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

[MJCM]

3 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

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.

 

Quote

 

“I apologize for the misunderstanding,” Maj. Gen. Archayon said. “It will only apply to certain types of visa, most likely the permanent resident visa.”

 

He went on to say that the Immigration Bureau will have to wait for the Council of State – an agency tasked with settling legislative disputes – to interpret the latest regulation concerning coronavirus and arrivals from overseas published on Dec. 25.

 

 

[rott]

21 minutes ago, rott said:

Who is doing the backtracking.? 

(Edit do you mean Phuket.?) 

 

And has the price of the test been stated.? 

 

[rott]

Just now, rott said:

 

Ha ha it's pointless commenting on any government announcement. 

It's changed as soon as you've posted. 

[Mama Noodle]

I’m so <deleted> over Thailand. As soon as reasonable, I’m taking the wife and kid back home. 
 

All the cheap food and accommodation in the world isn’t worth all this nonsense. 

[n00dle]

The story has been rescinded. Its not true. Khoasod printed an article where the general backtracked saying he misunderstood.

[sapson]

It would be a miracle if covid wasnt already fairly widespread among the population however the military rulers policy of only track and trace testing or quarantine returnees has allowed the illusion to continue.

 

Forcing westerners to test countrywide and the track and trace that follows for any positives will provide the perfect scapegoat for the reality that covid is around us nationwide .........

 

It will be  the pesky westerners who have caused the new outbreak .... nothing to do with thousands of factory workers returning to the provinces over New Year.

 

Of course if a westerner has to test when renewing a visa why not test any Thai with some symptoms.?

 

 

 

[Fromas]

This makes no sense.

[Justgrazing]

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

negative COVID-19 test will be mandatory for any foreigner wanting to extend their stay in Thailand

 

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

leprosy

 

Sounds like they are pointing a finger at f'rrangs on this ..

[n00dle]

20 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

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.

I veey much doubt the outrage is the issue, they are backtracking because the spokesman was wrong and universal visa testing was never the intention.

[audaciousnomad]

 

[MadMac]

Only in Thailand 

[n00dle]

2 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

 

 

Sounds like they are pointing a finger at f'rrangs on this ..

 

But then doesnt everything sound that way to you?

[MasterBaker]

So what's gonna happen if you positive. will the throw you on a plane?

[Mama Noodle]

Just now, MasterBaker said:

So what's gonna happen if you positive. will the throw you on a plane?

 

Or in a nasty field hospital? Or In a regular hospital while demanding your credit card? 

 

The implications are limitless and infuriating. 

[dabhand]

3 minutes ago, Natai Beach said:

Me. Is it true that I will need a covid test for my next extension madam.

She. No, that was a rumor started by Dick, the trouble making farang making problems for expats in Thailand. We are waiting for his next visit to immigration to deport him. Have nice day Khun Natai. Kittueng. Joob joob.

Yup, started by RB then picked up by TV as if it was coming from an official source rather than checking with UJ who had already debunked the story.

Then KS runs with it and likely asked the Immi spokesman on the back of the 'noise' being generated by social media. The spokesman, as they tend to do when they have no idea what is actually happening, invented a response that he thought would satisfy his minders, confirmed and embellished the story.

Then, all h*** breaks loose as the other Immi regions get innundated with queries and put out the correct response that it is BS. This gets back to the Immi spokesman and..........rapid retraction ensues with some element of face saving included in the response.

So, looks like all roads lead back to ....... RB.

 

[Jeffr2]

Reminds me of their flip flops on whether you have to carry a passport or not.  Seemed a money grab to me.

[edwardandtubs]

1 minute ago, n00dle said:

I veey much doubt the outrage is the issue, they are backtracking because the spokesman was wrong and universal visa testing was never the intention.

 

Richard Barrow, who got himself all upset about the "cruel" posters on this forum and demanded an apology, is now claiming it was all part of his cunning plan to influence immigration. This is laughable. It was obvious all along that this policy didn't apply to visa extension and reliable posters on this forum pointed this out. So will we get an apology from Richard Barrow for whipping people up into a panic yet again?

[John Drake]

53 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

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.

 

What it means is you need to go out and catch Covid right now, so you will not test positive when it's time to extend.

[redwood1]

3 minutes ago, n00dle said:

 

But then doesnt everything sound that way to you?

Farangs are a tiny tiny % of the overall population....

[Dmaxdan]

4 minutes ago, MasterBaker said:

So what's gonna happen if you positive. will the throw you on a plane?

Probably, but not until they have thrown you in an extremely expensive quarantine facility.  

[Litlos]

If you have a read of the official announcement at https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/37954.

 

"The Ministry of Interior issued Ministerial Regulations prescribing diseases prohibited for aliens entering the Kingdom. Or entering to have a residence in the Kingdom. "  Key word is entering. it appears someone has overstepped the mark and has already apologised for it, sort of.

 

Cheers

[RotBenz8888]

And we have a u turn. 

 

“I apologize for the misunderstanding,” Maj. Gen. Archayon said. “It will only apply to certain types of visa, most likely the permanent resident visa.”

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

[n00dle]

7 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Richard Barrow, who got himself all upset about the "cruel" posters on this forum and demanded an apology, is now claiming it was all part of his cunning plan to influence immigration. This is laughable. It was obvious all along that this policy didn't apply to visa extension and reliable posters on this forum pointed this out. So will we get an apology from Richard Barrow for whipping people up into a panic yet again?

 

Alas barrow isnt the only one, there is a breaking news post posted by thaivisa after the retraction, stating testing is mandatory for everyone.

 

Its still up though it was untrue before it was posted.

[n00dle]

Just now, n00dle said:

 

Alas barrow isnt the only one,rhis post was post posted by thaivisa after the retraction.

 

Its still up, unedited  though it was untrue before it was posted.

 

[jonclark]

Oh please be true. The utter chaos that this would spawn would be both hilarious and terrible in equal measure. I bet that the single most common job western foreigners do is teaching. Even if only 5% return need a positive result, school's would need closing and the entire student body would need testing as well as family members and other high risk groups. Hospitals would be swamped.

 

Probably better to not know imho.

[Dmaxdan]

1 minute ago, n00dle said:

 

Alas barrow isnt the only one, there is a breaking news post posted by thaivisa after the retraction, stating testing is mandatory for everyone.

 

Its still up though it was untrue before it was posted.

I agree. For the sake of people's sanity, this topic needs to be officially amended or closed. 

[rott]

19 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

 

 

Sounds like they are pointing a finger at f'rrangs on this ..

How do you pronounce f'rrangs and do Thai people understand you.? 

[kotsak]

1 minute ago, jonclark said:

Oh please be true. The utter chaos that this would spawn would be both hilarious and terrible in equal measure. I bet that the single most common job western foreigners do is teaching. Even if only 5% return need a positive result, school's would need closing and the entire student body would need testing as well as family members and other high risk groups. Hospitals would be swamped.

 

Probably better to not know imho.

Well, that's what they have been doing all these months till the cat got out of the bag and now they hauling a$$..

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

COVID-19 test to be mandatory for all visa extensions

except for those who live within 300 meters of a 7-Eleven, or a driving school, or both, and only if you are at home regularly between 11am to 1pm and between 3pm to 5pm. If you are at home any other time you will need to provide a written explanation in Thai witnessed and signed by a certified Village Elder, which then will be taken into a monthlong "for consideration" period.

[John Drake]

Stop the worry. Go out and intentionally catch Covid right this minute. Then, no need to worry about visas, extensions, or even vaccines. You're all set with documentation from your health provider.