Syphilis test now required for work permit application

[buksida]

Had a few reports of this utterly bizarre new (old) request from immigration/labour dept which needs to be part of the regular medical certificate used for the application of a work permit.

Not sure if it is required for renewals, anyone applied for a new WP lately?

[JimmyGreaves]

Someones having a laugh aren't they?

[Spitfire]

Did my WP last week and nothing said along those lines, however, as you said, mines a renewal not a first time application.

[barrys]

We just got a WP for our German engineer and there was no such requirement.

I just asked him for the record whether he has syphilis - but I don't think I could have put his answer down on the application form ......

[PET]

Why on earth would one ask a future employee if he had syphilis?

[Lung Per]

I would assume this requirement applies only to Thai females??

[Super Joe]

Just done a bit of searching about it and apparently '3rd stage syph' has been part of the Immigration Act for the past 30 odd years (see below). People on retirement visas etc are supposed to be free of it. Guess it comes under this 'Medical Certificate' aliens have to produce, where a doctor looks in your left ear and says you're fit

Apparently '3rd stage' is where it becomes contagious through contact other than sex!?!? They actually took HIV off the list as it is so widespread/common enough not to warrant prohibiting aliens entering the country I know some Middle Eastern countries still test and stop you entering for work if you have HIV.

Read on other forums some farangs saying as of March 2009 a blood test for syph and the other contagious diseases was required to accompany the medical certificate, but for NEW applications only, not renewals. Don't know if this is true ofcourse.

SJ

[sargeant]

No 3 (5) Alcaholism should just about clear Thailand of everybody i know

[Vital Spark]

Buksi: Both Mr.VS and I needed it to get a new work permit in Nakhon Pathom when we changed jobs last June. It was new to us too.

It caused confusion and frustration when we thought we had all the required documents, but we went ahead and had a blood test at the local hospital (300 baht each). Sometimes I feel like I'm one of those display dogs at crufts, just jumping through the hoops to get the doggie biscuit, rosette, or work permit at the end.

Just when you think you've got it all sussed...

VS

[margaretcarnes]

What the flip is 'filariasis'? I just googled it with no result. The 'iasis' part plus the mention of the step (stage?) causing disgust indicates some sort of advanced skin condition.
As far as the other listed conditions are concerned well, fair enough. Thailand at least is brave enough to make some kind of stand on who they will, or will not accept, and you have to admire them for that. Except for the fact they have dropped HIV from the list? Weird.

[buksida]

Looks like another one of those 'selectively enforced' regulations again, great to see consistency with the officialdom here.

[Roel]

Recently got a NEW WP here in Krabi. Can confirm that sypilis test was required.

[Super Joe]

VS, hubby & Roel, are you all teachers by any chance ? as the reports on the web I've read seem to be all from teachers.

A farang on a teachers forum said that when they asked why it was required, they were told a teacher in Nonthaburi passed it on to some pupils!?!? True or not it's sensible to introduce the test as you can unknowingly have it once you get passed the 'stinging stage' and can be fatal. The current WP 'medicals' the hospitals give us are a bit of a joke.

What the flip is 'filariasis'?

Elephantitis aparently

I thought fila-rife-asis was something that was first discovered in the early 80's, and specifically associated with scousers, their neighbours washing lines and Italian casual gear. I'll get my coat ......

SJ

[Roel]

I am not a teacher. In the past I heard rumours that only farangs working with/processing food had to do the test but that after a while they decided that it could not hurt if everyone has to undergo the test. At the time I went to Labour to pick up my WP there was a diving instructor sitting at the desk next to us and the officer asked him for his medical certificate with syfilis test result too.

[lomuamart]

SJ,
I assume by "retirement visa" you're talking about an OA visa?
As you said, the medical certificate has been necessary for quite a while. There's another link here -
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493
Just to set the record straight, there's no need for this medical certificate, at the moment, for retirement extensions.