss in a now 6 year old son a locked up FCD account and that sounds like me even share the 24th of march return ????

[vadid]

Sorry, anyone who went to the UK for a "short holiday in March" was asking for trouble.

[Mr Meeseeks]

12 minutes ago, vadid said:

Sorry, anyone who went to the UK for a "short holiday in March" was asking for trouble.

They were in complete denial about the stupidity of their own actions on here shortly after the lockdown commenced. Blaming everyone except themselves for their own bad decisions.

 

It was obvious that a lockdown could happen as early as end of Feb so anyone travelling subsequent to that period took a massive risk.

 

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

"This is absolutely heartbreaking. I wish to return to my home and friends, to my house, my car and most importantly my Thai girlfriend/partner. 

Well, it's not really your home is it? Or are you still in denial about your status here? 

 

Some people will never learn I guess.

[damascase]

3 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

They were in complete denial about the stupidity of their own actions on here shortly after the lockdown commenced. Blaming everyone except themselves for their own bad decisions.

 

It was obvious that a lockdown could happen as early as end of Feb so anyone travelling subsequent to that period took a massive risk.

 

Well, it's not really your home is it? Or are you still in denial about your status here? 

 

Some people will never learn I guess.

The wisdom - or lack of it - to travel in March is not the issue here. The difference in treatment by Thai authorities between O and O-A visa holders is. 

[GeorgeCross]

can he not apply for a non-oa?

 

[Youlike]

1 hour ago, vadid said:

Sorry, anyone who went to the UK for a "short holiday in March" was asking for trouble.

Well i had to leave thailand in july to go to Europe because my insurance only covers me for 1 year nonstop....after that i have to set foot in my homecountry or my insurance is invalid.

 

And yes now it's hard to go back...

[Orton Rd]

Desperate to get back here, what's wrong with him?

[Puchaiyank]

"All we want is fair and consistent application of the rules".

 

I see this inexplicable behavior as a form of punishment for those visa holders who are not legally married to Thais...don't expect any changes any time soon...

[DrJack54]

56 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

can he not apply for a non-oa?

 

Think article mentioned extension with reentry permit. He cannot cancel that. Needs to wait until it expires. He could then apply for non O-A. 

The thing is in visa forum, I have not seen a report of someone entering Thailand going down that path. Also threads of huge difficulty/frustration of guys that purchased Thai Elite visa.

The new STV is just a red herring and only available for select countries. Obviously China on list.

Before folk complain about Thai gov look at places such as Au. There are caps on weekly entries of Au citizens. The real issue is quarantine capacity. Hotel quarantine logistically is huge task.

Sadly non o retirement will have (most likely) their until date run out well prior to them being added to non O-A, who in reality can't enter either.

[sammieuk1]

2 hours ago, vadid said:

Sorry, anyone who went to the UK for a "short holiday in March" was asking for trouble.

I left at the death of my father wasn't asking for trouble but got a shed load ????

[HampiK]

When you have a valid re-Entry... would it help, if you do a new passport and can then with the new passport receive a new VISA O-A?

 

I have no clue but this maybe would help, if this is somehow legal.

About his situation, yes it's sad, but  there are many other countries which also have a lot of restrictions. The main problem is, that the status is still non-Immigrant... in most develop countries it's easier to obtain a resident status.. but here in Thailand to become a resident it's quite difficult (if you not work).

[Chris.B]

Why didn't he marry his girlfriend/partner in June when he had the chance? He could have been back now. 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, HampiK said:

When you have a valid re-Entry... would it help, if you do a new passport and can then with the new passport receive a new VISA O-A?

That's possible as would be issued by Thai consulate, however as I mentioned earlier, I have not read one report of anyone with non O-A having been able to obtain COE and actually enter Thailand.

Bit unrelated but a Google relating to Thai repatriation numbers waiting and difficulties for Thai Elite and Married guys etc paints a picture of very long wait for non O-A entries.

[Disparate Dan]

there are millions of people round the world who have been caught out by the variously daft rules governing the Panic. I'm another - Thailand is a lot better place to be than most right now, but it's not where I intended to be.

Is TV going to give air-time to everyone with a moan?????????

[Blumpie]

People have fallen through the cracks all over the world.  

I have to agree in March if you were travelling when all this was going down you were asking for it.  I'm not bashing the guy, but it was not a good time to be travelling anywhere on earth in March.  The whole world was shutting down.  

[MRToMRT]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But that is not the case when you have applied for a visa extension based on retirement. Then you are required to provide the same financial records, medical certificate and police criminal check  as required when applying for a non-OA. There is no difference in the information provided to Thai Immigration.

Is he wrong there? I applied for ext of stay on a non O on basis of retirement and I never provided a police record or med cert??

[heist]

Love how when the amnesty is discussed people are told they should have gone home.

And when people who were travelling in March are discussed people are told they should have stayed here.

No wonder Thailand wants to kick everyone out if they're as insufferable in real life as they are online.
 

[teacherclaire]

"This is crazy", he concluded. Not much to add.

 

      I hope that he'll soon be together with his partner and things go well.

 

    It's so true that having paid for all with a re -entry permit and not being allowed to go back where you feel home is crazy. 

 

Do other nations treat Thai citizens the same way? i pretty much doubt it. 

    

[Don Mega]

555, Mr P thinks he has a visa !!

[Jack Hna]

What was the guy thinking. Short holiday in March. The message was real clear by March. No more lord of the skies stay put and keep your head down. 

[agoodpunt]

10 minutes ago, teacherclaire said:

Do other nations treat Thai citizens the same way? i pretty much doubt it. 

    

thailands health minister atitude is probably closer to CCP than any real democaries

ur a dirty farang and likely hood is ur probably still sending money so win win for thai

Some who remained in thailand are those who cannot return to there origin easy for them to say

[Matzzon]

Yeah, you really have to feel for the man, and all other retirees that are stuck outside at the moment. We can all agree that it would be same possible to allow them entry like the start of STV. However, so is not the case today. I sincerely hope that you all will be able to return soon. You got my sympathy. 

[userabcd]

3 hours ago, damascase said:

The wisdom - or lack of it - to travel in March is not the issue here. The difference in treatment by Thai authorities between O and O-A visa holders is. 

Maybe the govt should simplify and differentiate visa categories in that all those on retirement should only be on OA visas and extensions thereof.

[tomazbodner]

I'm sorry to be negative against the pensioner but... it was very clear at that time that the World was shutting down and deciding to go for a vacation at that time was incredibly stupid thing to do. It was his gamble and it didn't work out. Nobody other than himself to blame.

 

I've had tickets to Europe around that time (and not for just a leisure tour) but I decided it was too big risk to take and didn't go.

 

Had the guy not taken that gamble he'd be in Thailand with his teerak now.

[Pattaya Spotter]

Why did he take a vacation in the middle of a worldwide pandemic (which was perfectly clear by March)? And his information is incorrect...medical certificates arent required for "retirement" extensions of Non-Imm O visas.

[Pattaya Spotter]

3 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

They were in complete denial about the stupidity of their own actions on here shortly after the lockdown commenced. Blaming everyone except themselves for their own bad decisions.

 

It was obvious that a lockdown could happen as early as end of Feb so anyone travelling subsequent to that period took a massive risk.

 

Well, it's not really your home is it? Or are you still in denial about your status here? 

 

Some people will never learn I guess.

And if he really wants to spend money to support "the country he loves," he can wire it to the misses and she'll spend it for him.

[Pattaya Spotter]

3 hours ago, damascase said:

The wisdom - or lack of it - to travel in March is not the issue here. The difference in treatment by Thai authorities between O and O-A visa holders is. 

Actually the O visa holders visas have expired and they are on 1-year extensions of stay; so the situations are not the same thus the differential treatment. 

[MRToMRT]

For those questioning travel in March. I, myself, left Thailand in last week of Feb, there was no thought of a Thailand shutdown at that point. At all.

 

And once you are outside Thailand theres no coverage of Thai news or rumours overseas. I would not spend my holidays signing into here as well.

 

For those who think we are idiots, I hope something similar happens too you someday. Boot other foot.