Misty

Agreed. The situation is a bit different in "deep red" Bangkok where company staff may need to travel a fair distance by public transportation to get to work, and not everyone has been able to get even a single dose of vaccination.

Have you tried the Immigration helpline - x1178? If you find anything out, please post back

Friends on the ground in Malaysia say KPMG advised the Malaysian government on this change. If that's true, then yes, they knew exactly what they were doing. Thailand, advised by McKinsey & Co, has come up with its own "high net worth" long term visa program. At this stage, it isn't clear that McKinsey's plan for Thailand is intended to replace the existing retirement or other long term visas.

Seems unlikely. Meetings and conferences are done online in this environment. Many others are waiting for even a first vaccine, and for the chance to travel. As a US tax payer, I care how the Pfizer donation is used - or misused.

Yes, could be. And I guess it's great that at least he can travel. I'll admit I'm not feeling very generous. I'd be feeling more generous towards the good doctor if I'd received even one of those many vaccines. Also if Thai Immigration weren't essentially closed and unable to process NonImm B extensions, preventing any travel. Somehow even a medical conference just sounds like a boondoggle.

So it does. Boondoggle, maybe. And can Thai doctors "work" in Canada?

Not sure if it's a factor, but some countries don't accept certain vaccines for entry.

I agree that all should be treated equally. But the numbers seem to say that foreigners are way behind. Can't say what is happening in Khon Kaen, but perhaps they are trying to catchup the foreigners?

No, across the entire country 7.5% have received two jabs, versus 2.42% (1/3 of 7.27%) of foreigners. https://ig.ft.com/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker/?areas=gbr&areas=isr&areas=usa&areas=eue&areas=can&areas=chn&areas=ind&cumulative=1&doses=total&populationAdjusted=1

Depends on how many Americans are in Thailand. As of 2010 reported figures it was about 40,000. But the acting US Ambassador reportedly estimates the figures now may be closer to 100,000. If his figures are accurate, then it could be less than 5% of Americans have received a shot.

0% of the Americans in my household have received a first vaccine, although all have pre-registered in multiple places including Expatvac . Average age is close to, but not yet, 60. I'm in Bangkok.

How well is the rest of the Government performing seems a good question. I have to wonder about what is going on here:

That's great news. Are the foreigners all over 60 or with underlying illnesses? Or are they taking others now?

Hi, I just called this number, got the Senate operator and asked to leave a message for Senator Duckworth's voicemail: +1 202 224 3121. I got through to her voicemail, and left my name, the fact that I'm a US citizen living in Thailand, I've met Senator Duckworth here years ago, my Thai number, my email address, and then a short message thanking the US for its kind Pfizer donation but explaining that to the best of my knowledge, and after personally signing up for the Pfizer donation, no expatriates have received it as yet. If anyone else cares to do something similar, that would be great. Cheers. Editing to add or use the number to call your own state's Senators and Congressional Reps and leave similar messages.

Especially if any are voting US citizens from Senator Duckworth's state of Illinois.

The only people saying some vaccines were set aside for foreigners were Thai officials. The official US position has always been that the US vaccine donations have no strings attached. I've not seen any statement from the US embassy here or elsewhere suggesting anything different. Whether or not there was some "winking and nodding" at high levels that suggested differently, I wouldn't know.

Thank you. I was there with all my documents the same as every year for Non-Imm B, and had an appointment that Immigration refused to honor. My work permit has already been renewed for the next year. I wonder what is up with M-counter?

Thanks, did you have any appointment? What type of extension? I was there as well for NonImmB extension. It was very, very quiet at the M counter. But the NonImmB desk would not honor the appointment.

It's a good point, and to be honest, this isn't an area I know much about - have just relied on our accounting firm since they prepare the company's paperwork. Ubonjoe could you confirm when the 3 days start for 26 Sep?

I'm not sure how day counting works, but our accountant counts the 21st as the first day the crunch will begin. Unless COVID situation improves immensely, I would think this could also be a 3 day super spreader event. And forget parking.

First thing in the afternoon and I was the first one in the door after lunch when the doors opened.

No, my appointment was made within the 45 day window. The IO did not disagree with that, only that the announcement said everyone needed to come within 3 days so Immigration would not honor the appointment.

To the OP - thanks for explaining why my NonB extension stamp is until 26 Sep. I can see this could be a real problem. I had made an appointment back in June at CW before the system shut down. After reading on this forum that appointments were being honored, I called the Immigration hotline to confirm the appointment, and then went to Immigration at the appointed time. After several hours of waiting and discussion the IO said his boss said he couldn't process my paperwork and that I had to come back 3 days before 26 Sep. It was really weird - the waiting area was empty, I had all my paperwork, but no luck.

Can you post the news regarding the Moderna vaccine, if it is regarding a hospital in Thailand (versus the UK)

In the US, the chain stores are pharmacies and the people giving the vaccines are pharmacists.