“The Stranded”: Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand: #5 “From retirement dream to pariah”

[webfact]

“The Stranded”: Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand. #5 “From retirement dream to pariah”

 

File photo

 

Today we continue our series of articles about people who have invested heavily in Thailand in terms of time, commitment, work, families and other reasons. 

 

We have highlighted those with families, property and money, retirees, teachers and charity workers. Through little fault of their own they found themselves locked out of Thailand and stranded abroad.

 

At Thaivisa, we intend to take their cases forward in the hope that the Thai authorities may have a rethink and right some injustices allowing genuine people who have committed their lives and hard-earned money to Thailand to be allowed an easier way back than the onerous, problematic or downright impossible hoops they have been asked to jump through.

 

Today we have just one case of an English man, a just retired international school teacher and accomplished writer who fell in love with Thailand decades ago and planned a retirement in the kingdom splitting time with family in the UK.

 

Here is Mr Q’s eloquent story and observations on the current situation that sum up the feelings of many:

 

“The world has been interdependent for centuries through trading and intercultural exchanges but particularly so in the last few decades: borders have become porous and economies have grown through opening up to those who migrate.

 

“I worked in Thailand throughout the nineties in an international school and then left to work in the UAE and Vietnam but, in 2005, decided to buy a property in Bangkok. I paid for it in cash and have since been there about five or six times a year for a week or two at a time (holidays from international school jobs). Everything I own is there, from childhood onwards as, over the years, I’ve steadily sent everything to my home having decided to eventually retire to Thailand.  

 

“I have six million baht in a Thai bank which my plan was to use for living expenses over the years (it’s earning a pittance but that would be the case anywhere, banks no longer being the source of growth for careful individuals: I knew that years ago but know myself, too: that amount of money could last me for many years without the need for growth). I have about 14 million baht in an English bank, also earning zip.

 

“I stopped working in Vietnam in July having made that decision last October when contract renewal was up (I was one of the few who didn’t predict a worldwide pandemic, unfortunately). I’m 57, and decided I had enough money to have a simpler non-working life for a long while if I wasn't extravagant, my plan being to spend summers in England with brothers and sisters and then winter in my own home in Bangkok.

 

“Everything has since been scuppered, of course, and it’s my own fault: I should have seen a pandemic coming, sold my condo and belongings - or given them away to local charities - as it was clear to many, but not me, that countries would be shutting their doors and turning history inside out rather like the Khmer Rouge back in the mid-seventies. It would have been a heartbreaking wrench (by the way, I have no Thai partner, the heartbreak would be leaving the home I love) but at least I’d have access to the cash value of my property.

 

“So now that I’m retired and have been blocked from returning to my home, you can imagine how I might be feeling, especially as it’s a virus which has temporarily postponed, and possibly ruined, a planned life which took decades in the making and not through any illegality (when the going was good, Thailand was happy to receive my money: I have the documents to prove it). 

 

“The hoops being prepared by the Thai government for my safe return seem excessive. I’d be more than prepared to have a Covid test before flying, and even have my bank accounts examined.

 

"But I wonder why a planeload of Covid-free passengers can fly direct to Bangkok then need to prove not only that they don't have the virus by quarantining under scrutiny for two weeks but have to reassure everyone that insurance would cover them if indeed they did have it or got it from someone living in Thailand. 

 

"I doubt I’d need $100,000 of medical expenses anyway, as I haven't needed such cover in Thailand over the decades despite travelling on the roads. 

 

“There comes a point when I no longer seem like a potential source of revenue for the Thai economy but feel as if I'm actually an unwanted pariah, and therefore can only return through being milked. 

 

"I wonder if Thai nationals are being treated in such a manner in the UK? 

 

“Maybe that is the case and, if so, then everything is explained: reciprocal animosity between nations is nothing new and, if anything, standard practice when economies implode. But I doubt that’s the case: the excessive caution from the Thai authorities, and therefore financial punishment of tourists and foreign residents for having fallen in love with Thailand, must surely have some other basis for flowering. 

 

“As a person who feels borders should be open I remain optimistic but am wondering if the pandemic is an excuse to turn back the clock to when mass tourism didn't exist. 

 

"I imagine the Thai government knows, deep down, that they don't really need any foreign money coming in as all their development since the 1950s, from the Thai-Belgium bridge onwards, must have come from native investments without any outside investment, just as England has never sought any foreign money in the City or Harrods”, Mr Q stated ironically. 

 

He concluded caustically:

 

“But even if that’s the case, wouldn't it be nice to have some foreign people who have selfishly invested in their own homes back on lighter terms than being boasted about at the moment? Just by letting us come back and promising to behave ourselves and not raiding the supermarkets of toilet rolls and creating a run on national supplies of khao pat gai? 

 

"Just how we used to be, living our lives there quietly and keeping the economy rolling through our purchases of furniture, televisions, shoes and overpriced Branston pickle? 

 

“Come on, one day all this will be over and you might change your mind and quite fancy a few thousand people wanting to pump a few million baht each into the Thai economy. Eh? Surely you can see that beyond the blindness of this moment? Go on, relax the returnee regulations just a little and we’ll come flocking back obediently and say no more about these recent slaps in the face and be buddies again.

 

"You know you can do it. We just need to be respectful of one another”.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-10-20

 

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RELATED:

"The Stranded": Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand: #4 Injustice for property owners

 

"The Stranded": Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand; #3 Charity workers and volunteers

 

"The Stranded": Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand; #2 Retirees

 

"The Stranded": Thaivisa highlights the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand: #1: Teachers

[Mapguy]

One of the requirements for return is a "TEMPQ."  What is that?

[Chris.B]

17 minutes ago, Mapguy said:

One of the requirements for return is a "TEMPQ."  What is that?

Temporary Quarantine?

[RichardColeman]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

At Thaivisa, we intend to take their cases forward in the hope that the Thai authorities may have a rethink and right some injustices allowing genuine people who have committed their lives and hard-earned money to Thailand to be allowed an easier way back than the onerous, problematic or downright impossible hoops they have been asked to jump through.

Pretty sure I'd die if I held my breath that long

[visarunner]

Of course it is shortsighted by Local Authorities to treat retired people that way, but soon also retired people will be allowed back, not just Chinese Tourist or O-X or O-A. Just a little more patience.

[Crusader]

There sure are some unfortunate (and sad) stories of people not being able to get back into the country.  I think I lucked out by getting back in in February...but for sure - all future plans are being re thought right now. 

[CANSIAM]

1 hour ago, visarunner said:

Of course it is shortsighted by Local Authorities to treat retired people that way, but soon also retired people will be allowed back, not just Chinese Tourist or O-X or O-A. Just a little more patience.

True, I would like to say if Authorities were to look a little closer at retirees abroad, married or NOT, given what's required to keep a Non O retired extension yearly, I've said for months, we have a substantial balance in your banks, wake up ! 

[DPKANKAN]

6 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

True, I would like to say if Authorities were to look a little closer at retirees abroad, married or NOT, given what's required to keep a Non O retired extension yearly, I've said for months, we have a substantial balance in your banks, wake up ! 

 

We, you and all have 2 hopes for early return.

And one is Bob Hope, the other is .. hope!!????????????????????????????????

[Pattaya Spotter]

It seems most are tired of these sob stories...it's a global pandemic, the first in 100 years. When it has passed, all will return to normal.

[Pattaya Spotter]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

"I wonder if Thai nationals are being treated in such a manner in the UK?

Self-pity...not a very good look ???? 

[khunjeff]

I'm certainly sympathetic that he's not currently able to follow through on his long-planned retirement, but it sounds as though he's never had any status here other than tourist. If he really wants to enter as a retiree, isn't the Thai Embassy in London theoretically taking applications for O-A visas at the moment? It may not be ideal, but it seems like an easier course than selling off all of his property in Thailand.

[Guderian]

If Thailand had a formal retirement programme then people would be right to complain, but it doesn't and most retirees will be living here on one-year extensions of stay which are just a temporary permission to remain in the country for a little while longer. While it was impossible to see why the Thai government might do it, there was always the possibility at some stage that they might change their minds about the permission. Well now we know the "why", and it's not something malicious, it's just the government trying to strike a balance between protecting its people and keep the economy from collapsing. Just look at the mess in parts of Europe and the US now, with ICU beds completely full in many hospitals, and Thailand doesn't have more than a fraction of those country's medical resources. If those sort of case numbers happened here it really would be a disaster, and if it was traced back to arriving tourists you might well find that the Thai people decide they never want any foreigners to come here again. As it is, things should open up slowly again next year, so just be a little bit patient and realise that you're not alone in this, and Thailand is far from unique in closing its borders to protect itself.

[pj123]

Could he return on a O-A visa? I understand O-A visa holders can be issued a CoE. He has enough funds. 

[4737 Carlin]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

"I wonder if Thai nationals are being treated in such a manner in the UK? 

Of course not. They can own property and will have access to free NHS care and a fair legal system. Thailand, and the Thai people, will still exist long after the western people's have become extinct due to pathological altruism.

[Pattaya Spotter]

18 minutes ago, Guderian said:

If Thailand had a formal retirement programme then people would be right to complain, but it doesn't and most retirees will be living here on one-year extensions of stay which are just a temporary permission to remain in the country for a little while longer.

And it's no different in many countries that do..."Malaysia My Second Home" program participants haven't been able to enter the country since the start of Malaysia's border closure. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by Pattaya Spotter

[malathione]

So kinda like Americans not being allowed into some European countries then. 

[Ketyo]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

as it was clear to many, but not me, that countries would be shutting their doors and turning history inside out rather like the Khmer Rouge back in the mid-seventies

The Khmer Rouge was a dictatorial regime that oppressed and murdered its own people as well as foreigners who opposed it, and whose main international supporter and adviser was the Chinese Communist Party  .....   the current Thai, Cambodian, Laos, Philippine governments are.........    ????

[Bogbrush]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

shutting their doors and turning history inside out rather like the Khmer Rouge back in the mid-seventies

Oh, please; to compare Thailand’s lockdown with the Khmer Rouge is so disgusting it defies sensible comment, as does “if I’d anticipated the lockdown I would’ve given away my condo and possessions”... why? Because you’ve had to stay with your brothers and sisters a bit longer than anticipated? By your own admission you’ve got 20 million - 20 million! - baht in your respective accounts and no human ties (wife/kids) in Thailand;  rather than whining you should give some thought to those with families here and what they would give to have a minuscule portion of your wealth.

 

Get real, fall in line, jump through the hoops as we all have to, and stop crying!

 

 

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

We have highlighted those with families, property and money, retirees, teachers and charity workers. Through little fault of their own they found themselves locked out of Thailand and stranded abroad.

Prayut has other things on his mind with his step-children behaving badly...

[JusticeGB]

So crazy these people actually live here and support the country and would account for far more arrivals than the 39 Chinese tourists that TAT is crowing about who probably are on Zero Dollar Tours anyway. 300 tourists a month won't have much fun as most of the better restaurants have closed and because of lack of business they are very likely to be price gauged by the businesses that are open. When they eventually return to their home countries they doubtless won't have favourable views of Thailand. 

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, malathione said:

So kinda like Americans not being allowed into some European countries then. 

And visa-versa...and all the Chinese who have bought property in America and have money in banks there...they've not been able to get into the country since February. The people writing these stories seem to think they're being personally targeted by the Thai authorities...maybe they need to focus on getting on with life and stop whining. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by Pattaya Spotter

[JonnyF]

I have a lot of sympathy for those who can't get back. I think the writing was on the wall fairly early on and I certainly wouldn't have travelled at that time but I still think it has been handled poorly. 

 

Just let them return with 14 day quarantine at a reasonable cost. If they can let in tourists from China why can't they let retirees who have invested in the country in? Given the outlook for tourism over the next 24 months I'd say they need as much foreign currency coming in as they can get, irrespective of who brings it in.

 

[CaptainCarrot]

1 hour ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

And it's no different in many countries that do..."Malaysia My Second Home" program participants haven't been able to enter the country since the start of Malaysia's border closure. 

Fake news

[malathione]

20 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

And visa-versa...and all the Chinese who have bought property in America and have money in banks there...they've not been able to get into the country since February. The people writing these stories seem to think they're being personally targeted by the Thai authorities...maybe they need to focus on getting on with life and stop whining. 

Exactly so. It's a temporary and worldwide issue. 

[rupert the bear]

the writer mentions recipricosity,over to you at the embassies,stop the hypocrisy and preaching.get on with it,tell them they will be treated as they treat us and visas for police army and senior officials backing the serf state will no longer be issued,USA UK EU pull your fingers out.

[Caldera]

The optics aren't great. I do understand that they prioritized Thai nationals, their foreign relatives as well as work permit holders. But that they launched the STV before allowing those on valid retirement extensions to return is deplorable.

[Thaiophil]

I sympathise with the excluded groups highlighted, but most of the the cases involve people over 50 who could fairly easily get an O-A visa which would get them in. Yes it means getting Thai health insurance and doing ASQ, but it seems many prefer to stand on their principles and complain.

 

Many other countries are not allowing foreigners in period.

Edited October 21, 2020 by Thaiophil

[cjinchiangrai]

18 hours ago, Mapguy said:

One of the requirements for return is a "TEMPQ."  What is that?

It is the entry process for elite visas. Same as everyone else but much slower.

[chilly07]

I have less sympathy for a snowbird who travels on tourist visas or an OA border bouncer than an O retirement visa holder who cannot get back to their home. Forcing retirees onto OAs to pander to the Insurance Company Oligarchs is what is wrong!

[Destiny1990]

Where is TAT with another one of their smart plans?