COVID Visa job change fiasco

[FangFerang]

I was told (and told my employer) I needed to apply for a COVID visa to change jobs a month ago, and they told me that was too early.  Wrong. Went to immigration and they put a two week stamp in my passport stating "Application to stay is under consideration. Applicant must contact again IN PERSON" on July 13.   Nice.  My current job is in Angthong.  My new Job is in Chiang Rai. 

 

I have the rotten feeling I have to go to my new position, get all setup and then return here on July 13, losing work time and paying the expense of flights and ground transport costs.  Then travel back to Chiang Rai and get sorted at the new job.  Do I have any alternatives?