Covid 19 and associated return Visa issues,  make leaving Thailand, to plan to return  later, problematic at best , especially for those of us of advanced years, I have actually reconciled myself to maybe never leaving Thailand again, at least not for a number of years. Considering all the advantages of living here, I am happy with that future, provided my kids can come and visit occasionally. I don't expect to see them in person  any time in the next one to two years, which is sad, but WhatsApp helps a lot. Most of my friends here are equally happy to contemplate never leaving.  I wonder how wide spread that feeling in among longer term expats? 

My home country has not banned the return of citizens so I assume I can leave when I want, flights permitting.

4 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Considering all the advantages of living here, I am happy with that future, provided my kids can come and visit occasionally.

I have not left in the 8 years since my parents passed away. I really have no desire to travel so, same as you, I am happy here too... of course provided your kids come visit me too... though it might be a bit awkward at first as we have never met... but that's life. 

6 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

My home country has not banned the return of citizens so I assume I can leave when I want, flights permitting.

leaving is easy enough, but if your life is here, returning is the issue. 

1 minute ago, Pilotman said:

leaving is easy enough, but if your life is here, returning is the issue. 

 

If I was leaving why would I want to return ?

2 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

 

If I was leaving why would I want to return ?

visit close  relatives? 

1 minute ago, Techno Viking said:

 

If I was leaving why would I want to return ?

You misunderstood the point here.

Maybe this will help:

Quote

Thousands of elderly expats are concerned about the prospects for their one year extensions of stay, based on retirement, as Thai embassies abroad appear to be insisting on two insurance policies to return to Thailand. Many are fearful of leaving Thailand in case they don’t qualify to return.

 

Pattaya expat retirees worry about their immigration future - Pattaya Mail

1 minute ago, Pilotman said:

visit close  relatives? 

 

 

Ohhh you are talking about a holiday to visit relations............ yeah that can wait till the covid mess is cleaned up.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You misunderstood the point here.

Maybe this will help:

 

Pattaya expat retirees worry about their immigration future - Pattaya Mail

 

Iam not retired and have no visa/extension issues (just renewed work permit and extension for another 2 years).

 

I misunderstood nothing.

I have said quite a few times on threads like this and (not anything to do with C19)  When I first came here from England I blew up the bridge as well as shut the door. 

My family come here to see me. 

I am happy here full stop and in another 100 years my ashes will stay here. ????

 

Just now, Techno Viking said:

 

Iam not retired and have no visa/extension issues (just renewed work permit and extension for another 2 years).

 

I misunderstood nothing.

I disagree. Your question made it clear that you failed to get the gist of the issue even if the issue doesn't concern you.

If i can take my dogs with me no problem i wont worry

Not so worried about missing The Thai family 

Just now, Jingthing said:

I disagree. Your question made it clear that you failed to get the gist of the issue even if the issue doesn't concern you.

I answered the (misleading) thread title.

 

What torture to be stuck in the madness of the 3rx world dump called T*****

1 minute ago, Techno Viking said:

I answered the (misleading) thread title.

 

Yes, you did do that. Enough of this. 

1 minute ago, Techno Viking said:

 

 

Ohhh you are talking about a holiday to visit relations............ yeah that can wait till the covid mess is cleaned up.

Well thats in the hands of thai imm. If you are australian its also not so easy to leave there to return.

 

Im in a lucky situation in malaysia where my visa expires in feb but its already sorted that i can stay. My friends are now on overstay, cant get flights to oz as they keep bumping.

 

The world is a mess. Should just make everyone legal for the next 12 months everywhere they are.

Just now, pixelaoffy said:

What torture to be stuck in the madness of the 3rx world dump called T*****

For now, it's very good considering what's happening in the world but I would hate the feeling of being "stuck" here for life if I needed to leave temporarily for any reason. There are many reasons that long term expats might want to or really NEED to leave temporarily. 

12 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

leaving is easy enough, but if your life is here, returning is the issue. 

Spot on. The current hoops I have to jump through going back to Australia then returning here are insurmountable.

I'm not worried if I die here, has to happen somewhere, might as well be a place where I am happy. I'd die of boredom in Australia, that's why I came here 10 years ago.

3 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Well thats in the hands of thai imm. If you are australian its also not so easy to leave there to return.

 

Im in a lucky situation in malaysia where my visa expires in feb but its already sorted that i can stay. My friends are now on overstay, cant get flights to oz as they keep bumping.

 

The world is a mess. Should just make everyone legal for the next 12 months everywhere they are.

 

yeah a visit home can wait till the covid mess is cleaned up.

Cloud Nine

2 minutes ago, pixelaoffy said:

What torture to be stuck in the madness of the 3rx world dump called T*****

Its not torture but many of the people here still travel abroad to see friends etc 

In 21 years its only the last year i have not left Thailand at least once a year  ..and yes i am currently finding staying put hard work !

I will be returning to the UK in May to be present at the birth of my 1st grandchild. I plan to return a month later.

 

I talked to 2 people today who have confirmed flights to the UK in 2 weeks. I see no problems with my outward journey.

 

I have a non o visa with 12 months permission to stay on the grounds of  retirement. This is now being accepted by Thai Embassys when applying for a return journey. I will need $100k Covid insurance valid until the end of next year, fit to fly certificate, Covid PCR test 72 hours before flight and an ASQ hotel booked. Not easy, not cheap, but many have now done it. I'll be back!

Knowing how quickly things can change and often do and can be subject to the whim of the Officer on the day, I would be extremely hesitant to travel outside the country right now. Its just not worth the stress and hassle. Bunker down and stay put for the forseeable until things have some sort of normality restored whatever that may look like in the future.

4 minutes ago, poohy said:

Its not torture but many of the people here still travel abroad to see friends etc 

In 21 years its only the last year i have not left Thailand at least once a year  ..and yes i am currently finding staying put hard work !

I've traveled so much previously I am quite happy to stay put. It's my GF that is teed off, she wants to get going while I am still able-bodied.

2 minutes ago, polpott said:

I will be returning to the UK in May to be present at the birth of my 1st grandchild. I plan to return a month later.

 

 

 

hopefully by May next year things have eased up a bit.

2 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

 

hopefully by May next year things have eased up a bit.

I plan to get the Covid vaccine in the UK. Hopefully that may circumnavigate a lot of the requirements to return. Fingers crossed.

1 minute ago, polpott said:

I plan to get the Covid vaccine in the UK. Hopefully that may circumnavigate a lot of the requirements to return. Fingers crossed.

Same here! lets hope so, and we can get back to normal

5 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

 

hopefully by May next year things have eased up a bit.

Of course they will, it will follow the same well charted course that happened this year, massive drops in infections during summer months followed by a resurgence in the colder months.

 

The only thing that's going to shorten the number of years that COVID is a problem is widespread vaccination and that's not going to be widespread enough for quite a while, in some countries they might make a big dent in it by winter 2021, in others it's going to be 2022 and onwards....

2 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Of course they will, it will follow the same well charted course that happened this year, massive drops in infections during summer months followed by a resurgence in the colder months.

 

The only thing that's going to shorten the number of years that COVID is a problem is widespread vaccination and that's not going to be widespread enough for quite a while, in some countries they might make a big dent in it by winter 2021, in others it's going to be 2022 and onwards....

I've talked to several people in the UK and all seem desperate for the vaccine. It will have a good uptake. Its predicted that it will be rolled out from early January onwards and I could see a good percentage of the UK population having had the vaccine by Easter.

 

Different story for the US, a nation of anti vaxer conspiracy theorists. Could be global pariahs by this time next year.

11 minutes ago, polpott said:

I plan to get the Covid vaccine in the UK. Hopefully that may circumnavigate a lot of the requirements to return. Fingers crossed.

The Thai PM has already said the quarantine will remain in place for everyone until the Thai population is vaccinated.  That will probably not be for another year or two.  Until then, whether you are vaccinated or not will be meaningless.