The German Embassy today released a statement on Facebook, they were, as things stood, not expecting Thailand to prolong the amnesty (as in: not fully clear about it), so they were advising their citizens to make preparations to leave the country unless able to ascertain to get legal status (extend visa/get a new one), as normal rules would be in place then. They could not help out with any sort of letter stating German citizens could not get back, as there were daily flights and Germany's borders were not closed (which is both true.)

 

Keep calm, everybody, there is still time, they were not "definite" about things. (Video is in German)

 

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Did he actually mention the amnesty, or just say that they won’t be issuing letters?

Just now, Jajazazajaja said:

Did he actually mention the amnesty, or just say that they won’t be issuing letters?

Both. Definitely, and in clear wordage, just remnants of uncertainty as to the amnesty.

15 minutes ago, Saradoc1972 said:

They could not help out with any sort of letter stating German citizens could not get back, as there were daily flights and Germany's borders were not closed (which is both true.)

The letter doesn't have to state this. The previous letters just said "Please extend the visa due to Covid 19", they could write the same again, Covid 19 is still causing problems.

Last time they also said they won't issue such letters, and a few days later they did.

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by jackdd

2 minutes ago, jackdd said:

The letter doesn't have to state this.

Last time they also said they won't issue such letters, and a few days later they did.

The guy (deputy to the German Ambassador in Bangkok) very clearly stated Thai authorities would expect the German Embassy to state in writing their respective citizens could not leave as there were no flights out or Germany's borders were closed. Which they would not be able to do, as both was not the case, said that too, expressively so.

2 minutes ago, Saradoc1972 said:

The guy (deputy to the German Ambassador in Bangkok) very clearly stated Thai authorities would expect the German Embassy to state in writing their respective citizens could not leave as there were no flights out or Germany's borders were closed. Which they would not be able to do, as both was not the case, said that too, expressively so.

See my edit. They are just too lazy to issue the letters.

Please find below a transcript of the German Embassy's announcement on Facebook, posted July 14th, around 21:00 titled "Important advice for German citizens as to Thai visa regulations".

Normal rules for translating stuff are "as literally as possible, as freely as necessary". I kept it very literal in this case, without violating the English language, could come across a little awkward. Also, note that Germans have a reputation for being "direct", i.e. no second level of speech, ordinarily. Half of all German Embassy personnel tend to be lawyers, who have a way of expressing themselves, and this is very clearly worded. I included the modalities used (we expect, presumably), in the original German at two key points. Forum rules say otherwise, but that seems to be warranted here, translating that sort of thing is tricky at the best of times.
 

Quote

 

My name is Jan Scheer (not sure about the spelling), and I am the deputy German ambassador in Thailand.

 

Many of you are turning to us these days with questions pertaining to their visa for Thailand. At the moment, we are expecting (“Wir gehen im Moment davon aus, dass…) the exceptional regulations presently in force will end on the 31^st of July.

 

After that, presumably (“vermutlich”), the normal Thai visa regulation will be in force again.

 

We are, hence, strongly advising you to now start caring about prolonging your stay with the Thai authorities, or, before the 31^st of July, commence the journey back to Germany.

 

Many of you are, too, asking us to provide supporting letters for the Thai immigration. Regrettably, the Embassy cannot furnish you with such letters. Which is because the Thai authorities are expecting us to confirm to you in writing that because of the pandemic a return travel to Germany temporarily would not be feasible, for example because no flights were available, or the German borders were closed.

 

Both, alas, is not the case. There are daily flights to Germany. We, therefore, will have to ask for your understanding that we cannot furnish you with that sort of confirmation.

 

You can find up to date information as to the situation and services available at the Embassy on our homepage. Stay healthy.

 

 

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by Saradoc1972

1 hour ago, Saradoc1972 said:

Keep calm, everybody, there is still time

 

I know that there are some flights leaving. But what will happen if many people decide this week that they have to leave before July 31 ?  There are flights, but not many. For sure not enough. And the last seats are always very expensive.

 

  

 

3 minutes ago, dimitriv said:

 

I know that there are some flights leaving. But what will happen if many people decide this week that they have to leave before July 31 ?  There are flights, but not many. For sure not enough. And the last seats are always very expensive.

 

I suppose, in a pinch, we would have to shell out some 5000 Baht of a fine at the airport for "overstay". If they don't, at the very least, waive that. There are a good number of flights going out, at least to Europe. As long as I do not end up in the Balkans or the UK, I am fine; could even weather it for 3-4 weeks or so in Turkey, until Germany declares end of quarantine for anyone coming from there (would not be the end of the world, even then, I just stay home; oh, and I would legally challenge the self-quarantine requirement, chances are not that slim). I would not know about "the last seats being expensive", airlines tend to only cancel flights if there is a totally insufficient number of passengers to make the flight financially viable. Little chance of that, *IF* it comes that sort of exodus.

55 minutes ago, Saradoc1972 said:

As long as I do not end up in the Balkans or the UK, I am fine;

 

What's wrong with the Balkans? 

4 minutes ago, andux said:

 

What's wrong with the Balkans? 

Precisely nothing. Unless Austria, which would be on my travel route to Germany, has or were to develop a problem with people crossing over from there, even just in transit.

 

Or they have a problem with me. ANY country in the way for transit is a risk, or at least could prove to be. Keep it simple, strange times.

 

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by Saradoc1972

3 hours ago, jackdd said:

...Last time they also said they won't issue such letters, and a few days later they did.

Was that the German embassy "last time"?

As i understand it countries like Thailand need foreign currency especially USD to pay for imports and pay off foreign loans. So foreigners converting to baht is important.

The US Embassy has done something similar and none of this should be surprising.  There are plenty of flights out of Thailand to many countries and the few others can issue letters from their embassies in Thailand.  People have been warned so if there is no amnesty, they have only themselves to blame if they get caught out.

5 hours ago, Puccini said:

Was that the German embassy "last time"?

 

On 17th March I asked the German embassy for such a letter, their answer:

die Botschaft wird diese Bescheinigungen nicht ausstellen. Ich empfehle Ihnen, Sie sich unverzüglich um eine Rückreisemöglichkeit zu kümmern.

"The Embassy will not issue such a certificate (letter). I recommend you to find a return option as immediately."

 

If i remember correctly, on 23rd March they started issuing these letters, i got mine on 27th March.

 

 

 

Could be a diplomatic game like before the amnesty. ..... However it isn't very helpful for our mental health.

Edited July 15, 20205 yr by bestie

I have removed several inflammatory and baiting posts and replies to them. 

 

I think the embassies are in same boat as us. But if you use a little common sense and think a little bit you would understand that if there was not going to be a amnesty extension it would of been announced already. Not extending the amnesty does not require a cabinet resolution. Extending the amnesty does require one and has not been done yet.

A am certain there will be at least a 30 day extension but they may state it is the last one to give people time to leave or make arrangement for an extension of some kind.

Sounds to me like a 'we're not to blame if things go sour' announcement.

Let's remember one thing about Embassies:

 

They are here to best assist you in any worst case scenario. And to cover their own asses, but that's another story. Right now, they probably don't know anything either. So they are telling you what to do in that worst case scenario. It doesn't mean it will happen and it does not mean it won't. But they are by their governments required to tell their citizens what to do if that happens.

 

Not necessarily just to help you, but to cover their own asses in case it all goes downhill.

Even now Thailand exports more than it imports and Thailand has very little foreign external debt compared to foreign currency reserves. Most of the government debt is to Thais. Source: Tradingeconomics. It is why the Baht is so stubbornly strong even after the total collapse of the tourism sector.

Exactly how many tourists are *stuck* in Thailand ?

1 minute ago, geisha said:

Exactly how many tourists are *stuck* in Thailand ?

Around the first amnesty, or the failed extension offer in March, there were an estimated 400-500k foreigners in Thailand who could not get home or comply to visa regulations because of cancelled flights or closed borders. Not necessarily tourists. That number will have dwindled, but not by that much. Would come as a surprise if there were less than, say, 200k still in the country. Also depends on what you see as tourists, good couple of elderly people in Thailand for month-long stays on Non-Imm "O" visa, doing that habitually every year since who-knows-when.

And, would depend on what you consider "stuck". A lot of of people will have valid reasons for not wanting to go home if they can avoid it, such as leaving their stuff in Thailand, an ongoing rental contract, nothing back home to go to, quarantine regulations with a bill to foot (UK introduced them for Thailand again a week ago). Also, many flights do get cancelled in return for vouchers no one will be able to use in the foreseeable future, and the last thing you want is then being "stuck" for real with a fully drained credit card after two or three attempts, to then turn to your embassy when all options are used up. Example for the latter seems to be Australia who are restricting their own citizens coming home because of a shortage of state quarantine facilities. Call that "sorta stuck", then, not keyed to a sense of entitlement of staying in Thailand, just that universal nerve-wrecking insecurity in this global pickle.

15 hours ago, andux said:

 

What's wrong with the Balkans? 

And despite all your previous efforts you never did manage to get into the UK.

10 hours ago, jackdd said:

 

On 17th March I asked the German embassy for such a letter, their answer:

 

 

"The Embassy will not issue such a certificate (letter). I recommend you to find a return option as immediately."

 

If i remember correctly, on 23rd March they started issuing these letters, i got mine on 27th March.

 

 

 

That was March... the beginning of the chaos.

Now EU borders are open for returning residents and flights are available.

From a Thai standpoint, why would they allow anyone to stay without Visa or proper documentation?

 

So funny that the German embassy's actions are discussed in an English language forum

1 hour ago, Miami007 said:

So funny that the German embassy's actions are discussed in an English language forum

What's funny about that? This is a forum for foreigners in Thailand, and a good number of these foreigners are German. Other embassies have been discussed as well.