Silent diplomacy in Bangkok
We know the problems surrounding the travel restrictions to Thailand, which of course affect "ordinary" tourists, but especially people who are stranded somewhere in the world when the entry ban came into effect. Foreigners with a Thai partner and possibly children could not and still cannot return to Thailand.
Embassy
But we have an ambassador for that to defend our interests, I hear it said here and there. The Dutch ambassador, Kees Rade, wrote in his blog of June 3: “We realize that not being able to travel freely between Thailand and the Netherlands causes problems for many families. Hang on a little longer!"
Well, that doesn't really cheer you up and someone wrote this response:
“Many people would appreciate it if you would commit to helping them return to Thailand to be reunited with their family or partner.
You don't write anything about that in your message, but hopefully you realize the suffering that is now happening because people can't even go back to their partner and/or their children. It seems to me that you have a nice task here. Many will be grateful to you if you would make every effort to do so.”
Silent diplomacy
Shortly after this reaction, Tino Kuis wrote with this message: “But how I would like to know what matters the ambassador is involved in that cannot be told here. That is much more exciting.” That is a very correct comment, because don't think that the ambassador and his staff are waiting to see what will happen in Thailand. I am sure that he and other ambassadors, including his Belgian colleague Kridelka, are doing a lot of work behind the scenes to find a solution. Of course I do not know whether this happens on an individual national basis or in a European context, but it is certain that there is regular contact with the Thai authorities, such as the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That is not publicized, that is the essence of silent diplomacy.
The Australian Ambassador
The Ambassador of Australia, Mr. McKinnon, has now lifted a corner of the veil on this diplomacy and told in an interview with The Examiner about his contacts with the Thai government. He outlines in detail what has been and is being discussed, not forgetting to say that he is not the only ambassador who speaks with senior officials, but that many other ambassadors are also "walking down the door" at the Thai Foreign Ministry Affairs. It's a long story, which you can read here: www.thaiexaminer.com/
My conclusion from the interview
The Thai government's first priority is the safety of the Thai people from the coronavirus infection. Entry to Thailand is closed to almost everyone, any person entering – be it a Thai returnee or a foreigner – is in principle seen as a threat to the priority set.
The fact that this comes at a very high price, both economically and socially, is seen as something inevitable.
The fact that people who cannot come to Thailand due to the travel restriction and therefore cannot be reunited with their partner and any children is not a priority at the moment, no matter how understandable the ambassadors' discussion partners may find that problem.
Dutch or European travelers (tourist or not) can certainly forget their trip to Thailand until October! Thailandblog has its sources, but Richard Barrow (https://www.richardbarrow.com/) is apparently not included. Richard Barrow has been living and working in Thailand since the mid-90s and regularly writes a blog and on social media about his experiences, experiences and opinion in / about Thailand. He knows people and his opinion has often proved correct.
Many people have suggested here on this blog that you could travel again after July 1 based on “EVA Air sells tickets” and “I have booked for July 3 and have not heard anything yet”. Perhaps the wish is the father of the thought, but I think the timetable as Richard Barrow mentioned is more realistic: bring back Thais before July 1, allow farangs with work permits from July 1, certain tourists from September, other tourists only at the end of 2020 or in 2021 With “certain tourists” it concerns “safe countries” and where there is a form of reciprocity; so country X allows Thais back, then residents of country As long as Europe does not allow Thais, we must take into account that Europeans will not be able to return to Thailand until the end of 2020.
Of course I hope we can go back sooner, but as long as there is no vaccine or medicine, countries are very reluctant to admit foreigners. This also applies to the Netherlands and also to Thailand.
I think we made that clear a few days ago: https://www.thailandblog.nl/nieuws-uit-thailand/geen-grote-internationale-toeristenstroom-in-thailand-als-inreisverbod-op-1-juli-vervalt/
We received an email from Etihad this morning that our tickets for departure to BKK on July 6 have been canceled. I still had a little hope, but now grandma in Thailand will have to wait another year. Now 2 weeks in quarantine in Sattahip with the boys was of course nothing, but a little relief from the Covid measures and it would have been done. And now, 'how do you feel now'? I feel… Can I say it…. Midweek at Center Parcs.. it's done!
I've been stuck here in Belgium for more than 3 months now and I'm married to a Thai woman and have 2 children, why can't people with a family go back?..Surely there must be a possibility for people to come over just like me… really sad !!
There are a lot of people right now around the world in your case. In principle, it is illogical that if Thais can return to their country, their relatives cannot. Belgians could go back, but also the wives of Belgians could go back to Belgium (those with a residence card)
This says a lot about what a marriage is in Thailand. Absolutely nothing.
I hope for you and many others that changes soon…but soon it may be a long time. We may have left for several years.
In his posting, the ambassador did indicate that there is talk of how the Dutch business community can be helped again with contracts and turnover after Covid. That apparently does not happen with silent diplomacy. Because it's about money?
Personally, I think it is a mistake by the embassy not to say a word about what people are actually doing to make family reunification a subject of discussion, other than the words: “just hold on”. This could also have been said to the Dutch business community.