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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    Mendip's Avatar
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    Inter-provincial travel under Covid restrictions

    I've got no idea where to put this... relevant to a lot of threads.

    I have just been told that after nine weeks my new UK passport is finally ready to be collected at Trendy on Sukhumvit 13, Bangkok. I live in Korat. Both Korat and Bangkok are 'Red' zones for Covid.

    As much as I'd like to put the passport collection off, I'm currently in my 'under consideration period' for a Non O extension allowed due to the sentence of marriage to a Thai national. I have to return to Korat immigration next Friday 14th for the decision. My current passport expires in 5 months, and I was told that the powers that be in Khon Kaen will likely refuse my extension as I have less than 6 months left on my current passport.

    My aim is to turn up at Korat immigration with my new replacement passport next Friday to pre-empt any extension refusal, but I can only collect the new passport at Trendy either next Monday or Wednesday afternoon, the 10th or 12th May.

    So to cut a long story short, does anyone have any definitive knowledge of the current rules regarding inter-provincial travel, or know of any official link that gives the info? Both Korat and Bangkok are red zones which may help. I have considered driving it in a one day return trip, but after over three months at home the wife is doing my head in and I'd really like a 3 day break away from it all. A return bus trip Sunday to Tuesday would be pretty ideal, but not if I need to do quarantine and get PCR tested.

    As a footnote, as soon as travel is possible again I will without doubt go back to annual multi-entry Non O visas, thus avoiding the hoops and corruption of in-country immigration offices. It has been a real eye opener, not to be repeated.

  2. #2
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    A 3 day break would be nice if anything is open.
    Best of luck with it all.

  3. #3
    Making people dance. :-)
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    Have you contacted the embassy about passport collection in the current (last 2 weeks) climate of inter-provincial quarantine?


    You could always ask them, though being the British Embassy they will probably charge you 5,000 baht for an answer, then tell you 'No difference'.


    Could always tell Madame Mendip that you've gotta go for 3 days, then hole up in a Korat resort with 3, slim, dripping wet, 20 year old bottles of Scotch.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
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    Doesn't seem to be a big deal. Your new extension will be entered into your old passport (expiring in 5 months) up until the day that the passport expires, then whenever you get your new passport, Immigration will transfer the previous entry/extension stamps to the new one, as well as the outstanding 7 months annual extension. Chill.

    I had the same a couple of years ago, no worries.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    ^ Maybe Phuket did and maybe they still do. Samui Immigration will give you an extension that ends when your passport expires and then you'll have to apply for a new 1 year extension with the new passport. No spillover between old and new.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
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    ^ This is what I was told at Korat, so an extension would only last until October when my passport expires... then I would have to go through the tortuous process again using my new passport. I hope to be away working again by then, thus avoiding the greedy immigration officers.

    I was also told it was unlikely they'd even give me an extension with only 5 months left in the passport, which would leave me a bit stuck... maybe a 2 month Covid extension? My thinking is, if I turn up with the new passport I'd have a lot more chance of sorting this next Friday. A 2 month Covid extension is not enough, and who knows what the Covid situation in Thailand will be like then... travel maybe more difficult.

    My real question is about the restrictions/conditions of inter-provincial travel.

  7. #7
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I would have to go through the tortuous process again using my new passport
    Contact agent.
    Pay some baht.
    Receive extension while sitting at home.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    My thinking is, if I turn up with the new passport I'd have a lot more chance of sorting this next Friday.
    I guess your application will have to go to Khon Kaen once again, new passport new application.
    It is very easy to apply for consecutive 1 year extensions after you have waded through the hoops the first time and you'll only have to show up every 90 days for address confirmation if you can't do it on the net. No more leave Thailand and come back every 90 days.
    Oh I see now, that's what you want, get out and recharge your batteries at regular intervals..

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
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    ^ Yeah... with regular work rotations the leaving Thailand every 90 days has never been a problem... I think in 15 years I have only had to leave once for visa reasons when I busted my shoulder tendon and couldn't work. And no man should be made to stay in Korat more than 90 consecutive days... it's just not healthy.

    Also Lom, the extensions aren't my answer... what if I'm away working when my annual extension is up for renewal? It would mean returning from work with no visa as far as I can see.

    Covid has made my working life extremely difficult... I'm already turning down work in Norway as it's really not feasible to work 4 week rotations with the organising of a CoE and then a 14 day quarantine on return. I do see the justification for the quarantine however and I appreciate that Covid has affected many people a lot worse than me.

    My main gripe is after all these years how difficult it still is to live in Thailand with my family and maintain a career. Like I said before, not one more satang will I invest in a country where I'm not allowed to reside and not allowed to work. Before Covid I'd been immune to all these immigration hoops.

  10. #10
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    ^ This is what I was told at Korat, so an extension would only last until October when my passport expires... then I would have to go through the tortuous process again using my new passport. I hope to be away working again by then, thus avoiding the greedy immigration officers.

    I was also told it was unlikely they'd even give me an extension with only 5 months left in the passport, which would leave me a bit stuck... maybe a 2 month Covid extension? My thinking is, if I turn up with the new passport I'd have a lot more chance of sorting this next Friday. A 2 month Covid extension is not enough, and who knows what the Covid situation in Thailand will be like then... travel maybe more difficult.

    My real question is about the restrictions/conditions of inter-provincial travel.

    Paradoxical life in paradise can be complex for some....

  11. #11
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Mendy,
    Inter province travel is a crap shoot. I know most have to have travel approvals before going anywhere. My niece decided to go back and visits her parents in Ayutthaya now she cannot return. Been stuck where she is. She had a job here in Lampang but lost it because she couldn't return as the company wouldn't send in the documents for her to travel back.

    Good luck.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    does anyone have any definitive knowledge of the current rules
    That made me laugh.

    I drove into Udon Thani at the weekend, technically inter-provincial travel, on an essential mission to buy gin. Nongbua has no gin, anywhere, except for that vile white spirit sold with a label that claims it to be gin, which doesn't count. I was expecting to see some kind of checkpoint but there was nothing. So if you drive to Bangkok and back on a clearly essential journey supported by the paperwork you'll take with you, what might happen? There are so many roads, they cannot all be blocked, surely?

    So far as I know, the published restrictions are here:

    Night-time restrictions currently imposed in 29 provinces - TAT Newsroom

    Personally I wouldn't get on an infested bus if I had a choice in the matter. In your car you can go point to point and minimize human contact.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    You can drive to BKK no problem as long as they are the same colour. Not sure what you'd do for 3 days in BKK as restaurants are take away only so you'd be sat in your hotel pretty much the whole time.

  14. #14
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    yeah, get a grab or something both ways, shouldnt be an issue
    as armstrong says Bnagkok is pretty much closed and you could stop off at villa if you needed owt

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    Like I said before, not one more satang will I invest in a country where I'm not allowed to reside and not allowed to work.
    You're miserable because you've been in Korat for too long a period. Everything is shite, right?

    Why aren't you allowed to reside in Thailand when I am?
    Why are you not allowed to work in Thailand? I opened a Thai company so I could work during the first 3 years after I moved here, after that I'm residing here as a retiree.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I'm already turning down work in Norway as it's really not feasible to work 4 week rotations with the organising of a CoE and then a 14 day quarantine on return.
    That's why you'll have to setup an office and work remotely. Office hotel or rent a house somewhere else in Thailand than Korat so that you can leave for a work stint and then return to family in Korat without having the hassle of CoE and quarantine.
    Or wait for that long time work stint which seem to be rare in your field of work..

  16. #16
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shutree View Post
    on an essential mission to buy gin.
    . I love our priorities. Willing to navigate the mess for booze. I have done the same. Now traveling to CM they have a checkpoint as there is really only one main way into CM from Lampang. I was going to make up a form that said, "Require important life saving spirits from the big store at Central mall". Doubt it would fly, But hey. I could hand them the form while shaking looking like withdrawals.....

    Again Mendy, I think you will be Ok but I would definitely either drive myself or hire a driver. In fact hiring a driver could be a nice way to go. But as others have said, BKK is basically completely closed up so there is no nightlife to be had and all food is take out. I have a few friends there and they said its eerie quiet.

  17. #17
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Son came up from Bangers over Songkran. Upon return, 2 weeks must stay in apt.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    I am assuming whoever has your replacement passport has told you they are unable to post it to you. You personally must pick it up.

    Ask your local TIO these questions in person:

    1. Due to travel restrictions are you able to give me a signed and dated document politely requesting their fellow police officer to allow you passage to Bangkok and return.

    Something like this:


    The xxx Immigration Office
    requests and requires in the
    name of His Majesty yyyyyyyyyy
    all those whom it may concern
    to allow the bearer to pass freely
    without let or hindrance
    and to afford the bearer
    such assistance and protection
    as may be necessary.
    Allegedly translates as:

    "สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง คำขอและความต้องการใน ชื่อพระ ..... ทุกคนที่อาจกังวล เพื่อให้ผู้ถือสามารถผ่านได้อย่างอิสระ โดยไม่ปล่อยให้หรือขัดขวาง และเพื่อจ่ายให้กับผู้ถือ ความช่วยเหลือและการป้องกัน ดังกล่าว เท่าที่จำเป็น"

    2. If I travel to Bangkok to receive my new UK Passport, may I post my new passport to your office for you to add my extension to stay into it?

    I will visit your office to pick my original and new passports and pay your fee when I return.

    They will probably need to phone HQ/Korat to confirm it.

    3. As your passport is at a TIO how will you travel to Bangkok legally without item [refer them to question] 1.

    4. Can I apply for a Pink Foreigners ID Card, what paperwork is required?

    When I had something translated, to obtain a document from Thai Foreign Ministry, the translator company received my English documents by post, created the translation, delivered the package to the Ministry office, picked it up and returned everything by post.

    That of course means a trip to Bangkok is a highly unlikely requirement.
    Last edited by OhOh; 06-05-2021 at 03:44 PM.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  19. #19
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    As ever, OhOh, you greatly over-think stuff. FFS, there will be no police checkpoints at the provincial border otherwise there would be a 20 mile tailback.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    ^
    I assume you use Thai highways and cross provincial borders. You've never seen them/passed through them?

    There are permanent police/army highway checkpoints between Trat and Chanthaburi provinces, Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo province, up though Isaan .... All manned 24/7, all vehicles are slowed down.

    Whether an individual is stopped, asked for ID or the vehicle is searched is at the officers' discretion.

    I have been waived through mostly, stopped and asked for passport, vehicle blue book, house book, driving licences and had an officer visually scan the truck bed contents. Along with occasional photos of the truck front/registration plate.

    When offered my pink Thai ID card it appears not many officers have seen them before.

  21. #21
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    ^ I assume you use Thai highways and cross provincial borders. You've never seen them/passed through them?

    There are permanent police/army highway checkpoints between Trat and Chanthaburi provinces, Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo province, up though Isaan .... All manned 24/7, all vehicles are slowed down.
    Mendip will be travelling on Mitrapap Road, the main highway from Bangkok to the northeast, a very busy road that I travel on regularly. There are no permanent police/army checkpoints (although there are police booths at some locations). To stop every vehicle on that road and check every passenger for reasons for travel, places visted and places to stay, and check any Covid documentation would cause huge tailbacks. It won't happen. Last year, at the time when inter-provincial travel was supposedly restricted, they set up some temporary arrangements (tents at the side of the road) in a few locations. Whenever I passed through, they were either never manned or would have one officer standing idly looking at his phone. Earlier this year, when Bangkok was a red zone and Korat was a green zone, likewise there were no roadblocks or checks. On other roads in other provinces it might happen. On that road, no, not unless the PM decides to stand there himself and force the cops to do it.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
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    From everything I can find out, there will be no problem travelling to and from Bangkok, but I'll have to submit some forms to a local health authority once I get back home. If I do have to home quarantine that really won't make a lot of difference just now as my daughter is home schooling just now so apart from the dog walks, many days I don't leave the property anyway.

    OhOh... I can't see immigration helping with this in anyway, and I've sent an enquiry email to Trendy but with no reply. I can only pick up the passport either Monday or Wednesday so need to get on with it before I have to see immigration next Friday. I could nominate someone else to pick up the passport but I'd have to get my current expiring passport to them along with the receipt for the application... and they would have to get it sent back to me. I don't have time to arrange that.

    To be honest I don't really mind that Bangkok will be quiet as I plan to stay a couple of nights with an old friend in Samut Prakan and catch up over a few beers.



    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    You're miserable because you've been in Korat for too long a period. Everything is shite, right?

    Why aren't you allowed to reside in Thailand when I am?
    Why are you not allowed to work in Thailand? I opened a Thai company so I could work during the first 3 years after I moved here, after that I'm residing here as a retiree.

    That's why you'll have to setup an office and work remotely. Office hotel or rent a house somewhere else in Thailand than Korat so that you can leave for a work stint and then return to family in Korat without having the hassle of CoE and quarantine.
    Yeah Lom... there is a bit of that... after being used to regular work rotations I do find long stints at home tiring, but even if I get this marriage extension sorted I won't feel like a resident. Immigration have made it very clear how I can smooth the process... that doesn't make me feel like a resident at all. I never say that I reside in Thailand... just that I stay here... subject to visas or the whim of immigration officials.

    The remote working is very much on the cards and yes, I would probably somewhere away from home and build up the hours during the week and take alternate long weekends off. I think that would work best all round. But first the work has to be there... once anything is secured it would be very quick to set up a system.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    From everything I can find out, there will be no problem travelling to and from Bangkok, but I'll have to submit some forms to a local health authority once I get back home.
    If you drive down on Monday morning, you can pick up the passport that afternoon. If there is any problem, you have a second chance on Wednesday. Otherwise you can stay one night then drive back on Tuesday morning. No one would notice that you have been away. I very much doubt that the buses arriving from Bangkok every day are packed with people whose first stop is the health authority.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat
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    Strangely regarding police checkpoints, a substantial checkpoint was set up on the Surin side of the main Buriram to Surin road at the beginning of 2020
    It was manned (usually a half dozen people) at all hours, possibly 24, from day 1.
    At random times on random days all vehicles were checked.

    The checkpoint was dismantled in the last week or so.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    On other roads in other provinces it might happen. On that road, no, not unless the PM decides to stand there himself and force the cops to do it.
    I agree.

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