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What is the latest about the U.S. Embassy's stance on digital COVID extension letters for Thai Immigration?

U.S. EmbassyThai ImmigrationCOVID-19Visa ExtensionsDigital DocumentationImmigration Policies
Sep 10, 2020
5 years ago
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Another update... U.S. Embassy getting a bit pissed now at Thai Immigration? They confirmed from 3 different supervisors now that the Thai government has already agreed to accept digital printout/email for COVID extension letters and to push the issue if they refuse 🤷🏻‍♂️🥴
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The U.S. Embassy has expressed frustration with Thai Immigration regarding the acceptance of digital COVID extension letters, with confirmation from multiple supervisors that the Thai government agreed to accept such documents. However, experiences shared by users indicate significant variability in acceptance at different immigration offices, with Bangkok reportedly being more flexible than provincial offices. Some commenters reported challenges in contacting the U.S. Embassy and difficulties in having their documents accepted by Thai officials. The conversation touches on concerns over the security of digital letters and the original documentation requirement.
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Mark ***********
I understand why the Thai government is nervous. I can alter that letter to include anyone's name and passport information in minutes, even on a tablet, and so could most people if they wanted.
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
they are decades behind Infosec... even Photoshopping the confirmation email is very easy, the point is that the letter shouldn't be required anyways, it is a pointless hurdle just to frustrate people IMO
5 years ago
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Mark ***********
@Je***
, interesting. But I guess it puts the embassy in the loop and gives them some responsibility? Unless forgeries, of course...
5 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Bobby ********
@Mark **********
. I think this is what they are wising up to. Immigration has every right to demand original copies of letters.
5 years ago
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Mark ***********
@Bo***
, yes, but, what is an "original" copy of an electronic document? That is why they wanted to see my email to the embassy.

Weird thing is, they only asked for a "screen shot" printed out, which could just as easily be forged. I did them one better and gave them my phone so they could forward the email to themselves and print it out.
5 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Brian **********
Digital print out of new zelands letter just converted to an extension at muang Thani. A print should be fine. Appeal if they reject since it's allowed
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Brian *********
. It's only allowed if the immigration office accepts it. People forget it's Thai immigration that make the rules, not the embassies. An embassy cannot compel an immigration office to accept any letter
5 years ago
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Brian **********
@Bobby *******
 the appeals process is with immigration. You appeal directly with them. There are reports of individual immigration officers changing their opinion once it was appealed to their boss
5 years ago
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Brian **********
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Channel **********
Thai immigration listening to the American Embassy lol.

Now chance of the sick buffalo feeling better. 🙈
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Channel *********
. I have a chuckle over this too. Some people give the impression that the US embassy can read the riot act to Thai immigration! 🤣🤣🤣
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Huafeng ******
Nice pushing!
5 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
Bangkok is accepting them. It's the provincial offices that are making it hard. Perhaps trying to force people to pay an agency?
5 years ago
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Dominic ****
@MarGuyvin **
 trying to profit from covid. What else would you expect?
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yep I think so, either they're totally clueless about BKK policy (doubtful) or lazy + only willing to help agency cases... I should start video them next time
5 years ago
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Channel **********
@Jesse ********
 ...strange way to ask for a 5 year prison sentence 🤔
5 years ago
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Channel **********
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Bim *******
Yes they tried that with me. Print it off in colour.
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Udon Thani... they used to be really helpful but grumpy and lazy the past few times I've been... idk what happened
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I didn't say anything about emails or anything just handed a beautiful color print to him and he sneared and walked away and said he wants the original idk maybe it wasn't thick enough lol
5 years ago
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Steve **********
@Jesse ********
 been there. thick is getting thicker
5 years ago
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Jeff ******
@Jesse ********
 should have attached a beautiful coloured £1000 bhat lol 😂
5 years ago
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Jeff ******
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Jeff ******
print it off on normal paper take it to copy shop put on thicker paper put in envelope hand over the thin one show them the thicker !!
5 years ago
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Bim *******
@Jeff *****
 yes. I went to explain about the email and my wife kicked me and told me shut up. Haha she dealt with it
5 years ago
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Bim *******
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Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I did it they refused it, wouldn't even look at it just walked away from me
5 years ago
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Brian **********
@Jesse ********
 what office refused ?
5 years ago
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Bim *******
@Jesse ********
 I just told them it was original. Lie. It works seriously. I had one in colour and the rest in black and white
5 years ago
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Bim *******
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Steve **********
Called them as well as Consul in CM more times than can count.

Their text and email accounts are shut down blaming Covid

They flag all correspondence as "Cannot Accept " due to Covid.

Should have called Woodward, eh.
5 years ago
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John-Paul ******
@Steve *********
 rubbish... emails are not shut down... just swamped
5 years ago
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Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Pretty sure it's the entrenched career foreign service staff who are the lazy bastards, always been that way but slightly better lately for some reason maybe fire breathing from Trump... got my letter from BKK Embassy in 1 business day
5 years ago
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Steve **********
@Jesse ********
 you reached a NEW member of the staff...congrats
5 years ago
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Steve **********
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Steve **********
HOW ?

Have been trying to contact either Consulate in Chiangmai or Embassy in Bkk for 6 weeks .

Dozens of phone calls

Dozens of Emails

Dozens of texts

Stood on front of Consulate asking to speak to anyone. Thais said "go away."

If an American can not reach his State Dept. How can Immigration ??
5 years ago
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Rich ********
Last Thursday for today
5 years ago
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Steve **********
@Rich *******
 Thanks. Am heading down to Bkk.
5 years ago
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Steve **********
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Rich ********
@Steve *********
 ? I had no problem scheduling an appointment with the embassy and going there today.. not for an extension letter.
5 years ago
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Steve **********
@Rich *******
 your appt from website Rich. I have been getting site flagged with for emergency only, even then no response to my texts, emails or on their site with a red apostrophe reading "not recieved".

How long ago did you make appt if I may ask.?
5 years ago
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Steve **********
Sorry Rich. My problem is with Consulate in Chiang Mai.

Am getting ready to fly to Bkk as my passport is expiring and the mail system right now is iffy.
5 years ago
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Steve **********
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Marguyvin **********
The link to request a letter is embedded a few layers down in the U.S. Embassy website under Entry/Exit requirements, but it is there. Here's a direct link. You should get a response back same day.

************************************************************************************************************************************
5 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Bobby ********
Ultimately it's up to Thai immigration what they accept. The US Embassy cannot overrule them
5 years ago
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Todd *********
bobby, let's not get crazy. Thailand is at the mercy of the other embassies. And many thousands of thai citizens abroad also. Immigration job is to take the letter and stamp the 30 day extension. Full stop. f they continue to fail - they will be instructed
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Todd ********
. Immigration make their own rules.
5 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bo***
 until they get told 🙂
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Todd ********
. 🤣🤣🤣
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Henderikus *****
@Bobby *******
 correct. Thai Immigration can decide what they accept.
5 years ago
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Todd *********
@Rieks ****
 they cannot. As their orders come from far higher
5 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Rieks ****
. Which often changes day by day! It's the fun of being in a lottery!
5 years ago
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Henderikus *****
@Bobby *******
 maybe so, but can they trust anything from US Embassy ?
5 years ago
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Henderikus *****
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Wojciech ***********
5 years ago
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Bim *******
@Wojciech **********
 it's getting even more strange.
5 years ago
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Bim *******
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