Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the overall posture of where things stand with respect to Thai Visa seekers. I have had a lot of correspondence here recently. There is a lot of news out there about changes to the Thai quarantine protocols; just a lot of not so great news generally about how things are progressing here in Thailand with respect to things like lockdowns, although it is not being called that etc.

People have asked me "well where do things stand?" Well candidly, compared to about a month ago, 6 weeks ago, it is basically, the same as it was as far as it goes. Now here internally, we are under a lot more restrictions then we were for example back in March or even right before the Songkran holiday. As far as the Visa situation, there is not really a big difference. If you go back a month and a half ago in fact it is basically the same as it was then. Now, yes there was in the interim, this period where folks could quarantine for 10 days or even 7 days depending on their circumstances. That has since reverted back to the standard 14 days for everyone and the quarantine protocols associated therewith. But if you look at it, yeah it is not that different to what it was certainly two months ago and even less time. 

Now I am not trying to put on rose tinted glasses; I am not trying to be naively optimistic. I do understand this was a step back for many people who were looking to come to Thailand but I mean if you look at it realistically, really the fundamental travel protocols aren't that much different than they were for basically almost a year. It is easier said from someone that hasn't been through it to say "well it is only a few extra days!" Well, I do get it. Being trapped in a room for days on end is not a pleasant experience. We have had a number of clients tell us about it. I do get it. I have got family members that have been through it, it is not fun. It is not something to take lightly. That said, it is a change of degree. It is not a fundamental change from where things were again 6 weeks ago when we first saw some of this being brought online. 

Now where are things going in the future? I can't say for certain but as far as being able to seek a Visa and actually come to Thailand that is certainly still possible. They haven't rolled back any of the categories that are being allowed into Thailand at least for the time being. At least for now it looks like you know we are status quo anti-Songkran if you will; we are back to where we were six weeks ago. 

Again, we will keep folks updated on this channel as the situation progresses but for now, I mean there are sort of country specific issues so those that are coming from some place that may have some issues getting out of there or have some specific issues getting into Thailand that they are aware of, it may not be a terrible idea to contact a legal professional to gain some insight on that. Overall, at least for now yeah, I think the protocols for getting a Visa and coming to Thailand are largely what they were in the middle or the end of February of 2021.