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What are the frustrations faced by expats applying for Thai visas during the pandemic?
Thai Visa ApplicationVisa Process IssuesBureaucracy in ThailandVisa TypesTravel RestrictionsEmbassy AppointmentsForeigners in ThailandCOVID-19 Impact on Travel
Oct 18, 2021
5 years ago
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTEREverything that is wrong in Thailand in one picture.
Want to apply for a visa in the RTE Berlin. Sure. BUT:
-> In person only.
-> By appointment only.
-> All appointments fully booked until 22 December 2021.
I am so sick of this inefficient, slow over-bureaucratic crap! Common people desperately wait for return of foreign spenders. But civil servants cannot even be bothered to issue visa. 🤬
Want to apply for a visa in the RTE Berlin. Sure. BUT:
-> In person only.
-> By appointment only.
-> All appointments fully booked until 22 December 2021.
I am so sick of this inefficient, slow over-bureaucratic crap! Common people desperately wait for return of foreign spenders. But civil servants cannot even be bothered to issue visa. 🤬
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the frustrations experienced by an individual trying to apply for a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin. They express annoyance at the bureaucratic inefficiencies, including mandatory in-person appointments that are fully booked until December 2021. Comments from other users highlight similar difficulties with the visa application process across various embassies, the lack of e-visa options, and a general sentiment of discouragement regarding travel to Thailand during the pandemic.
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Gregg *************
Stay home mate or go to central south or Latin America
Adnan *******
Most embassies are the same around the world. Ask those applying for UK visas, waiting for 5 months at times.
Ronald *****
The problem is with the people working at the embassy, not the country Thailand. Don't mix up!
Wilmont ******
@Ronald ****
Agreed. It’s each Embassy’s own operating conditions.Michael ********
@Ronald ****
read here the bit about singapore embassy *************************************************************************
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4/Michael ********
@Ronald ****
People at embassy work for the Goverment of ThailandRonald *****
@Michael *******
I dunno what's wrong with the Thai staff over at your side, from my own experience in Singapore, I've never had any problem with the visa application here. The Thai embassy efficiency in Singapore is very good or can say is excellent.Pascal ********
@Ronald ****
Also depend on the approach to the Thai as we all know it. some act like buffalo's to the staff and their file goes down to the pile of it. If show respect and courtesy always never have any problem ;) Michael ********
@Ronald ****
unless you get the dragon lady she is notoriousMichael ********
@Ronald ****
Uhm yes and no in SingaporeReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Marc ***********
It can be done via post at the Frankfurt embassy
Thomas ********
@Marc **********
do you know how much time it will take approx?Marc ***********
@Thomas *******
they say 4 weeks on the website but I haven't done it myself yetReply to
Marc ***********
Reply
Lisa ********************
That's a Berlin problem not a Thai problem. London RTE, all applications are done online. E- visa. Quick too.
Brian *********
This is the reason im staying put in the uk ,im sick of their stupidity, being double jabbed dont mean anything, grrrrrrr makes me so fucking angry
Lisa ********************
@Brian ********
proposed after November 1st, only one night quarantine, pending result of PCR test on arrival . Only for fully vaccinated Brian *********
@Lisa *******************
no thanks ,quarantine is a piss take even for 1 nightLisa ********************
@Br***
I really enjoyed my last quarantine and that was 14 nights. Reply to
Lisa ********************
Reply
Bobby ********
Brian Roberts. It is what it is, but there's thousands of foreigners coming to Thailand and the numbers are increasing, and will increase moreso in the coming months now restrictions are being gradually relaxed. But being double-jabbed does already allow quarantine-free entry through sandbox, so your assertion is not quite correct. Hopefully within the next month there will be further relaxation for double jabbed. Patience is the key
Brian *********
@Bobby *******
iv also just had the booster ,thanks for the reply ive been a long stayer for the last 20 years but im not prepared to go through all the loopholes and paperwork to get back at this time ,also if another variant appears what happens then ,its too much of a gamble ate the moment Bobby ********
Brian Roberts. I agree it's a pain in the backside, and I'm certainly happy I chose to stay at the beginning of covid, so I've not had to experience any of the obstacles that others have. I do really believe (call me a fool) that come January 2022, all this entry carry-on will be almost erased. The COE is now almost irrelevant, and why vaxxed people still require covid insurance is beyond me. If the Thai authorities want to carry a rapid test (at no charge) on entry this should suffice for the vaxxed. Sandbox has shown very very few actually test positive. And that should be it. No more friggin tests days later, no more checking in at the SHA hotel. Let people get out and spend money, that's what the economy needs. I'm sure we'll live with covid now, we have to. Hang in there, it'll happen!
Reply to
Bobby ********
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Oliver ********
how easy is it for Thai nationals to visit Germany for a holiday?
Bobby ********
Oliver O'Dell. It's not easy at all. Nor for Australia and UK. I think there's a general consensus that Thailand is desperate for tourists, whereas these other countries are not.
Oliver ********
@Bobby *******
there's definitely a consensus among the foreigners who want to visit Thailand (and their Thai friends) but most Thais I know are still pretty worried about the virus (which makes sense with tens of millions of Thais still not fully vaccinated and hundreds dying with Covid every week).Bobby ********
Oliver O'Dell. I completely agree with you on that one. The small towns and villages out east do not want visitors at all, and the village heads are exercising their authority in keeping arrivals under home quarantine for 14 days in many cases. Tourism does not impact on a huge percentage of the population, and outside of the main tourist areas, the effect is minimal. This may have a lot to do with the government's stance on still limiting entry and attempting to confine arrivals to the sandbox areas.
Reply to
Bobby ********
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Matt *********
I secons your feeling mate ! Unfortunately, those folks are still ruled by kings and whatnot ...
Janne ***********
what happened to the 27sep date when e-visas wereto start?
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Janne **********
On that date, the few countries that used the e-visa platform (for making appointments / pre-uploading required documents) already switched to full stickerless visa system. So the lucky people in those countries do no longer have to go anywhere in person or have to send their passport in. In Germany (and other countries) however, nothing changed, and they continue not using this platform and continue doing it 1980ies style with weird paper forms and sending in tons of paper documents and what not.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Colin *********
Why no use Frankfurt embassy. Send ur passport and documents with post.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin ********
Did. Waiting for weeks now. Guess cause that is what everybody is doing - as it is the only viable option left now.Christian **********
@Abel ********
how long are you waiting already to get your Passport back ? Thinking about to do that too. Man I stay 20 min from the embassy Frankfurt away 😕. But I don't want to wait a month or more. Maybe I just fly without visa and hope for another visa extension. But if not all the shit starts again. Reply to
Christian **********
Reply
Mikael *********
Embassies are the worst. Avoid them if you can! If not, go there in person and insist, with persistence.
Mikael *********
Ahh. I see. I went through all the embassy hassle back in feb to get an STV for 9 months stay. But still I was able to come in person at the embassy. So I guess now it’s because of christmas times..
Mikael *********
Yea it makes no sense, but it's just the way embassies like to operate. They like to do things the old way. In person, a lot of physical paperwork and cash only, to increase the chance of spread 🤷♂️ Just have to go with the flow and do it the way they want. Also, regular people on holiday still need to submit CoE so they need to process all those CoE applications and do paperwork, so maybe that's what's clogging up their pipes...
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mikael ********
Hm. German citizens can travel visa exempt up to 30 days (+ more 30 days). So, regular people on holiday should not be the cause here. No, the system is the problem here. In person only? Why (during pandemic times)? Why not send in by mail? Why not use the E-Visa system (like it is already used in France, UK, Denmark and many more countries? Why have they stopped allowing honorary consulates to issue visa earlier this year (reducing the available consulates for visa down. Like usual, no sense in all of that.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Mikael *********
You can still extend visa exemption to a total of 60 days, no?
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mikael ********
Yes. And last year, following that, I could extend further with COVID extensions, again and again and spent a total of 6 months. But this time, I wanted to get an ordinary visa and go by the book. Big mistake I won't make again.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mikael ********
If only one could avoid them. If only visa exemption would cover a much longer time span than just 30 days. Happy to pay cash on entry.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Joseph *********
Stay home?
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Joseph ********
Kiss my ass?Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Jamie ******
Get the hint. They don't want you " Big spenders"
🤑💃
🤑💃
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jamie *****
They should say so, then. Would safe all involved parties time and energy. I guess.Jamie ******
@Abel ********
it's not the Thai way. No! Is not really used in Thai. Reply to
Jamie ******
Reply
Pascal ********
If already not so happy with Thailand why do you want to come??
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pascal *******
Love the country. Love most of the people. Have many (Thai and foreign) friends there. Have a girlfriend there. Hate the stupidity, corruption and inefficiency when it comes to Thai bureaucracy - and so do many Thai people. More questions?Pascal ********
@Abel ********
There is no idealistic country but if you decide to come here, have a bit of respect for the country, if not maybe stay home where ever you areAbel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pascal *******
Respect is a two-way street. And they show deep disrespect in wasting my time. And why am I talking to you again?Pascal ********
@Abel ********
If you live long enough you will gain the respect and the trust from the Thai but if as many foreigner who do not care about Thailand and want only the good stuff will have always hard time, good luck in you Thai adventures Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pascal *******
I am good, thanks. And still no clue what you are talking about. Allowing visa on appointment only and then saying not have appointments until the end of this year. That is not a question of respect. That is utter rubbish - in every culture!Pascal ********
@Abel ********
If you dont understand what I am talking about , I really wish you good luckAbel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pascal *******
Not sure who is on the more challenged side of understanding here. Does not really matter, though. The good luck wished I take. Cheers.Federico **********
@Abel ********
feel you.It never ceases to amaze me the people that "love thailand" to the point they can't take an undeniable truth.
Its like a cult. You either praise EVERYTHING about Thailand or the answer is "then why would u wanna go there?"
About 60 people died today in traffic accidents. Mostly caused by lack of enforcement; lack of education; recklessness; etc.
But nope! I gotta say that is "wonderful" if I'm planning a trip to Thailand.
Here's a better idea:
How about loving Thailand in spite of all it's faults? Discussing its dark areas so that it gets noticed and (hopefully) improve?
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Federico *********
Simple: No improvement, of nobody addresses the faults. Good night.Pascal ********
@Abel ********
So like you said "in every culture" Other countries other places can give you hard timeReply to
Pascal ********
Reply
Pascal ********
@Abel ********
Do you think other countries do not have corruption inefficiency and stupidity,?Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pascal *******
They do. But most to a lesser extend. INHO, an opinion of someone who travelled the world quite extensively already.Pascal ********
@Abel ********
So why are you not only flying over Thailand without stopping, easy for you , I am sure you will find a country that provid you your needsReply to
Pascal ********
Reply
Marc ***********
Abel, at the website of Thaiembassy you can find a link of Siam Legal, they can do all the paperwork. Sure you have to pay for their services, it is about 100 Euros.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marc **********
Usually, I try to avoid all kinds of agencies for such things. I am capable of collecting and handing in the right documents myself. The only upside would be, if they could make it happen faster. But (at least here in Germany) even the agencies stopped offering express visa services for now, as even them were not able any more to get appointments on short notice. No, this problem is at the root of things. And the root is rotten.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Jason ******
I remember when i tried to get into thailand last year i made 10 trips to the embassy in 7 days. Was there every morning waiting approximately 4 hours each morning. I went back in the afternoon a couple times to ask a single caveman yes or no question, because they wouldnt reply to emails or phonecalls. I could feel the hatred and anger in the air as soon as i got in, everybody trying to compose themselves once they got to the counter, because they didn’t want to blow any chances of them getting rejected lol. What a nightmare, glad that is over for me.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jason *****
Last year, it was very easy for me. Just go to Honorary Consulate in Hamburg, no appointment needed. 30 minutes later, had my visa sticker and my passport back. Bot then this year someone really "smart" in Thailand decided, that honorary consulates are not permitted to grant visa any more. I guess it came as a surprise to those geniuses, that people would need to bother the embassy now instead.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Silke *********
A friend of mine phoned them and got an earlier appointment.
Silke *********
I just got hold of them last week as my COE needed to be issued quickly. They really try to help as much as they can.
If you try messenger (got an advice from a friend) it might help too.
If you try messenger (got an advice from a friend) it might help too.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Silke ********
Have not tried that, since many people reported they never ever got through trying to call. Chose the sending my stuff in to Frankfurt route instead, though. But no clue when I will get anything back from there (and if in time).Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Silke *********
Try Frankfurt or Munich Consulate
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Silke ********
Munich: Need appointment (not available on short notice), too. Frankfurt: Very busy as the only option in Germany left without being forced to travel hundreds of kilometers.Thomas ********
@Abel ********
@Silke ********
hi guys, do you have any informaton how long it takes to get a visa from consulate in frankfurt at the moment? Silke *********
@Abel ********
good luck and I hope it will all work out. Just got back yesterday after 1,5 month of paperwork nightmares. It’s absolutely worth it 😉Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Silke ********
Thank you. I know it is worth it. Spent last winter and enjoyed this unique, empty perspective on Thailand very much. I just can't bear the politic, bureaucratic insufficiencies involved.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Steve *******
Go to another country, friend. Not being a d*ck. This is honest advice.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
I would. But some of the most obvious alternatives to Thailand are unfortunately still closed. Also, in a relationship with a deer Thai girlfriend. So kind of have my mind set on spending my money in Thailand. If only they would appreciate that a little.Steve *******
@Abel ********
oh, I see the dilemma.South America has a ton of amazing options that are just better than Thailand, if you can relocate with your gf that could work.
I'm planning to do something similar in 2022, but I have been in Thailand for 4 years now.
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
It is a dilemma, indeed. I love many things about Thailand. I do have friends and loved ones. But this government, bureaucracy, corruption and inefficiency when it comes to everything official - I have had enough of that.Steve *******
@Abel ********
same. I came here because I fell in love with the place. But over time, the wail falls off and you can't stand all the stupid bs over here.Girlfriend is desperate to live in a functioning country too, so we're leaving 👍
Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Bobby ********
How long are you coming for? Visa exempt no good to you?
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby *******
No. Want to come longer. Did covid extensions over last winter. But I don't trust them to be around much longer. But if they not starting to move their butts until mid this week with my visa, I will demand my passport back and come on visa exemption - hoping for some neighboring countries to also be opened after extension in Thailand, then. But all of that is besides my original point of the disrespectful, lazy behavior of Thai bureaucracy.Bobby ********
Abel Bertram. So what visa are you after? ED? I think you can get that in-country?
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby *******
Tried my luck with the (recently extended) STV this time. But would alternatively settle for a regular TR Tourist Visa as a starting point, I guess. Yes, ED, I would have done in-country change. Although dealing with immigtation is not exactly less annoying. They change and make up new rules all the time and nothing is ever coherent between offices or officers. 😅 But ED visa not really for me. Makes one constraint to a certain school / city / area.Marc ********
@Abel ********
Neighbouring countries will not be open.Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marc *******
They will be at some point. Bali has already started. Vietnam is finalizing plans for opening some sort of sandbox areas. Cambodia has high vaccination rate. No, I am sure, by January next year things will be more open.Marc ********
@Abel ********
I would love that but I doubt it. And you can't even go back to Thailand unless you do the whole paperwork again. Would only work if you go home to your country after visiting the neighbouring country.Reply to
Marc ********
Reply
Kevin *******
hi how to get the coe registration page up in the uk thanks
Kevin *******
thanks
Michael ********
@Kevin ******
when are you coming ? If after November 1st will be Thailand Pass. If before just google COE thailand registrationReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Michael ********
Someone posted Dutch embassy was same.
Doesnt help but not sure why they are not using e visa yet there. Seems to be working well in the UK
Doesnt help but not sure why they are not using e visa yet there. Seems to be working well in the UK
Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
Exactly.Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
Stephen **********
You have no idea of what is going on in the world. There are 40,000 Australians who can’t return home let alone go on holidays.
Marc ***********
@Stephen *********
nothing to do with this post... Off topic irrelevant... Abel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephen *********
And that explains how exactly, why a Thai consulate cannot manage to check three documents and put a sticker in a passport (a 3 minutes job)?Reply to
Abel *********
Reply
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