Foreign diplomats & foreigners that hold valid work permits are actually allowed to go to #Thailand now. But, with the ban on passenger planes & land borders closed it is almost impossible for them to come until the ban is lifted. So far, repatriation flights are for Thais only.
At this moment, I’m afraid there is no mention of foreigners married to Thais, families of work permit holders, students, retirees, Thailand Elite members etc on the list of the first group of foreigners allowed in. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs are trying to help these people.
It is actually possible for other foreigners to be in the first group by being exempted by the Prime Minister(@prayutofficial) or Permanent Secretary (@busaya_mathelin) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@MFAThai). You can try this address dca.sec@outlook.com to plead your case.
I’m aware of many work permit holders who are stuck abroad with “visas” about to expire. I have spoken to people at both Immigration and @MFAThai and they are sympathetic, but at this moment if it expires, then you need to apply for a new one. But, please stay tuned for updates.
Many people are asking me when foreigners will be allowed back. It’s very difficult to predict this. The @MFAThai are busy repatriating their own citizens. The daily quota is less than 300 & there are thousands to go. I hear the waiting list is already full for June. Maybe later.
It is doubtful that they will let foreigners on repatriation flights. So, the earliest for foreigners with work permits to come back will be July/August and then the rest August/September. Of course this depends on whether there is a second wave. If so, they will lock down again.
Q: Will teachers be able to fly back for the start of the new term on 1 July?
A: The answer to that is 100% no. There’re 2 big problems. Airlines cannot just turn on a magic switch & everything is back to normal. It takes time. And the teachers will have to do 14 day quarantine.
A: The answer to that is 100% no. There’re 2 big problems. Airlines cannot just turn on a magic switch & everything is back to normal. It takes time. And the teachers will have to do 14 day quarantine.
At our school we have lost 8 teachers. The ones with work permits could be able to come back in July but as they’re in the US/UK it’s possible they’ll be blocked. New teachers don’t have work permits so they can’t come yet. Consequences? We’re not waiting. We’re recruiting again.
Some people have misunderstood what the flight ban means. It’s only for incoming commercial flights with passengers. However, empty or repatriation planes with Thais are still arriving. Also, there are still commercial flights out to Europe & North America h/t @CanadaThailand 
