they mentioned this on bloomberg. visitors arriving by private jet are one of the categories that qualify for special exemption.

the numbers are so tiny it doesn't really matter but if one of them ends up testing positive (like the egyptian soldier on a "mission") it could be a bit of a scandal.

from my casual observations there is a drinking velocity issue among some of the old boys in pattaya. i've seen them make a beer last for a couple of hours, presumably because they don't have much of a home life to go back to but better than being stuck in a government care home in england.

could be because some retirees die alone in thailand leaving the thai authorities (and thai taxpayers) to take care of the body and other formalities (sometimes even some uninsured medical expenses if they die slowly in a government hospital). or could just be one of those things that has no rational explanation.

@Darren ******

yeah no doubt they will explain how everyone in isarn would starve to death if it wasn't for them renting hookers in pattaya

They've already adjusted the rules for most foreigners with valid visas to extend within the country. I'm sure they will do the same for the exceptional cases that have been missed. However, it's likely to become difficult to live long term in Thailand disguised as a tourist, and anyone doing so should probably book a flight home asap, and prepare to stay there for a while.

like many things in thailand. every branch is different and sometimes the same branch is different depending on how busy they are or which staff you deal with or even how politely you talk to them.

@Todd ********

you have "no plan to leave" but don't have a long term visa to stay? what country in the world would be ok with that?

i don't understand the issue.

the amnesty was supposed to give extra time for tourists stranded by air travel disruptions to get themselves home. it should be possible to find flights out by the end of this month for those who haven't left already.

long term visas for foreigners living in thailand can be extended within the country; no reason to use the overstay amnesty.

@Bim ******

international tourism brings 2,000,000,000,000 baht to thailand every year. they don't seem to be in any rush to get that going again so don't get your hopes up based on that logic. very sad situation in so many ways.

@Bim ******

the government just locked down the entire economy forcing millions of people out of work and thousands of businesses into bankruptcy. i wouldn't recommend you to assume they wont inconvenience a few foreigners.