notmyself

2 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

Backpackers will use the 30 day exemption once they are allowed back in. No one will go through the nonsense of showing what is in their bank account unless they REALLY need to be here.

Most backpackers were already using visa exempt entries anyway as they venture from country to country in the region. 

Lard.

It's looking ugly.

9 hours ago, scorecard said:

Hopefully that would be true, however unfortunately in the LOS (and plenty of other countries) what will very likely happen is behind the scenes by unethical/immoral folks 'trading' to get some big crumbs.

 

But can the current PM stop 'the trading', seems to me rather doubtful.

 

I just hope the vaccine does work, is approved and mass manufacturing happens very soon and it's free to all Thais, numerous venues are set up quickly across the whole nation without any red tape, and everybody who wants it get's vaccinated very quickly.

Perfectly reasonable.

All data equally shared and the end product/s are free with society as a whole picking up the tab.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54522203

I believe the collective noun in this case is a s******d of.

3 hours ago, Surelynot said:

Just feasible with a 15min covid test....100% on arrival......if not the virus will rip through Thailand and it will be where the UK was in March.

Same test at the departure point also. 

12 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Repeated 60 day extensions for anyone that wants them seems a good idea.

The end of agents and immigration corruption, and an increased income for the government.

 

Almost too good to be true!

A shame they waited until a couple of my pals were extorted for 50k 'Volunteer extensions'.

Yep. With every *****r already on the books, collection of revenue would be easy. 

18 hours ago, FlyingThai said:

A lot. I had a couple flights booked for this weekend unrelated to the amnesty and called to cancel them (mileage tickets in Business Class on Lufthansa) and the lady I talked to said there are still plenty of seats on these flights.

Also cool and thank you for the update.

Been a lot flights cancelled and also along with also overselling the seats. 

2 minutes ago, FlyingThai said:

Must have booked very dicey connections then. Lufthansa, EVA, KLM and Qatar have not cancelled their scheduled remaining flights.

Remaining being the operative word. Good news though I also wonder how many seats are left on these flights. 

1 hour ago, Tagged said:

What airline he or they used? The few I know who left, had no problem with KLM. 

Didn't really ask them because it was so normal but I don't remember KLM being mentioned with regard to cancellations. Well run company that doesn't oversell tickets perhaps. The 8 tried man ended up going Emirates for 5 Grand GBP. I remember that because he bitched about it. Also a number around these parts who have had flights rebooked for next week etc.  

Quote

why farangs waited the last week to go immigration?

Lack of flights/cancellations for many. One fella managed to get away to the UK last week after a month and 7 cancelled flights and number of others I know have lost 2 or 3. Didn't think about an extension because they were due to go well before needing one. 

42 minutes ago, raccos21 said:

Basically, what I see is that we foreigners are outsiders not belongs here-- no matter how or what you argue about is pointless, you aren’t gonna win folks. As we can see even locals are fighting over many things but are there any changes? I guess the answer is ‘No’.
So as outsiders just go with the flow without complaining. It is very clear picture that this government is sending a message to the outsiders to leave the country; then I guess we should leave without complaining.
In my opinion our native countries are the best and safest place to stay right now without any of these troubles. I know it is an awkward situation and they are taking an advantage on us, so what we can do about it? Protest like locals!
The best-case scenario is if you got an extension stamp and you stay until the day permitted. If not, find a way go home and tell other folks in your country the story about your adventure in the ‘Land of Smiles’ during pandemic.
If you’re are traveling to Thailand for quite long enough, you’d probably realize that there were many changes over the past. This country really used to be ‘Land of Smile’, when you arrive at checkpoint the IOs used to be always smile, welcome you and stamp your passport.
Nowadays this country changed to ‘Land of Interrogations’, as once you arrive at checkpoint, the first thing they would do is ask questions; “What are you doing here?” “Where are you staying?” “How long will you stay?” “How much money do you have?” Bla bla bla…
Some can’t even enter the country, if you don’t have proper visa. I guess there will be more changes coming in the future. So if you are qualified, then you can come back -- but make sure to bring a lot of cash -- otherwise stay in your own country. “Home sweet Home!”
It is sad to those can’t make it but good luck folks.

Once they start jailing people for not being able to legally leave the kingdom it will make news. 

24 minutes ago, mrmrmred said:

I wish everyone luck.... alot of luck as you are going to need it.

Cheers mate and it's going to be a lot of people who need it. With land borders closed, what are they going to do about all these people that simply cannot leave due to lack of flights or seats on flights. One fella managed to leave last Monday after having 7 tickets cancelled over the period of 3-4 weeks. That aside... I dunno... can't go around telling people one thing and then change it a matter of days or a week before. 

6 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I was at Samui IO last week and witnessed two people being turned away one a female was in tears I don’t know what there circumstances were I presume they were trying to renew their visa’s . In the meantime agents are making a fortune I know of an individual who has paid 30,000+ Bht for a 90 day stamp.

Was just there and can confirm that the office is no longer issuing extensions on a TR since Monday. I asked what the reasoning was behind the change but none was forthcoming (other than cannot now) I can't confirm that the change was Monday but I can confirm .they were being issued until last Wednesday. The mobile unit in Central Festival was issuing supposedly for technical reasons so were telling those with unused 30 day TR extensions to go to Maenam 

Over the weekend I was speaking to my brother (UK) about the obvious impending chaos. Was evening so he was making dinner but he came back after a couple of hours and asked where all 'these' flights are going to come from. 

17 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I haven't used mine but waiting till after Tuesday in case.

Thur. would be the best day I'd say. 

On a related note... I was having a chat with my brother last evening about the situation. He's a data man like myself and he comes back an hour or so later asking where all these flights (seats/tickets) are coming from. No idea I told him and he asked if I was worried. 

3 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Are you referring to the one-per-entry 'regular' 30-day extension of stay for those on a Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa entry OR the Embassy letter supported 'special' extension of stay application?

Anything and everything. If one should need 'x' then they are here as a guest.

5 minutes ago, tabbycat said:

So that's one report from Samui and Ubon (both some time ago so who knows if things have changed). On a FB group reporting from CM just 1-2 days ago - a Spain passport holder got theirs without embassy letter, whilst a US passport holder got rejected (told to come back with letter, TM30 required too). Really doesn't help as both countries are Visa-Exempt, guessing it'll just come down to a roll of the dice and the mood of the officer you get on the day.

 

Might have a better shot convincing them if you're on an actual TR.60 stamp (purchased from a Thai consulate abroad) rather than on VE/VOA and haven't yet claimed your extra 30 days, or might be the same. Who knows.

Aye. Flip a coin AKA toss the boss. Amazing Thailand huh! It should also be noted that the (a) 30 day extension is not not an entitlement but a request that is generally given. 

1 hour ago, tabbycat said:

Any others tried to obtain extensions (without embassy letter) at Chiang Mai Promenada, Ubon or any other of the 'friendly' I/Os recently? Only a few reports of success so far, some mixed with others saying they went to these I/Os ^ but were still asked for a letter, so not a great sample size to work with right now. Please do share your experience!

 

Would be very helpful for those of us considering on making the trip to any of those cities this coming week + choosing the right I/O to go to with the best chance of success ????

Yup.. 100% not enough data. I post what I know of (Samui) but don't make a claim because there is simply not enough data to make ANY claim. One fella got it with no issue (as should be) and another who has since left was told to come back closer to the time. He could have done it but it would be propitious to wait awhile. Interesting data but no way can anything close to a definitive conclusion be derived from it.

Personal note.... take care everyone.

6 hours ago, Swiss1960 said:

Trump's puppet McConnell already announced that the Senat will elect whomever Trump will present - probably could be Miss Piggy...

Yep. He laughed as he was saying it

10 seconds starting from here.

Rubbish

About ******* time.