What are the current travel concerns for UK expats planning to leave for Thailand given the latest government restrictions?

Your going on business ,

I'm in the same boat. I'm due to travel early March and I'm very concerned about getting out of UK.

The government saying you cant go on holiday this really is 1984

Am in exactly the same position as you although I haven’t booked anything yet. Was going to go out on non o in mid March then go for retirement when there.

Am not sure that would be evidence enough for whoever checks docs.

If anyone gets checked let us know the results.

Govt say no "leisure travel" whether domestic or international. So that sounds like a traditional holiday break somewhere. I would think travelling overseas for a 6 week stay in thailand with hope for extending or visiting a partner, family, friends, isn't really "leisure" travel.

If Retirement is an acceptable reason to leave, get a 90 day single-entry O visa £60.

I’m in a similar situation, I spoke with Emirates last night on what kind of proof they need me to provide as to my travel being essential and they said at the moment nothing. But they did say check nearer the time incase of any changes, I fly March 18th.

I don’t think they could stop you leaving the Uk. The issue will be coming back!! It would not look good for the Uk if you go to a destination with low numbers of Covid-19

Could be ok, Government talking yesterday about lifting the lockdown early March.

I'd be more worried about getting back into Britain.

Hi mate, great to see your post and I really hope you’ll be ok, you are obviously on top of this a lot more than me being in the uk, there must be ways of finding out for definite by talking to your airline, they of all people should know, and when it starts/ends, it sounds like another scare mongering tactic, if you have everything in place on entering Thailand I’m sure you’ll be ok, the uk government don’t know there arse from their elbow, but let me know your plans and how you get on?? look forward to seeing you anyway when you get here😎😎

Get to mexico where I am. there letting anyone in with no checks or covid test

I traveled on xmas eve did my quarantine over xmas day and new year it was still worth it because im with my family now.. if your travels are for leisure there are plenty of things still open in bangkok .. risk free if u ask me .. get a certificate of entry from embassy and you can fly just make sure u have a valid reason for your journey

My understanding is that if you have a COE you should be OK, try these groups, lots of info available.

im here in thailand, nothing is open and what is open isnt! and what will be wont be for a long time!

Don’t even think of going to Thailand,

International Essential travel is considered to be the same as domestic essential travel, so that would include work, medical reason, education, visiting someone who is dying, so I tourism or retirement wouldnt count, but if you travelling in march rules on essential travel only could be lifted by then

I wouldn't worry yet. I've heard all sorts of crap today which includes being interrogated by check in staff, and filling out government forms online, nobody knows anything yet, and rules constantly change. I imagine Boris' plan to slowly reopen end of Feb will bring us back into the tiered system which will relax travel to some extent. Right now, you have an advantage because there are members of groups like this travelling before you, just keep an eye out for their experiences on here. Also, travelling for a long stay trip to Thailand is different to a week in Tenerife, so they should leave long haulers/long stayers alone if they had any sense.

Just hand an envelope over to the cop,tell him it's a little bribe for Pritti Useless..

If you're flying out on tr visa and applying to change to retirement, that's not a holiday. Just tell them you're starting a new life.

Stephen Paget says it's fine, so when you get to the airport, just tell them Stephen Paget said it would be fine.

You all b fine just go for it!

I have done exactly that . TR IN March then retirement visa once I arrive . All my paperwork is done visa approved.

Just have to wait the next few days and see what actually happens at airports .. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I’m flying tomorrow(/21). Anyone having this dilemma 😭

Update: /21. Arrived at my asq

Literally no one asked me a single question about why im travelling to thailand. Butt i overheard a lady who said they interrogated people the day before we all traveled (i.e on /21). I really think its just who you get in the check-in

Me too, wanted to fly around 21st march, haven’t booked anything yet so i guess i’ll wait for second announcement mid feb and see what they say then. Very frustrating as i plan to get STV and stay for 9 months so it’s not like i’m planning a 2 week holiday but i suppose they won’t consider any of that when handing out fines 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️