Expats may need to take COVID-19 test in order to renew extensions of stay: Richard Barrow

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Expats may need to take COVID-19 test in order to renew extensions of stay: Richard Barrow

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

Expats in Thailand may soon be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to extend their extensions of stay or so called retirement or marriage visas, according to Richard Barrow.

 

Posting on Twitter on Saturday evening, popular travel blogger Richard shared a document published in the Royal Gazette that said foreigners are required to take a COVID-19 not only to visit Thailand but also extend their stay.

 

You can read Richard's Twitter thread below:

 

 

 

“This document was published in the Royal Gazette on 25th December. The part that is underlined says it will become law 30 days later. So on 25th January. As usual, not everything is clear and to be transparent here, there has been no announcement by Immigration yet”, read the Tweet by Richard.

 

“From what I understand, this is for everyone who is entering Thailand and for everyone already here and need to extend their stay. It is also needed for those people who are applying for residency. The document doesn’t say how far in advance you need to get the COVID test done.

 

“I will of course post more information here once Immigration make an official announcement with the details. But as we all know, that will probably come the day before. I’m sure you have many questions. So do immigration officials I spoke to. We all have to wait for head office”, Richard added.

 

Richard’s Twitter thread comes as Thai news site Thansettakij on Thursday reported that “Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19” had been added to the list of “prohibited diseases” for foreigners entering Thailand or those who apply for residency. It does not explicitly say those applying for an extension of stay.

 

At this stage, it is worth noting the other “prohibited diseases” listed:

 

1. Leprosy

2. Tuberculosis 

3. Lymphatic filariasis 

4. Disease, drug abuse

5. Syphilis of the third stage

 

Expats who have previously submitted an application for an extension of stay for either retirement, marriage or being a parent to a Thai child will note that there has never been a requirement to complete a test for any of the “prohibited diseases”.

 

A syphilis test may be required  when a foreigner applies for a work permit for the first time. 

 

However, there has never been the same requirement for anyone applying for an extension of stay based on retirement or marriage.

 

Nor has there ever been a requirement for anyone entering Thailand to complete a test for any of the above diseases. (Can you imagine the repercussions if Thailand required the 40 million tourists it received pre-COVID to complete a Syphilis test before entering the country!)

 

Thaivisa’s advice - wait for further information on this one. Despite being published in Royal Gazette, this may not apply for the vast majority of people reading this post. Don’t panic!

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-01-16

 

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[GeorgeCross]

won't be taking my test at a private hospital.. just in case i test positive

 

can you imagine the bill! ????

 

 

[audaciousnomad]

I think Tourist Extensions would be exempted as well.

Edited January 16, 2021 by audaciousnomad

[jackdd]

This order has nothing to do with extensions, this is just wrong information. How about some fact checking before sharing something?

It was also decided several months ago, as you can see from my thread to which you poster above linked, nothing really new here.

[kotsak]

As always any news coming out regarding immd is clear as mud.

 

 

[UncleMhee]

I'm no Einstein but it appears the Covid test is being added to the relevant sections of the immigration act that requires medical certificates to obtain specific visas from your home country or obtaing a work permit here. The falangies on Richards blog have all.got their knickers in a knot, along with gnashing of teeth and hand wringing maak......

 

???? The need for a COVID test are being added to the following in the Immigration Act:

 

???? SECTION 12 Aliens falling into any of the following categories are excluded from entering the Kingdom (4) Being of unsound mind or having any of the diseases as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations. 

 

1. Leprosy

2. TB at dangerous stage

3. Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)

4. Drug addiction

5. Stage 3 syphilis

6. Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19

 

???? SECTION 44 No alien shall take up residency in the Kingdom, if (2) it appears that such alien is unable to earn own living because of physical infirmity or mental defect or having any diseases as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.

 

1. Leprosy

2. TB at dangerous stage

3. Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)

4. Drug addiction

5. Alcoholism 

6.Stage 3 syphilis

7. Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=257214752431462&id=100044288176713

Edited January 16, 2021 by UncleMhee

[Jingthing]

Not that immigration rules need to make any logical sense, but this doesn't make any logical sense. 

 

We're dealing with an infectious disease here.

 

So let's say they test 1000 people on retirement extensions.

 

Some of them will have already had the virus and recovered. 

 

Most will not have had it or have it currently.

 

A very tiny number may have current infections. 

 

So they're looking at a very small time window (extension time) when they might detect a very small number of currently infected people. 

 

Surely they're not worried about people that were previously infected, and currently not infectious?

 

I just don't see the logic of testing this group specifically although I do support more widespread testing in general. 

[GeorgeCross]

19 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Not that immigration rules need to make any logical sense, but this doesn't make any logical sense. 

 

We're dealing with an infectious disease here.

 

So let's say they test 1000 people on retirement extensions.

 

Some of them will have already had the virus and recovered. 

 

Most will not have had it or have it currently.

 

A very tiny number may have current infections. 

 

So they're looking at a very small time window (extension time) when they might detect a very small number of currently infected people. 

 

Surely they're not worried about people that were previously infected, and currently not infectious?

 

I just don't see the logic of testing this group specifically although I do support more widespread testing in general. 

 

sod logic, think of all that expat baht that can be extracted!

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2021 by GeorgeCross

[edwardandtubs]

30 minutes ago, jackdd said:

This order has nothing to do with extensions, this is just wrong information. How about some fact checking before sharing something?

It was also decided several months ago, as you can see from my thread to which you poster above linked, nothing really new here.

 

Richard Barrow, apparently well-meaning, often whips people up into a panic based on his misunderstandings. Clearly, it would be absurd to require a Covid-19 test for extensions and it's not even what the regulations he's quoting says so this is obviously another one of his brain farts. I don't know why anyone takes him seriously.

Edited January 16, 2021 by edwardandtubs

[audaciousnomad]

17 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Not that immigration rules need to make any logical sense, but this doesn't make any logical sense. 

 

We're dealing with an infectious disease here.

 

So let's say they test 1000 people on retirement extensions.

 

Some of them will have already had the virus and recovered. 

 

Most will not have had it or have it currently.

 

A very tiny number may have current infections. 

 

So they're looking at a very small time window (extension time) when they might detect a very small number of currently infected people. 

 

Surely they're not worried about people that were previously infected, and currently not infectious?

 

I just don't see the logic of testing this group specifically although I do support more widespread testing in general. 

 

Agreed. At this point, testing should only be a deterrent to entry (e.g. it limits how many will go through the trouble of coming here.)  The real focus should be on vaccination. If you want to stay, vaccinate. Anti-vax or can't/won't pay for one? Leave.

[TSF]

Not worried. My next visa renewal is due in July, that's 6 months away, and by that time they will have changed the requirements about 255,00 times.

[Felt 35]

Have been waiting for it.....Next, no morechaina app, no extension...

[Susco]

33 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I just don't see the logic of testing this group specifically although I do support more widespread testing in general. 

 Money money money makes the world go round

[TSF]

32 minutes ago, UncleMhee said:

I'm no Einstein but it appears the Covid test is being added to the relevant sections of the immigration act that requires medical certificates to obtain specific visas from your home country or obtaing a work permit here. The falangies on Richards blog have all.got their knickers in a knot, along with gnashing of teeth and hand wringing maak......

 

???? The need for a COVID test are being added to the following in the Immigration Act:

 

???? SECTION 12 Aliens falling into any of the following categories are excluded from entering the Kingdom (4) Being of unsound mind or having any of the diseases as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations. 

 

1. Leprosy

2. TB at dangerous stage

3. Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)

4. Drug addiction

5. Stage 3 syphilis

6. Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19

 

???? SECTION 44 No alien shall take up residency in the Kingdom, if (2) it appears that such alien is unable to earn own living because of physical infirmity or mental defect or having any diseases as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.

 

1. Leprosy

2. TB at dangerous stage

3. Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)

4. Drug addiction

5. Alcoholism 

6.Stage 3 syphilis

7. Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=257214752431462&id=100044288176713

Just got a mental image of  this blind drunk alcoholic alien rolling up at his local Immigration office to extend his visa with fingers, toes & nose missing from leprosy, coughing blood into his hanky from TB, legs swollen from elephantiasis, trackmarks up both arms from drug addiction, sores all over from syphilis, and now the poor bast*rd has disease 2019 too. Jeez life sure ain't fair for the aliens in Thailand.

[Catkiwi]

2 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

I thought they kicked Barrow out already with his panic news.

Who is Richard Barrow btw?

[spiekerjozef]

1 minute ago, Catkiwi said:

Who is Richard Barrow btw?

The brother of Simon.

[Guderian]

Same as the medical insurance, it'll only apply to extensions of an OA visa. Boy, do they have a hard on for those poor folk, lol. 

[Saraburi121]

I hope my immigration office doesn't read this news.  What kind of new rules will they make up on their own now?

[smedly]

1 hour ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Expats in Thailand may soon be required to take a COVID-19 test in order to extend their extensions of stay

 

simple question - why

 

explain to me the logic behind this - there is none

[Catkiwi]

1 minute ago, Saraburi121 said:

I hope my immigration office doesn't read this news.  What kind of new rules will they make up on their own now?

Its hard to believe what the exact ruling is, especially given the vagaries of the news sources and those that appear to not have fact checked. Hopefully the true version of the ruling will be cleared up soon.

It is becoming a popular control measure being introduced by many countries. Australia and New Zealand have just put up new rules. Negative test result max 72 hours before checking in for a return flight to either country. They are still only accepting citizens or permanent residents so if Expats on other type visas can get back in to Thailand, that is still a bit more of a relaxed rule.

[onebir]

30 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

32 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

Who is Richard Barrow btw?

The brother of Simon.

Not Wheel?

[Boomer6969]

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Nor has there ever been a requirement for anyone entering Thailand to complete a test for any of the above diseases.

Wrong, it is require for non-OA visas. 

[GeorgeCross]

16 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

Richard Barrow is a great person and his <deleted> is  bigger than most people on this forum. 

 

he's got more balls than most people on this forum thats for sure, and god bless him - he does a lot for us and at great risk to himself

 

 

Edited January 16, 2021 by GeorgeCross

[Saraburi121]

5 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

Its hard to believe what the exact ruling is, especially given the vagaries of the news sources and those that appear to not have fact checked. Hopefully the true version of the ruling will be cleared up soon.

It is becoming a popular control measure being introduced by many countries. Australia and New Zealand have just put up new rules. Negative test result max 72 hours before checking in for a return flight to either country. They are still only accepting citizens or permanent residents so if Expats on other type visas can get back in to Thailand, that is still a bit more of a relaxed rule.

I hope the rule doesn't apply to visa extensions but won't know until I do it next month. Even if an immigration law/rule is written clearly it can be interpreted differently at each immigration office.  In my province there is no 40K per month for a marriage extension only the 400k method, the office interpretation. Show them he immigration rules they don't look at it.  Folks coming from other countries to Thailand, yes that's a good idea. I hope its not another layer of stress to visa extensions. To those who have good immigration offices that follow the law, peace be on you!

[GeorgeCross]

2 minutes ago, Saraburi121 said:

I hope the rule doesn't apply to visa extensions but won't know until I do it next month. Even if an immigration law/rule is written clearly it can be interpreted differently at each immigration office.  In my province there is no 40K per month for a marriage extension only the 400k method, the office interpretation. Show them he immigration rules they don't look at it.  Folks coming from other countries to Thailand, yes that's a good idea. I hope its not another layer of stress to visa extensions. To those who have good immigration offices that follow the law, peace be on you!

 

yep, can see the future coming..

 

"vaccination?"

 

yes

 

"sinovac?"

 

no, pfizer

 

"CANNOT. sinovac only!"

 

[..passes piece of paper slowly across table..]

 

sigh.

 

 

[Catkiwi]

9 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

he's got more balls than most people on this forum thats for sure, and god bless him - he does a lot for us and at great risk to himself

 

 

I don't really care how many balls he's got, I just want to know who he is. Pray tell? Is this Easter?

[EricTh]

These officers have nothing better to do but come up with tougher and tougher requirements every year for foreigners.

[GeorgeCross]

17 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

I don't really care how many balls he's got, I just want to know who he is. Pray tell? Is this Easter?

 

oh yeah, sorry! 

 

here ya go

 

http://letmegooglethat.com/?q=richard+barrow

 

wasn't that hard was it? ????????

 

[Meat Pie 47]

21 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

I don't really care how many balls he's got, I just want to know who he is. Pray tell? Is this Easter?

Are you a slow learner?

[Meat Pie 47]

53 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

and you know this how? Sorry I still don't know him, big deleted or not. Just asking because I've never heard of the guy. 

https://www.facebook.com/richardbarrowthailand