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

[robblok]

3 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

It is greener outside of Thailand financially and more productive.  That is why so many working farangs have left.  I work with some very kind, patient people there and the junta annoys me and the people I work with

 

Socially, Thailand is great, but when Shanwatras ran things, you could actually have the freedom to do more there.  Today, you cannot even build a boat in your own back yard in Thailand, as it is against the law if you do not have a working permit. 

Not true.. only if you intend to sell the boat. But what a stupid remark as if people want to build boats and its an essential freedom.

 

You left Thailand yet you still post here seems the grass is not as green otherwise you would have forgotten about Thailand. I don't post on Dutch forums anymore why would I I don't live there or have a connection. Why is your connection to Thailand so strong if you think its so bad here.

[Pattaya Spotter]

9 minutes ago, scoupeo said:

Enough said ! Enjoy your say in UK ! And I guess that he is actually a liar who just flew the country scare that covid wouldn't be handled well...

They just all deserve their time spent abroad !

 

 

Many probably did leave because they believed all they ever heard and read (on T-V) about the Thais' incompetence in everything and assumed Covid would run wild in Thailand. Anyone who knows anything about Thailand knows it has a fairly robust civil service and public health infrastructure (for a country at its level of economic development). Sum num naa.

[Pattaya Spotter]

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

Not true.. only if you intend to sell the boat. But what a stupid remark as if people want to build boats and its an essential freedom.

 

You left Thailand yet you still post here seems the grass is not as green otherwise you would have forgotten about Thailand. I don't post on Dutch forums anymore why would I I don't live there or have a connection. Why is your connection to Thailand so strong if you think its so bad here.

Yep...looks like Thailand has lost the backyard boat builders expat/retiree market. 

[Pattaya Spotter]

12 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

It is greener outside of Thailand financially and more productive.  That is why so many working farangs have left.

Then how do you explain all the posts complaining about not being able to return to Thailand? 

[ElBudhita]

I'm canadian and I live a similar situation... ????????????????????

[Trujillo]

"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."

 

Lots of Thai couples living here together for years (with kids) never got married. Does that make them and their relationship less valid? 

[John CS]

Just a Globalist sympathetic Govt farce , restricting free movement over a flu like virus, disgraceful

[nickmondo]

In February 2020, I was in Spain for a visit.

Just by looking at updates on FB, I could see the lockdown was coming.

I also found out that the lockdown was starting 20 March and nobody would be allowed in after that.

If I can find this out, why couldnt the OP?

In fact, Norwegian Air contacted me early March to change my flight for me due to the coming lockdown.

I arrived in Bkk on 20th March.  Just in time.

The information was out there, so if you chose to go to UK in March, then thats your own fault mate.

[nickmondo]

9 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

"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."

 

Lots of Thai couples living here together for years (with kids) never got married. Does that make them and their relationship less valid? 

it does if you are living in the 60's.  ha ha

[Pattaya Spotter]

7 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

"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."

 

Lots of Thai couples living here together for years (with kids) never got married. Does that make them and their relationship less valid? 

No...but in the eyes of the law and government bureaucrats they are not married and are not entitled to the benefits thereof.

[vandeventer]

While things are so over the top with visas over here, you might want to meet up with your GF in a different country until things get back to normal?

[Sean60]

Just send the money. You can stay out. This is Thai government message to all farangs.

[metisdead]

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[Max69xl]

"Then you are required to provide the same financial records, medical certificate and police criminal check  as required when applying for a non-OA."

Not correct. It's only the financial requirements that are the same. No medical insurance/certificate or police record check is needed when applying for a 1 year extension based on retirement when holding an initial Non-O Visa.

One more thing,leaving Thailand during a covid-19 outbreak wasn't the smartest move ever. 

[aroiaroi]

This case is not unique to Thailand.

International and domestic border control authorities around the world just can't keep up with the influx of desparate, urgent and often legitimate entry requests. Priority goes to those with urgent medical needs. Otherwise join the queue.

 

 

[Searat7]

4 hours ago, Albert Zweistein said:

I left Thailand the 10th of March. The first sign of the virus was that at Swampy my temperature was checked.

I left Thailand on February 11 and had my temperature taken then as I was heading into Immigration 

[Misterwhisper]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

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

You mean that faithful and loyal gem who abandoned you in the first place?

 

19 hours ago, webfact said:

"My Thai partner returned on a repatriation flight in June"

But no need to worry, pumpkin. She'll be just fine. Her Thai husband brother will look after her. Don't forget to remit that monthly stipend, though!

 

19 hours ago, webfact said:

"I wish to return to... my house, my car..."

Are you sure they're still there?

[polpott]

6 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

"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."

 

Lots of Thai couples living here together for years (with kids) never got married. Does that make them and their relationship less valid? 

OK. I will explain my personal marital situation. I am still married to my wife of 30+ years in the UK. We have 2 grown up children that would not want to see their parents divorced. 8 years ago my wife and I decided to separate and the split was mutually agreed, particularly financially.

 

My wife will benefit from 50% of my company pension and possibly state widows pension when I die. If we divorced she would be entitled to nothing. Personally, I think that's the least she deserves for putting up with me for 30 years and doing a great job of raising 2 children with me. As I'm 10 years older than her and not in great health she's likely to receive those benefits.

 

Also, if we divorced my wife would lay claim to a good percentage of my pension pot which would move me from being very comfortably retired to having a very restricted budget.

 

I have lived with my common law wife, in Thailand, for 6 years and have an 8 year old stepson who calls me "Dad" and who I call son. I'm the only father he's ever known. Both my Thai wife and I would love to be legally married but it is what it is and we are both happy with our situation.

 

I am fully committed to my Thai family and am happier than I ever have been. Why should my situation debar me from returning to Thailand when someone who is legally married can return?

[Pravda]

31 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

"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."

 

Lots of Thai couples living here together for years (with kids) never got married. Does that make them and their relationship less valid? 

 

Yes. Got a problem with that? 

[Olmate]

The

3 minutes ago, polpott said:

OK. I will explain my personal marital situation. I am still married to my wife of 30+ years in the UK. We have 2 grown up children that would not want to see their parents divorced. 8 years ago my wife and I decided to separate and the split was mutually agreed, particularly financially.

 

My wife will benefit from 50% of my company pension and possibly state widows pension when I die. If we divorced she would be entitled to nothing. Personally, I think that's the least she deserves for putting up with me for 30 years and doing a great job of raising 2 children with me. As I'm 10 years older than her and not in great health she's likely to receive those benefits.

 

Also, if we divorced my wife would lay claim to a good percentage of my pension pot which would move me from being very comfortably retired to having a very restricted budget.

 

I have lived with my common law wife, in Thailand, for 6 years and have an 8 year old stepson who calls me "Dad" and who I call son. I'm the only father he's ever known. Both my Thai wife and I would love to be legally married but it is what it is and we are both happy with our situation.

 

I am fully committed to my Thai family and am happier than I ever have been. Why should my situation debar me from returning to Thailand when someone who is legally married can return?

The law. Same reason your not devorced.

[robblok]

10 minutes ago, polpott said:

OK. I will explain my personal marital situation. I am still married to my wife of 30+ years in the UK. We have 2 grown up children that would not want to see their parents divorced. 8 years ago my wife and I decided to separate and the split was mutually agreed, particularly financially.

 

My wife will benefit from 50% of my company pension and possibly state widows pension when I die. If we divorced she would be entitled to nothing. Personally, I think that's the least she deserves for putting up with me for 30 years and doing a great job of raising 2 children with me. As I'm 10 years older than her and not in great health she's likely to receive those benefits.

 

Also, if we divorced my wife would lay claim to a good percentage of my pension pot which would move me from being very comfortably retired to having a very restricted budget.

 

I have lived with my common law wife, in Thailand, for 6 years and have an 8 year old stepson who calls me "Dad" and who I call son. I'm the only father he's ever known. Both my Thai wife and I would love to be legally married but it is what it is and we are both happy with our situation.

 

I am fully committed to my Thai family and am happier than I ever have been. Why should my situation debar me from returning to Thailand when someone who is legally married can return?

 

Why because these things like gf's and so on are really hard to check. You cannot make exceptions for everyone. People should accept that if they have relations that are different or are not legalised they dont have the same rights as its hard for the government to check. 

 

For rules there are always certain things needed that can be checked. You can't check relations without getting into all sorts of strange situations. So people who made it legal have it easier.

 

That is the way of the world if you want to do it different then accept that you will be treated different. It sucks but you can't expect to have exceptions for everything.

 

Just imagine oh but i been with my gf for 3 months.. but I have two months.. but we are not living together ect ect. How to check these things without too much hassle.. its impossible. So goverment set rules they can check.

 

Don't blame others for your unconventional ways, same goes who have GF's but don't make it legal.

[IamNoone88]

Once you effectively close the borders to foreigners and 30 million++ tourists you will no doubt upset a few people. It is what it is and it was clear that a lockdown was likely to happen. Granted, I do not think any-one expected it to be this long, but certain 3 or 4 months.

[whiteman]

It will make for some interesting posts and readings in the future when the stories start to pop up regarding.

 

When I got back the house I paid for was sold along with my car and she had disappeared with every thing and no one is talking as to where she went.

 

And stories  my rented apartment keys have been changed and when I looked inside all my stuff had gone along with the safe and gold inside and some one else was renting it.

 

And Our joint credit card is maxed out and she is no where to be seen.

 

You guys if you wish can add more as to what stories will appear in the future

 

 

[polpott]

2 hours ago, Don Mega said:

Exactly what the issue is, luckily the condition is not life threatening !!

But it is. I need angioplasty and a stent fitting. I have had this done before in the UK. The type of stent I had fitted is not available in Thailand. A good friend of mine had the same problem as me earlier in the year and had the operation in Thailand. The stent dislodged and he is now travelling back to the UK to have the damage caused by his Thai doctor repaired with full blown heart surgery in the UK.

 

I'm just cutting out the middle man and having my stent fitted in the UK.

 

And before anyone pipes up with Thai doctors are as good as UK doctors, I have had several treatments performed in Bangkok Pattaya hospital and have come to the conclusion that, although its a very nice hospital, Thailand is a third world country with third world doctors.

[Madeline Thompson]

I understand this man's plight!  My son, a Canadian foreigner, has

been stranded in Vietnam (HCMC) for four months trying to get back

to Thailand.  His whole family is in Thailand, two sisters and me, his

mother, and we've been expats in this country for at least a decade.

He's an international teacher and sometimes teaches in bordering

SE Asian countries, but Bangkok has always been his home base. He's

willing to quarantine, not a problem, and he wants to know: what is the

difference between a Thai person who leaves covid-free, and a foreigner

leaving quarantine covid-free.  Each is a healthy person.

[Don Mega]

6 minutes ago, polpott said:

But it is. I need angioplasty and a stent fitting. I have had this done before in the UK. The type of stent I had fitted is not available in Thailand. A good friend of mine had the same problem as me earlier in the year and had the operation in Thailand. The stent dislodged and he is now travelling back to the UK to have the damage caused by his Thai doctor repaired with full blown heart surgery in the UK.

 

I'm just cutting out the middle man and having my stent fitted in the UK.

 

And before anyone pipes up with Thai doctors are as good as UK doctors, I have had several treatments performed in Bangkok Pattaya hospital and have come to the conclusion that, although its a very nice hospital, Thailand is a third world country with third world doctors.

Godspeed Bro, Hope you don't arrive home dead.

[bert bloggs]

11 minutes ago, polpott said:

But it is. I need angioplasty and a stent fitting. I have had this done before in the UK. The type of stent I had fitted is not available in Thailand. A good friend of mine had the same problem as me earlier in the year and had the operation in Thailand. The stent dislodged and he is now travelling back to the UK to have the damage caused by his Thai doctor repaired with full blown heart surgery in the UK.

 

I'm just cutting out the middle man and having my stent fitted in the UK.

 

And before anyone pipes up with Thai doctors are as good as UK doctors, I have had several treatments performed in Bangkok Pattaya hospital and have come to the conclusion that, although its a very nice hospital, Thailand is a third world country with third world doctors.

where did he have the stent fitted if i can ask ,

[robblok]

11 minutes ago, polpott said:

But it is. I need angioplasty and a stent fitting. I have had this done before in the UK. The type of stent I had fitted is not available in Thailand. A good friend of mine had the same problem as me earlier in the year and had the operation in Thailand. The stent dislodged and he is now travelling back to the UK to have the damage caused by his Thai doctor repaired with full blown heart surgery in the UK.

 

I'm just cutting out the middle man and having my stent fitted in the UK.

 

And before anyone pipes up with Thai doctors are as good as UK doctors, I have had several treatments performed in Bangkok Pattaya hospital and have come to the conclusion that, although its a very nice hospital, Thailand is a third world country with third world doctors.

Good luck, i wish you speedy recovery. But by doing this you choose to leave Thailand. Its a choice (made out of necessity but still). Personally i think Thai doctors in the larger more expensive hospitals are as good as those in your own country.

[polpott]

1 minute ago, bert bloggs said:

where did he have the stent fitted if i can ask ,

Bangkok Pattaya.

[robblok]

8 minutes ago, Madeline Thompson said:

I understand this man's plight!  My son, a Canadian foreigner, has

been stranded in Vietnam (HCMC) for four months trying to get back

to Thailand.  His whole family is in Thailand, two sisters and me, his

mother, and we've been expats in this country for at least a decade.

He's an international teacher and sometimes teaches in bordering

SE Asian countries, but Bangkok has always been his home base. He's

willing to quarantine, not a problem, and he wants to know: what is the

difference between a Thai person who leaves covid-free, and a foreigner

leaving quarantine covid-free.  Each is a healthy person.

The problem is limited amount of space in the quarantine. If it was unlimited im sure they would let everyone in. Its not as if they do this to keep people out who want to go through quarantine. Its just that its limited so they give certain groups (and most notably Thais and so it should be) a first choice before others.