The Pattaya News
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Feature: The following is our weekly feature in which we ask our readers a newsworthy question at the start of each week and then highlight your responses to us the following week. Last week, we asked you the following question: Do you have confidence that Thai authorities will resolve this round of Covid-19 infections? You […]

Reader Talkback: Would YOU support mandatory Covid-19 testing, at ones own expense, for yearly foreign visa renewal in Thailand?
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What exactly is the logic behind a covid test to renew a visa?

If you were in Thailand all the time, you are no more and no less likely to be infected than those who don't require visas (Thai).

If you entering the country, I sure hope everyone is made to go through Covid 19 protocols, which currently includes 14 day quarantine.

The issue seems to be people sneaking across land borders, and not doing quarantine.  That being so, fix the problem at its source maybe?  Make the borders more secure.

I'd be willing to be vaccinated, if that's what was required

19 hours ago, wadman said:

What exactly is the logic behind a covid test to renew a visa?

If you were in Thailand all the time, you are no more and no less likely to be infected than those who don't require visas (Thai).

If you entering the country, I sure hope everyone is made to go through Covid 19 protocols, which currently includes 14 day quarantine.

The issue seems to be people sneaking across land borders, and not doing quarantine.  That being so, fix the problem at its source maybe?  Make the borders more secure.

I suspect the logic is that foreigners make convenient targets.  For covid blame and extracting money.

17 hours ago, Sid Levine said:

I'd be willing to be vaccinated, if that's what was required

I expect in the future that a vaccination will be a requirement in order to get a visa, extension,  renewal, etc.

 

Vaccination in line with Thailand's vaccinination of its nationals makes obvious sense.

Testing once maybe....but routinely after vacc not really.

People saying its only about WPs...wait4c.

Immigration said the Covid test applied to all Extensions then an hour later said the opposite. Still not decided.

BANGKOK — A spokesman for the immigration police on Tuesday walked back on his announcement that a negative COVID-19 test result will be mandatory for every foreigner who wishes to extend their stay in the kingdom.

Immigration bureau spokesman Archayon Kraithong previously said on Monday the new measure will be applied to “every type of visa,” regardless of how long the foreigner has stayed in the country.

But less than an hour after his remark was reported on Khaosod English – sparking an uproar among expats on social media – the spokesman reached back to say he was misinformed about the new policy, and offered an apology.

“I apologize for the misunderstanding,” Maj. Gen. Archayon said. “It will only apply to certain types of visa, most likely the permanent resident visa.”

 

He went on to say that the Immigration Bureau will have to wait for the Council of State – an agency tasked with settling legislative disputes – to interpret the latest regulation concerning coronavirus and arrivals from overseas published on Dec. 25.

“We’re waiting for the Council of State to interpret the new regulation,” Maj. Gen. Archayon said.

The order added COVID-19 to the list of prohibited diseases for foreigners who wish to enter or take residency in Thailand. Other diseases include leprosy, “dangerous stage” of tuberculosis, elephantiasis, drug addiction, and tertiary stage of syphilis.

 

(Khaosod)

What is the point?  The question itself is non sequitur...

Even IF you did the test (or just paid one of the many mom/pop clinics for a cert)... You go to immigration to renew... and get sneezed on by a covid carrier while waiting in the horrible immigration lines... 

... what was the point of the test? other than to pad somebody's pocket...

If they make the rules then who is anyone to argue?

Don't like it? Go home. 

They can vaccinate me anally with the pin on the end of a 15" veiny black mamba super pulsating dildo at full pelt if it means I can go to Thailand. And they can go in dry. Anything they want ill do. 

Edited January 19, 20215 yr by BuakhaoBarry