@Bobby *******

even before I had two year visa extensions and a work permit I was always looking out, well before COVID as to the best way to stay here long term legally for longer periods and I've been through multiple visas since 2013 :)

I don't want to be unfair - there may be a few who are legitimately stuck here but many of these people are not even trying at this point. In Chiang Mai, it's not that expensive to enroll with a Thai language school or even a self-defense class with the equivalent of a year-long ED visa (90 days + 3 x 90 day extensions) if people really wanted to stay without drama. For those over 50 I believe Non-Imm O's are available within Thailand now as well.

@Bobby *******

my bad - COVID extension or whatever they're calling it this week ;) Op here obviously is coming off a Non-Imm B so is in a different situation but what has me beat is with all the amnesties and now COVID extensions, anyone stuck here has had ample time to find alternative visas or leave the country. With some exceptions most claiming to be stuck here can leave the country now but they don't want to.

You might qualify for an extension of stay under the visa amnesty (note - this is not a visa) but there's zero way you can apply for a tourist visa within Thailand even with all the others things going on due to COVID-19. To get a tourist visa you have to apply outside the country.

Yes, it means I can't travel abroad on holidays.

You can get an ED inside Thailand at the moment. Plenty of private schools around advertising the service as well.

What you can't get at the moment is an ED visa for a non-government/private school outside of Thailand that allows you into Thailand.

@Abhishek *********

Hong Kong is on the list - you'd need to check with either the Thai embassy or APEC office. The way it reads I'd think it was nationals or permanent residents from safe countries.

I'm not sure if it's in now or shortly but yes - APEC card holders were on the list of categories to be let in under the latest rule revision but only from low risk countries - India isn't on the list.

43/emergency-decree-extension-new-visas-approved

They haven't yet.

@Dayumay *********

/08/popular-phuket-facebook-page-attacks-foreigners-tourists-in-thailand-covid-19-fears/

Phuket.