Thailand extends grace period for stranded foreigners

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand extends grace period for stranded foreigners

 

 

BANGKOK, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Thailand on Monday extended a grace period for visa renewals for foreigners stranded in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic until the end of October, as travel restrictions remain in place and new infections climb globally.

 

The extension will allow foreigners to remain in Thailand until Oct. 31, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s coronavirus taskforce, told Reuters.

 

The matter is subject to cabinet approval on Tuesday.

 

Thailand halted commercial flights in April and banned foreign visitors in an effort to keep the coronavirus at bay, with repatriation flights the only means of leaving the country.

 

In July, authorities granted automatic visa extensions from late March to Sept. 26 to all foreigners.

 

After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for 60-day extensions to remain in the country if they are unable to leave due to limited flights or other issues, Pornchai Kuntee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.

 

Previously, extensions required documentation from their respective embassies and were limited to 30 days.

 

Authorities on Monday also extended an emergency decree until the end of October.

 

Thailand has kept the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at a low 3,545 with 59 fatalities.

 

The government this month approved visas of up to 270 days for long-stay tourists and is preparing to reopen to some foreign visitors from next month, although the move could be delayed.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects foreign tourist numbers to plunge to 6.7 million this year from 39.8 million in 2019 before recovering to 20.5 million next year.

 

This compares with the central bank’s estimate for 9 million tourists in 2021.

 

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng Editing by Ed Davies)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-28

 

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[2 is 1]

There you go all who say fake news! Im happy to all who need this one!

[RandolphGB]

What happened to the ‘mass arrests’ that the police threatened for anyone still here after 26? Looks like it was a bluff.

[Simon85]

Coherence, trademark of Thailand!

[Yorkshire Tea]

6 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for 60-day extensions to remain in the country if they are unable to leave due to limited flights or other issues, Pornchai Kuntee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.

About 6 months late...

[Thaiwrath]

6 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects foreign tourist numbers to plunge to 6.7 million this year from 39.8 million in 2019 before recovering to 20.5 million next year.

 

This compares with the central bank’s estimate for 9 million tourists in 2021.

I'd go with the Central Bank's estimate, although, I think that maybe very optimistic !

Where the TAT makes up their figures from, <deleted> knows !

[DrTuner]

8 minutes ago, RandolphGB said:

What happened to the ‘mass arrests’ that the police threatened for anyone still here after 26? Looks like it was a bluff.

Catch and release. After milking their accounts dry, of course.

[shady86]

Does that mean 90day reporting deadline is also extended?

[Captain_Bob]

"The matter is subject to cabinet approval on Tuesday." 

So until they do that a bunch of visitors are now on overstay. Nice timing ???? 

[Jeffro008]

5 minutes ago, Captain_Bob said:

"The matter is subject to cabinet approval on Tuesday." 

So until they do that a bunch of visitors are now on overstay. Nice timing ???? 

yep organized that way with many comments from many to disguise the instingators lol

[greggraham]

So this is what Khun Natapanu was hilariously mysteriously/vaguely on about a few hours ago...

 

"Another piece of information, is of course, that, I have to just put out a disclaimer first, in saying that what I will be saying will be the information that has been confirmed, not those under discussion yet so, there is an important issue which will be approved by cabinet tomorrow, has been sent for propose to be approved by cabinet tomorrow, which will be an important piece of information concerning visas for foreign nationals, but, this has been under discussion with even the private sector also, but we have to wait until the cabinet approves this tomorrow, and the information will be coming out tomorrow after the weekly cabinet meeting ... ...so for this issue, waiting for the cabinet approval for tomorrow, hope everyone looks at the big picture for the benefit of Thailand, for the benefit of those people living in Thailand and call Thailand home, looking at the big picture for the benefit of everybody in the general picture".

[GeorgeCross]

finally a happy ending worth writing home about!

 

 

the end!

 

[ukrules]

30 minutes ago, shady86 said:

Does that mean 90day reporting deadline is also extended?

They advised continuing to do 90 day reports previously, at some point I believe.

[Dart12]

maybe have longer hours than shortening work days at the IO's might help next time.

[richard_smith237]

Clumsy backpedaling and outrageous inconsistency is sending the message to anyone willing to change their luck that the roll of the dice will pay off. 

 

What happens next month - No one believes Amnesty will not be extended. How many people will get caught out for no other reason than the belief that Thailand will go back on their statements as they did last time and the time before that ?

 

 

This government have done nothing more than create confusion onto of further confusions. 

 

For effs Sake Thailand - Just announce a 6 month Amnesty and stop this juvenile back and forth.

 

 

I also suspect a lot of the childish inconsistency has a lot to do with different government bodies failing to communicate with the other and while Immigration were informed by the government that there would be no extensions permitted, they changed their mind at the last minute making immigration look like fools. 

 

 

 

 

[Sambotte]

New visa AFTER october...

 

Do i feel they will not make this before a max farangs have to go the "agent" route ?...

I wish i am wrong.

To make a paid (OFFICIALLY) visa from inside Thailand with no hassle is obviously the right move.

I mean was, 2-3 months ago already...

[GeorgeCross]

56 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for 60-day extensions to remain in the country if they are unable to leave due to limited flights or other issues, Pornchai Kuntee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.

 

nice! i'll have some of these when my extension ends!!

 

 

[worldfun]

awesome

[jvs]

Told you this would happen.

 

[CorpusChristie]

10 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

So funny! About many old expat's in this forum , who try in last minute to get rid of all younger than 50 years old farangs! "

In what way do you feel that some posters have been trying to get rid of you  ?

How did they try to get rid of you ?

[edwardandtubs]

60 day extensions require 500,000 baht (or equivalent) in the bank for 6 months. This seems a very good move as it will ensure only gentlemen of leisure rather than down-and-outs will be allowed to stay.

[2 is 1]

7 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

In what way do you feel that some posters have been trying to get rid of you  ?

How did they try to get rid of you ?

Not me "bro" nobody can't get rid of me ! Im "burdock"! Mean all kind act of writing where say how need to do! You going to be arrested...... and so one! You not belong here if you dont have valid visa at the time!

That is not how should be txt! Coz none of them know people's situation!

[CorpusChristie]

7 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

Not me "bro" nobody can't get rid of me ! Im "burdock"! Mean all kind act of writing where say how need to do! You going to be arrst...... so one! You not belong here if you dont have valid visa at the time!

That is not how should be txt! Coz none of them know people's situation!

Posters were giving advice of what to do about the visa situation, dont let it upset you and dont take it personally .

  

[Promula]

28 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Clumsy backpedaling and outrageous inconsistency.

 

28 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

What happens next month - No one believes Amnesty will not be extended. How many people will get caught out for no other reason than the belief that Thailand will go back on their statements as they did last time

 

 

 

 

They're being quite crafty. Come November when they don't extend again they'll clean up on fines.

[Promula]

12 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

60 day extensions require 500,000 baht (or equivalent) in the bank for 6 months. This seems a very good move as it will ensure only gentlemen of leisure rather than down-and-outs will be allowed to stay.

In a Thai bank? Seems unlikely. Any foreigner with that sort of bank balance history in Thailand already has a longstay visa.

[2 is 1]

5 minutes ago, Pravda said:

I'm 47

 

Do I win over you? 

So what you want win!? Life is not game! Can be funny but not game! Can play games, but not in many i loose.

[BritManToo]

Repeated 60 day extensions for anyone that wants them seems a good idea.

The end of agents and immigration corruption, and an increased income for the government.

 

Almost too good to be true!

A shame they waited until a couple of my pals were extorted for 50k 'Volunteer extensions'.

[edwardandtubs]

2 minutes ago, Promula said:

 

They're being quite crafty. Come November when they don't extend again they'll clean up on fines.

3 month amnesty first, then two months, now one month. Seems no amnesty is the next logical step.

[elliss]

1 hour ago, RandolphGB said:

What happened to the ‘mass arrests’ that the police threatened for anyone still here after 26? Looks like it was a bluff.

 

 Aka ,  big Joke ...

[HashBrownHarry]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Repeated 60 day extensions for anyone that wants them seems a good idea.

The end of agents and immigration corruption, and an increased income for the government.

 

Almost too good to be true!

A shame they waited until a couple of my pals were extorted for 50k 'Volunteer extensions'.

You have pals?