Thread: Work Permits - new hoops to jump through.

The enforcement of the syphilis test a couple of years ago to renew a work permit has reached new lows.

Having been refused a renewal yesterday because i only had a doctors general health check and a clear test for syphilis, it was with some trepidation i walked into yet another hospital this morning clutching a form from the work permit office, with a hand written (in Thai) note explaining to whom it concerned exactly what i needed.

Height.
Weight.
Blood pressure.
Syphilis free.
Tuberculosis free.*
Methamphetamine free. *

* These last two were a bit of a shock.

To be declared free of TB, the hospital does a chest X-Ray.
To be declared free of methamphetamine abuse you have to piss into a sample container.

My work permit will be ready for collection next week.

On a positive note, the X-Ray showed i didn't have lung cancer.


What will the fucking clowns think up for next year?
I'm shitting myself because one of my big toes is bigger than the other big toe.

I've never encountered any of that, just a 10 min 'physical' years ago when first applying for my WP. I don't think it has even been mentioned in subsequent renewals.

How long does meth stay testable?

Maybe stoke just looks like a tubercled junkie..

When I applied for a non-o visa in the States several years ago, they required a drug test as well as a police check and medical test. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only person who ever had to comply with that rule.

Maybe we are dodgy looking people, withnall.

Whenever they introduced the syph test, i was told it was a one off, but it turned out to be on each yearly renewal.

This new TB and 'phet test i have been informed will be needed every year.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Maybe stoke just looks like a tubercled junkie..

Worse, I look like a crook in addition to a tubercled junkie.

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

I don't know.
I think there was a thread on it a while ago (couple of years?) on here, and from memory it applied to all, but as in all things bureaucratic here, it depends on who you see on the day.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

Ive never been requested to do the syphilis test and neither has any of my work collegues. we are not teachers.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

Don't want you to give the kids syph then?

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

I think it is now 2 years that it is required for all WP - it's part of the list on the printed form with elephantitis and all the rest but I guess it is up to your doc whether they actually do the blood test or not.

I'm waiting for the demand that any form of residence here will depend upon proficiency in the Thai language.

As ever it'll be negotiable and sworn affidavits that we retirees are all half blind mutes will be very much in vogue for the resourceful expat. In many cases I suspect that won't be so far from the truth. Doubtless, our Septic cousins will get preferential treatment and will only have to demonstrate a passing acquaintance with frazzledom.

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

My work permit will be ready for collection next week.

You mean you passed all the tests?

Poof!

Originally Posted by somtamslap

You mean you passed all the tests? Poof!

They didn't spot the heroin addiction, HIV or schizophrenia.

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

Height. Weight. Blood pressure. Syphilis free. Tuberculosis free.* Methamphetamine free. *

I think they require these tests based on your appearance.

Originally Posted by Fondles

It has most definitely not been a requirement for ALL work permits

I guess the rest of us have been singled out for special treatment.

The Chest x rays for TB seem a bit much, usually just a standard PPD skin test is sufficient in most countries/jobs.

But, with a PPD you will have to come back in a week to get the results verified. Maybe thats why they are opting for Chest X-Ray's.......

To my knowledge, the syphilis test most definitely is supposed to be one of the required tests. My employer (I'm not a teacher) requires a doctor's statement and bloodwork plus x-ray to verify that I do not have any the following six things:

- Drug addiction
- Alcoholism
- Elephantiasis
- Leprosy
- Tuberculosis
- Tertiary syphilis

The standard form does not list the tertiary syphilis requirement. However, my employer made me go back and get tested for it the first year I started working there, and requires that it be listed in the medical report every year I renew my work permit.

So, my belief is that the syphilis test is supposed to be included, but some employers may be sticklers about it and some may not.

As I think I posted previously, the main thing seems not to be the doc, or the form, but the bloody work permit issuing person.

One person I know went with a docs cert and got sent back to do the blood test, one I know gave a docs cert (no blood test) that was accepted and for reasons too long to go into my application was sent in with NO health form at all (even though I had done all the required tests) and it got accepted with no problems.

Guess what - same office.

My left nut hangs a little lower than my right. Should I be concerned about my WP renewal?

Originally Posted by benbaaa

My left nut hangs a little lower than my right. Should I be concerned about my WP renewal?

Most certainly.

An exemption certificate is probably available upon private examination.

Do they weigh the same?

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

I don't know.
I think there was a thread on it a while ago (couple of years?) on here, and from memory it applied to all, but as in all things bureaucratic here, it depends on who you see on the day.

Syphilis should be the least of their worries.

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Is the syphilis test for all work permits or just for teaching ?

Don't want you to give the kids syph then?

The Syph test is for every one
It is people who will apply for a W/P, it is for Immigration it is for your extension to stay in the Kingdom.