Am I allowed to re-enter Thailand on a retirement visa after leaving in July?

Aug 12, 2020
4 years ago
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anybody no if I’m aloud back in the kingdom.I left on a retirement visa had it stamp for reentry at Immigration in the airport before leaving in July. I’m due back beginning of November I do have two Daughters that are Thai nationals also have their passports and birth certs with me. Also have medical insurance that covers me for covid.Any info would be appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking information about re-entering Thailand after leaving on a retirement visa. They had a re-entry permit stamped before departing in July and plan to return in November, having two daughters who are Thai nationals, and possessing COVID medical insurance. Comments suggest the user may face obstacles entering Thailand due to current restrictions on foreigners, particularly those with retirement visas. It is recommended to consult the Thai embassy for entry permits based on family status, explore repatriation flights, and comply with quarantine requirements. Concerns about regulations regarding the possession of Thai passports were also raised.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
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John ********
Where did you get covid In surance
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Pacific cross mate
Andrew *******
Andrew ********
I'm in the process now and you need to book the ASQ hotel FIRST to register with the embassy, kind of a catch 22 situation. Then apply for registration and flight hoping you get one on the date you have a hotel booked if not you can change the booking date. They are not going to let you on a flight without a quarantine hotel to go to. There are only 150 seats in total for the three flights per month (from UK) and you need to book the hotels a good bit in advance unless you can afford the top of the range hotels which are starting at over 220,000 Baht.
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
ok thanks for the info so if I put a deposit on a hotel now I’ve a good chance on paying big prices. I know they start at 32,000 baht up to 250,000.Once book I can change the booking date to suit the flight.Many thanks.
Andrew ********
@Si **********
or the flight to suit the flight I guess.
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
ok many thanks.
Graham *********
And at least
*****
0baht
Andrew *******
If you are the father of a Thai national you are allowed into Thailand.

Book on the repatriation flight with the embassy first,

Then book ASQ hotel.

You will need to send them your passport when applying for the Visa and also copy of insurance

and your kids birth certificates which must have your name on.

This is for your COE as they need flight details and ASQ to print on the COE.

You will then need a fit to fly certificate and covid test 72 hours before flight to show at the airport.

The next flight availability for September will be posted online mid August so register on line for notification from the embassy.

Also if your children are not with you, you do know it’s an offense to have your children’s passports?

The passports are the property of the Thai government and should not be with you without your children.

Do not, I repeat do not show your kids passports to the Thai embassy they will notify immigration in Thailand and you could possibly have a greeting party waiting for you.

This is serious because you will be questioned about child smuggling and you will have no defense because you have no reason to have thai national passports on you.
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ******
thanks for the heads up much appreciated.
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just with them stamping it at the immigration before leaving.Thought I might of been able to use it along with the daughter birth certs.Ill try different avenues thanks for your time on the reply’s.
Stuart *********
As some have commented a retirement visa does not currently allow you to enter Thailand. You would need to contact the embassy of your home country (assuming you are there) to find out the necessary documents you’d need to apply for a visa based on having Thai children. No one knows when or if Thai borders will open up to retirement visa holders or tourists. I suspect it depends on what infection rates are reported in other countries. There was some talk about travel bubbles, but that idea seems to have been quashed as countries such as Australia and now even New Zealand are reporting additional cases. Most are speculating at least not until 2021, but as mentioned this is speculation. At this stage your only option is to try and find a repatriation flight via a Thai embassy.
Kraig *******
If you are married to a Thai or the parent to a Thai national you can apply for an entry permit via the consulate of your current country.

There are repatriation flights from certain countries which you do qualify for as per the requirement.

I live in Dubai and have received my permit to return to my wife and daughter.

I have been given a choice of dates based on repatriation flights.

I will need to isolate for 14 days in gov hotel but then I can enjoy time with my family.

There are ways and I know over 70 non Thai nationals returned to the Kingdom in the last few weeks from Dubai on repatriation flights.
Bim *******
Si if I can offer any comfort at this time is this. The economy is tanking. They won't admit it but some things are out of the Governments control including real estate, condo and office space prices. When that starts to crash and foriegn currency reserves start to dwindle holding up the bht and they have half of there credit limit already spent propping up domestic tourism that clearly failed then by the forth quarter of this year they will be begging for you to come back. Stay strong mate not long now. When they make the announcement that there going to the IMF for a bailout it's all over
Graham *********
@Bim ******
high season...gdp out in September will put the nail in the coffin..both will hit the baht big time
Jeff *********
@Graham ********
no one knows for sure but I've thought all along borders will be open by October in preparation for high season
Graham *********
@Jeff ********
I hope so
Jeff *********
@Graham ********
dont we all mate I'm pretty confident it will happen The problem may well be the hoops we have to jump through to get in
Graham *********
@Jeff ********
.yes that prison they put you in for 14 days ain't for me i am diabetic so the meals could be iffy.
Jeff *********
@Graham ********
let's face it what tourist in their right mind would voluntarily undertake 14 days quarantine ?Common sense will eventually prevail I reckon Test before boarding and on arrival You will always get a few asymptomatic cases slipping through the net but it would largely work Theres no such thing as certainty in life
Graham *********
@Jeff ********
..i think its the rich thais who own the hotels are doing this to line the pockets big time
Jeff *********
@Graham ********
totally agree but it's not a long term solution If you think the amnesty ends September 26th and wont be extended I think theres a big clue there Graham
Bim *******
@Graham ********
absolutely. Big time. A Thai economist in the BK post of all places stated the 4th quarter it will really hit as the Government run out of money, people protest and don't rule out a coup.
Graham *********
@Bim ******
the reds are getting restless..the finance protection comes off end of august so car finance etc will need to be paid..thats the kick off I see ..a hungry thai is a dangerous thai....cant contain anger much longer
Andrew ********
All efforts to return must be made through the Thai embassy that is in the country you are in. I had to leave my wife to go to work in Nigeria but as there is no access to the Embassy I had to go to UK to apply at the embassy in London. I went for 4 weeks work. IF and it's a big IF I get on the list to go home to Thailand it will have been 8 months away from home. Good luck!
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
yes I understand mate I had to go back to work been off 9 months.But to be honest wish I never bothered.
Andrew ********
@Si **********
Exactly the same same here.
Steve *********
You're probably not allowed back yet. The foreigners allowed are in certain limited categories. You would need to apply to the embassy in your country for permission to return. Don't hold your breath just now.
Greg ********
Av Giuliano as I said pal got back in from UK on retirement visa and Thai wife and kids were in Thailand. Maybe different embassies interpreting things differently as usual
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
really appreciate that reply I’ve got my reentry permit so that hopefully will help a lot.
Greg ********
@Si **********
Pal left for his month rotation in February and been stuck outside since. He was in Royal Benja for ASQ at 45k THB. Said it was not bad. Better reports than others.
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
good to know mate cheers .
Greg ********
@Si **********
Good luck
Steve *********
@Greg *******
great! That's good news. The stories I've heard are somewhat slower ...
Greg ********
@Steve ********
I have a pal on retirememt visa with Thai kids and wife. He got back in and left ASQ 2 days ago. Whole process of applying and getting on flight from UK took 3 weeks.
Andrew *******
Av Giuliano

What nonsense.
Av **********
Good luck i know what its like to be stranded from ur family
Av **********
@Si **********
i see other people are saying different on this comment thread. All i can say is call as many embassies as possible to make sure u find out the right info. U dont want to end up with bad advice from some secretary. That happened to my friend :(
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Av Giuliano thanks that’s what I was looking for appreciate the reply.
Av **********
@Si **********
well. Actually i just went through this with someone else. They will let u back in if the thai child is with you. Also the child has to be a dependent so over 18 doesnt count either. If you have a child in thailand lots of people have been told by thai embassies to send them money and they will be fine and then to wait til the borders open up again. But call the local embassy.......and then call the head one in d.c. every embassy has been giving conflicting info
Si ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ********
having Thai kids I’m aloud in .But not sure if I can get in with my reentry visa.Ill try calling the Embassy I’m Offshore working at the minute and trying to contact them a joke.Cheers for the reply.
Steve *********
@Si **********
to refine my answer ... i said you're PROBABLY not allowed in. Being the dad of a Thai child gives you points ... but I think even with that, the numbers allowed in are very limited (200 foreigners a day maximum?).

Contact the embassy and stake your claim. Then hope.
Andrew *******
@Si **********
You obviously know you are allowed in if you are the parent of Thai nationals so what’s the point asking?
Bobby ********
Contact your home country embassy and they can tell you if you are eligible and the process for application. Retirement visa doesn't normally swing it, but if you have family, you can get a different visa
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