drbeach

16 hours ago, A512 said:

tourism is dead.

only super riches will travel. no one are going to accept such BS nonsense. time to go off-grid and become self-sufficient.

Indeed. Although even super rich won't accept quarantines, even if they have all the time in the world. It would be beneath their dignity.

Drivers license is normally oK for domestic flights. I'd carry the passport just in case but like that first person said, why not drive? Much more interesting and less bureaucracy. Myself I haven't taken a domestic flight in many years and chances are I may never take one again.

6 hours ago, bkkexplorer said:

Given this is an extended amnesty period til September, it only prolongs my problem. Different from the example above but related in principle. I have previously used up my 30 and 60 day extension before amnesty was granted and mistakenly thought I could apply for the 'conversion O' visa before applying a spouse 'O' visa within the amnesty period. I've learnt I have to leave the country and can only apply upon arriving here again. This causes a lot of unwarranted family issues. Oh yes, my problem!! Having an office here that can change my visa without leaving the country would be most helpful and productive.

There are some agents that may be able to help you. Some may convert your visa to another type, but it will tie you over in the meantime.

I visited Rayong a few days before the debacle occurred. I went to a beach off to the east of Rayong, but decided to try out the new motorway extension, so on the way to the beach I passed through Rayong city. Tons of traffic lights. On the way back that afternoon, I used the Klaeng - Ban Beung highway, which is much shorter, though there can be a bit of traffic in the industrial area near Ban Beung.

I cautiously waited until July to do this trip just to avoid the possibility of any checkpoints. Indeed there were none.

In light of the Rayong and Bangkok diplomat incidents, one province, Lampang, stated it would consider imposing a self-quarantine for travelers arriving from these provinces but doubt it has happened.

I think the governor of that province has probably been told not to do it, as it would cause panic and affect the economy. Just to be safe though, I won't be going to Lampang until at least next month just in case.

Yes looks like the amnesty will be extended until Sep 26 and thus you could apply for the 60 day extension prior to this date as UJ has stated. Final confirmation of the amnesty extension will probably be made next week.

7 hours ago, Caldera said:

I think the reason for calling it a "grace period" instead of another extension is the wording of the original cabinet resolution, which stated that the immigration bureau will set and announce a deadline for complying with the regular rules once the situation returns to normal.

 

The "grace period" is probably just that. Within that time, foreigners will either have to leave the country or bring their status back into compliance (e.g. by applying for an extension). So it seems they want to make clear that this will be the final automatic installment.

 

Yes, it looks like that to me. However, for those unable to seek an appropriate extension (such as those on TR who've already used up their extensions) it is likely 30 day extensions will be possible from Sep 26 onward, if borders still aren't open then and flight schedules still erratic. The other option is paying an agent who can work wonders, but they can be expensive.

A better question would be, is Thailand a good place to raise kids? Compared with the west, I'd say...no. But it's OK depending on where you live and whether you have someone to look after your kids such as a nanny and you take all the usual safety precautions.

2 hours ago, rickudon said:

Safety is relative. Depends which places you are comparing. Compare UK with Thailand ..... 

 

1. Accidental deaths in Thailand much higher - road deaths at least 4 times higher. Drowning, locked in cars in the sun, electrocution, collapsing gates etc. all more frequent here. Know of several in our village, including a drowning last week.

 

2. Health - more nasty diseases in Thailand. Although i must say i do not know anyone personally who has died of a tropical disease here, but a few have been sick.

 

3. Violence - Murder rate much higher in Thailand. One teenager killed in inter gang shooting about 4 years ago, about 500 metres from my home. Too many guns. Rape does occur, and so does pedophilia, but no idea how common. muggings and random assaults may be less frequent.

 

But Thai people do tend to be nice to (younger) kids. 

 

It isn't Mexico, but you do need to be more careful.

3. With some exceptions, mostly involves people who know each other and in the vast majority of cases is related to jealousy, business disputes, these kind of things. Surprised gun control isn't on the Thai government's agenda after the Korat mall shooting. BTW I'm not at all a gun control advocate, I'm just surprised the government hasn't gone on it's usual agenda of control, banning everything because one person suffered slightly. Like they are doing with alcohol for instance.

If someone was gunned down 500 meters from your home sounds like you're living in the wrong neighborhood.

On 7/16/2020 at 12:22 AM, Otto2020 said:

Appreciate the question. But also funny. First of all no country can be stamped as "save" for a little boy. In Thailand you will 99.99% never experience shooting amok like in US. 

The worry you have doesn't match Thailand. It is too far away. It should be asked in a war countries like iraq, border between israel and palastine, sudan, kenya, etc. 

Remember what happened Jan 3 in Lopburi and Feb 8 in Korat?

Also, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat happening almost daily since 2004?

One of the issues I see here is that Middle Eastern visitors who are allowed to travel after completing their mandatory quarantine period and treatment, may be treated badly after the incident in Rayong. In fact, I'd hazard a guess that Rayong businesses in particular won't be welcoming any Middle Eastern looking people for some time to come.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I like Cambodia, but there's no VISA's to be had for there.

And I like Vietnam, no VISAs on sale for there either.

 

Nowhere I want to go is letting any foreigners in at the moment.

But I guess somethings got to change soon, or the natives will become restless, and governments will wobble. 

Correct. Which only leaves Europe then.

4 hours ago, Jackcwba said:

Most likely will be a handsome few of 1900 a pop for most folk.. but the real concern is do they expect everybody to do this on August 31 or July 31? Because surely not everybody will not get seen to even with both offices open.. too many of us.. or is this a trick for those unlucky not to get seen to will fall into overstay and have to pay a fine..

 

Those cowboys work so slow in Immigration especially when the clock is ticking towards lunch time.

 

they will find a way to mess this up I’m sure 

 

 

 

 

The wording is a bit strange, but it appears to me that you can come in anytime between now and Sep 26. In other words, you can relax for another 2 months...but best to be prepared in terms of meeting the requirements of whatever visa extension you are eligible for.

Just now, Okis said:

I wonder if those with expired non-o's that wasnt lucky and already required extensions based on thai spouse and visit family now will be forced to go on these 30 day extensions instead of 60 day and 1 year extensions and then leave in september unless their embassy provides letters for them? 

 

There's cases here on TV where they turned people away and told them to come back in the end of the current amnesty to do their extensions then instead. Bummer for those people if this is the case. 

No, these people can likely do their 60 day extensions anytime prior to the expiration of this period and then a 1-year extension within those 60 days.

7 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Not entirely clear reading that but assuming I have until Sept 26th to apply for a 60 day extension to my non-o multi entry that ran out on June 4th leaving me on amnesty.

If so gives me a little linger to prepare for a one year extension of stay which is useful.

I'm in exactly the same boat and my 90 day stamp ran out on the exact same date as yours, June 4th.

On 7/11/2020 at 4:48 PM, BritManToo said:

My kid's back at junior school.

Picked him up after school yesterday, not one kid in the playground wearing a mask, me neither.

That's good. Forcing children to wear face masks for an indefinite period of time in this heat is child abuse.

I thought someone said they wanted to government to review these measures and loosen them.

In Vietnam it took just one week for the PM to declare masks as no longer being necessary when in class. Thailand should take a page from that seemingly common sense country.

11 minutes ago, david555 said:

Maybe they are awaiting a rush next 1 august depending on whatever the gov. decide ....extending amnesty or the" clearing out " as mentioned .

Probably they dont have a clue neither amongst all rumors ????

My guess and this is just conjecture, but based on the news today from the Nation that a 3rd extension is being put forward to the cabinet for consideration, I think it is highly likely an extension WILL be announced, HOWEVER, this new extension may or may not include 90-day reporting and certain other types of things that may require an applicant to come in in person. That's why they've decided to open the secondary facilities in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

I repeat, this is my personal opinion but I'm going by what the news has said. Everything should be clear by Friday next week at the latest.

Is this regulation only for INCOMING flights or for both incoming and outgoing ones?

Laos has a policy that requires a covid 19 certificate for all outgoing individuals, whether Lao or of foreign nationality, and irrespective of the method of travel (by air or land).

Just seeking some clarification.

Just out of curiosity, why aren't they allowing online appointments for all visa holders?

And why are they allowing them for L-A visa holders? Migrant workers tend to be poorly educated and less tech savvy anyway, so if anything, we farang should be allowed to use an online appointment system while they just go in when they need to.

To me that would be the logical way of doing it.

20 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

So, it sounds like the borders are going to remain closed for the foreseeable future. Or else why go through this procedure?

I think that's a foregone conclusion. That being said, perhaps the borders may re-open in a limited capacity in 2-3 months from now (at least for Thais and Cambodians) but even if that were to be the case, removing belongings now makes sense. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my stuff behind anywhere, even for a day, let alone several months or possibly longer.

21 minutes ago, yuyiinthesky said:

Actually, Cambodia did even better than Vietnam, zero deaths.

 

And Cambodia and Vietnam have kind of reopened its borders, for example so that kids living in one country near the border can go again to the schools in the other country.

 

And if you have a visa, and fly to Cambodia, you can enter. Not an easy process yet but doable. Much more common sense there than in panicking Thailand - and much less Covid-19.

Realistically you can't enter Cambodia. From Thailand you'd have to fly to Korea and then catch a flight down. Getting a visa in the first place is complicated and then come the covid tests, insurance, testing again on arrival and so forth.

Little known fact is that Thailand has also kind of unofficially opened some of it's borders to neighbors - Three Pagodas Pass is allowing Burmese across. As usual, they are restricted an approx. 3km radius from the border. No vehicles are allowed, nor are Thais permitted to go in the other direction.

Therefore, your Vietnam/Cambodia example is very similar - and I am almost certain the flow is one way (as in Thailand's case). No Vietnamese student goes to school in Cambodia, but probably some Cambodian kids go to school in Vietnam. Equally, Burmese, Lao and Cambodians in border regions may attend Thai schools, but no Thai attends school in the neighboring country (except in the case of Malaysia). So what this means is - it's a one way from from poorer to richer, more developed country. As is the case pretty everywhere in the world.

Good for them. Finally. Thais have been so extremely timid and placid, if you will, throughout this crisis when in European countries and America, some of which have seen fewer restrictions people and businesses have protested and rioted. In other words, it takes a lot less for a westerner to go stand up for their rights than a Thai/Asian.

I don't quite understand the mentality. Why are Thais so obedient towards the government? I mean, the government doesn't actually have nearly as much power, or resources, as say the American or European governments. People, perhaps out of fear, just do everything they're told to, when during normal times, the authorities can't even stop someone riding a motorcycle against the flow of traffic.

Maybe I answered my own question - it's fear and belief in authority that breeds this almost unquestioning compliance in this part of the world.

On 7/14/2020 at 12:29 PM, vermin on arrival said:

I know Vietnam has pay system for 2 or so months at a time, does it have an amnesty as well? Laos is just having people pay overstay $2 a day indefinitely, right? 60 a month is the rouighly the same as 1900 baht extensions.

Vietnam has an amnesty running until July 31. Extended for one month from the original end date of June 30.