Fears and concerns are growing among foreigners. with families including wives and children in Thailand as plans being outlined for tourism and business class quarantine suggest a new order. Australia’s ambassador to Thailand, Allan McKinnon, has written to the Prime Minister who has reasserted that resources are limited for quarantine operations on inbound flights and emphasised that caution must be observed at this time. Comments by the ambassador and the Governor of Thailand’s Tourism Authority, Yuthasak Supasorn, also suggest that normal flights to and from Thailand may take until the latter half of the year to resume.

by Carla Boonkong & Son Nguyen
May 24, 2020

Many now questioning their lives and futures in Thailand, one foreigner is ready to divorce the kingdom

Fears are growing that inward access to Thailand may be restricted for some time even beyond the already extended passenger flight ban until July 1st. For thousands of Thai Foreigner families separated in the kingdom and in countries throughout the world, this crisis is becoming ever more challenging with comments this week by government officials and even from the Australian ambassador suggesting that a normal, extended range of flights between Thailand and Australia may not be available until the latter part of the year.

Ten years ago, there were approximately 300,000 western foreigners living in Thailand and it is estimated that around the world including Thailand, there are 500,000 Thai foreigner relationships including Thai women living in foreign countries. The number of foreigners with links to Thailand whether they travel here regularly or have here or other connections beyond tourism are estimated to be between 5 to 7 million people.

Irishman Michael O Halloran is stuck at home thousands of miles away while his three daughters from 13 years of age to 20 months await his return to Chonburi. Daniel Nolan left Thailand for Australia in March to attend his father’s funeral but has now been nearly three months away from his Thai wife, Chonpiti Duangsangaram and 7-month-old baby.

It is also not clear whether this form of commercial quarantine would apply to inbound foreigners with homes and families in Thailand but, by law, quarantine measures apply to all travellers. It is one of those conundrums that regularly occur when discussing foreigners in Thailand as, so often, the Thai government agencies view them as long term visitors or tourists

Hopes for the Thai Foreigner community, which has seen couples stranded and left apart since April 4th, were dashed on May 20th when it was confirmed that the inward passenger travel ban had been extended until July 1st at the earliest.The frustration and helplessness that many foreigners feel over this crisis has led many to raise the issue with their foreign embassies.The response has been a muted one in respect of this issue except for the Australian embassy.

Thai authorities can only process 200 people per day entering Thailand for quarantine purposes – foreigners cannot be the priority

This community from Thailand and a plethora of countries, which has heretofore simply got on with life living a positive and happy existence has suddenly been confronted with a real emergency akin to war.This community is based on relationships between Thai nationals and foreigners.The consequent and necessary government decisions because of the Covid 19 emergency have rocked the very basis of the community which has up to now, depended on cheap airfares and international flights.

However, most foreigners in this community simply want to carry on living their unique existence in rich relationships that combine the best of both cultures.These relationships are an inspiring example to people. They blow away old and negative stereotypes.Most of these couples have been together for a decade or more. These are, by and large, happy, constructive and positive unions and families. They are not political but fear this problem becoming intractable.

full extensive article https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news- ... -mckinnon/

Alex wrote: ↑Sun May 24, 2020 11:48 am The infamous Thai Visa Forum is infested with the most obnoxious "get the right visa brigade" who loves to lord it over anyone they consider a "visa runner". It's almost poetic justice (or karma) that many members of that group are now stuck outside of Thailand and cannot get back in - showing them exactly how much Thailand values them for having a "proper visa". Meanwhile, "tourists" of various colors who were lucky enough to be in Thailand when the borders closed benefit from a generous blanket "visa amnesty". In your face.

imagine rich people having to stick to the same rules as the poor!

the horror!

Alex wrote: ↑Sun May 24, 2020 11:48 am
I obviously feel sorry for anyone else who shares their predicament. That Thailand doesn't let bona fide expats return is shameful. They've introduced a paid "business class" quarantine for Thais and should extend that to family members of Thais as well as work permit holders.

I imagine the tourist will be given priority over the Western (s)expat in the coming months - prob because tourists actually spend money

So long atm"s are working many Thai girls are happy that their man are stuck overseas. They can now spend more time with their younger Thai gik"s.

God'sGift wrote: ↑Sun May 24, 2020 1:13 pm

Alex wrote: ↑Sun May 24, 2020 11:48 am
I obviously feel sorry for anyone else who shares their predicament. That Thailand doesn't let bona fide expats return is shameful. They've introduced a paid "business class" quarantine for Thais and should extend that to family members of Thais as well as work permit holders.

I imagine the tourist will be given priority over the Western (s)expat in the coming months - prob because tourists actually spend money

No tourism as long as there is quarantine. Maybe the odd begpacker will consider a 14 day quarantine an adventure but tourists won’t. Same for business.

Those folks should have got their families out of Thailand years ago. The place is a powderkeg getting ready to blow...

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Sun May 24, 2020 1:38 pm

Wrong, so ur saying those retired / married or working here dont spend money ?

Very little money spent by the retired compared to the mass tourism market.

Those working in Thailand, depends what they do, only of real benefit if they bring money INTO the country.