tabbycat

careful with the Bangkok office as well, they have turned people away this week telling them to come back in the last few days prior to the 30/11 stamp expiring, so I imagine next week & the week after is going to be packed.

Does this apply regardless of whether or not you have an embassy letter? 

Very strange inconsistency considering people have been stamped until 30/11, so surely a new visa would begin after that date.

3 hours ago, DanielFR said:

To clarify my previous comment, the total cost was from my place to MTT and returning to my condo

wouldn't the taxi be quicker/cheaper form Wat Phra Sri Mahathat BTS (the last stop)?

also, for others wondering how to get to MTT on a budget: bus 166 from Victory Monument will take you there for 22 baht

11 hours ago, Fibonaqi said:

Told ya ????????
Mine doesn't say that at all. Double checked. It's possible that's because I'm not resident in the UK. Not sure why. But the letter clearly says it's only good before September 26.

That's probably it. My email from them didn't mention anything re: 'only one letter' either - residing in a different country as well. Provided evidence so I hope they can just issue a new letter with the same wording this time next month.

I get the feeling they want people residing in the UK to eventually return regardless of the situation back home, but aren't in the place to make that call for British residents living in other countries. They're probably also waiting on Immigration to clarify re: the process of a second embassy extension (and onwards)

6 minutes ago, Jackcwba said:

My uk embassy letter is all black and white anyway apart from the uk embassy stamp its blue. I don’t think it makes a difference - and if they call you out on it you can just show them it in your phone that it’s legit 

I'd argue the stamp is the most important part. Anyway, I saw others being told to come back with colour copies at Counter J, so just relaying my personal experience. They also require the email from the embassy which contained the letter attachment, and showing it to them on your phone was not sufficient then, either. The email printout is also with Immigration, I'm assuming checking for authenticity, as I didn't get it back from the officer who stamped me.

22 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

So i received my letter of support today (tourist visa also), however, in the email, right at the bottom of the page it says the following (verbatum);

"This letter can only be issued once, you will therefore need to make a plan to remain in Thailand long-term or return home before your visa expires."

Wonder what the plan is for people after this if there is only one letter issued... edit the date?

Unfortunately the plan is right there in British Embassy's email: remain in Thailand long-term or return home before your visa expires.

Would strongly advise against editing the date on the letter - that's a crime. Even though you may get the under consideration stamp on the day & told to come back, when your documents are sent to the head office for further checking, you'll be in for a tough surprise when returning for your second appointment to close off the 'loop'.

If you wish to extend further, try appealing to the British Embassy first closer to the date for another letter, citing your situation (maybe if your part of the UK is under lockdown). If all else fails and you still wish to stay, it'll have to be the agent route.

19 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

Are they accepting the embassy letter printed in B/W ?

It must be in color, if not you can print it in color at the copy shop at MTT

1 minute ago, audaciousnomad said:

Maybe so. But who's got the last word...you and I, or a uniformed officer with a badge?  With your passport on hand, you'd be on your way. Prefer that rather than be marched down to the police station to spend a few hours arguing your case that you understand THEIR laws better than they do. Maybe you'll walk....but, is it worth the hassle if you could have just carried your passport like what is officially expected?

There was confirmation around the time of the previous shakedowns being reported on BKK Post/Thai media, even from Thonglor police directly, that it's OK if you don't carry your passport with you *as long as* you have a copy of your passport photo page and visa/entry stamp. A scan on your phone might be sufficient if the cop is having a good day but yes, absolutely no harm making a double-sided photocopy and keeping that in your wallet at all times.

44 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Not necessarily fearmongering. A while back, there were reports of random stops by police in Thonglor. I expect these to happen again, especially after end of amnesty.

Thonglor police is the worst of the bunch, and unfortunately they have jurisdiction over most of Sukhumvit too. I have no doubt they'll restart this practice perhaps after a little bit of downtime after amnesty is over, just when people start to get lax and think they'll be OK overstaying.

Hell, I thought the Bangkok shakedown was only a 2014-15 thing but turns out these scum tried to pull off the same 'drug test' extortion scheme as recently as December last year. I personally know people who've had to p!ss with bystanders watching in the middle of Sukhumvit, and am shocked at how they just stood there & got humiliated as I certainly wouldn't have that same level of patience if they asked me to do it.

9 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

Have a question to Ubonjoe... Got my permission of stay until 15.10 (under consideration). It should apparently be prolonged until 25-26.10. Will I be able to get the Volunteer visa while being "under consideration"? Or immediately after I get another stamp on 15.10? Thank you.

I've asked a few agents this and they're happy to help extend but told me to come back only when the second stamp is received. They're unable to do anything without it.

Might be difficult though if your 'under consideration' is until like the 21st or later (like many others) because the Non-O needs some time left on your visa to be processed by most agents (even under the table), but you may be fine if you head to the agent that same day (on the 15th) as long as they're aware of/expecting you

Scan that QR code with your camera app, it'll show you the directions on Google Maps

2 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

You really think the "stranded" tourists can afford the costs for the STV? 15 days stay at a 5 star hotel incl. the costs for covid-19 tests etc etc + the need to stay in Thailand at least 90 days. I know of many stranded tourists in my neighborhood, and they're not big spenders. 

..... why would "stranded" tourists pay for COVID-19 tests and ASQ when they're COVID-free and already in the country, since atleast March if not earlier?

In this scenario, all that would apply from the STV for these people would be the fact that they can get a 90 day extension (split over 30x3).

So having got my tourist visa extended & judging by my years of life experience in Bangkok, with this amnesty now certain to end on Saturday I have no doubt that police will eventually start doing random checks on people who even look like foreigners, asking them to produce their passport on the spot to prove their legal status (similar to the BKK Shakedown a few years ago. "no passport? how about you head to the ATM and get some cash out then, and we'll forget this ever happened").

Yes, as a tourist you're expected to have your passport on you at all times, but anyone with half a brain would know it's extremely stupid to be carrying it with you if you're out for a drink late at night or going shopping somewhere in a crowded place.

I carry a photocopy of my passport at all times in my wallet, in a scenario where there were to be a random spot check, would this be sufficient?

4 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Why would this ever be allowed...as it's certain there will be some number who will break quarantine and defeat the whole purpose.

Maybe they shouldn’t have even mentioned it on the infographic they put out at first then. I’m only asking about this because THEY said it would be possible. 

Ah, I thought the entire point of those GPS tracker bands they make you wear was so that you could stay at your own home.
 

No point wearing one if you’re in a hotel as the keycard you receive is only good for one use - you enter the room on day 0 and you simply can’t leave, and staff at reception would call the authorities should they see you leaving the hotel as well. 
 

same in countries like Singapore for instance - if you’re entering from ‘safe’ countries you quarantine at home and have to keep your wristband on + kee location on your phone at all times. If you’re in a hotel there’s no need for it 

anyways let’s wait for more information

44 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

So in theory you should be able to get another letter, and on 21 Oct get the 26 Oct stamp, and then apply for another extension on that same day?

Nobody has tried this yet but I’m sure we’ll know more later this month. 
 

Also worth a shot - someone on a FB group mentioned they used their embassy extension BEFORE their regular 30 day extension, and were told by the IO that the regular 30 days should be able to used anyway, and that the embassy extension doesn’t replace that in any way. It’s certainly anecdotal so would take it with a pinch of salt but that might be worth trying too whenever you go back. 
 

worst case - Don Muang isn’t far, get stamped and head straight to the airport to catch a flight to a ‘friendly’ IO like CM and get your second extension there. All the issues with unfriendly I/Os and staff giving half-baked or completely false information is only coming from Bangkok at the moment..

9 minutes ago, Dan O said:

It doesn't really appear too difficult as they have outlined it so far, although more expensive than pre-covid times.  The guidelines will surely change before it gets a final approval.  it's not geared to short term tourist intentionally, nor is it geared toward anyone inside Thailand currently. I think it's part of there process to get to a soft opening. They have to start somewhere in generating some type of manageable tourism to come and also be able to show they can control their process. If they can't feel they have control over tourist coming into the country safely there won't be any soft open for quite some time. 

You hear any news about foreigners being able to stay and quarantine in their own homes if they can provide evidence, for example, home ownership documents? They had announced this in the initial infamous infographic that we saw across the media but it seems that they have quietly removed that option and are forcing everyone to stay in ASQ, which is going to be a dealbreaker for anyone else in this kind of situation.
 

Forcing homeowners to pay the equivalent of a months worth of rent++ to stay for 14 days in some obscure hotel rather than their own home is not going to go down well with anyone

5 hours ago, audaciousnomad said:

I am not sure as I did not have need for it. Unfortunately, I also did not ask. I wonder if it might be in the building next door...but I'm not too sure. I read a report earlier this week of someone that did use a service right nearby...something about 10baht per copy though...when it should really be 1-2 baht at a normal service center.

I had to go to Counter J for my TR60 (building next door to K) and the copy shop was at the ground floor as soon as you walk in. Didn’t use it either but did see a sign with their LINE id, so I’m assuming you can send over any missing docs/screenshots from your phone & they’ll print it out for you too

Sounds like far too much trouble. This will not go well and I expect the STV to quietly become obsolete whenever Thailand does a soft reopening of their borders next year 

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It will be approved if it is accepted. The approval is more of formality than anything else.

Ubonjoe is right here, seems more like a formality with the authorities as usual making things more complicated than they need to be. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Different situation as you (won't bore you with specifics) but was also told at MTT "special case", "we contact supervisor" etc when asked if I could come *earlier* than the date stated - they do so much checking of your documents prior to even letting you into the room where you get stamped, if they've taken your money and given you the Under Consideration you should be safe.

36 minutes ago, MangoRice said:

What if you lost the original and you don’t have a copy?

Go to your nearest police station and they'll help you out

3 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

I was there at MTT today. In at 1130, out by 1pm.  They had half the counters running. I was grateful they had staff working through lunch hour. ????. With full staff, maybe it runs quicker. I had all necessary docs, so there was no delays. I would say 90mins is the fastest you can hope for there.

What date did you get stamped for/told to come back?

17 minutes ago, Promula said:

I believe the intention is to remove the majority of tourists this month who really should have returned to their home countries by now, and then announce something new after 26 September for those tourists still legally here on extension letters. Perhaps they'll be offered the option of buying a new 90 day STV.  Those still here illegally are going to be bolstering the government coffers with some large fines.

Not a bad call. Assuming for most tourists who have used their embassy letter, that it won't just be their last extension - things won't magically go back to normal back home over the next 30 days, hence they'll probably show up at immigration again with the same letter hoping for another month (and so on). The logical way to proceed is to give them the option of buying an STV sometime in October, considering they've been in the country since atleast March and are COVID-free. This would give them until Jan 2021 and who knows how things will be then. You can't often associate logic with the people in charge of making these decisions though..

8 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

I wonder if Thailand will be the only country that forces people out during this pandemic.

In the EU, I believe Schengen visa holders have until the end of September to leave. Tourists in Malaysia have until the end of the year. Costa Rica apparently just extended its visa amnesty until the end of March 2021, and their borders have been open for some time!