Thailand-
Thai media and social media was abuzz today after several articles and posts stated that Thai Immigration posted that tourists would get “unlimited” 30 day extensions after Visa amnesty ends on September 26 of this month.
Is this statement true? Is it distorted? We take a look.
First, the amnesty is what many people have been on due to the Covid-19 crisis since April, allowing them to stay in the country. The amnesty expires, for now, on September 26th.
The announcement today, however, did not say ALL tourists would get unlimited thirty day extensions unfortunately.
The announcement, made by Immigration Deputy Commander Maj Gen Pornchai Khuntee at a press conference in Bangkok and reportedly approved by the Thai Cabinet, provides extensions for the following groups:
-Those who are medically unfit to fly, with a proven doctor’s notice and proof of condition that they are not fit to fly.
-Those who have a lack of flights or whose countries are still closed to flights. The applicant must provide a letter from their embassy as proof that they cannot leave the country and in some cases need to provide proof of a cancelled flight.
A thirty day extension will be given for either of these two groups above, with documented proof. However, unlimited extensions for everyone is not correct based on the information given by Royal Thai Immigration. This extension will continue as long as the individual is still medically unfit to fly or cannot return home with proof.
Immigration did say that further information for people on visa’s such as business that cannot meet income requirements due to the current Covid-19 situation or those who normally have to leave the country for border runs or multi entry but cannot will likely come around mid September and to stay tuned for further announcements.
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