What are travel options and visa requirements for expats in Thailand during COVID-19?

Aug 9, 2020
4 years ago
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Currently in Bangkok, Left Australia earlier last year after renting my property out and thought it would be nice to do a bit of travel, Been in Bangkok since march now like many others, Does anyone know any other destinations in Asia i could travel to and the requirements or where i can find info on that, I could go back to Aus but seeing as my place is still tenanted it makes more sense to hold off a while and hopefully can go back once my place becomes available again, Cheers
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat currently in Bangkok is seeking alternative travel destinations within Asia, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions. The conversation touches on potential travel to Cambodia, with various participants warning about restrictive entry requirements. Suggestions for traveling around Thailand are plentiful, particularly visiting less touristy areas and beaches like Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima. Replies also discuss the need for embassy assistance regarding visa extensions and the challenges faced by Australians abroad looking to return home.
Nan *********
Hi
@Jane **********
we meet
Jim ************
Explore Thailand. Gov. Have discounts. Many ladies in Issan cities Service is good Punters Paradise
Narelle ************
I live on Koh Phangan normally. Am stuck in Australia - lots of fun expats and locals on that island at the moment and some serious bargains.
Jane ***********
I'm on Koh Phangan now. It's extremely quiet with more and more people leaving every week (I've been here since March), it's been quite dramatic. Even some of the expats seem to be leaving because their businesses have closed. Plenty of cheap accommodation but limited places open, it's a bit of a ghost town, if that's an issue for you. Still enough to buy food etc though.
Jennifer ********
@Jane **********
I’m coming down this week ... hope it’s not that dead ....
Narelle ************
@Jane **********
Yes Im trying to drum up business for my friends :D
Jane ***********
@Narelle ***********
sure, I've loved it here. I agree. I've made lots of friends amongst the expats and locals here, it's been great.
Narelle ************
And say hi to my neighbours
@Malay ****
in Haad Salad they do good Thai food and live music. :D
Narelle ************
@Jane **********
Go to The World's End in Chaloklum for breakfast or lunch if you havent already :)
Narelle ************
Its very sad :(
Harry ***********
Come and visit Nakhon Ratchasima.l will even buy you a beer.my wife will cook lsan
Jennifer ********
Pattaya is a good option as it’s only 2 hrs from Bangkok accommodation is cheap right now if you take a months rental and Koh larn has a nice beach 🏖
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
One more week in Chatuchak and i will get a taxi there i think
Jennifer ********
@David *******
stay jomtiem it’s nicer in my opinion
Jennifer ********
@David *******
or the bus for mochit is still running
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jennifer *******
Thanks i researched the coach could come in handy later
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks i was thinking there :)
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all thanks and sorry the late reply i actually checked here yesterday and thought my post was not aloud because didn't see it, I do have a letter from the embassy that was given just before the end of July before we found out we can stay until the 26th of sept, Will need to check if thats still valid, Happy to stay here and travel around Thailand if possible, 1st time to Thailand and only place i know is this busy city Bangkok lol, Need to man up and go somewhere else i think, Somewhere near the beach a bit more peaceful, Must have an affordable accommodation and affordable gym i can use, And if possible with an airport close for when i need to vacate, Any ideas on that would be appeciated cheers.
Nick ************
@David *******
Come to Issan, the real Thailand and Nakhon Phanom. Air port handy and my little place is 3500 baht a month. I know a place available for 3000 baht. There are plenty of things to see and places to go. I am heading for Bangkok next week for 7 nights. I might regret it.
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
Def going to look them places online now, Much more cheaper than here, Cheers
Nick ************
@David *******
if you want some help message me.
Ben *******
@David *******
I had a letter previously and got a new one.

Immigration here told me they will review and can get an extra month after September 26th, then an extra month with a letter from embassy but I have my doubts that correct.
Phill ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben ******
tks will look into that mate
Jennifer ********
Travel around Thailand plenty of amazing places to visit and bus/ planes are all running 🏃‍♀️
Michael ********
Thailand has many amazing places.
Andrew *********
@Michael *******
Even nicer now no crowds of horrible obnoxious Chinese tourists !
Michael ********
@Andrew ********
yes luckily i explored a lot in the late 80s before any major tourism
Ben *******
Have you requested a letter from the Australian embassy to stay longer in Thailand?

If you can't get a flight, or there is a CV break out in your country, I think you can stay longer.

Or stay and pay over stay fee, and hope things change.

I am not looking forward to returning to Australia, $3000 forced to stay in a room. No CV here in Thailand, more in Victoria or NSW, and would prefer a tent near a river and a tracking device.
Nick ************
I wish I had rented out my property in the uk. Only came here for 4 months but that will now be 11 min. Dont want to go back then either. Good luck.
Ben *******
The government could have used Christmas island still and then on flown people to their cities.

Hotel quarantine is $3000. Over stay until 2021 and Get black listed.

I really don't know.

But I think the Australian State and Federal governments have made a mistake.
Juanda ****
@Ben ******
christmas island. i heard they are planning. but not officially.

i am in singapore at the moment. i can’t enter thailand at that time. they virtually block all foreigners trying to enter thailand.

singapore has been generous extending my visa till now, i sense it’s generosity in extending my visa is ending soon. so back to AU. to wait out until the day thailand reopens and AU governments lifted the BANS on travelling. then i can retrieve my belongings. and to consider my options. on whether to stay or not in thailand.
Ben *******
@Juanda ***
Christmas island was used, and should have continued using it.

Some Foreigners can enter Thailand with quarantine but depends on reason.

Thailand needs to be careful, Vietnam had a few new cases from a mystery source.

We carry viruses, so maybe it's within the body until immune system weakens and it comes out. Also more have had CV and never knew. 10-24 times more, and it's mutating.
Juanda ****
@Ben ******
yes. i keep myself updated consistently.

thank you for your comments. greatly appreciated
Juanda ****
@Ben ******
i am not looking at going back to Vic as well. but might have to, stranded outside thailand when i was travelling out thailand with my carry-on hand luggage only. any advice where to go?
Ben *******
@Juanda ***
no advice from me because immigration here didn't have a clue. Actually thought about contacting thai department of foreign affairs to request exception, because I have a business and my visa went to tourist because of CV.

U can't go back to Victoria atm, they stopped all hotel quarantine.

Taiwan and quarantine.

I think the Australian Quarantine is wrong. The government should pay and be outside cities with open space. I get anxiety and claustrophobia. I can't even fly in a middle seat.
Juanda ****
@Ben ******
my thailand visa expiry too while i was outside thailand. now i can only considers traveling to either perth or sydney homeless. never stayed in perth before. anxious.
Juanda ****
i have a search on Cambodian visa, they don’t issues any tourist visa. unless it‘a long term visa.
Juanda ****
i rented my property out as well.
Bobby ********
Cambodia has very restrictive entry requirements, including a bond left with immigration. Forget it!

*****************************************************************************
David **********
Travel within Thailand
Juanda ****
i heard you can travel to Cambodia. need more info on that though. you can search it.
Amy ***************
No tourist visa either for CAM
Bim *******
@Juanda ***
my friend just arrived there from the US. 14 day quarantine.
Juanda ****
@Bim ******
does he make his Visa for cambodia in the states or Visa on arrivals?

what about Australia passport holder?
Garrett ***********
@Jua***
No visa on arrival
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