National

Thailand Grants Visa Extensions for Foreigners Affected by COVID-19

The Thai government has issued an announcement, granting automatic visa extensions for foreigners in Thailand who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Published

10 months ago

April 10, 2020

Headline Editor

The spread of COVID-19 has led to an increasing number of infected persons and many people have died. The Thai government has announced the closure of points of entry into the Kingdom to contain the spread of the disease.

It has also issued an announcement, granting automatic visa extensions for foreigners in Thailand who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The announcement was made on 7 April 2020 and signed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda. It covers three groups of foreigners, as follows:

1. Foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand

The first group includes foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand but are now overseas and required to return to Thailand within a year of their departure.

Since they might not be able to re-enter Thailand in time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be granted an extension of their compulsory return deadline. However, they are required to return to Thailand as soon as the situation improves within the period specified by the Immigration Bureau.

2. Foreign visitors whose visas expired on 26 March 2020 or thereafter

The second group involves foreign visitors whose visas expired on 26 March 2020 or thereafter. They will be granted automatic visa extensions until 30 April 2020, and notification of staying in the Kingdom will be extended for those whose expiry date of stay permit falls within the period between 26 March and 30 April 2020.

However, when the situation improves sufficiently or returns to normal, they are required to proceed with their visas within the period specified by the Immigration Bureau.

3. Visitors from neighboring countries who hold a temporary border pass

The third group includes visitors from neighboring countries who hold a temporary border pass issued on 23 March 2020, or thereafter. They will be allowed to stay in Thailand until the borders are re-opened, and will be required to leave Thailand within seven days after the borders reopen.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health on 8 April 2020 reported 111 new COVID-19 cases in Thailand, raising the number of confirmed cases to 2,369. Out of the number of confirmed cases, 888 have been cured; 1,451 are still hospitalized; and 30 have died.

Source : The Government Public Relations Department

National

Human trafficking cases in Thailand hit decade low due to COVID-19

Thailand has pointed to improved efforts to stop trafficking in recent years, under scrutiny from the United States and following criticism of its failure to tackle abuses in its lucrative seafood and textile sectors, as well as the sex trade.

Published

4 days ago

January 21, 2021

Headline Editor

BANGKOK, Jan 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Police in Thailand last year launched the lowest number of human trafficking investigations in a decade as coronavirus restrictions on businesses and borders hindered criminal networks, according to a soon-to-be released government report.

(more…)

National

Thai cabinet allows illegal migrant workers to sign up for 2-year work permit

Migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, who are in Thailand illegally, will be able to obtain a 2-year work permit under a special arrangement offered to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

Published

4 weeks ago

December 31, 2020

National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) – Cabinet has approved a special arrangement for illegal migrant workers from neighboring countries, allowing them to register for 2-year legal work status in Thailand, following the case of a new COVID-19 outbreak among the migrant workers’ community.

(more…)

National

Thailand blocks online gambling websites

In the past week, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has asked all internet service providers and mobile carriers to block access to online gambling websites.

Published

4 months ago

September 30, 2020

National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) – Online gambling websites, which are easy to access by children and youth, have become a topic of concern for the Prime Minister, who has ordered strict suppression of these illegal websites.

(more…)