[Hotels in Thailand’s Phuket and Krabi stop accepting credit cards from Russian tourists]

I will tell my wife, she is now struggling in Russia to get back to Thailand (her home since 1998)

 

[Thailand warns daily COVID-19 cases could hit 30,000 in worst case]

in Europe positive cases surge as well BUT deaths are very low compared to previous peaks. For sure vaccinations and natural resistance from Covid positive are the probable reason behind this. Thailand should follow more close on the mortality figures which, in my opinion, are more important and reliable. Thailand may hit the 30.000 figure but at the same time it might be possible that the mortality figure stagnates or even goes down. In such case, I see no reason for more drastic/panic restrictions on freedom.

[No free passes across the bridge to or from Phuket: Governor]

8 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Why "seven days before" and not three days as foreigners that enters the island. Unfortunately the sandbox risk might rather be from domestic commuters than foreign arrivals...????

Phuket is not a self sustaining island, many goods need to be delivered from the mainland on a daily base. a covid test is the only option for drivers as there are not enough vaccines.

 

[Rapid test abandoned, only vaccinated or tested arrivals to enter Phuket]

On 5/14/2021 at 8:52 PM, kynikoi said:

Finally, sanity. But for how long?

 

I'm sure there's gotta be forced quarantine anyway right?

Sanity? I have a company 5km from Sarasin bridge mainland and we have to deliver our customers every day. Many are located in Phuket, so yesterday our trucks were blocked at the checkpoint entering Phuket. Before, rapid tests were available at the checkpoint and it is this one they abandoned. So all businesses are cut off! Insanity!

[Irate netizens turn on "hiso" in a Mustang after he parks in airport bay for handicapped]

Of course it is not ok this Mustang took the liberty to park on a spot reserved for disabled people. But I live next to Taksin bridge and every morning (except week-end) there are  2 ambulances crossing the bridge with sirens on at exactly the same time. I have no proof, but I wouldn't be surprised some folks are using these ambulances to avoid traffic jams...

[‘Vaccine passports’ could allow foreigners to visit Thailand without quarantine: TAT]

32 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

A reasonable approach.

 

Although vaccinated people may still present a risk of transmission. Those who have been vaccinated and taken a pre-flight Covid-19 test have a minimal chance of carrying the virus in to Thailand. 

 

 

Other countries have a smaller ‘quarantine requirements’ i.e. a Covid-19 RT PCR test on arrival and quarantine for a day while awaiting test results. Not idea, but much better than what currently exists. 

 

The issue with any of the plans is that there is no water-tight solution and any easing brings additional risk of the spread of Covid-19.

 

 

Confirmed vaccination along with pre-flight and arrival Covid-19 tests (and track and trace) should handle the vast majority of risk while allowing opening Thailands tourist sector back up.

 

It is critical that Thailands tourism sector be allowed off its knees and take steps towards getting back on its feet - the potential devastation to millions without a robust social welfare safety net is essential not only to those individuals but the fabric of the nation. 

 

 

 

 

can you please share the source that vaccinated people may still present a risk of transmission?

[Thailand hasn't bought Pfizer or Moderna jabs, says doctor after deaths in Norway]

Thailand is too late in purchasing vaccines so they come up with this ridiculous story that they will wait until it is proven the vaccine is safe. Meanwhile millions of people are vaccinated world-wide with minimal side effects .. Thai Government insisted to produce the vaccine under license in Thailand and surprise surprise so far not much happened. They also don't allow private hospitals to purchase the Covid vaccines because they are not (yet) FDA approved, and guess why this is...

[Thai authorities to clamp down on polluters as haze chokes Bangkok]

1) stop field burning

2) increase BTS and MRT trains 

3) stop polluting vehicles, (start with the ones that visually produce smoke)

4) promote Electric Vehicles including motorcycles. Look at China

4 points, that's all to make this city healthy again...

[Thailand to Finalize Entry Plan for Foreign Visitors by October]

2 hours ago, Grumpy John said:

It's totally stupid without a doubt.  I just don't understand why they persist with an idea that is doomed to fail???

 

Do they not understand people with money are smart enough to go somewhere else if confronted with a ridiculous rule.

 

But at least my prediction that the terrible reality of the situation will set in by December will be proven to be true.  The coming disaster and the fallout will be huge!  Think of a word that starts with "R"....

A “ Roup”?

[Gold Line will be ‘ready in October as scheduled’]

it is indeed not a monorail as we expected, and the schedule was October, but as I recall, 2 years ago. It was meant to be finished before the opening of Icon Siam. I have the impression that the golden line only serves one purpose and this is bringing customers to the shopping mall. The other 2 stations have in my opinion little purpose. I wonder how these "small" busses will reduce traffic on Charoennakorn road....

[Third phase of easing of lockdown starts on June 1]

16 hours ago, JCP108 said:

"Shop operators will need to have temperature screening for both employees and customers while also reporting to health officials when any suspected case of infection is found."

 

So, if the heat index is 48C outside and I walk the kilometer from my apartment to the Big C and arrive with my temp about 1 degree elevated above normal (has happened twice), I will be reported to health officials? And, then what will happen? Will I be detained?

you will be asked to sit down and wait for 5 minutes. 

 

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Work permits are not tied to a permit to stay.

Having a copy of a valid one would help you to get a new non-b visa before returning.

i think they are connected, date of visa expiration is same date as Work Permit.

 

[Koh Tao Punishes Tourists without masks with Push Ups]

Are face masks obligatory on the streets? Didn’t see this law..

[New normal: Screens for taxis made by Thai Air Force aim to inspire passenger confidence]

it is impossible to see the direction to where the taxi is heading. So impossible to give instructions to the driver. all the other ridiculous things about this screen are summed up in the previous comments.

Brainless design

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

5 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

There are no flights for foreigners to enter the country.

this is exactly the point, there are no flights back to Thailand to be in time for extension of WP and visa. Repatriation is for locals not for foreigners wanting to come back to Thailand..

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

As I recall, once I got onto a WP, my extension of stay was tied to my WP.  When the WP expired, or if the company terminated me and cancelled my WP, my extension of stay was no longer valid and I needed to get a 7 day extension for some time to leave the country.  (It was one of the precarious conditions for a lot of expats whose companies didn't want to deal with things like severance issues.  Cancel their WP, and they have to leave the country and come back on their own dime and their own time to fight us at the Labor Board)

 

After my WP expired and I left the country, I came back several times on visa exempt.  Eezy peezy then (2018), but who knows into the future?  And obviously, on a visa exempt status with no WP, my legal employment options were non-existent.  There were agents claiming to be able to expedite long term visas starting out on visa exempt, but I never bothered so I can't say whether they could come through.

 

I'm sure there are thousands of expats and hundreds of companies in the same boat as the OP's wife, so I hope they come up with a reasonable policy to re-activate WP's and the associated extensions of stay without onerous requirements like going all the way back home and re-applying for a qualifying visa.  Especially now with insurance requirements or Covid certifications and whatever else they may implement.   But I haven't seen anything yet.

Thank you Impulse, very to the point and indeed I hope the authorities will find a more easy and practical solution..

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

2 hours ago, EricTh said:

Is it a big problem to apply for a new work permit after 1 June?

 

 

yes, a new WP means to start the whole procedure again. If done in time, it is an easy extension.

 

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

What if you arrive with a Covid-free certificate at hand?

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

8 minutes ago, Kalorymetr said:

I am in the exact same position, but I am waiting till the middle of the month to see if Thai government lifts the ban for WP holders. If not, my HR will contact immigration/embassy and figure this out and they are in the know I tell you.

I will keep you posted.

great, thanks!

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

7 minutes ago, blackcab said:

 

In this case I'm sorry to say but at this time there are no special allowances being given. If your wife does not enter Thailand and renew by June 6 then she will need to make a fresh application at Chamchuri Square.

 

It would be worth getting your wife's company to keep re-checking with the One Stop Service, as they may decide to make allowances - such as allowing the application to proceed without the applicant being in the country.

Blackcab and others, thank you very much for your contributions, indeed it should be the job of the HR department but it may be that they don't check all options. I suppose many foreigners could be in the same position as my wife because many choose to return to their home country and didn't expect the long lockdown.  

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

22 minutes ago, blackcab said:

When does your wife's extension of stay expire? It is this which will determine if she is admitted into the country.

 

If her work permit is expired, but her extension of stay is active, once she is in the country she will be able to talk to the Ministry of Labour to see if they can help her backdate her application so she has a continuous work permit history. If this can happen then her next extension of stay can be made at immigration as normal.  Of course if your wife obtains her extension of stay and her work permit from the One Stop at Chamchuri Square then her work permit and her extension of stay will probably expire on the same day so there will be no chance to do this.

 

If your wife's extension of stay expires before she can enter the country then she will have to make a fresh application for a work permit and and fresh application for an extension of stay.

 

What you really need to know is the expiry date of your wife's extension of stay (which will be stamped in her passport).

 

Yes Chamchuri Square indeed same expiry date... June 6

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

1 hour ago, blackcab said:

A work permit does not grant entry to the country; instead it allows someone in the country to work. Does your wife have a visa (obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate outside the country) or an extension of stay and a re-entry permit (obtained from an immigration office inside Thailand)?

 

What is the expiry date of the visa or the extension of stay?

I think that a work permit is always connected to a visa, as she is already working and living in the country for the last 20 years it is an extension of stay obtained by the Thai immigration office. The question is how is she supposed to re-enter Thailand once air space is open knowing her WP will be expired at that time.

 

[foreigners with Thai work permit stranded abroad]

My wife has a Thai work permit for the last 20 years. when flight restrictions to Thailand were imposed she was on a business trip abroad.

Her work permit will expire on June 6. She will not be able to enter Thailand before this date. Will she be able to enter Thailand on a expired WP or what will she need to do before flying back?

[quarantine versus test]

why is it that people are still quarantined when a covid lab test is available?

[Pattaya: More misery as pubs, bars and entertainment ordered shut until the end of the month]

Yesterday in Bangkok I wanted to see how this new rule is applied in a restaurant. I walked into the restaurant hand in hand with my wife. We both had mouth masks, were screened for temperature, hands disinfected. The waitress guided us to separate tables because of social distance rules. I walked out, end of story. Who in his right mind would accept sitting with his wife or girlfriend at separate tables???  In the corner of the restaurant, staff were waiting for customers, all sitting at the same table.