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

[Mayhem11]

13 hours 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.

 

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.

 

What utter <deleted>. No one could have predicted the impact of the Covid19 crisis. This a one in hundred year event. Benefit of hindsight me thinks.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Mayhem11

[blacksuitdandruff]

Thailand doesn't treat its own citizen too well as is.  What do you expect as a non-immigrant visa holder?

 

Ever country should be treat as such.

I have been affected like this story too but you don't hear me complain and cry.  Dodge and weave baby.  Diversify and be glad you're alive punk.

[Grumpy one]

13 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

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 ????  

I lost my bottle opener  ????

[ChrisKC]

13 hours 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.

 

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.

 

It is also "obvious" not to use a broken ladder but doing so might result in a serious accident. Does the Hospital say to someone with a broken leg, "sorry, no treatment or compassion here, you shouldn't have been so stupid"?

[jerolamo]

13 hours ago, 19DL86 said:

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.
 

simple: everywhere they do test a lot it is "a mess".

everywhere they don't test to much, it is not "a mess".

Just because: "no test, no COVID-19 infected found".

If you failed to understand this, so... what can we talk about ? nothing.

Also, compared to any other pandemic, this one is so little killer that we can start to thinking: "what's happen really in the world in the background ?".

 

[whaleboneman]

16 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

By early March it was clear travelling internationally would be a risk. I went to Cambo on business early March and took that risk, but I was fully aware that there was a possibility that borders would be closed and travel would be restricted.

 

The Thai CDCC had regular daily updates on the virus since mid-Feb. Border closures were mentioned on here in February as a potential measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand.

 

Anyone saying they could not have foreseen what was going to happen is not well versed in risk management, sorry to say. 

As this has never happened before (borders closed worldwide) the only people that "foresaw" it were the same ones that knew aliens were coming to take over the planet next month. Your hindsight is 20/20.

[Pattaya Spotter]

The model of "grab your passport get up and go" worldwide business and leisure travel has been upended by the pandemic...in may not return for years.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Pattaya Spotter

[dimitriv]

5 minutes ago, whaleboneman said:

As this has never happened before (borders closed worldwide) the only people that "foresaw" it were the same ones that knew aliens were coming to take over the planet next month. Your hindsight is 20/20.

 

Try to imagine how rich you could be if you were able to predict this. Put options on airline shares on the stock market could have made you a millionaire.

 

But instead, our forecasters sit in their seats, glad they got home on time.

 

 

[Harrith54]

14 hours ago, 19DL86 said:

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.
 

You talk and talk and are to negative to Farang.... Looks like a Troll to me Mr Meekes. ????

[elgenon]

I am in Thailand 3 months at a time. 6 months per year. This year I decided to go to America sooner than usual. Thank goodness.

 

But just dumb luck.

 

Best wishes to those who haven't had dumb luck.

[Tchooptip]

I am here I have no problem but I have the decency not to blame others for something that was really difficult to predict without a crystal ball!

[Darksidedude]

14 hours ago, 19DL86 said:

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.
 

Hey nobody would really be prepared for a pandemic to flood the world, you just would not consider something of this Covid magnitude to come along 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Ketyo said:

"Those poor entitled people thought they could go to Thailand but after corona virus came they couldn't go there any more and have to wait in their own crappy country - normally a western country like the UK - a bit longer" end of story.

I'd be suicidal if I were forced to live in the UK for longer than a week or two.

I'd probably end up buying a run down farm in rural France.

[mrwebb8825]

Stayed put, rode it out (still riding), only difference in my life is wearing a mask that I started wearing outside when I moved to BKK anyway. (Smog) I hear the whining, I read the stories and I wonder why? Guess I'm 1 of the lucky ones that chose to move here, didn't spend time and money jet setting around because I could, married a really nice, well educated Thai lady and have been pretty much happy for the last 20 years. 

[jollyhangmon]

20 minutes ago, dimitriv said:

 

Try to imagine how rich you could be if you were able to predict this. Put options on airline shares on the stock market could have made you a millionaire.

 

But instead, our forecasters sit in their seats, glad they got home on time.

 

 

 

????????????, well put ... 

 

[khunPer]

15 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

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.

IMHO It should rather be a wake up call to the Thai authorities...????

[0815]

14 hours 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 is a family only good as service staff for you because you have the wallet?
I hope i did misunderstand your comment...

[Bangkok Barry]

14 hours ago, 19DL86 said:

It's not only Thailand whom have closed their borders to non citizens, many nations have imposed such restrictions.

No-one has claimed this has only happened in Thailand. Whether it happens elsewhere is irrelevant to this thread.

 

15 hours ago, 19DL86 said:

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.

I wonder how many knew 10-15 years ago that the exchange rate was 'superficially high'. Those were the days of coups, international airport closure, riots, the centre of Bangkok blockaded, burning down of shopping centres etc, a time when any sensible person would think the currency would plummet. Who would have thought that the very opposite would happen? You? If so, I'd like you to be my investment advisor.

[Proboscis]

16 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

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.

What about Australia? THe UN has castigated that country for reducing the number of people per day entering the country so that thousands of Australian citizens are abandonned abroad. Despite what the Australian authorities say about supporting them, there are plenty of reports on the BBC and elsewhere of Australians being told by their embassy to go to the local agencies and beg for help there. While I do not agree with Thailand excluding the spouses of citizens in this way, at least they do not exclude citizens.

[globerunner4]

I went home to US in Feb to work, take care of business, visa etc. I was scheduled to return Mar 26 but paid to reschedule to Mar 3rd without hesitation. Borders were already shutting down or there was eminent threat. Of course no one could've predicted to this extent. But there is no way I was going to chance being separated from my family in Thailand, even if it meant I would lose weeks of planned work in US and a funeral. I feel for the people who got caught out but it was an obvious choice for me and I'm thankful to be here. ????????

[metisdead]

Some posts containing conspiracy theories and the replies have been removed. 

 

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To breach these rules will result in an immediate ban.

 

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[MRToMRT]

2 hours ago, GlassWayOverHalfFull said:

I detest people like you

Thats OK darling

[Ratcher]

8 hours ago, agoodpunt said:

why are TV expat posters being such smug gits saying you left we all knew suck it up,

If they dont let us you will have more heat on you and probably have to use agents in future or have stricter rules.

having lived in thailand for 12 yrs the ones whose go back have money and are more legal because checks at airport regular passport stamps more compliantance than those who dont

The ones who dont travel are most likely cheapie charlies live on the edge cant afford a filght or will be arrested on return and i know many....

my GF says 60k for a flight "oh my budha" see u in 3 wks but not this time darling.

I do not have the virus they test so much here you cannot but I know I am not threat to bring it in however i wont trust the test in thailand like many would be worried they will scam tourist really?

Not all Expats here are "Cheap Charlies" or "Smug Gits" as you mention. Many can afford to leave Thailand to visit family or go on Holiday. Many Expats could see the developing situation and decided to stay put in Thailand. Many on this forum sympathise with friends that are locked out. Don't slag off and categorise Expats here because your locked out. You should have been aware of the developing situation and responded accordingly. Keep your derogatory comments to yourself

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, Mayhem11 said:

No one could have predicted the impact of the Covid19 crisis. This a one in hundred year event.

Exactly...that's why it's a little unfair to nit-pick and criticize the Thai authorities handling of the crisis. There is no handbook and all governments are wingin' it.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Pattaya Spotter

[Zikomat]

So the guy made a losing bet on Covid being nothing serious (and probably got some hefty discounts for travelling at that time) . We all make bad bets sometimes and pay for it. Stop crying like a baby. Nobody really cares about your problems.

 

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by Zikomat

[Pattaya Spotter]

42 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

No-one has claimed this has only happened in Thailand. Whether it happens elsewhere is irrelevant to this thread.

 

I wonder how many knew 10-15 years ago that the exchange rate was 'superficially high'. Those were the days of coups, international airport closure, riots, the centre of Bangkok blockaded, burning down of shopping centres etc, a time when any sensible person would think the currency would plummet. Who would have thought that the very opposite would happen? You? If so, I'd like you to be my investment advisor.

Because the Thai baht had been gaining value all through the previous decade as well...ever since the recovery from the 1997 crash starting around 2002-03. Maybe they should have been familiar with developments in their own countries and how their currencies were over valued. 

[19DL86]

@bangkokbarry

Fair point Barry, and no I wasn't trying to be any financial whizz kid.  Rear view mirror predictions are an easy call.

The $€£ vs THB were at an all time highs in the early part of 2000s (TomYam Kung 1997 aside) - when non of those events you state were being run out. ie Bangkok burning, the Airports blockaded etc.  they came later in the decade, if my memory serves me well.

Sterling was artificially high $2.20 as too were many Western currencies until Lehmann Bros.

What I was trying to get over is that many many of us thought that those days would go on forever.  Many sold up and bought into the "Living the Life in Paradise" - which is fair enough, so long as you can sustain this through thick and thin.  Sadly not all of those did so.  

One could be excused for thinking buying a house makes it your home, that's not true condos aside.  The only place that is "home" is somewhere paid for, owned outright in your name and in a country where you are protected and have rights.  This IMHO isn't here in Thailand, but only your own native country are you afforded this.

Many folks failed to see the changing face on Thailand and the I.O and countless never spread their bets.

I retired in my late 40s and lived here 14 years,I have several properties in my own country creating an income plus capital growth, until a year or so I had rental properties here, but sold them off the last one in 2019.  I hold investments in equities, corporate bonds and other vehicles plus funds in the bank.  I can weather any storm.  Not being smug, glib or insensitive.  I done my research and covered all possibilities.

Many Digital Nomads and quasi/pseudo school teachers etc have come here eyes wide shut.....now they're paying the price.

Thse are unprecedented times no one could have foreseen, but after living as a foreigner for 30 years in a few different countries - you must always have a backup plan!!!

[Bangkok Barry]

5 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Because the Thai baht had been gaining value all through the previous decade as well...ever since the recovery from the 1997 crash starting around 2002-03. Maybe they should have been familiar with developments in their own countries and how their currencies were over valued. 

How much have you made by anticipating currency changes and investing in your expertise?

[fred110]

Life is hard, then you die.

[spoon1967]

2 hours ago, Mayhem11 said:

What utter <deleted>. No one could have predicted the impact of the Covid19 crisis. This a one in hundred year event. Benefit of hindsight me thinks.

No one who lives under a rock. International travel was heading for restrictions, anyone who didn't see that coming is a fool.