Amnesty
- Thailand News
Majority oppose Thai amnesty bill in online survey
A significant majority of people surveyed by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives expressed opposition to a bill sponsored by civil society groups that seeks amnesty in political and lese majeste cases dating back to September 2006. The month-long online survey concluded with 64.66% of participants rejecting the bill, while 35.34% were in favour. Some 90,503 respondents took part…
- Thailand News
Bill leaves bad poll taste: Over 60% oppose controversial amnesty bill
An online poll revealed that more than 60% of respondents are against a contentious draft amnesty bill, proposed by Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and seconded by a staggering 36,723 people. The bill, currently under parliamentary consideration, sparked a fierce public debate. Conducted between May 13 and June 12 in accordance with Article 77 of the Constitution,…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai rethinks lese majeste inclusion in amnesty bill
Pheu Thai Party has reconsidered its earlier statement regarding the inclusion of Section 112, or the lese majeste law, in the amnesty bill. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the matter is complex and requires public consensus to prevent future disorder. Phumtham, the deputy leader of Pheu Thai, mentioned that the party has not reached a…
- Thailand News
House committee debates amnesty for lese majeste law violators
A special House committee is urging the government to decide whether to include those who violated the lese majeste law in an amnesty bill following the death of Netiporn Saneysangkhom. Nikorn Jamnong, chairman of the House sub-committee focusing on politically motivated cases, announced that the meeting addressed several key topics. Among these was the demand from Thalufah, a political group,…
- Thailand News
Thai committee urges Pheu Thai to expedite political amnesty
The Committee of Relatives of the 1992 Black May Heroes, led by Adul Khiewboriboon, publicly requested the ruling Pheu Thai Party to expedite the process of granting amnesty for all political offenders, a promise made by the party. The group believes that political conflicts pose a significant risk to both economic and national security and could potentially impede Thailand’s progress.…
- Thailand News
Amnesty angst: Deputy PM dishes on MFP’s controversial bill, lese majeste sparks political fireworks
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported that the proposed amnesty bill by the Move Forward Party (MFP), the main opposition, sparked controversy among various political parties due to its provision for lese majeste offences. Phumtham, also the Commerce Minister and a senior member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, indicated that while many parties agree with the amnesty bill’s objectives,…
- Thailand News
iLaw proposes amnesty bill for political activists since 2006 in Thailand
The Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) revealed a proposed bill yesterday that offers amnesty to all individuals in Thailand who have been prosecuted or are currently facing charges related to political activities since September 19, 2006, up to the present day. This proposed legislation was introduced at a seminar, sponsored by iLaw, sparking a call to action for the Pheu…
- Economy News
Migrant amnesty programme extended for half a million foreign labourers in Thailand
In a bid to alleviate Thailand’s labour shortage and lay the groundwork for post-pandemic economic recovery, the country’s Cabinet has decided to lengthen its foreign migrants’ amnesty programme until the close of the month. This initiative allows close to half a million workers from neighbouring nations, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, to effectively organise the permits necessary for legal…
- Thailand News
Amnesty highlights importance of upcoming general election for Thai politicians to protect and promote human rights
Amnesty highlights the upcoming general elections in Thailand, set for 14 May, as a crucial opportunity for political parties and candidates to publicly commit to protecting and promoting human rights, including the rights of disadvantaged groups, civil society, and young people. Chanathip Thitiyakarunwong, a regional researcher for Amnesty International in Thailand, emphasized that the new Thai government must guarantee that…
- Thailand News
Myanmar releases 3000 prisoners including 98 foreigners
The military junta of Myanmar released 3,113 prisoners – including 98 foreigners – from prison today to mark the country’s traditional new year, according to a statement released on a pro-junta Telegram channel. Secretary-general of the junta Min Aung Hlaing said the amnesty is a “celebration of Myanmar’s New Year to bring joy for the people and address humanitarian concerns.”…
- World News
Myanmar to execute 4 activists despite appeals
The Myanmar junta still intend to execute 4 activists despite appeals from around 200 civil society organisations pleading with the military government to drop the ruling. The UN Amnesty International, and 199 civil society organisations have all backed a statement calling for the Myanmar junta to reverse their decision over the 4 activists. “We, the following organizations and world citizens…
- World News
Myanmar grants amnesty to 1,600 prisoners, no political detainees released
Myanmar’s military government granted amnesty to over 1,600 prisoners, including 42 foreigners, during the country’s New Year’s holiday from April 13-16. The figure is small compared to the 23,000 prisoners released during the holiday last year. Despite Myanmar’s ruling general’s promise to restore peace in the country this year, no political detainees were released. “As part of the celebration of…
- Thailand video news
Thailand News Today | EU kicks Thailand off ‘green’ list, Red Cross buys Moderna, PM back to work
Member states of the European Union have agreed to remove Thailand from the list of countries from which travellers can arrive freely during the pandemic. A scheme to offer long-stay visas to wealthy and “highly skilled” foreigners is in the works. The so called Covid-19 visa has been extended nearly 2 weeks before its current July 29 expiration date. This…
- World News
Burmese prisoners granted amnesty on first day of Myanmar’s New Year
Over 23,000 Burmese prisoners and student political activists are enjoying freedom after being released yesterday in an amnesty on the first day of the country’s Lunar New Year celebrations. The state-owned MRTV reported that 23,407 prisoners were released under sections of a penal code. In the Yangon region alone, over 800 prisoners were released, while Mandalay saw around 2,800 released from…
- Visa Information
Visa Emergency Extension extended to May 30 this year for stranded tourists
Stranded foreign tourists, either genuinely stuck in Thailand since April 2020, or stuck here by choice, are able to stay in Thailand until May 30, according to an order signed by the Immigration Bureau last week. The order empowers local officers to grant a 60 day visa extensions from January 29 up to May 30. The order coincides with the…
- Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Immigration deadline, quarantine update?, arrests averted | October 30
Last day of the week and all the main stories from around Thailand. Thailand News Today, a bit late today but here it is… Some immigration offices open tomorrow for last minute visa extensions The latest amnesty is up tomorrow (October 31) and some immigration offices will be open for those who still need sort out their visa extensions. Those…
- Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Big Bike licenses, Parliament latest, Zombie saleswoman | October 28
Daily TV news from The Thaiger, the most watched English-language news service in the Land of Smiles, and hosted by Tim Newton. Thailand to introduce separate test for big bike riders from next year From next February, motorbike riders in Thailand will be required to pass a separate driving test and training session if they wish to receive a licence…
- Visa Information
Reminder from Thai Foreign Affairs about staying in Thailand after October 31
The following was sent by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reminding foreigners about staying in Thailand after the current visa amnesty expires… “Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson reiterated that all stranded foreign nationals who wish to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand beyond 31 October 2020 need to submit an application for…
- Covid-19 News
Complete Thailand Travel Guide (October 2020)
Latest update – October 21. If you are overseas and wish to come to Thailand your FIRST port of call must be the Royal Thai Embassy in your country before you make any bookings. Thailand Longstay is also a valuable resource of information at this time. First ‘tourists’ arrive in Thailand under the Special Tourist Visa In 2019, almost 40 million tourists…
- Visa Information
60 day visa extensions, filed during amnesty, go into effect November 1
Foreigners currently on visa amnesty, who didn’t make the initial September 26 deadline to file for extension, can extend their visa between now and October 31. The Immigration Bureau is trying to reduce overcrowding at local immigration offices and say that no matter what day the 60 day extension is made, it will go into effect on November 1. In…
- Visa Information
New visa amnesty allows foreigners to stay in Thailand until October 31, with 60 day extensions
The visa amnesty, twice extended, expired on September 26. Then another amnesty was launched yesterday which allows foreigners, without visas or with lapsed visas, until October 31 to sort out their visa situation. The grace period acknowledges the problems many foreigners are having organising flights back to their home countries at a time much of the world has an acceleration…
- Thailand News
Thailand News Today | Rumours of amnesty extension, 22 new Covid cases | September 28
Daily TV news and updates from around Thailand on The Thaiger and on Youtube at Thaiger TV. 22 new cases of Covid-19 detected in Thailand Out of nowhere, the Thai government’s CCSA has reported 22 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours this morning, raising the country’s total of infections to 3,545. 22 cases is the largest number…
- Visa Information
Some immigration offices set to open on Saturday, September 26, as visa amnesty looms
With September 26 just a day away, Thailand’s Immigration offices have never been busier. Many expats and visitors, who have been either stranded in Thailand, or decided to wait out Thailand’s outbreak of Covid-19, need to get their visas sorted out, officially, by September 26. Whilst many foreigners have left things to the last minute, here’s the latest in the…
- Visa Information
Getting a visa before September 26 – VIDEO
Wanting to stay in Thailand and don’t have a visa yet? You need to act quickly or risk being arrested and even blacklisted. Watch this… Tourists have 5 days to renew their visa or they could get arrested. The current visa amnesty ends on September 26 and there isn’t going to be another sudden announcement for another grace period, according…
- Visa Information
Get a visa or go to jail – Thai Immigration
“Overstaying the tourist visa is punishable by both a jail term and fine under the Immigration Act.” Tourists have 5 days to renew their visa or they could get arrested. The current visa amnesty ends on September 26 and there isn’t going to be another sudden announcement for another grace period, according to immigration officials. Those who overstay will face…
- Visa Information
The end of the visa amnesty – get your house in order
Up to 500,000 foreigners are now thought to have been part of the Thai government’s visa amnesty which was introduced in April for foreigners, both on tourist and other visas, who were stuck in Thailand and unable to leave. Around the world, planes had been grounded and Thailand closed its borders at the time. Six months later, and following 2…
- Visa Information
Immigration to provide 30-day extensions after ‘visa amnesty’ ends, in some circumstances
The Thai cabinet has approved a number of concessions on the situation for people stranded in Thailand under any form of tourist visa after September 26. The Thai Immigration Deputy Commander announced that…. • Tourists unable to return home after September 26 (the end of the tourist amnesty), due to sickness or are unable to fly, are to apply for…
- Expats
90 day Thai Immigration reporting deadline passes
Today was the last day to update your 90 day report if you weren’t doing the reports during the visa amnesty Thai immigration set the end of today as the deadline for foreigners, with current visas, to do their 90 day report. Otherwise fines will be imposed. You had to report, or update, your residential address before the end of…
- Covid-19 News
I flew home to get a new visa – one person’s experience with the “new normal” in Thailand
Theo, from The Netherlands, flew back from Thailand to arrange a new visa in his home country. When he returned he had to stay in an Alternative State Quarantine hotel in Bangkok. What were his challenges? How much did it all cost? I am from the Netherlands, I am 44 years old, married with my Thai wife for over 5 years…
- Covid-19 News
Thai Cabinet extends the visa amnesty for foreigners
The Thai Cabinet has extended the visa amnesty for foreigners so they can remain in Thailand during the Covid-19 global pandemic. This is the second extension to the visa amnesty and will be a huge relief for tens of thousands of people who have been in a visa limbo, some without many other options other than staying in Thailand whilst…
