Is Laos part of the e-visa scheme for Thailand?

@Bart *************

The MFA sell visas and control their embassy policies on how to do so. Immigration handle policies for people entering Thailand and how they stay here. Left hand right hand type stuff. If you believe that they actually co-ordinate stuff then you’ve been living under a rock. You just have to see some of the information published on embassy websites about what happens in Thailand. Conversely never believe what an immigration official says about obtaining a visa overseas. It’s not in their remit.

@Stuart ********

yes, the mistakes are blatant. We agree on that. But saying they have nothing to do with each other is equally blatant.

The DTV and accompanying rules and conditions are MFA policy. Immigrations only gets as much interpretation freedom the law permits them. Both departments need to know and provide accurate answers to any immigrations-related DTV matters. Coordination is obviously lacking, but without any of it we wouldn't be able to stay in Thailand. Of course they coordinate things.

@Bart *************

This is why we will have to wait and see what requirements would be for an extension to be obtained in Thailand. MFA created the visa and the rules how to obtain it, but it’s immigration that will control the rules about how it works when you are actually in Thailand.

If it is the case that they are pissed off with the visa (and I have no clue if that’s true) they may make life very difficult for an in country extension. I’d imagine the BOI and the Thailand Privilege company are boiling about it, but we will have to wait and see what prevails.

@Stuart ********

immigrations does not make the extension rules. They're an executive body. The government makes the rules, and if any department is primarily involved it is the MFA. This is foreign policy. Immigrations' role is limited to interpretation of the rules.

@Kraig *****

definitely got false information lol. We already got confirmation 90 day report is required on DTV.

But contradiction information before being fully known is quite normal for Thailand

@Kraig *****

Well we will have to wait and see how things pan out. I work at immigration and my regional commander has told me different things to what’s in the video, although I do not have full details as yet as to what will be required for extensions. Some of the info is fine but some very questionable so there is no point in promoting stuff that could well be quite inaccurate.

@Kraig *****

that’s Thai bureaucracy for ya. Unless it’s carved in stone not even the people who legislate these things really know. The whole thing is shrouded in contradictories and vagueness.

@Kraig *****

Currently I’m not aware of anyone that knows anything (as in an immigration officer). Certainly nothings been put out there as yet. We are still a couple of months out from anyone being able to apply for an extension and Thailand isn’t known for publishing stuff way in advance.