Immigration say they are doing all they can as petition gets signatures

[0815]

8 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Friend told me the other day that Chiang Mai is now doing drive thru service for 90 Day.  Has anyone else heard this? 

Yes, they do.

[0815]

7 hours ago, bamboozled said:

Please report back. Will that not make for a long line of cars with their engines on while folks are told, no, you need this document and that document, do this, do that, don't do that....? Can you get a large fries with that?

Been there today for my visa extension from 9am to 12.
Couldn't see any line of cars.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

This was before immigration started implementing new measures to ease the burden of tourists and others contacting immigration to lessen the chance of covid-19 spread.

After the fiasco of ordering people to go in person!

[StevieAus]

2 hours ago, Mung said:

Yet if a Thai emigrates to the UK, US or most EU nations, they need not report every 90 days or even every year 

But a Thai aged 50 years or older with 800.000 baht in a bank account cannot literally turn up in those countries and stay indefinitely like we can here.

[wwest5829]

Dear Local Immigration ... I do understand and appreciate the position you find yourselves. Please help all of us by advising The Kingdom of Thailand Immigration office in  Bangkok, that changes due to Coronavirus are necessary.

Edited April 3, 2020 by wwest5829

[richiejom]

I tried to get a few photos today, we got there at 5.30am and number 111..people were still getting in each others space...i/o coughing and people wearing crappy masks...I wore my P100 charcoal filter half face mask

 

My report: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1157547-chaeng-wattana-0342020-income-method-marriage-extension-denied-report-pictures/

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2020 by richiejom

[Tounge Thaied]

8 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

But a Thai aged 50 years or older with 800.000 baht in a bank account cannot literally turn up in those countries and stay indefinitely like we can here.

I'm here to tell you that it isn't true that you are safe here. I was not allowed into Thailand 3 weeks ago, because I didn't have the necessary Covid-19 "Medical Certificate". I have lived in Thailand for 6 years, I have a house and wife In Buriram province. I have a Non-immigrant O based upon Marriage. I cannot come and be at my home or my wife. You could say this is a one off event, but is it? With the draconian measures keep being implemented, it is clear that what you say is no longer really true. 

Edited April 3, 2020 by Tounge Thaied

[Odysseus123]

Just now, Tounge Thaied said:

I'm here to tell you that isn't true. I was not allowed into Thailand 3 weeks ago, because I didn't have the necessary Covid-19 "Medical Certificate". I have lived in Thailand for 6 years, I have a house and wife In Buriram province. I have a Non-immigrant O based upon Marriage. I cannot come and be at my home or my wife. You could say this is a one off event, but is it? With the draconian measures keep being implemented, it is clear that what you say is no longer really true. 

It never was true...

[wwest5829]

6 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

But a Thai aged 50 years or older with 800.000 baht in a bank account cannot literally turn up in those countries and stay indefinitely like we can here.

I am confused. I thought that helped you get a one year extension not an indefinite stay.

[BadSpottedDog]

1 hour ago, Sumarianson said:

The 90 day report is totally unnessary in this crisis. Anyone who has lived here more than 6 months and has an Imm O, OA or ED visa and has not changed address since last reported should not have to risk their lives for such an unnessary formality. I have COPD and use medication and oxygen. If I got the virus then my children here would be without a father but does this government care? Jobs worth hat for them.

Please do the 90 report online! Be safe! My husband and I did it just yesterday (our imm dept is 1.5 hour drive away). I was shocked! It was approved within hours! They sent a file that we can print and put in our passports. Please do this and keep yourself safe!

[Tounge Thaied]

Just now, wwest5829 said:

I am confused. I thought that helped you get a one year extension not an indefinite stay.

You raise a good point. Many of us have looked at this being our indefinite retirement stay. That presumption has quickly faded... hasn't it. 

[Bigz]

7 hours ago, TooBigToFit said:

I wonder what all these people are doing lingering in Thailand. Does everyone want to stay forever if they could? Are they running illegal businesses. Is a month not enough for a shopping trip or tourist vacation? I get similar thoughts when driving on the congested roads. Where are all these people going? Are they just going out to buy something? Are they all working? Are they leaving the city? Why so many?

What about you? Why are you lingering in Thailand? Is 'lingering' in this country only allowed for a chosen few or what? Everyone got dreams and reasons. You only need to mind your own.

[baansgr]

12 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

But a Thai aged 50 years or older with 800.000 baht in a bank account cannot literally turn up in those countries and stay indefinitely like we can here.

But a Thai aged 18 or over with £2,000,000 can, with no need for extensions, 90 day reporting logs and logs of photocopies or hand scribbled maps

[RichardColeman]

8 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Friend told me the other day that Chiang Mai is now doing drive thru service for 90 Day.  Has anyone else heard this? 

could be fun in a 24 hours lockdown

[drbeach]

Get them where it hurts - embarrass these morons by making more change.org petitions. The only way Thai bureaucrats react is when they get criticized in an open, international forum.

When Bill Gates criticized the spaghetti wiring above Bangkok streets a couple of years ago, the BMA immediately set out to 'rectify' that problem. It was hilarious how fast they reacted.

[eggers]

It's time Immigration was completely modified to a more workable process!!

Enough of Antiquated Bureaucratic systems from times past !

 

@Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang Needs to take notice & look to make appropriate changes!!!

 

Either introduce a system of appointments, instead of the Early A.M. 'Herd queuing' that been in place since early days OR, Immigration extends it's Internet service to include all Visas, etc... No more manual processing, has been proven can work w/ 90 day reporting...So why not Visas!! 

 

[Bangkok Barry]

5 hours ago, sapson said:

 

Common sense should rule over bureaucratic obsessive disorder syndrome.

I know that, you know that, we all know that, but they do not. And that is the problem because it is they who make the rules - sometimes several times a week, and all different. Including from office to another, and from one IO to the other. The problem then is the phrase 'at the IO's discretion'. In other words, having all the right documents, photos and declarations might count for absolutely nothing. The uniforms have the power, and some of them use it to make themselves feel good and to compensate for inadequacies in their own life.

[JDGRUEN]

The 30 day Covid-19 - Embassy Letter Extension is begrudgingly granted in two parts - "under consideration" until (15 days out)... then come back for another 15 days. Hey Thai Immigration could not possibly take a risk that a person might get to stay two weeks after borders are opened. OMG - What a disaster that would be!

These guys are so far detached from reality that they do not even perceive the crisis going on outside their window. HEAD SHAKING ATTITUDES! 

Edited April 3, 2020 by JDGRUEN

[Bigz]

25 minutes ago, Tounge Thaied said:

I'm here to tell you that it isn't true that you are safe here. I was not allowed into Thailand 3 weeks ago, because I didn't have the necessary Covid-19 "Medical Certificate". I have lived in Thailand for 6 years, I have a house and wife In Buriram province. I have a Non-immigrant O based upon Marriage. I cannot come and be at my home or my wife. You could say this is a one off event, but is it? With the draconian measures keep being implemented, it is clear that what you say is no longer really true. 

That's very sad. I feel for you. I wouldn't be happy at all in your situation. On the other hand a Thai husband or wife won't be able to enter most of Europe this time either. It is unfair but reciprocal. And when the good times are on a westerner's life is always much more easy in Thailand than a Thai's in the western world. Most Thais can't even enter any western countries...

[wwest5829]

27 minutes ago, Tounge Thaied said:

You raise a good point. Many of us have looked at this being our indefinite retirement stay. That presumption has quickly faded... hasn't it. 

All any of us have is one year at a time.  Perhaps different with the 500,000 baht Visa for 5 years ...

[tandor]

..why cant Immigration just give everyone who wants an extension an interim 'covid crimson' stamp..off you go..we will sort it out later...stay safe.

[tandor]

21 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I know that, you know that, we all know that, but they do not. And that is the problem because it is they who make the rules - sometimes several times a week, and all different. Including from office to another, and from one IO to the other. The problem then is the phrase 'at the IO's discretion'. In other words, having all the right documents, photos and declarations might count for absolutely nothing. The uniforms have the power, and some of them use it to make themselves feel good and to compensate for inadequacies in their own life.

..and they laugh about us behind our backs as we leave even more frustrated than when we entered...seen it happen.

[ifmu]

ok i read all the post of this thread .. and it seems that this information is for ONLY 90 day reporting  .. but  nowhere do i see the visa designation ... i am only guessing .. 

i see the tm47 link and form which looks great but is it for me ??? what is this thread in reference to ???? 

 

as for me i am imm non 0 visit thai wife i have already gotten 60 day extension (thanks Ubonjoe)      now i am trying to stay till july 1  ... then back to usa if possible

 

thanks for anything given

[GAZZPA]

6 hours ago, sapson said:

Honestly think we westerners should be a little less compliant.

 

It is lunacy to attend a crowded immigration office in current circumstances.

 

If the 90 day reporting doesnt work on line then you simply cant do it. 

 

Is attending immigration for 90 day reporting a matter of life and death or of importance to national security of Thaiiand? No!

 

Social distancing is important and not adhering to this policy could put lives of both Thais and westerners at risk.

 

Common sense should rule over bureaucratic obsessive disorder syndrome.

Edited just now by sapson

well said. i suggest if you are serious you should email the immigration office informing them so you have a record of your effort but whatever the situation don't go to a crowded place. i am in the UK and the virus is spreading fast, it is very infectious and very easily spread. 2 people i know have the virus, 1 ok, the other very poorly. in short it is no joke. if i was still in thailand and immigration was packed there is no way on earth i would be there..

 

 

[nausea]

Here's an idea, know if I was in charge this is what I'd be doing, what's the point of emergency powers if you don't, or can't, use them effectively.

 

 

No, we'll just create a nightmare and squander all that goodwill it's taken decades to build up.

[JDGRUEN]

If Thai Immigration thinks it is doing all they can. Then they are collectively delusional

[Billthekiwi]

I seldom see the need to say bad things about the country that I live in.

 

However this fiasco at Thai Immigration is appalling to me.

 

Why can't they just give a blanket automatic extension to tourist visa holders. It would only be 2 months at this point.

 

Then it could be reviewed to see if further extension is necessary.

 

Extraordinary times require flexibility to reduce the spread of the disease.

 

I would be happy to report online every month if required.

 

What I don't want to do is to expose my family to a potential source of infection. We are all foreigners in my household.

 

It's bad enough to have to make a quick visit to my local Tesco.

[jimmjam]

"Doing all that we can" 

Should be a slogan, posted inside the immigration offices for all the 1000's of farangs to see as they are stood together catching covid 19.

 

What a joke.

 

[FinickyFarang]

8 hours ago, TooBigToFit said:

I wonder what all these people are doing lingering in Thailand. Does everyone want to stay forever if they could? Are they running illegal businesses. Is a month not enough for a shopping trip or tourist vacation? I get similar thoughts when driving on the congested roads. Where are all these people going? Are they just going out to buy something? Are they all working? Are they leaving the city? Why so many?

I had been wondering that too.  From what I've seen on FB and elsewhere, it does seem a lot of these people have simply decided that they don't want to go home.  They think Thailand is safer than their own country so they're just going to stay in Thailand until the whole Corona thing is over and it's safe to return home. 

 

That's the part I don't get. 

 

I have seen very few of these people mentioning anything about their attempts to leave.  Like, if I was legitimately trying to get out and my flights were being cancelled or my home country was totally locked down to people returning, I would mention that since it bolsters my case for this being beyond my control. 

 

But most people just talk about how Thailand needs to give them a visa extension. 

 

Like one person said that they were on their third visa extension.  They had a 60, then they extended for 30 before things got crazy, then immigration would only give them a 7-day, and they went back after 7 days and got another 7-day, and now they got a letter from their embassy (I believe she was a Brit) and she's hoping that they'll give her another 30. 

 

So, that's 60 + 30 + 7 + 7 = 104 days and she wants another 30 so, 134 days. 

 

I also don't get why they think a 30-day extension is going to solve their problems.  This Corona Virus is going to be awhile.  And as time goes on, they'll have less options, not more (in the relative short-term 3 - 6 months). 

 

Like, what happens if 30 days from now Thailand is pretty much on constant lock down and there are few, if any flights out? 

 

There was another guy I saw who was staying because the cost of a flight back home had tripled (like $500 to $1,500) since the Corona Virus hit.  He was getting an extension so he could wait for a lower price.

 

I do understand it on a certain level but I'm just not sure if a lot of these people are thinking past next week or the next 30 days. 

 

[Drew3223]

I have been told that 15 days is initially granted because the full 30 days needs to be singed off by a higher positioned office and there's hardly any available. You don't have to go back they are now emailing, etc.  But not so sure about that second part and will be happy if it is true. 

Edited April 3, 2020 by Drew3223