Extend amnesty into 2021?

[Max69xl]

11 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

That snip is from the Immigration infographic that was released BEFORE the last CCSA, cabinet and PM approved OFFICIAL and Royal Gazetted change on 29 July that makes absolutely NO mention of the 'grace' period and having to leave on or before 26 September.

 

Thanks for the wind up.

Take a chill pill and just relax. 

[itsari]

Thai immigration officers are not pleased with the present amnesty for sustaining there income .The Thai Government can see the wisdom to allow the present amnesty for a few sensible reasons . One reason is the economy is helped by the many thousands using the amnesty . As the Thai government said on the last amnesty extension , there is no harm done to the country by extending the amnesty. I applaud there decision . The way the corona 19 is spreading around the world I do not see the Thai Government risking there popularity stakes by allowing foreigners into Thailand on mass even if the Thai economy is dependent on it . Plus many potential tourists to Thailand will be put off by the risks involved .

[Zikomat]

18 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

Absolutely no chance at all. They've already said 26th September is the end of it and they have no reason to go back on that.

Who said that? When? Where? 

[Phillip9]

31 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

cabinet and PM approved OFFICIAL and Royal Gazetted change on 29 July that makes absolutely NO mention of the 'grace' period and having to leave on or before 26 September.

 

It does clearly state that we will have to follow the normal immigration laws (section 35 and 37 of the immigration act) by September 26.  I don’t see how this can mean anything other than an end to amnesty on that date.

 

 

[JackThompson]

48 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Have you read about the new visas in Vietnam and Cambodia. I think not.

They're are no more 3 months visas in Vietnam which you could extend in-country. When using an agent in Cambodia you can get a 1 year extension for little less than the equivalent of 10,000 baht. Cambodia are even about to start with their own TM30 reporting system which so many here complains about.

Cambodia:

 - No issue/limit with border-runs
 - Enter "other" for 30-days - get 6 mo extension, border-run, repeat.

 - Enter "other" - get retirement 1-year extension, repeat.

 

Vietnam:

 - No issue/limit with border-runs
 - If USA - 1-year TR Visa, was 3-mo border-runs - recent reports 30-days w/ agent.  Others 90-day Visa, and otherwise same.

 

Either - Married to a Thai - NO PROBLEM with Extensions.

 

Thailand:

 - 1900 Baht for some cases only - all others Extorted

 - 15K to 35K+ baht for others, even when you meet the requirements (or don't, Immigration don't care - just want their money)

 

I'll take 10K over either of those, though that's the worst-case if you don't meet any qualifications.

 

Quote

So, move to one of those countries if you want. I prefer to pay 1,900 baht/year at immigration which every year takes less than 10 min. Don't talk about people not meeting the official requirements who pays for the stay using agents. It's up to them if they can afford it. Do you even live in Thailand? 

Been here for years - denied multiple times for extensions for which I fully qualified.  Was treated much better when I was using Tourist Visas, before marrying a Thai. 

 

I have lived in countries other than my passport-country for years, always following the visa-rules/laws.  The ONLY place that ever treated me like a criminal, and tried to extort me for over $1000 USD for a Legal Extension, was Thailand. 

 

I've heard some countries in Africa are similarly extremely-corrupt and exploitative - haven't tried those first-hand - but no where else as bad as Thailand, with regard to immigration-corruption.   I guess if their leadership wants to allow a (explitive)-immigration system like some 3rd World hellhole, there is nothing I can do about it.

Edited August 11, 2020 by JackThompson

[GeorgeCross]

5 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

It does clearly state that we will have to follow the normal immigration laws (section 35 and 37 of the immigration act) by September 26.  I don’t see how this can mean anything other than an end to amnesty on that date.

 

 

haha right i get it now.. they are both right!

 

technically it doesn't mention an end to amnesty or leaving by the 26th September.

 

it does however state that you need to be in full compliance with relevent immigration laws after said date

 

thats that settled then - plan/hope accordingly

 

lol.

 

[NanLaew]

42 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Let's wait for the official translated and signed doc shall we.

AFAIK, there's been nothing since the officially promulgated edicts on 29 July. The translation of that is already in the public domain.

 

Thai Immigration pre-empted their proposals to the government with official looking instructions on their website and other media. Their proposals were not supported by the government and thus the amnesty is extended to 26 September under the original rules that applied when it was originally issued last April. That includes NO 'grace period' and NO advice to either leave before 26 September or make sure you have the right to remain after that date.

[NoshowJones]

22 hours ago, BritTim said:

I believe it would be smart for Thailand to allow almost all those who want to stay to remain. However, it is clear that the most senior officials in immigration have a different view. They only care about what they see as abuse of the rules. They believe those who  came as tourists had stated they were coming for short visits, but now want to stay for many months or years. It is an emotional response, and will prevail unless other powerful forces combine to overrule them.

Let them stay, as long as they are behaving themselves and contributing to the economy, then get things fixed out after the borders reopen.

There is no reason to be in a rush to get them out.

[anchadian]

And even more speculation.

 

Unbelievable.

Edited August 11, 2020 by anchadian

[Seik]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

AFAIK, there's been nothing since the officially promulgated edicts on 29 July. The translation of that is already in the public domain.

 

Thai Immigration pre-empted their proposals to the government with official looking instructions on their website and other media. Their proposals were not supported by the government and thus the amnesty is extended to 26 September under the original rules that applied when it was originally issued last April. That includes NO 'grace period' and NO advice to either leave before 26 September or make sure you have the right to remain after that date.

What about that "article 1." above? Isn't that coming from the cabinet?

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, utalkin2me said:

People do have "the correct visas".

 

The irony to me about these comments is people living here and working outside of the country are making salaries commensurate with the countries they are traveling to, which in many cases is a lot higher than Thailand's. For lack of a better phrase, these "border runners" as you call them certainly are a higher class of resident when compared to a teacher or a senior citizen on a $1,200 per month pension. 

 

It just so happens it is very difficult to leave for work and come back right now. 

 

You infer too much with your post, and you have no idea or even the right to guess why people are leaving the country. You can't just assume "people have the wrong visa". 

If you have a non immigrant multiple entry type O visa, (as many of us who are left in limbo unable to renew our visas have) then you have that visa because you have met the requirements of the issuing authority and therefore it is an entirely valid (and proper) visa to hold. The Thai authorities issued them, have done so for years, and were happy to do so to those who qualify for them.

 

For many of us who are unable to go down the "annual extension" route the question is, how are we to renew these visas? 

 

Jibes about "proper visas" from those revelling in "schadenfreude" merely serve to underline a really unpleasant streak in some of the commentary.

[NanLaew]

1 minute ago, Seik said:

What about that "article 1." above? Isn't that coming from the cabinet?

I read it as simply a statement that the Immigration Bureau will enforce these current amnesty rules up to and including the 26 September. Others read it as a covert "not permitted to stay beyond" 26 September.

 

I don't have a copy of the original April amnesty translation but it would be enlightening to see if there's an 'Article 1' in that order and what 'closing' date is referenced.

[Zikomat]

I don’t really care about what some people advise us (those on tourists and exempt visas) in this thread. I know that another amnesty is still possible. And I am also 100% sure that even if the amnesty is not prolonged - we will still be given enough time to leave the country by somewhere in the mid to end of October. No need to panic. Relax and enjoy your time in Thailand.

 

 

Edited August 11, 2020 by Zikomat

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I read it as simply a statement that the Immigration Bureau will enforce these current amnesty rules up to and including the 26 September. Others read it as a covert "not permitted to stay beyond" 26 September.

This is what it says.

Form this topic. https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1175378-extension-of-amnesty-now-in-the-royal-gazette/

 

[JensenZ]

23 hours ago, BritTim said:

I believe it would be smart for Thailand to allow almost all those who want to stay to remain. However, it is clear that the most senior officials in immigration have a different view. They only care about what they see as abuse of the rules. They believe those who  came as tourists had stated they were coming for short visits, but now want to stay for many months or years. It is an emotional response, and will prevail unless other powerful forces combine to overrule them.

I just think the immigration department needs an excuse to remain relevant or feel important. It should be fairly obvious that the majority of short term tourists here on amnesty are not working as even Thais can't find work right now. They are all self-funded and there's no reason to boot them out. 

Edited August 11, 2020 by JensenZ

[vermin on arrival]

1 hour ago, Max69xl said:

Have you read about the new visas in Vietnam and Cambodia. I think not. They're are no more 3 months visas in Vietnam which you could extend in-country. When using an agent in Cambodia you can get a 1 year extension for little less than the equivalent of 10,000 baht. Cambodia are even about to start with their own TM30 reporting system which so many here complains about. So, move to one of those countries if you want. I prefer to pay 1,900 baht/year at immigration which every year takes less than 10 min. Don't talk about people not meeting the official requirements who pays for the stay using agents. It's up to them if they can afford it. Do you even live in Thailand? 

I have friends in Vietnam. They are having no problems continuing to pay for months at a time in country to extend. I have heard nothing from them that they will be kicked out.

[natsume]

Colleague of mine, who was teaching university in Indonesia when COVID hit, came to Thailand early on when her university shut down to visit colleagues who work here, was just granted a 6 month education visa to study Thai. We’re all US citizens. She really has no desire to return to the US atm,  and has a deep interest in Thai food and culture. So that’s one way to stay. I return to my university in China in 12 days. That’s one way to leave. I originally came to Bangkok at the end of January for a professional development conference, originally planned to stay for 5 days after, return for spring semester, then the world turned upside down. I feel pretty grateful that I’ve had a relatively safe harbor here, although I did have a three day Immigration nightmare back in March with my one and only Embassy letter.

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, ttkeric said:

Sigh.... I think some people still can't get it into their heads that this isn't a good time to be a tourist. Anywhere. Period. 

 

Sorry, but travelling for leisure is something for the back burner for the moment. 

I can only speak for myself, but I had a GREAT time traveling in Thailand in the last two months, since the restrictions on interprovincial travel were lifted in June.

 

So I used the amnesty for tourists as intended: to do touristy things!

[vermin on arrival]

4 hours ago, BritTim said:

While a change of mind is possible, I think announcements from immigration make rather clear that they want those on tourist entries out by September 26th (six months after the March 26th date where it was deemed difficult or impossible for many to immediately leave to return to home country). I am not sure what clearer announcement they could make.

I know some very knowledgeable people, whose opinion I respect, about Thailand and its immigration and visa situation don't see it this way, but they could do like Indonesia and Japan did and explicitly state at a moment long before that expiration of the current amnesty that "there will be no extension of the amnesty and everyone who has not changed their visa status out of amnesty must leave by that date". Then nothing is implicit and there is no need for speculation. That would certainly be clearer, no, especially when it is also clear that IOs are in cahoots with agents for "black money" which their scare tactics before both amnesties pushed many into availing themselves of (apologies for my dangling preposition).

 

I do understand the reasoning of the 6 month rule, but other states such as Taiwan are waiving it now. They issued automatic 30 day extension number 5 and have offered people options to apply and pay for 30 days more beyond the 6 months of stay as well. I believe the dynamic may be changed when both Thailand and their regional partners are keeping their borders closed for an indefinite time well beyond Sept 26.

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, anchadian said:

Let's hope you do have a plan B, otherwise your preference to remaining in Thailand will be at some other accommodation.

Duh, my plan B remains the same, I simply changed my flight booking from July 30th to September 24th. I'm not feeling stressed at all, I'm just keeping an open mind about all the options that exist and might open up...

[NorthernRyland]

What surprises me if they haven't made a new temporary visa category which allows you to extend month by month for a fee of 2,3+ thousand baht. Yes, I don't want to go home and try to find a job in the worst economy of my life. Yes, I can afford to live in Thailand for many years if I wanted to. They simply don't need or want us here unless it's for other approved reasons. I'm bitter also but we just have to accept that.

 

We all need to get a ticket by at least mid September to account for all the potential cancellations that may occur.

[audaciousnomad]

9 minutes ago, genericptr said:

What surprises me if they haven't made a new temporary visa category which allows you to extend month by month for a fee of 2,3+ thousand baht. Yes, I don't want to go home and try to find a job in the worst economy of my life. Yes, I can afford to live in Thailand for many years if I wanted to. They simply don't need or want us here unless it's for other approved reasons. I'm bitter also but we just have to accept that.

 

We all need to get a ticket by at least mid September to account for all the potential cancellations that may occur.

They could do that...but all those fees would go through official channels.  They would much rather squeeze us into seeing an agent for 25K+ because a lot of that money will end up bypassing the official channels and go straight into someone's slush fund.

[samtab]

Clearly it will be extended till the end of 2020, but it's astonishing that people here cannot understand this !

I guess that you didn't see the 2 first extension coming also...

poor you :-)

 

[phungo]

From the Thai gov pov, there is not enough tourists in the country and the tourism industry is being decimated.

 

If they are wise they would not kick out people who are spending money here in Thailand.

 

I'm married to Thai wife with 2 kids and we spend up to 150k baht per month. I was only planning to stay in Thailand for 1 year as a vacation and break from my corporate job. I had planned to do travel every 90 days, and did not plan for having to do the 1 year extension.

 

Now that covid is here, I want to stay in Thailand longer until covid dies down in USA. But there's a chance I cannot because the <deleted> stupid paperwork. Why the <deleted> is it so <deleted> difficult?

 

Just make it simple, make me pay 3k baht or whatever per month and just let me stay. Just skip all of the <deleted> paperwork. Anyone who pays 3k baht per month via an app can stay. 

 

 

[Keyser Soze666]

3 minutes ago, phungo said:

 

 

I'm married to Thai wife with 2 kids and we spend up to 150k baht per month.

 

 

Blimey. You are on the wrong forum, that's about half a years money for most on here.

[vermin on arrival]

1 minute ago, phungo said:

From the Thai gov pov, there is not enough tourists in the country and the tourism industry is being decimated.

 

If they are wise they would not kick out people who are spending money here in Thailand.

 

I'm married to Thai wife with 2 kids and we spend up to 150k baht per month. I was only planning to stay in Thailand for 1 year as a vacation and break from my corporate job. I had planned to do travel every 90 days, and did not plan for having to do the 1 year extension.

 

Now that covid is here, I want to stay in Thailand longer until covid dies down in USA. But there's a chance I cannot because the <deleted> stupid paperwork. Why the <deleted> is it so <deleted> difficult?

 

Just make it simple, make me pay 3k baht or whatever per month and just let me stay. Just skip all of the <deleted> paperwork. Anyone who pays 3k baht per month via an app can stay. 

 

 

I think it's the current government's obsession with national security and monitoring of foreign nationals in Thailand which they imbued into the current leaders of Immigration, and also the desire to give work to the people/bureaucrats on the immigration payroll (otherwise they would be out of work). I agree they could make it much simpler, but then earnings from corruption would also be out of the picture.

[CorpusChristie]

11 minutes ago, samtab said:

Clearly it will be extended till the end of 2020, but it's astonishing that people here cannot understand this !

I guess that you didn't see the 2 first extension coming also...

poor you ????

 

Its hardly "clearly" , I would say that its improbable 

[phungo]

23 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

I think it's the current government's obsession with national security and monitoring of foreign nationals in Thailand which they imbued into the current leaders of Immigration, and also the desire to give work to the people/bureaucrats on the immigration payroll (otherwise they would be out of work). I agree they could make it much simpler, but then earnings from corruption would also be out of the picture.

 

Interesting...

 

I was going to ask who is it that want to kick out tourists and expats out of the country? Why? How does that benefit them?

<removed>

 

Edited August 11, 2020 by ubonjoe
removed a off topic comment and a video

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, Barney13 said:

sandyf, what about all the family guys who earn 39k baht or less, or the guys who could not get together 400k in one week? Thousands of farang use  the Savannakhet/HohChiMihn non o visa who have not been given a chance here. You say just return to their own country then come back, talk sense.

I said it was not out of the question, you would have to show me where I said it would be easy.

Travel restrictions are in place and no amount of complaining is going to change that.

I am one of the thousands you refer to with an income bordering on the requirement, one wrong word from Bojo and I could quite easily be below. Last year I couldn't renew my extension so got a visa from HCMC and yesterday went to convert that to marriage extension. I now have under consideration stamp but should that go belly up for any reason I will be looking to go back to UK. With the UK covid situation and being 73, not a course of action that would appeal, but if need must.

The rules are there and whether we like it or not we have no say in the matter.

[nausea]

Doubt it myself. Immigration must be hurting from the lack of "fees". Surely, anyone with any funds left can just pay an agent, and if you don't have funds I guess you're not wanted. The original amnesties were humanitarian, cos there were people here who genuinely had problems getting home, either because of practical reasons or negligence, does it matter? Not an expert, but it seems the guys who need to do border hops are the most affected. Well, I feel for you. But how many are you statistically speaking?