"The Stranded": Thaivisa highlights the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand: #1: Teachers

[snoop1130 12,004]

"The Stranded": Thaivisa highlights the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand: #1: Teachers

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

Today Thaivisa begins a series of articles highlighting expats, workers and retirees of many descriptions who are desperate to get back to their lives and loved ones in Thailand but who are stranded abroad. 

 

Recently we published a story about one expat who went home for a holiday earlier in the year then found himself stranded in the UK. We asked for other people in similar situations to come forward and share their stories. 

 

We were overwhelmed with replies from people who wanted to be heard.

 

Now we would like to highlight their situations and intend to present their legitimate concerns and frustrations to the Thai authorities so that injustices might be addressed. We can but try.

 

Many respondents have found themselves abroad through no fault of their own. A large number were in Thailand enjoying life despite the occasional frustration and had been doing so for long periods. 

 

But when the pandemic struck and they needed to leave for important matters like bereavements or personal health care they got caught out. 

 

Now they feel abandoned and while they would like to still have positive feelings towards their adopted homeland, many are increasingly harboring negative thoughts, particularly towards the authorities. 

 

Many are not just cut off from families and loved ones but from their investments and homes and even hard earned cash they had deposited in bank accounts in good faith to get legitimate visas.

 

The cases of hardship through no fault of their own are gut wrenching.

 

None of our respondents will be identified even if they didn't mind. Today we feature the story of a couple featuring "Mr A" who has been a teacher of long standing in Thailand. After a holiday they are marooned in Sri Lanka.

 

Here is his story:

 

"I am 49 and have been living in Thailand since 2005. I have a work permit through Inlingua Language School, valid until March 2021. I am married (to a non-Thai) no kids, current location Sri Lanka since March 10. I came here for a 2 week holiday but missed the deadline for getting back to Thailand.

 

"I applied for a Certificate of Entry around May/June, expecting it to be a formality. The Thai Embassy in Colombo told me I had submitted all the required documents.

 

"I was subsequently told about the “list” of teachers allowed back. If you’re not on the “list” you can’t get a CoE. My wife’s language school told her that only International School and Government School teachers are being allowed back. 

 

"This has recently been confirmed by Inlingua. I wish I knew why; it doesn’t make sense! Plus, I already have a Work Permit. In addition Sri Lanka is fairly safe in terms of Covid.

 

"All my stuff is in Bangkok: car, motorbike and cat, now adopted. 

 

"We got evicted from our apartment in our absence and had to enlist the help of some friends to salvage our stuff. Most of my possessions are crammed into my car in my old condo car park in Bangkok.

 

"On the positive side, I’m just about scraping enough money together in Sri Lanka to pay the rent by teaching part time. 

 

"My wife is teaching online.

 

"I feel a bit let down by Thailand. After 15 years of teaching service, this is how they treat me?" 

 

Mr A also referenced the "extortionate quarantine fees" he would currently be faced with on return.

 

He continued: "I know I probably shouldn’t have traveled, but I’d been working 7 days a week and needed a break. And I never expected this lock-out to exceed 2 or 3 months. 

 

"Seven months later and we are still here.

 

"I know of 2 other teachers who were in my position.One managed to get back from South Africa to a government school. The other, married to a Thai with a mortgage, is stuck in Holland. This involves a private school".

 

Mr A hoped that by sharing his story the Thai authorities might become more aware and do something about genuine people who need to return. 

 

Recent reports suggest that there are 11,200 foreign teachers in Thailand, many of them Filipinos but also many British nationals, Chinese and Japanese.

 

Online reports suggest that even those who have been living in the kingdom during the pandemic  find themselves in an awkward position regarding visas and work permits because they cannot fulfil requirements to go abroad and come back due to land borders being closed.

 

This has created a kind of limbo in which some find themselves obliged to work illegally with the connivance of agents and the schools themselves.

 

The situation has only been worsened by a crackdown on foreign teacher legitimacy in the wake of the child abuse scandals at Sarasas schools.

 

Regarding international schools referenced by Mr A as having an easier ride in getting their staff into Thailand, Thaivisa understands that several major international schools in Bangkok clubbed together to pay for a charter flight for their staff and families.

 

Such arrangements would be unfeasible for government schools even if foreign nationals were able to get the onerous paperwork together. 

 

Look out for our other features concentrating on those with families and loved ones, property, true hardship cases as well as a round-up of other reasons. 

 

Even those with PR (permanent residence) are finding it difficult, further highlighting the even worse problems of those without such beneficial status.

 

They are all "The Stranded".

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-10-15

 

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

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[Mr Meeseeks 4,216]

I think we're flogging a dead horse here.

 

Up to the Thais who they let in at the end of the day as harsh as it is for those trapped overseas.

 

Perhaps a wake up call to those of use that think they have any sort of permanence here.

[19DL86 346]

It's not only Thailand whom have closed their borders to non citizens, many nations have imposed such restrictions.  Some of those are the very same countries as those who are complaining right here of bring "stranded" ie Australia, New Zealand.

 

A fairly reasonable precaution one might add, given the total mess the UK and most of Europe has made of controlling Covid19.

 

What part of "Extension to stay" (as is granted each year to many in Non O) do people not understand?  There's no permenant right to reside on these visas. Anyone who intends or plans to settle here must surely do their research in advance, no?

 

To me living here 14 years, there are many "flags" to warn or illustrate the lack of permanency i.e. restrictions of ownership, dual/triple pricing, vocational restrictions. 

 

Anyone who has sold up "lock stock" in their home country, thus leaving them with no Exit Plan, nor have sufficient funds to sustain themselves, have not thought this through.

 

Setting up families at 65 years old or more, relying on a State pension and superficially high exchange rates 10-15 years ago, to be now living "day to day" in al out permenant denial of such essentials.

 

Many, many come here on a whimsical fantasy, a dream which all too often turns to a nightmare.  No planning, no for thought, no finances. Sad, but all too often the case.
 

Edited October 15, 2020 by 19DL86

[CALSinCM 767]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Now we would like to highlight their situations and intend to present their legitimate concerns and frustrations to the Thai authorities so that injustices might be addressed. We can but try.

You are talking about presenting their legitimate concerns and frustrations to highly nationalistic people who distrust all non-Thais and are pretty much devoid of any semblance of compassion.  Thais in positions of leadership and power will see any vocal foreigner as a critic of Thai policy, and criticism of Thailand will just earn these "bad, disrespectful" foreigners more grief.  Thailand's response will more than likely simply to make a longer and deeper regulatory gauntlet for foreigners to wade through in order to gain entry.  Smart foreigners should probably reassess their reasons for wanting to enter and stay in Thailand in the first place.  Over the next years, roadblocks to entry as well as to stay will become the norm except for the vaunted 'wealthy tourist with status' as that really is the only factor that Thais appreciate.  Wealth and power will allow wealth and power to enter and stay.  All others??? 
Commoner need not apply.

[Tropicalevo 5,921]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

We can but try.

Do not knock TV for this one.. Doing nothing achieves nothing. Doing something might succeed.

Good luck.

[Tropicalevo 5,921]

1 minute ago, CALSinCM said:

Thais in positions of leadership and power will see any vocal foreigner as a critic of Thai policy,

Reading lots of comments on TV - they are not wrong.

[spoon1967 247]

Why would you leave Thailand when it was clearly risky, in March this year it was obvious that things might go "pear shaped" with respect to international travel.

 

And how come they were evicted? was the rent/services not being paid? That's the only reason a landlord would evict, any this could of easily been avoided - unless it was done purposely.

 

But hey, blame everyone else.

 

[BritManToo 44,455]

6 minutes ago, spoon1967 said:

Why would you leave Thailand when it was clearly risky, in March this year it was obvious that things might go "pear shaped" with respect to international travel.

I'd already paid for my holiday in March and nobody was offering me a refund if I didn't go.

Not to mention my permission to stay would have expired if I hadn't left.

I was in Siem Reap when I got a message from Air Asia at 5pm, Thai border closing at mid-night, your return flight next week is cancelled.

Got back in the country with 30 minutes to spare before the airport closed to international arrivals.

 

What would I have done if I hadn't managed to return?

Probably would have dumped my Thai family and mortgage, and set up a new home and family in Cambodia.

I'm not really one for sending money to people in foreign countries, for services I can no longer use.

Edited October 15, 2020 by BritManToo

[sammieuk1 20,195]

My condensed version is as follows dad died the 20/02 left in such a hurry that I did not realise my FCD account would be rendered useless from here

 

Return flight booked for 24/03 after funeral and probate started cancelled with rapidly expiring funds hell on earth to get your money back and court proceedings started

 

House on the market lockdown same day still for sale in a red hot market 7 months later applied for universal credit granted and made an habitual resident after 20 years

 

Started work last week haha same day not now needed redundant after 12 hours, Mrs low on funds and rent due 01/12 open a bank account here very easy the first bit of good news bought a ridiculously cheap car .

 

Planned to move into my mate of 20+ years house if ever sell it he was very keen but now says no and has even blocked me on facebook can't work that one out.

 

Heating here totally caput and winter is looming already got rid of everything here when I thought i was coming back so don't get out of bed much now ready meal king of the microwave as no pots and pans left either .

 

Anyone top this I need cheering up but still surviving just   

[trucking 1,505]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

I feel a bit let down by Thailand. After 15 years of teaching service, this is how they treat me?" 

 

Its not Thailand letting you down its the Junta. If there were a civilian government you would probably be back already but with the current incumbents feeling threatened on all sides ...... well, their incompetence positively shines through.

 

[dimitriv 2,079]

14 minutes ago, spoon1967 said:

in March this year it was obvious that things might go

 

Nobody could have expected this. Not so bad. If you had told this story a year ago people would say that you are nuts. I also traveled in March, and there was some talk about a virus. In my home country this was even seen as "something Chinese".  It was far away, and we would not be affected by this. That was the overall opinion. Till everythiing changed in a couple of days.  I remember that I never even considered for a second that countries would close their borders and airlines would cancel all flights.

 

 

16 minutes ago, spoon1967 said:

any this could of easily been avoided - unless it was done purposely.

 

You have quite a few prejudices without knowing what's really going on. They could have avoided this OR they did it on purpose?

 

 

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

just about scraping enough money together in Sri Lanka to pay the rent

 

I am sure that many people would get into financial problems when losing their regular income for a longer time.

 

 

[MRToMRT 1,775]

As someone who got stuck outside, I would say I have learnt a whole lot during the period.  

 

The article is a bit late though as now easing of restrictions is gathering pace rapidly and a lot of us have a route back, every if a buerocratic and expensive route. 

 

In what I hope is a retrospective view by myself, I don't blame Thailand for the lockdown or the initial restrictions. They had to be, still have to be, careful. We are not out of the fire by a long shot worldwide.

 

What did I learn?

 

a) I learnt Indian maids to Thai Indian families are more important to return to Thailand than a comparatively well off pensioner like myself. Even though Covid was running riot in India.

b) I realised that all my previous thoughts on lack of legal protections for asset ownership in Thailand were in fact true. I should have heeded my own thoughts on this. 

c) I learnt not to look for sympathy from expats not in my situation as they don't care.

d) I learnt not to trust a single word Thai government ministers utter.

e) I learnt that my belief that Thailand was the best place on the planet was seriously wrong.

f) I learnt that my belief that UK politics was less a goat <deleted> than Thai politics was wrong.

g) I learnt to try and live life by the day was something I should strive for even though I find it difficult.

h) And lastly, in the last few days, I learnt that some Thais at least do care about fairness and justness in their corrupt political system.  

 

 

[spoon1967 247]

20 minutes ago, dimitriv said:

 

Nobody could have expected this. Not so bad. If you had told this story a year ago people would say that you are nuts. I also traveled in March, and there was some talk about a virus. In my home country this was even seen as "something Chinese".  It was far away, and we would not be affected by this. That was the overall opinion. Till everythiing changed in a couple of days.  I remember that I never even considered for a second that countries would close their borders and airlines would cancel all flights.

 

 

 

You have quite a few prejudices without knowing what's really going on. They could have avoided this OR they did it on purpose?

 

 

 

I am sure that many people would get into financial problems when losing their regular income for a longer time.

 

 

I was in Thailand on holiday from 26th Feb, I managed to get to see my son for a week and then headed to Thailand, was due to fly back to work on the 19th.  On the 12th March, it all started to go wrong, flight back to my place of work in KSA was already cancelled vis BAH.  I booked a flight next day to KUL, then a flight back to my work location a week early.  So, on the 12, 13th March, Thailand still had international flights, if a person was more bothered about losing holiday booking money, than staying in Thailand and they made that choice then they must accept the outcome.

 

"I never considered" well, luckily I spent 18 years in the UK military, and always consider what can go wrong. "You have quite a few prejudices without knowing what's really going on" I have a good grip on current World events, and make educated choices. 

 

The reason I returned to my place of work, was to avoid " I am sure that many people would get into financial problems when losing their regular income for a longer time."

 

 

[spoon1967 247]

50 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'd already paid for my holiday in March and nobody was offering me a refund if I didn't go.

Not to mention my permission to stay would have expired if I hadn't left.

I was in Siem Reap when I got a message from Air Asia at 5pm, Thai border closing at mid-night, your return flight next week is cancelled.

Got back in the country with 30 minutes to spare before the airport closed to international arrivals.

 

What would I have done if I hadn't managed to return?

Probably would have dumped my Thai family and mortgage, and set up a new home and family in Cambodia.

I'm not really one for sending money to people in foreign countries, for services I can no longer use.

So you chose the holiday over staying in Thailand because of losing out financially, now you blame who for being financially burdened because you can't get back to work?

You got evicted because you didn't want to pay the rent,  what did you expect?

 

Blame Thai Immigration why not.

 

 

 

 

 

[dimitriv 2,079]

12 minutes ago, spoon1967 said:

if a person was more bothered about losing holiday booking money, than staying in Thailand

 

Really a lot of false assumptions.

 

I had a flight from Europe to Thailand March 12. Till that date Covid was a Chinese disease, it was far away. Transmission was only between animals and humans. That was the news at that time. I arrived in Thailand and was able to swim once in the swimming pool at our condo before it closed. In a couple of days everything changed.

 

I do not remember that even once in history countries closed their borders for a flu like disease, cannot remember that airlines ever before cancelled all their flights. But you say it coming? 

 

Nobody could have expected this. The only problem are the people who say that they knew that this would happen and blame others for not expecting this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 15, 2020 by dimitriv