So the amnesty for covid stranded is approaching. No more amnesty. Not sure if the 150,000 stranded “foreigners” include those from Lao and Cambodia. But as for visas, the government seems to be rejecting all applications initially if applicants go to the immigration office and try to get visas or extensions by themselves. I was successful getting a 60 day “extension” for medical recovery reasons and not a 90 day tourist visa. This is from what i saw on my 4 hour visit in the immigration windows area.
What i hear from those in Koh Chang people is paying a “special fee” (most going to immigration people and only some to the agent) of between 24,000 and 30,000 Baht (32 Baht=US$1) gets a tourist or retirement visa which fees are listed as 1,900 and 3,000 Baht respectively. Money seems to be talking.
Instead of paying all the “special fees” i will probably go to Europe on a flight costing less. My last authorized day is November 25. That gives me more time to see how the visa acceptance situation goes after the rush to get things done by this Sunday, the amnesty deadline. The article below explains some details.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/1989023/tourists-face-arrest-jail-for-overstaying