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

Mark **********
asked Jan 28, 2021
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Is anyone here planning on leaving for Thailand from the UK concerned about the government announcement today that ALL non essential travel including holiday is banned with checks and policing being stepped up at departures.

No enforcement date or defined travel reason category has been announced yet.

I was planning to leave on a TR visa in March and convert to a retirement visit as once in Thailand to enable a long stay. I’m now worried about being denied boarding.

Anyone else in the same boat ?
Answer summary
Many UK expats are currently worried about the new government announcement banning all non-essential travel, including holidays. This situation affects upcoming travel plans to Thailand, particularly for those looking to enter on a TR visa in order to transition to a retirement visa. The discussion involves shared experiences and recommendations as travelers navigate this complex circumstance, citing the possibility of being denied boarding due to the current restrictions. Although there are uncertainties, travelers are being advised to stay informed about the situation as it evolves, particularly regarding essential travel definitions.
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Jonathan *******
Jonathan *******
To be fair, you all new about covid is almost a year now, thank god the government has now tightened regulations for UK...like Thailand did at the start....stop complaining and let's hope things get better..🙂
Jay ******
Jay ******
Thailand stopped people from flying in from the start, not from flying out
Rob ********
Rob ********
Your going on business ,
Ash ********
Ash ********
I'm in the same boat. I'm due to travel early March and I'm very concerned about getting out of UK.
Jon ********
Jon ********
The government saying you cant go on holiday this really is 1984
Paulus *********
Paulus *********
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.
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
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.
Terry ********
Terry ********
If Retirement is an acceptable reason to leave, get a 90 day single-entry O visa £60.
Mat ************
Mat ************
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.
Charlie *******
Charlie *******
@Mat ***********
good to know, thanks Mat 👍🏼
Mat ************
Mat ************
@Charlie ******
no probs
Mark **********
Mark **********
OP
@Mat ***********
thanks Mat for the informative update. Good luck 🤞
Mat ************
Mat ************
@Mark ******
same to you mate
Mat ************
Mat ************
@Mark ******
will do mark, I’ll post on here either way as I know there is probably a lot of people anxious about this
Mark **********
Mark **********
OP
@Mat ***********
thanks Mat, I’m due to fly a week after you. Please let me know how you get on.
Andy ******
Andy ******
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
Steve *******
Steve *******
Could be ok, Government talking yesterday about lifting the lockdown early March.
Jon ********
Jon ********
@Steve ******
now they have become clairvoyant, interesting
David ********
David ********
I'd be more worried about getting back into Britain.
Mark **********
Mark **********
OP
@David *****
Agreed, but in my case I’m not planning to return for the foreseeable future 😊
Steve *******
Steve *******
@David *****
Why? No one's banned.
David ********
David ********
@Steve ******
not yet, but soon they might just close the borders for returnees.
Steve *******
Steve *******
@David *****
UK have stated they wont ban their own citizens returning, just have to quarantine for 10 days if returning from a high risk country.
David ********
David ********
@Steve ******
Malaysia banned its own citizens from returning for a while last year. Australia also made it very difficult. I'm not talking just a Q.
Steve *******
Steve *******
@David *****
Not for returnees, they wont ban their own citizens. You'll probably have to do 10 days quarantine but no ban.
Roger *******
Roger *******
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😎😎
Roger *******
Roger *******
Wrong person ironically so sorry
Glen ******************
Glen ******************
Get to mexico where I am. there letting anyone in with no checks or covid test
Dale **********
Dale **********
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
Richard ******
Richard ******
Richard ******
Richard ******
My understanding is that if you have a COE you should be OK, try these groups, lots of info available.
Neil **********
Neil **********
im here in thailand, nothing is open and what is open isnt! and what will be wont be for a long time!
Martin *********
Martin *********
@Neil *********
don’t talk rubbish .. firstly you’re probably referring to Pattaya ? Not Thailand .. and even in Pattaya there are plenty of things ‘ open ‘ or once again your thinking about ‘just Pattaya and alcohol’ ?
Neil **********
Neil **********
@Martin ********
i dont drink alcohol! then what! i live here i know the truth hurts, sure there are things going on soi bua kao, but you tell me nobody is closing there businesses, Thais are standing in line waiting for free food, you tell me that is not happing! really!
Martin *********
Martin *********
@Neil *********
you said ‘ nothings open ‘ period .... myself I’m off for a nice peaceful day at Koh larn .. where everything is open ..
Neil **********
Neil **********
@Martin ********
forget it, have a good day!
Martin *********
Martin *********
@Neil *********
then what are you taking about ‘ everything closed ‘ aka ‘ nothing open ?
James **********
James **********
@Neil *********
saying nothing is open in Thailand is a slight exaggeration. What is not open that is ruining your stay there??
Arnold **********
Arnold **********
Don’t even think of going to Thailand,
Max ********
Max ********
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
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
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.
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
Lee Hunt agreed mate, ive found an asq hotel for £850. I've also had to pay for 5 months worth accommodation after asq also, required for the STV
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
Lee Hunt im getting all that ready just to stay safe, can't afford any slip ups, ive already hit 2 grand, and haven't even paid for my ASQ yet.
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
Lee Hunt I think its a scare tactic blown up by the media. and I think the people on here will fly out as normal over the coming days, and im sure we will see it on here. The news just now said "travellers must state a reason for travel", ive not seen my girlfriend in over a year, I think that qualifies over a lads holiday piss up.
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
@Jeff ********
well said Jeff totally agree with you however sense?😅😅
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
@Jeff ********
haha they should be waving us off at the airport, not locking us in, one less potential covid case for their records.
Mike *****
Mike *****
Just hand an envelope over to the cop,tell him it's a little bribe for Pritti Useless..
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
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.
David ******************
David ******************
Stephen Paget says it's fine, so when you get to the airport, just tell them Stephen Paget said it would be fine.
Stephen *******
Stephen *******
You all b fine just go for it!
Raff *********
Raff *********
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 .. 🤷🏽‍♀️
Karvin *******
Karvin *******
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
Karvin *******
Karvin *******
Just arrived Thailand. Literally no one asked me a single thing!
Mark **********
Mark **********
OP
@Karvin ******
👍👍👍good to hear, thanks for the feedback Karvin.
Dave ********
Dave ********
Good luck Karvin!
Mark **********
Mark **********
OP
@Karvin ******
please share your experience Karvin
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
@Karvin ******
all the best let us know how you get on Fingers crossed for you
Abby *********
Abby *********
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 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️
Tom ***********
Tom ***********
I actually think youll have a great chance of passing Abby if you have all of documents in place and proof that its not just a little fling holiday😊
Abby *********
Abby *********
@Tom **********
I feel like they’d just look at the word ‘tourist’ on the visa and turn you around, bit of a risk, will have to wait and see other people’s experiences i guess!
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
need to be geriatric
@Ab**
Jeff *********
Jeff *********
@Tom **********
still a risk though however hopefully restrictions will eased once the data shows cases are dropping If only they had done this a year ago we possibly wouldn't be where we are now and it's not hindsight just common sense
David ********
David ********
@Abby ********
pity, it could have been a way out.
Abby *********
Abby *********
@David *******
don’t think i meet any of the requirements for non o unfortunately
David ********
David ********
@Abby ********
for£60. You could do a non-o immigrant visa. Just got mine. Only taken 4 days to come. Would have better chance than a TR visa
Tom ***********
Tom ***********
Possibly. Or they may not even check you, as at the moment i am pretty sure its only random checks. Hopefully its just a scare tatic and isnt set up as like a must do as you exit😑

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