Chang Wattana, Monday March 23

[dddave]

In 15 years, the only time I have seen Immigration as chaotic as it was today was during the troubles in 2010 when they had to temporarily move to Imperial World, Lat Phrow.

I actually had a 1pm appointment at a specific desk to complete an extension initiated 10 days before.  

I arrived at 10 AM and there were still multiple lines snaking around the lobby as they were limiting the number of people allowed to enter. 

I went directly to the basement to get some bank documents and copies done, figuring I'd find a comfortable spot at one of the coffee shops to wait.  WRONG!!

Though all restaurants and coffee shops were open, all the tables and chairs were stowed away: take out only.  Same with the food court.  No place to sit anywhere.

 

I was finally able to wedge into a spot to sit on one of the upstairs planters.  The entire 1st floor sales area was gone, nothing but open floor.

 

As the end of lunch approached before 1pm, the lobby became packed with multiple lines at the door along with the usual line cutters.  Two minutes before 1pm, a guard at the door announced that door was staying closed and sent everybody surging to what is normally the exit door...total chaos ensued, more than the usual pushing and shoving and it nearly got nasty a few times.  It took me 15 minutes just to get inside.

The waiting areas inside were as bad, if not worse than outside.  Every other chair had a "NO" sign taped on the seat: enforced "social distance" as it were.  This of course, resulted in literally hundreds of people milling around it the already tight aisles making getting around really difficult.  

I was lucky and didn't have to wait in the queue.  The person I was supposed to see wasn't there but they were able to find my paperwork and I eventually got my business done and walked out at 3pm.  A fellow sitting close to me said he had gotten to CW at 9:30am and got queue #175.  There were still in the 80's when I left.

Not a fun day for anybody.   

I will say that every Immigration officer and clerk I saw was working their tails off, often doubling applicants up at their desks. It didn't appear to be a fun day for them either.

BTW, NOBODY was allowed in without a mask that I could see.

 

I anybody reading this must go to CW in the oncoming weeks, get there early and have your paperwork in hand.  

Edited March 23, 2020 by dddave

[Max69xl]

What troubles in 2010 are you referring to? 

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

What troubles in 2010 are you referring to? 

I think he meant 2014 when protestors blocked access to the government complex.

[Max69xl]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I think he meant 2014 when protestors blocked access to the government complex.

That's what I thought,too. I had to ask because I couldn't remember anything happening 2010 in BKK.

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

I had to ask because I couldn't remember anything happening 2010 in BKK.

There were protests in 2010 as well but not in that part of Bangkok.

[Max69xl]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

There were protests in 2010 as well but not in that part of Bangkok.

That was the last part of the red shirts vs yellow shirts in March (I think).

[connda]

The real terrifying thing about this is if large numbers of foreigners seeking visa support start coming down with Covid-19.  They really have the stage set for a domestic outbreak from within the foreign community who are forced to congregate in large numbers instead of staying in their residence and maintaining social distance. 
It boggles the mind because this is the exact opposite of what every health organization and government agency in the world is telling it's citizens to do.  And yet, here we are.  

[DaRoadrunner]

24 minutes ago, connda said:

The real terrifying thing about this is if large numbers of foreigners seeking visa support start coming down with Covid-19.  They really have the stage set for a domestic outbreak from within the foreign community who are forced to congregate in large numbers instead of staying in their residence and maintaining social distance. 
It boggles the mind because this is the exact opposite of what every health organization and government agency in the world is telling it's citizens to do.  And yet, here we are.  

They should close CW immigration and automatically extend everyones visa for 3 months till this is all over.

 

I am not going near the place and sent my 90 day report by post.

[jacko45k]

8 hours ago, connda said:

It boggles the mind because this is the exact opposite of what every health organization and government agency in the world is telling it's citizens to do.  And yet, here we are

Do you ever watch Thai TV? The Mrs was watching something last night (people sing and get gunk dropped on their heads) and there was a large audience closely seated and the usual guests none of whom wore a mask. Just saw the one on a cameraman. 

But your point is valid, tourists have likely had contact with other tourists who may well have recently been in Europe where concentrations are high. 

[Geeyore]

My visa ends in 7 weeks and the prospects of returning "home" (which had not been anticipated at all) are logistically ridiculous at this point. Frying pan to fire as they say.

 

Multiple other planned options have been dashed suddenly with border closures and flight reductions. 

 

I'm hanging in with the hope that visas will be extended, as I don't see this getting any better in 7 weeks. My embassy advised to sit tight, don't travel. So that's what I'm doing. 

 

Getting on an airplane, visiting Chaeng Wattana? Horrifying prospects and the exact opposite of social distancing. Not gonna happen.