Answered3 years ago
What should I do if I contract COVID-19 close to the end of my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?
I got a particularly bad dose of covid 3 months back which left me bedridden for 5 days and house bound for another 5. Just wondering what happens if you are on a 30 day exempt entry and you come down with covid on say, day 28. You'd have to get a PCR test as evidence I would imagine which would mean a lot of public exposure, and you'd hardly be able to front up to immigration for a visa extension.I have taken out insurance that includes sickness and trip disruption, but that's not going to help with overstay. (I turn 70 while away)
Answer summary
If you contract COVID-19 just before the end of your 30-day visa exemption in Thailand, you should seek medical documentation from a hospital, as they may assist in getting an extension for you. You can apply for an extension as soon as you arrive to avoid last-minute issues. It’s advisable to communicate directly with immigration for guidance, or consider hiring a visa agent to handle the paperwork on your behalf. While there are no longer strict COVID restrictions, you still need to manage your visa status carefully; therefore, having proper insurance coverage is important.
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Shelo *******
Why dome some love the covid drama 🙄 get over it
Paul *******
No one cares anymore. Thais are still wearing their muzzles for the most part, though this is decreasing by the day.
Very simple. 1) get an agent to help you; or 2) Try to ensure your visible symptoms are suppressed by the time you go. A slight cough or occasional sneeze should be fine. Or 3) Just wear a mask, which is what most Thais do anyway. If you're wearing a mask, Thais won't even glance at you because they believe masks hold magical powers.
Given how much you believe in Covid, then you'll find wearing a mask is your best bet.
Some immigration offices even try to force perfectly healthy people to wear a mask to come into the office (notably Chaeng Wattana ) by handing out masks outside. It's a religion.
Very simple. 1) get an agent to help you; or 2) Try to ensure your visible symptoms are suppressed by the time you go. A slight cough or occasional sneeze should be fine. Or 3) Just wear a mask, which is what most Thais do anyway. If you're wearing a mask, Thais won't even glance at you because they believe masks hold magical powers.
Given how much you believe in Covid, then you'll find wearing a mask is your best bet.
Some immigration offices even try to force perfectly healthy people to wear a mask to come into the office (notably Chaeng Wattana ) by handing out masks outside. It's a religion.
Ric ********
Are some people still actually giving a fuck about the flu??
😂
😂
Paul *******
@John **********
That's why you're getting sick. 5 vaccines? I've never been sick and haven't had even one shot nor have I worn a mask.Ric ********
@Paul ******
Know that mate!! 🙏👍Dirk **************
@Ric *******
Yes, in particular when they had family members die of the "flu," you ignorant ...
John ******************
@Dirk *************
It probably was the flu, however, how old were the family members that died and what underlying medical issues did they have?Ric ********
@Dirk *************
😂 My word !!!
Means nothing obviously
But renowned doctors and Pfizer themselves in European assembly said it no stop transmission
You sheeple
Do some research 🧐
Ric ********
@Alistair *********
It’s alright You keep taking whatever they give you and I’ll stick to my natural immunity ❤️
Ric ********
@Dirk *************
nope can’t be bothered with that just for uDirk **************
@Ric *******
Can you please write proper English for starters?
Alistair **********
@Ric *******
yep your word means nothing. Cos they actually said they didn't test for transmission reduction prior to or as part of it being approved for use.Ric ********
@Dirk *************
Oooh you!!!!😆😆😆We’ve all had family members die of something you ignorant….😂
Just keep wearing your stupid mask alone in ya car muppet
Dirk **************
@Ric *******
I surely take your word over that of the global science community 😂
John ***********
OP@Ric *******
Depends on your experience and when and where you get it. I had it recently and found it debilitating for 3 days and I took weeks to fully recover. I've had 5 vaccines, the last 3 weeks before getting covid. I caught it at a standing only concert and could as easily catch it on a plane. There is no harm in being prepared for difficult situations.John ******************
@John **********
more people suffer debilitating effects from vaccines, than those that refuse to get the jab.
Tony *******
@John **********
you should get a 6th or 7th, sounds like it is very effective.Ric ********
@John **********
5 shots of the gene tech?? Really??Wow!!! And you still got flu??
Well I’d say maybe they did not work fella ! 😂
Ric ********
John Middleton even Pfizer bio tech admitted it does not stop one getting covid or spreading it!
But keep believing in your theories 😂
Hold on…..where’s j&j s one
Oh yeah ……removed 😂
But keep believing in your theories 😂
Hold on…..where’s j&j s one
Oh yeah ……removed 😂
Ric ********
@John **********
mRNA is not a vaccine.SAD is a reality though
Up to you if you want to know though
Probably won’t want to as obviously you only follow the propaganda machine 😂
Ric ********
@John **********
Yes well , polio had an actual vaccine. Maybe that’s why it worksJohn ***********
OP@Ric *******
Or they worked and I got a far less harsh dose of covid than would otherwise have been the case. What do I care about taking vaccines? Nothing. Doesn't cost me money and hopefully gives protection. My mother contracted polio in the days before a vaccine and spent her entire life paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. I am sure she would have been very grateful had a vaccine existed prrior to catching the virus at 18.
Bob **********
A letter from the Dr
Tony *******
Sounds like a BS story so you avoid doing visa runs.
Russell *******
Call the immigration office and ask advice
Jeremy ********
Go to a hospital talk to the staff, get put in for observation…hospitals like Bumrungrad have an immigration liaison on site to help facilitate extensions etc
John ***********
OPI have all bases covered, I believe. I have good insurance this time. At least I hope I do. Ridiculously expensive. I got motor bike cover (pillion) and will have a helmet. I've never cared about insurance before reading the online stories. I don't fancy myself on a Go Fund Me poster.
John *******
Why does immigration need to know you have covid they won't know unless you tell them take spoon full of cement and harden up
David ********
Just ring a visa agent up they will complete all the paperwork collect your passport and do it all for you
Paul *******
@David *******
He's a snowflake. Difficult for him to do that.David ********
@Paul ******
you can only lead them to water 💦John ***********
OPI won't bother asking any more questions on here. Thanks to the majority of posters who offered good advice. Otherwise, it's easy to see why some farangs become expats.
John ***********
OP@Paul ******
Wow, aren't you just the big man on here!
เจสัน ******
Hospital letter from doctor stating bedridden inpatient and unable to attend Immigration.
I imagine a power of attorney for someone to act on your behalf?
However I recall immigration down south setting a bit of a precedent recently; by attending hospital to assist Farangs, who had been injured and hospitalised due to a boating accident.
I imagine a power of attorney for someone to act on your behalf?
However I recall immigration down south setting a bit of a precedent recently; by attending hospital to assist Farangs, who had been injured and hospitalised due to a boating accident.
John ***********
OP@Jay ********
Thanks but I think I have sorted this in my head now. Even if I appear to have 'reacted defensively' to posts, you've all told me what I need to do and know. Much appreciated.เจสัน ******
@John **********
Get better soon...เจสัน ******
@John **********
Pleased you have recovered well.John ***********
OP@Jay ********
I have been firing on all cylinders for a while.
Monica *************
The best to answer this is immigration themselves - each time someone comments you are defensive. Do you have any test to prove you had COVID?
If you do you could try show that to the immigration folks - but the final and only way it will be resolved is you talking to them
If you do you could try show that to the immigration folks - but the final and only way it will be resolved is you talking to them
Chris *******
@Monica ************
sorry but the only thing that works is a letter from the hospital/doctor explaining why you cannot fly/leave and for how long.You will not be given any grace and will have to pay the overstay if your stamp has expired.
Even if they grant a medical extension.
Monica *************
@Chris ******
- yes that’s exactly what I was saying
Darren *******
You pull your big boy pants up and get down to Immigration unless you're in hospital when you ask the hospital if they can help get your extension. Alternatively, overstay and pay the fine.
John ***********
OP@Darren ******
How are immigration going to feel about a covid riddled guy turning up for a visa extension?
John **********
@John **********
they won't be happy but needs must. Unless you have a letter from a hospital you have to go in person. There's no other option. Wear a mask, keep as far as you can from others and get on with itPaul *******
@John **********
I don't think it was a joke. You Covid cultists actually believe wearing masks ****
is normal and doesn't affect social interactions or health.John ***********
OP@Paul ******
It was kind of a joke, mate, but you're not the kind of smart guy who would intuitively understand that.Paul *******
@John **********
Don't know how one can see a smile hidden behind a mask but OK.Paul *******
@John *********
They won't care unless he's showing serious symptoms. If he's wearing a mask, Thais will not give him a second glance as they really believe in the magical powers of masks here.John **********
@John **********
it's all you can doJohn ***********
OP@John *********
Of course, I don't need to tell them when I go for the extension. Just smile a lot beneath the mask and try to seem healthy!Darren *******
@John **********
I doubt they particularly give a monkeys to be honest with you. Turn up, give them your money, get your extension and get on with your life.Failing that if you're worried you're going to be struck down by covid then just stay at home and don't go to Thailand.
John ********
@John **********
if if if if if just get on with lifeJohn ***********
OP@Darren ******
I am not worried about getting struck down with covid - just the timing of it. If I was that concerned I wouldn't have bought the ticket etc.
Brandon ************
There's no more covid restrictions. You're either admitted to a hospital and have the hospital/doctor provide documentation so someone can get an extension for you, or you go to immigration and apply for your extension. You can apply for an extension to visa exempt the day you arrive so there's no reason to wait until the last minute in case something like this comes up.
John ***********
OP@Brandon ***********
Except that I don't want to pay for an extension unless necessary. I could have applied for a visa and thought about doing so for the extra days. I have a Thai friend who could apply on my behalf if needed and I have the insurance to cover costs arising flight changes etc. If a doctor/hospital provides documentation, can an extension be done in retrospect?Brandon ************
@John **********
it's about the only way to do it without you being present. A note from a doctor
John ********
@John **********
stop trying to apply western logic to Thailand it doesn’t workBrandon ************
There's no more covid restrictions. It's considered the same as a cold now in Thailand.
John ***********
OP@Brandon ***********
So you can go to a doctor or hospital when infected? May as well just take the flight if so many people on the ground are going to be exposed.Activity
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