Why does everyone think an announcement is coming?

[AndyPa]

So, we're all thinking there's an announcement coming. That the visa amnesty will be extended or not.

 

What if there is no announcement coming? I mean, they already made an announcement saying there is an amnesty until July 31, after which you will have to get a proper status. Period.

 

I hope I am wrong, but I don't think they ever said that there will be an announcement to confirm "yes, we really mean what we said".

[Oldie]

Many people here hope for a happy ending. 

[BritTim]

The authorities must be aware of how many people (however dangerously) are relying on a further grace period before they must leave. If the authorities have no intention of providing an extended amnesty, one would think they would provide a clear announcement on this, publicly, and from those at high levels. The longer they wait, the more likely I believe it will be that they will provide a possible, even if inconvenient, way to stay.

[impulse]

2 hours ago, AndyPa said:

What if there is no announcement coming? I mean, they already made an announcement saying there is an amnesty until July 31, after which you will have to get a proper status. Period.

 

When did they say "after which you'll have to get a proper status"? 

 

Seems to me like they have left that dangling, and any claim that it will go one way or the other is conjecture.

 

Until they make an announcement.  Or not, and they just start fining people and hauling them to IDC.

 

[andux]

I'm guessing that people are expecting an announcement because the situation worldwide has not improved.

 

It's not as simple as "I have a flight on July 29", because that flight will probably be canceled.

 

Also, the visa system in Thailand relies heavily on visa runs, and those are not possible at the moment.

 

Plus many more reasons.

Edited July 14, 2020 by andux

[finy]

Because someone from the government said an announcement is coming soon.

[anchadian]

Of course there will be an announcement.  End of.

[PhoSai]

My take :

 

Considering the land borders are closed I would be shocked if there wasnt even an announcement.

 

My prediction is that they will end the amnesty but allow 30 day extensions for the normal fee. This keeps come cash in flowing in the immigration department, it keeps some cash flowing in an already smashed tourism sector and also presents no increased risk of Covid. It also allows people to stay legal until the land borders are open where people can renew visas as normal. Remember, not everyone wants to go home, many people would have renewed and stayed here for years if not for Covid. The Thai government never said you HAVE to go home, they said they advise it. So to be expected many people stayed in the hope Covid would pass.

 

I read somewhere that it could be as many as 200,000 foreigners on the amnesty policy. Most of those leaving via 1 airport within the next 2 weeks would be chaos and would not look good for Thailand's image. It would also damage further an already crippled tourism sector. I personally cant even see the most foreign hating, ultra nationalist politician being so silly as to vote for no amnesty extension AND also no permission to stay extensions.

 

Edited July 15, 2020 by PhoSai

[jackdd]

8 hours ago, AndyPa said:

What if there is no announcement coming? I mean, they already made an announcement saying there is an amnesty until July 31, after which you will have to get a proper status. Period.

Because the ministerial order says that it's issued due to closed borders, and that once the Covid situation is solved people will have to act in accordance with the immigration act.

Are the borders open yet? Is Covid gone? Obviously both is not the case, so it's just reasonable to assume that they will extend it.

[ANDREW999]

16 minutes ago, PhoSai said:

My take :

 

Considering the land borders are closed I would be shocked if there wasnt even an announcement.

 

My prediction is that they will end the amnesty but allow 30 day extensions for the normal fee. This keeps come cash in flowing in the immigration department, it keeps some cash flowing in an already smashed tourism sector and also presents no increased risk of Covid. It also allows people to stay legal until the land borders are open where people can renew visas as normal. Remember, not everyone wants to go home, many people would have renewed and stayed here for years if not for Covid. The Thai government never said you HAVE to go home, they said they advise it. So to be expected many people stayed in the hope Covid would pass.

 

I read somewhere that it could be as many as 200,000 foreigners on the amnesty policy. Most of those leaving via 1 airport within the next 2 weeks would be chaos and would not look good for Thailand's image. It would also damage further an already crippled tourism sector. I personally cant even see the most foreign hating, ultra nationalist politician being so silly as to vote for no amnesty extension AND also no permission to stay extensions.

 

A 30 days extension for 1900 baht, would also be a big help for some of us that found a job and are trying to get a non b and wp to stay in the country LEGALLY. We are not being allowed to change from TR to non b without those 15 days permitted to stay remaining in our passports.

 

They could, at least, change temporarily this policy. Many people would stop needing a new period of grace/amnesty. If you cannot do border run, allow people to sort out the papers inside.

Edited July 15, 2020 by ANDREW999

[Phillip9]

Because the official spokesperson said an extension of amnesty is being considered and an announcement will be made soon.

 

[jackdd]

4 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

A 30 days extension for 1900 baht, would also be a big help for some of us that found a job and are trying to get a non b and wp to stay in the country LEGALLY. We are not being allowed to change from TR to non b without those 15 days permitted to stay remaining in our passports.

Some immigration offices do it, some don't. The ones who don't do it for you, would do it if you use an agent who pays them. So these immigration offices are just extorting money, there is no legal reason why they couldn't do it.

[PhoSai]

4 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

A 30 days extension for 1900 baht, would also be a big help for some of us that found a job and are trying to get a non b and wp to stay in the country LEGALLY. We are not being allowed to change from TR to non b without those 15 days permitted to stay remaining in our passports.

 

They could, at least, change temporarily this policy. Many people would stop needing a new period of grace/amnesty. If you cannot do border run, allow people to sort out the papers inside.

Indeed. Ultimately its just stamps and entries in a database. Normally done at immigration offices anyway for standard extensions. They just need to temporarily adjust for more stamps and database entries to be done for more reasons. They could even just increase the fee to 2900 on a temporary basis to allow for the extra traffic and staff needed. Ultimately all the time the land borders are closed its make sense to think of these things.

[ANDREW999]

6 minutes ago, PhoSai said:

Indeed. Ultimately its just stamps and entries in a database. Normally done at immigration offices anyway for standard extensions. They just need to temporarily adjust for more stamps and database entries to be done for more reasons. They could even just increase the fee to 2900 on a temporary basis to allow for the extra traffic and staff needed. Ultimately all the time the land borders are closed its make sense to think of these things.

Im willing to pay 15.000 for ending this headache. A simple 30 days stamp is all i need. My papers have been so ready since march 

[PhoSai]

3 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

Im willing to pay 15.000 for ending this headache. A simple 30 days stamp is all i need. My papers have been so ready since march 

Yep, well I guess if it all goes south then agents are the backup, but they charge a lot, which is to be expected given the possible supply & demand dynamic. I was quoted 35,000 baht for a 3 month extension based on staying with my child. Its a lot but if come the end of this week there is either no announcement and/or no extension then ill be doing it. 

Edited July 15, 2020 by PhoSai

[JeffersLos]

8 hours ago, AndyPa said:

they already made an announcement saying there is an amnesty until July 31, after which you will have to get a proper status. Period.

"after which you will have to get a proper status."

 

I don't recall that in their announcements. 

 

 

Quote

Period.

 

I also don't see what a woman's menstrual cycle has to do with anything.

 

 

though I do recall the Foreign Minister's deputy spokesman officially announcing that immigration's decision to extend it or not will be made public soon.

 

 

So I guess that answers your question. ???? 

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

Im willing to pay 15.000 for ending this headache. A simple 30 days stamp is all i need. My papers have been so ready since march 

Perhaps more money would work... on the other hand, if you proceed before the end of the month, there is always the possibility a further amnesty might be announced, and certainly you would have wasted money you will not get back. 

It is a bad position to keep people in. 

 

[ANDREW999]

10 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Some immigration offices do it, some don't. The ones who don't do it for you, would do it if you use an agent who pays them. So these immigration offices are just extorting money, there is no legal reason why they couldn't do it.

the university i work in atm ambiguously suggested something to me about getting a 30 days stamp using an agent. I thought they were just giving unreal ideas to end up the discussion

[ChakaKhan]

8 hours ago, Oldie said:

Many people here hope for a happy ending. 

Due to covid one has to do unto themselves what they would hope to receive from others...no hab..no hab..

[UncleMhee]

8 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

after which you will have to get a proper status."

 

I don't recall that in their announcements. 

Spin it however you will; looks like proper status is needed post 31 July

[jackdd]

12 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

the university i work in atm ambiguously suggested something to me about getting a 30 days stamp using an agent. I thought they were just giving unreal ideas to end up the discussion

I mean it's possible to convert a tourist visa or visa exempt which has expired (and the person is now under the amnesty) to a non-immigrant visa.

Officially 15 days remaining are required, which would make today or tomorrow (depending how they count) the last day where it's possible the official way (if no further extensions are issued). After this it's only possible through an agent.

Edited July 15, 2020 by jackdd

[LennyW]

https://udon.info/2020/07/14/stranded-foreigners-must-get-embassy-letter-new-visa-or-leave-thailand-to-avoid-arrest-by-police/?fbclid=IwAR0TmGaZH4iXjT-kpAxXLHFtC5zhKDyJnHvQQ5VhEy7jWMaxgztWjfkX7bg

[ANDREW999]

14 minutes ago, jackdd said:

I mean it's possible to convert a tourist visa or visa exempt which has expired (and the person is now under the amnesty) to a non-immigrant visa.

Officially 15 days remaining are required, which would make today or tomorrow (depending how they count) the last day where it's possible the official way (if no further extensions are issued). After this it's only possible through an agent.

Both imm officers in Pathum Thani and here in Bangkok understood that 15 remaining days are from my permission to stay stamp (which expired in 25th of April), and not from the amnesty period. Maybe my university is not powerful enough.

 

 

 

 

 

[PhoSai]

5 minutes ago, LennyW said:

https://udon.info/2020/07/14/stranded-foreigners-must-get-embassy-letter-new-visa-or-leave-thailand-to-avoid-arrest-by-police/?fbclid=IwAR0TmGaZH4iXjT-kpAxXLHFtC5zhKDyJnHvQQ5VhEy7jWMaxgztWjfkX7bg

Saw this piece last week and its just scaremongering for the sake of it. I mean of course if the amnesty is not extended then normal service resumes. Not sure why the spokesman thought this was some kind of inside info. Cabinet decide amnesty policy, not immigration. So unless this guys sits in the cabinet or has access to a source I think he is just displaying his obvious bias. I mean look at his words "we need to clear out people"...wow what a well thought out policy..lol

Edited July 15, 2020 by PhoSai

[playboy]

There will have cabinet meeting this Friday 17, so possible decision about somethings.????????????????????????

[whiteman]

They do not want you to leave for no tourists so you people will have to do and spend your money while lock in Thailand. Every little helps.

[JackThompson]

8 hours ago, AndyPa said:

What if there is no announcement coming? I mean, they already made an announcement saying there is an amnesty until July 31, after which you will have to get a proper status. Period.

The annuncement dated April 7 stated:

Quote

When the situation is resolved and returns to normal, aliens must apply for a visa extension and report 90 days within the specified period. ...

 

47 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

A 30 days extension for 1900 baht, would also be a big help for some of us that found a job and are trying to get a non b and wp to stay in the country LEGALLY. We are not being allowed to change from TR to non b without those 15 days permitted to stay remaining in our passports.

 

They could, at least, change temporarily this policy. Many people would stop needing a new period of grace/amnesty. If you cannot do border run, allow people to sort out the papers inside.

 

1 hour ago, PhoSai said:

Indeed. Ultimately its just stamps and entries in a database. Normally done at immigration offices anyway for standard extensions. They just need to temporarily adjust for more stamps and database entries to be done for more reasons.

Some things they could not do w/o changing immigration law (Immigration Act) - but immigration Law already allows "change of visa type" (from TR to Non-Imm) and changing the reason for a Non-Imm extension w/o leaving the country.  This "have to go out for a new visa" routine is an "invented" (fake) rule, to put some types of services in an "agent-money only" queue.

A web search turned up "law firms" that will get a Non-B inside Thailand for a price.  The agent-money is what immigration-personnel are interested in, because to them, this is "Return on Investment" for the big money they paid for their jobs/promotions within the organization.  The entire point of buying those jobs, was to get their hands into the agent/lawyer-money trough.

 

This is why they won't announce an extension with plenty of time, and make comments like "clear out" (immigration spokesman last week) - to stampede us to their agent-partners, force us to take part in their felonious scheme, and use the leverage of covid-border-closings to bleed us.

 

1 hour ago, PhoSai said:

My prediction is that they will end the amnesty but allow 30 day extensions for the normal fee. This keeps come cash in flowing in the immigration department,

That's not the kind of cash they are seeking.  The 1900 Baht goes to the govt - not their pockets.  

 

1 hour ago, PhoSai said:

 I was quoted 35,000 baht for a 3 month extension based on staying with my child.

Yes, they know you love your family, and use that as leverage to extract more than double the "agent fee" envelope, compared what "retirees" (who can more easily 'retire somewhere else') pay.  Nice guys, eh?

[Boomer6969]

What bothers me, is that my embassy sends me regular updates on flight options from Bangkok to Paris (I can give the list if the moderators don't suppress my post for not being in English), and it appears the the possibilities to return are quite numerous. Therefore it would seem legitimate for the Thai authorities to expect those people who don't have, or can't get, the right visa after July 31st to make arrangements to go home. If I was in a situation where in effect I would be an overstayer under amnesty, I'd definitely get ready to go. Maybe hope for some leniency if I got delayed after July 31st.

[ThailandRyan]

55 minutes ago, LennyW said:

https://udon.info/2020/07/14/stranded-foreigners-must-get-embassy-letter-new-visa-or-leave-thailand-to-avoid-arrest-by-police/?fbclid=IwAR0TmGaZH4iXjT-kpAxXLHFtC5zhKDyJnHvQQ5VhEy7jWMaxgztWjfkX7bg

Reading into the article above is like looking at a ticking time bomb as the clock counts down and waiting for it to go off and take all those who are not on a definitive visa or extension out with a bang.  There will be many screams heard and whining to follow should the writing come true.

[JackThompson]

58 minutes ago, LennyW said:

https://udon.info/2020/07/14/stranded-foreigners-must-get-embassy-letter-new-visa-or-leave-thailand-to-avoid-arrest-by-police/?fbclid=IwAR0TmGaZH4iXjT-kpAxXLHFtC5zhKDyJnHvQQ5VhEy7jWMaxgztWjfkX7bg

Quote

This visa amnesty did not apply to foreigners who already had visas other than a tourist visa or who had entered Thailand before January of this year.

... is incorrect.  It applied to all persons on 30, 60, and 90-day entries, including Non-Immigrant Visa entries.  Those on "border passes" were also accomodated, unless/until the land-borders re-opened (which they still have not).