Do expats in Thailand need a COVID-19 vaccine to obtain a visa?

February 1, 2021
4 years ago
Baz ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys. Firstly I would like to thank everyone for comments and info.

I have a question about the vaccine. My friend in Upon told me at the weekend that falangs must have the vaccine to obtain their visa. Is there any truth in this? I've asked others and nobody has heard anything .

Cant see it myself
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around whether expats in Thailand are required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to obtain or renew their visas. Most comments indicate that currently, there is no official requirement for a vaccine for visa purposes, with some noting it may be a media speculation. However, there are suggestions that this could change in the future, as some believe vaccination may become necessary to travel or avoid quarantine. Updates and confirmed information may come from official channels.
Shelley ********
ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
If you don't see this in black and white on the embassy website then no need to fear people make up stuff just for the fun of it
Antoine *******
Starting May it will
Rob ******
Speaking to 10 people today who got it in the last 2 days , all young , no ill effects . If any die tonight I will let you know .
Ronald *********
I was talking to a 78 year old friend yesterday on my daily walk, he told me he suffered for about 20 hours with flu like symptoms after his vaccination.
Christ *******
I’m sure all the visa agents will soon be selling fake vaccination certificates for 30,000 baht
Ronald *********
@Chris ******
Seen on BBC news UK this morning, fake COVID negative result certificates in Europe being in sold for air travel.
Ադամ ********
Bob **********
There is no vaccine available yet in Thailand so I'd say no eventually you might be able to avoid quarantine if you had the vaccine
Christ *******
@Bob *********
not sure that would be wise, when you can still be infected and carry the virus

after having the vaccination
Bob **********
@Chris ******
yes but Thailand is working on a plan to let vaccinated people from the US and EU in with special passports and no quarantine but it's months away
Rob ******
@Bob *********
Not months away its all depends on the europe and Thai summers .

If its bad its long time , if its good its june . :-)

The generals and families have run out of money .
Bob **********
@Rob *****
will see
Rob ******
@Bob *********
There is no way in the future you will travel to any country without having to have a vaccine , I imagine . The big pharma have not spent all

This time and effort NOT to get countries to use it .
Peter *********
NO
Sree *******
Not true but probably applies to UK because of that strain they carry 😆😆
Ronald *********
Medics saying today on BBC UK,, you can't make people take the vaccination if they don't want it.
Rob ******
I am not advising anyone under 60 to have it except for community herd value , and get the chinese one if you can , its the weakest for the side effects , while still good results .
Oliver ********
same applies to most virus control regulations in the uk. look how that worked out.
Lynnette *******
I want my vaccination on my card. My others are. It helps to know what your vaccinated for. I get my Pfizer vaccination next Monday( in uk). I'm so glad it'll reduce my risk of dying or being seriously ill whilst so many infected people are out in the community. Then maybe I can get back to Thailand.
Nigel *********
@Lynnette ******
,there have been some very bad reactions to the Pfizer jab reported in Norway, so for me I am over 60 and have no underlying problems, so I will only take if I have too and then will be very unhappy at being forced to take it. 95% of people have NO or very little reaction to the disease.

So think carefully, if you have underlying problems, take it, if not !! It should be up to you ??
Lynnette *******
@Nigel ********
people my age don't have a good survival rate. 95% of people have no reaction? So 5% of the rest can die, that's hundreds of thousands of people. . many fit, healthy, under 60s too. Me, my family, my friends would rather not be considered disposable.

FYI Millions of people vaccinated with no problems at all. Yes, a few extremely old people with serious underlying health conditions in a care home had an adverse reaction. It's a rare thing.
Christ *******
@Lynnette ******
my partners 23 year old nice is a nurse, she’s very healthy and after receiving the vaccination became very poorly.. maybe it’s not a rare thing, all depends on what we read in the news
Lynnette *******
@Chris ******
I didnt get my information from the news. I prefer reliable sources. It is rare to have side effects, your neice is one of those very few who have. Millions vaccinated, few reactions opposed to millions dead. . and 1000 dying every 24 hours in one country alone!
Ronald *********
@Lynnette ******
I have been contacted for my vaccination, just waiting now for the date.

I will take my international card and ask for it to be stamped.

Where in the UK, are you being vaccinated ?
Lynnette *******
@Ronald ********
I'll take my vaccination card with me too. So important.
Ronald *********
@Lynnette ******
I've had a call today from my doctor's surgery for vaccination tomorrow, they told me I will be given a card for confirmation of vaccination.
Lynnette *******
@Ronald ********
I'm in cornwall. Going to Bodmin for it.
Ronald *********
That is providing they can get a supply I imagine, this is proving to be a problem for European countries.
Peter ***************
@Ronald ********
nope

But you can refuse people who might be a potential threat
Todd *********
@Ron***
that is true. But airlines and cruise ships can deny boarding. And nations can deny entry. The ‘choice’ is yours
Ronald *********
@Todd ********
The vaccination programmes are limited to older and vulnerable people, many younger and middle aged people will not be vaccinated.

This applies to all countries, to stop these people holidaying will cost the tourist industry too much to implement no vaccination no travel policy
Maggie **********
@Ronald ********
here in europe vaccinations are for all - oldest first down to children here in spain
Todd *********
@Ron***
the vaccination programmes priorities vulnerable citizens and front line workers. ALL people will have the opportunity to be vaccinated in the next 12-24 months. The tourist would love to be fully open tomorrow. But govts will choose to protect their citizens as they are doing now. ‘Travel’ as we knew it, is over. And eventually, proof of immunization will be a requirement to enter many nations
Dave *******
@Todd ********
yes for many decades individuals from African nations have had to prove they're free from Yellow Fever and carry documents as proof for example. A lot of all this moaning about vaccination and conspiracy theories seem to come from the usual mob of Alf Garnet little Englanders. Irony is they would be the first to be banging on about Brexit ie protecting 'our' boarders and keeping 'bloody foreigners' out with their germs..... Yet because they are the foreigners in Thailand and can't at this present time get their short time jollies at the bars they think they can swagger around like old colonial masters expecting to get their own way 🤔
Ronald *********
@Todd ********
I have an international card I had stamped by the medic, everytime I had my vaccination for my work in various countries including Thailand.

But the millions public receiving the COVID vaccination have only their word if asked the question.

The logistics for everyone to prove to travel, will be huge.
Todd *********
@Ron***
absolutely. It’s not just the actual act of acquiring, storing, transporting, ensuring staff, and administration of the vaccine... it’s useless really if it is not recorded in a way that is accessible from anywhere. We can surmise there will and international standard ‘app for that’ I think. But hoping for this to be complete by end 2022 would seem optimistic. A few countries will get it done faster... but it really won’t matter until global herd immunity is achieved
Gordon *********
Heard when you apply for your yearly Visa you have to have the vacsine 6500 baht don't know
Loretta *******
All I have to say is...we are in Thailand....I suppose Thai will be vaccinated before farang....only right!....
Peter ***************
@Loretta ******
I have a lot of vaccines over the years

And I wasn’t asked for them till now

Reality is that

When you do get asked

And you don’t have them

They might send you back where you came from
Janin ******
No need!
David **********
Not the case. ... yet!

The official story as of now that the there is not enough vaccine to go around so they are selectively giving it out.

Thai folks first.
Ulrik *************
Correct information will be found at Your embassy.
Bobby ********
Ulrik Hammarström. I think the question relates to visa extension inside Thailand, so it's not an embassy matter
David *********
There is no truth to this requirement. In the news it said that to renew your visa you would need a negative test. Wait and see.
Alan *********
@David ********
that was retracted the next day.
Ron ******************
No vaccination needed yet. The vaccine will howevet not change the fact that you will still go through 14 days isolation. The vaccine will protect you from getting sick but will not prevent you from infecting others. They may change the 14 days to 10 days for those who has been vaccinated, but that is in the future.
Peter ***************
@Ron *****************
so I think

I will go Thailand at the end of the year

And stay there for about a year 🤗
Ron ******************
@Peter **************
I think this will be the future of travelling for the next few years. Less travelling and longer stays. I can only see that normality will return when they develop medicines that can effectively treat CV 19. With the virus mutating fast, the vaccines will just be a gap filler untill then.
Andy ********
@Ron *****************
I suspect that what you describe will be part of the new normal.
Ron ******************
@Andy *******
unfortunately yes. But there is no need for it in the longterm. If the same amount of money is spend on finding a cure as what has been spend on vaccines we can have a cure very quickly. As soon as there is a cure CV 19 will become just another disease and the fear will disappear.
James ***************
@Ron *****************
viruses cannot be cured but can be contained with vaccinations
Ken ********
@Ron *****************
small pox took a 150 years to eradicate
Ron ******************
Mike *********
Not at present I believe. But trust me it’s coming. I don’t think that you will be able to fly without a vaccination certificate the way it’s going. It’s already a requirement to fly with Quantas. Cheers
Ադամ ********
Where asap can I get the two dose Pfizer covid-19 vaccination in Chiang Mai? My insurance will cover.
Mike *********
@Adam *******
Not wishing to start a conspiracy thread, but I’d rather have the Oxford type vaccine rather than the MRNA type which is new science. That’s my recommendation if you feel the need. Reports seem to indicate less after effects. Cheers
Ադամ ********
@Mike ********
I'm not at all concerned about side effects, Whatever is approved by Japan is fine.
Mike *********
Obviously a responsible company. Nice to hear some get it right.

I can see a whole load of grief coming up shortly for travellers. What happens if you can’t have the. Vaccine because of allergy problems? Like me...... I’m just waiting for the poo hit the pat lom. Cheers
Ադամ ********
@Mike ********
My airline CEO wants it mandatory for all employees.
Mike *********
@Adam *******
That’s probably against human rights but you can see the logic. So if he makes that a ruling, it’s only a small step to mandating it for passengers, on the grounds of protecting his staff and passengers from each other. And also escaping any liability which is probably at the root of his thinking. Cheers
Andy ********
@Mike ********
this is a very interesting situation. Before I retired I worked for a big multinational and was lucky enough to be able to travel with them. It was company policy to ensure that your vaccines were kept up to date. They also had a travel clinic that you could go during your working day and consult with the nurse on the right vaccinations you might need to go on holiday. It was a great thing to have and it saved you picking up any nasty illnesses on your holidays. I remember when I first came to SE Asia they even issued malaria tablets.
Steve *********
@Mike ********
Since when did Thailand worry about Human Rights
Mike *********
@Steve ********
Thailand doesn’t at the moment,but we are talking about airlines requiring it not the country.

However you know how Thai’s like to make up rules just to piss off falangs. !!!

They’re well practiced in the art. Cheers mate
Steve *********
Ադամ ********
@Mike ********
Not in a US corporation they are saying it can be mandated. Nothing can be done about foreign governments health and documentation requirements for crews entry.
Peter ***************
I’m a seafarer

And although

It’s said that we will have our vaccination earlier

We still have to wait

So I guess

They can’t force you to be vaccinated

Cause no country in the world,has enough vaccines
Ադամ ********
@Peter **************
And that’s why not now. Eventually covid-19 vaccination will be will be required to enter Thailand.
Peter ***************
@Adam *******
yes

Eventually

Till than ,we will test

Sad but true
Nico *********
No,i just renovated my retirement visa and no need covid test
Robert **********
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
"Nobody has heard anything....." Well I am sure if you ask enough people some idiot will say something you want to hear.
Darren *********
Your friend in ‘Upon’ is trippin’
Steve *********
Never listen to "I heard that" or "someone said" ... if it happens, it'll be officially announced. Until that time - it's just a rumour.
Andy ********
@Steve ********
one of the strengths of this group is to be able to fact check these rumours. This one appears to have had a little substance to it originally. A minister did say it but the statement was retracted within 24 hours. Also at least one of the hospital chains is trying to link a COVID-19 test to the Work Permit.
Joshua *********
If its not a requirement already I am sure they will enforce it Eventually for every country
Ադամ ********
Covid-19 testing was mooted. Where would Falungs get the jabs now anyway?
Ադամ ********
I mean here in Thailand for extensions
Deco *********
@Adam *******
... The Jabs are on going everyday here in the UK..... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏
Paul *******
@Deco ********
And 600,000 done in one day 😁 long time since the uk was leading in the world with the vaccination 💉 roll out
Russell ********
@Paul ******
If the Communist Party get loads of seats in the next general elections then we’ll know the conspiracy theorists were right!😬
Deco *********
@Paul ******
for sure indeed, hopefully we'll all be done soon..... Needing a vacation ASAP 😂🙏
Pat *****
@Adam *******
ask the 7 million
Baz ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adam *******
I was told in the hospital and or course you have to pay
David ******************
Only if you come from a virus ridden country like England. We're all riddled with it here. It's like one big leper colony.
Jaye ********
Paulus *********
No
Bim *******
No it's not true
Stuart *********
There was some reports that a government official said this but it’s just media speculation at the moment. Perhaps in the future but not yet.
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