Embassies Won’t Issue Extension Papers for Citizens Stranded in Thailand

BANGKOK — Several embassies in Bangkok on Tuesday said they will not issue any further visa extension letters for their citizens when the overstay amnesty in the coronavirus pandemic expires on July 31.

In an announcement published last week by the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, American citizens who are residing in Thailand will have to decide whether to stay or leave the country, since it will no longer provide an extension of stay requests for its citizens. The letter is mandatory for most foreigners who wish to extend their stay for another 30 days.

“U.S. citizens have between now and July 31, 2020, to either return to the U.S. or their country of permanent residence or to obtain the appropriate visa type for a long-term stay in Thailand,” the post said. “The U.S. Embassy is unable to give advice on individual visa issues. Please refer to specific visa questions directly to immigration.”

Immigration spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon on Tuesday said again that another round of amnesty extension is “unlikely.”

 

Another round of visa amnesty for foreigners stranded in Thailand is unlikely, an immigration spokesman said Friday. The amnesty, extended back in April, will expire at the end of this month.

Visa Amnesty Extension Unlikely, Immigration Spox Says https://t.co/2SbxvQElqI pic.twitter.com/cvALs0RrdP

— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) July 10, 2020

He also recommended foreigners whose respective embassies refused to issue the required papers to leave the country before July 31 to avoid being fined or arrested.

“Thailand has shown enough mercy for foreigners,” Col. Phakkhaphong said. “It’s been nearly four months already. If you have a letter, you’re good to stay, but if you can’t get one, then there’s not much we can do.”

The British Embassy in Bangkok said on its website that requests for visa extension letters will not be possible.

The spokesman refused to comment on the motive behind the embassies’ decision to stop providing extension letters.

“It’s up to them and Thailand has nothing to do with it,” Phakkhaphong said. “If a foreign embassy refused to provide the service to its citizens, no one else can. We have done our best to help foreigners.”

The amnesty, approved by the government in April, allowed foreigners whose visas expire between March 26 to July 31 to stay in the country without the need of applying for an extension at immigration offices.

The measure was introduced after a large number of foreign tourists and travelers found themselves stranded in Thailand amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Overstay fines and the 90-day report requirements will resume after July 31 should the government decide not to extend it.

Source: Embassies Won’t Issue Extension Papers for Citizens Stranded in Thailand

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