In a widely expected move, the Thai Immigration Bureau has announced that foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand due to the COVID-19 situation can remain in the country until at least late September.

 

The deadline for people to apply for a so-called COVID extension has now been extended to July 29.

 

The extension costs 1,900 baht and is valid for 60 days from the day a person's current permit to stay ends or from the date of application.

 

This means that those applying for the extension could potentially stay in Thailand until the end of September.

 

Extensions are granted based on the applicant being unable to return home due to COVID-19, the lack of flights to their home country or that the applicant has a letter from their embassy requesting permission to remain in Thailand. 

 

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Are there people stranded after more than 1 year? 

2 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Are there people stranded after more than 1 year? 

About the same number as those bleating from afar that they can't get back.

SWEET!!!!!!!   Actually I don't need this right now........but I LOVE having an easy Plan B.

 

gotta say, Thailand has, in some ways, treated the falang OK.

 

the falang, on the other hand, enjoys complaining about everything.......which can be fun.

 

Thailand.....the falangs here during all of COVID should be made permanent residents!!!!  We have been the best falangs possible.  I haven't been closer than 2 meters to another person in a year.  I would never!!!!  Triple masks when I sleep.  

If I was in Thailand right now I"d considering getting out because I'd be worried about the health care system potentially crashing.  Luckily I"m usually wrong and hope so in this case.  

Maybe this is a money maker, 1900 baht every 60 days. Plus they are here spending, so it is better than nothing in the absence of tourists.

Good, I think the extension will keep going because these people are spending money without jobs.

27 minutes ago, mackayae said:

Maybe this is a money maker, 1900 baht every 60 days. Plus they are here spending, so it is better than nothing in the absence of tourists.

 

I think that's the best way to look at it.

Excellent.... 

 

But why oh why couldn’t Immigration have made this simple decision 12 months ago and removed a significant degree of hassle and stress.

 

 

 

Seems like the government is enabling those who game the system. 

3 hours ago, Trujillo said:

Seems like the government is enabling those who game the system. 

 

If they keep extending they can say they are doing something for tourism. If they stop they get negative headlines and complaints. At this stage it is easier for them to keep it going. There probably aren't that many people using this avenue and they have bigger problems.

Compare and contrast with Vietnam - never mind the short term guys, they're even kicking out their long term expats, those who've been staying on extended tourist/faux business visas (Vietnam has no retirement visa, so Hobson's choice for retirees). Two weeks to sort out your affairs and out you go; a bit harsh, methinks, especially for those wiith limited funds or heavy committments. Yeah, I know, they're just strictly enforcing immigration laws that've been laxly applied; still, crappy timing, given the covid restrictions on travel.

Seems at least  a month too short to me - If airlines like BA don't get up and running and more mass flights dont start to be planned by airlines until October, then leaving end September seems nonsense

"Stranded"

 

 

This so much BS , not so much on the government's side but there is no way anyone couldn't have gotten out of Thailand by now. These "foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand" are milking the system and not meeting the requirements , like ins. and 800k baht in the bank.  The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees. When will the Thai gov't understand that? I guess when we leave.

3 hours ago, nausea said:

Compare and contrast with Vietnam - never mind the short term guys, they're even kicking out their long term expats, those who've been staying on extended tourist/faux business visas (Vietnam has no retirement visa, so Hobson's choice for retirees). Two weeks to sort out your affairs and out you go; a bit harsh, methinks, especially for those wiith limited funds or heavy committments. Yeah, I know, they're just strictly enforcing immigration laws that've been laxly applied; still, crappy timing, given the covid restrictions on travel.

 As far as I know they just  extended the free visa in Vietnam again  yesterday.

How are they stranded ?

2 minutes ago, 10baht said:

This so much BS , not so much on the government's side but there is no way anyone couldn't have gotten out of Thailand by now. These "foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand" are milking the system and not meeting the requirements , like ins. and 800k baht in the bank.  The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees. When will the Thai gov't understand that? I guess when we leave.

Ahhh it s great  watching  guys like your self get upset at the thought of anyone other than yourself being able to stay here... Beach time  ,another great day in Thailand.  ????

6 hours ago, nemo38 said:

 

If they keep extending they can say they are doing something for tourism. If they stop they get negative headlines and complaints. At this stage it is easier for them to keep it going. There probably aren't that many people using this avenue and they have bigger problems.

Not sure what immigration wants to < say >. One thing is for sure many businesses must be grateful for the wise decision to make a avenue for foreigners to remain in Thailand when the borders are closed .

The number of applicants I am sure have reduced over the last 15 months .

You mention that Thailand has bigger problems , I can not imagine that the situation of the 60 day extensions has been a problem.  

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Excellent.... 

 

But why oh why couldn’t Immigration have made this simple decision 12 months ago and removed a significant degree of hassle and stress.

 

 

 

1900 x Z announcements 

13 minutes ago, 10baht said:

This so much BS , not so much on the government's side but there is no way anyone couldn't have gotten out of Thailand by now. These "foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand" are milking the system and not meeting the requirements , like ins. and 800k baht in the bank.  The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees. When will the Thai gov't understand that? I guess when we leave.

Nothing stead fast in the Thai 12 month extensions that you mention . Why do you become hostile because others are getting a better deal than you? I use the word  hostile when you use BS to describe the Thai governments decision on the 60 day extensions.

 

14 minutes ago, 10baht said:

This so much BS , not so much on the government's side but there is no way anyone couldn't have gotten out of Thailand by now. These "foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand" are milking the system and not meeting the requirements , like ins. and 800k baht in the bank.  The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees. When will the Thai gov't understand that? I guess when we leave.

 

try educating yourself before making generalised insulting  accusations. 

 

e.g. Australia has had severe restrictions on repatriation flights capacity and quarantine facilities upon arrival. There are still tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas, including those in financial difficulties.

11 hours ago, Trujillo said:

Seems like the government is enabling those who game the system. 

How is this gaming the system?  If you have 100 million in the bank, but go to Thailand and complain over 1000 baht....are you also gaming the system?  

 

anyone giving money to Thailand right now is not gaming anything....these people are poor, need money.......go anywhere and open your eyes.  stores closed.   people struggling.    50,000 a month by a falang is better than kicking them out......

 

expats are enabled with their sexpat stuff.  enabled to drink.  enabled to be lazy.  enabled to do nothing.  lol  

2 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

How is this gaming the system?  If you have 100 million in the bank, but go to Thailand and complain over 1000 baht....are you also gaming the system?  

 

anyone giving money to Thailand right now is not gaming anything....these people are poor, need money.......go anywhere and open your eyes.  stores closed.   people struggling.    50,000 a month by a falang is better than kicking them out......

 

expats are enabled with their sexpat stuff.  enabled to drink.  enabled to be lazy.  enabled to do nothing.  lol  

Speak for your self when it comes to your idea of what a expat is.  Some may fit your way of thinking . But not all. 

27 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

How are they stranded ?

stranded on the beach

30 minutes ago, 10baht said:

This so much BS , not so much on the government's side but there is no way anyone couldn't have gotten out of Thailand by now. These "foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand" are milking the system and not meeting the requirements , like ins. and 800k baht in the bank.  The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees. When will the Thai gov't understand that? I guess when we leave.

 

Why does this upset you so much?

Is this what they mean by "misery loves company"? Where because you had to suffer that you want everyone else to suffer?

As long as they are doing no harm to anyone, why should they not enjoy their stay here?

Can the steadfast retiree not coexist with the accidental tourist?

42 minutes ago, 10baht said:

This so much BS , not so much on the government's side but there is no way anyone couldn't have gotten out of Thailand by now. These "foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand" are milking the system and not meeting the requirements , like ins. and 800k baht in the bank.  The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees. When will the Thai gov't understand that? I guess when we leave.

With no due respect, I think the BS is in your statement "The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees." 
Retirees are not the only real contributors. Many like myself, are not of retirement age, yet we are married and have a Thai wife and kids whom we support through our income from working.
Building a house, buying a car etc. contributes to the economy and to the livelihoods of THAI people. Just because you've reached the point where you're old enough to retire and have decided to make your home here, doesn't make you special.

Troll post reported and removed.

 

3 minutes ago, Lopchan said:

With no due respect, I think the BS is in your statement "The real contributors to Thailand are the stead fast retirees." 
Retirees are not the only real contributors. Many like myself, are not of retirement age, yet we are married and have a Thai wife and kids whom we support through our income from working.
Building a house, buying a car etc. contributes to the economy and to the livelihoods of THAI people. Just because you've reached the point where you're old enough to retire and have decided to make your home here, doesn't make you special.

My apologies to those like you, who are not what I am talking about ... unless you claim to be "stranded" or have a 2nd family back home. ????

23 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

accidental tourist?

555