Thai immigration reminds foreigners: Time is running out to renew your visas

[KarenBravo]

8 hours ago, Adelphi said:

I never respond to trolls. Nothing upsets them more than being ignored.  

You already have. I'm sure you made their day.

[Kaopad999]

11 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

They want them too if they qualify for any of the many in-country visa options that are available. If not, they are likely low spending visitors that are likely pretty tapped-out after a 7 month holiday and should head back home. 

I bet a good chunk of those tourists are the visa runner types that have been out here for some time already. I'm sure most of the genuine tourists have most likely already gone home. 

Edited September 23, 2020 by Kaopad999

[Saltire]

So it seems that now if you have a letter from your embassy and you get to the IO before 26th it's a formality that you can stay for another 30 days.

 

If almost everyone is getting another 30 day stay, it would just have been easier to extend the amnesty?

 

Or are there many people being refused the embassy letter, not seen any reports on this.

 

Also not seen any government announcement on what happens on the 26th October? Maybe you really, really have to go home? October 26 is going to come round very quickly and all this worry, confusion and desperation will be repeated.

 

I truly feel for those in this predicament.

[fred110]

10 hours ago, Adelphi said:

Utterly ridiculous how they have posed for this photograph.  Although it says everything about how they view foreigners who are almost never violent even if they have overstayed.  They really are determined to make it clear that foreigners are the enemy.  Welcome to Amazing Thailand.  Over 30 years ago we used to refer to it as the land of smiles - what a joke that is now.

For me it has been LOS for 19 years and still is. It's easy to stay here if you have any common sense.

[Kaopad999]

Just now, Saltire said:

So it seems that now if you have a letter from your embassy and you get to the IO before 26th it's a formality that you can stay for another 30 days.

 

If almost everyone is getting another 30 day stay, it would just have been easier to extend the amnesty?

 

Or are there many people being refused the embassy letter, not seen any reports on this.

 

Also not seen any government announcement on what happens on the 26th October? Maybe you really, really have to go home? October 26 is going to come round very quickly and all this worry, confusion and desperation will be repeated.

 

I truly feel for those in this predicament.

There are very few embassies that are  willing to provide those letters. 

[Kwaibill]

20 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

They want them too if they qualify for any of the many in-country visa options that are available. If not, they are likely low spending visitors that are likely pretty tapped-out after a 7 month holiday and should head back home. 

Yes, I have applied from within the kingdom for a non O based on marriage, the difference from my usual Savannakhet Consulate run (currently closed to foreigners) is that I had to come up with 400,000 baht in the bank. My local IO said that next time I can do it with proof of 40,000 baht monthly, but first time they wanted the "full Monty".

Have to leave it for two months, but nothing was required vis a vis seasoning. They have already checked one time by having us deposit 100 baht and presenting the updated book and copy.

Edited September 23, 2020 by Kwaibill
Clarification

[Ganesh108]

3 hours ago, JusticeGB said:

There were messages to Thai Visa even a couple of days ago expecting that Immigration would be bound to extend Visas yesterday even though it's been made clear for over a month that 26th September was the final date. Just because it might be sensible to keep spending power in Thailand it doesn't follow that Immigration will take that into account. Tourists are not residents they come here with the expectation of staying for a limited period not for 6 months like many have had already. The idea that because covid19 is less virulent in Thailand than in your home country is not a factor that should concern Immigration. 

"The idea that because covid19 is less virulent in Thailand than in your home country is not a factor that should concern Immigration."

 

But how about creating a good image to 'lure' (as they always say) prospective tourists to Thailand? They could make a huge, positive PR campaign for Thailand out of letting people stay - but they'd need an active, living brain to understand that.

[irwinfc]

i have a non-f visa valid until sep 30. got information from IO that i can do my extension until sep 29 at the latest. all these announcements are so confusing. 

[Kaopad999]

2 minutes ago, Ganesh108 said:

But how about creating a good image to 'lure' (as they always say) prospective tourists to Thailand?

Very simple, they want to sell their new Tourist visa. Also, there are plenty of other visa options out here for people who would like to stay here for more than just a few months. 

 

[sammieuk1]

Times up Aliens no hiding place for Scandinavians or Africans either with are color coded troops ????

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

25 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

I bet a good chunk of those tourists are the visa runner types that have been out here for some time already. I'm sure most of the genuine tourists have most likely already gone home. 

It is worse than that, some of them may be backpackers!

[Kaopad999]

1 minute ago, herfiehandbag said:

It is worse than that, some of them may be backpackers!

Probably right.  Definitely not the types you want in your country during a pandemic... Generally speaking, their basic hygiene is defiantly not that great! ???? 

[Rimmer]

A profane post has been removed also replies

[Boomer6969]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It doesn't affect you, assuming you are on an annual extension of stay.

And how could it affect him? So far, TI's handling on COVID made perfect sense, and this includes the end of the amnesty, as everyone can now go back home if they have to. The rightly anticipated rare exceptions will be covered through 30 days extensions based on embassy or medical justification.

[vandeventer]

     I sent the first picture to my travel agent in the USA I am sure it will make a nice poster!

[Tchooptip]

I wonder if they realize the image they are portraying in demographic countries with these men with machine guns behind them? Is it really necessary for a conference where the subject is visas and not organized crime!

[theoldgit]

I realise that Thai Immigration like/insist on reams of paper to support the most  straightforward application, for instance my local Immigration officers Insist on four separate proofs that I have transferred the required monthly sum to allow my extension, but I’m at a loss to understand why they insist on a meaningless sheet of paper from an Embassy. Either the applicant has a genuine reason that prevents them leaving or they don’t, having a generic letter from an embassy doesn’t change that.

 

I really don’t understand why some posters get so het up with others who they deem to have abused the system.

 

As for the officers armed and ready, are they for real?

 

Of course the Thai Government are quite within their rights to get rid of these visitors who are spending their money here, it’s not like those who own and work in the hospitality industry need them.

[crazykopite]

I wonder if countries around the world who have Thais on an amnesty will  

now treat them in the same way as Thailand is doing towards the foreigners stuck here in the Kingdom

[GeorgeCross]

10 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I wonder if countries around the world who have Thais on an amnesty will  

now treat them in the same way as Thailand is doing towards the foreigners stuck here in the Kingdom

 

ask them to extend their visas? probably

 

 

 

[davidmann]

11 hours ago, Adelphi said:

Utterly ridiculous how they have posed for this photograph.  Although it says everything about how they view foreigners who are almost never violent even if they have overstayed.  They really are determined to make it clear that foreigners are the enemy.  Welcome to Amazing Thailand.  Over 30 years ago we used to refer to it as the land of smiles - what a joke that is now.

First went to thailand. 1978.   , Visa was easy. ,exchange rate good. ,  nice place to be , now i wonder why people wish to go there or even stay there , and today to get in like trying to jump  through ring fire ,is called Fire wall today 

[hobz]

7 hours ago, watso63 said:

6 months sitting on their hands despite being given plenty of warning about what will happen post amnesty. Those taking advantage of the situation that never obtained further permission to stay are now crying like babies blaming Immigration for following the law of the land. One group I do have sympathy for however are those that have businesses here finding themselves in a virtually impossible situation, on the verge of losing everything and facing deportation to boot.

Does it help businesses if foreigners are forced to leave?

Does it help thailand in any way?

I understand that the law is the law.  Someone from above should extend the amnesty. It benefits thailand 100%

[Kaopad999]

41 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I wonder if countries around the world who have Thais on an amnesty will  

now treat them in the same way as Thailand is doing towards the foreigners stuck here in the Kingdom

I think any country would have very similar consequences for tourists  that overstay their visas.

Again, 6 months has been an ample amount of time for people to get their affairs in order. 

I've yet to hear a logical argument that proves otherwise...

Edited September 23, 2020 by Kaopad999

[Chongalulu]

Will TAT be using that photo in its advertising material. Honest I suppose...?

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, lkv said:

The message is clear.

 

You overstay one day, we come, find you, shoot you.

 

See the first pic.

Land of smiles... with love from the swat team.

[spidermike007]

Unbelievable hubris and arrogance. The authorities should be begging the tourists to stay. Free, unlimited visas, 10,000 baht hotel vouchers, and free meals. An immigration officer will come to your hotel to renew your visa, to show our appreciation, of your continued support. Half price air tickets for domestic travel. Princely treatment. Thank you so much for helping to rescue our economy and our people. 
 
Instead, what do they get? Threats of jail time. Beyond Inane. Are these nitwits even capable of learning and evolving? It would appear not. A truly regressive administration.
 
The Thai army. Moving Thailand backwards, and inflicting untold pain on it's people. 

[Suradit69]

12 hours ago, Adelphi said:

Utterly ridiculous how they have posed for this photograph.  Although it says everything about how they view foreigners who are almost never violent even if they have overstayed.  They really are determined to make it clear that foreigners are the enemy.  Welcome to Amazing Thailand.  Over 30 years ago we used to refer to it as the land of smiles - what a joke that is now.

I doubt the “they” who chose which photos to use for this news item were from immigration. Just stock photos from the news source’s files.

[Dialemco]

At least they are wearing masks but where is the social distancing?

[jimmjam]

????????????????

[Pikasso]

13 hours ago, Adelphi said:

Utterly ridiculous how they have posed for this photograph.  Although it says everything about how they view foreigners who are almost never violent even if they have overstayed.  They really are determined to make it clear that foreigners are the enemy.  Welcome to Amazing Thailand.  Over 30 years ago we used to refer to it as the land of smiles - what a joke that is now.

Looks like the black and white minstrel show....lol

Edited September 23, 2020 by Pikasso

[Peter Denis]

5 hours ago, silverhawk_usa said:

"All long term foreigners residing in Thailand who renew will have their papers dated from September 27th. 

Naew Na said in their headline that those who have not done so should hurry up and extend.

Source: Naew Na"

 

I have been on an OA Retirement Visa and extensions for 18 years. It always gave me permission to stay from Oct 2 until Oct 1.  I changed it to a Marriage Visa/extension last week and was surprised to see it was approved from Sept 27, 2020 until Sept 26, 2021.  I wondered why, and didn't really think about it much, until I read the above photo caption. Not a big deal, just curious.   

There are 2 phenomena behind that date-change of your 1-year extension of stay.

1 - When you change the category of Visa (in your case from retirement to marriage) the 1-year extension of stay does not start from the expiry of your previous permission to stay, but from date of application.

2 - You applied last week, so that should normally have been from Sept 16, 2020 until Sept 15 2021.  However, in order to avoid overcrowding of Imm offices in the final days of the Amnesty, Immigration announced some weeks ago that ALL extensions of stay applied for during the Amnesty, will have 27 Sept as start-date.