What should foreign nationals in Thailand do about their tourist visa renewal before the September 26 deadline?

Sep 21, 2020
4 years ago
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
More than 150,000 foreign nationals need to have their tourist visas renewed by Sept 26 or face a charge of overstaying, warned Pol Col Pakpong Sai-ubol, deputy spokesman of the Immigration Bureau.

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TLDR : Answer Summary
Pol Col Pakpong Sai-ubol from the Immigration Bureau has warned over 150,000 foreign nationals in Thailand that they must renew their tourist visas by September 26 to avoid the risk of overstaying charges. Discussions in the comments reflect concerns about the consequences of overstaying, the operational status of tourism in Thailand, and suggestions for easier visa protocols that could accommodate the current circumstances.
Steen **********
Regeringen rapporterede mandag, at landet ikke havde nogen nye coronavirus tilfælde og den samlede forblev på 3.506, med 59 dødsfald. Thailand
Todd *********
yes - still the best country in the world. Makes us wonder why other nations make so many mistakes
Bim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
I think Thailand took a totally different approach to the UK. Seems to have worked for them but now unlocking those borders is key.
Todd *********
For sure... they locked down the border hard and tight. The USA/UK/Brazil/ Mexico etc took opposite approaches and we now see the results overall. And agreed, i felt this in the beginning, once closed - how can you possibly identify a good re-opening point?
Steve ******
Had plenty of notice FFS
Eddie *******
I find it amazing they just dont issue these people visas and collect the money.

As long as they are not breaking any other laws, why not?

But hey. Not my call.
Todd *********
@Ed***
agreed. 90 days visas. Collect the money. It’s remarkable for sure
Eddie *******
@Todd ********
and they can save face and blame covids. Win win.
Fab **********
@Eddie ******
yeah just charge 20k for 3 months, fall it special covid visa and it will sell like magic.
William ********
I doubt if there are enough jails to take all the tourists.
Oliver ********
150,000 foreign tourists have been in Thailand for the last half-year? Where are they all hiding? How can they afford such a long holiday? How do they plan to get by in Thailand without a job or a pension?
Darran *******
Most are working online!
Todd *********
@Oli***
those are only the ones that have not yet converted their visa. The initial numbers was over 400k a couple of months ago. I suppose like anyone, good investments or online work... it’s an absolutely fantastic time for long holiday here!
Oliver *************
Not my Business Thats there Own Personal Circumstances They they Have to Deal With Why Would you Think that They are hiding Worry About helping Someone with Money if Your So Worried about Them ps Can yuo lend me a Tenner please
Oliver *************
Once in Twenty Years i Did it And i Did it For Full Month No Accident Left at Phuket Airport But Stood in the Line with Handful of Thai Baht And Was Told No Problem You Can Pay Now That is What Happened to Me Would not Like to be Doing that Ever Again Though
Michael *******
Send everyone to jail for everything!!!
Richard *****
Monkey house look out🤣
Eric ********
That’s a pity. We just lost our last client....
Todd *********
1. Overstays exceeding 10 years have strong consequences.

2. If caught, u could be deported and receive a free flight home.

3. 89 days - no suspension

4. They discuss reporting for visa renewal is mandatory. This would be useful if renewal of a tourist visa was possible. But alas.

5. 150,000 HUMANS need a this week?! And they just figured this out. It’s on them. Insane
Mark *************************
Takes way more than 500 to bribe an immigration officer. They are not low rank cops.
Todd *********
@Mark ********
i will have to defer to your experience here - i have no idea.... how much do you normally pay?
Mark *************************
@Todd ********
not goin to answer a suicidal question. But i would love to see poeple pay 500 baht to immigration officers that comes to your reported house for a check.
Todd *********
@Mark ********
something to look forward to! At least they won't be busy at the offices anymore, so house calls would be nice. Maybe they could bring renewal stamps with them and we won't have to make the trip to immigration?
Mark *************************
@Todd ********
all you will be getting is a dick stamp up your arse if you are not sorted. I know you are, but some are not.
Todd *********
@Mark ********
no need to worry at all. The world will carry on normally. If not sorted, overstay it is. Life goes on :)
Mark *************************
@Todd ********
and pray you dont get caught. Im not worried about a lil prison time and deportation, in worried that Ill never get back im for a long time because fiance is here and she cant go to my country either.
Todd *********
@Mark ********
you find yourself in the incredibly complex situation COVID has created and nationalistic enthusiasm is perpetuating. Until global borders are open again, all nations should be extending long term visas to people within their respective nations until such time as situations such as yours can be effectively resolved.
Mark *************************
@Todd ********
hopefully they open borders soon. Ive got a year or so.
Kool *******
@Todd ********
, actually on item number 2, you stay in immigration detention until you can pay for your deportation flight yourself. It is not a free flight home. And they failed to mention in the article that if you are caught overstaying, and not at the airport for your flight, it is automatic jail, deportation, and a one year ban from reentry minimum. It goes up the longer the overstay.
Todd *********
@Ko**
that was in the days before repatriation flights. Lotsa countries happy to help their citizens out.

If your are caught?? Like random checks on the beach and you don’t have 500 baht in your pocket? Ok
Greg ********
@Todd ********
Lots of countries pay for repatriation flights. You gave me my laugh of the day
Todd *********
@Greg *******
not a word about countries paying for flights. Literacy matters.
Kool *******
@Todd ********
, It doesn't matter what your home embassy might do, Thai immigration does not pay for your flight, you do. Immigration in a few weeks will start doing what they were doing before this virus was even a thought. They were going around to most long stay appartments and condos catering to foreigners checking passport copies at the offices, and then checking the person themself if the date was overstay. This is how they caught most long overstayers in Bangkok, and they were not taking bribes.
Todd *********
@Ko**
for sure not. Moratorium on bribes!! No amount of money can save you! I wonder if everyone should check out of long stay hotels in Bangkok and go enjoy the beaches south until bribes are permitted again?
Kool *******
@Todd ********
, the police take bribes, usually, but immigration agents don't...lolol. their job pays much more than the police, that must suppliment their income to survive raising a family.
Todd *********
@Kool ******
you are saying here that immigration agents don’t take bribes 😂 😂- have u heard of visa agencies in Thailand?
Eddie *******
@Kool ******
ha ha ha. Yeah. Ok.
Poompui ************
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