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

[onekoolguy]

16 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

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.

This has never happened before and I don't think anyone really expected it to last this long?

[Mike Teavee]

1 hour 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.

Whilst i sympathise with your condition & hope things work out for you, I trust that (as you currently live in Thailand) you will be paying for the treatment in the UK (Fun fact, as an Expat Brit it's 1.5x the cost for non-Brits). 

 

Or you can get it done "Free" on the NHS if you're repatriating to the UK, but if that were the case, you wouldn't have any concerns about returning to Thailand afterwards until it was time for you next holiday. 

 

I'm guessing that you want to pop back to the UK, have the treatment done "Free" on the NHS (despite not being entitled to it) & then return "home" to Thailand... You can see why somebody might not have too much sympathy about you not being able to get back in after declaring yourself to be repatriating to the UK.... If this is the case, do the smart thing and book a one-way flight & arrange somewhere to stay for 6 months.

 

[Tengtai]

I'm more or less in the same situation except that I'm from Sweden and stuck here now. Having a Non-O, lived in LOS since 2011, I have an insurance and I have my company in Thailand, not married but have family in Thailand. The latest news today are that they will let Scandinavians come on this new visa, but just a few and only to Phuket and Chiang Mai.

They are so afraid of covid which I can understand but meanwhile 40-60 people a day getting killed in traffic. Thai logic ????  

[Kadilo]

3 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

First prize goes to you for the most ignorant, insensitive, judgmental, and nonsensical comment of the week. 

Keep looking, there are many contenders. 

[raccos21]

Firstly, he shouldn’t leave the country in the first place if he got all the paperworks right especially during this pandemic, when they are starting to close down the borders

Secondly, he and his partner should wait until next year because many people have already mentioned about complicated requirements needed by this government if he wanted to return now.

Plus, it’s pointless to complain about it — they wouldn’t change anything

[Keyser Soze666]

Why would you have a non 'o' and a retirement extension, aren't they 2 separate visa types?

[Kadilo]

2 hours ago, robblok said:

If you were so serious you should have married. 

 

Some people are a bit more wary and choose not to collect ex wives to tell  TVF about. 

[robblok]

10 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Some people are a bit more wary and choose not to collect ex wives to tell  TVF about. 

Yes then that is a choice.. i get it but then don't claim the same rights as those who are married. Its choice.. you choose not to marry. This has advantages and now disadvantages. Would be a bit unfair to those who did take the risks to not have any rewards. 

 

So its a choice and that choice means you got less rights but less risks. If you accept that that is ok. 

[Don Mega]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

I think she is more qualified to make comments about it then you. Just my opinion. In BKK the best hospitals are available but you went second rate to Pattaya. Then don't be surprised its worse. Everyone knows that in BKK there are better doctors. 

 

Just my opinion. 

but he has a mate whom had difficulties therefor there is no decent specialists in Thailand !!

[userabcd]

19 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

Why would you have a non 'o' and a retirement extension, aren't they 2 separate visa types?

Its all about how the system and rules can be manipulated to ones advantage...human nature.

 

When the retirement OA visa had minimal paperwork and requirements many people over 50 used that avenue to stay in Thailand. As soon as the insurance requirements were brought in (money to be paid), many retirees quickly moved to the non o type of visa and extension.

 

Still do not understand why there are two different categories of visa for retirement or over 50.

 

 

Edited October 8, 2020 by userabcd

[ChouDoufu]

28 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

Why would you have a non 'o' and a retirement extension, aren't they 2 separate visa types?

no.

 

a non-immigrant o visa is a visa.  a single-entry visa allows you to enter the country once, plus gives you permission to stay up to a certain number of days.  once you're in, the visa is dead, as it has served it's purpose of allowing entry.  that's why you need a re-entry permit if you leave.  you no longer have an active visa.  it keeps the extension of stay valid, not the visa.  (multiple entry be more complicated)

 

an extension of stay is not a visa.  it simply adds to the number of days permitted to stay allowed under the original visa.  the visa is still dead but you get to stay longer.

 

 

Edited October 8, 2020 by ChouDoufu

[Kadilo]

21 minutes ago, robblok said:

Yes then that is a choice.. i get it but then don't claim the same rights as those who are married. Its choice.. you choose not to marry. This has advantages and now disadvantages. Would be a bit unfair to those who did take the risks to not have any rewards. 

 

So its a choice and that choice means you got less rights but less risks. If you accept that that is ok. 

I think the original question was why a people on different retirement visa extensions were being treated differently but it got side tracked into this gf/marriage argument. 

[Peterphuket]

2 hours 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.

I have the same experience, believe me, we are not the only ones.

[Caldera]

I agree that the discrimination of Non-O visa and extension holders is unfair and that they should be included among those residents who are allowed to return to Thailand.

 

That said, in March the writing was on the wall, so a retiree who decided to go on a leisure trip in disregard of the situation made a very questionable decision. In that sense, the one mentioned in the OP and others in a similar situation aren't exactly blameless with regards to their situation.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

See now you start about buying and selling that is work.. no doubt about it. Of course its not pettiness its work and for work you need a workpermit. Those are the rules always been the rules and the people who want to do that are such a tiny minority that you making a fuzz about it is crazy.  These rules were in the book under the nom military goverment too.

 

There are far more online workers who would want to do what they want not taking away jobs. If there is something more important it would be that. But its also not legal.

 

Aha so you bend every topic into a anti military topic.. i see message gotten. Unfortunately you wont be gone soon (by that i dont mean i have something against you but would like to see the military government gone).

 

However to think that a civilian government would make things easier for expats is crazy. It was Thaksin who introduced the 90 day reporting. Now the idiots in the military added a tm30. Its never getting easier. Not anywhere in the world all countries are anti immigrants.

 

As for comparing Thailand to Vietnam. I think you never lived there.

 

 

"all countries are anti immigrants." Sorry Rob, but you have it badly wrong there, the UK are not anti immigrants, quite the opposite in fact, they are letting in "asylum seekers", anyone who arrives in a dinghy, they are escorting them to hotels, giving them all sorts of financial benefits.

I do agree with the rest of your post though.

 

[Chongalulu]

21 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.

It was likely a decision made before the pandemic. I left end February on a ticket booked the previous November and had I not travelled my ticket would have been lost. Even then there was no realistic threat that borders would be closed in the manner they have nor up to my scheduled return last month.As it happens I’m married to a Thai on non O retirement visa so technically am eligible but not for the moment prepared to go through all the hoops to return. 
Your post smacks of smugness based on hindsight.

[AlfHuy]

1 hour ago, polpott said:

Oh, another consultant cadiologist on the forum.

Switch the camera on and he can perform a long distance surgery. Pain free.

[Burma Bill]

22 hours ago, vadid said:

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

Yes indeed and with respect. When I left Thailand on the 15th February 2020, the situation regarding Covid-19 was getting serious and I had to negotiate scans and body temperature checks before boarding my flight to Siem Reap. One could sense the outcome that was soon imposed. On arrival in Cambodia, similar health checks were made, including the issue of a "normal temperature" certificate which I still retain. Fortunately for me it was a one-way journey to retirement in a neighboring country, with no intentions of returning, when the borders soon closed. 

 

For reference from "Airport Technology" 13 February 2020:-

Thailand has increased thermal health screening for passengers at its international airports for patients who may have been infected with the novel coronavirus.

Edited October 8, 2020 by Burma Bill
additional information

[Kadilo]

5 minutes ago, nchuckle said:

Your post smacks of smugness based on hindsight.

They have their own TVF club. 

[Keyser Soze666]

38 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

no.

 

a non-immigrant o visa is a visa.  a single-entry visa allows you to enter the country once, plus gives you permission to stay up to a certain number of days.  once you're in, the visa is dead, as it has served it's purpose of allowing entry.  that's why you need a re-entry permit if you leave.  you no longer have an active visa.  it keeps the extension of stay valid, not the visa.  (multiple entry be more complicated)

 

an extension of stay is not a visa.  it simply adds to the number of days permitted to stay allowed under the original visa.  the visa is still dead but you get to stay longer.

 

 

Yes, I understand all of that. The OP said he holds a "non-O" category visa with extension of stay based on retirement...so my question is why would he have a NON O and an ext based on retirement? I understand he would have needed a NON O initially to get the 1 yr ext, but he makes it sound as if he has a NON O and an ext? As you said once you get ext the original NON O becomes dead?

[Mansell]

Not a lot of compassion for this guy from the lovely (NOT) compassionate people on here. Nobody knew what was going to happen back in Feb/March....we were all operating on limited information worldwide. Only a few countries had a grip on this virus from the beginning like Vietnam. The Chinese were not exactly forthcoming in the early stages of how serious the situation was becoming. I had a holiday house booked south of Jomtien, and I went down to check it out late Feb. When I wanted to cancel in March because there was a curfew in the evening....the owner and I still didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation. So cut this guy some slack. Borders were closed without any warning. So unless you had a crystal ball you didn’t know either.

[Keyser Soze666]

12 minutes ago, nchuckle said:

It was likely a decision made before the pandemic. I left end February on a ticket booked the previous November and had I not travelled my ticket would have been lost. Even then there was no realistic threat that borders would be closed in the manner they have nor up to my scheduled return last month.As it happens I’m married to a Thai on non O retirement visa so technically am eligible but not for the moment prepared to go through all the hoops to return. 
Your post smacks of smugness based on hindsight.

There is no such thing as a non o retirement visa?

[gungadin1]

I have a non o and travelled to uk in August.Still in uk but luckily I'm married to Thai.Not stressed about going back anyway.Will return as and when I can.Cant change anything so why worry.

I have spoken to a few girls in Thailand who are happy their old boyfriends can't return.Still send money but don't have to endure boom with old man

[Hoppyone]

22 hours ago, vadid said:

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

In hindsight, Easy to say that 6 mths later, everyone reasons for doing such things are not all the same as one another 

[2530Ubon]

Unless you obtain permanent residency, or citizenship, then Thailand is not your home.

Pensioners are the same as business visa holders, tourists, teachers, married guys etc. If you don't meet the financial or other requirements on your next extension date, then off you plop back to wherever you came from. It is tiring to see some pensioners telling younger visa holders; 'you can go home any time / there are flights all the time / why don't you go back home' boot - other foot!

Living long term in a foreign country is not easy, and i do sympathise with Mr P. However, the warning signs were everywhere - other countries had already closed their borders. Leaving was ill thought out at best.

[lapamita]

1. i was going on 26.2 for 2month holiday
2. rebooked back on 26.3 but than was cancelld
3. wife back on 27.6 w special flight
4.  i was able to return if i wanted.but told by enbassy,if so have to go now bcs last repatration flight they organised ,,flight was 720 usd w singapore air
5.  i was not going back  bcs i have a very comfortable stay better like in thai under the actuell circumstances

but the starter of the tread ihave to ask why him was not going back .was easy if wife stay with him at this time

[jomtienisgood]

20 hours ago, Disparate Dan said:

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?????????

Raise your voice. I can't hear you. 5555555

[polpott]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

Whilst i sympathise with your condition & hope things work out for you, I trust that (as you currently live in Thailand) you will be paying for the treatment in the UK (Fun fact, as an Expat Brit it's 1.5x the cost for non-Brits). 

 

Or you can get it done "Free" on the NHS if you're repatriating to the UK, but if that were the case, you wouldn't have any concerns about returning to Thailand afterwards until it was time for you next holiday. 

 

I'm guessing that you want to pop back to the UK, have the treatment done "Free" on the NHS (despite not being entitled to it) & then return "home" to Thailand... You can see why somebody might not have too much sympathy about you not being able to get back in after declaring yourself to be repatriating to the UK.... If this is the case, do the smart thing and book a one-way flight & arrange somewhere to stay for 6 months.

 

I've paid into the NHS system for 44 years (NI contributions) and am entitled to NHS care just as much as any British citizen, more than many British citizens who have lived there for 5 minutes and never paid a dime into the system. I find your comments extremely bitter and trite. I take it you have been denied the benefits that I get.

 

To really rain on your day, let me just outline some of them for you. Registered with a GP in the UK, repeat prescriptions every 2 months, annual medical, free treatment with no questions asked whenever I return to the UK, annual state pension rise, winter fuel allowance and Christmas bonus. You don't get the same? Mug.

[natway09]

Note that the UK has just been put on the Thai  blacklist for the new visa due to the very bad way in which

Boris's Government has handled the virus.

I have been trying to help a Sydney resident & Australian get back home now for 6 weeks.

Thai run a Sunday flight each week bookable only through the Oz Embassy, so far no luck.

For info charge for 14 days quarantine in Sydney app' 6,600 Thai Baht  (Returning Australians also have to pay)

[gamini]

23 hours ago, Youlike 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.

the poster seems to think his case is exceptional. He is just one in millions of people stuck around the world and can't get home. What about Australians can't even get home to their own country?Thailand has done a good job repatriating most of its citizens and even foreigners married to Thai's. The poster is not a priority. He should realise these things and consider the situation that others are  far worse than his