Do you think they will extend the amnesty if they are not allowing inbound scheduled flights from August onwards?

[TingTawng]

Apologies if another thread has asked this (didn't see)...and I also realise the only definitive answer will come via an update from the government - just wanted to see what people's thought's were on this, so that maybe it can help in my preparations :-

 

Do you think they will extend the amnesty if they are not allowing inbound scheduled flights from August onwards?

 

It would seem strange if they didn't extend the amnesty given the only way to renew for many of us is to leave the country - and many live here with family (I have two children here who I look after/support).

 

On the other hand,  if they opened the airports again in August (and I mean, opened scheduled flights in certain corridors), they would open for outbound and inbound in certain corridors.  I could see them opening Thailand > Cambodia and Cambodia > Thailand as an example.  If so, then it gives people who need to renew visas a chance to renew them.  And without sounding too obvious, no Thai person is going to fly out of Thailand for whatever reason if they can't fly back in surely? In other words, certain corridors would have to be open both ways to have any use for the vast majority of passengers who tend to travel for reasons that demand a return flight back (because they are flying from their residency). 

 

I realise there are special flights out of Thailand (and into Thailand) right now, but these are repatriation flights and there's only a few of them each day.  They are not a normal scheduled service.   I counted 14 international flights that have left Thailand in the last 24 hours - this is a tiny number compared to a normal service...if many of us HAVE to leave before 31st July, and the emergency is extended through July (which it has been), then it seems next to impossible to get a flight out (and borders remain closed). 

 

The extension of the visa is surely a measure that is tied to the fact that the airports are closed for scheduled flights (as are borders)...the government will need to announce a specific plan shortly so we can make our own plans accordingly.  I guess we just have to wait and see what the government decide next.

 

If I've missed any obvious information that renders this post irrelevant, then apologies again....just how I'm seeing things right now.

 

[spiekerjozef]

Nope, I think we now all have to pay if we wanna stay longer...

[TingTawng]

Just now, spiekerjozef said:

Nope, I think we now all have to pay if we wanna stay longer...

Well I would accept that given we already have to pay to extend visas...my main concern is that there's the possibility that the Thai government just stay silent in the next 4 weeks, and thus many of us have to leave Thailand without a way back in...I'm happy to pay from within Thailand than leave Thailand and have no way back into Thailand.

[Benitostacos]

It's impossible to say what the government will do, but I haven't heard any news about the visa amnesty topic being discussed at this point. I booked a ticket for the end of July back to the US, but I too am hoping for an extension and at the very least hope that the government makes an announcement about the amnesty by the middle of July.

[drbeach]

I think there is a good chance of an additional 1 month extension, or 2 at the very most. The number of flights out (and destinations served) is very limited. I don't see how all the foreigners still in Thailand can get out on the limited number of flights that are running UNLESS more flights are allowed to come into Thailand, which aren't repatriation flights, during the month of July.

 

[drbeach]

1 hour ago, spiekerjozef said:

Nope, I think we now all have to pay if we wanna stay longer...

That may be a possibility too...you would think if not an extended amnesty, at least a month to month extension, even for a fee, would be the next step until a semblance of normality returns with respect to border crossings in the region.

[TingTawng]

8 minutes ago, drbeach said:

I think there is a good chance of an additional 1 month extension, or 2 at the very most. The number of flights out (and destinations served) is very limited. I don't see how all the foreigners still in Thailand can get out on the limited number of flights that are running UNLESS more flights are allowed to come into Thailand, which aren't repatriation flights, during the month of July.

 

That's my take on it...there's not even many destinations served.

[Pattaya46]

1 hour ago, TingTawng said:

I counted 14 international flights that have left Thailand in the last 24 hours - this is a tiny number compared to a normal service...if many of us HAVE to leave before 31st July, and the emergency is extended through July (which it has been), then it seems next to impossible to get a flight out

Tiny number maybe, but still ~4'000 persons. From the Immigration point of view, they already gave you 3 extra months to left. You had a lot of opportunity to leave already to respect your short term visa. And fact is that many of these flights out of Thailand were far to be full!

 

56 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

It's possible to go out of Thailand at any moment

so from the Thai point of view, there is no valid reason to extend the visa amnisty

put in place at the beginning because people were unable to go out.

Agree.

 

17 minutes ago, TingTawng said:

That's my take on it...there's not even many destinations served.

Which countries? Because you may not have a direct flight doesn't mean you can't get flights to go there.

And again, from the Immigration point of view, they just want you to exit (not to overstay) but they don't care where you will go.

 

I of sure hope that all those in need (now) of another amnesty will get one, but if there is none I will understand why Immigration decided this.

[Pattaya46]

3 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

"It's possible to go out of Thailand at any moment"

I had a friend who had his flight cancelled 4 times - he finally managed to leave on Saturday - 2 months after he should have originally left

Another who has had his flight cancelled 3 times - he is still waiting to leave

All these you can leave at anytime posts are BS - Airlines are cancelling bookings on a daily basis

I think that such people are person who are accepting only direct flights or a precise list of airline companies.

Those who are open to more options mainly found a way to return home. There are by example countless of people who managed to find in just 2-3 weeks flights to return to their country in Europe. 

[bkk6060]

16 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

"It's possible to go out of Thailand at any moment"

 

I had a friend who had his flight cancelled 4 times - he finally managed to leave on Saturday - 2 months after he should have originally left

 

Another who has had his flight cancelled 3 times - he is still waiting to leave

 

All these you can leave at anytime posts are BS - Airlines are cancelling bookings on a daily basis

Yep, big risk.

90% of them were canceled on the departure board when I was there the other day.

 

But, the other post did say Ïtś possible¨  Possible vs. definitely or likely or are not the same.

[TingTawng]

At the moment it's only foreigners with a work visa who qualify for entry into Thailand, and they are done on a case by case basis - so it looks like I am leaving Thailand on an indefinite basis. 

[BillStrangeOgre]

Going to be a hell of a lot of people at Chang Wattana on the 31st July renewing permissions to stay etc. Authorities will have to make some kind of announcement if they want to avoid a nightmare for everyone including their staff 

[BritTim]

I believe the Thai authorities are of the view that almost everyone can, with a little effort, return to their home countries. I also believe the authorities think that long term extensions are available for those with Thai spouses and children. As such, I see three options Thailand might choose following July 31st:

• Decide that keeping foreigners here is a net benefit to the economy, and not worry about whether they meet the rules of the past for remaining in the country. In that case, they will allow a significantly extended amnesty.
• Wanting to keep the established rules. In that case, people will be given a severely limited time to either leave or regularise their immigration status.
• Decide that Thailand should operate according to the desires of foreign nationals. This is problematic, as some want quarantine scrapped to make entry easy and cheap, while other foreigners (already here and not wanting to do border bounces) would prefer Thailand remain Covid-19 free. However, there are many members here who moan that Thailand would not be fair if they enforced their immigration rules in the current climate. Those members assume that the authorities are listening to their tales of woe.

My own view is that Thailand is likely to want to return to standard rules on those remaining here, while keeping tight border controls. This is going to be highly inconvenient for many foreigners, both those here and those wishing to return. I do not think the authorities will pay much attention to what foreigners want.

[cormanr7]

There is NO inbound flight ban, KLM and Qatar for instance have been flying to Suvanabhumi all the time. KLM only takes cargo on the AMS-BKK leg (as clearly stated on their website), not sure if Qatar arrives empty. You can LEAVE on these airlines (and some others). With an increasing number of airports now allowing transit passengers again, you can fly to almost any country. Most countries allow in their own citizens so the argument will likely be that virtually anyone can leave and get home so no necessity to extend visa amnesty. However, this is all conjecture, next week it may be different.

On the separate issue of people presently abroad with e.g. a retirement extension who cannot return here or dare not leave Thailand for that reason (including me), authorities here do not seem to care. It is telling that -likely rich- medical tourists can apply for permission to enter. 

[bestie]

Don't worry Thailand will come up with a solution. Don't listen to all these naysayer where some of them are not even in Thailand. If they want to make money and keep people here (who ever wants) they will let them. Maybe for money. Of course nobody knows but some of these people here on TV have nothing else to do to scare people like before the amnesty. What is the worst case Scenario? They will give you time to leave the country if flights are going. Yes, Flights are still canceled. Mine too. It's a myth that you can fly easily every day out of course if you have plenty of time and money you can be lucky to fly out. Sitting then in another country if the let you in. ???? Great idea. 

[darrendsd]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

believe the Thai authorities are of the view that almost everyone can, with a little effort, return to their home countries.

Seeing that I have not seen any official statement saying this and it was reported last week that meetings have already started to take place in regards to decide if to extend the amnesty or not how do you come to this conclusion?

[Captain Monday]

”I realise there are special flights out of Thailand (and into Thailand) right now, but these are repatriation flights and there's only a few of them each day.  ”

 

Where does this bizarre idea come from? Is it reported in the media? Unless you come from a country that does not have inbound flights, and there is no where to go to as a secondary country, you can leave anytime you want. You just have to put in the effort.Where is it th OP wishes to return to?

[Kelsall]

No.  There is no reason to extend the amnesty further.  There are plenty of flights to major countries and the embassies of those few that don't them can offer letters stating such.

 

And for those 50 or older, there is always the "40k special visa" and extension for one year, available through certain "agents".

[Kelsall]

31 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

 And for those 50 or older, there is always the "40k special visa" and extension for one year, available through certain "agents".

Perhaps they will come up with a similar visa for the under-50 crowd.

[thailand49]

16 hours ago, TingTawng said:

At the moment it's only foreigners with a work visa who qualify for entry into Thailand, and they are done on a case by case basis - so it looks like I am leaving Thailand on an indefinite basis. 

Maybe I missed it on the 1st page but what is your destination?  You seem to indicate you are stuck here but also indicate you want to leave and return then you mentioned something about a Immigration O?  ????

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, Kelsall said:

No.  There is no reason to extend the amnesty further.  There are plenty of flights to major countries and the embassies of those few that don't them can offer letters stating such.

 

And for those 50 or older, there is always the "40k special visa" and extension for one year, available through certain "agents".

I don't think the Burmese/Cambodian/Malay labourers have a spare 40k to extend their amnesty.

Why do so many people assume everything is done for the benefit of white people?

<removed>

[scoupeo]

I hope that we can pay to extend, and people who cannot pay should do free community work.

 

[Clarkey611]

As with the Emergency Decree, which has recently been extended, the amnesty will also get an increase of 31 days.

[Walker88]

Obviously Thailand is free to make whatever rules they want. They may or may not extend the visa amnesty.

 

As for ‘getting out’, it is not quite as easy as many suggest, especially for anyone requiring a multi-segment flight to get home.  Sometimes one leg gets cancelled, sometimes the next leg is cancelled. Since there are few countries allowing tourists at this time, a traveler is likely to get stuck “Terminal” style part way home. Yes, that’s just tough luck for the traveler and of no concern to Thailand, but it is what has prevented, or discouraged may be a better word, some folks from leaving.

 

I have had multiple flights cancelled, and I have observed that even when a flight out of BKK did happen, the connecting flight did not run for several days. I would have been living in an airport for days waiting. Also, waiting in BKK for a scheduled flight, only to have it cancelled at the last moment, gets old after a while. It isn’t something one wants to do every day, packed and ready, so since there is the option of enjoying the kindness of the visa amnesty, that eventually becomes the option chosen. Yes, that’s my concern not Thai Immigration, but it is why I have done what I have.

 

There is an odd sense of entitlement that I see in these threads where some seemingly disgruntled people on various Thai visas such as retirement or spousal seem resentful that a few thousand tourists, who didn’t ‘jump through hoops and do 90-day reporting’, have been able to stay around. Why that should bother anyone is a puzzle, but it does seem to bother a few people. If anyone resents that, they can take their complaint to Thai Immigration, since that is who made the rule.

 

I don’t think the amnesty has been a total waste for Thailand, as those who have benefited from it have spent money. Though I suspect I might even be one of those weird ‘high quality’ tourists Thailand claims to want to attract, I have been averaging about 300,000 baht per month spent inside Thailand on lodging, food, a little shopping, and some donations. I’m sure there are others who spend similarly.  In the overall scheme of things my million baht since amnesty might be a drop in the bucket, but during a drought even a light sprinkle is welcome. I am also grateful for what Thailand has temporarily granted me.

[ubonjoe]

This topic just got shorter after I removed a lot of off topic and inflammatory posts plus replies to them.

[NoshowJones]

4 hours ago, Kelsall said:

No.  There is no reason to extend the amnesty further.  There are plenty of flights to major countries and the embassies of those few that don't them can offer letters stating such.

 

And for those 50 or older, there is always the "40k special visa" and extension for one year, available through certain "agents".

40K???????

[ExpatDraco]

4 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

40K???????

That's probably including a switch to NON-O first. If it was only for the extension it would be expensive.

[KhunKenAP]

Thailand loves to create stress in foreigners. The decision will be made a day or 2 before. This is the same for all government activities. Today they will announce, or not announce bars will be open starting maybe, or maybe not tomorrow. How is anyone supposed to plan????????????? Sorry having a plan is a foreign concept  in Thailand.

[finy]

Common sense says it will be extended, but it's really annoying having to wait.

 

There are spikes and potential second waves popping up everywhere.

 

And I doubt Thailand wants to be the only country in the world receiving terrible press by kicking out foreigners considering tourism will be important in helping rebuild the country in the next few years.

[mtls2005]

U.S. Embassy tweeted this today...