"The Stranded": Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand; #2 Retirees

[Pravda 4,510]

47 minutes ago, nickmondo said:

i do not agree.

Should have no problem with online banking.

the only problem could be receiving an OTP to a thai phone if you do not have the phone with you and roaming activated.

 

You don't even need that. I regularly receive text messages in Canada on my AIS Sim even if I have no credits left... As long as your number is valid. 

 

I even set up my Canadian bank account with 2 step banking by adding AIS number. I get the text message code free of charge while logging in Canada. Canadian Sim charges me 30 cents. 

[fangless 3,593]

4 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

Last notice was in August 2019 from 10 mil to 5 mil to 1 mil

baht effective August 2020. It wasn’t a sudden announcement...

 

 

4 hours ago, fangless said:

 

From August 11, 2019 Thai Baht Deposits are protected under the Deposit Protection Agency Act up to a maximum of 5 million baht per one depositor per financial institution until August 10, 2021.

More information available at Deposit Protection Agency website www.dpa.or.th

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Tips-and-Insights/Save-and-Invest/Practical-advice-on-deposit-protection#:~:text=Deposit Protection From August 11%2C 2019 Thai Baht,information available at Deposit Protection Agency website www.dpa.or.th

 

There is no difference between Thai and non Thai!

 

[JohnHans 36]

It's not only Retirees who are barred from returning "home".

How about the retirees and people with valid work permits virtually being held prisoner here as they can't dare to leave the country as they will be barred from returning home to Thailand or be charged very ridiculous quarantine and insurance costs if allowed back in.

Why do Thais continue to presume every farang is a millionaire cash cow?

[MRToMRT 1,775]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

Great post but very fake news.

In the UK the O-A is now being issued in less than a week (incl post) and CoEs in hours. I know quite a few people who are coming back now and next month. 

[Thaiophil 156]

56 minutes ago, Donga said:

Wonder if some embassies are able to quietly process applications objectively on humanitarian grounds based on past visa info, perhaps with property and/or loved ones?

No. Embassies have zero discretion either way. Rules set in Bkk, then Embassies apply them. If you meet the criteria you will get a CoE, if not not. Rumours about secret quotas, different approaches in different Embassies etc are just that - rumours.

[Thaiophil 156]

19 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

In the UK the O-A is now being issued in less than a week (incl post) and CoEs in hours. I know quite a few people who are coming back now and next month. 

Hoping to do just that next Thurs

[EricTh 2,909]

It's really sad reading all these stories on the first post and I do sympathize with them. Why is the Thai government discriminating against them?

 

The Thai government kept on postponing the amnesty to short-term tourists, or allowing those people with no interest in studying to apply for 'education' visa just to stay in Thailand.
 

And yet the Thai govt denying those with valid retirement visa to return is being too harsh on them and being too lenient to the first group.

 

 

Edited October 17, 2020 by EricTh

[praguecr 10]

10 hours ago, allane said:

If you are writing these stories to get my sympathy, it is not working.  I have a some sympathy for anyone who left in 2019, but it ends there. If you left this year, could you not have foreseen how this thing might have gone ? Even if you could not have seen the exact contours, you should have seen the possibilities.

I was invited in early March to accompany another foreigner who was planning a trip out of Thailand in early April. I "graciously declined". Actually, I did more than that; I successfully persuaded him not to leave. He is still thanking me, though he is in a category where he would have been able to return by now. However, he might have lost his job before he was able to get back.

I have lived in Thailand for 25 years, and never bought a condominium here. Now you know one of the reasons why.

Agree with this comment. I was working Philippines and decide to cut my trip short by 3 weeks as everyone there was talking about the Covid cases in Manila. In addition, all living in Thailand were of course well aware of covid spreading as it was February when it Thailand and the fast spread.

I am no defender of the Thai government but every government is doing its best in these unforeseen and unpredictable times and they have seen keep the country safe till now, albiet at the economic expense of SME's and it's people. While i do have empathy for people who do really stupid things in their life, dont blame your poor judgment on the Thai government. 

[Neeranam 7,903]

53 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Me too. 

 

Foreign business owner with PR and I will apply for Thai citizenship in the future.

 

I have no intention of leaving and I made plans to amend my residency status to remain here permanently over 12 years ago after 18 years here.

As all good immigrants should! 

Some long-term visitors don't realize how lucky they are being able to stay here permanently with easy requirements compared to other countries. 

[praguecr 10]

11 hours ago, rooster59 said:

I have held a legal Non-O Retirement Visa since 2016.

Not to be facetious, but is there such a thing as a not-legal Non-O Retirement Visa?

[Neeranam 7,903]

8 minutes ago, praguecr said:

Not to be facetious, but is there such a thing as a not-legal Non-O Retirement Visa?

I think he means not from an agency, which are probably illegal, yet seem to operate openly.

[fangless 3,593]

6 minutes ago, praguecr said:

Not to be facetious, but is there such a thing as a not-legal Non-O Retirement Visa?

Yes via "facilitating" agent "not-legal" visa where the rules are bent or broken by the agent as opposed to "assistance" agent legal visas where old fogies like me get the agent  to do the leg/paperwork for me while I sit in the bar.  

 

[SiSePuede419 1,715]

11 hours ago, rooster59 said:

There has got to be someone in the Thai Government that cares!", he concluded

Ironic, since he worked for a government department that has a long history of not caring to successfully audit their own budget.

[Pattaya Spotter 2,696]

It's curious all think they have "valid visa" when in fact they were canceled the moment they entered Thailand. If they don't understand the basic legalities of their presence in Thailand, I fear for them being able to negotiate a return. And why do people take the situation personally...they all chose to leave Thailand in the middle of a pandemic...and now are offended they can't return at their own whim.

Edited October 17, 2020 by Pattaya Spotter

[DJ54 893]

For all of you stick outside Thai I hope you can find a smoother way back if you choose. No need to crack anyones nut as to why it they got caught out...  I was fortunate was supposed to go to Singapore Airshow last minute the business I was visiting at show cancelled..  so I consider myself lucky...