Extension of Amnesty Unlikely?

[audaciousnomad]

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/07/10/visa-amnesty-extension-unlikely-immigration-spox-says/

“There most likely will not be an extension. It’s all quiet on that front. It’s been a long time and we need to clear out people,” Phakkaphong said. “Thailand and the Thai government are already generous. No other country has this long of a visa amnesty.”

No official word from the cabinet though. Is this person's word reliable?

[finy]

That's what I was wondering.

 

Does he have any authority or is it just his personal opinion?

 

Saying Thailand needs to let people go seems silly. The place is literally empty.

[jackdd]

First amnesty: Announced 7th April, started 26th March, extended until 30th April.

Second amnesty (actually extension of the first): Announced 24th April, extended until 31st July.

 

So the first amnesty was announced 11 days after it started and the extension 6 days before the amnesty ended.

I suspect an announcement on 21st July. But it wouldn't surprise me too much if they make an announcement on 29th (usually the cabinet meeting would be 28th, but this is a holiday).

Edited July 10, 2020 by jackdd

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

I think it's very likely, almost certain it'll be extended.  All tourists here simply cannot all be gone by July 31, that's fact.  Not with limited and cancelled flights and no borders open.  You may have to pay, but you'll be able to stay.  

[BritTim]

There is plenty of evidence that most high up in Immigration did not want the original amnesty. They wanted lots of people, desperate to stay, with no other way to do so other than use the agent route. That will not have changed.

 

Immigration has a lot of influence, but they are not the final decision makers. There are other power centres who are more interested in hospitality and retail business health than simply the income of senior immigration officials. The final result may be some kind of compromise. Time will tell.

[audaciousnomad]

13 minutes ago, BritTim said:

There is plenty of evidence that most high up in Immigration did not want the original amnesty. They wanted lots of people, desperate to stay, with no other way to do so other than use the agent route. That will not have changed.

 

Immigration has a lot of influence, but they are not the final decision makers. There are other power centres who are more interested in hospitality and retail business health than simply the income of senior immigration officials. The final result may be some kind of compromise. Time will tell.

So could this statement/article be a "gift" to the agents, so they can reference it in their marketing tactics to pressure people to arrange with them ahead of an official decision by higher-ups?

[heist]

The problem is everything we read is just speculation at the moment. I've heard two different 'insider opinions' within the last 8 hours. 

Here's hoping that common sense prevails though.

 

[audaciousnomad]

2 minutes ago, heist said:

The problem is everything we read is just speculation at the moment. I've heard two different 'insider opinions' within the last 8 hours. 

Here's hoping that common sense prevails though.

 

Pic taken this week ?

[at15]

33 minutes ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

I think it's very likely, almost certain it'll be extended.  All tourists here simply cannot all be gone by July 31, that's fact.  Not with limited and cancelled flights and no borders open.  You may have to pay, but you'll be able to stay.  

People are now allowed to transit in the following places, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei.

I dont see how the authorities are going to think nobody can get home. Like they said in the article , in a rare case where you can prove you have no way to return to your home country then a letter from your embassy may suffice. 
I am on google flights researching the options , plenty of flights available. 

Edited July 10, 2020 by at15

[heist]

9 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Pic taken this week ?

Yes, Monday

[tribalfusion001]

Of course they want to clear out the people on amnesty, why wouldn't they. Get rid of those tourists and start bringing in new ones.

[Jajazazajaja]

Have been tipped off by someone who knows about such things that the spokesman isn’t speaking with authority.

[WorriedNoodle]

>After July 31, overstay fines as well as the 90-day report requirements will resume if the immigration declined to extend the amnesty. Foreigners who plan to continue staying in Thailand are >advised to renew their visas and 90-day reports before then.

>“I recommend you do it within this month,” Phakkaphong said. 

 

Well Mr Plakraphong, my NonO visa expires end of Sept and I was always told I could not extend it until 5 weeks before the date of expiry? How do you explain that then? Can I go this month like you say to extend until Sept 2021?

[audaciousnomad]

2 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Of course they want to clear out the people on amnesty, why wouldn't they. Get rid of those tourists and start bringing in new ones.

Why is one group dependent on the other?  Bringing in new tourists is not hindered by the presence of existing tourist who are still here. Or am I missing something where these two groups are not mutually exclusive?

[spiekerjozef]

9 minutes ago, at15 said:

I am on google flights researching the options , plenty of flights available. 

Yes available....

Then they cancel them because not enough interest or whatever reason.

[zzzzz]

9 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

>After July 31, overstay fines as well as the 90-day report requirements will resume if the immigration declined to extend the amnesty. Foreigners who plan to continue staying in Thailand are >advised to renew their visas and 90-day reports before then.

>“I recommend you do it within this month,” Phakkaphong said. 

 

Well Mr Plakraphong, my NonO visa expires end of Sept and I was always told I could not extend it until 5 weeks before the date of expiry? How do you explain that then? Can I go this month like you say to extend until Sept 2021?

for real? he was referring to people whose extensions expire before july 31st>
you obviously can do yours in mid August

[mike787]

it is official from my agent...NO extension.  July 31 on must pay.

[tribalfusion001]

7 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Why is one group dependent on the other?  Bringing in new tourists is not hindered by the presence of existing tourist who are still here. Or am I missing something where these two groups are not mutually exclusive?

Undocumented tourists who have had a free pass, not something Thai immigration like. People were lucky immigration did this amnesty at some point it has to end and people go home.

[audaciousnomad]

1 minute ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Undocumented tourists who have had a free pass, not something Thai immigration like. People were lucky immigration did this amnesty at some point it has to end and people go home.

Undocumented = No passport? Or otherwise?
 

[audaciousnomad]

4 minutes ago, mike787 said:

it is official from my agent...NO extension.  July 31 on must pay.

Of course it is. Your agent's livelihood depends on them convincing you to pay.

[tribalfusion001]

3 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Undocumented = No passport? Or otherwise?
 

Stamps in the passport, reporting your address on the immigration form, reason for wanting to stay longer. Immigration like to know these things and take your cash too.

[audaciousnomad]

6 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Stamps in the passport, reporting your address on the immigration form, reason for wanting to stay longer. Immigration like to know these things and take your cash too.

I don't speak for all, but there are some here who would willingly pay for an "in-country" visa application/extension if LOS would offer it. The requirement to exit is an unnecessary hindrance.
Also, tourists who are already here are not as big covid risk compared to new arrivals. With the decimated tourism industry, it's a win-win if they would offer a legitimate way for us to continue patronizing the country without having to exit/re-enter.

Edited July 10, 2020 by audaciousnomad

[Eibot]

1 hour ago, audaciousnomad said:

“There most likely will not be an extension. It’s all quiet on that front. It’s been a long time and we need to clear out people

Should not be all quiet on that front...If you want tourist out you should timely alarm them and help with possible solutions...

 

Is this an official?

[Jajazazajaja]

10 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Of course it is. Your agent's livelihood depends on them convincing you to pay.

????

 

15 minutes ago, mike787 said:

it is official from my agent...NO extension.  July 31 on must pay.

Your agent knows full well this “announcement” is unofficial and means absolutely nothing. 

[jacob29]

27 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Of course they want to clear out the people on amnesty, why wouldn't they. Get rid of those tourists and start bringing in new ones.

Immigration does, but ask the tourist sector if they want to clear people out. Nobody new is coming, why even mention it at this stage? It's not happening. It's going to be months before new ones come, your choice is to slash the already low tourist base, or allow them to keep spending. Seems like a no brainer.

[audaciousnomad]

7 minutes ago, Jajazazajaja said:

????

 

Your agent knows full well this “announcement” is unofficial and means absolutely nothing. 

EXACTLY.
So many stories on this forum of "If I had known they were going to officially announce blah-blah, I would not have paid my agent XK-THB for a stamp I didn't need!"

Whoever pays now is buying "peace of mind" and helping the agent pay their bills this month. A generous(but unnecessary) pledge of financial assistance to the local economy.

Edited July 10, 2020 by audaciousnomad

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, finy said:

Saying Thailand needs to let people go seems silly. The place is literally empty.

Non-Thais are essentially a burden to the higher ups and they can't really milk us for that much money at the end of the day. I really believe they do want to clear us out so they can return to neutral, i.e. Thais only. Just how it is here. We've been warned.

[jackdd]

24 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

People were lucky immigration did this amnesty

Immigration didn't decide to do this amnesty, they were ordered to do it by the Cabinet. Immigration only does things which generates income for them. Amnesty doesn't require agents, so no money in it for them.

[vermin on arrival]

40 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Of course they want to clear out the people on amnesty, why wouldn't they. Get rid of those tourists and start bringing in new ones.

What new ones? There will be no new ones.

[tribalfusion001]

8 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

I don't speak for all, but there are some here who would willingly pay for an "in-country" visa application/extension if LOS would offer it. The requirement to exit is an unnecessary hindrance.
Also, tourists who are already here are not as big covid risk compared to new arrivals. With the decimated tourism industry, it's a win-win if they would offer a legitimate way for us to continue patronizing the country without having to exit/re-enter.

They really don't care about a few bars and restaurants in tourist resorts to cater to foreigners. Guys and girls on amnesty also might start to run out of money and have no insurance.

 

10 minutes ago, jacob29 said:

Immigration does, but ask the tourist sector if they want to clear people out. Nobody new is coming, why even mention it at this stage? It's not happening. It's going to be months before new ones come, your choice is to slash the already low tourist base, or allow them to keep spending. Seems like a no brainer.

A "no brainer" in western countries, but TIT.