Caldera

I don't see a riot coming. But it would be interesting to know some numbers: How many foreigners were on amnesty when it kicked in? How many of these left the country or were able to get a proper extension in-country in the meantime? How many remain on amnesty?

My feeling is that many have left or are about to leave already.

The year 2020, when a 80% downturn looked like it might be too optimistic.

2 hours ago, Max69xl said:

"Poor fellow. A nightmare"

Really? He just have to apply for a new visa in Laos when it's possible to cross the border to Thailand. 

Are you for real? Never mind that he's stuck in a place he doesn't want to be, separated from his family. I think it's very sad!

Retirees did not make the list of additional groups of foreigners allowed to return that was published today.

So, as of now, nobody knows when they can return - it certainly isn't imminent though.

More than anything else, this case shows that police in Thailand don't even care for one of their own if enough money can be made from turning a blind eye. In most countries, a "cop killer" would have a very hard time buying favors from the police.

I wouldn't be surprised if he has bought/assumed the ID of some deceased Thai and goes in and out as he pleases.

6 hours ago, dbrenn said:

There have been dire prophesies of Thailand's impending doom for the past 30 years, but the place nevertheless goes from strength to strength. 

I'd say the truth has been somewhere in between those extremes. Now with the coronavirus, all bets are off, and that's obviously not limited to Thailand.

Ah, the beach drinking ban. Useless, as the 7/11s across the road sell alcohol. The beach vendors happily supply ice, cups and food to go with it.

11 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Non-O 90-day + 1-year extension starting with a TR entry?  It's 25K for this "package" in some parts of the country - 15K or less for just the 1-year.

Is that a package deal offered to those who need to convert their visa for a retirement extension first? Or based on something else, as it's being compared with language studies that have a different "target group"?

Their thinking isn't wrong, having another place to go in case something bad happens seems like a good idea.

But maybe they should choose a country that didn't actually ban its long-term residents from entering. Most countries made provisions to still allow citizens, legal residents and their families in - Thailand doesn't look good at all in that regard.

Oh but the medical bubble tourists and resort-quarantined high rollers will come to save the day!

Any day now.

Simply put, if you want "credit" for anything whatsoever, then go to a country that values whatever contribution you as a foreigner can make. No guesses which country isn't on that list!

Sounds a bit overly complicated. Just make Cambodia a real Chinese province already and let Beijing worry about appointing a governor.

18 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You must stipulate 'Savings account'.

Those foreigners with PR or WP can open 'Current accounts' same as Thais, which other foreigners cannot.

Banking staff quite often assume you want a current account, hence request a WP.

I very much doubt that this is a common problem. Most Thais open savings accounts as well, why would the staff jump to the conclusion that a random foreigner who walks in to open an account wants a current account?

I think it's usually a combination of: confusing internal guidelines, don't want to deal with the extra hassle, don't want to make any mistake, don't want to speak English.

Just copying the right pages of a passport can be a challenge. A staff member of Krungsri once accidentally copied my latest visa for Laos instead of my current Thai visa. That didn't go down well with their head office; they called and asked me to send them copies of each and every page of my passport.

18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If you had your stamps transferred at immigration when you got the new passport your old passport number will be on the first visa page of your new passport. There should be big stamp that has the info on it.

That's what I used with another bank to convince them that they don't need to see my old passport. Worth a shot.

4 hours ago, BritTim said:

Travel bubbles are based on the idea that you only allow people to enter Thailand just after they leave another Covid-19 free country. Your passport is irrelevant. There may be restrictions based on xenophobia, but there is absolutely no logical reason why someone who has been through quarantine in Vietnam should not then be allowed to travel to Thailand, assuming a travel bubble is in place.

While I (obviously) cannot fault your logic, I'm afraid that it will be a lot more complicated in practice. These are bilateral agreements to be negotiated between governments, and statements so far have indicated that they will give preference to certain groups of travelers. Provisions for repatriation and cost of treatment in case a traveler happens to be infected might well exclude travelers who aren't citizens of the countries involved.

When Thailand recently discussed reopening land borders with Laos, their focus was on returnees and on business travelers from both countries. No plans for tourists or nationals of other countries, at least not in phase 1.

Cambodia just announced that they will let certain Vietnamese enter by land again. Notably, no tourists will be allowed to cross and also no travelers who aren't Vietnamese citizens.

So far, this isn't looking good! It might be many months until any agreements will cover foreign tourists.

2 hours ago, audaciousnomad said:

Thanks. The reason I posed this question is because there are some on the forum who are applying for new visas (example Non-Immig. ED), and if their original stamp already expired, they are having to pay a "special" fee for handling that overstay. (E.g. the amnesty did not protect them from penalties if they decided to apply for a new visa-type.) So I wondered how they will handle anyone who couldn't get out by 31-July.

I think you misunderstand that. They don't need to pay a fine for being on overstay. They are being coerced to pay a backhander for processing an in-country non-immigrant visa application (conversion of an EXPIRED visa exempt or tourist visa entry).

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Oh really.

Just curious why you came in on Visa exempt if you have a retirement Visa?

He clearly said that he transferred the money for a retirement visa one week later. So it makes perfect sense that he needed to open a bank account first.

31 minutes ago, HerbyJFlash said:

Does anyone know how the deposit is refunded if you test negative?

You'll get documents that you will need to take to a bank, along with your negative test results from day 13 (when they re-test you).