Amnesty to be extended to October 31

[edwardandtubs]

1 minute ago, HandsomeTallFarang said:

No, there was an email with the word “unlimited extentions” which implied you could just keep renewing until they start allowing tourists in the old way and border runs were back to normal. If that’s the case then I can’t complain. 

I was talking about the regular tourist visa extension that I have now used up, not the embassy letter extension.

[HandsomeTallFarang]

5 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

I was talking about the regular tourist visa extension that I have now used up, not the embassy letter extension.

Ok, oh. Can’t you get basically just get a medical unfit to fly medical letter instead which is almost the same thing though? I’m the from the United States and I was able to receive my embassy letter over email no reason needed, but if you really need to, you can get yourself a medical doctor letter and it acts as the same thing.

 

Does anyone know if these extensions are indeed unlimited?

Edited September 26, 2020 by HandsomeTallFarang

[vermin on arrival]

9 minutes ago, TheFreqFlyer said:

Those that want to spend longer here without all this uncertainty should just use agents to get a 12-15 month extension. 

Yeah since I have no intention to stay that long and will either go back home to Taiwan or move to Laos once the borders open up, I prefer not to that. I am also trying to save the cash since I took a significant financial hit from not being able to get back to where I needed to be at the end of March; the cost of that can cover expenses for a while depending on where you stay of go. Why waste money when you don't have to?

 

I think many who are under amnesty have similar thoughts when it comes to using the visa agents. Many also probably have extreme antipathy for being in a situation not of there choosing where they are forced to pay bribes to stay in the country. It feels like extortion.

[2530Ubon]

2 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

I was talking about the regular tourist visa extension that I have now used up, not the embassy letter extension.

Same... I wasted two days getting 30 days only for another amnesty to be announced. I should have listened to all those who were adament it was going to happen! There's still hope we can move on to the new STV visa... They'll have to think of a more long term solution

[Bell1234]

Where have all the big mouths gone taking pleasure and telling ppl it won't be extended.. you were all wrong.

[vermin on arrival]

10 minutes ago, HandsomeTallFarang said:

No, there was an email with the word “unlimited extentions” which implied you could just keep renewing until they start allowing tourists in the old way and border runs were back to normal. If that’s the case then I can’t complain. 

The only thing I know of about that was an immigration official talking in the phuket news. It seems Gen. Pornchai was the source of this rumor.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-to-get-unlimited-30-day-extensions-to-stay-after-visa-amnesty-ends-77201.php

 

"PHUKET: Foreigners staying in the country on any form of tourist visa will be allowed to repeatedly renew their permits to stay with immigration for periods of 30 days at a time after the ‘visa amnesty’ ends on Sept 26, the Immigration Bureau announced today Sept 3.

 

Gen Pornchai explained that any tourists unable to return home after Sept 26 due to illness are to apply for an extension to stay by applying at an Immigration office and presenting a medical certificate to prove they are unfit to fly."

[edwardandtubs]

6 minutes ago, HandsomeTallFarang said:

Ok, oh. Can’t you get basically just get a medical unfit to fly medical letter instead which is almost the same thing though? I’m the from the United States and I was able to receive my embassy letter over email no reason needed, but if you really need to, you can get yourself a medical doctor letter and it acts as the same thing.

 

Does anyone know if these extensions are indeed unlimited?

Please tell me where a perfectly healthy person can get these medically unfit to fly letters. Also it's more difficult and expensive if you want to obtain a long-term visa after that.

[Negentropy]

Ubonjoe was right all along ????

[edwardandtubs]

2 minutes ago, Negentropy said:

Ubonjoe was right all along ????

And Richard Barrow exposed as the legal sparrow he is.

[darrendsd]

After seeing 4 Immigration officers service a grand total of 5 people between them in 2 hours yesterday i'm not surprised at this news

 

Incompetence at t's finest

[Advocatus Diaboli]

So if this does not happen, will the Bangkok Harold be sued by the government for Fake News? 

[jackdd]

Don't get too excited, currently this is just rumors.

[Bell1234]

So if this is true the Agents and their masters have milked thousands and made alot of loot.

[CorpusChristie]

15 minutes ago, Bell1234 said:

Where have all the big mouths gone taking pleasure and telling ppl it won't be extended.. you were all wrong.

If I were you, I would wait for an official announcement 

[GeorgeCross]

1 hour ago, CorpusChristie said:

The only reason why they are considering extending the amnesty is because of many people attending immigration offices all trying to get visa extensions , so, they would unlikely extend the amnesty again 

hahaha unlikely. even if they came out and said 100% no more, finished, the end, all over NO MORE amnesty.. no-one would believe them now.

it will be same same next month

 

sorry thai gov, this isn't an extension its a surrender!

 

[Destiny1990]

Wow another month in paradise for you..????????

[Daithi85]

Do agents give refunds???????????????

[Seik]

4 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

hahaha unlikely. even if they came out and said 100% no more, finished, the end, all over NO MORE amnesty.. no-one would believe them now.

it will be same same next month

 

sorry thai gov, this isn't an extension its a surrender!

 

Absolutely, you can't keep threatening someone with a fake gun after firing it at him. I don't think they care though, they milked the people that could be already... No skin off their back.

Edited September 26, 2020 by Seik

[Rockbottom]

This is a reprehensible act of extortion from Immigration. Suck the extortion money from foreigners, threaten overstay fines or even jail time, make them stand in line all day unless they pay "under the table", and then announce amnesty ON THE FINAL DAY? This country is rotting with corruption. Where's the clear communincation, you know like normal human beings working at a gov't position? Pathetic. 

[2 is 1]

18 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Please tell me where a perfectly healthy person can get these medically unfit to fly letters. Also it's more difficult and expensive if you want to obtain a long-term visa after that.

Hmm.. you haven't visit many times Thai doctor or pharmacy! 

You just go clinic and doctor say"good day how many day"? That what Russian doctors ask you in Finland, they know you going there to ask sick vacation paper! Soon here same "hello"! here reason is new "visa".

[jackdd]

1 minute ago, 2 is 1 said:

You just go clinic and doctor say"good day how many day"?

You need a certificate from a hospital

[Wilsonandson]

I wonder if I can get another 30 day extension letter from the UK embassy? Note to self :- must not panic next month and wait until the last day of the amnesty before using up all my visa extension options.

[trappedinasia]

15 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

Yeah since I have no intention to stay that long and will either go back home to Taiwan or move to Laos once the borders open up, I prefer not to that. I am also trying to save the cash since I took a significant financial hit from not being able to get back to where I needed to be at the end of March; the cost of that can cover expenses for a while depending on where you stay of go. Why waste money when you don't have to?

 

I think many who are under amnesty have similar thoughts when it comes to using the visa agents. Many also probably have extreme antipathy for being in a situation not of there choosing where they are forced to pay bribes to stay in the country. It feels like extortion.

Yes, same for me. I would gladly go to many countries in Asia and Oceania, but it's still not possible, and Thailand isn't helping matters by refusing to agree to Green Zone travel, thus far. I would have left months ago, amnesty or not, but nowhere I want to go is/was open. I don't want to spend the next year in Thailand. If nothing in the region opens up in the next few months, I will probably go to Southern Europe, then maybe to Africa or South America. Or to Africa via the Middle East. I won't go to the US unless I'm in handcuffs.

 

Thailand is fine, but I don't consider it some incredible privilege to be here. The government has done what is in their own interests. If it's charity, where are my welfare checks and free healthcare? The Herald article notes that the Thai Chamber of Commerce has repeatedly asked the government to let foreigners stay here. 

[Seik]

2 minutes ago, Wilsonandson said:

I wonder if I can get another 30 day extension letter from the UK embassy? Note to self :- must not panic next month and wait until the last day of the amnesty before using up all my visa extension options.

If you have an "Under consideration" stamp, you will need it "resolved" at the same office that granted it before requesting a new one. Just something to be aware of.

Edited September 26, 2020 by Seik

[2 is 1]

1 minute ago, jackdd said:

You need a certificate from a hospital

And you think cant get it here!? Even you don't have nothing wrong! What private hospitals do!? Give what you want!

[2530Ubon]

7 minutes ago, Rockbottom said:

This is a reprehensible act of extortion from Immigration. Suck the extortion money from foreigners, threaten overstay fines or even jail time, make them stand in line all day unless they pay "under the table", and then announce amnesty ON THE FINAL DAY? This country is rotting with corruption. Where's the clear communincation, you know like normal human beings working at a gov't position? Pathetic. 

They haven't even announced it on the final day - apparently, according to the ONLY source - the bangkok herald, it'll be announced on Monday - after the final day, and without cabinet approval, which is the usual process. A quick google search of the bangkok herald revealed nothing other than the website, it's not listed on wikipedia under Thailands mass media, and it's 'about us' page is blank. I strongly suspect this is clickbait.

Edited September 26, 2020 by 2530Ubon

[MeePeeMai]

Amnesty to be extended to October 31

Trick, or treat (?) 

[trappedinasia]

31 minutes ago, Bell1234 said:

Where have all the big mouths gone taking pleasure and telling ppl it won't be extended.. you were all wrong.

You know they haven't gone anywhere. They have nothing better to do. So they're here. Enraged, hoping against hope the rumor is false, trying to think of some response. (Likely it will be: "The poor PM, forced to do something he didn't want to do by these malicious tourists! Call the ICC, we're gonna need another Nuremberg tribunal for these monsters!" But I've muted most of them already, anyway. Sad, silly little people. 

[CorpusChristie]

2 minutes ago, trappedinasia said:

You know they haven't gone anywhere. They have nothing better to do. So they're here. Enraged, hoping against hope the rumor is false, trying to think of some response. (Likely it will be: "The poor PM, forced to do something he didn't want to do by these malicious tourists! Call the ICC, we're gonna need another Nuremberg tribunal for these monsters!" But I've muted most of them already, anyway. Sad, silly little people. 

Which posters are you referring to ?

[Caldera]

I don't get the negativity of some posters here. Prolonging the automatic extension is the sensible thing to do, as it has become obvious that immigration offices cannot handle the onslaught of applicants.

 

By announcing this decision late, they simply ensured that those who were willing and able to leave did just that. Or maybe being proactive isn't their strong suit. Whatever.