KennethWinkels

No need to insult OP and turn a simple observation into an ad hominem thread. OP didn't say that Thais can not read, or that they don't read, simply observed that s/he hadn't seen many examples of reading in public. There could be a difference between different cultures regarding how often certain activities are engaged in publicly. For example, in Japan I did observe that it was extremely common for people to read books on public transport, typically they would be fairly small paperbacks, easy to carry and hold unobtrusively in a public place or a crowded train. I don't know whether or not this means that leisure time reading is more common in Japan than other places, or that it means anything at all, other than the pure observation that on public transport, to pass time, often times people read small handheld paperback books. It could be that Japanese read overall even less than <comparison culture>, but wind up being seen reading on trains more because commutes are long and somehow that is established as a common activity to pass the time while commuting. It's possible that Thais read overall, a bit less, a bit more, a lot less, a lot more, the same, whatever, as <comparison culture>, but that whatever the degree of reading may be, typically this reading not done in a public setting. Who knows. OP just felt as though they had not observed the reading of books in public places very much. This could be an incorrect observation, of course. Perhaps if someone did a scientific study of the frequency of reading books in public places it could be shown that OP's observation is incorrect. That doesn't mean it should be interpreted as an insult and lead to personal attacks on OP. If OP is wrong about it, it's not a moral issue. Could just say, "OP, thank you for the thought, however my experience is that it is not uncommon to see Thai people reading in public places." Some congeniality and common courtesy could help the forums. Would be nice if we all had, as our first instinct, kindness and acceptance rather than looking for angles/opportunities to level a personal attack on someone. K

Just a followup for everyone... the covid-19 extension was OK for 60 more days... thanks for the advice everyone!

Home tutor please ???? Thanks

Looking at the form posted by Salerno, it seems you have to choose one of four options: 1. I am not permitted to enter the destination country or the pandemic situation of Covid-19 is still ongoing 2. The embassy/consulate is unable to issue the letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay 3. No return flight or airline available 4. Others I guess 2. and 3., I couldn't use. I could possibly use (1) as the pandemic situation of Covid-19 is still ongoing in the US. Also (4) Others is possible.... I could say I dont want to transmit covid-19 to my unvaccinated son so I dont want to have to leave and come back again to see him. I think checking (1) and (4) may be safest ???? Maybe HashBrownHarry was denied because they didnt agree with the reason given? K

You were denied the covid extension? Just to make sure I understand. Did they give a reason?

Thanks again... it seems we were given incorrect info by the random individual we spoke with when my wife called and the roulette wheel spun regarding who would answer the question. ???? I see other sites on the internet also say that the extension will actually be for 60 days, for ex: Anyone still here on the 60-day Covid visa extension now has until November 26 to prolong their stay with the immigration authorities. Those extending close to that date will be granted permission to remain until the end of January 2022. Really appreciate it. Any idea what form I need to fill out in advance? In my googling so far I didnt find the form yet. I will show up at the imm office early, before they open at 8:30 am, to try to minimize wait time. Any recommendations for how early to go, does a line form prior to 8:30? I could go at 8, or if there is no queue forming, just a few people or a mob, I can try to get there 8:15 or so. Thanks all!!!!!!!

Does anyone have any recommendations for a Korean home tutor in Bangkok who could teach my child? Thanks K

Thanks ubonjoe... according to the person my wife spoke with, they had said that the COVID-19 related extension could only be offered until the end of the current authorization period, which is 11/27, but of course the reliability of any particular individual you happen to get on the phone may vary. ???? I believe the 30-day extension concept was related to the fact that if you apply for an extension of any kind and are denied, you get a 30 day grace period before you have to leave. I'll have my wife call again and also the final test will be just going and seeing what happens, but I won't cut it too short. I'll give a little time for the COVID-19 thing to possibly be renewed, so I'll go next week. However usually these cabinet decisions are ratified on tuesdays as I understand it, and I would have to leave Wednesday so any decision may not be in time for me. 30 days would be workable. Really appreciate your taking the time to offer your knowledge and experience, ubonjoe and everyone. K

Ok apparently situation is that the covid-19 related 60 day extension program is authorized until 11/27 and probably wont be renewed. So if one applies for that extension now, they can get it, but the period of time they can offer is not 60 days any more as only extensions through 11/27 are authorized, so you would get an extension until 11/27. You can however apply for a 30 day extension, which is now longer than the covid-19 extension would be, so it wouldnt make sense to apply for a COVID-19 extension any more. Thanks to all for the help.

Do you mean that they are still doing the COVID extensions at the Mueang Thong Thani office? The most recent official post that I can find in english about it is from October 2020, so ancient history, and references an out of date requirement to have a letter from one's embassy: https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/ตม-1-เปิดจุดให้บริการเพิ-2/ Anyway tomorrow I'll follow up with translation assistance and hopefully get this figured out. Will let everyone know what I find out. If anyone did this recently your experience would be valuable. Thanks.

Hi all, thanks again. Based on the excellent advice I received here and this news article I subsequently googled and found the following statement about how to apply for the COVID-90 extension of 60 days: "For those living in Bangkok, extension applications can be filed at the Immigration Bureau in Cheang Wattana. " I called the Chaeng Wattana immigration bureau at their 081-412-9180 number, as they weren't answering the other numer posted on their website https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/home_en/ , 0-2141-9889, and asked if I can go there and get a 60 day COVID extension. They said I can just get a 30 day on request extension but couldn't get a COVID extension. I didnt quite catch why it was that I wasn't able to get a 60 day COVID. I will have my wife try again tomorrow in Thai for better communication ????

As Ubonjoe very helpfully pointed out: https://www.bal.com/bal-news/thailand-covid-19-visa-extension-granted/ COVID-19: Visa extension granted 24 Sep 21 THAILAND IMPACT – MEDIUM The Thai government has granted another 60-day visa extension to foreign nationals who are unable to leave Thailand because of COVID-related travel restrictions. Key Points: All categories of visa holders are eligible for a 60-day visa extension if applicants meet specific COVID-19 related requirements. The window for visa extensions has been extended from Sept. 27 to Nov. 26. For those living in Bangkok, extension applications can be filed at the Immigration Bureau in Cheang Wattana. For those living outside of Bangkok, applications can be filed at Provincial Immigration Offices located throughout the country.

Hi thanks all... really appreciate the responses from everyone. Ubonjoe's suggestion of a COVID-19 extension is fantastic. I thought that COVID-19 extension program was over already. I will look into it and hopefully I can get it. I had gone to the chaengwattana road office for my extension a year ago. I believe there also used to be a COVID-19 extension place near that office, a short distance away from it. 60 days is enough as I need to leave and come back again anyway in about 6 weeks, so when I do that, I can just get a new non-imm-O visa. If I dont get the 60 days for whatever reason, final fail-over plan would be to apply for extension the day before with wife and child. My extension of stay has been based on a non-imm-O which is ending Nov 10 (child/non registered wife). When I extended the first time, it involved three separate trips to apply and a 4th trip to pick up the visa, with the 2nd trip involving being asked for documents that weren't on the official list and no one had mentioned before (including a letter from my child's school confirming he was a student there. Not mentioned in any official document nor was it mentioned on on our first attempt.). Given the troubles involved in getting wife/child to take day off of work/school and wait in the office, after which we'd have to go back again at least 1 time, to pick up the visa in a few weeks, if it works, and an appointment to come back again with a 30 day extension, if it doesnt work, the covid-19 extension sounds like a great option. Really appreciate the advice, I'll give it a shot!! Ken

Hello all, I just re-entered Thailand with a COE and unfortunately I have only 9 days in my permitted stay period. I had previously extended my non-imm O for a year. I made the dumb decision to just come back on that, rather than get a new non-imm-O visa entirely before coming back, which would have given me 90 days. Anyway I actually most likely will be leaving thailand again in about 6 weeks so even a 60 day extension would help me. As I see it my options are: -Go within the next 7 days or so (dont want to wait until last day) to the imm office with partner and child and apply for a new 1-year extension. Problem with this is it takes nearly a full day, partner has to take off work, child has to be bored all day, then you have to do that again to actually pick up the passport with the extension -Apply for some other kind of temporary extension... this would be nice as I probably have to leave soon again for a short trip anyway, and could get a new non-imm O entirely without all the hassle. I know you can apply for a 60-day extension of a non-imm O, but that also takes all day and requires partner to take off work, child to be bored all day as well... is there any option for a short extension that I could just do myself? I could even accept just 30 days, as probably I can leave within that period of time. I can go and sit around all day at the imm office myself to do it, would just be better if partner didnt have to take a day off work and we didnt have to manage an unruly child at the imm office as well, it's difficult. Just sitting there myself I can handle. Anyway I was dumb to not just get a new non-imm-O, I somehow thought I would get 90 days due to the fact that I was staying on a family non-imm-o extension, but that wasn't correct Thanks Ken