Help for overstayers as cases surge

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Tourism minister to seek reprieve for overstayers

The Tourism Ministry will seek a reprieve for some 500,000 tourists who will end up overstaying their visa now that countries in Europe have started sealing their borders to deal with Covid-19.

"Most of the remaining tourists are long-stay elderly travellers from Germany, Italy and Russia who spend their winters here. They came to Thailand before the virus hit their hometowns and decided not to return home. They fear not receiving sufficient healthcare [upon returning home during such dire circumstances]," said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

European countries have been closing their borders since this weekend and flights have been cancelled, making it impossible for tourists to fly back home, he said.

Mr Phiphat told the Bangkok Post that he is going to discuss the matter with the Interior Ministry and Immigration Bureau, as this problem comes under their jurisdiction.

He plans to seek a temporary reprieve for these tourists as well as visa extensions for those whose countries have been affected. He will also ask the authorities to not have overstayers blacklisted.

By law, tourists from most countries can get a tourist visa for 30 days and are fined 500 baht for every day they overstay. Serious offenders can face deportation or be blacklisted, which bans them from re-entering.

Mr Phiphat said the request is for humanitarian purposes, adding that long-stay guests can also help keep local businesses running during this tough time. However, he admitted this is a "delicate" issue and could lead to future concerns about national security.

As for whether Thailand will impose strict measures to stop foreigners from entering the country, Mr Phiphat said Thailand will not shut borders.

"But we will intensify screening along the borders and boost medical checkups for tourists from neighbouring countries," he said. "Thailand has a good reputation for its healthcare and hospitality services, which gives foreigners more confidence. However, since Thais are worried about the outbreak, we have to carefully screen each incoming guest."

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1881580/tourism-minister-to-seek-reprieve-for-overstayers#cxrecs_s

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From Khaosod English

Thailand Reports 60 New Virus Cases, the Highest Surge to Date

BANGKOK — The health ministry on Thursday said it discovered 60 new cases of the coronavirus infection in the country, the highest jump in number so far.

In a daily news briefing, disease control department director Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said most of the newly infected – 43 of them – were those close to individuals who previously tested positive for the virus, while the other 17 were either travelers from overseas or infected by unknown sources. 

The news came as Thailand inches toward the declaration of “Level 3” pandemic, which could see government enacting more restrictive measures such as travel bans and extensive business closures. 

The total number of confirmed infections now stands at 272 cases.

Suwannachai said the new patients include:

• 12 people who worked at or recently visited Lumpini Boxing Stadium

• 14 people who worked at or recently visited nightlife establishments in Bangkok’s Thonglor, Sukhumvit, and Ramkhamhaeng neighborhoods.

• 12 people close to patients who worked in aviation and shipping industries.

• 5 people who were infected from a religious ceremony.

• 9 people who recently visited Taiwan, France, United Kingdom, India, Italy, Iran, Malaysia, Japan, and Germany.
• 3 people who came in close contact with foreigners
• 1 person who worked in the media
• And 4 other miscellaneous cases.

Suwannachai also said three people are in critical condition, including a Belgian national.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/03/19/thailand-reports-60-new-cases-the-highest-surge-to-date/

[reader]

From Khaosod English

Long Lines Continue at Immigration Despite Extra Venue

BANGKOK — Long lines continued to form at the Immigration Bureau in spite of the agency’s decision to open another venue for extending foreigners’ stay in Thailand for 30 days.

Immigration Bureau spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubonsaid said the new facility is now open at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters in Muang Thong Thani. Yet a large queue is still seen at the new facility even at the same time the government is promoting the measure of social distancing.

“We have opened the new facility in Muang Thong Thani to cope with massive queues at our Chaengwattana office,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “The new office has more space, so social distancing can be fully implemented.”

However, in a photo posted today by well-known blogger and longtime British expat Richard Barrow showed that people are still flocking to the new office to extend their stays.

“We are really hoping that a visa amnesty will be announced today after the weekly cabinet meeting,” he wrote in a caption. “Many other countries have done this already as it’s crazy and dangerous to queue up like this during a pandemic.”

Phakkhaphong said the bureau has done its best to manage the overcrowding problem. He also added that the visa amnesty, as well fine exemption for overstays, are still being discussed in the Cabinet.

“What you have seen is from the early morning, when people would scramble to get their visas extended. I ask visitors to come later on the day to avoid congestion,” Phakkhaphong said. “We also have to wait for the Cabinet to decide on visa amnesty and fine exemptions. What we can do now is to follow the protocols.”

The new facility – located a few kilometers up in the north from the bureau’s main office – is taking applications for 90-day reports, alien’s residing reports, and 30-day tourist visa extensions, the spokesman said. All other matters still have to be processed at the main office.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/03/31/long-lines-continue-at-immigration-despite-extra-venue/

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From The Thaiager

Immigration: Beware online swindlers claiming they can extend your visa

After a wave of complaints, the Immigration Bureau yesterday issued urgent advice to tourists and visitors about extending their visas amid the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis.

While some immigration offices have requested that expats to file their 90 day residence reports reports online to promote social distancing and avoid crowded conditions, officers say fraudsters have been going online on Facebook and other social media platforms telling gullible users there’s no need to go to an immigration office for a visa extension, that it can all be done for you for a fee of 1200 baht.

his is false. You must go in person for a visa extension.

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/immigration-beware-online-swindlers-claiming-they-can-extend-your-visa

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Stranded. Nearly 21,000 Russians struggling to get home

The Russian Ambassador to Thailand claims there are about 20,800 Russian citizens stranded in the Land of Smiles. Ambassador Tomikhin says they’re desperate to get home.

He says that most of them are stuck in Phuket and neighbouring provinces (Phuket is in virtual lockdown with the airport being closed to all passenger flights on April 10). Another 8,000 in and around Pattaya, 5,00 around Bangkok and Hua Hin, 4,400 in and around Koh Samui and another 2,500 scattered around the country, according to Khaosod English.

“We have received some 20,800 requests from people who have found themselves in this situation. Less than half of them are those who have tickets to cancelled flights by third countries’ air companies.”

The Russian embassy stopped receiving requests from Russian nationals on March 30.

According to the Ambassador, there were about 70,000 Russians in Thailand by early March.

“About 40,000 of them were package-tour vacationers who came here by charter flights from various Russian cities. When the situation began to worsen, most of them returned home.”

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/stranded-nearly-21000-russians-struggling-to-get-home

 

[vinapu]

13 hours ago, reader said:

Long Lines Continue at Immigration Despite Extra Venue

 

 

that for sure helps to stop virus spreading 

[reader]

From Khaosod English

More Papers Required for Visa Extensions

BANGKOK — Nine separate documents are now required for foreigners stranded in Thailand to extend their stay for up to 30 days, the immigration said Thursday.

Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon defended the inconvenience on the grounds of “national security.” New requirements include land deeds, rent contracts, and even selfies of foreigners with their accommodations, even as scenes of disarray and massive queues at immigration continue unabated.

“Indeed, we are requiring more documents than usual because there are those who want to exploit the opportunity,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “We are doing our best to provide the best service, but bearing in mind that national security is our utmost priority.”

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/04/02/more-papers-required-for-visa-extensions-due-to-national-security/

 

[Boy69]

20 minutes ago, reader said:

From Khaosod English

More Papers Required for Visa Extensions

BANGKOK — Nine separate documents are now required for foreigners stranded in Thailand to extend their stay for up to 30 days, the immigration said Thursday.

Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon defended the inconvenience on the grounds of “national security.” New requirements include land deeds, rent contracts, and even selfies of foreigners with their accommodations, even as scenes of disarray and massive queues at immigration continue unabated.

“Indeed, we are requiring more documents than usual because there are those who want to exploit the opportunity,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “We are doing our best to provide the best service, but bearing in mind that national security is our utmost priority.”

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/04/02/more-papers-required-for-visa-extensions-due-to-national-security/

 

It's a joke the whole world is in major crisis instead of making the miserable stranded foreigners life easier they are making things more complicated ,further more the long queues at the immigration offices are putting the foreigners in a great risk catching the virus.

 

[anddy]

2 hours ago, reader said:

From Khaosod English

More Papers Required for Visa Extensions

BANGKOK — Nine separate documents are now required for foreigners stranded in Thailand to extend their stay for up to 30 days, the immigration said Thursday.

Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon defended the inconvenience on the grounds of “national security.” New requirements include land deeds, rent contracts, and even selfies of foreigners with their accommodations, even as scenes of disarray and massive queues at immigration continue unabated.

“Indeed, we are requiring more documents than usual because there are those who want to exploit the opportunity,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “We are doing our best to provide the best service, but bearing in mind that national security is our utmost priority.”

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/04/02/more-papers-required-for-visa-extensions-due-to-national-security/

 

this for stranded TOURISTS? House registration and all? A tourist will have no idea such things even exist. And no access to it when staying in hotels. Again, Thai bureaucrats excel at making NO sense whatsoever.

If even stranded tourists need that shit for a mere 30 day extension, what will I need for my 1 YEAR extension coming up at the end of April?????

 

[Guest]

As far as I can see, the biggest threat to Thai national security is the army putting their incompetent people in charge of the country.

 

[Boy69]

6 hours ago, reader said:

Col. Phakkhaphong said. “We are doing our best to provide the best service, but bearing in mind that national security is our utmost priority.”

What the hell is he talking about tourists or terrorists ?

[vinapu]

it looks that having great boys and sex industry  is not enough to make country great

[Boy69]

8 hours ago, vinapu said:

it looks that having great boys and sex industry  is not enough to make country great

You are certainly correct in the past I considered to retire in Thailand but not anymore, having a vacation from time time there is enough.

[reader]

From The Thaiager

Thai Immigration seek visa relief for stranded foreigners

Thailand’s Immigration Chief Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, is seeking cabinet approval for new measures to help foreigners in Thailand affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The proposal will be submitted to the cabinet for approval this week, he said.

Cabinet meets each Tuesday.

The proposals follow a difficult week for foreigners and immigration officials coping with long queues of panicking visitors trying to sort out their visas in a very non-social distancing environment. Long queues and frustrated tourists have been the norm at immigration offices around Thailand is recent weeks.

The measures will focus on three groups of foreigners…

• Foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand but cannot return due to the Covid-19 crisis
• Foreign tourists who are unable to depart Thailand due to the crisis
• Visitors from neighbouring countries who hold a temporary border pass and got stuck in Thailand after the borders were shut

Foreigners in the first group are typically required to return to Thailand within a year of their departure, however since they can not fly at this time, immigration will propose extending their compulsory deadline until after the pandemic subsides.

The extension of the return period would not affect any immigration rights and benefits they usually receive when strictly following the one-year return period requirement though they are advised to return to Thailand as soon as possible after the crisis concludes.

Foreigners who have been unable to leave and have reported to immigration authorities for a 30-day extension after their visas expired on March 26 or thereafter; their visas will be automatically renewed every 30 days until the pandemic subsides.

Under the government’s social distancing policy, these tourists will no longer have to visit the immigration bureau if the policy is adopted, which would eliminate the risk of contracting the virus in a crowd, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said.

This proposed measure, however, does not apply to those foreigners who are working and or have family in Thailand. They will still be required to report to immigration authorities regularly.

Foreigners from neighbouring countries will be allowed to stay in Thailand until the borders are re-opened. They will be required to leave Thailand within seven days after the borders reopen.

Other foreigners who are now in Thailand and affected by the Covid-19 crisis, but aren’t covered in the above three categories are advised to adhere to the usual laws.

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thai-immigration-seek-visa-relief-for-stranded-foreigners

[reader]

From The Thaiager

Migrant workers in Thailand can now stay until November 30

Yesterday the Thai government officially announced a blanket extension for the country’s migrant labourers. They will now be permitted to stay until November 30 this year and will be exempted from any sort of overstay penalty.

Government Spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat says that the government has backed the Ministry of Labour’s review of the Cabinet resolution on March 24 on the period of leniency for migrant labourers and their dependents.

“The migrant labourers can temporarily stay in the Kingdom until November 30.”

“They can use the list of migrant employment requirements issued by the Department of Employment and the current work permit.”

This has become an issue as most borders remain closed off from other countries due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

Most migrant workers come from nearby countries like Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar and many of these workers are employed in the construction and fishing industries which is still mostly functional during the current crisis.

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Thai-Malaysian border set to open this weekend

The Thai-Malaysian border is set to reopen this weekend to assist the struggling rubber trade, causing locals to express concern that a spike in new Covid 19 cases could result in Thailand because of the move. Security officials, however, are assuring the public that intensive screening measures are in place in anticipation of the re-opening.

Commander of the Fourth Army Region, Lt Gen Pornsak said all agencies in the southern border provinces and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre have set up a task force to screen people entering into Thailand in preparation at the checkpoint. Officers anticipate around 800 people per day to cross the border and are ready to keep everyone safe under the “manageable levels”.

 

 

[reader]

From The Thiager

Visa amnesty for foreigners extended to July 30

Thailand’s cabinet has approved a second automatic visa extension for foreigners for three more months. The extended amnesty is a bid to prevent long queues at immigration centres around the country.

Narumon Pinyosinwat, spokeswoman for the Thai government, says they want to stem the spread of the coronavirus and avoid foreigners having to wait in lines and threaten their own health and the health of immigration officials.

“Foreigners whose visas had expired since March 26 will be permitted to stay until July 30 without having to apply for an extension.”

Thailand has has recorded 2,811 coronavirus cases and 48 fatalities. 19 new cases were announced today as the trend in new cases continues to drop.