Caldera

Technically, only the retroactive part of the first cabinet resolution was an "amnesty". On April 7th, they "forgave" overstays for all those who had been legally in Thailand on March 26th. The part about automatically extending permissions of stay (first to April 30th, then to July 31st) is just that, an extension.

5 hours ago, Don Mega said:

The article says people have not been able to go home due to closed home borders, which countries have not allowed its citizens to return ?

You're looking at this too narrowly. Some people work in a country other than their home country and cannot return to their "home" as long as only citizens are allowed back in.

I have never heard of this influencer and would have preferred to keep it this way.

Just looking at the title bait, I thought it was about Sean Penn, Sean Hannity or another somewhat interesting Sean.

I've always thought it's a silly idea. It takes too long to negotiate this bilaterally, and in the meantime there will be new outbreaks.

41 minutes ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

It's 2020 everything is electronic/digital etc. then 7 days or longer is just not acceptable

It is what it is, the very same applies to other merchants as well. Ever booked a flight with AirAsia and requested a refund later?

As visiting a local immigration office isn't considered a risk anymore, I think it's not unlikely that they will extend the amnesty BUT require those who want to continue to stay to show up (and, in all likelihood, pay up). If they will introduce a "special" extension or try to operate within the existing framework (embassy letters) remains to be seen.

Highly optimistic. There's only so much domestic tourists can travel and spend; they will either get bored or run out of time or money.

I think they've made the mistake to base their estimate on the post-lockdown domestic travel numbers, obviously a spike to make up for lost time. Once the new economic reality sets in, far fewer people will be willing and able to travel around.

8 hours ago, garyk said:

Actually not a bad idea, especially if you don’t care. Stay a few years on over stay, head to the airport pay the 20 k. And head out. Never come back, and save yourself the hassle of immigration.

As long as you're prepared to cut your stay short at a moment's notice and to spend a few weeks at the IDC on your way out, that is.

Hard to tell what the likelihood of a clean exit is. A lot depends on where you live, your lifestyle, and plain old luck. I wouldn't like to take my chances.

That sounds neither practical nor fun, they basically want to imprison those valued travelers at a resort. I wonder how many takers there will be, but then again, they only plan to let 1000 people in per day anyway.

There isn't even any consistency in what hotels copy. Some only copy the data page while others look up (or try to look up) the latest entry or extension stamp.

I've printed a copy of the amnesty announcement in Thai language and keep that with my passport. If a receptionist ever mentions that my permission has expired, I'll show them this and invite them to call the 1178 hotline. So far, that hasn't happened yet.

Thailand and many other Asian countries got that right long before most Western countries. I'll give them that, and personally, I started to wear a mask in Bangkok long before it became a requirement.

That said, there's no excuse for Anutin's rude and unprofessional remarks. No need to apologize to that piece of work.

This is just dumb. I often include alcohol in my grocery deliveries, as I don't particularly enjoy schlepping cases of beer around.

If the delivery guy doubts that I'm of drinking age already, he could just ask me for ID, same as a cashier at a supermarket or a bouncer at a nightclub. Easy.

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.