Here's a query for experienced visa experts only

[bigginhill]

On 5/16/2021 at 10:41 AM, Tapster said:

@ubonjoe

 

Thank you.

 

In short, you think they should cut their losses and leave the country?

 

But, the son cannot fly. What can they do about that? The posts here about taking a camel back to Blighty are funny but not helpful.

 

Even if they left the country, they could not re-enter because of being blacklisted.

 

They have nowhere to live in the UK, and the son can't fly out of Thailand. I think that's enough to make them stay here; at least the immigration boss has said they can leave whenever they like. They just have to keep their heads down and their noses clean.

 

Is there nothing else they can do? Is there no appeal to a higher immigration authority?

 The word or the immigration boss I presume is not in writing (just as the words of the officer before him) i would not take that as being able to stay around indefinitively without being proactive to resolve the issue. 

The longer this goes on without addressing a solution the worse it gets and the bigger the risks. 

There is an emergency embassy number, i would try that, also an agent, basically anyone who will listen.  Charities? And keep a record of all that has been attempted to resolve it. Good luck

[Eff1n2ret]

I knew a similar case a few years ago, a pal who had a massive stroke which left him paralysed in bed with a scary hole in his head. His wife forgot about renewing his extension for several months, and then sought advice about what to do. My advice was do nothing, because there's no way he could be deported. However, she was persuaded otherwise by a Thai friend, and together they went to (Rayong) Immigration. The officers took one look at the photos of the poor sod and told her to go away and not come back. There appears to be no discretion in their rules so they took the only pragmatic course. He died a couple of years later.

Phuket Immigration seem to have taken a similar view, and the best thing might be to not make a fuss, do nothing because they aren't going to do anything. If the lad recovers from his injuries to the extent that he gets out and about and comes to their notice, it might be a different story.

[OJAS]

1 hour ago, Eff1n2ret said:

I knew a similar case a few years ago, a pal who had a massive stroke which left him paralysed in bed with a scary hole in his head. His wife forgot about renewing his extension for several months, and then sought advice about what to do. My advice was do nothing, because there's no way he could be deported. However, she was persuaded otherwise by a Thai friend, and together they went to (Rayong) Immigration. The officers took one look at the photos of the poor sod and told her to go away and not come back. There appears to be no discretion in their rules so they took the only pragmatic course. He died a couple of years later.

Phuket Immigration seem to have taken a similar view, and the best thing might be to not make a fuss, do nothing because they aren't going to do anything. If the lad recovers from his injuries to the extent that he gets out and about and comes to their notice, it might be a different story.

 

I just wonder, though, whether the powers-that-be would adopt a similarly sympathetic attitude towards the father, despite the reassuring words attributed to the Phuket IO Lieutenant-General in the OP. His current immigration status also appears to be in doubt, and IMHO he really does need to get this regularised as necessary as a top priority, to the extent that this may still now be possible without a ban (or maybe through the services of an agent if it is not?).

[pontious]

At least 2 posts have disappeared - anyone know why.??

Edited May 18, 2021 by pontious

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, pontious said:

At least 2 posts have disappeared - anyone know why.??

There have been 2 off topic nonsensical posts meant to deflect the topic removed.

[Almer]

On 5/15/2021 at 8:53 AM, sandyf said:

It is not a renewal, that requires copies of every page of the previous passport, a lot more questions to be addressed for a replacement. You are also making the assumption the application was made straight away.

I have never heard of anyone trying to get a replacement passport issued here so the time factor is a bit of an unknown but I would doubt any less than 3 months. You should also bear in mind it was over Christmas during a pandemic.

I renewed my passport in 2014 and after 10 weeks had to get the embassy to intervene, delays happen.

 

Key visa, 9 days start to finish

[pontious]

@Tapster Any progress yet.?

[DerbyDan]

does not the overstay fine at the airport cap out at 20k baht?

 

small price to pay when/if they ever choose to leave.

 

ask the colonel for a special case letter or his phone number in case the son or man is ever stopped so they don't get arrested. you will also need it when leaving the country. they won't let you leave with no visa ir stamp even if you pay the max fine.

 

i think they are ok with a signed letter and phone contact from colonel sanders.

 

be real nice and request he/she stamp it if possible, otherwise if they retire or pass your in a world of hurt.

Edited May 20, 2021 by DerbyDan

[DerbyDan]

if colonel sanders refuses to put anything in writing, you need to goto another immigration office, like in bangkok, and pass it by another head chicken.

 

not doing a letter when you don't have a visa sticker is off base (make sure they asked him personally, not through an inferior). you could be put in the idc if caught, and would cause a huge problem at the airport probably causing you to miss your flight.

 

if the other office passes the buck back. get a lawyer.

 

you can't force the issue by trying to fly out, etc. if the son needs to remain in thailand and can't fly. you don't want to get stuck out of country if he needs care.

 

you may even try calling airport and seeing if you can talk to immigration. ask them the procedure if you can exit without the visa. don't go in person you may get detained and put your son in danger.

 

if you can't afford a lawyer just take your chances when you fly out. bring letters from hospital, anything you have with you. good luck.

Edited May 20, 2021 by DerbyDan

[Tapster]

 

 

@pontious

 

I have put the sensible suggestions to the father.

 

The Internet world is full of people who make a big fuss about their case, and then get fools to pay for their problems, via 'paymeformymistakes.com'

In this case, the father is a normal bloke who is overcome by his problems with his son. He is not going to beg for help though the media. 

 

The poor man is very depressed by his circumstances and I don't even want to show him all the responses to this thread, because it would make him feel worse.

 

The immigration situation is stable for now. There's nothing in writing to prove that father and son have the right to stay in Thailand, but it seems that they will be left alone. 

 

The two of them are considering their way forward, in the light of the many opinions they have received.

 

 

 

 

[DerbyDan]

On 5/15/2021 at 7:06 AM, Tapster said:

Trouble is, I don't think they have the resources for a specialist lawyer.

 

On 5/16/2021 at 2:41 AM, Tapster said:

 

They have nowhere to live in the UK

 

Those are serious problems. Are they covered for medical care in the UK?

 

If they are broke it sounds like the best option would be to remain in Thailand where medical and living expenses are cheap.

 

Going home without any support system or housing when your short of cash with someone who requires supportive care sounds crazy.