Answered6 years ago
What are my options for returning to Thailand as a retirement visa holder while stranded in the UK?
Hi . I normally live in Thailand I’m 74years old left Thailand March 15th to come to the UK on business an now find myself unable to return because of COVID my flight was cancelled witch I still have held over I have an apartment (rented) witch I’m still paying for. a car .money in the bank (plenty) retirement visa untill March. ( a lady with two children dependent)what’s my best avenue Thanks for any help,,
Answer summary
The user, a 74-year-old expat holding a retirement visa, is stranded in the UK due to a cancelled flight amid COVID-19 and seeks advice on returning to Thailand. Key points from the discussion include the importance of having a marriage certificate or proving dependent relationships for re-entry, the mention of potential flights reopening for long-stay visitors, and recommendations to contact the Thai embassy for personalized support and information about upcoming changes in travel rules.
95 repliesnewest first
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Nils *****************
To rent a private jet GULFSTREAM will cost you around £ 5000-6500 1 hour LHR -BKK 10 h
Patrick ************
*****************************************************************************
*****
53-pm-foreign-tourists-not-welcome-yet/
Jaye ********
All you need to do is get a work contract which I imagine removes any of the problems that comes with returning using the obvious methods. People come all the time to work in gyms, schools and god knows what else. Maybe apply for a medical Visa e.t.c. it's way way less complicated.
Clint *********
Shop local! Thinking of you old mate! I’m in the same boat! It’s sad. Covid has ruined many long distance relationships!
Take care!!
Take care!!
Brian **********
Crap service
Jake *******
Following. Also, wishing you all the luck
Bertrand ********
Wait little, they might do an announcement for a reopening in October, you should be able to come back then
Kool *******
Go to the Thai embassy, do not call, and take the birth certificates of your kids, if they list you as the father, plenty of pictures of you with your family in different locations. The embassy does understand that lots of retired persons, on a retirement visa extension also have a family, and choose to stay on the retirement visa instead of changing to a marriage/dependent visa extension. If you can convince them in person that you do in fact have dependents that depend on you, they can make exceptions in giving you a certificate of entry, as long as you meet the requirements to get the COE. I do know people coming back from London that did this same thing at the end of June. But, you must go to the embassy personally and explain the situation to a supervisor that has the ability to make exceptions.
Camila *******
@Kool ******
a totally agree.Nils *****************
Check with the thai embassy and Eva airways, qatar airways swiss ,austrian Airlines and Lufthansa
John ****************
@Nils ****************
& Air France
Martin *********
Try asking the Thai embassy in London. They might have a idea.
Hugh ********
You can go to phuket in october, quarantine for 2 weeks to go around Phuket or quarantine a further week. 3 weeks in total and then you can go anywhere in Thailand mate.
Hugh ********
Must not complain, government watching 😬 I will say that's it's probably to late now anyway. Not enough time to sort it out
Wanda ****************
@Hugh *******
yes but still under approval 😒John ****************
@Wanda ***************
YES - today is 3 September and it is NOT YET APPROVED...
Jochen *********
The new restriction is actually for a minimum of 30 days anyway
John ****************
@Jochen ******
WRONGJohn ****************
@Jochen ******
not - NO FINAL DECISION... proposal is for longer term VISA holdersJohn ****************
Hugh Kirtonaybe - ths plan was publicized BEFORE it was approved - it is TENTATIVE at best - not yet final - stay posted...
Martin *********
@Hugh *******
really. So you can arrive on a 30 day a arival stamp then just stay on your retirement visa. During the restrictions on entering Thailand. John ****************
@Martin ********
no, though details are NOT FINAL U may need a longer term entry VISA - check with the nearest Thai EmbassyCamila *******
Privet jet from Camboja
John ****************
David Broadfoot Wrong: First they were closed for COVOD-19 ;ike Thailand & other SEA countries. THEN: they said "OPEN" IF arrivall has a recent COVID test PLUS health insurance proof of $50,000 med coverage & must specify inclusion of COVID-19. PLUS 14 day quarantine on arrival. This was for 6 coutries only [4 in the EU + USA + IRAN (?)]. THEN later: they ADDED the CASH DOWN (escrow) of $3,000 [pays for nasal swab on arrival & quarantine hotel costs, etc.]. THEN LATER STILL: they shut down again!!!!! We have heard NOTHING NEW SINCE !!! [Note exception of private jet travel comment from David above]
Les ********
How expensive was this and surely the Thai Airport authorities were waiting for you....
Camila *******
@Les *******
send me PMCamila *******
@Les *******
it will depend on how many passengers you get to share the flight, we got the maximum allowed 6 people with 15 kilos of luggage at most, and yes the immigration will wait for you on the runway, however everything must be coordinated with the Thai embassy in the country that you areCamila *******
because some times people here is very judge, and I don’t want to be annoying by them !
But let’s start the noise 😂!
It is US 14.000,00 for 6 people.
But let’s start the noise 😂!
It is US 14.000,00 for 6 people.
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Camila ******
Why won’t you post how much it cost for six people?Camila *******
Camila *******
As soon as you land MJet get you to vip área and from there 45 minutes by private jet to Thailand.
John ****************
@Camila ******
Cambodia is closedCamila *******
@John *******
yes but if you take a private jet you can do it ! I just arrived yesterday Camila *******
@Martin ********
I just arrived yesterday it’s very easy and not as expensive as people think if you find 6 people to share with you. I my case was a must do it ! So I did . 
Eric *********
Use the Phuket route
Michael ********
You asked same question before and got same answers.
Join farangs stranded abroad group lots of people in same situation. The group helped me and I am back but i am legally married
Join farangs stranded abroad group lots of people in same situation. The group helped me and I am back but i am legally married
Martin *********
@Michael *******
or even ask the Thai embassy .Michael ********
@Martin ********
Yep thats what i did and i am in the country not asking people who are stuck in the country. Guessing he doesnt qualify the lady he mentions is not his legally married spouse. The kids he mentions are not his biogical children. In which case his only choice is to wait or buy an elite visa. The answers still remain the same.Michael ********
@Martin ********
i had to get a letter from my wife written in Thai saying why i needed to come back. There was however no follow up phone call etc to her to back that up. So anybody could have written it in reality not saying should be done. But sometimes things need to be doneMartin *********
@Michael *******
if you have a Thai wife and can prove it. Will they need her permission or ask her about you. As I have all the documents but not seen my wife for 15 years . Lol. 
Tom ********
There must be hundreds of us in the same boat, I feel your pain
Michael ********
@Tom *******
thousands go to farangs stranded abroad.
Oliver ********
if you are married or either of those two children are yours, you can apply for a certificate of entry now. otherwise you need to wait until they announce more details about the new quarantine scheme in phuket. the government suggested retirement visa holders will qualify and the uk was mentioned as one of 6 countries from which arrivals will be allowed. good luck.
Neo *****
according to the recent reports.maybe you can return Thailand on Oct
Patrick ************
@Neo ****
no they only talk about a pilot to let longstay visitors to Phuket but only from country where no covid is for more than 30 days . And also that is not sure , for sure I’d that uk a to high level covid cases have they not let them in Neo *****
@Patrick ***********
it's said that Phuket will reopen to the European retireman in this winterNeo *****
@Patrick ***********
yeah .so I say the slogan may be welcome to Thailand to enjoy your 14 days quarantine holidayPatrick ************
@Neo ****
that not proved to government yet its only idea beside of that the plan is for just 200-500 people And First 2 weeks quarantine governement style so no freedom no alcohol no smoke only 2 weeks in 1 room And catering food cost *****
-*****
0 thb. After u may stay in Phuket And after1 month u alowed to travel .. And all of this only And alone when u accept that u get a gps tracker and u need to use 24 hours a day 
Darren *******
@Patrick ***********
to show the massive contradictions...UK was one of the 6 countries pencilled in for the "Phuket Model"...whether it will still be for those 6 countries is anyone's guess
Dianne *****
@Patrick ***********
Australians are not permitted to leave Australia in 2020. some speculation that Australians will be able to travel internationally again after March, or maybe July 2021Darren *******
@Patrick ***********
I saw Australia and NZ for mid-September, others for October. As you said, tomorrow could be completely differentPatrick ************
@Darren ******
for now is only Australia and new zeeland they talk but everybody have to wait because Tommorrow can be different again 
Chris *******
Do you have a marriage certificate?
Or
Are the 2 dependents listed as your children ?
Either one will get you in
I believe
Or
Are the 2 dependents listed as your children ?
Either one will get you in
I believe
Brahim ******
No marriage certificate means no coming back anytime soon.
Alwyne ********
Mate tell some that cares
Alwyne ********
@Frank *****
look what your name is fuck headAlwyne ********
@Janos *********
and what county u come fromAlwyne ********
@Ben **********
yes u play with you dick fuck off
Ben ***********
@Alwyne *******
get back in your wheel chair grandad Alwyne ********
@Ben **********
mate you not know shit from clay many Australian give you life now u fucking upBen ***********
@Alwyne *******
can you repeat that in English 😬 not Aussie bush mongaloid talkAlwyne ********
@Ben **********
not me mate. May be you laser bussted
Shelley ********
@Ben **********
thats something worth bragging about. 
Janos **********
Shelley ********
I can't believe how people talk to each other. Hideous examples of men.
Ben ***********
@Alwyne *******
won’t be long before the wrinkly old fart will be pissing the bed in a nursing home waiting for “someone who cares “ to come and wipe his arse 
James **************
@Ben **********
a perfect job you then
Frank ******
@Alwyne *******
SHITHEAD
Gordy *****
What an unhelpful clown 🤡
Andrew-Clifford ********
@Alwyne *******
🔔 end 
Paul *******
What a complete melt!
Ian *********
@Alwyne *******
Whats the point in a response like that. Why not take a bit of your own advice..
Jamie ********
@Ian ********
ha ha ha what a prick !
Alan *******
@Ian ********
well said, what a fucken imbecile
Alan *********
Unless you have a marriage certificate your stuffed mate.
John *********
You can do a repriation flight thru Thai embassy.
Steven ****************
they only do one flight a month
@Andrew *******
? Any idea how many are trying to come back from UK on repat flights? just curious เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Steven ***************
One Post noted 3300 thais are trying to repatriate from UK
Alan ******
@Steven ***************
, from the UK , 3 flights per month , only 50 seats for westerners, rest for thai. That what is was , 2 weeks ago, don't know how many more thais are stuck here. Goodluck it's a bit of a scramble .😥😥Alan ******
@Andrew *******
, sorry mate I thought he was on about flying back to the uk. I know flying into Thailand is alot of hag, just got my thai lady back to Thailand 2 weeks ago , she's just done her 15 days quarantine. 
Andrew ********
@Alan *****
You cant get on a flight without the Embassy issuing a certificate and an approved quarantine hotel booked and paid for as it stand right now. Airlines say the will fly in next month BUT the same rules apply you still need to go through the embassy to get the certification from them also a fitness to fly cert and a negitive covid test less than 72 hours old. Believe me if I could catch a flight I would .Alan ******
@Steven ***************
, from I keep.getting told flights are coming back here every week , don't think you need a repate flight for that mate. Steven ****************
@Alan *****
I'm in Thai now, was just curious as to how many people are trying to get back in. Andrew ********
You can try the repatriation flight, my second month application today and all seats booked for September within 15 min of opening this morning. Better luck next month I guess.
Steve *********
@Andrew *******
make sure that they know you're flexible and will be available for a last minute cancellation. I've heard of a few people getting a call "can you be in frankfurt tomorrow?"
Robert ******************
@Andrew *******
ok thanks 🙏 Andrew ********
@Robert *****************
all depends on hotels price range from about 30k to 250k mine is 35k on Sukhumvit. Get in early if you want low cost. The list of acceptable hotels is on the Thai embassy sites.Robert ******************
@Andrew *******
if you don’t mind me asking how much is the quarantine hotel cost in Baht I have a flight booked for 1st January 2021 and I’m pretty sure I’ll be quarantined in Bangkok for 2 weeks thanks 🙏 Andrew ********
@Steve ********
Not a problem Quarantine hotel booked and paid for. Activity
47 joined47
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