Retirement visa holders largest group of foreigners to enter Thailand in October

 

 

Retirement visa holders accounted for the largest group of foreigners to enter Thailand in October, recently released figures have revealed.

 

Despite the launch of the Special Tourist Visa (STV), which tourism officials intimated would herald the arrival of hordes of Chinese tourists in Thailand during the COVID-19, more retirees entered Thailand in October than any other group of foreigners. 

 

According to figures released last week by the Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said 1,465 foreigners had been issued with a certificate of entry (COE) and entered the country in October. 

 

Of those, 501 foreigners arrived on a long-stay (OA) retirement visa, applicants for which must be aged over 50. 

 

By comparison, just 331 tourists entered Thailand using the Special Tourist Visa (STV), although a further 1,000 people have applied for the STV, Ms Thapanee said. 

 

Other foreigners to enter Thailand in October included Elite Card holders (296), those with Non Imm B (113) and Tourist Visa holders (84).

 

APEC card holders (84) and foreigners who were part of film crews (41) made up the final groups to enter Thailand last month.

Anyone who enters Thailand currently is required to undergo a 14 day quarantine.

 

The number of foreign arrivals to Thailand in October only further compound the misery currency being felt by the country’s tourism industry, left decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Ordinarily, Thailand would expect approximately 3 million foreign tourists to visit in October. Last month, less than 1,500 foreigners arrived in the Kingdom. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-11-15

 

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I wonder what the photo is supposed to depict.

The photo is trying to create the image that all ex pats aren’t old white guys... 

LOTs of O-As coming back in November, Facebook full of their stories of the application process and flights.

this makes it 84 tourists a month, i can hear all bar girls are cheering 

A dismal failure if you wish to revive tourism. A huge success if you do not.

i guess they ran out of other demographics to let in before the old guys ????

 

 

3 hours ago, KannikaP said:

I wonder what the photo is supposed to depict.

a www on retirement visa using tinder or grindr is my guess

These people must be really desperate to come back with all the hurdles and expense, is life in their own countries truly that awful? My two best mates are stuck in the UK and Canada but they've both said they won't be returning until the quarantine period is done away with. They've both got their own property out here with loads of money in the bank, but the idea of paying through the nose to be locked in a grotty hotel room for a fortnight just so they can drink some overpriced Thai beer doesn't appeal to them.

3 minutes ago, wombat said:

a www on retirement visa using tinder or grindr is my guess

In Thailand that is an immediate swipe to the left.

Shame they won’t allow those with O retirement visas back in !!! OA only which means if you are outside Thailand with your multi entry O retirement visa you have to apply for a new one ???????????????? Yet again demonstrating exactly what this government thinks of you .

squeeze till the pips pop . What’s wrong with O retirement visa ? And why isn’t it being mentioned by Thai Visa or Richard Barrow

5 minutes ago, Guderian said:

These people must be really desperate to come back with all the hurdles and expense, is life in their own countries truly that awful? My two best mates are stuck in the UK and Canada but they've both said they won't be returning until the quarantine period is done away with. They've both got their own property out here with loads of money in the bank, but the idea of paying through the nose to be locked in a grotty hotel room for a fortnight just so they can drink some overpriced Thai beer doesn't appeal to them.

Second hand, negative reports are as forgettable as TAT news flashes.

5 minutes ago, hangusthemonkey said:

Shame they won’t allow those with O retirement visas back in !!!

 

I believe your information is out of date.

5 minutes ago, hangusthemonkey said:

Shame they won’t allow those with O retirement visas back in !!!

O Visa with retirement extensions and re-entry permit are now allowed in according to latest reports.

6 minutes ago, hangusthemonkey said:

Shame they won’t allow those with O retirement visas back in !!! OA only which means if you are outside Thailand with your multi entry O retirement visa you have to apply for a new one ???????????????? Yet again demonstrating exactly what this government thinks of you .

squeeze till the pips pop . What’s wrong with O retirement visa ? And why isn’t it being mentioned by Thai Visa or Richard Barrow

Perhaps they don't think it's important.

if someone outside thailand has an expired non-o visa can they come back?

 

rick

6 minutes ago, rickthailand said:

if someone outside thailand has an expired non-o visa can they come back?

 

They can get a new one.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

more retirees entered Thailand in October than any other group of foreigners. 

Then how about starting to realise how much money we bring into the economy, and start cutting us some slack with visa renewals, etc.

I am not against visas, any country needs them for several reasons, just stop making us jump through hoops all the time. How about a 5 year visa, and scrap 90 day reporting. 

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

part of film crews (41)

They're shooting the finale of the horror movie " my bloody CoE application". 

18 minutes ago, Guderian said:

These people must be really desperate to come back with all the hurdles and expense, is life in their own countries truly that awful? My two best mates are stuck in the UK and Canada but they've both said they won't be returning until the quarantine period is done away with. They've both got their own property out here with loads of money in the bank, but the idea of paying through the nose to be locked in a grotty hotel room for a fortnight just so they can drink some overpriced Thai beer doesn't appeal to them.

Even if one decides to stomach the price of quarantine, few concerns would be:

 

- probability of being infected during the journey.

 

- what one may have to go through should you be tested positive in quarantine. 
 

- uncertainty of events should the family be split up due to positive test for not all in the family.

 

some of the quarantine venues are spacious and pleasant, but being locked up for 14-15 days is a deterrent.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

According to figures released last week by the Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said 1,465 foreigners had been issued with a certificate of entry (COE) and entered the country in October.

Failed Failed Failed , i so not believe any of the figures .

 

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The number of foreign arrivals to Thailand in October only further compound the misery currency being felt by the country’s tourism industry, left decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Presumably, it was a typo and he meant:  ‘... the misery currently being felt...’

 

But it is also a ‘Freudian slip’: the strong Thai ฿ means that ‘misery currency’ is currently being felt by anyone who regularly transfers money into Thailand from their home country.

If the government want's foreigners in to spend some money, they should open – of course with COE and quarantine – for those that wish to come in; the facts here shows that there is a demand, perhaps even a larger demand than the interest for a STV.

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

These people must be really desperate to come back with all the hurdles and expense, is life in their own countries truly that awful? My two best mates are stuck in the UK and Canada but they've both said they won't be returning until the quarantine period is done away with. They've both got their own property out here with loads of money in the bank, but the idea of paying through the nose to be locked in a grotty hotel room for a fortnight just so they can drink some overpriced Thai beer doesn't appeal to them.

If people have family here (wife and kids) it’s not surprising that they would be desperate to come back, no matter the hurdles.

Wow! So many retirees in Thailand 500 just for Oct alone.

 

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

These people must be really desperate to come back with all the hurdles and expense, is life in their own countries truly that awful? My two best mates are stuck in the UK and Canada but they've both said they won't be returning until the quarantine period is done away with. They've both got their own property out here with loads of money in the bank, but the idea of paying through the nose to be locked in a grotty hotel room for a fortnight just so they can drink some overpriced Thai beer doesn't appeal to them.

Lots of people with retirement OA visa and retirement extensions of stay have family in Thailand. Many are married like myself, currently in ASQ, waiting to return to our home. Why have you quoted the stereotype of old men drinking beer in a bar. Maybe its based on your experience and the people you mix with.

1 hour ago, hangusthemonkey said:

Shame they won’t allow those with O retirement visas back in !!! OA only which means if you are outside Thailand with your multi entry O retirement visa you have to apply for a new one ???????????????? Yet again demonstrating exactly what this government thinks of you .

squeeze till the pips pop . What’s wrong with O retirement visa ? And why isn’t it being mentioned by Thai Visa or Richard Barrow

 

 

They ARE allowing ' O' retirement visas converted to retirement extensions with multi entry permits back in to my knowledge.

 

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/index?checkconfirm=true

 

 

 

I received this November 13th.

 

It is correct. Foreigners who have a valid retirement visa/re-entry permit are allowed to enter Thailand now with Non - O.
The procedure will be updated on our website by Monday.

Best regards,

Royal Thai Embassy, Phnom Penh

52 minutes ago, mjakob007 said:

Even if one decides to stomach the price of quarantine, few concerns would be:

 

- probability of being infected during the journey.

 

- what one may have to go through should you be tested positive in quarantine. 
 

- uncertainty of events should the family be split up due to positive test for not all in the family.

 

some of the quarantine venues are spacious and pleasant, but being locked up for 14-15 days is a deterrent.

Those were some of my concerns before returning. It is however down to individual behaviour how much you are at risk. If you take extra care in the 2 weeks before departure and your Covid test 72 hours before flying. Take care travelling to and at the airport, keep your distance from people. Ensure you have a seat on the flight away from people by flying an airline that practices safe flying like Qatar, who blank out seats. Taking care on arrival in Bangkok. Making sure you clean everything that comes into your room during quarantine. I am on day 9 now, my wife and I have had no issues.

4 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

They ARE allowing ' O' retirement visas converted to retirement extensions with multi entry permits back in to my knowledge.

 

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/index?checkconfirm=true

 

 

 

I received this November 13th.

 

It is correct. Foreigners who have a valid retirement visa/re-entry permit are allowed to enter Thailand now with Non - O.
The procedure will be updated on our website by Monday.

Best regards,

Royal Thai Embassy, Phnom Penh

Yes they have allowed it since last week. Previously people on current retirement extensions with a re entry were only allowed back if they were married or a parent to a Thai

I have some important business to take care of in Cambodia.

 

I gained retirement extensions years ago via Non-O method and I have multi entry permit through to July 2021.

 

Now, I have to do a Covid19 test within 72 hours of flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penn.

 

Whether I go via Seoul or Singapore it is a 23-24 layover for next flight. Cambodia is no longer allowing a solo businessperson to self isolate after the first day if all on the plane are clear which means 14 day isolation in a Phnom Penn hotel at your own expense. Also, there is the further Covid19 checks at the airport and the $3000 deposit.

 

Then a taxi from Phnom Penn to Siem Reap and then after completing my business, we start all over again coming back to Thailand with Covid tests, fit to fly docs, COE, ASQ hotels, 14 day quarantine, I would not stay anywhere but a good class hotel if I am to be locked for 14 days in either country, so you are at 60,000 baht x2 at least for hotels.

 

A one way flight via Seoul is 22,000 baht, and about 14,000 via Singapore.

 

I estimated this trip would cost around at least 7,000 GBP and more, taking all things into account such as tests, flights, good hotels, taxis.

 

I think my business will have to wait.

 

It is just ridiculous. It normally would be around 400 GBP all in.