drbeach

23 hours ago, adrianb said:

This is the amnesty that everyone was saying would be decided on yesterday, but nothing has been decided.

Any extension I saw the article by the Phuket Immigration chief urging people to go and get extensions before the end of the month.  So I tried at my local office and got stonewalled.

It's been confirmed now. Cabinet has approved it. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thai-cabinet-extends-the-visa-amnesty-for-foreigners

Why are there different lines for foreigners and Thais? Is this normal at bang lamung?

Never encountered this at any DLT i've been to. Everyone lines up in the same queue.

On 7/20/2020 at 7:20 PM, jasperno said:

The dual pricing struck me as absolutely reeking of racism (or at least xenophobia / corruption). Whatever it is, it left a bad taste i struggled to get past.

Ditto. And the recent anti-foreigner rhetoric, though granted, this should be temporary and a knee jerk reaction to covid AND is not limited to Thailand either. Reports out of Vietnam suggest similar things are going on there.

Also, I am sick of the pollution (though it's seasonal and depends on the region...currently it's not too bad at all), bad driving at times (although it's better than it was 15-20 years ago I'll give them that), and what I perceive to be some selfish behavior on the part of some Thais.

I will say this though: only a minority of Thais are like this, and in my experience, driving standards in Thailand are far better than in neighboring Myanmar (where drivers are known to double and triple park, make u-turns right in front of you and basically have zero regard for your safety) or India/Bangladesh for that matter. Dual pricing is even worse in Myanmar than Thailand.

I could go on and on.

Thailand is actually pretty OK in my opinion. I offer constructive criticism when it's warranted because I would like to see things improve. At the same time, I have lower expectations here than say in the west simply because it's a developing country. Also, despite everything I know there are many places where things are far worse than here, exemplified by my examples.

Over on the Bangkok Post comments section - lots of delusional trolls who hate everything about Thailand and find fault even in the most positive news stories. Those are the sick people who need help I think.

There is one guy calling himself Dante1000 from Germany, who, 6 years after apparently being given the boot from Thailand continues to post anti-Thai posts every single day. He really is a sore loser. Even that had happened to me, I wouldn't waste my time getting angry about it. I would get on with my life.

6 hours ago, ezzra said:

So no foreigners coming in by air but hundreds of thousands laborers from neighbouring countries pouring in overland borders presumably unquarantined is just dendy...

They're supposed to be quarantined from my understanding.

More ridiculous propaganda to keep Thais living in a state of fear.

5 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I see the anti maskers also exist on this forum, please leave Asia and go where you

are not so alone.  Thanks in advance, to the Thais and Asians, thanks for wearing your

masks, whether for pollution or for helping against spreading the virus to others.

That is something the dead head anti maskers will never understand. The mask is good

for keeping your germs off other people, and also for keeping your bad breath to 

yourself.

Geezer

Well "Geezer" I'm seeing a lot of "anti-maskers" in Laos and Cambodia and these people are Asian too. In these two countries virtually NO ONE has worn a mask throughout this crisis, because the only time they are needed is to board flights and to enter a very limited handful of businesses. But never at markets or when out on the streets. Not even to enter most shops.

I suggest you go on YouTube to watch some videos made by an Aussie guy called "NowInLao" shot recently. NO ONE wearing masks.

Vietnam must have a lot of "anti-maskers" too, because since May hardly anyone is wearing a mask there either.

Sounds like someone is living in fear.

15 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

not the case out where I am.

 

No "desperate out of work" Thais here.

 

And impossible to get a Thai, at any salary, to do household work or casual labor

 

I think same in much of the country

As I said, not the case where I am either.

But surely Thais can be found if you look for them. Depends though, maybe they have other options.

10 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

That is a huge assumption. Unsupported by any data I have seen.

 

Do you really think employers would be pushing to bring in migrants if they could find Thai workers? It costs over 20,000 baht per worker just to arrange the visa, and is a huge hassle in terms of paperwork.

As I said - I don't know; this is what others are claiming not me. I have stated many times in several posts that I can't imagine employers going to the trouble of bringing in foreign laborers when there are plenty of unemployed Thais they could hire with much less difficulty.

Therefore, perhaps the unemployment problem being insinuated by some trolls is not actually true.

I certainly haven't seen any evidence of Thais living on the streets and I think most people who temporarily lost their jobs have since gotten them back when businesses were allowed to resume.

1 hour ago, Expat Tom said:

The mere fact that the Thai authorities would even consider letting Chinese back into this country is idiotic. In 1957 the Chinese gave the world the Asian Flu followed by the Hong Kong flu, the Bird flu, SARS, Swine flu and the CCP Wuhan,China ( Incase you don't know where the current pandemic came from....Wuhan) coronavirus. Now there is acknowledgement from China that there is a new Swine flu and Bubonic Plague in the country. Additionally, on one in the WORLD accepts the numbers from the CCP as fact. A recent French study states that the likely true number of CCP Virus cases in China exceeds 4,000,000 and the deaths in the 100's of thousands.  

 

There are a few possible answers as to why the Thai authorities would consider letting Chinese back into Thailand:

1) They are woefully uninformed 

2) They are ignorant

3) There is huge money interest either in pretutating the counter productive destructive "mass tourism model" in the which the country receives more environment and infrastructure damage than monetary benefit.  

4) Someone or some group is receiving direct payments to promote Chinese tourism...aka, bribery.

5) Thailand is truly a vassal state to China.

 

When the majority of the members of ASEAN are lining up to confront Chinese bullying and aggression throughout the region, why does Thailand want to throw the doors open and welcome their "Big Brother's" from the North.

Thailand will soon find itself as the "Odd man out in ASEAN"

Not quite true. Laos and Cambodia are courting China as is Myanmar. They are basically colonies of China now.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

 

The food processing industry.

 

refers to foods products prepared in factories and sold in supermarkets and exported.

 

nothing to do with restaurants and even less to do with foreign restaurant patrons.

Thais should be doing that work assuming there really is as big an unemployment problem as is being stated. Cambodians and Burmese can find work in their own countries.

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

You do understand that the Thais are content to have lower caste Burmese, Khmer and Laoation workers undertake the jobs that they look down their nose at. 

No. Not if millions of Thais remain unemployed.

In the past it worked out alright because Thailand apparently had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

IF they perceive foreigners, especially those from poorer neighboring countries as taking their jobs the results will be dire.

Think something similar to the anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh back in 2003, but this time the Thais will initiate it.

6 minutes ago, khunPer said:

They might not find Thais that for a minimum salary want to do the same work that migrant workers do for a minimum salary.

True argument during normal times but right now desperate Thais who are out of work would surely work anywhere they are being given a job.

20 hours ago, darksidedog said:

So they will let in migrant workers even though unemployment in the country is through the roof, and pretty much deny anyone who is going to come in and spend money? I wonder what school of economics they attended? Obviously must have been local as they would have failed miserably anywhere else.

I see the potential for a future race war between Thais and foreign guest workers from these neighboring countries brewing if the former see the latter as stealing their jobs. It would make sense to bring in foreign workers if there was a labor shortage, but with all the unemployed Thais now, it makes zero sense. Just the cost and bureaucracy involved should be enough to dis-incentivize any employer to do this right now.

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

It is these draconian and sanctimonious laws which are then enforced with a puritan levels of hypocrisy which completely destroys attitudes towards Thailand... 

 

With each news report such as this that I see my tolerance towards Thailand diminishes.

 

 

I know its just a game, but for FF$, haven’t businesses already struggled enough.... It really is time to get rid of these juvenile and hypocritical laws so that the Police can do some genuine work for a change.

Indeed. What a stupid law. Thailand is fast becoming a worse nanny state than even Australia. Give it a few years and even driving will be less of a pleasure than it currently is in Australia.

But the difference is that Thailand is kind of a dumbo, childish nanny state. You have all these restrictions on the sale of alcohol, but they haven't figured out yet that they could instead restrict alcohol sales to a few controlled sales channels (like liquor stores) rather than allowing 7-11s to sell them, and asking for ID to verify proof of age in all cases. This would be more effective at curbing underage drinking while still allowing adults to enjoy their vice.

23 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Nothing is certain, but I consider the September 26th date to be significant. This is exactly six months from the date you needed to be legally in Thailand to be protected under the original amnesty. Immigration did not carry the day on all their arguments. However, I think there was some support for the notion that "six months is long enough for almost all foreigners to arrange to leave if they cannot satisfy the requirements for a long term extension". Come September, there will still be some in government who see things differently, but I personally expect this to be the last time Thailand will allow people to easily stay without a standard extension.

As various articles have stated - to stay beyond Sep 26 without a normal extension obtainable from immigration, limited 30 day extensions at a time will be granted for those able to demonstrate an inability to leave by then. I assume if one can't leave during the first 30 day period, an additional extension is likely.

This is contingent upon flight availability and whether border crossings are open/open without erroneous requirements to enter at that time.

Based on where things stand as of right now, by September there will be more flights than now (including the re-introduction of flights to certain destinations not currently being served) assuming these carriers don't once again delay the restart of these services. If THAI is able to resume flights on Sep 1 as they are planning, then this will open up a lot of options for travelers to return home or to a country that will let them in during that 26 day period.

15 hours ago, Max69xl said:

How many people can't go back to their home countries at the moment? Not many. In late September there won't be any problem at all imo. 

You're making assumptions. Many countries are making it difficult to return. There are currently no regularly scheduled flights to any nearby countries except Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. The only way for Laotians, Burmese, Cambodians etc. to return is to engage their embassy so they may be permitted to cross back by land, because a flight option is barely available. Even the land option may take 2 weeks or more of bureaucracy.

Even "rich" Australia is now limiting incoming flights to 50 passengers a day. With hardly any flights to Australia and none, other than the odd repatriation flight that runs about once a month from Thailand, it may be very tough for Aussies to return home.

By late September things could be a lot easier IF they progress on the current trajectory. This is assuming that with the exception of limited local "second wave" lockdowns such as have been happening in places like Hong Kong, parts of China, Melbourne/Victoria (Australia) and parts of the USA, there is a trend towards more flights and some sort of at least limited border openings by that time.

I see it as being a possibility, but not particularly likely. I think by late September Thailand will be allowing most groups of foreigners in with a higher quota and perhaps, some easing off on some requirements, but general travel most likely won't resume until October/November and possibly not before 2021. Difficult to predict at the moment. For every passing month new information allows us to predict things a little better but still not entirely accurately.

20 hours ago, Kadilo said:

“He cited the protests last week in Bangkok, saying that several protesters were seen not wearing face masks, while others were shouting and not maintaining social distancing.  These actions, he said, put people at risk of becoming infected or of transmitting the disease to others.”

 

What the <deleted> that got to do with allowing foreign visitors in?

Someone needs to show this doctor some recent footage of Thais outside of the downtown areas of big cities who are mostly not wearing masks and of Laotians and Cambodians who apparently never worn them to begin with.

I hear Malaysia is now about to mandate masks (surprised they didn't do so months ago) so there is perhaps a chance that the entire region/world will be masked for a few weeks at least, as that seems to be the trend. That being said, there is no justification for intensifying the existing mask rules in Thailand, which are supposed to apply only for public transport + shops (indoor public spaces) not when walking the streets.

10 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

How will people with Multi Entry type visas deal with borders still being closed? Nobody nearby seems to have any plans to allow visitors.

I refer to those that have already used the 60 day extension for their current cycle.

Try an immigration office that will issue a 1-year extension from the amnesty. Some reports on here of offices doing it. If one office causes "trouble" ask for a supervisor and plead your case. Obviously in doing so, make sure you meet the financial requirements.

Alternatively, stay another two months and relax, but be prepared to leave on or before Sep 26 with no certainty of when you can return.

19 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Extra, Extra Read all about it.  Extension to do whats needed by the 26th of Sept. Just a strange date is all.

It's 6 months out from the original start date, which was announced April 6 but backdated to March 26.

3 hours ago, Sujo said:

Vietnam may be open sooner. Try there.

I doubt it. They have tentatively extended their closure until September. Similar to when Thailand sort of plans to re-open but under a "travel bubble" initiative.

Another one of these posts. Looks some people didn't get the message the world closed down late March.

But let's speculate a little - when will Thailand re-open without unreasonable restrictions?

Answer is whenever those keeping the borders closed agree to allow them to swing open, which would mean neighboring countries largely re-open in tandem. So what you'll probably see is after flights are restored, land borders will re-open (some people have speculated it could be the other way round, but my guess is flights will come first because disease control measures at land borders are not as well established).

Then, once all restrictions are dropped (or enough to allow relative freedom of movement) land borders will open. It could also be that Thailand and Myanmar agree on borders to re-open a few days or weeks before Thailand and Cambodia/Laos/Malaysia reach a similar agreement. Something like that.

When could this be? At the very earliest, sometime in September or October, but chances are, with the delay of the travel bubbles and only a few more categories of non-citizens allowed in next month but with quarantines (and the situation in other countries looks similar) I personally think November or December is more likely but even that's tentative.

In fact, most probably we won't be seeing freedom of movement until sometime in 2021.

On 7/19/2020 at 8:21 PM, Phillip9 said:

Man you are thinking way too much.  Remember these articles had quotes translated from Thai into English.  I’m sure the Thai word for amnesty is completely different and has nothing to do with the original Greek.  A lot  gets lost in the rough translations in Bangkok post articles.

 

 

Yes and I think irrespective of what they are referring it as, both the July 31 and Sep 26 deadlines are the same in effect. Someone who has not yet used their 60 day stay or is going for a 1-year stay should be able to do this anytime between now and Sep 26. That's the whole point - to declare an end date for all this, allowing everyone to get back in status. After Sep 26, barring any unforeseen circumstances, special extensions will only be granted in person, with the right documentation, for 30 days at a time and probably for a fee.

2 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Please can ANYONE tell me how they are controlling the vast amount of truck drivers in and out crossing boarders both ways ?  Anybody with any inside info. I saw 30+ trucks queuing to cross into Cambodia last week at Hat Lek boarder, my curiosity won't let up ! Is it a state secret we are not allowed to know? I tink to mut init.

Trucks seem to be allowed to cross without issue since the beginning. Thailand and Cambodia have a quota which is in Thailand's favor, allowing I think 500 trucks across daily. However, local borders operate independently of this agreement and thus impose no restrictions.