Must Read FLIP-FLOP: Immigration backtracks on mandatory COVID-19 testing for visa/extension of stay renewals

[webfact]

Immigration backtracks on mandatory COVID-19  testing for visa/extension of stay renewals

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Foreigners in Thailand will not be required to undergo a COVID-19 test in order to renew their extensions of stay, an immigration spokesperson clarified on Tuesday.

 

Earlier, Khaosod English reported that foreigners would need to take a COVID-19 test in order to renew their visas/extensions of stay.

 

However, a little over an hour later, Immigration spokesperson Archayon Kraithong confirmed to Khaosod that COVID-19 tests are not required. 

 

Mr Archayon apologised for the misunderstanding. 

 

 

 

 

The  flip flopping and all round confusion concerning COVID-19 tests and so called visa renewals came after popular blogger Richard Barrow first shared news on Saturday that tests would be required from January 24. 

 

This came after COVID-19 was added to the list of ‘prohibited diseases’ for foreigners in Thailand. The updated list was published in the Royal Gazette on Dec 25.

 

However, confusion surrounded whether the addition of COVID-19 to the list of prohibited diseases would mean that those applying for an extension of stay would need to take  a test. After-all, mandatory testing  has never  been a requirement for the other diseases on the  ‘prohibited disease’ list, such as syphilis, leprosy or elephantiasis.

 

Furthermore, most expats who live in Thailand have not left the country since the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Also on Tuesday, Phuket Immigration told the Phuket News that a COVID-19 test was not necessary. 

 

Panic over. For now

 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

 

*This  post has been updated to include the clarification from immigration regarding  the COVID-19 test.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-01-19

 

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

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[darksidedog]

Once again different immigration offices issuing different stories. I swear the word coordination is just not understood here.

For long term expats, who have not traveled anywhere, this makes absolutely no sense.

[welovesundaysatspace]

So Richard Barrow wasn’t the scaremongering blogger trying to generate traffic that people accused him to be. 
 

Obviously a law that doesn’t make much sense. Incoming foreign workers will have to through the quarantine process anyway, and those already in the country are not more likely to catch this virus than people working or staying here illegally or locals. 

[MJCM]

uhhmmmm

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1351403531190734848

 

[ThailandRyan]

I wonder just how many of us may test positive, and then be taken forthwith to the hospital for isolation until we test negative, even if just Asymptomatic.  Will we then be placed on overstay while hospitalized, fined, and upon being discharged will we be then escorted to the airport and forced to leave since we had tested positive, were on overstay, and did not meet the conditions set forth in the ministerial order of prohibited diseases and thus not allowed to stay in the Kingdom.  Is this not another way to ensure that all of us Falangs go back to where we came from regardless if this is our home or not?  Slippery slope folks, a very slippery slope.

Edited January 19, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[ThreeEyedRaven]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, it is not clear why a COVID-19 is now mandatory,

Think dollars generated and it becomes clearer.

[Henk Langeweg]

Time for Mr. P. to have a saying in this ...

[keithet]

I just did my exstension based on marriage last week. I got the "30 day under consideration " stamp for Feb 17... I wonder if I have to for that stamp? And how many days before you supposed to do? 

[redwood1]

However, it is not clear why........

 

And that just about sums it up folks.... 

[welovesundaysatspace]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

it is not clear why a COVID-19 test is now being made mandatory for expats in Thailand wishing to extend their extensions

To be fair, the whole medical certificate for work permits thing doesn’t seem to make much sense. I don’t see why they test exactly for those five diseases, and doctors say that if you actually had, they wouldn’t have to test you for it — you would be looking like it from afar. 

[rott]

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Already backtracking.  A slow news day perhaps...

Who is doing the backtracking.? 

 

And has the price of the test been stated.? 

[smedly]

This is ridiculous 

 

for 364 days a year I can shop walk around do whatever just like anyone else and yet on just one day to visit one place (immigration) I need to get a covid test - how stupid is that 

 

Jesus Christ - who thought that one up

[RotBenz8888]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

Furthermore, it is not clear why a COVID-19 test is now being made mandatory for expats in Thailand wishing to extend their extensions of stay when the vast majority of them will not have left Thailand since before the start of the pandemic.

I'm sure Anutin can answer that one. 

[redwood1]

Well I will give Thai Visa 2 thumbs up for asking some very valid questions that need to be answered regarding this story.....  

[dinsdale]

So, really should be 2 tests. No doubt it will not be free. Bt3000 a pop 3 times a year. Insaine. Other than that what's to say you test negative and then get the virus. This stupidity proves only that you tested negative on the day.

[Natai Beach]

10 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Is this not another way to ensure that all of us Falangs go back to where we came from regardless if this is our home or not? 

Gawd, stop winding yourself up into a frenzy.

 

i just rang Phangnga Immigration who said it was BS, not required.

 

Ring your local immigration and get back to us. 
 

I suggest everyone ring their local immigration and ask the same question before posting here and feeding the fake frenzy before some of the nervous old members go into cardiac arrest.
 

This is just another wind up.

[cyril sneer]

they need to make up for the money lost from visa runs

[CraigInBangkok]

8 minutes ago, keithet said:

I just did my exstension based on marriage last week. I got the "30 day under consideration " stamp for Feb 17... I wonder if I have to for that stamp? And how many days before you supposed to do? 

My stamp should come a few days before yours. I am wondering the same thing

[Natai Beach]

5 minutes ago, smedly said:

This is ridiculous 

 

for 364 days a year I can shop walk around do whatever just like anyone else and yet on just one day to visit one place (immigration) I need to get a covid test - how stupid is that 

 

Jesus Christ - who thought that one up

Richard Barrow apparently. Then Kaosod probably didn’t want to miss out on some publicity. 
Or is Dick freelancing for Kaosod.

 

[Mavideol]

19 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Once again different immigration offices issuing different stories. I swear the word coordination is just not understood here.

For long term expats, who have not traveled anywhere, this makes absolutely no sense.

correct, we have been here like forever, the country shows no new infection on people living here, most if not all of their reported infections are detected on people coming in not on the ones already in, so why this  non sense requirement....ohhh it just hit me, they need the extra money to compensate for their new visa money loss

[humbug]

Sad, if it ever came to pass, so many innocent lives destroyed living here due to faulty or incorrect testing, with positive results when further testing would show negative results, the panic it would cause to each person's mental well being every 30,60,90 days and 12 months, would be catastrophic

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, Natai Beach said:

Gawd, stop winding yourself up into a frenzy.

 

i just rang Phangnga Immigration who said it was BS, not required.

 

Ring your local immigration and get back to us. 
 

I suggest everyone ring their local immigration and ask the same question before posting here and feeding the fake frenzy before some of the nervous old members go into cardiac arrest.
 

This is just another wind up.

Call them all for us please, you seem to be concerned yourself if you have already called your IO.  My post, if you can read between the words was dripping with sarcasm, as are many of the posts people write, but then you can never distinguish between the two.  When you can contact them all and distinguish between sarcasm and reality then get back to us as you so eloquently stated in your response to my post.  You definitely have an issue with me....just saying

[MJCM]

11 minutes ago, keithet said:

I just did my exstension based on marriage last week. I got the "30 day under consideration " stamp for Feb 17... I wonder if I have to for that stamp? And how many days before you supposed to do? 

 

Same here, we have to go back Feb 15.

 

I just hope that as we already applied for the extension and the application is already at the "Headoffice" that it's not required to get the Final stamp in the passport.

 

Buutttttt that said, they (immigration) seem to already be backtracking!

 

[smedly]

4 minutes ago, smedly said:

This is ridiculous 

 

for 364 days a year I can shop walk around do whatever just like anyone else and yet on just one day to visit one place (immigration) I need to get a covid test - how stupid is that 

 

Jesus Christ - who thought that one up

may as well make the same rule for entering a supermarket - 7/11 - gas station - or anywhere for that matter - time to hire a medical team of testers to follow me around and test me every time I want to enter a building

 

This is literally taking the prize for all time stupid and there was stiff competition 

[bdenner]

Wondering how the dodgy visa agents are going to navigate their way around this one:-

 

Oh, silly me, a few extra in the dreaded envelope for the people with the stamps!

Edited January 19, 2021 by bdenner

[brucegoniners]

LOL. And this headline runs in the same newsletter: No need for COVID-19 test to extend visa, says Phuket Immigration

You just can't make this sh*t up.

[MJCM]

And it continues

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2021/01/19/covid-19-test-result-will-be-mandatory-for-all-visa-extensions/

 

Immigration Backtracks on Plan to Require COVID-19 Test for Visa Extensions

[Mr Meeseeks]

They are flip flopping on this now due to outrage on social media. Wait and see what the interpretation of the rules is going to be.

[Geoffggi]

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

“This is in accordance with the new ministerial regulation and will apply to all types of visa.”

Surely this does not mean that every 90-days retirees need to get a covid check ......!!!!

[Dmaxdan]

18 minutes ago, rott said:

Who is doing the backtracking.? 

The same man who made the original announcement. He has already apologized for the "misunderstanding"