vermin on arrival

33 minutes ago, retell said:

nope can fill in the healthdeclaration form and with approval your good to go laos

No it was useless. No tourist visas or VOA for people going to Laos from March 20-April 20. I can't get in.

10 minutes ago, allencraig said:

That's what the person from the embassy tells me. They supposedly have an official agreement with the government that allows immigration officers to give extensions—but it's up to each officers' discretion. That's the part that makes me nervous. But there's really no choice. We're not getting letters.

I sure hope so. I am going to CW on Tuesday.

21 hours ago, allencraig said:

What's interesting is that just yesterday the US embassy replied to my inquiry about this letter and was rebuffed and told:

"On March 18, 2020, the Royal Thai Government's (RTG) Bureau of Immigration issued a directive which authorizes immigration officials to approve extensions of stay not exceeding 30 days for certain foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens. The extension of stay, granted at the discretion of the immigration officer, may be granted if the applicant is deemed a person affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The U.S Embassy has formally requested that flexibility be shown by Royal Thai immigration officers to U.S. citizens in Thailand who are affected by travel restrictions. "

So do you think when Americans go to CW we will be treated with lenience and compassion as a group?

3 minutes ago, sanemax said:

I think that was just a consideration, rather than a rule change 

Yes I just double checked and you are correct. The tourism minister wants to have this implemented, but he needs to discuss this first with Immigration and the Interior Ministry.

1 minute ago, sanemax said:

When the virus is over though , you may decide to stay on overstay and just pay 20 000 Baht and take a years ban 

  BTW, is that official, no bans for overstay now ?

I thought they reported that in BP, but am still unsure

15 minutes ago, sanemax said:

May as well get three months out of it or a year if you dont mind a years ban

I thought clemency for overstay now. Only fines levied.

3 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

They won't chuck us out....BUT, they will demand overstay fees once you leave. 500THB/day gets expensive really quickly.

I will go to CW on Monday or Tuesday. I will let you know what happens. At least the ticker stops at 20k

2 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

 

Exactly. I am in the same boat as you. 9 years though.  I have no confidence in the system over there. Mike Pompeo can go and suck a dick. Trying to tell us to "come home", but when we get there...no one's gonna give a rat's ass about us "uninsured".  I'd rather take my chances out here where I have a fighting chance. Over there, I'd end up dead, bankrupt, or both! AND I might end up taking family members down with me!

Exactly, it's common sense not to go back.

Good luck to you too @artiz : )

3 minutes ago, Kingjamo808 said:

Im hoping category 3 will work for me. Similar situation to the post above; American on a 30+30...Was planning to get a non immigrant o in laos but thats been scrapped. I have a thai bank account with over 400,000 baht and insurance w/ 5mil baht coverage. Hoping this makes a difference...Fingers crossed I get a good IO. 

Good luck jamo, please let me know what happens. May wait until Tuesday to make my trip there. Feel free to PM me.

17 minutes ago, jacob29 said:

Ah ok, I see what you mean. I may well be mistaken, but I think you would just take option (3), on the basis a visa exemption is neither a tourist visa, or 'other' type of visa. It's the absence of a visa. I can see it going either way though.

Specifically, when I read "non-tourist visas", I had read that as (non-tourist) visa. On second reading it makes sense to consider it as not (tourist visa).

EDIT: thinking about it more, my initial interpretation is wrong, they wouldn't say 'or other visa type' if that's what they meant

Seems like I am currently part of case 3 and will be able to extend if they show compassion.

3 minutes ago, accel said:

yeah and the american border is still open to US nationals.  the official advice as of now is basically fly home immediately and if you choose to stay abroad you're on your own

Not a chance. I would be a moron to do that. My brother's family is in quarantine. My parents, who I usually live with when I am there, are in total seclusion since they are extremely elderly and infirm, and the epidemic will be <deleted> storm there. Also, after 20 years in Asia, I currently have no private insurance since I have not needed it. The long flight and and time in US airports would be perfect places to catch the virus with the terrible preparedness there. Screw them and their stupid advice. What's the big deal to give a letter to help expats out of the country long term? Lazy sobs.

2 minutes ago, jacob29 said:

Doesn't 30+30 mean you were on a tourist visa and extended 30 days, so shouldn't need the letter?

30 plus 30 means I came in visa exempt and used my extension already

3 minutes ago, idiot farang said:

Fixed it for you.

 

Quote from 2 "government servants": "We got out of the letter issuing business. Official US Embassy policy is to get a letter from the Chinese Embassy".

Posting photos of military exercises and virtue signalling seems to be the only mission of the US Embassy. If, as an American, you need help... try the Chinese Embassy.

That's nuts

As an American, getting the embassy letter will be a nightmare. Post messages, no reply. Call and no one picks up. Hours are cut there due to coivd and appointments will be impossible to get. Any American get a letter yet? I have already done my 30+30 and expect to go to CW on Monday and hope I get a kind and  merciful IO.

57 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Let us know how yo get on.I've heard I have to go to Khon Kaen to get a Loa visa to  get to Suvanakhet to get my Non Imm O ME for marriage but still not sure about the insurance requirement or where to get it.I've heard that the medical certificates can be obtain at Gov hospitals. 

turned away at the door. No lao visas for tourism OA or at consulate for 30 days.

yeah lao consulates suspend tourist visas for 30 days, starting today. I was just turned away, but was expecting it.

1 hour ago, retell said:

http://www.mofa.gov.la/index.php/statements/notices/3525-visa-restrictions-from-20-march-2020-20-april-2020

 

important

 

 

yes just got back and there was a sign posted outside stating that for 30 days no tourist visas will be given out. I knew it would probably fail, but I had to see inperson.

3 minutes ago, retell said:

http://www.mofa.gov.la/index.php/statements/notices/3525-visa-restrictions-from-20-march-2020-20-april-2020

 

important

 

 

so my trip to the lao embassy today will be useless

6 hours ago, moskito said:

20k is the maximum they can charge you... but at least its without blacklisting ???????? ... not a real good solution trying it, you will get a FAT RED STAMP in your passport which is looking terrible to the Immigration officer on your next arrival ????
:
A 60-90 day FREE VISA EXTENSION would be the key, specially after Thailand did not really well in the past month and specially to help the people do not make any money here anymore...BUT THIS we will for sure never see here 

Yes, but the things I have been hearing is that there will be clemency for over-stayers, so only fine, and no punitive legal action or ugly red stamp. Of course, Thailand must officially say that before I do it. Unless all the closing borders make it impossible for me to do anything else.

2 minutes ago, jacob29 said:

I guess that works, but seems a bit odd. Tourism is already gutted, there will be no new arrivals for months, you would think they would be scrambling to encourage everyone that is already here, to stay. They literally have everything to gain, and the tourist sector is basically on life support now. The people due for extensions present no increased risk of CV19.

 Just going for the throat. In typical Thai style, we have no customers what do we do? raise prices!

19 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Spoke to a Thai visa agency today and he said that immigration will give 60 day extensions............for 25 000 Baht

  (I already have one extension , this would be an extra extension)

Wow. I guess it's better than some alternatives, but they are really taking advantage of the situation. Having said that, it may turn out that I have to do it

1 minute ago, SpanishExpat said:

As for now this is exclusively for travel by air. I understood it like that, that it´s not controlled at the Thai border, but already when you check in at the airport for your flight. It will be skipped sooner then later, as no one can provide such a certificate without faking it. 

so then the ones from siam reap and pnomh penh will be needing it soon then no?

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

No

so only from high risk countries and not all? are you sure?

14 minutes ago, weaver93 said:

 

Yesterday, I crossed over from Chong Chom into Thailand at 7.10am on foot... no problems..

 

My friends arrived 4 hours later, at Chong Chom and were informed, they could enter Cambodia,

but.. they could only re-enter Thailand by air from Siam Reap or Phnom Penh..

 

All of us, are on Non-O Multi Entry Visa's, Married to Thai National, and carry UK Passport...

 

I was lucky..

And would they need coivd certificate and health insurance?