Caldera

Whatever you do, don't ever tell Thai officials that you make your money by gambling.

Trying to understand their point of view, they've put themselves in a comfortable position by stating clearly that people need to prepare to leave or extend by September 26th.

If nothing changes and they want to keep it that way, they can point out that they've given "aliens" plenty of advance notice. If the situation changes and they decide to extend again, nobody will complain, but those willing and able to leave or extend will have done so by the time.

I think the real issue at this point isn't the amnesty's expiration date, but unnecessary obstacles that prevent some (many?) of those who should be able to qualify for an extension (or visa conversion) from applying for one.

2 hours ago, 2long said:

A friend of mine many years ago had 7+ years overstay. He went to the local immigration (fine & tea money in hand) a few days before he planned to leave. They couldn't handle it and told him to come back the following day to sort it out. He never got a ban, and was back in LOS within a week. And is still here.

Many of us can tell similar stories from, quote, "many years ago". Bans for long-term overstayers weren't introduced until March 2016, so indeed, those who had cleared even very long overstays before that could pretty much return immediately. Alas, it's history.

If Thai immigration had wanted to facilitate "virtual border runs", they could have simply used Don Mueang's international terminal for that purpose. It's just sitting there unused anyway. They've got all the stamps and terminals - just sell a queue ticket to be shown instead of a boarding pass and send people on a round-trip through the terminal from departure immigration back to arrivals. Easy to reach from both Bangkok and from anywhere in Thailand via domestic flights. It could have been a nice little earner.

As that hasn't been done, the only sensible conclusion is that they have no interest in allowing ME visa holders to do something like this. At this point, I think there's no hope that this will change.

59 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Yah, if Vietnam can get new covid cases after 2 months supposedly covid free, Thai authorities must be wondering how many infections Laos and Cambodia really have.

Indeed. And while Thailand is wondering about other countries, these other countries are wondering about Thailand's numbers...

Much easier to control a populace while the economy is booming and you can feed them just enough crumbs to keep them in their place.

This economic downturn might be a blessing in disguise - people are finally fed up or even desperate enough to act.

Before speculating how many tourists might come, actually letting tourists back in would be a prerequisite for any recovery.

First I'll wait for the official announcement. Then I'll reevaluate my stay in Thailand and check what options I will have.

1 hour ago, kirbi53 said:

I dealt with an agent in Vientiane for 5 years 

He was great 

At first he charged 11 000 bt for his service + 5000 bt for multi o from Savannakhet with receipt 

Then he rounded the price off to 20000 bt his service 15000 + 5000bt for Multo o visa again from Savannakhet with receipt for the last couple of years

I did not have to go to Savannakhet I had a weeks holiday instead ????

I had to stay in Vientiane minimum 3 days but always made it a week. 

I don't know why you mention this here, considering that the land borders are closed and it's unknown when they will open and which restrictions might apply.

If you currently stay in Thailand on such a multi entry visa and wish to stay beyond the "grace period", you will need to secure an extension in Thailand. Don't bank on being able to go to Vientiane or Savannakhet before September 26th - that might very well not be possible.