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Why was there confusion about my 60-day tourist visa extension in Thailand?

Thai visa extensionCOVID-19 visa policytourist visaimmigration proceduresThailand expat experiences
August 8, 2021
3 years ago
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'M USED TO SOME BS with any government, but this was puzzling. I went to immigration in June, to extend my tourist visa for 60 more days, and I was early, like maybe six weeks. They said come back in a few weeks for the stamp, which is what I expected.

One guy tried to tell me that, since I was so ahead of schedule, that the visa would be extended 60 from the date I would receive the stamp, about two weeks before it would have expired, and not 60 days from the original visa expiration — through broken English, he made it clear, even using a calendar to show the dates.

Has anyone else heard this nonsense? I went to other officials, and they looked confused with his explanation and just shrugged it off. I returned a few weeks later and they stamped my passport for the correct 60-day extension.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses an expat's experience while attempting to extend their tourist visa in Thailand. They were told by an immigration officer that the extension would be dated from when they received the stamp rather than their current visa expiration date, prompting confusion. Community comments explain that this misunderstanding could have arisen from the officer's limitations in English, highlighting separate policies regarding visa extensions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various insights are shared, clarifying how extensions typically work and the importance of timely applications.
Danny *************
It's normal covid extension procedure.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
Christ what a train wreck of a thread 🙁

Let's sort this out, the O/P has been here EIGHTEEN MONTHS, (they are NOT a new tourist who just entered on a 60 day stamp from a tourist visa) and in order for them to have been here that long they had to take the free amnesty, probably an embassy letter extension and then milk the covid extensions (since they started on Nov 1st 2020) What I'm trying to say is this isn't their first rodeo getting a 60 day covid extension.

This is the way it USUALLY works, if you are getting an extension for the same reason as the stamp you're on (visa exempt/tourist visa entry to a 30 day regular extension OR covid extension to another covid extension) they will ADD the new extension to the expiration date you have in your passport now

BUT

MOST OFFICES if you are getting the extension for a different reason (visa exempt/tourist visa entry or a 30 day regular extension to a covid extension) they will start the extension the day you apply for it and it will NOT be added to your current expiration date (you'll lose the days on your current stamp if you go early).

The O/P had NO need to run to the immigration office and apply for another covid extension 6 weeks early because the covid program was extended to Sept 27th.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@T**
, very useful information, but the callous, ignorant, unwarranted, and frankly WRONG digs on the OP really distract from your otherwise useful message. Basically, you could be helpful to society if you weren't such an a-hole.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Mark **********
 😛 it is what it is, deal with it 😉
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@T**
, I bet you have to tell that to a lot of people, eh? Say, doesn't it get stale, explaining to people that, yes, you are a jerk, and boorish, but not having a clue as to why? Some day, (maybe,) you'll grow up and leave all your childish toys behind.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Tod *********
@Mark **********
 trying to live up to my business card

Believe me it's nothing personal at all, 🙂
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ron *******
like vultures here eager to pounce chill out
3 years ago
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Perm ********
Don't argue, just do and smile. You have no say!
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Perm *******
 FAIL 🙁
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Oor ********
You said " I went to immigration in June, to extend my tourist visa for 60 more days, and I was early, like maybe six weeks. They said come back in a few weeks for the stamp, which is what I expected. " So if you expected this why did you turn up early?
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@O**
, I expected to have to make two visits, and that was not a problem at all. The confusion was all about the expiration date of my latest extension. I went early to give everything plenty of time. Apparently, (and I'm not sure about this,) all foreigners in my position have the same expiry date, (this time on the 26th of the month,) so there would be a large crowd showing up all at once, and I wanted to get ahead of the game.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Kool *******
I don't see what the problem is. You got your extension dated when you wanted it dated, and now your complaining. You came back when the person told you to and everything was taken care of. You're complaining because someone that is not completely fluent in English, and probably couldn't understand what you wanted to do, yet told you exactly what to do, and when to come back, and it worked. So why are you complaining? Because he didn't use the correct words?
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey,
@Ko**
! Yeah, you're right, you really don't understand. I was not complaining, but trying to understand the procedure better, which I do now, thanks to people on this post who are actually in touch with reality.
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Mark **********
 sounded like a complaint after it was all completed. You never asked anyone what to do before you got your current stamp. That is complaining
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
, huh? I should have "asked people what to do before [I] got [my] current stamp?" Wow, I can't even start to make sense of any of that. Tell me, why are you complaining so much about my post?
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Rogerio ******
Some of the comments here seem to be commenting on generalities.

I've done the 60 day covid extension, and I went 1 week 'too early' before my previous (covid extension) expired, and they wouldn't give me the stamp, and I had to go back the week after to get the stamp. That's when the visa extension starts from.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rog****
, well, I've always had to make two visits; the first one to apply and pay the 1,900 Baht, and the second, usually a few weeks later, to get the stamp.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Frédéric ******************
In my humble opinion, the true nonsense is you, knowing 6 weeks in advance that you won't be able to travel back because of covid (which is the very purpose of the 60-day extension).
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fréd****
, your "humble opinion" is completely ignorant of reality. I will travel out of Thailand on a motorcycle to Europe and that will not be possible for several months. Wake up and smell the pandemic.
3 years ago
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Klint ******
@Frédéric ****************
 and getting so upset over miscommunication in English with a Thai person in Thailand and having it work out in one’s favour.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kl***
, yes, "so upset!" Wow, I actually used the words "nonsense" and "puzzling." Wow, I really should get control of myself, eh? Suffering the arrogance of twits like you, I am trying to understand laws and cultures of Thailand and I have been helped in that effort through this post, mostly.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Frank ******
At 1900 baht a pop , they welcome the income stream
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fr***
, not to mention the many thousands of Baht we each spend here each month.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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McGregor **********
There is no reason most Westerners can’t travel back to their own country, perhaps just using covid as an excuse to stay longer in Thailand.
3 years ago
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Shea *******
@McGregor *********
 and what if you don't have a house in your home country? What if you have been working in another country for years and were in Thailand when this happened?
3 years ago
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McGregor **********
@Shea ******
 I wasn’t commenting on that particular circumstance- obviously that is a different situation.
3 years ago
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McGregor **********
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Frédéric ******************
@McGregor *********
 Correct, but Thailand has plenty of reasons to pretend westerners can't travel back because they need them to stay longer and fuel the economy.
3 years ago
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Kenneth *******
@McGregor *********
 so you will be going back for your visa extension then?
3 years ago
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McGregor **********
@Kenneth ******
 you will note my initial comment contained the word ‘perhaps’ - clearly I wasn’t referring to everyone. Your speculation about me is completely wrong, I am British but actually live in another European country, but hope to be in Phuket, Thailand in a couple of weeks, before moving on to our home in Phetchaburi. No intention of staying more than 60 days as we hope to be back in the winter. Please don’t reply further, as you are wasting my time and yours- this type of verbal tennis is not what these groups are about.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@McGr****
, why the incredibly bizarre, out-of-place, ignorant and rude comment you served up as your opening volley?

"There is no reason most Westerners can’t travel back to their own country, perhaps just using covid as an excuse to stay longer in Thailand."

Tossing "perhaps" in there does not make your remark any less disgusting.

You aren't even in this game, living in another country, yet you make ignorant generalizations about people about whom you know absolutely nothing. Yeah, of course you don't want Kenneth to "reply further," because you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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McGregor **********
@Kenneth ******
 no, we will be returning home after 60 days.
3 years ago
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Kenneth *******
@McGregor *********
 truthfully your advice is unfriendly and unreasonably -unwise.

Based soley on your comment you likely have not been stuck living here for the last 1.5 year(s) due to covid-19. And if you have then you're just being blatantly insensitive.

There are a variety, unlimited variable reasons why many cannot just "go home" to get a visa extension. Many of us cant.

The laundry list is too long to list here- and my thumbs don't have the energy to examine and explain to you basic understanding of covid-19 circumstances.

If you think people are just being "here" because the weather is good and abusing covid-19 visa extension for leisure then truthfully speaking you're alseep.

Safe travels back home, and before you go

I hope you learn to become more sensitive and caring with your world view and understanding on human circumstances.

God bless you.
3 years ago
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Kewin *********
Perfect. Bye bye.
3 years ago
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Kewin *********
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Nigel *********
So, if you were applying for your first covid extension, and you had 6 weeks left on your current visa, it sounds to me like you haven't even applied for your first 30 day extension of your tourist visa yet.

What date did you enter Thailand? What visa did you have or did you enter visa exempt?
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ni***
, no, I've been through this many times.
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Mark **********
 how am I supposed to know you've been through this many times? Just trying to get a bit more info to help someone out.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ni***
, sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Manuela **********
Off topic, but I find the ‘A big iron needle stitching’ bit on the top right mildly entertaining 😃
3 years ago
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John *******
@Manuela *********
 each page in the US passport has quotes on it. This one, "a big iron needle stitching the country together", is from American author jessamyn west
3 years ago
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Heiki **********
@John ******
 hahaa. I thought it was Corona vaccine related thing on VISA 5555
3 years ago
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John *******
Has a picture of a railroad
3 years ago
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Manuela **********
@John ******
 , ahh, thank you, now it makes sense. No such thing in German passports.

Being a tailor and seamstress, I was tickled pink by that line.
3 years ago
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Manuela **********
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Brandon ************
Your explanation is leaving out some information, because there's no such thing as a 60-day extension to tourist visa. Given what you've said, it might be the "unable to travel due to Covid" extension?

If that's the case, what the person told you could be true. When you switch reasons for your extension, the new one usually starts from the day of your application and you lose any time left on your original, but if it's an extension for the same reason, then it will continue at the end.

So if you were on a tourist visa and were applying for a Covid extension, you would lose any days, but the next time you extended your Covid extension, it would add on to the end.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geo***
, four hours to do other things in my life, Sad Sack. Why did I post? To better understand why two different employees were telling me two different things, and thanks to the "normal" people on this post, I do better understand it.

You are truly one sick, M-Fkr, making up insane crap about me. Let me put the following in all caps so maybe you will understand it:

- NO, I DO NOT FEEL CHEATED. I never said I felt cheated or even implied that I felt cheated. So, tell me, what could you possibly hope to gain by lying that I said I felt cheated, you f-king IDIOT?

- NO, I have not "lived here" on the PRETENSE THAT I CANNOT RETURN HOME, you STUPID, F-kING IDIOT.

- NO, I AM NOT MORE DESERVING THAN ELDERLY THAIS, and I never said I was, you horrendous, pathetic, lying, infected douchebag.

Yeah, you got my goat, you pitiful, ignorant, childish loser— bullies and liars have that effect on me, and lying bullies especially.
3 years ago
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George ********
@Mark **********
 ah the truth comes out finally...your goat is missing 😂😂😂. A good looking big spending guy like you shouldn't have any problem finding another farm animal to replace her with. Unless of course the sun reflecting off that shiny head of your blinds her. Enjoy your evening and no I haven't seen your goat let alone "got" her and if I see her I will send her to a battered goat shelter.
3 years ago
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George ********
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bra****
, Uuh, I dunno. Well, I've been here for, oh, 18 months, now, but I guess I'm no longer on a "tourist" visa after that single, allowed extension. So, yeah, I guess I'm on an "unable to travel extension of stay?"
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Mark **********
 if you've been milking it here for 18 months (on the amnesty, then the embassy letter extension and then covid extensions) you should hopefully know how the program is working
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@T**
, "milking." Wow, what an idiot. Thanks for your valuable input there, douche-head, I don't know how I survived this long without it! You should "hopefully" go f-k yourself.
3 years ago
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George ********
@Mark **********
 you entered on a tourist visa and have successively extended your stay because" you are unable to travel" due to Covid. After the first 30 day extension of visa in normal times you would have to leave the country or as a single man pony up 800,000 baht for a retirement visa. Have you made any attempt to return to America? Or have you seen an opportunity to have an extended holiday in Thailand without going through the usual requirements? To you feel any shame obtaining a free vaccine when elderly Thai citizens are unable? Your disgusting reply to another posters comment speaks loudly of your character. You are fortunate not to speak Thai as then you would have to respond the same to every Thai that is aware of what you are doing.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geo***
"After the first 30 day extension of visa in normal times you would have to leave the country or as a single man pony up 800,000 baht for a retirement visa."

- Haha, you really think those are the only two options? Have you heard the news? We're I a global pandemic – have been for a little while, now.

"...extended holiday in Thailand..."

- That's what you call this? Nice try. Say, why don't you talk with the hundreds of Thais I have met on this trip, to whom I have given nearly a half-million Baht for goods, services, gifts and donations, and tell them you would like all that money back? Prove to me you are not a selfish, conniving twat.

"To [sic] you feel any shame obtaining a free vaccine when elderly Thai citizens are unable?"

- First of all, how is it that my getting a vaccine would force an elderly Thai not to be able to? Second, in getting a vaccine, I was just following the rules of Thailand and making this country safer for everyone, for as most people who are not idiots know, a vaccine is not only for me, but for everyone around me. And third, my country donated 2,500,000 doses to Thailand – I may use 2.

My "disgusting reply?" Which one is that? Which one of my replies, where I have refused to cower to online bullies and have confronted atrocious behavior, do you call "disgusting?"

"You are fortunate not to speak Thai as then you would have to respond the same to every Thai that is aware of what you are doing."

- Whew, that makes absolutely no sense at all. Are you trying to lecture me on Thai culture or something? Go for it.
3 years ago
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George ********
@Mark **********
 No just letting you know what most people think of you. Your country donated it to Thailand. You are the kind of guy who bitches about the food when he is a guest. Just following rules, just milking the system and whining over losing 1900 baht.
***
a million baht? Lol let me guess a fan room, a rent a girl and lots of Chang beer.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geo***
, "...whining over losing 1900 Baht..." Really? Now I know you're dreaming. Did you read that somewhere on someone else's post or just flat-out make it up in your little head? Prove to me you are not delusional.
3 years ago
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George ********
@Mark **********
 your absolutely correct it was the loss of
***
of your 1900 baht. Your complaint is you got 475 baht less time than you paid for. Little head, delusional, twat, you are filled with contempt for anyone who dares tell you what you appear to be. Project yourself as the benevolent American all you want, everyone sees through you BS
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Geo***
, oh, you again. So, I gave you a chance to prove that you are not delusional and you failed. Where out of your tiny brain did you come up with this insane 475-baht thing? FFS, if you want to pick a fight, then at least show some credibility or at least a mild comprehension of the discussion at hand. I didn't lose any baht, didn't complain and didn't whine. Please, please, please, have somebody read and explain the original post to you, and if you still don't understand it, just shut up – you're making a total ass of yourself.
3 years ago
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George ********
@Mark **********
 4 hours to come up with a reply. Why did you post? You feel cheated. You've lived here a year on the pretense you can't return home. You claim that as your government DONATED vaccines you are more deserving than elderly Thais. And you are a be big spender lol, $1000 a month. I envy you 😂😂😂😂
3 years ago
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George ********
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Brandon ************
@Mark **********
 then you're just continuing the same extension and won't lose any days. Most offices won't let you apply until you have less than 30 days left though.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bra****
, yeah, that makes sense. I was just trying to leave plenty of time...
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark **********
 Bangkok immigration is only allowing you to come in 3 days before your stay expires right now, so 30 days is a luxury
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bra****
, Okay, I'm up in Chiang Mai. So, if I come in only 3 days before, then I'm on an "expired" visa for a few weeks until I get the stamp, right? (I think that has happened to me before...)
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark **********
 what? Are you talking about the under consideration stamp? That's considered an extension so you're not on anything expired.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bra****
, I think I see what you're talking about, in blue ink, right? I see that is dated 14 days after I applied on 2 July. Got it.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Garrett ***********
So 2 things, the "60 day covid unable to travel extension" is NOT an extension of your tourist visa, non-b or non-O. It's it's own separate extension of stay. Your tourist visa is gone once you've transitioned to that.

Because of that, the 60 day unable to travel extension starts from the day you apply for it, not added to the end of your current "visa or extension" since you're not actually extending anything, you're starting a new extension of stay.

I don't doubt that the immigration officer told you incorrectly, he probably didn't understand it either since it doesn't make great sense to being with.
3 years ago
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Shane **********
@Garrett **********
 my first Covid extension started from the end of my tourist visa, and my second Covid extension started from the end of my first Covid extension. At each application my passport would be stamped “under consideration “ and to return by a certain date and the second extension I was asked to return days after my first extension expired, so in reality I was asked to overstay my extension. So it doesn’t always start from the day you apply for the extension.

It depends on who you are dealing with and how they interpret the rules. I did both my visa and Covid extensions at the Nonthaburi office.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gar****
, okay, you have clarified it some, except with your last sentence with all the double-negs. So, what do you think is happening? That the broken-english guy was "correct," but that immigration has just said "screw it" and gives everyone 60 days from the expiry date? (My words, not yours...)
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ma**
 Wasn't a double negative. I said I believe that the immigration officer did inform you incorrectly.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gar****
, thanks, that makes sense, except for the part where my "60 day unable to travel extension starts from the day [I] apply for it..." which is somewhat about what the guy was trying to tell me.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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