Hua Hin Immigration making it difficult to get emergency extension.

[Peter Denis]

8 minutes ago, VYCM said:

Can't see anything wrong here.

It's quite easy to type a letter and print it off.

They're just making sure it's original and not fraudulent. 

OP didn't say there was anything wrong with it, just that IO wanted to see a print-out of the Embassy e-mail.  So good info for other applicants, which would otherwise have their application refused for not having the e-mail print with them.

= = = = =

But I think it is ridiculous defending the approach IO has taken to tackle the issue of people being stranded in Thailand with borders closed and almost all flights out cancelled.

An automatic 1 or 2 month amnesty for all those stranded like many other countries have done, is the sensible way to do it.  

Note: The latest cabinet resolution to address the issue is once again a joke.  When you have arrived after March 1, there will be clemency for you.  Those having arrived after March 1, can apply for the normal no-problems 30-day extension.  It's those that arrived before March 1 and have already applied for a 30-day or 60-day extension that are in trouble and confronted with preposterous requirements (e.g. bring the owner of the place where you are staying with you), when applying for the emergency extension.

 

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, Vigilante said:

Maybe they want farangs to evacuate

Liabilities.

 

This can be the only explanation.

 

They know there are still planes leaving.  They know that many farang technically can leave (even though it means returning to a country where they have nothing and no one to return to and will probably catch corona on the journey).

 

They would rather farang were dead or homeless in their home countries than allow them to safely wait out the crisis in Thailand.

 

It's very sad.

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, Youlike said:

They do....ask any european where all the sexpats go.....although the phillipines are also hot last years.

True, but not all expats are sexpats, there are many reasons why foreigners come to live in Thailand, though I think it's fair to say that scholarship and intellect are not very high on the list.

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

This can be the only explanation.

 

They know there are still planes leaving.  They know that many farang technically can leave (even though it means returning to a country where they have nothing and no one to return to and will probably catch corona on the journey).

 

They would rather farang were dead or homeless in their home countries than allow them to safely wait out the crisis in Thailand.

 

It's very sad.

 But true enough.  Still, it reflects the reality that even if the foreigners are not welcome, their money is. I don't go so far as to say (as my acquaintances did) that Thais have always got their hands out, once they get to know you, though it probably seemed that way to him.

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, ParkerN said:

True, but not all expats are sexpats, there are many reasons why foreigners come to live in Thailand, though I think it's fair to say that scholarship and intellect are not very high on the list.

It beats sitting alone in a frosty UK scared of the local teenagers! Sit by my pool with a cold one!

[theoldgit]

I was in the Hua Hin office this morning renewing my extension based on retirement, it had been refused yesterday because the bank letter was more than a week old, the letter had been locked in the bank when the shopping mall was closed by the Governor, when I was able to retirieve it, the date was more than seven days old, so it seems the letter couldn't be used, we had to return to the bank and get a new letter with exactly the same information but with a new date, wasted four and a half hours yesterday.

 

I did ask the IO if she was aware that there was a global emergency and people were seeking help which other Immigration staff around the world were happy to provide, she ignored me and waved me away repeating her demand for me to get a new letter.

 

I witnessed over the hours I was there the utter contempt that was shown to regular tourists, families with young children, older couples and a few elderly men and women who could hardly stand up, the demands seemed to have been made up on the hoof, made no operational sense and were ridgedly enforced. 

 

A few people were saying that their particular embassy wouldn't provide the meaningless letter, some people had booked through overses tour companies or Airbnb where the owners lived overseas, their pleas fell on deaf ears, "you have to get what we want" was all they were able to say.

 

I was ashamed at what I witnessed.

It seems the government is about to offer an automatic extension to tourists who arrived after March 1 and are now marooned. .  

[rudidep]

wow, that's Kafkaesque what I'm reading here ....I just had my extension done today in Bangkok -- long wait, but only needed the standard stuff: copies of passport, one picture, and TM7 form. I stay in a rented house by the way, gave the address, and no one asked me any questions or additional information.

[ldarcy]

6 minutes ago, rudidep said:

wow, that's Kafkaesque what I'm reading here ....I just had my extension done today in Bangkok -- long wait, but only needed the standard stuff: copies of passport, one picture, and TM7 form. I stay in a rented house by the way, gave the address, and no one asked me any questions or additional information.

Was that the first extension or the second one?

[johng]

11 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Sit by my pool with a cold one!

A cold frosty teenager ?  ????

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, theoldgit said:

I was in the Hua Hin office this morning renewing my extension based on retirement, it had been refused yesterday because the bank letter was more than a week old, the letter had been locked in the bank when the shopping mall was closed by the Governor, when I was able to retirieve it, the date was more than seven days old, so it seems the letter couldn't be used, we had to return to the bank and get a new letter with exactly the same information but with a new date, wasted four and a half hours yesterday.

 

I did ask the IO if she was aware that there was a global emergency and people were seeking help which other Immigration staff around the world were happy to provide, she ignored me and waved me away repeating her demand for me to get a new letter.

 

I witnessed over the hours I was there the utter contempt that was shown to regular tourists, families with young children, older couples and a few elderly men and women who could hardly stand up, the demands seemed to have been made up on the hoof, made no operational sense and were ridgedly enforced. 

 

People were being told that their particular embassy wouldn't provide the meaningless letter, some people had booked through overses tour companies or Airbnm where the owners lived overseas, their please fell on deaf ears, "you have to get what we want" was all they were able to say.

 

I was ashamed at what I witnessed.

It seems the government is about to offer an automatic extension to tourists who arrived after March 1 and are now marooned. .  

 

Para 1: Point of satisfaction number 1 - at making a foreigner jump through a hoop.

 

Para 2. Point of satisfaction number 2 - Letting the foreigner know that he's being ignored and there isn't anything he can do about it.

 

Para 3. Point of satisfaction number 3  Letting the foreigners jnow who's the boss before they climb on their mopeds and go home to their 2000THB per month room.

 

I was ashamed at what I witnessed.

 

Why? they weren't. Welcome to what passes for normal in Thailand. You'll get much the same attitude wherever you go.

 

 

 

 

[Peter Denis]

5 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

...

It seems the government is about to offer an automatic extension to tourists who arrived after March 1 and are now marooned. .  

It's NOT those that arrived after March 1 that are in real trouble, as they can still apply for the 30-day 'normal' extension with relatively little paperwork.

But it's those that arrived before March 1, and already 'used up' the normal 30-day extension they were provided.  The requirements to apply for the 'emergency covid-19' 30-day extension are preposterous and for many even impossible to meet (e.g. the owner of the place where you are staying, has to be with you when applying for that emergency extension).

It would be funny, if the consequences were not so devastating for those confronted with this bureaucratic madness.

[theoldgit]

19 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

OP didn't say there was anything wrong with it, just that IO wanted to see a print-out of the Embassy e-mail.  So good info for other applicants, which would otherwise have their application refused for not having the e-mail print with them.

 

One guy I saw this morning, with his wife and a child in a pushchair, had the required embassy letter on his telephone, but no access to a printer, and with much of Hua Hin closed he was having a problem getting it printed, he was just told it couldn't be done there, he'd have to find somewhere.

 

I suppose the good thing is that various embassies aren't particularly busy at the moment so have nothing better to do than process these letters, which will go into a storage area and never see the light of day ever again.

[Destiny1990]

All this efforts for some paperworks and stamps for elderly foreigners how does it limit for them social distancing and movements and line ups??

[Straight8]

One reason I got out of there before the sh!te went down, not having to deal with these numbskulls and their lack of understanding and compassion in a time like this.

 

For those who stayed, you're just going to have to grind it out, with whatever they put in place

[DrJack54]

The reports of few offices requiring the landlord to come along to immigration should almost make news overseas as being the most ridiculous requirements even in normal times. Having that requirement at a time of unprecedented global challenges makes Thailand a laughing stock. 

[TheFishman1]

Amazing Thailand TIT

[lovesthespicy]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The reports of few offices requiring the landlord to come along to immigration should almost make news overseas as being the most ridiculous requirements even in normal times. Having that requirement at a time of unprecedented global challenges makes Thailand a laughing stock. 

Its absurd. Everybody is preaching social distancing, stay home, etc. So Thai immigration decides the move is to require people to bring a Thai landlord into a busy social setting. 

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The reports of few offices requiring the landlord to come along to immigration should almost make news overseas as being the most ridiculous requirements even in normal times. Having that requirement at a time of unprecedented global challenges makes Thailand a laughing stock. 

Again.

[William Osborne]

You know what......after reading some of the comments here talking down Thailand and saying its 3rd world etc ....I'm not surprised that Thai officials are making things as difficult as possible......I know i would if I was a Thai reading these posts ????????

 

 

 

 

[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, Edwin Cameron said:

I have been coming to Thailand since 1968, sadly after my experience the last time with an utterly rude, arrogant Thai Immigration officer (female) I will be going to the Phillipines when this Pandemic is finished, Farangs are fleeing Thailand for Vietnam,Cambodia and the Phillipines.

In early February this year my 81yr dear old mom came with me to Thailand (her last visit was 6yrs ago). We then went to Myanmar for a week and back to Thailand. On all 3 of the entries/exits we made together she had female Thai IOs who were rude and impolite to her. Contrast that with arriving and departing Myanmar where their IOs were very pleasant. Thailand was no longer the Land of Smiles even before Covid-19 took hold!

 

[NanLaew]

4 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

There are plenty of countries with more to offer than Thailand and welcome visitors and retirees...

...and right now, they've all got Covid-19. Unless you are planning relocating to Antarctica of course.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Straight8 said:

One reason I got out of there before the sh!te went down, not having to deal with these numbskulls and their lack of understanding and compassion in a time like this.

 

For those who stayed, you're just going to have to grind it out, with whatever they put in place

You made the right call. Assuming you were in los on visa etc. I have mixed sympathy for some on visa exempt,  tourist visa etc and rolled the dice. I was at Saigon airport March 16 on way back to Bangkok.

Was chatting with couple guys trying to get back to Singapore as they were imposing self quarantine from late that day. 

The various airlines cancelled 10 flights to Singapore. One guy got a flight. 

At that time my OZ gov had already been stating return home NOW. 

Think NZ 2 days prior introduced 14 day isolation. AU gov followed soon after.

Now to the point. I live in Thailand. Have done for 7 years. Sold homes, cars etc ALL in Oz in recent years and have Thai 7 yr partner. I recall on March 16 thinking if your a tourist get out now! 

Many thought it would not be this bad.

Now paying big price. That does not excuse Thai authorities for being a## h....

I have lost lot of faith in Thai gov. Not so much Thai people.

Also feel sick about the folk being made to try and satisfy the most cruel requirements to obtain emergency extensions.

[theoldgit]

7 minutes ago, William Osborne said:

You know what......after reading some of the comments here talking down Thailand and saying its 3rd world etc ....I'm not surprised that Thai officials are making things as difficult as possible......I know i would if I was a Thai reading these posts 

 

I rather hope that they are reading these posts.

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, William Osborne said:

You know what......after reading some of the comments here talking down Thailand and saying its 3rd world etc ....I'm not surprised that Thai officials are making things as difficult as possible......I know i would if I was a Thai reading these posts ????????

 

Chicken or egg? It's OK for you to think highly of Thais, some folk dol but it's also OK to not.

 

 

[soi3eddie]

By treating paying visitors (elderly and families) in this way, Thailand will soon get it's way and rid itself of most foreigners. The once friendly experience has largely disappeared. Due to a certain minister's comments we are now blamed for Covid-19 by many (my building manager and sudo sister-in-law have both made snarky comments). The problem is that there will be a terrible drain on the already <deleted> economy. With tourism gone too, what will happen to the ordinary hard working Thais and small business owners trying to do the best for their families? Already Thailand can be an expensive place with the current exchange rates against US, UK and OZ to name a few. It's difficult times for all so Thai Immigration and the Thai Government should wake up and implement better and more welcoming policies. But, they simply don't care about anyone except those in power and the elites. Sad. 

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, ParkerN said:

Chicken or egg? It's OK for you to think highly of Thais, some folk dol but it's also OK to not.

 

 

deleted

[Peter Denis]

9 minutes ago, William Osborne said:

You know what......after reading some of the comments here talking down Thailand and saying its 3rd world etc ....I'm not surprised that Thai officials are making things as difficult as possible......I know i would if I was a Thai reading these posts ????????

Wow, is this a click-bait post?

Everybody in his right mind is appalled and disgusted by the rigid bureaucratic approach IO has taken in these difficult times.  So rightfully to blame and shame them for that attitude!

But I still love Thailand and the thai people I know.  And not all IOs are sourly farang-haters, my local IO being a cheerful lot.

 

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, William Osborne said:

You know what......after reading some of the comments here talking down Thailand and saying its 3rd world etc ....I'm not surprised that Thai officials are making things as difficult as possible......I know i would if I was a Thai reading these posts ????????

 

 

 

 

Then you have found your niche. I wish you much pleasure from it, you should fit right in. For a while anyway.

 

Why did you leave your country of origin?

 

 

[ukrules]

5 hours ago, retayl said:

we cannot meet the other requirements re: ID & house book.

That's the result they want, you're not supposed to get this extension - they're doing everything they can think of to make sure as few extensions are issued as possible. This is very clear.

[Isaanbiker]

4 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

You can not make this stuff up!  Reads like an April Fools Joke.

 

Immigration is ruining this country for tourism and retirement.

 

There are plenty of countries with more to offer than Thailand and welcome visitors and retirees...

 

Take your tons of paperwork to the bank and see how much it is worth...before long that is all you will have left as evidence that foreigners once came and supported your economy...

 

 

I've already told friends a year ago NOT to waste their money in Thailand.

 

 Now with all the Farang hate news, foreigners would be inane to bring money to such a country with a dual price system.

 

    The Chinese brought the virus and prostitutes helped a lot to spread it to foreigners here.

 

These on the other hand brought it back to their countries.

 

And now you can read more and more posts that Frarangs were the cause of Covid 19? 

 

  Most people in this country do not know that Thailand would be similar to Burma without the tourist $$$.

 

   And that all happened to get a few baht out of Chinese people?

 

   The government should be ashamed.