Khaosod report - Amnesty extended to Sept 26 (Cabinet approved)

[PhoSai]

6 hours ago, jackdd said:

If i understand the summary of today's Cabinet meeting on the Thai government website correctly, which includes a comment/annotation by the Royal Thai Police (which probably mostly means "immigration police"), the RTP did not consider this further extension to 26th September as necessary, in their opinion it would have been reasonable to let the amnesty end on 31st July. The Cabinet decided that a further extension is reasonable, if they had listened to the RTP they would have decided against this extension.

If somebody in the government should think about extending it beyond 26th September, there will probably be a strong opposition from the RTP, which leds me to believe that any further extension of the amnesty is quite unlikely.

These are of course just my thoughts on this as of today, we will see what the future brings ????

Probably, which is why its a good job immigration dont decide policy. Immigration are unlikely to take other factors into consideration like the economy and international relations. 

[jacko45k]

14 hours ago, Zikomat said:

WOW... Cool (if true). This was one and only wise decision available. Keep those tourists you already have. Not the time for bureaucratic games.

Not the time for tourists either..... but at least those trapped here are being accommodated.

[USNret]

13 hours ago, Patryk said:

I think there is some misunderstanding - 90 day reporting is mandatory. This week I've been at the immigration to cancel my WP (moving out to SG) and they demanded having the 90-day reporting. There are special desks at immigration that collect the passports and TM forms for it. Waiting time: ~3 hours.

This is contrary to everything else I've read.  The 90-day is OPTIONAL.  You can do it if you like, but no 90-day reporting (i.e., Address reporting) is required until 31 July.  People have RECOMMENDED doing it to avoid a rush later, but nobody HAS to do it right now unless you want to. 

Just because you did it... what makes you believe it's mandatory? 

[JackThompson]

15 hours ago, Jackcwba said:

...

My employer who has BOI company said that I can’t change my Tourist visa to Non B while Inside Thailand, BOI companies have almost no backdoors loopholes where as teachers have a much passion easier ride.. even now tho they can’t seem to get it.

...

mr Richard barrows just tweeted something about thousands of teachers waiting to start work but can’t because they don’t have the correct visa ( non b )

Non-B conversions at BOI are very expensive.  My company told me their accountant's quote was "prohibitive" - why I am still on a Non-O-ME Visa permitted-stay (now covid-auto-extended).   Fortunately, I could get a work permit through the regular labor-office (before the permitted-stay expired) - but this is something you cannot do w/ a TR stamp or amnesty-extension.

 

If your employer has enough Thai employees, it is possible you could do it all through Chiang Wattana and the regular labor office.  Maybe the agent/accountant bribe-cost for a Non-B "change of visa" 90-Day stamp and work-permit is cheaper via that route, vs the BOI office.

 

14 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

Is this true for an Non-Ed visa also?  If I entered as visa exempt, can I apply for a Ed visa at immigration?  Assuming I have all the correct documentation from a legitimate language school.

Yes - but for a bribe between 10K and 20K Baht through an agent/school, per recent reports.  That's standard practice here pre-covid (same with Non-Bs), with the only way around it to go "out for a Visa" in a neighboring country - obviously impossible now. 

 

See earlier post about the Nonthaburi report - is standard-practice, except some IO there evidently cut-out the agent money-laundering step, so made problems for them:
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1174007-immigration-officials-in-nonthaburi-accused-of-asking-for-a-20000-baht-bribe/

 

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, PhoSai said:

Probably, which is why its a good job immigration dont decide policy. Immigration are unlikely to take other factors into consideration like the economy and international relations. 

No, but they continuously break the rules to force/extort bribe-money, which irreperably harms both the domestic-economy and international relations, and nothing is done about it. 

 

I would guess these factions in govt all have "compromat" type material on each other - likely have to become a "made man" to get into the club - so no one can hold anyone else accountable, no matter how much their actions harm Thailand and Thai people (not to mention foreigners who live/visit here).

[NanLaew]

17 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

17 hours ago, AndyPa said:

Will be interesting to see if its an extension of the amnesty or a grace period.

There is no difference between an amnesty and a grace period.

It is really the same ministerial notice issued in April that allows for automatic extensions that has been extended once already.

The earlier, unofficial announcement from RTP of a 'grace' period from 1 Aug to 26 Sep suggested that there WAS a difference in that stranded tourists would need to use the 'grace' period to go to immigration if they wanted to legally extend their stay in Thailand beyond 26 Sep.

 

This more recent clarification appears to kick the 'grace' can down the road a bit which may see it happen after 26 Sep. The CSSA and Cabinet basically disagreed with the RTP's recommendations.

 

I think the key is if and when CAAT makes an announcement to allow 'normal' commercial air traffic in and out of Thailand. It appears that the Thai-only repatriation is still taking most available seats on the few flights currently coming in but with phase 6 of that effort also due to be officially promulgated with foreigners with Thai families and the 11th hour rumor that Elite Visa holders can also get in the queue, this will make for one of the most comprehensive one-size-fits-all edicts regarding changes and how they see things progressing.

[ubonjoe]

13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The earlier, unofficial announcement from RTP of a 'grace' period from 1 Aug to 26 Sep suggested that there WAS a difference in that stranded tourists would need to use the 'grace' period to go to immigration if they wanted to legally extend their stay in Thailand beyond 26 Sep.

The is nothing official anywhere that calls it a grace or amnesty period. It just basically states a automatic extension is granted for those in the country after March 26th until XX date. This is the 2nd extension of the original order.

[NanLaew]

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

20 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The earlier, unofficial announcement from RTP of a 'grace' period from 1 Aug to 26 Sep suggested that there WAS a difference in that stranded tourists would need to use the 'grace' period to go to immigration if they wanted to legally extend their stay in Thailand beyond 26 Sep.

The is nothing official anywhere that calls it a grace or amnesty period. It just basically states a automatic extension is granted for those in the country after March 26th until XX date. This is the 2nd extension of the original order.

I am referring to the published recommendation from the RTP immigration that were floated a few days earlier that specifically labeled 1 Aug to 26 Sep as a 'grace' period where amnestied visitors would need to formalize their right to stay versus 'do nothing'. You can google your own links.

 

It appears this recommendation was not taken on board by the CSSA and cabinet only recommending the amnesty extension to 26 Sep for the PM's ultimate approval.

 

Typically what RTP Immigration. MPH, CAAT and others have recommended have been taken onboard and made official but in this instance, the RTP Immigration's recommendation was not accepted.

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I am referring to the published recommendation from the RTP immigration that were floated a few days earlier that specifically labeled 1 Aug to 26 Sep as a 'grace' period where amnestied visitors would need to formalize their right to stay versus 'do nothing'. You can google your own links.

 

The only thing we have seen were quotes of what somebody said in news articles and a google translation of the what was posted in the a summary of the cabinet meeting. The only thing that counts is the ministerial notice signed by the PM and the interior minister that will be published in the royal gazette.

[jackdd]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The only thing we have seen were quotes of what somebody said in news articles and a google translation of the what was posted in the a summary of the cabinet meeting. The only thing that counts is the ministerial notice signed by the PM and the interior minister that will be published in the royal gazette.

He is most likely referring to this article:

But the cabinet decided for an extension instead of a grace period.

[NanLaew]

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The only thing we have seen were quotes of what somebody said in news articles and a google translation of the what was posted in the a summary of the cabinet meeting. The only thing that counts is the ministerial notice signed by the PM and the interior minister that will be published in the royal gazette.

Yeah, that's why I underlined unofficial and recommendation in my earlier posts. There was a proposal (note the underlining) from RTP Immigration to end the amnesty at the end of this month. This was before any cabinet meeting.

 

4 minutes ago, jackdd said:

He is most likely referring to this article:

But the cabinet decided for an extension instead of a grace period.

Indeed it is, thanks. Despite getting ~25 pages of comment, maybe ubonjoe missed it.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Indeed it is, thanks. Despite getting ~25 pages of comment, maybe ubonjoe missed it.

Of course I  read it and others and that includes a  news website that cannot be mentioned.

As said what was written in those were only quotes.

[stailmanki]

So I arrived 8th March Stamp/visa waiver for 30 days - extended late March 30 more days,expired 4th May but Amnesty announced 9th April

Got sick of the uncertainty,booked expensive flexible 1 way ticket out for 31st this month.

Can I just change my flight to September now without having to do anything else ?

 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, stailmanki said:

Can I just change my flight to September now without having to do anything else ?

You could do that.

[stailmanki]

Many thanks for the reassurance, hope that it's helpful to others in the same situation me

[clorox]

its official sept 26

[timoti]

Hi is your finally official? So far I only see amnesty extension proposals.

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, timoti said:

Hi is your finally official? So far I only see amnesty extension proposals.

It was approved by the cabinet on the 21st and is extended to the September 26th. No changes to the current amnesty.

[BagOfCrisps]

Hey - sorry to sound dumb - but if anyone can help set my mind at rest!

I had an extension of stay stamped till 31st May (I'm on Non-Imm O ME) and been on amnesty since.

Have a flight booked for next Monday - am I right in thinking the amnesty is official and I can change my flight to September?

 

Only concern is that my Non-Imm O ME is 'valid until 18th August 2020' - so if I stay till late September it will be expired. Is that alright? In a perfect world I would've been back and forth between here and home for work, and gone for a new one in HCM. I'm not really in the financial position to be able to change to a 1 year Marriage one, you see.

 

Cheers for any help ????

[ubonjoe]

5 hours ago, BagOfCrisps said:

Have a flight booked for next Monday - am I right in thinking the amnesty is official and I can change my flight to September?

Yes

 

5 hours ago, BagOfCrisps said:

Only concern is that my Non-Imm O ME is 'valid until 18th August 2020' - so if I stay till late September it will be expired. Is that alright?

Your visa expiring means nothing since your are already in the country. It has no effect on your stay in the country.

[BagOfCrisps]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes

 

Your visa expiring means nothing since your are already in the country. It has no effect on your stay in the country.

 

@ubonjoe you are a legend mate, thanks so much for taking the time to reply. My partner and I greatly appreciate it. Really takes a weight off!

[Mulambana]

On 7/21/2020 at 10:29 PM, ubonjoe said:

The only thing that counts is the ministerial notice signed by the PM and the interior minister that will be published in the royal gazette.

The only thing thats count is how Immigration offices will implement it. Who is going to challenge it?

[Sergey Black]

3 hours ago, BagOfCrisps said:

 

@ubonjoe you are a legend mate, thanks so much for taking the time to reply. My partner and I greatly appreciate it. Really takes a weight off!

sometimes i feel like i want to buy beer or some present for him from the heart

[Sergey Black]

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It was approved by the cabinet on the 21st and is extended to the September 26th. No changes to the current amnesty.

dear @ubonjoe how to buy beer for you ? ????

[unheard]

18 minutes ago, Sergey Black said:

dear @ubonjoe how to buy beer for you ? ????

pm him