BREAKING NEWS Tourists get automatic visa extensions

[stephen tracy]

On 4/1/2020 at 3:17 PM, BritTim said:

I am not trying to defend what they are doing, but let me try to explain what might be their twisted logic:

• Foreigners who arrived before March 1 and are not already sick are surely Covid-19 free. There is no way they would be infected in Thailand. Thus, our officials are not in danger in dealing with them.
• Foreigners who arrived after March 1 will often be infected, and we must keep them away from our offices.
• There is no money to be made from agent assisted extensions for those who just need a regular 30-day tourist extension of stay.
• Regular tourists should not have planned to spend more than about four weeks in Thailand. If they had (as we expect) planned to leave mid March after arriving mid February, this was generally possible.
• Anyone who planned to be in Thailand for more than about three to four weeks needs to be properly scrutinised to see what they are up to.

I'd say you're over thinking it. Since the 1st the number of tourists coming in has been a trickle, and many who arrived earlier in the month have already left anyway. Due to mounting complaints online, particularly after news that 3 immigration officials at CW were confirmed infected on 30 March,  they needed to be seen to address the "problem", but without losing all that money in fees and fines. By exempting the small number if people still here since 1 March, they are losing very little. In short, it's about the cash. 

Edited April 1, 2020 by stephen tracy

[steve187]

18 minutes ago, solomon david said:

i actually arrived in thailand(into don muang,bangkok)on march 9th so how does this apply to me?

as it looks it doesn't apply to you as you are on a visa exempt entry not a tourist visa entry, but only the actual announcement when it comes will spell it all out

[stuhan]

17 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

And over 20 more have been removed for various reasons.

No further notice will given when posts are removed. If your post disappears you can assume you stepped over the line.

So be it,no point in posting anymore,if you feel the truth bothers you.

[jimmjam]

22 minutes ago, vermin on arrival said:

No Korea, PI and New Zealand and UK also cared. I think most nations have cared. Just not here.

Yep, lots of countries did it weeks ago.

Only here we have been left in the dark and been sent to risk our health and others.

[Chairs]

Would this also mean we don't have to pay any money for the extension, I was planning on going to immigration tomorrow or Friday to extend the visa, but now I'm not sure what to do, any clarity would be appreciated.

[pokerface1]

7 minutes ago, sapson said:

Good idea just dont go,,,no 90days reports, no 37 copies of everything, no nonsense tm30s, etc etc.no 800K in the bank farce. No visa extensions, no house books,no old school reports,no wifes previous lovers passport copies.......... freedom.!

 

Everyone isolated on overstay.......cant put us all in the IDC ... will have to build a few more first, cant deport us because their wont be any flights.

 

Vive la revolution!

 

 

You have my vote to lead the Falang coup 

[stephen tracy]

23 hours ago, smedly said:

I very rarely drink on my own - but this is now driving me to just get smashed in my home 

 

I don't no which is worse - the building anger - or the frustration at the absolute stupidity

 

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Same here, got <deleted> on my balcony last night and chatted to my quarantined friend in Spain, who joined me for a few beers via Skype.

[smedly]

I wish every western tourist that ever visited Thailand was here right now to experience this - it would take a very long time to forget about the treatment they received - in fact it would leave such a sour taste I suspect they would never be back

[steve187]

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I have been on extensions for the last 12 out of my collective 24 years of having a home in Thailand.

 

I have a Thai wife and family.

 

Since I was overseas for 3 months when my Retirement Extension fell due for renewal, I had no other option but to let it lapse. Their rules.

 

I entered on a 30-day visa exempt stamp. Their rules.

 

When I returned, the quick-fix plan was to get a 1 year multi-entry Non-O from the Thai Consulate in Saigon. Their rules.

 

The following week, Vietnam imposed a quarantine on all arrivals so canceled that plan. Their rules.

 

Five days later, I got as far as the application line for the same visa at the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet. Their rules.

 

That was the same morning they started asking for health certificates stating visa applicants were free of Covid-19. No visa. Their rules.

 

So I am here on another 30-day visa-exempt entry and in about 2 weeks from now, I will be getting in line at an Immigration Office that has recently started screwing-over the long-time foreign residents. I will most likely have my chain-jerked by a smarmy young IO that wants me to take a business card for an agent instead of doing his job. Their rules.

 

But guess what? I won't be posting whiny, 'Why me?' and 'They hate farang' and 'Vietnam looks better' verbal diarrhea like most in this affirmation echo chamber for those who made poor lifestyle choices. My rules.

 

Jog on.

so no fault of yours, but easy to manage, do a 60 day visit Thai wife extension 1,900 thb,  in the last 15 to 20 days of that 60 day extension, obtain a non imm 'O' visa by way of a conversion at local immigration office 2,000 thb, ( financials requirement apply)  then in the last 30 days of that 90 day stamp do a 1 year 'married' extension, = back on track

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, jackdd said:

People who arrived on a tourist visa after 1st March can just apply for the regular 30 day tourist extension, these are not the people who currently have problems staying legal.

Thanks for the "help" Thai government.

Another way of writing the above would be to say that the government are doing absolutely NOTHING to help anyone who has any kind of problem.

[daveAustin]

13 minutes ago, sapson said:

Everyone isolated on overstay.......cant put us all in the IDC ... will have to build a few more first

Don't be so sure. I bet they could easily squeeze a few more into those 50-person dorms. ????

/Sarcasm mode off//

[jimmjam]

10 minutes ago, steve187 said:

as it looks it doesn't apply to you as you are on a visa exempt entry not a tourist visa entry, but only the actual announcement when it comes will spell it all out

I think they mean visa exempt.  The ones who are stranded here and are showing up at immigration now, who arrived after march the 1st must be. Tourist visa would take you into the end of april/ early june. And then you can get another 30 day extension.

I believe this is for 30 day visa exempt.

[mokwit]

Seems the idea is not to upset any '2 weeks and home' tourists caught up in this, but make the most of an opportunity to clear out the tourists who are not really tourists. My guess is that it will be "why you don't go back your country?" on request of 2nd extra 30 days extension.

Forcing exodus without stating it/appearing to do so. They must be delighted how this opportunity fell into their lap with borders closed and everybody stuck here.

Edited April 1, 2020 by mokwit

[Katy Gorice]

1 hour ago, unamazedloso said:

And Non O Marriage? Who cares right? Pricks going to force me with an underlying condition to leave my family to travel to a hotspot be quarantined and go through hoops to return to see my family which is the only family i know (wife and children) thanks Thailand!! After all the lies ive told people in the past about how good this place is.....argh

Im told i can extend for 30days. For <deleted> i have decades of my life here. Built my own dam house with my own bare hands which is stupid i know now but come on... 

No way im getting a taxi so i guess i will leave my nice new car at the airport for how many months if not for ever.

Come on Prayut, stop being an idiot. Tourists are more important than those of us that have been living here. Doesnt make a lot of sense does it. If we had the noney my family wants out but thanks to living here and being scammed we cant do it so here we are...

we will sit in quarantine together I am afraid ... all the non-o's

[Tanoshi]

A request by Immigration is being put to the cabinet today to automatically extend all Tourist Visas to June 30th due to the overcrowding situation at Immigration offices.

Wait for further news.

[transam]

14 minutes ago, Chairs said:

Would this also mean we don't have to pay any money for the extension, I was planning on going to immigration tomorrow or Friday to extend the visa, but now I'm not sure what to do, any clarity would be appreciated.

Bring your wallet....????

[iska]

2 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

A request by Immigration is being put to the cabinet today to automatically extend all Tourist Visas to June 30th due to the overcrowding situation at Immigration offices.

Wait for further news.

hope they do it today.....

My visa expire on 3April (already did 30days extension) ... have to go tomorrow right? or can i still go on 3April ?

 

[stephen tracy]

23 hours ago, iska said:

hope they do it today.....

My visa expire on 3April (already did 30days extension) ... have to go tomorrow right? or can i still go on 3April ?

 

You can go on 3 April for sure. I'm supposed to go tomorrow but I'm not chancing it. I'd rather pay a fine at the airport than expose myself to that much risk. 

[Enoon]

 

2 hours ago, jackdd said:

People who arrived on a tourist visa after 1st March can just apply for the regular 30 day tourist extension, these are not the people who currently have problems staying legal.

Thanks for the "help" Thai government.

 

The object is to cut down visitors to IOs.

 

The "meat" of the announcement is that people who arrived after the 1st of March do not have to visit an IO to receive another "admitted until" stamp if they wish to extend.

 

Just calculate 30 days after the current one and make a note of the date by which they have to leave.

 

Upon departure Immigration will look at the most recent stamp and add 30 days to calculate if overstayed.

 

My guess is that "tourists" equals Visa Exempts, VOAs, S/METVs.

 

Unfortunately it should be an automatic 60 day extension, minimum.

 

Hopefully the realisation that a blanket suspension of all IO visits is needed will dawn upon the authorities soon, but I won't hold my breath.

 

 

Edited April 1, 2020 by Enoon

[SpanishExpat]

20 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Seems the idea is not to upset any '2 weeks and home' tourists caught up in this, but make the most of an opportunity to clear out the tourists who are not really tourists. My guess is that it will be "why you don't go back your country?" on request of 2nd extra 30 days extension.

Sorry but there are lots people on METV who have rented condos for a few months, pre-paid plans etc. I for myself could extend my visa until September. I won`t do it, as I have a booked and still active flight in July. I know Thai immigration doesn`t care at all, but I for myself feel safer here NOW than going back to Europe. No chance to self-quarantine without mixing with my family and +80 yrs old grandma.

So while I get that it`s not right for people on exempts to extent multiple time, if there are flights available, a valid visa is a different story. If those people are not "wished", just don`t offer that visa type anymore. But they can`t do it, as even racist Thailand couldn`t get through that ,keeping it for their beloved Chinese, but not allowing it anymore for farang.

 

 

Edited April 1, 2020 by SpanishExpat

[Aland]

1 hour ago, csmith said:

What's the problem .… I extended my NON-IMM 'O' (spouse) VISA two weeks ago at Chiangmai Immigration … arrived early in the morning … second in that queue … all done and out by 10:30a.m.

 

 

 

Is this the list of documents + photos + proofs needed for a 60 day extension for a non imm multi entry O marriage visa?

[asiaexpat]

2 hours ago, jackdd said:

People who arrived on a tourist visa after 1st March can just apply for the regular 30 day tourist extension, these are not the people who currently have problems staying legal.

Thanks for the "help" Thai government.

This is not for tourist convenience but is to reduce the numbers of people attending Immigration Offices. The overcrowding during Covid 19 has been recognized (finally) as a big problem and could spend the virus.

[Isaan Alan]

1 hour ago, unamazedloso said:

And Non O Marriage? Who cares right? Pricks going to force me with an underlying condition to leave my family to travel to a hotspot be quarantined and go through hoops to return to see my family which is the only family i know (wife and children) thanks Thailand!! After all the lies ive told people in the past about how good this place is.....argh

Im told i can extend for 30days. For <deleted> i have decades of my life here. Built my own dam house with my own bare hands which is stupid i know now but come on... 

No way im getting a taxi so i guess i will leave my nice new car at the airport for how many months if not for ever.

Come on Prayut, stop being an idiot. Tourists are more important than those of us that have been living here. Doesnt make a lot of sense does it. If we had the noney my family wants out but thanks to living here and being scammed we cant do it so here we are...

well said ...... seems 1900 baht means the earth to them

goodbye and thanks for all the fish (sauce)?

[holy cow cm]

23 minutes ago, Katy Gorice said:

nooooooooooooooo

 

so all non-o multi's are doomed

Essentially speaking... Yes. 

[holy cow cm]

21 minutes ago, Katy Gorice said:

we will sit in quarantine together I am afraid ... all the non-o's

No, only the multi Non O.

[Tanoshi]

11 minutes ago, Aland said:

Is this the list of documents + photos + proofs needed for a 60 day extension for a non imm multi entry O marriage visa?

No. That's the document list for an annual extension based on marriage.

Edited April 1, 2020 by Tanoshi

[jackdd]

4 minutes ago, asiaexpat said:

This is not for tourist convenience but is to reduce the numbers of people attending Immigration Offices. The overcrowding during Covid 19 has been recognized (finally) as a big problem and could spend the virus.

People who entered after 1st March with a tourist visa still have several weeks before they have to apply for a regular tourist extension, these are not the people causing the current queues.

There are of course some people who entered visa exempt who apply for a 30 day tourist visa extension, but processing this extension is quite fast and they are also not causing the long queues.

The long queues are caused by people who entered before March 1st.

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, Aland said:

Is this the list of documents + photos + proofs needed for a 60 day extension for a non imm multi entry O marriage visa?

No it is not.

[csmith]

1 hour ago, johnny1966 said:

One year extension?

YES .… one year … 

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, lovesthespicy said:

March 1st which means everybody who's already eligible for a 30 day extension gets a extension. Very good troll job Thai immigration! 

Exactly. Meaning, there will be no change to the long queues at immigration offices until the end of April, and even then it will be miniscule.