ThomasPaine

32 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

In my case, I did reconsider, but it ended up in Thailand's favor. Given the choice between paying a little bit of money for an extension or enduring a winter Covid lockdown back home, it was a no-brainer!

 

Some people who lament having to shell out an extra 1000 or 2000 baht could use a bit of perspective.

 

 

I was not talking about the 1000-2000 Baht extra people has had to pay. I am talking about the whole situation - cost of living going up, immigration tightening rules, Baht increasing in value, attitudes towards foreigners, etc. 

People are going to start looking at the map and really start to consider what other countries offer. I really think that after this whole COVID situation is over most of the farang you see in Thailand will be people on their two week vacation or people who have put all their eggs in the Thailand basket. Anyone in the middle will of left.

2 hours ago, Happyman567 said:

Yes i will laugh at that suggestion also. My friend rang them to complain about Ubon Immigration charging 3900 instead of 1900 They took his details and said they would ring back That was  a week ago and guess what? No phone call back Just like everything here These agencies are just showcases with no intention to help anybody Just all B?S as usual Oh they did say 1900 was the correct price not 3900 but hey its another rort to bleed the farang so carry on boys 

I firmly believe that this whole COVID situation has made a lot of people reconsider living in Thailand. Before that was the sentiment now COVID has accelerated it. 

2 hours ago, natway09 said:

Best deal I have heard about in years.

I would not be moaning I would be celebrating

But you need to get your ducks in a row for a proper visa next time. Start exploring NOW

I am in the camp that the visa amnesty should have been extended as long as the emergency decree was in place. I am really hoping that at least one SEA country opens up or close by opens up before the end of January. I have no intention of staying here when borders finally open up.

18 minutes ago, Sambotte said:

You were considering a travel for avoiding... 1000 bahts ?... Seriously ? ????

I suppose I still have some morality in me somewhere ????

19 minutes ago, Sambotte said:

 

-> They asked me about letter, i said France does not. Then it was not clear, they asked me for something from hotel, not sure it was someone writing for me (a letter official from hotel, not just the TMxx something). But i asked then "so i just need this letter, photo, and pay, that's all ?". Yep. So i was pretty sure it would be ok, i took the note they write for the hotel, went and came back with a nice letter 2 pages from hotel, no idea what it was.

 

No issue, done in 10mn, no extra (it was my first covid extension, since i had a "normal extension" previously in CM). 

I was not told anything about this. None of my paperwork and copies was looked over by the front desk person. Only previous extension was looked at. I'd gladly of provided a letter from hotel if I was asked for one. All of these rules are wishy washy. For you it's provide a hotel letter, for me it's pay up 1000 Baht.

I am all for banning smoking in public buildings, public places, etc. But when it comes to banning smoking in private residences that is a step too far. If you want to smoke in your own residence go ahead. None of my concern what you do in your own home.

1 minute ago, beachproperty said:

Count yourself lucky ....you got the extension!

Yes I am happy that I received my extension. For me it is either stay in Thailand or go back to my passport country. Gladly would stay in Thailand. I considered refusing to pay then going to Ubon over the weekend to receive the extension there but with the cost of travel and hotel it was simply not worth it.

2 minutes ago, evadgib said:

That you didn't get a receipt...?

Correct.

I entered Thailand on a visa exempt stamp, then onto amnesty, did a COVID extension with an embassy letter back in September, now I am doing the second COVID extension without embassy letter.

I went into Buriram immigration today. I told the front desk person that ensures all the documents are there that I want to do a COVID extension. She does not look at my copies but looks at the previous extension stamp in my passport. She asks me where my embassy letter is. I tell her that my embassy is not giving out embassy letters anymore. She then tells me that I have to pay an extra 1,000 Baht because of this. Luckily I had went to the ATM to take out extra money since I had a feeling Buriram immigration was going to ask for extra.

I go into the office. Fill out the forms and the COVID affidavit. Paste the photo onto the form. The officer only wanted a copy of my main information page on my passport. I did not need to turn in the copies of the entry card or passport stamps.

Something I also do not understand is the officer wanted a copy of a locals ID. The first time I applied for the COVID extension they also wanted this. Luckily I brought my friend along with me and they copied her ID.

The IO does the processing and issues me the two month COVID extension. I received the extension right away, I did not have to wait two weeks on an under consideration stamp. The IO tells me the total is 2900 - 1900 for the extension and 1000 extra for I am not sure what.

The first time I did the COVID extension Buriram immigration charged me 300 Baht extra for a reason I am not sure. First time 300, now 1000. My TM30 is up to date and so is my 90 day reporting so I know it is not this. This was not a "maybe you should pay 1000" it was a "pay 1000 extra or no extension" situation.

Looking at all of the other reports on ThaiVisa, no one else has had to submit a locals ID copy or pay this extra 1000 baht. 

I did not receive a receipt for any of this.

What do you think?