happyaussie

If tourist visas can't be automatically extended past 31 July. Do you think I can apply and pay for a 4 week extension?

What I'm reading says apply early at immigration to avoid the onslaught. But if I get an extension will that apply from the 31st or the date I apply?

I also want to book my flight to Australia but am concerned about flights being cancelled. Why, because when I attempted to leave in March I had three flights cancelled and even though I paid extra to cover cancellations I've had a terrible time obtaining refunds. I even had a Cathay flight cancel whilst checking in. Thai airways only issued a credit and another airline refunded 50%. I will fly back with Thai and use the credit.

Apologies if this has already been discussed. I just need some words of advice.

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is unknown if the amnesty will be extended or not.

If you qualified for an extension you could apply for one. It may be possible to apply for a special 30 day extension with a letter from your embassy requesting it.

If the borders are open in July they will expect people to leave and re-enter the country prior to July 31st.

Thanks for advice. Reply from embassy. 

The Thai Government has extended all visas for foreigners until 31 July. This would apply to all visa types, including visa on arrival. Given this, the Australian Embassy will no longer issue letters to support visa extension requests. If you have any questions about automatic visa extension, or about your own personal visa circumstances, please direct them to the Thai Immigration Authorities; Hotline 1178 or www.immigration.go.th.

What happens 01 July when the tourist visa amnesty expires. Will it be extended? Or do I need to visit immigration for an extension. If yes, how long will extension be? Am planning on returning to Australia Aug/Sep. Just need a few more weeks.

Or do I do a border run at Chiang Khan. Which my last visit was a terrible experience as the officers were focusing on Loatians. They paid the officers to complete their forms. Hence farangs were at the back of the queue. 

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

This file from the Thai Post website states parcels can be sent to the US in Thai and English.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OGkBLRXkgaOuA-x2N-I2fLe0faBrUXeu/view

Very kind, thanks for the info. I shall try as suggested.

1 hour ago, TooBigToFit said:

I was told they don't send any mail to the US at the present time the other day. I tried at one of the delivery services and they said the same. I can wait but I have to say I was quite surprised that mail has stopped. Maybe it's just up here in the Northeast.

I was told the same thing. ASEAN no problem but USA no. Thailand Post have an arrangement with DHL. I contacted DHL and they said yes they are accepting mail.

Seems our local Post Master is either ill-informed or he puts the farangs request in the too hard basket. No surprises there. 

I'm in Loei and need to send a small parcel to the USA. Post office only accepts surface mail during Covid. There is no Fedex or DHL etc in the area. I want to send express with tracking. Can anyone advise? 

I did a return trip Loei to Sakaeo 2 weeks ago, via Chum Phae. other than the usual police check looking for beer money, no problem. Noticed where checkpoints had been, but none functioning. We travelled middle of the day. 2 weeks later I'm sure driving through the provinces is almost back to normal 

For those interested, I just did the return trip. A few police checkpoints gathering beer money. 200baht no signing no paperwork. Heading South I noticed a few Covid19 checkpoints which were closed. On the return none. We began each trip at 9am. So. most driving done middle of the day. 

Plenty of traffic but not as much as usual. 

Rick it takes about  7, maybe 8 hours. 

I know this type of post was covered previously. But they were early April. Hoping things have changed or relaxed.

Does anyone know if it would be okay to drive from Loei to Sakaeo? I read somewhere that we should get an approval to drive out of our province from the district office. Is that true?

Thanks 

thanks Ubonjoe

I am eligible for the recently past tourist visa amnesty until 01 April. Do I need to do a location checkin with immigration. I believe it's available on line. If yes, a link would be appreciated. I can only find reference to 90 day checkin.

This is great news after spending 2 full days lined up at Chiang Khan and never getting my number called. All I wanted was a 30 day tourist extension.

The delay was due to immigration officers giving preference to Laoations because border was closed and that they pay 2000 baht to have their applications filled in by Immigration officers. And of course the mandatory closure for lunch.

During my two days of pain. The immigration officers contempt for farangs was palpable. My wife was telling me the staff were saying some pretty rude things about other farangs present. No doubt me included. 

Such a shame. I've aways loved Thailand. But over last few years experiences like this and reading others misfortunes really sours my opinion. 

Thanks 

33 minutes ago, Pravda said:

 

You are confused 

Why?

I remember reading something about 60+ must stay at home. But not sure it was advice or an instruction. 

I'm in two week lockdown purely based on the fact I went to Suvarnabhumi. Went to fly out, but flight was cancelled, so returned home.

I gave up trying to explain that because I visited the airport doesn't mean I just arrived in the country. 

Immigration also visited to make sure the white man is in lock down.

I'm not really blaming Thailand or immigration. This is new territory for all countries.

 I had same question. Minus Covid-19 symptoms. Mine is for tourist visa extension. My wife called immigration and was told there is a 15 day moratorium period, with no penalty. But as we know this may vary from office to office and officer to officer. 

There was a post the other day saying there maybe a moratorium on tourist visas until June. This makes all sorts of sense. What would be even better is if it was automatic and no need to visit an immigration office. 

As if insurance companies need a hand.

Thanks for the advice. This will be my 4th build. Two substantial houses, and one Reno. Previous were contract which other than workers disappearing to either harvest or plant rice was relatively painless. 

And no doubt I paid too much. But still tens of thousands cheaper than building in Australia...that's a given.

I'm just not too sure how much to pay per day. 

Planning on building a small guest accom on our land. Nothing too fancy but great views and gardens. Question is. My wife has a relative/contact from her village (which we live 500klms away, thankfully). Who is willing to do the work. Question is, how much. 

I thought best thing is to start at the bottom. Which supposedly is 300bht per day. Okay lets double that to 600bht. Oh no that won't be enough says the wife. After 10 years marriage I continue being the walking ATM.

The guy in question doesn't work. He'd make more in 3 months than he ever has, and not one cent out of his pocket. Transport, meals, accom and I know wife will supply him beers when needed. 

Most likely it will be him with couple of helpers (the ones that disappear for a few days after a night on the turps). 

If I can get a room, bathroom, outdoor verandah etc built for about 100,000 in labour I think I'd be doing okay.

I could go the prefab thing, but we like to make it a little unique and within keeping with the main property. 

Appreciate any suggestions.   

Not a problem at all. Done the trip several times. Depending on time of day allow 40 min from downtown Vientienne to border. 30min processing and crossing borders. Other side plenty of mini vans and taxi's/private cars. About 45min to Udon. Taxi around 500baht

Be careful, there are some great restaurants at the back of guest houses in town. But be careful of the ones further out of town where most tourists visit. Very hit and miss, expensive and crap service. But don't miss the coconut candy, cooked on the spot.

Loei is not a Farang orientated town. Chris's Steak & Pasta is a decent spot. But not really a bar. There's a couple of Discos as mentioned previously. But you and the odd English teacher maybe the only Farangs. Ice bar is a tiny bar around the corner from Chris's, run by an Aussie and his wife. Loei is sleepy, so don't expect raging night life.

Sounds like it wasn't a stock item. If so, I don't think you should expect a return / swap. Over time they'd end up with a lot of bits and pieces. Which takes up space.

But if it was a stock item, as a loyal customer they should have taken back and given you a credit.