Can I book my flight and hotel before obtaining the 90-day visa to Thailand?

Sep 18, 2020
4 years ago
Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Another question! Can you just book the flight and hotel now or have you got to wait for that 90 visa first 😬
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The general consensus is to wait until official details about the new 90-day visa are released before booking any flights or hotels. Many users express that it's better to check with the embassy for the most current information and avoid wasting money on reservations that might need to be changed or canceled. There's uncertainty about which countries will be allowed entry and the specifics of quarantine requirements, making it prudent to wait for clarification.
Ivan ************
The existing system is repatriation flights arranged through embassy only and they have said with this new visa it will be very limited charter flights only. So likely the flight will be arranged through the embassy and you won't be able to book your own (which would likely be cancelled anyway).
Bobby ********
@Ivan ***********
. Is it coincidence that this super scheme is announced the day after the court gave Thai airways the go ahead to restructure and start flying again? Or am I just a cynic?
Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all
Linda ***********
If looking at new 90 day extendable Visa.. read carefully.. 14 day quarantine in Gov approved hotel & charter flights from list of counties. 🤔✈️
Baz **********
Depends which type of 90 day visa your applying for?
Shayne **********
I'm sure it will be ready next week! Easy peasy!

They are not letting long term retirement visa holders or long term education visas yet, so I suggest not holding your breath about this 90 days visa.
Bobby ********
@Shayne *********
. I think you're right. People may be reading too much into this. I think they'll be targetting Asian countries first
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Bobby *******
Mainly China. The moneyed class in China are looking for a safe country they can escape to when they churn out the next pandemic, a country that is close, relatively developed with a reliable health care system, stable political system, i.e.dictatorship and one where their money can influence upper level decision making.
Shayne **********
@Bobby *******
I know which country is close to the bottom of the list. The funny part is, it's 40 people per day! Chok dee!
Bobby ********
@Shayne *********
. It's 40/day average, but it'll be done on a weekly basis. Now I wonder where they will be coming from? Wow, look at this, what an amazing coincidence! 🤣🤣

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Michael ********
No dont waste your money wait till full details are issued and keep checking your local embassy website. There are loads of retirees who are ready to come in who are way ahead of you with info.
Michael ********
Yes they letting Aussies out that are married not sure if they would let someone out as tourist, who knows
Ivan ************
Worth noting with that list that while Australia is not letting its own citizens out for tourism purposes they are letting other people there out, and will let their own citizens out if they can show that are ordinarily resident outside Australia. People have been repatriating from Australia on that basis. So it would be meaningful if Australia is on the list of allowed countries. Realistically most people interested in this visa likely "live" or want to "live" here rather than just taking a holiday.
Ivan ************
Yes very likely, no reason that a retiree wouldn't be able to apply for this if they otherwise qualify. There's no indication they'll be "ahead" of anyone else though, this scheme is happening before anything they do for retirees and is most likely going to be restricted by origin point.

They have mentioned a few possible criteria, top 10 on the GCI recovery index, places that have not had local transmission in 28 days, notably they have talked about "cities" rather than just countries suggesting they may have in mind opening to certain specific parts of China if not the whole country. I think there will be a location component, particularly with the talk of the charter flights.
Michael ********
@Ivan ***********
only ahead in the planning lots waiting and know processes etc etc. When i came in i used farangs stranded abroad for assistance almost half that group are retirees. With limited numbers being ready and prepared is the key to fast entry. They probably already got that STV website saved and refreshing daily.
Ivan ************
@Mic****
right but they aren't "ahead" in any official way. Just following it more actively. So no reason that OP couldn't jump in and get this visa, if they happen to be in a place that will issue it.
Ivan ************
Agreed no point in booking anything yet until the details are released. This new tourist visa is going to happen before any retirees are allowed back. There's no indication that they'll have any priority, if I had to guess it's going to come down to the limited places this visa is made available in, if you are lucky enough to be somewhere it is allowed from you'll be able to apply for it whichever side of 50 you happen to be, meeting all the other requirements.
Michael ********
@Ivan ***********
i am guessing loads of the retirees especially the ones whose visas have expired will be applying for this if they dont open up to retirees yet. Theres quite a few stuck in places like Nz where they meet the requirements. Better in than out 😁
Kathy ****************
US Embassy in DC said they will not be issuing any at this time..
J ******************
Consider the fact it is still to come into law
Bobby ********
There's only certain countries being allowed in the "first wave". I understand China and Taiwan were mentioned, but not US or UK, as the virus is still out of control.
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Not South Korea.
Bobby ********
@Edward *******
. How about North Korea? 🤣
Scott **********
@Bobby *******
How about Vatican City? That should fix the Thai visitor problem for sure!😆
Bobby ********
@Scott *********
. Now that's innovative thinking!
Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah I get it, it's just ironic ain't it lol I've travelled around the country and it doesnt surprise me that desease come from and spreads easily there. Everyone else suffers and they are rewarded 🙈 I know everyones different but it's a bit annoying
Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
China hey, couldnt have happened to a more well deserving country
Bobby ********
@Hugh *******
. Yeah I agree, but the Chinese represent the largest numbers of tourists to Thailand, so they would be keen to get that link going again
Pensom ******
It’s best to check with the embassy first before you do anything
Daniel ************
maybe your country is not the Top 10 list for low infections 🙂🙃😉
Hugh ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The uk, definatly not lol
Darren *******
Might want to wait for actual details before throwing your money away
Daniel ************
well you might wait for the exact details first and that the embassies know how it works - after they got the info from MfA ....
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