Hello, I was very confused about this thing and reading "opinions" online just made me more confused. So I thought I should share my experience with it in case it may help somebody. 

I have a tourist visa that was expiring on 29 March (included the 30 days usual extension). I asked the embassy for the letter explaining I was caught in Thailand with no possible flights out. I went to Chaengwattana Immigration Office and they granted me the "extraordinary" extension. HOWEVER, they required me to go there again on the 10th of April. And here were my doubts. Does the 7th April announcement meant that I do not have to the Immigration Office on the 10th of April?

Short answer: you still need to go. 

What I learned as I was explained by immigration officers: if you are currently in an irregular visa situation in Thailand, you do not need to go; if you are in a regular visa situation in Thailand, you need to go. Regular means, you still have a valid tourist visa, or the normal extension, or the extraordinary extension. 

If this is your case, YOU CANNOT let your extension expire, you still have to go to the immigration office to get your stamp, and once the "extraordinary" extension expires (in my case on the 29th of April) you have to request AGAIN a letter from your embassy and apply AGAIN at the immigration office for a new "extraordinary" extension if you need to stay longer in the country and provided that the Thai Government still grants that option. 
That is my experience, not opinion, based on what happened to me, not on my interpretation of the Thai law. I talked with three different people at the immigration office in Chaengwattana to make sure it was correct. I do not speak Thai (and English so so), but I tried to ensure that I was getting the message right, as much as it sounds illogical or non-common sense to me. 

I hope it helps other people. Keep safe everybody. 

That really does not sound correct. Was that today or yesterday.

Perhaps you talked to some officers that were not aware of what the ministerial order states.

Hi Joe, 

It does not sound correct to me either. but I can swear that this is what happened today, the 10th of April.  

I did talk with three different person, and the last one, a very kind woman willing to make herself understood even brought me an English language document with two paragraphs summarizing the 7th April announcement. 

At that point I tried to suggest that therefore was no need for me to come back to the immigration office, to which she made very clear: 1) I am today at Chaengwattana to comply with the 10th April visit, as I still must; 2) Today I get a new stamp until the 29th April and therefore I am requested to come again on that day or before if I do not leave the country earlier and I wish to extend my visa again; 3) To that effect I shall request a new letter from the Embassy again too. 

When I mentioned the 7th April announcement, it was clear to me that they are very aware of it and yet these are the instructions. I would be very surprised otherwise, being the Immigration office itself, and the central one, for that sake. 

Based on that, and since I am in Bangkok, I intend to do as I was told today. Better prevent than heal. 

If somebody else had a different experience, I would like to know too. 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by MonThai

This sounds like they have "bait and switched" people just to get them not to come to the office!

I am afraid this is true, I also had the same experience as OP today at CW, see my feedback here 

 

She explained what a regular tourist visa situation was, which seems to have covered all the visa statuses I'm aware of, which begs the question - what is an irregular visa situation?

20 minutes ago, jacob29 said:

She explained what a regular tourist visa situation was, which seems to have covered all the visa statuses I'm aware of, which begs the question - what is an irregular visa situation?

Someone who has been on overstay since March 26 because they couldn't get a letter from their embassy? That does not seem to cover a lot of cases though.

3 minutes ago, uberfarang said:

Someone who has been on overstay since March 26 because they couldn't get a letter from their embassy? That does not seem to cover a lot of cases though.

Richard Barrow in Thailand 

 

@RichardBarrow

·

18h

 

The Samut Prakan Immigration officers asked me to reiterate to you that no-one needs to come in, but if you feel safe, then you are welcome to visit them. As there aren’t many people any more, they said it shouldn’t take long to extend your stay. Everything looked good to me.

Received this email from US State Department this afternoon

 

Automatic Extension of Tourist Visas

 

On April 8, the Royal Thai Government approved and implemented automatic visa extensions for foreign nationals (including U.S. citizens) whose visas expire between March 26 and April 30, 2020. Visas will be extended automatically until April 30, 2020.The measure applies to all immigration categories including visa exemption (i.e., tourists who entered Thailand and received a 30-day visa), the category typically received by U.S. citizen tourists.  Ifyou have a valid visa, you do not need to visit an immigration office in order to benefit from the automatic visa extension.

 

If the National Emergency Decree is extended, then visas may (pending Cabinet approval) be extended automatically again for 30 days. For U.S. citizens who are staying in Thailand for over 90 days and were required to submit a Notification of Residence anytime after March 26, the deadline has been extended to April 30. If your visa expired on March 25 (or earlier), you will need to visit the nearest local immigration office to request a visa. You may be subject to an overstay fine. You may also need an extension of stay request letter from the Embassy.

15 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

Why the rudeness?  Im particularly affected by that post since I usually attend that same IMM office. And if, as R. Barrow states, IMM reads his twitter and he knows someone inside, why wouldn't they say anything to him when he clearly posted that NO ONE not on overstay since before March 26 needs to attend to IMM office right now? 

 

I know im not giving you any fact so, In my opinion, It is as simple as attending to your IMM office if you have serious doubts about any information, as he, by the way, also suggested. You are the only one speaking about "believing" here, which is not the smartest thing to do right now, in one direction or another. Empty offices, great moment to go and check by yourself (if you need to, of course).

 

Right now, my embassy (the first european one that started issuing letters, in a fast way, in paper, and free of charge) says I dont need a letter even if I already got a 2nd covid extension as im ok until April 30, and another european embassy stopped issuing letters because they say its not needed to anyone. Im not saying im gonna believe them 100% as they are not the authority in the country. But I kind of trust my embassy in their reasons for stop issuing letters. It's certainly not because they dont want to work anymore. 

 

 

P.s.: no one is discussing the validity of this post. 1st (bad) experience and very helpful for lots of us! 

 

 

 

 

I can't speak for that poster, but the rudeness comes maybe because there is a farang pretending he understands Thai immigration, and stating things as fact when the truth of the matter is, he can't possibly understand <deleted> is going on. Although I am sure he does his best. He may understand a lot... but as this guy pointed out to you, believe the IO in front of you. In fact, take that to your grave. Whatever the <deleted> R Barrow tells you he thinks he knows, believe the IO standing in front of you. 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by sucit

23 minutes ago, sucit said:

I can't speak for that poster, but the rudeness comes maybe because there is a farang pretending he understands Thai immigration, and staing things as fact when the truth of the matter is, he can't possibly understand <deleted> is going on. He may understand a lot... but as this guy pointed out to you, believe the IO in front of you. In fact, take that to your grave. Whatever the <deleted> R Barrow tells you he thinks he knows, believe the IO standing in front of you. 

That is what we all should do if we have serious concerns: go check by ourselves at an IMM office. I wont stay home because Richard Barrow said so. It's me who risks an overstay, not him.

 

Anyway, I dont think he has been interpreting the thai immigration as we all are comfy doing here. If he is not lying, he has spoken with them (at least with Samut Prakan IMM, which directly affects me). So maybe it's an office issue. CW against Samut Prakan. Asi I already posted, a 1st hand experience in Samut Prakan office confirms Barrow: 

 

The rudeness is not needed. We are here seriously doing nothing more than giving opinions and interpretations. If Richard Barrow's name cannot be brought here, let's just come back to Italy and UK embassies messages.

 

 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by ANDREW999

14 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

That is what we all should do if we have serious concerns: go check by ourselves at an IMM office. I wont stay home because Richard Barrow said so. It's me who risks an overstay, not him.

 

Anyway, I dont think he has been interpreting the thai immigration as we all are comfy doing here. If he is not lying, he has spoken with them (at least with Samut Prakan IMM, which directly affects me). So maybe it's an office issue. CW against Samut Prakan. Asi I already posted, a 1st hand experience in Samut Prakan office confirms Barrow: 

 

The rudeness is not needed. We are here seriously doing nothing more than giving opinions and interpretations. If Richard Barrow's name cannot be brought here, let's just come back to Italy and UK embassies messages.

 

 

There is definitely some inconsistency going on. I read on a facebook group, that up in Chiang Mai immigration, they are indeed advising all tourists (regular, exempt, extended) that they are automatically covered.  This is really bad if you need to be selective on which office you go to in order to get the correct treatment for your permission to stay. It's a big mess to say the least!

In the end, for each individual, it will depend on your local immigration office's definitions of "visas" and "all". There is nothing particularly new in this. Thai official regulations are rarely clear and, on the rare occasions that they are clear, some officials will still manage to misread them.

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by BritTim

3 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

There is definitely some inconsistency going on. I read on a facebook group, that up in Chiang Mai immigration, they are indeed advising all tourists (regular, exempt, extended) that they are automatically covered.  This is really bad if you need to be selective on which office you go to in order to get the correct treatment for your permission to stay. It's a big mess to say the least!

Totally. I have been so relaxed for almost 2 days. Too good to be true any longer

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by ANDREW999

1 minute ago, BritTim said:

In the end, for each individual, it will depend on your local immigration office's definitions of "visas" and "all". There is nothing particularly new in this. Thai official regulations are rarely clear and, on the rare occasions that they are clear, some officials will still manage to misread them.

Totally agree. And they can misread them with no consequences, cant they?

 

The thing is, what will we do when our embassy interprets we do not need a letter anymore and stop issuing it, as in my case? ????

I just spoke through my thai girlfriend with one Immigration officer from Samut Prakan immigration office (the one that processed my covid extension last time).

 

My 2nd extension expires in April 25. She said I dont need to come on April 25 to apply for a 3rd. extension, and just wait for further news from the PM on April 30.

 

So, apparently, and after 3 cases, Samut Prakan is following what the majority of us interpreted

28 minutes ago, ANDREW999 said:

I just spoke through my thai girlfriend with one Immigration officer from Samut Prakan immigration office (the one that processed my covid extension last time).

 

My 2nd extension expires in April 25. She said I dont need to come on April 25 to apply for a 3rd. extension, and just wait for further news from the PM on April 30.

 

So, apparently, and after 3 cases, Samut Prakan is following what the majority of us interpreted

A simple question, why didn't u return home in January when ur visa expired ?

26 minutes ago, OneeyedJohn said:

A simple question, why didn't u return home in January when ur visa expired ?

I knew this would be the next question. I was just replying to fourpack asking him if he next would ask me why i didnt return to my country yet. 

 

My visa didnt expired in January, but in end of february. Then I got my extension until end of march. And I found job a few weeks before my first extension expired, as it was the first intention (staying in Thailand with my gf for years). I have my papers to process non b in Laos with me since then. After borders kind of closed, the company changed them so I could process the non b inside Thailand and not risk to covid, covid test, quarantine, or rejection when leaving. but I didnt have time enough on the stamp, and the IO never gave me enough days to do so (i didnt ask them to), so it was not possible.

 

My situation is very well explained in a post of my own, created when I got my "covid extension". I presume I was one of the 1st persons in getting it. I went to IO 15 days before expiring my extension as the situation in Italy was very worrying. Actually, I was the 1st person presenting this situation in Samut Prakan office (they said so). They didnt know what to do. Thats why I have the line number of some I officers. I went there like 4 times until they were happy with my papers. Almost every 2 days they asked me for something more. 

 

As I was going to say to him: what is the value in your comment to this bad situation to many of us? I presume you are a long term expat in Thailand. how is it make you feel looking suspiciously to people whose situation you dont know at all? Not the first comment like this I read from you.

 

 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by ANDREW999

15 hours ago, ANDREW999 said:

I just spoke through my thai girlfriend with one Immigration officer from Samut Prakan immigration office (the one that processed my covid extension last time).

 

My 2nd extension expires in April 25. She said I dont need to come on April 25 to apply for a 3rd. extension, and just wait for further news from the PM on April 30.

 

So, apparently, and after 3 cases, Samut Prakan is following what the majority of us interpreted

But BKK is NOT! Apparently or just not for the special guy who smells? Until diverging cases can be clarified this is not the conclusion yet ????

 

Just like every covid infection is traced down & isolated we need to clarify these few cases instead of blaming the messenger...

 

It seem we have reports that CW counter J (covid ext.) is continuing to require manual extensions although everything in the cases indicate it should be automatic & that they need to continue manual process forever (do not qualify auto).

 

So why is that?? is it the nationality of passport? color of their skin? the brain size of the specific officer?

Edited April 11, 20206 yr by worldfun

35 minutes ago, worldfun said:

But BKK is NOT! Apparently or just not for the special guy who smells? Until diverging cases can be clarified this is not the conclusion yet ????

 

Just like every covid infection is traced down & isolated we need to clarify these few cases instead of blaming the messenger...

 

It seem we have reports that CW counter J (covid ext.) is continuing to require manual extensions although everything in the cases indicate it should be automatic & that they need to continue manual process forever (do not qualify auto).

 

So why is that?? is it the nationality of passport? color of their skin? the brain size of the specific officer?

Yes, we definitely need to keep tracking stories. no one blamed any messenger. We are just trying to compare informations. Of course 1st hand information is totally legit, but it doesnt mean that a few cases will change what many are interpreting and receiving in a different way. On the other hand, even if Samut Prakan tells me I dont need to do anything as they told me, what am I going to say to the imm officer in some border if he/she thinks i have been overstaying for who knows how much time? 'Listen, this person, from this office told me i was fine'. The ideal situation would be a signed and stamped letter where the imm office affirms to have given some information to the "alien".

 

During early march my passport (Italy) implied an stigma, even if you had been in Thailand since before covid-19 explosion. That's the main reason for me to be in a tourist visa yet, begging to get an extra extension or an "amnesty" (as if i was considered a criminal) until the situation improves. The excessive and blind panic among a citizenship in itself. A few visa agencies rejected to drive me to Laos to change my visa stating that I would be rejected in the embassy and/or when trying to come back. That is why I didnt move from here. And soon Thailand started requiring quarantine and health certificate to my citizenship. If it wasnt for my embassy, which has been willing to help us since day 0, at the moment I would be on overstay for 2 weeks already. I dont think this is a nationality thing anymore, but the freedom and impunity to interpret an order in one way or another.

Edited April 11, 20206 yr by ANDREW999

I went to Jomtien yesterday to extend 60 day based on non o marriage (expire apr 23)......neither the receptionist or IO mentioned that i was covered under amnesty and processed as normal (in about 10 minutes).... i was actually concerned that i would be sent away to come back after apr 30 and face the possible mayham again so i didnt ask any questions.

2 minutes ago, William Osborne said:

I went to Jomtien yesterday to extend 60 day based on non o marriage (expire apr 23)......neither the receptionist or IO mentioned that i was covered under amnesty and processed as normal (in about 10 minutes).... i was actually concerned that i would be sent away to come back after apr 30 and face the possible mayham again so i didnt ask any questions.

They would certainly not refuse to accept a valid extension application even thought it was not needed.

No need to worry about the 30th since it will be extended. IMO it would of been better to of waited until the decree has ended since it will be phased in. It will certainly not be go into effect immediately.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

They would certainly not refuse to accept a valid extension application even thought it was not needed.

No need to worry about the 30th since it will be extended. IMO it would of been better to of waited until the decree has ended since it will be phased in. It will certainly not be go into effect immediately.

Yah...i hear you but I will probably do the 1 year ext next month as  non o expires in june anyway, so i would prefer to have actual stamps in my passport opposed to amnesty......which may be misinterpreted by IO on the day.