BritTim

I stand to be corrected, but I do not think (at least under normal circumstances) you can apply for a Thai visa in Brazil. I think Colombian citizens must apply in Bogota or Lima.

4 hours ago, Maestro said:

That's tough, because in this context "Lab Test COVID-19" can probably only be interpreted to mean a lab test for SARS-Cov-2.  It only remains to be seen how strictly the check-in staff will enforce this requirement.

There will be few passengers and few flights in view of the insurance requirement which most will not be able to satisfy. All the requirements will be strictly enforced for the few flights that remain unless the check-in staff wish to lose their jobs.

9 hours ago, cerox said:

Also I still do not understand the health insurance requirement: does it specifically need to state "cover for corona"? I have no idea how to return to Thailand with these requirements. That "Frank" broker who sells "corona insurance" is only up to 1M THB.

More likely, the insurance must provide full health cover with no exception for treatment related to Covid-19 infection. If you do not already have such a policy, getting one now is virtually impossible, and you will not be returning to Thailand until entry conditions change.

1 hour ago, Nayet said:

I have two passports, but since I entered on my US passport, I assume I can forget about using the second passport for an extension.

Correct.

7 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

The Wildcard in all of this is Songkran. It's a big deal for Thais to go home to their provinces and reunite with their families, whom they sometimes might only see a few times a year due to work commitments in Bangkok. So, it's a big ask to say...no, don't go see mom, dad, granny, gramps, no matter what. Family here is the center of one's life, even AFTER marriage. That may be to Thailand's detriment as it does not bode well for social distancing objectives.

Absolutely agree. Chinese New Year was a big cause of the initial spread in China.

One of the effective control measures is preventing people from leaving infected areas. That was used with great effect in China, albeit not immediately. Unfortunately, the main infected area in Thailand is Bangkok, and preventing all travel in and out of the capital would be extremely difficult to enforce.

3 hours ago, Matzzon said:

You could do a test. Ever considered that?

Any idea why, even with a negative result from a test, countries are insisting on 14-day quarantine? China has a new, more sensitive, test (still not 100% definitive) that they have started using, but it is still in limited supply in China and unavailable in any other country.

Even viruses known to the medical community for decades can be difficult to detect reliably, especially soon after infection. For example, when the HIV virus started spreading, the only practical test for detecting it was an antibody test that typically only became positive after 2-4 weeks. Cheap tests for latent infection with the herpes virus remain unreliable to this day.

There is no right or wrong answer to what people should do in the situation many find themselves in now. The most important actions to prevent spreading the virus are social distancing and frequent hand washing. Taking an international flight is an obvious breach of social distancing. I would only break laws reluctantly, but would certainly consider it as an alternative to risking the health of myself and others.

12 hours ago, jackdd said:

Airasia, i was supposed to fly CNX - DMK - PNH

I checked in online, went to the gate and waited for the flight (this all happened at CNX, i didn't make it to DMK).

They called my name, asked me to contact the counter.

I went to the counter at the gate and was directed downstairs to the checkin counter.

There i was asked if i have any visa for Cambodia, told him i don't have one, he told me he can't let me board.

I did of course appeal this, explained that i know they have a rule to not allow people to Europe in (i have a German passport), but i haven't been in Europe quite a while, so i should be good to go.

He said he will check it again, made pictures of my passport (data page and my latest Thai stamps) and sent them to somebody in Line (they wrote in English, he said this is Cambodia immigration). Then he made two phone calles, asked if he can let me board or not. The person on the phone, as well as the person in Line told him that he can't let me board because i won't get a visa on arrival and will be denied.

I did check the IATA page while i was standing there and showed it to him, but he told me that Cambodian immigration told him that they won't let me in, so he can't let me board, and that this weighs more than the IATA page.

He said if i had a visa it would be ok, but without a visa no chance.

The airline went above and beyond to try to help you. The fact is that they received a "do not board" instruction from Cambodian immigration. To ignore that would leave the airline open to big fines. They tried to appeal on your behalf (which is quite unusual) but the appeal was denied.

39 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My experience with airlines is that has zero chance. 

If you know your rights, and make sure the airline realises that you do, you have a lot of leverage. The penalties to the airline of failing to meet its legal obligations can be severe. It makes sense for the airlines to stiff those who are ignorant of the law, while bending to the demands of those who make it clear they will sue if necessary. It may be painful for Lufthansa to comply, but there is no way they can claim there is no way to reschedule you (on other airlines at their expense if necessary)

If you have someone who can 100% trust who is already in Thailand, arrange a power of attorney permitting them to act on your behalf, and courier it to them. This would avoid the hazardous journey to and from Thailand. Have a lawyer draw up the POA and witness it. Obviously, you should not trust a relative stranger with a POA for something like this.

54 minutes ago, 12Gon said:

As easy for you might be hard for someone else, can someone please tell me what kind of questions it is and if some crossings/airports don't use it or if it is used at all airports and land boarders?

See http://newdelhi.thaiembassy.org/en/2020/03/t8-form-for-travellers-to-thailand_en. A copy of the form is shown at the bottom of the page, and it also outlines procedures around it, though what is described is not completely up to date. To just see the form itself, you can click here.

That should be no problem.

1 hour ago, theVenerable said:

Can I do a visa run or can;t I?

I just checked the Cambodian e-visa site, and it appears still to be issuing visas. That would mean using Poipet/Aran (the only land crossing from Thailand that accepts the Cambodian e-visas) which is risky at the best of times. If you get the e-visa, my guess is that there are no casino buses running now. Thus, you would need to use time consuming regular public transport to get there, or an expensive taxi. If desperate, it is probably worth a try.

2 hours ago, HaleySabai said:

so,after the 60-day extension,which brings him to the end of May,can he then go to a border crossing (assuming they are open) and get his last stamp to Aug.?

He could get one entry at the end of May, and another just before expiry of the visa in August.

4 hours ago, theVenerable said:

Can ANYONE JUST TELL ME HOW TO GET A VISA EXTENSION IN THAILAND RIGHT MOW? Thanks. 

No guarantees, but this is the best chance that does not require help from your embassy.

1. Get a Cambodian e-visa for entry at Poi Pet. This scary, given the reputation of Thai immigration there, but it is the only land crossing from Thailand that accepts the e-visa.
2. See if any casino buses are still running to the border. If not, you will need to use regular public transport (which from Pattaya is pretty time consuming.
3. Cross your fingers.
4. If possible do your in/out.

1 minute ago, Nick Pym said:

We leave for France via Frankfurt on 30 March! Visa expires same day! Flight already cancelled (Lufthansa) Went this morning from Hua Hin to Myanmar border, it’s closed! Def not going to be able to leave and prob would prefer to stay another 30/60 days! Anyone any ideas? Being told need letter from UK embassy to get an extension? That’s not going to happen! 6 weeks for an appointment 

Demand that Lufthansa provide you with an alternative. That might mean leaving early. Lufthansa may want to refund rather than reroute you. Do not accept that.

3 minutes ago, theVenerable said:

I'm in Pattaya now
I assumed that would eb the easiest way to do a visa run.. But they are not even offering Visa runs to cambodia anymore.

My understanding is that most visa runs have been stopped due to low numbers wanting to use them. They cancel rather than taking a van with three people. There was a reliable post earlier today to the effect that a run to Ban Laem went this morning.

2 hours ago, KaylaC said:

Thanks for the advice. I guess that's the only way to find out but I'm scared that if I exit Laos and get refused by Thailand I might also get refused back into Laos.

You will not be stamped out of Laos if Thailand will not admit you. Getting to the bridge is quick and cheap. Do not rely on rumours. Go and find out for yourself.

51 minutes ago, KaylaC said:

Does anyone have any advice about how to get back to Thailand from Laos right now? Am I going to have to stay stuck in Laos indefinately?

If you are eligible for visa exempt entry, immediately go to the bridge and see if you are allowed back into Thailand before the newly announced conditions go into effect. Do not delay.

Talk to your embassy. If they are willing to provide a letter to the effect that you cannot safely return to Ireland, Immigration will probably grant you an extension.  Based on what I have seen, you may initially have the application for the extension under consideration with a later report back date. Without a letter from the embassy, getting an extension is likely to be difficult. Consider an overstay.

3 hours ago, SpanishExpat said:

Well at that specific border it`s quite usual that your passport goes to visit Myanmar, while you stay in LOS enjoying your coffee ???? Lets see, if they find special options there sooner or later.

At Ban Phu Nam Ron, the Myanmar and Thailand immigration get to split about 500 baht profit between them for every person they process. They have a big incentive to find a way to keep the gravy train moving if they possibly can.

57 minutes ago, MagnumForce said:

I, too, would greatly appreciate an update tomorrow, as I was hoping to go to Savannakhet next week. Thank you!

53 minutes ago, metempsychotic said:

i appreciate you coming back to me on this.  the strength of that im willing to roll the dice and spend the weekend in savarnakhet. fingas crossed. sigh

For many hours, one of the few firm pieces of news was that you could no longer get a visa on arrival for Laos. While I am now unsure of the truth of this (though it was an official Lao government announcement) be aware that entering Savannakhet without a visa in advance may not be possible.

EDIT: Those who are able to reach Savannakhet might want to ask the consulate whether, in view of the exceptional current circumstances, they are willing to issue visas the same day so you can return before potential border closures.

1 hour ago, RedReding said:

I will keep an eye on the border situation. What about a land border ? Still doable ?

Still doable at major crossings as of right now, but probably not for long.

When did you arrive in Savannakhet? Was Lao visa-on-arrival still available? Did you talk with others who arrived today and received visa-on-arrival?

Just now, vermin on arrival said:

Does anyone know the situation at the crossings into Laos, in particular Mukdahan Savanakhet? I was to fly to Taiwan on March 29 and was unable to get on a flight yesterday before the country closed at midnight. Is an in out run still possible or will I have to ride things out in Laos?

You cannot get a visa on arrival. That much is certain. The consensus seems to be that the border Mukdahan/Savannakhet is still open if you have an existing visa (but unclear for how long)