PM Prayuth signs order to grant visa amnesty to foreigners in Thailand

[sapson]

1 minute ago, khunpa said:

Not to be sarcastic, but guess some of the Elite visa haters, maybe now can see the benefit of that visa. 

Bucket loads of cash cures most problems, sometimes not health issues, in this country and allows for a fantastic life here, sadly some of us dont have that luxury.

[FarFlungFalang]

48 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Why pussyfoot about? There are many stuck here who do not fall into the after March 26th bracket, who will still have to solve their situation, leading to more queues at immigration. A step in the right direction, but a blanket amnesty is what is needed, as dealing with the virus should be way more important than this.

 

1 hour ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The order includes allowing tourists whose visa expired on or after 26 March to be automatically extended for 30 days.

My reading of is that those whose "visa expire on or after 26th March" and as it's now the 8th April they would be assumed to have sorted their visa extensions already or face overstay fines and god knows what happens then.I guess we will find out when they get around to announcing the now 5 times announced announcement of the announced announcement and hopefully announces all the details in one announcement rather than announcing each detail of the announced announcement in separate announcements. 

[jackdd]

Where does it say that this is automatic?

Edited April 8, 2020 by jackdd

[wombat]

1 hour ago, samsensam said:

an announcement about an announcement...

 

49 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Thailand's the hub of announcements about announcements and hubs. 

Hub Hub Hooray.

[ThailandRyan]

8 minutes ago, khunpa said:

Not to be sarcastic, but guess some of the Elite visa haters, maybe now can see the benefit of that visa. 

maybe for those Elite Visa holders who are still here I would agree, but not for those that left for a quick visit back home to pick up some things, like a buddy from the states, and then were locked out of Thailand, those folks can not get here as of now so that Visa for them is useless, he is fuming about that fact.

[Tropposurfer]

The English text says 90 reporting included in this amnesty.

[Mavideol]

1 minute ago, Tropposurfer said:

The English text says 90 reporting included in this amnesty.

where did you saw the English text..... be so kind and post it

[Condog97]

I dont understand why everyone gets so worked up about the whole thai visa procedures... I personally think it's very genourous (coming from the UK anyway). 30 days for absolutely nothing and another 30 for about £20! Imagine being a thai and wanting to visit the uk... that would be a massive deal of paperwork and loopholes to have to jump through! The post clearly states (for all tourists who's visa's expired on or after march 26th) if you dont fall into that category then you've already overstayed your visa atleast 14 days... so I'm assuming 99% of people will fall into that category. If not, then what the hell were you thinking... ''oh, I'll just wait and hope the government allows visa excemptions for everyone'' that's insane in my opinion.

Edited April 8, 2020 by Condog97

[giddyup]

5 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

where did you saw the English text..... be so kind and post it

90 day reporting will also be suspended.

 

The order is expected to be published in the Royal Gazette, making it law. 

 

More details to be announced shortly.

[Pravda]

1 minute ago, Condog97 said:

I dont understand why everyone gets so worked up about the whole thai visa procedures... I personally think it's very genourous (coming from the UK anyway). 30 days for absolutely nothing and another 30 for about £20! Imagine being a thai and wanting to visit the uk... that would be a massive deal of paperwork and loopholes to have to jump through! The post clearly states (for all tourists who's visa's expired on or after march 26th) if you dont fall into that category then you've already overstayed your visa atleast 14 days... so I'm assuming 99% of people will fall into that category. If not, then what the hell were you thinking... 'oh, I'll just wait and hope the government allows visa excemptions for everyone's that's insane in my opinion.

 

Interesting first post 

[HOAX]

What about when the one-year (marriage) visa expires and needing to renew?

 

Still have to go to the embassy and all that or what?

 

What about when this Coronavirus thing is over, do we have to do all that paperwork we did the very first time we applied for the visa all over again?

[Condog97]

I normally just read the forums, never felt the need to post before... however I just felt like I needed to give my opinion on this subject...

[Condog97]

5 minutes ago, Pravda said:

 

Interesting first post 

I normally just read the forums, never felt the need to post before... however I just felt like I needed to give my opinion on this subject.

[jimmjam]

Well lets just say they are very optimistic if they think this is going to be over by April 30th.

What happens after that?

Wait another 3 weeks for another announcement and wait for another signature?????

[Mbaki]

29 minutes ago, sapson said:

Bucket loads of cash cures most problems, sometimes not health issues, in this country and allows for a fantastic life here, sadly some of us dont have that luxury.

Not really a luxury....more like waste of money ????

[LastStraw]

What is the significance of March 26? Announce a date two weeks in the past, meaning the 1000s of people who went to immigration since then, did so for no reason? I can't read Thai, but I must be missing something here

[timendres]

My Thai employee has read the decree, and he believes that "temporary visa", which is what the decree addresses, includes all Non-immigrant visas. So that should cover everyone who does a "visa run", or those who are on there initial retirement visa, spouse visa, business visas etc. What the decree does not address is extensions of stay. Those of us extending do not appear to be covered by this decree.

[rkidlad]

7 minutes ago, Condog97 said:

I dont understand why everyone gets so worked up about the whole thai visa procedures... I personally think it's very genourous (coming from the UK anyway). 30 days for absolutely nothing and another 30 for about £20! Imagine being a thai and wanting to visit the uk... that would be a massive deal of paperwork and loopholes to have to jump through! The post clearly states (for all tourists who's visa's expired on or after march 26th) if you dont fall into that category then you've already overstayed your visa atleast 14 days... so I'm assuming 99% of people will fall into that category. If not, then what the hell were you thinking... ''oh, I'll just wait and hope the government allows visa excemptions for everyone'' that's insane in my opinion.

Me and my missus have been going back to UK and Europe every year for the last 10 years. First visa for UK and Schengen was a pain. After that it got easier and easier. Now it's a piece of p***. She gets 6 months muli-entry and she doesn't have to pay cos she's married to me. 

 

There's a reason why the UK, for example; is so strict at first but then offers rewards and even citizenship down the line. There's no reason why Thailand won't do the same for it's tax-paying and/or married foreigners. 

 

During a pandemic. There should be a visa amnesty in every country. It's not only the correct way to keep people from getting sick or dying - it's also the decent and right thing to do. 

[timendres]

13 minutes ago, Condog97 said:

I dont understand why everyone gets so worked up about the whole thai visa procedures... I personally think it's very genourous (coming from the UK anyway). 30 days for absolutely nothing and another 30 for about £20! Imagine being a thai and wanting to visit the uk... that would be a massive deal of paperwork and loopholes to have to jump through! The post clearly states (for all tourists who's visa's expired on or after march 26th) if you dont fall into that category then you've already overstayed your visa atleast 14 days... so I'm assuming 99% of people will fall into that category. If not, then what the hell were you thinking... ''oh, I'll just wait and hope the government allows visa excemptions for everyone'' that's insane in my opinion.

You are mostly correct. However, the date does appear to address Non-immigrant visas (which fall under the wording in the decree of "temporary stay", and thus appear to be covered by this decree). These visas can run from 30 days up to one year. So those are quite a different case, and there are more than just a few.

[ratcatcher]

55 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

with the other 1,000 Plus Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia folks

One of the benefits of living in Thailand, you get to meet the neighbors without having to go there.

[Condog97]

5 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Me and my missus have been going back to UK and Europe every year for the last 10 years. First visa for UK and Schengen was a pain. After that it got easier and easier. Now it's a piece of p***. She gets 6 months muli-entry and she doesn't have to pay cos she's married to me. 

 

There's a reason why the UK, for example; is so strict at first but then offers rewards and even citizenship down the line. There's no reason why Thailand won't do the same for it's tax-paying and/or married foreigners. 

 

During a pandemic. There should be a visa amnesty in every country. It's not only the correct way to keep people from getting sick or dying - it's also the decent and right thing to do. 

What about a native thai who isnt married to somebody back in the UK and genuinely just wants to go on holiday they're. Its alot of paperwork compared to what we have to do if we just intend on visiting a country for a short getaway. I remember when I first visited thailand, I didnt need any proof of relation or support in the country, I didnt need to showcase my financial situation to prove I could support myself, I showed absolutely nothing... just arrive in the day with your passport and fill a flimsy card in stating where I'm staying and when I'm leaving. Super simple. 

[rkidlad]

1 minute ago, Condog97 said:

What about a native thai who isnt married to somebody back in the UK and genuinely just wants to go on holiday they're. Its alot of paperwork compared to what we have to do if we just intend on visiting a country for a short getaway. I remember when I first visited thailand, I didnt need any proof of relation or support in the country, I didnt need to showcase my financial situation to prove I could support myself, I showed absolutely nothing... just arrive in the day with your passport and fill a flimsy card in stating where I'm staying and when I'm leaving. Super simple. 

They can. They just have to show the funds. Simples

[timendres]

16 minutes ago, Mbaki said:

Not really a luxury....more like waste of money ????

A phrase typically reserved for those on a budget.

[ratcatcher]

14 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The Oompa Loompas!

"Roller Coaster, Pooper-Scooper, Oompa-Loompa, Kawasaki!" J.Carr

[jackdd]

4 minutes ago, Condog97 said:

What about a native thai who isnt married to somebody back in the UK and genuinely just wants to go on holiday they're. Its alot of paperwork compared to what we have to do if we just intend on visiting a country for a short getaway. I remember when I first visited thailand, I didnt need any proof of relation or support in the country, I didnt need to showcase my financial situation to prove I could support myself, I showed absolutely nothing... just arrive in the day with your passport and fill a flimsy card in stating where I'm staying and when I'm leaving. Super simple. 

Thousands of Thais are willing to work illegally in for example Europe because they can earn way more money than in Thailand.

The number of Europeans who want to work illegally in Thailand is quite low.

 

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, sapson said:

Westerners should announce when ready Thai style we are tired with going to immigration and performing like circus animals through hoops.

 

OR at least a one day protest nationwide, no one, not one farang goes to any immigration office anywhere on the pre arranged one day only of non attendance.

 

They would certainly notice and be stunned, perfectly legal, whatever your needs with immigration simply do it before or after the one designated day of unity and protest against draconian treatment.

 

Wouldnt break any immigration or country laws and you could still fulfil your visa requirements the next day etc.

 

Just one peaceful day of nobody going to an immigration office anywhere!

 

The puzzled staff may well enjoy that restful nothing to do day!!

There are plenty of Burmese, Laotians, Chinese, Koreans and Japanese to fill our shoes at the Immigration offices, so I would not get carried away with my own importance.

[Moonlover]

15 minutes ago, timendres said:

What the decree does not address is extensions of stay. Those of us extending do not appear to be covered by this decree.

And nor should it need to. Once immigration are freed of the debacle and chaos that this situation has created, they should be able to get back to business as usual.

[Con Peoples Fund]

1 hour ago, lovinglife said:

I arrived March 19th. So as things stand I do nothing this month and am automatically entitled to stay until May 16th? Just need to hope the flights are getting back on track by then I guess.

The order includes allowing tourists whose visa expired on or after 26 March to be automatically extended for 30 days

[metisdead]

Some troll posts have been removed. 

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, justin case said:

 

 

call for some kind of union / farang power with law firm has been laughed away sadly by the hard core BOOMERS on this site

 

my child quickly translated the paper ... not for non-o

 

only for some SPECIAL kind of dirty farangs, not all of them 

 

 

who call other people ALIENS instead of foreigners, says enough

 

 

 

You'll find the USA calls all non-Americans aliens too. Always amuses me, I'm from another planet.