“The Stranded”: Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand. #6 Foreigner in hoop jumping nightmare before prison-like Thai state quarantine

[Thaiophil]

This is the least convincing case so far as he got back successfully, though having just completed the hoops to return myself, it is certainly very stressful. COE delivered only two days before the flight

[Bkktodd]

6 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

I would suggest that leaving at the start of, or during a global pandemic is entirely their own fault.

You know. We all have lives and are welcomed back into our native countries for various reasons. I left Thailand in Feb and would never believe many countries would be on lockdown.   Its Amazing that you knew ....

[Bkktodd]

3 hours ago, eastendanto said:

love the empathy shown... one day one of your loved ones may be in a similar position to this person's mum and you will have to make

a decision,  lets see how you react then....

Well said.  Expats here show little empathy for fellow expats. Almost like “dog eat dog”. These same want to go for drinks or a coffee ......ill pass.  Heartless.  I never read...”.hey mate.  We are here.  Can we help out in any way whilst youre stuck abroad?”  Selfish.   

[redwood1]

Boy I can really feel the love from this thread...

 

It seems the many members on Thai Visa who formerly took great delight on belittling visa border runners and the like have found a new whipping boy.......The frustrated expat at their wits end trying to get back to Thailand....

 

Its the same old dragging some one with problems through the mud..

Its all so Boring...

Edited October 21, 2020 by redwood1

[losername]

6 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Cambodia has better food than Thailand? ????

 

Better than Thailand? What is your criteria to measure that?

Healthcare? No.

Quality of life? No.

Pollution? No.

Cleanliness? No.

More freedom of expression? No.

Public transport? No.

Infrastructure? No.

 

Thailand beats Cambodia on nearly every criteria with few exceptions and I am speaking as someone who loves the country and have been over 100 times since 1998!

 

The way I read it he was comparing quarantine in the countries not the countries themselves.  Just a thought.

[Letseng]

All depends what category you book. 1* or 5*.

[Mr Meeseeks]

20 minutes ago, Bkktodd said:

You know. We all have lives and are welcomed back into our native countries for various reasons. I left Thailand in Feb and would never believe many countries would be on lockdown.   Its Amazing that you knew ....

It was pretty obvious to me that in February that it could happen and that any travel overseas was going to be a risk. 

 

I went to Cambodia on business early March and I was well aware that there was a possibility that Thailand would close the borders.

[Nout]

Lost interest when saw state quarantine linked to prison...Simply not true..just hysteria 

[Nout]

21 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Boy I can really feel the love from this thread...

 

It seems the many members on Thai Visa who formerly took great delight on belittling visa border runners and the like have found a new whipping boy.......The frustrated expat at their wits end trying to get back to Thailand....

 

Its the same old dragging some one with problems through the mud..

Its all so Boring...

So true. The Thai haters are pock out 555

Edited October 21, 2020 by Nout

[Mr Meeseeks]

24 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Boy I can really feel the love from this thread...

 

It seems the many members on Thai Visa who formerly took great delight on belittling visa border runners and the like have found a new whipping boy.......The frustrated expat at their wits end trying to get back to Thailand....

Seems like the visa runners got the good deal here, perennial amnesty and extensions without ever having to leave.

 

Retirees and others that fall between the cracks already having left or leaving got shafted.

 

No wonder there is a lot of seethe here. The formerly smug retirees with visa and 'investments' in Thailand have just realised the folly of all their decisions while the chancer digital nomads in their 'ineligible for visa status' mid-30's hanging on by their fingertips living hand to mouth on 30 day stamps sit on the beach and benefit from all the recently available and cheap totty on Thai Friendly.

 

Must be gut-wrenching for them.

Edited October 21, 2020 by Mr Meeseeks

[Bobby boy]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

“The Stranded”: Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand. #6 Foreigner in hoop jumping nightmare before prison-like Thai state quarantine

 

FILE PHOTO: Reuters

 

Today we present the last in our series about people who have been locked out of their lives in Thailand through little fault of their own. In our previous features we have looked at teachers, retirees, property owners, charity workers and many others.

 

Their stories have had similar themes featuring people who committed time, resources and money. Many dreams have been left in tatters at least temporarily. Many have developed negative feelings towards a country they previously held in high regard. They have not fallen out of love with the Thai people – indeed many have families and loved ones in the kingdom - but are now increasingly suspicious of the authorities and their motives. 

 

Thaivisa intends to take their cases and concerns forward in the hope that those authorities, at the highest level, might have a rethink and reassess the role, commitment and contribution shown by many non-Thais towards Thailand.

 

In this story, however, we look at a 60 year old British retiree who jumped through the onerous hoops and managed to make it back to Thailand and who went through the state quarantine at a hotel in northern Bangkok.

 

He said that he felt like a prisoner and was tempted to give up.

 

"Mr R's" story comes as the first batch of Chinese tourists arrived in Bangkok from Shanghai yesterday on the much vaunted STV visa. They also face quarantine in Bangkok.

 

Here is Mr R's story:

 

“I have been living in Pathum Thani (a province north of Bangkok) almost 8 years married to a Thai school teacher and have one daughter nearly aged 7.

 

“In February this year my 87-year-old mother who lives alone since my father died almost 10 years ago was taken ill so I booked a flight as the pandemic began. I looked after her for around 9 weeks until she got so bad and had to be admitted to hospital.

 

“She spent 4 weeks in hospital and wasn’t expected to recover. Near the end of the 4 weeks the hospital called me and said they needed to send her to a home for just comfort care as they were not expecting her to survive more than a few weeks and bearing in mind there wasn’t any hospital visiting due to coronavirus.”

 

However, Mr R’s mother surprisingly improved and by mid-July she was feeling much better having started eating properly and having regained many of her faculties.

 

Mr R continued: 

 

“In all this time I had many fights with the authorities about her health care and I lost count of how many times I had to pick her up off the floor including the shower and even attending to her personal needs. But now she was well on the way to a full recovery my thoughts were getting back to my family in Thailand. 

 

“I had thought by the time we got to September, my return flight date, the pandemic would have improved and I would be able to travel back as normal.

 

“But as time went on, I could see this wasn’t going to be the case and was sure my return flight would be cancelled, so after reading about repatriation flights I decided that was going to be the only option.

 

“With the help of my wife still in Thailand I gathered all the documents I needed to send to the Thai Embassy in London and I managed to log in on a website to book my flight.”

 

After a great deal of difficulty, he was able to book a flight date.

 

He continued:  

 

“Then I had to book a quarantine hotel and buy Covid insurance but wasn’t getting any communication about my flight from Thai Airways so it was all a bit confusing to say the least and very stressful on top of all the problems I had with my mother. 

 

“Eventually I had everything in place and the Thai Embassy issued a Certificate of Entry certificate. As this was all a new process finding a place to do the Covid test within 72 hours of flying was also a nightmare then trying to get the timing right as there wasn’t any guaranteed return time on the test.”

 

Further problems occurred with confusion over the expected time to arrive at the airport adding further stress to departure.

 

“The flight went well,” Mr R went on, “but it was a dry flight and every seat was occupied so no social distancing but on arrival I was told to social distance as we left the plane despite sitting shoulder to shoulder for 12 hours!

 

“Once off the plane as you get to the end of the escalators there were rows and rows of chairs. We all had to take a seat and people with all the PPE came and checked our documents then called us one at a time for many more checks that took three more hours”.

 

He was escorted to his waiting transport to the hotel (in Chaeng Wattana in northern Bangkok). What followed was more like prison than a hotel and the 14-day quarantine cost 57,000 baht.

 

Mr R explained:

 

“Before arriving at the hotel, we stopped at a hospital for the first of three Covid tests, then at the hotel I was taken in the back way and had to use the service lifts.

 

“My food was waiting for me on a table outside the door in a plastic box and wasn’t looking very appealing. All food was left outside and they just rang the bell when it was delivered. 

 

“This continued until the all clear with yet another Covid test a week later. On the day after arrival nurses came to my room and checked blood pressure and heart rate, I had a thermometer in my room and had to take a photo of the readings twice a day and send on LINE. 

 

After a final Covid test came back clear I was allowed food on plates with metal cutlery and allowed to leave the room for ONE hour a day at an arranged time and was escorted.

 

“Every day I was alone with no real contact except the internet and phone. You go to bed and the only thing you have to look forward to is 8am breakfast after that just waiting for 12pm lunch then 6pm dinner.

 

“I don’t really know the right word to describe how I felt but it wasn’t a good feeling at all”.

 

“I left the quarantine hotel on the 7th of September and after just 15 mins in a taxi I was home; it felt wonderful to get out of the hotel, but I felt like I had been a prisoner and many a time I felt like walking out but I knew if I did I wouldn't be allowed to stay in Thailand. 

 

“When I got home it took me at least a week to adjust from my six-month ordeal”

 

So what was the financial cost?

     

“My original return fight was already paid for so all I had to do was get myself to the airport, but Covid changed all this. A new flight just one way was as much as I paid for my original return flight, about 30,000 baht. Covid insurance was another 30,000 baht. Hotel for the quarantine was 57,000. The Covid test and fit to fly certificate in the UK were about 8,000 baht.”

 

Mr R concluded: 

 

“At no time in the UK through all the hoop jumping did I feel confident I would actually be on the plane going home. I told all my family and friends I wouldn’t be happy until I was in my seat having boarded the flight.  

 

“I was talking to others on the flight and they agreed exactly with me.”    

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-10-21

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

RELATED:

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

 

"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

 

[MRToMRT]

I know many think "he deserved this" or "stop whinging" but have you gone through what he's been through? I think he's entitled to a whinge. Sure he is in a good/better situation now but he was asked to share his story by TV.

And you are missing one of the main points about the being "stranded" posts. The issue is how difficult, mind numbingly bureaucratic and prohibitively expensive returning was/is made, even when one qualified to return. It must be immensly stressful to have to pay up front for tickets, hotels rooms that did not offer refunds, med tests, etc before you apply for the document that said if you can actually come back or not. I don't think many of you realise that. And why should you be bothered? Because such mindless bureaucracy is on the rise here, fleecing the visitor is on the rise, it will affect you sooner or later as long stayers of various ilks. And I am sure you will then be posting here about how you are wronged and whinging away like the self righteous.

 

Thats my whinge for the day :+)

[hotchilli]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

They have not fallen out of love with the Thai people – indeed many have families and loved ones in the kingdom - but are now increasingly suspicious of the authorities and their motives. 

This is not a new experience to me, I felt this way since arriving a long time ago.

[Pattaya Spotter]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

 

“The flight went well,” Mr R went on, “but it was a dry flight and every seat was occupied so no social distancing but on arrival I was told to social distance as we left the plane despite sitting shoulder to shoulder for 12 hours!

 

What a whinger...and his main complaint is that the flight was "dry."

[brianthainess]

11 hours ago, Thaiophil said:

This is the least convincing case so far as he got back successfully, though having just completed the hoops to return myself, it is certainly very stressful. COE delivered only two days before the flight

I think this is the point of the OP, it is the stress, one is put through  even before you arrive, not just the quarantine, stress can be life changing and it can be good to get it out by telling your story to others to get it of your chest. Give the bloke a break!

[Derek B]

For me the main issue would be getting a COVID test done and the return of the result in the necessary time frame - in the UK that is.

 

Also a good reason not to fly with an unresponsive airline ever again.

 

[from the home of CC]

15 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

...that had the roots in fregging China. If they would have given more information about the disease to give other countries time, things would be different.

 

  

 - the west would of still messed this up no matter what it was told..

[khunpa]

Since there seems to be a high demand for people wanting to return, then why do they not make the entire thing as hassle free as possible?

 

Setup an agency to help handle all the practical pre-requirements for travelers. Provide great facilities and services during quarantine etc. 

 

There must be a way to make better money out of this. Thailand has loads of empty hotels and unemployed people in the service sector, who could handle this. Why not go for the opportunity, even if it just means breaking even during the pandemic. Would at least mean survival for the hotels and keep some jobs.

 

Put in some of the grounded Thai airways planes dedicated to this, at reasonable prices. Losen the pre-requirements for testing etc. In short just make it simpler with good service.

 

I see opportunity...
 

 

[ChipButty]

11 minutes ago, khunpa said:

Since there seems to be a high demand for people wanting to return, then why do they not make the entire thing as hassle free as possible?

 

Setup an agency to help handle all the practical pre-requirements for travelers. Provide great facilities and services during quarantine etc. 

 

There must be a way to make better money out of this. Thailand has loads of empty hotels and unemployed people in the service sector, who could handle this. Why not go for the opportunity, even if it just means breaking even during the pandemic. Would at least mean survival for the hotels and keep some jobs.

 

Put in some of the grounded Thai airways planes dedicated to this, at reasonable prices. Losen the pre-requirements for testing etc. In short just make it simpler with good service.

 

I see opportunity...
 

 

Nothing is ever simple in Thailand there is the right way, then the wrong way and the the Thai way

[khunpa]

4 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Nothing is ever simple in Thailand there is the right way, then the wrong way and the the Thai way

 

I know and that is unfortunately the problem and a huge opportunity is missed. A shame really. But would require short term sacrifice and long term thinking. Not really possible I guess.

Edited October 22, 2020 by khunpa

[khunpa]

19 minutes ago, khunpa said:

Since there seems to be a high demand for people wanting to return, then why do they not make the entire thing as hassle free as possible?

 

Setup an agency to help handle all the practical pre-requirements for travelers. Provide great facilities and services during quarantine etc. 

 

There must be a way to make better money out of this. Thailand has loads of empty hotels and unemployed people in the service sector, who could handle this. Why not go for the opportunity, even if it just means breaking even during the pandemic. Would at least mean survival for the hotels and keep some jobs.

 

Put in some of the grounded Thai airways planes dedicated to this, at reasonable prices. Losen the pre-requirements for testing etc. In short just make it simpler with good service.

 

I see opportunity... That is exploited, could even be a great marketing tool for Thailands tourism. 
 

 

 

[bkk_bwana]

And?

OK, so he did not have a wonderful experience. However, he is back and should stop complaining. Suck it up. 

[Hoppyone]

On 10/21/2020 at 2:28 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

I would suggest that leaving at the start of, or during a global pandemic is entirely their own fault.

In hind sight I would say leaving in May Or after would have a better idea of the worlds Different pandemic regulations but not trying to predict back in February,so your entirely own fault comment is in hind sight, and everyone has different circumstances to reasons why 

[elliss]

23 hours ago, Bkktodd said:

You know. We all have lives and are welcomed back into our native countries for various reasons. I left Thailand in Feb and would never believe many countries would be on lockdown.   Its Amazing that you knew ....

 

      Welcomed back to your home country . You must be a good man .

      Majority of foreigner's , residing temporarily in Thailand .

      Are not welcome in their homeland .  Bad man ...

 

[garyk]

Thailand is pretty much done as far as Western tourists. Anyone with the funds has already gotten out of that mess. And won't be coming back. No Western expat is going to put up with the retirement requirements in Thailand . Hopefully the Chinese will save the day for Thailand. IMHO, it is really stupid to put all your eggs in one basket so to speak, but they can do what ever they want.

[JCauto]

On 10/21/2020 at 2:32 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Cambodia has better food than Thailand? ????

 

Better than Thailand? What is your criteria to measure that?

Healthcare? No.

Quality of life? No.

Pollution? No.

Cleanliness? No.

More freedom of expression? No.

Public transport? No.

Infrastructure? No.

 

Thailand beats Cambodia on nearly every criteria with few exceptions and I am speaking as someone who loves the country and have been over 100 times since 1998!

 

The post I was responding to was about quarantine conditions, and someone commented that if what had been shown was the luxury option, then what was the State option like? I responded with information about what quarantine conditions were like in Cambodia when you compare private vs. state accommodation during quarantine.

Does that help you understand?

[Nout]

On 10/22/2020 at 7:18 AM, hotchilli said:

This is not a new experience to me, I felt this way since arriving a long time ago.

BUT you stayed! 555. Just to hate and criticize...What a looser.! Please tell us all about your life!

[Nout]

I have sympathy for people stranded outside LOS. But I will never accept hotel quarantine as ''Prison". That's just neurotic hyperbole.

 

[josephbloggs]

On 10/22/2020 at 8:57 AM, brianthainess said:

I think this is the point of the OP, it is the stress, one is put through  even before you arrive, not just the quarantine, stress can be life changing and it can be good to get it out by telling your story to others to get it of your chest. Give the bloke a break!

Not really.  When there have been 45,000 deaths in the UK, hundreds of thousands of people who have lost a loved one, 20,000 new cases every day, that is stress for a lot of people!   

Having to get some documents and then stay in a hotel for 14 days before going home and having everything back to normal is not stress.  And it is not prison.  Sorry, the guy needs a reality check.

[bodga]

On 10/21/2020 at 2:28 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

I would suggest that leaving at the start of, or during a global pandemic is entirely their own fault.

i would  suggest that when your  Mother is seriously  ill you may reconsider that  option....mine  fell and broker her hip  whilst  all this <deleted> was  happening and I could  not get back to help her.