PHOTOS: Immigration at Chaeng Wattana heaving with foreigners desperately trying to extend their visas

[baansgr]

God help us.....Almost half million people infected worldwide...50% increase in one week, and these dummy's want to cram people in like sardines....wait till infected is at 20 million in a few weeks and deaths at two million...will anyone really care about an overstay fine

[Mattd]

14 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

Not 100% fatal? Wow, those are the good news. FYI - this is a deadly virus. The percentage of those who dies - varies, but it is still incomparably more dangerous perspective than being caught by Thai immigration. 

Debatable, get locked up in IDC and you would not only have a very high risk of catching Covid-19, you would also stand a very good chance of catching something that has a way higher morbidity rate, disease is rife in there, with ZERO social distancing or chance of it.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and the bickering replies have been removed. 

[bristolgeoff]

my friend just told me,he is in cnx can not get out all flights are getting cancelled.the other way expensive flights back here.he has to take his chances in cnx and extending his visa if possible.one of many in the same boat now

[Just Weird]

19 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

28 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

 Given the choice of IDC and guaranteed deportation I'd risk the Immigration queue.

You don't risk the queue, you risk contracting corona virus. What do you prefer?

I'd prefer that you read my comments and their context.  Are you another one who thinks that there wouldn't be just a much chance of infection if locked up in the salubrious IDC?

[curlylekan]

The government puts so many people at a possible risk by doing this. Why don't they just say that if people's visas expired during these dates (certain dates of the virus), they can stay longer. What a stupid idea by the government. Do they ever think?

[raccos21]

More likely the place where the virus can spread quickly and all place can pick up some. So scary!

Do they have this as well?

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by raccos21
Crash

[sanemax]

4 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

I'd prefer that you read my comments and their context.  Are you another one who thinks that there wouldn't be just a much chance of infection if locked up in the salubrious IDC?

Yes, but you have to factor in the fact that you will  be in the immigration queue and you may not ever be in IDC , especially if you are self isolating and not going outside 

[Constantinos]

3 hours ago, stuhan said:

Letters are not required for V.O.A or tourist visa just go and apply.pay the fee.Non immigrate visa,i think may need letter? but not required to renew yearly N.I.O retirement visa.90 DAY reports you can do online,i have done all mine online for past 3yrs with very few problems.

The link to do online 90 days report is not working!

[raccos21]

Do they have this as well?

 

[smudger1951]

Immigraton make money for the government and keep farangs in their place. Declaring an amnesty ? Unthinkable !

[maxcorrigan]

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

 

 

Have any other countries announced visa amnesties or exemptions for foreigners due to Covid19?  I don't think so, so why would you think that Thailand should be doing it?

Well according to JimHuaHin two posts above yours New Zealand has!

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

 

 

Have any other countries announced visa amnesties or exemptions for foreigners due to Covid19?  I don't think so, so why would you think that Thailand should be doing it?

post #83

[Chazar]

7 minutes ago, Constantinos said:

The link to do online 90 days report is not working!

[Mick501]

Gawd, what a Petrie dish.  At least they stopped short of dropping in a Zyklon B tablet.

[Ketyo]

The Thai authorities are 40 years behind the developed world.

 

And the Generals think they need even more control over the people to push them down further.

 

They have never heard of treating the public like customers or service users.

 

Unfortunately, they went to school before education began in Thailand.

 

They need to make way for a younger breed of educated and aware citizens.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Immigration has stated that foreigners whose travel plans have been disrupted by COVID-19 can obtain a 30 day extension, providing they obtain a letter from their embassy.

 

This has resulted in many immigration offices in Thailand being packed with foreigners in recent days - at a time when there is huge importance on members of the public practicing social distancing in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

One word... ILLOGICAL!!!

[Just Weird]

4 minutes ago, maxcorrigan said:

Well according to JimHuaHin two posts above yours New Zealand has!

 

3 minutes ago, Chazar said:

post #83

Ok, ok!  I accept that one country (that doesn't have the tourist numbers that Thailand has or the problems with some visitors) has made it easier overall. 

 

Indonesia has made a very limited concession but only to overstayers who entered the country in the last few weeks.

[smedly]

4 hours ago, Thai Terrier said:

This was not the situation yesterday 24th March - between 0730 am and 1030 am when I was there. Had a long queue to enter immigration which stretched a long way. People were made to stand in lines , similar to car lines waiting to board a ferry, at least 1 metre apart and every other chair inside had a notice placed saying NO on the seat. Immigration staff regularly walked down the waiting lines enforcing the 1 metre apart distancing. I appreciate 2 metres is recommended but in my view they were doing their best in difficult circumstances. I cannot speak for nearer lunchtime and at 1pm when immigration reopens.

they are large crowds in a confined space - there is no other way to describe it 

 

breaking every rule they are trying to impose on the country

 

some thinking is now required to address this very dangerous situation

[baansgr]

Anyone scared for their life yet???? Serious question.

[OffshoreMig]

4 hours ago, dabhand said:

Why are the Embassies not making protests to the Thai government on this serious matter?

 

Instead they are merely scuttling around to provide Immigration requested paperwork, rather than firing back at yet another example of completely unnecessary red tape.

 

Yes, I am looking at you, the British and US Embassy.  Once again you are failing your fellow citizens. 

 

 

Australia, The UK and Canada are no better they have still kept open the VFS Global Biometric Data collection Centre in the Trendy building. There is no need for these centres to remain open. Thai nationals hold an e-passport biometric data has already been recorded,  Any residual concerns as to an applicants identity could be addressed by alternative safer and cheaper means. Documents are submitted online. It is reckless and irresponsible for these governments to keep these centres open. They are a serious risk for the transmission of the COVID-19 Virus. Close them down NOW

We advise all our clients to seek a waiver from having to attend and supply biometric data.  Check the centres liability insurance.  Governments who fail to act to protect public heath and safety may be liable should a person contract the virus as a result.  Class action law suit in the making.

Edited March 25, 2020 by OffshoreMig

[sapson]

1 hour ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

My 90 days report is also coming up and the online app is not working this time around. I am also inclined to just accept the 2,000 baht fine.

I will try the regular postal service, just so I can say at least I tried.

Let me know how it works out for you. 

90 day report is the least of worries at the moment................simply dont do it.

 

When you go next time explain that you wanted to come to the office and report however you deemed it very important to protect yourself and the staff by wearing a face mask................but none were available to purchase so you didnt risk a visit and online was not working due to an internet overload.

 

All quite reasonable, smile Wai, and offer amused disbelief at any mention of a fine! job done.! stay safe.

[hkt83100]

Did my 90 days day before yesterday in Korat. Waited outside one minute until just one customer was in the office, after about two minutes everything was done and dusted. So this time I spent double time for the report compared to usual.

[shady86]

No sympathy for the immigration, if they dont want to change for the better, more people's time will be wasted and hopefully the pandemic doesnt spread there.

 

I'm supposed to renew my extension yearly around April, luckily i have changed it since last year.

[Hockeybik]

From Richard Barrow on Twitter "I hope that #Thailand will soon follow the example of Indonesia by automatically granting extensions to tourists and waiving all fines without the need to visit Immigration #COVID19"

 

Why not? Please tell us Immigration Police? Why subject your people and all of these people to this totally unnecessary exposure during this time when we should be doing exactly the opposite? Where is the common sense? Grant 60 or 90 day extensions to everyone and sort it out later. This is disgusting. 

[Tropposurfer]

Phuket immigration this mid day was full of falangs, and Thais without masks.

Few, very few seemed to observe or respect others trying to hold something akin to a 2 metre safety zone.

The staff for my regular 90 day reporting (unable to do it online for some reason) were busy as bees helpful kind and polite.

the squish that’s in those photos looks decidedly infectious????

Hopefully against all previous policy trends and instigations lol ???? Thai Govt will find a way to waive these germ festival gatherings and create some other reporting extension system.

if this thing gets really bad, continued exponential increases in infection numbers surely they’ll have no option but to waive and just allow folks to stay until able to leave.

its a bun fight that’s for sure!

trying to deal with a worldwide scenario that seems to have not been planned for (how in gods name do you make contingency plans for this kinda stuff!) let alone anticipated (hang on haven’t folks in the know talked of disaster scenarios like this?)

[eggers]

It's time Thai Immi, introduced an appointment system rather than this "queuing debacle'!!

 

 

[superal]

4 hours ago, rickb said:

The Thai government should simply issue an order that automatically extends everyone's visa by 30 days.  If they are concerned about losing money, require everyone to pay after the fact when they next have to report to their immigration office.  Something similar should be done for 90 day reports.  Extend the report date by 30 days and hopefully the virus situation will be much improved in 30 days.  Such actions would not only help foreigners, but would help Thais as well by not increasing the risk of spreading the virus due to people being jam packed together.

You are thinking too sensibly and logically cos TIT .  BTW  is Bangkok still open ? thought there was a lock down ,   what do embassy's do or what is their purpose  ? 

[Expat Tom]

The US and British Embassies do not exist to support the citizens of their respective countries. The Embassy's role is ti further business, diplomatic and military interest of their countries....and of course, spy. As a citizen of the US or the UK, you are just a pain in the ass for you embassy. That extends to all embassies, not just the US and the UK. 

 

Your government is not your friend nor is your embassy.

  

[vermin on arrival]

1 hour ago, maxcorrigan said:

Well according to JimHuaHin two posts above yours New Zealand has!

Indonesia, Korea, and PI as well.