@Chris ******

Yes for sure cheaper than going direct to a bank wire transfer. I do think they are still using bank wire transfer but I would guess get a much better rate than a single individual and of course you do not need to wait in line at the bank. Have you tried coating to TransferWise? TransferWise has a whole different business plan which effectively creates internation transfers while only actually doing in country transfers this keeping costs lower. It would take me far too long to explain how they do it using my phone but there is info available via web search

@Chris ******

I have used XE and they are legit. My experience is less than a week and even then that is based on Canadian money laundering laws that require a 4 day delay. I understand that XE says no fees but you are paying for the service via the exchange rate they give you. This hides the cost from the customer and is a problem for me

@Ivan ***********

I agree with your view Ivan and started my first post in this thread with a similar statement.

@Gregory *****

Good idea. In my case I was dealing with a Taiwan based airline but decided to wait until their Los Angeles call centre opened. I was on hold for about 45 minutes but I was prepared for it to be much longer than that.

I think maybe you are going to have to be more forceful with the airline. Others have said they are now flying from BKK. I assume you need a connecting flight to get home. The problem may in fact be with your connecting flight. Back in March my British friend was trying to get to Hull via Amsterdam. He was told it was cancelled. He did the checking work to understand it was the connecting flight that was the problem. He talked KLM into booking a flight to Manchester instead and took a train or two to get home.

@Steven ***************

I agree with your comments. The thing I do not know about is what happens if you cannot pay the fine? I advised a youngster last year who was on max overstay because he did not understand his visa. He did have cash so just paid the fine and took a flight to Vietnam before coming back with no problem.

I will be surprised if there is not an extension. There are just not enough borders or flights leaving for the people who are stuck. Please do not consider deportation as an option. I am not an expert but from what I have read somewhere that you have to pay a fee for every night staying in an immigration detention centre. You also have to pay your own flight home and it will not be cheap. I think you need to look to borrow funds from family etc now in case you need it to buy a new flight. You can always give it back if it ends up not necessary.

Thank you for this Garrett. I have seen similar info before. The thing that you mention that is very important is the 200 people per day. Do you have any insight into the process you are given approval to fly on your desired date? Do you have to book everything b4 hand and hope? You might not know the answer to this and that is OK. It is not a situation I am in but is the situation a friend is in and I am trying to help him where I can.

@Ron *****************

Well I would say that the total hoops being requested are over the top, mask wearing is not the deal breaker. When I left Thailand In March I think I had only worn a mask one time in my life. I wore one from arrival at BKK to my home in Vancouver. Now it is a daily ritual.

@Tony *******

Ummm. I do not want to insert myself into this but do you not understand that Garrett is the admin for this group?