I have been a regular visitor to Thailand for 8 years now and been in Hua Hin for 4 of those. I work offshore, world wide on a 4 week on 4 off rotation. I very rarely spend more than 25/26 days a time in Thailand, so I have never required a visa or work permit.
I have been with my Partner Kanayat (Pat) for 3 years now and we were both delighted last year when we discovered she was pregnant with our son.
Fast forward to March this year and I say my goodbyes as I head off to Oman for 5 weeks of work offshore, with everything in place for me to be back to Thailand for the 2nd April for the birth of our son.
As the weeks passed offshore and the COVID-19 situation was getting worse, most of the 100+ guys on our rig we’re getting increasingly concerned about the possibility of returning home to loved ones and families.
Thailand were insisting on a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of flying and also insurance, which I had. The test was the tricky part with the short window as most tests took 2 to 3 days for the results.
Credit to my employer, we knew we faced a challenge to get me back to Pat and my son but they tracked down a hospital in Muscat that could administer the test and plans were put in place to get me home early before Oman shut down their airports.
24 hours before I was due to head home the regulations for entry to Thailand were changed. The Kingdom now required a ‘fit to fly’ medical, insurance cover for COVID-19 and a work permit. I do not hold a work permit, as I have never worked in Thailand. I had planned to get a dependency visa but this could not be done until after my son was born.
Never the less, I thought I would be OK for entry as I had hospital bills and appointments for the pregnancy and birth along with the insurance and medical. This was not to be and I was denied entry to Thailand 3 days before the birth of my son.
My biggest concern was that Mother and baby were both fit and healthy and fortunately that wish was granted and we have an amazing healthy boy named Lucas.
Lucas is 8 weeks old now and the closest I have got to him and Pat is video calls. Thank god for modern technology but it’s not the same. My son needs his father with him. It’s tough right now. I should be there bonding with him! I’m missing out on the first few months of his life, possibly more. I’ve missed his first smiles, I’ve not been able to comfort him when he’s upset and I’ve not been able to give his mother a well earned rest. These moments are irreplaceable!
At the moment the earliest I can fly is the 1st of July but nothing is confirmed yet and that could be pushed back. I’m more than willing to self-quarantine for 14 days, COVID-19 test, whatever is required I’m prepared to do and pay for it myself. I just want to be there with my family.
Unfortunately I am not alone. There are many more in my situation, including several from Hua Hin, With 2 facebook groups appearing,
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Rig Lynx is currently requesting an update on Barry's story
