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What are the updated options for expats in Thailand regarding flight cancellations and overstay fines?
visa rulesThailand immigrationoverstay fineflight cancellationsextension of stayThai embassyTM7 formCOVID-19 related policiesPhuket immigrationexpat adviceexpat life in Thailand
Mar 3, 2026
2 months ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:
UPDATE ON FLIGHT CANCELLATION/OVERSTAY POLICY
It would appear that Immigrations came out with TWO options people can follow concerning flight cancellations/overstay
Option 1 - If you want to reschedule your flight and exit thailand,
You reschedule your flight, show up at the airport, show proof your flight was cancelled and it appears passport control will waive the overstay fine and let you stamp out to leave.
Option 2 - IF you want to get an in country "extension of stay" based on flight cancellation at the immigration office serving the area where you stay.
In order to do this option you have to get a letter from your embassy requesting an extension because this 30 day extension is based on the embassy request clause 2.8
You take the embassy letter, filled out TM7 (application for extension), proof your flight was cancelled and go to the immigration office
If you have an overstay from this situation you WILL BE CHARGED for it at 500baht a day, but once you clear the overstay fine you can apply for the 30 day 'embassy request' extension for 1900baht
At this time it would appear the only option for an in country extension that immigrations is allowing is via the embassy request clause ( clause 2.8 )
UPDATE ON FLIGHT CANCELLATION/OVERSTAY POLICY
It would appear that Immigrations came out with TWO options people can follow concerning flight cancellations/overstay
Option 1 - If you want to reschedule your flight and exit thailand,
You reschedule your flight, show up at the airport, show proof your flight was cancelled and it appears passport control will waive the overstay fine and let you stamp out to leave.
Option 2 - IF you want to get an in country "extension of stay" based on flight cancellation at the immigration office serving the area where you stay.
In order to do this option you have to get a letter from your embassy requesting an extension because this 30 day extension is based on the embassy request clause 2.8
You take the embassy letter, filled out TM7 (application for extension), proof your flight was cancelled and go to the immigration office
If you have an overstay from this situation you WILL BE CHARGED for it at 500baht a day, but once you clear the overstay fine you can apply for the 30 day 'embassy request' extension for 1900baht
At this time it would appear the only option for an in country extension that immigrations is allowing is via the embassy request clause ( clause 2.8 )
TLDR : Answer Summary
Immigration in Thailand has provided two options for those affected by flight cancellations and potential overstays: (1) travelers can reschedule their flights, present proof of cancellation at the airport, and exit without being charged an overstay fine. (2) Alternatively, they may apply for a 30-day extension of stay at their local immigration office by obtaining a letter from their embassy due to flight cancellation. If unable to obtain the embassy letter, immigration may still process an extension under 'statement of necessity' conditions. However, an overstay incurred will result in a daily fine, and the standard 30-day tourist extension is not currently available for those who've already received an extension.
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Orçun ***********
My family’s Qatar Airways flight from Bangkok to Istanbul via Doha on March 8 was cancelled.
Today we went to Chiang Mai Immigration Office to request a 30-day extension. They had already stayed 90 days, so normally they would not be eligible for another extension. Their current permission expires on March 12.
At first, the officers asked for an embassy letter. I explained that there is no Turkish consulate in Chiang Mai, and that they would need to travel to Bangkok. I also told them that because the main flight was cancelled, we had already lost the separately purchased Chiang Mai–Bangkok tickets, and that traveling to Bangkok again just to obtain a letter would be both costly and difficult for them, especially since they are 70 and 71 years old. (The Turkish consulate also refused to send the document as a PDF.)
In the end, they were very understanding and helpful. We bought a new Bangkok–Istanbul direct flight for April 7, extended the accommodation for one more month, and obtained a new TM30 registration.
They told us to come back tomorrow morning without waiting in line, and that they would process the extension for us. I will update tomorrow with the outcome.
Today we went to Chiang Mai Immigration Office to request a 30-day extension. They had already stayed 90 days, so normally they would not be eligible for another extension. Their current permission expires on March 12.
At first, the officers asked for an embassy letter. I explained that there is no Turkish consulate in Chiang Mai, and that they would need to travel to Bangkok. I also told them that because the main flight was cancelled, we had already lost the separately purchased Chiang Mai–Bangkok tickets, and that traveling to Bangkok again just to obtain a letter would be both costly and difficult for them, especially since they are 70 and 71 years old. (The Turkish consulate also refused to send the document as a PDF.)
In the end, they were very understanding and helpful. We bought a new Bangkok–Istanbul direct flight for April 7, extended the accommodation for one more month, and obtained a new TM30 registration.
They told us to come back tomorrow morning without waiting in line, and that they would process the extension for us. I will update tomorrow with the outcome.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThis appears to be the form that immigrations is using if you can't get the embassy letter for that 30 day flight cancelled extension
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThat's the pdf of the form and the police order
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449&url=https://mzv.gov.cz/file/*****
51/_2026_03_02_Opatreni_TH.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiY8ebV-4qTAxXRj68BHRuwBAwQFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2DneG9NRC8qP0XdS-5lseXReply to
Tod *********
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERNew update from the Phuket Immigration office (Thanx
IF you have the embassy letter they will give you the 30 day extension on the spot for 1900baht
IF you do not have the embassy letter they have you fill out a declaration of necessity form, apply for the extension for 1900baht, get a 7 day under consideration stamp, then go back in a week to get the extension inked in
@Stuart ********
!!!)IF you have the embassy letter they will give you the 30 day extension on the spot for 1900baht
IF you do not have the embassy letter they have you fill out a declaration of necessity form, apply for the extension for 1900baht, get a 7 day under consideration stamp, then go back in a week to get the extension inked in
Ellie *******
@Jane *******
, Please refer to this post and comments by TodJane ********
@Ellie ******
thank you!Reply to
Jane ********
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Stuart *********
In Phuket if you have already had an extension off a tourist or exempt entry or want an extension of another visa type then if you can get an embassy letter then they’ll give you a 30 day extension. If not they’ll only process a 7 day extension.
That’s the situation as of today. It may change in the future or it may not.
If you haven’t already had your one extension then you can apply for a 30 day extension as normal and no embassy letter would be needed.
That’s the situation as of today. It may change in the future or it may not.
If you haven’t already had your one extension then you can apply for a 30 day extension as normal and no embassy letter would be needed.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERthank you for that update, PEOPLE keep in mind this is the Phuket office only
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Tod *********
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Sam ******
Great information! Goodonya&thx Tod.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rene *****
you are confusing the TM.9 with the STM.9 🙁 They are completely different forms
BUT
you can just get the correct ones at the immigration office when you go apply. they hand them to you 🙂
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER**************************************************
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Tod *********
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Thomas ********
@Tod ********
I haven't had an extension so far, so I don't need a certificate from the embassy, right?Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thomas *******
well if you haven't had the one 30 day extension you can get from a 60 day free stamp/tourist visa entry you would just apply for that BUT
know if your current stamp is expired you will be obligated to pay overstay at 500baht a day and then get the 30 day extension (which will start from the date your current stamp runs out)
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Tod *********
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Michael *************
Why not a "normal" 30-day extension?
Seems to be less hassle and fewer documents necessary.
Seems to be less hassle and fewer documents necessary.
Brandon ************
@Michael ************
Because they would have to change the laws to allow for a 2nd tourism extension. The laws already exist for the embassy request extension.Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael ************
well if the person hadn't taken their one 30 day extension they're allowed based on tourism (entering visa exempt/tourist visa entry) they could 🙂John ********
@Tod ********
I've got 2 guys applying on the forthcoming Tuesday. No previous extensions. Likely they'll stay only a few days more but "follow the rules"Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
Or they could just show up at the airport with proof they had their flights cancelled and their overstay fines would be waived when they stamp outJohn ********
@Tod ********
thanks Tod, I did suggest that, not being frequent travellers to Thailand they're a bit apprehensive. I will chat to them again about that being the better option. The other difficulty, Emirates (carrier) have not contacted them to date, I'm hearing similar stories from other people about the same issue.Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
ahh so at this time they don't have flight out yet, well that would rule out the show up at the airport and leave scenerio I'd say send them to the immigration office as soon as they can go to get the 30 day "regular extension" they're allowed then.
John ********
@Tod ********
yes, I'm sure they will get some form of notification soon but see how that pans out over the weekendReply to
John ********
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Marianne ********
@Michael ************
not everyone is eligible for one.Reply to
Marianne ********
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIn reading the various news articles it appears that IF people want to get that 30 day "embassy request" extension but their embassy either doesn't issue it or is unwilling to issue one there is an option as well:
𝗜𝗳 𝗼𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮 "𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆" 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
This leads me to believe you need to at least TRY to get the embassy letter if you're going to go for the 30 day in country extension..
They did confirm that if you had a departure date from Feb 28th on, had a flight out cancelled, show up with another flight out, you will not be charged overstay fines when you stamp out
𝗜𝗳 𝗼𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮 "𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆" 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
This leads me to believe you need to at least TRY to get the embassy letter if you're going to go for the 30 day in country extension..
They did confirm that if you had a departure date from Feb 28th on, had a flight out cancelled, show up with another flight out, you will not be charged overstay fines when you stamp out
Curt ********
Thanks for the info!
Michael ******
Thanks Tod. It seems enormously arduous for something that’s not the fault of the overstayer…..and is beyond their control.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *****
people can get OUT of thailand, that's not the issue, maybe not back to their country on their flight, but there is no issue getting OUT of thailand. can't really fault the thaiz on this one
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Tod *********
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Dca *****
Thank You Tod for providing more clarity to the latest updates!
is it realistic that a Foreign Embassy/Consulate in Thailand would provide a Certification because of airline flight cancellations and there are still alternative airline flights except for the countries where airspace is closed or airline flights halted by their respective government Civil Aviation Authority (i.e. Iran, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, etc.)??
is it realistic that a Foreign Embassy/Consulate in Thailand would provide a Certification because of airline flight cancellations and there are still alternative airline flights except for the countries where airspace is closed or airline flights halted by their respective government Civil Aviation Authority (i.e. Iran, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, etc.)??
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTERYep that 30 day embassy request extension sure seems problematic.
Wannikea *********
@Dca ****
I can only imagine the embassy option It's going to be a complete cluster fluck for most.Barry ******
For those who's passport is in the affected regions sure.
Europeans have the option to fly around using a carrier which uses the Russian airspace or flies through the north pole (Cathay Pacific via hong Kong).
They can show proof that their flight was cancelled and that they have a new flight using option 1.
Europeans have the option to fly around using a carrier which uses the Russian airspace or flies through the north pole (Cathay Pacific via hong Kong).
They can show proof that their flight was cancelled and that they have a new flight using option 1.
Stephen ********
Barry Teoh Yes, I saw someone in the opposite situation; he'd gone back for his brother's wedding and his flight back to Thailand was cancelled, so he's returning the long way round.
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Stephen ********
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Brandon ************
@Dca ****
My guess is 90% of embassies would not, but a few might. The bigger issue is if they'll offer to do this over e-mail, or require an appointment. Many embassies book out appointments weeks ahead.Reply to
Brandon ************
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