Extension Of 15 Days Exempt?

[eek]

Looking for some urgent advice for a friend please.

A friend recently moved from Burma to Thailand (she is Australian) and at present only has 15 days visa exempt from another short visa run, as she planned to go back to Mandalay in a couple of weeks to sort more things out.

She has signed up for a course at the University which comes under the Ed Visa, but will have to wait for the Ed Visa to be processed.

In the meantime she just found out some worrying news. A lump on her face has been found to be Cancerous. She had the test done here and the area has been lasered. She has been told that she has to wait two or three weeks to be retested.

Is there anyway she can extend her stay at Immigration to save her having to travel again before the next test and before the Ed Visa is processed? She doesnt feel up to traveling and sorting things out at this time and would prefer to have more time.

Any advice guys please?

Thank you so much.

[lopburi3]

Immigration can extend for medical reasons - I have my doubts that an outpatient procedure of this type will be accepted but she can try.

[phetaroi]

Where did she have it done? I understand that some of the major hospitals will make visa arrangements for patients, although as another poster indicated, that may be iffy if it was outpatient.

[Mario2008]

Agree. The big hospitals have liaisons with immigration and might be able to take care of it for her is she is a patient there. But strictly speaking it is not a medical emergency. She can try, but there is no guarantee.

[eek]

Ram Hospital in Chiang Mai. So might be worth asking her Doctor then.

I realised it may be a long shot. Just would be better if she can stay and relax here with friends as she isnt feeling good with all this at the moment, rather than have to do yet another border run.

[thaiphoon]

A long shot I would agree. Here is the rule:

Police Order 777/2551

2.25 In the case of medical treatment or convalescence or to look after a patient:

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 90 days at a time.

(1) Confirmation and request has been made by a physician responsible for the treatment. The Physician must describe the details of treatment and advised that the illness is a barrier for travelling.

(2) In the case of looking after a patient, confirmation and request has been made by the physician responsible for the treatment or by an embassy or consulate.

(3) Patient Carer, except parents, spouse, children, adopted children or children of spouse, shall be granted no more than 1 extra person.

[eek]

Thanks for the advice all. She just told me that she is able to get a 10 day extension. After that she will fly out and back in to get 30 days (apparently if applying for the ed visa to Bangkok they need a min of 21 days remaining in your passport).

Grateful for such fast responses. Thank you all so much.