starship

I'm in a similar situation but have left Thailand already a couple of days ago to Malaysia. I have flight booked to return on the 9th, but view that as unlikely to happen now, as the restrictions could well be in place by or before then. I could try a land crossing tomorrow if possible, but it would be good to hear from anyone who has entered Thailand today, to clarify if they were asked to prove vaccinations etc for entry.

I will be needing extensions to cover this period, but do you mean that TM30 registration is not required if you are not making an extension of some sort (as in going to immigration at Chaeng Wattana)?

Hi,

Planning on returning to Thailand next month for approx. 6 month break after over 3 years back in UK. 

I'm unsure about the current TM30 regulations. Do they apply to Tourist visa entries? When I left Thailand previously, a friend said they were starting to enforce it, although I can't seem to find any more recent info about it other than in relation to non-immigrant visas. I plan to stay with my gf at her condo. Will a TM30 need to be submitted for this, and would the landlord need to do it?

Also, would be interested in any recent feedback on getting a tourist visa in Vientiane or visa exempts from Cambodia border run, as I will need to either get another tourist visa or visa exempt to cover my stay. I understand visa exempts will now be 45 days from 1 October - is this for both air and land entries? Any help much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Hi,

I've been making foreign exchange transfers with HSBC from UK to Thailand for around 15 years, never a problem. However, the last two times I have made transfers for smaller amounts of money I have effectively been overcharged/charged twice as the recipient has not received the correct amount of money. I always send GBP and have always paid the UK sending fee which is £4 and the recipient pays the receiving bank (Kasikorn) charge which I believe is 0.25% minimum 300B. (Appreciate an update if anyone knows if this has changed). I always check and confirm that the correct amount of money has arrived. After it happened the first time, as it was a small amount I was transferring, the second time I tried sending it as THB to see if it made any difference. Both times 15%-17% of the total amount did not arrive at the recipient after charges were paid.

I asked the recipient to check with Kasikorn head office and they have said that HSBC Hong Kong has deducted the (15-17%) mentioned. This has never happened before, as I say I've always checked all transfers and the amount I'm expecting to arrive always does.

Has any other members who use HSBC for UK to Thailand transfers experienced this lately? Usually the service is excellent with money arriving next day when sent during the week.

HSBC have sent me back an email after I made a complaint, and are trying to fob me off, saying that I don't understand the charges (even though I've been doing this for 15 years). I need to find an alternative service and maybe switch bank as I only stayed with them as the foreign transfer service was good - if it remains like this then there is no reason to still use them.

From casual observation it seems that many people use Transferwise. How safe, reliable, quick and cheap are their services? Does the money arrive next day? Can you still send money as GBP or only as THB and are the rates excellent?

Also appreciate recommendations on UK banks as alternatives to HSBC.

Thanks.

13 minutes ago, mobako said:

Is it ok to have bank statement from kasikorn bank or that could  be additional red flag for them?

I took a photocopy of my Thai bank book with me showing balance, which is what I had heard they ask for. The guy at the counter asked to see my real bank book though, which I had with me. Once i showed him it he was was o.k and said come back tomorrow to collect. I would suggest to take both with you just in case, as I did.

Hey, thanks for replies.

I agree, and was thinking anyway to re-enter on a tourist visa rather than exempt. I'm just concerned about entering at Suvarnabhumi for the reasons you mention, although it would obviously be the least hassle as I'm in Bangkok. 

I was considering of KL also, although haven't there been reports about problems/refusals at the southern border in recent times? The Chiang Mai entry could be a good alternative as you mention, although I haven't looked into wether there are direct flights to there from the U.K - I'll check it out.

Hi,

I may need to return briefly to the U.K at the end of the month due to family reasons. It has come at a bit of an awkward time as I have booked to go to Vientiane to renew my tourist visa quite soon. I'm concerned that due to my extended periods of time in Thailand that there may be a possibility of refusal on re-entry based on recent trends, so wanted to consider the options available to me and the likely outcome should I decide to go.

I have to renew my visa soon in the first instance. I can still go to Vientiane or I could cancel that and just get a visa exempt to last me till I may go. Problem with that though, is that I'll only be gone a week, would have family responsibilities, and wouldn't really have time to get a new Thai visa from London (I've always done postal application in the past, and that's if they approved it anyway).

I have been considering  the idea of using a re-entry permit if I got the new tourist visa from Vientiane, so that I would have most of the visa still left when I return. Would entering on a re-entry permit carry any more weight regarding admission than if you were entering on a new tourist visa. What I mean is, am I less likely to encounter difficulties. Obviously, I'm looking for a successful outcome so I'm looking for the highest probability method to use. Entering on a tourist visa would seem more probable to me than if I came back and wanted to enter visa exempt. Can you actually re-enter on a visa exempt though? This all applies to entering at Suvarnabhumi. The other thought I had was to fly back to a neighbouring country and enter overland from there. Where do you suggest would be the most successful points for entry if I took this option?

My P.P history goes back to summer 2015. In total I have 1 double tourist visa (Vientiane), 5 singles (2 Vientiane, 2 London, 1 Savannakhet), 1 transfered from old P.P and 4 visa exempts up to the present. All entries have been extended. However, I returned to the UK for 13 months in 2016/17 and for 2 months in spring 2017, so it's not a constant stay. I'm approaching 50 which I think perhaps makes some difference in their assumptions.

Appreciate any advice you guys can provide, 

Thanks

Hi,

Just looking to get some clarification on the latest situation at Vientiane for tourist visa applications. I had already planned ahead and booked my flight before these recent online application changes, although I have several weeks to go before travel.

Checking the embassy website they now mention financial proof, travel plans and proof of reservation. Is this actually being applied/enforced currently? Is there anyone who has received a visa from there recently who can provide some feedback on what they are asking for?

If 20k is now being required, as at Savannakhet, does this have to be in a Thai bank account or are funds in a foreign account accepted. Will a condo rental agreement also be accepted in lieu of hotel booking/travel plans?

Appreciate any feedback,

Thanks

Hey guys,

following on from my original post, I'm still planning on going to Savannakhet. However, with the recent news about a temporary change to Tourist visas seeming to allow a single to be extended to a double, I was interested if anyone has got a Tourist visa from Savannakhet recently and the latest requirements/experience. I was going to get a flight out, but is this still asked for? Reason being, is that if it will be possible to extend the single to a double visa, then the flight out date will need to be changed later which costs as much as the ticket, so effectively money in the bin.

Secondly, is it possible to make the last flight back from Nakhon Phanom at 8p.m when you collect your visa the same day. Collection is from 2p.m that day so it seems pretty tight to me. Has anyone made this flight before?

Thanks

13 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Phnom Penh is not a particularly good place to get Tourist Visas now.  It was different in the past.  The last report on this site indicates more than 2 Tourist Visas in your passport makes it very difficult - could get a "Void" stamp on the visa from them - so best to go there with a new passport, then move on to the easier consulates.

 

When Savannakhet says no, it's pretty much time for a new passport - but if one does not have a red-stamp on a Tourist Visa yet ("This person travels to Thailand frequently...."), Vientiane is a good bet for at least one more, first.

Are you saying that I am more likely to be issued a tourist visa again at Vientiane (even though I have 3 in my passport already, not back to back and with returns to my home country in between) than be issued one from Savannakhet? I do not have any tourist visas from Savannakhet in my passport and can show the 20k and flight out. Are Savannakhet now stricter on your visa history than they were before, even with no visas from them previously?

I would prefer Vientiane again if there is a higher probability of issuance. I imagined though going a 4th time would likely lead to a refusal?

46 minutes ago, marke985 said:

I was denied a tourist visa today at Savannakhet as was the guy from Singapore before me.  The individual from Singapore did admit to me he did not have a bank statement and has used Savannakhet several times.

 

I had all documents, flight out of Thailand and bank statement showing $2200 USD.  A younger lady told me too many tourist visas.  I currently have 3 tourist visas from Savannakhet issued starting back in early 2016.  

 

she also called over another employee and 'justified' her decision not to accept my documents with another worker who did not seem as interested as she.

 

the fact that my plane ticket out of country was to Phnom Penh was also discussed with her colleague, I believe since I have 4 visas from Phnom Penh in my current passport.

 

In my opinion, I felt the girl was probably new to her job and playing detective too much especially by the reaction by her older work colleague.  But I will admit, if they're trying to crack down on low income individual workers working illegally my passport absolutely mirrors that of someone working illegally.

 

At the end I showed her another statement on my phone showing my brokerage account with about 300,000 USD and asked her if I printed it out if that would change her mind, her expression at first seemed like it would, but she stuck to her guns and would not reverse her decision.

 

I'm back in Thailand now on a 30 day exempt stamp, which I will try to extend at immigration later this month, them fly to Phnom Penh in January since I already bought the tickets and hopefully get my 5th visa from Phnom Penh, if successful I will try Savannakhet again with the large bank statement and post back here if I don't forget.

 

i was a little surprised as I spent May - October 12 back in the USA and this was my first visa attempt since returning to SE Asia, but that point did not get me anywhere if the Consul workers.

Sorry to hear you were refused. Seems like you have a lot of tourist visa's - I do to, but have returned back to my country for long/extended periods in between - perhaps that might be the difference. I'm also approaching 50, not sure how old you are. I'm sure age makes a difference to their assumptions, especially if you're younger.

Interesting that you've managed to secure 4 visa's from Phnom Phen. Never been there - maybe I should try. Just figured on Savannakhet because it was always a breeze obtaining one from there before.

25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can use a fly ride service to Mukdahan from Bangkok. Nok Air offers the service via 3 airports in region.

See: https://content.nokair.com/en/Booking/Where-we-fly/Flight-Service/Fly-n-Ride/Mukdahan

Air Asia also a has fly ride service but only offers it via one airport.

I was aware of that service and was planning to use it if I definitely go to Savannakhet. Thanks

Hi,

Want to arrange my next visa trip. Planning on going to Savannakhet. Have been there many times in the past but not since the change in requirements. I understand that they are 20k in bank (does this have to be a Thai bank?) and flight out of Thailand. I have no tourist visa's from Savannakhet in my PP, but my last tourist visa was from Vientiane (my 3rd, not back to back) so I can't go there again as I understand it.

I always liked going to Savannakhet before the requirement changes, so was considering going back there again after this one, although flying there direct is a little expensive. I used to go by bus but I'm reluctant to do this now as I've had a few hair-raising trips on this route and heard of plenty of accidents. Alternatively, I could go to KL or Penang but I am a little concerned reading about recent reports of refusals at the airport as I have a long history of travelling to Thailand, although I have been back to my home country for long periods in between. Currently, about 7 months in LOS, visa from London, visa run Myanmar, visa Vientiane. 

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks

Hi,

I don't think you may have time to catch the flight to Phuket. Looking quickly at Airasia (I have not checked others) the only flight to Phuket leaves Vientiane at 2.30p.m. You cannot collect your passport/visa until starting from 1.30pm on the following day you submit it. Therefore Penang seems the best option if you only want to stay one night (that's assuming you arrive early enough to submit your passport the same day).

The other option if 60 days is enough for you, is to repeat what you have done already and do a border run. There is an early morning van from On Nut that goes to Cambodia and/or Myanmar, then extend for 30 days as before. You can do two border runs per calender year at land borders, although best to limit these if you intend to stay in Thailand long term.

Thanks Ubonjoe for clarification.

Hi,

I need some clarification on visa exempts. I understand you can use two of these per year at land borders per calendar year.

I did a land border crossing at the end of last year (nov-dec 2017) but extended it for an additional 30 days. This took the extension date to 2 jan 2018, but I exited before then on 24 dec 2017 to get a tourist visa.

My question is, as the extension was up to 2 jan 2018 will this count as one of my allowed entries for 2018, or does the fact that I exited before the end of last year cancel that, still allowing me two visa exempts at land borders this year?

Additionally, I will be looking to get another tourist visa in due course. I was planning on going to Vientiane. My current tourist visa is from London and I have two previous tourist visas from Vientiane. One from Dec 2017 and one of the last doubles back in Sept 2015. Should I still be o.k for one more from Vientiane?

Thanks

+1. Don't see why they are asking for that either. If you are wishing to clear the loan then that obviously shows an ability to pay. I could understand them asking for that at the outset. As already mentioned, better to get your wife to deal with it.

I'm at the end of a car loan with Tisco. One thing I would say to you is that yes, it is prudent to have no debt. However, I don't know how much money you have to clear but depending upon your financial circumstances it could be beneficial to just pay the monthly installments and preserve your capital for other uses. If you've brought a new car rather than a secondhand one through finance the interest is normally pretty low. Of course, if you are financially well off and clearing the loan is not a significant expense for you the it may be better to clear it.

With home loans many financial institutions here charge you interest for the full term even if you clear the debt early. I'm not sure if this is the case with car loans or Tisco in particular but worth checking. If it is, then obviously no real benefit to clearing the loan other than piece of mind.

Slightly off topic but can't see any threads on this so thought I'd tag it on as it banking related.

I need to send some money back to the U.K. Around 2500 pounds. Is it any easier sending money abroad from Cambodia than Thailand, and would I need to open a Cambodian account first or could I just process it at the counter. I will be coming to Cambodia in around a month. I had a load of hassle trying to do it via my Thai bank once before. The money doesn't need to be transferred at the time of my initial stay, could be transferred later if I decide to stay on.

Thanks

Great. Thanks for the additional info and clarification.

If I want to extend my current tourist visa at CW does the new passport make it difficult?

e.g Can I still extend my tourist visa and would that extension go into the new passport, or is an extension not possible and would I have to do a visa run before the end of my current visa to activate my second entry?

Thanks

Hi

I've read some old threads on this issue but I am still slightly confused as to what is necessary. Things change all the time so just want to get the latest requirements.

I'm a British citizen and due to collect my new passport tomorrow.

I'm on a double entry tourist visa. Currently on the first entry, valid until 9 August 2015.

Am I due to transfer my entry stamp or visa to the new passport? Some threads say one or the other.

Is there a charge to transfer? I'm in Bangkok so presume I go to Chaeng Wattana?

What happens to my second tourist visa entry, is it still valid?

If I do a tourist visa extension later, does this go in the new passport?

Read some stuff about a letter being required from your embassy for transfer of stamps. Is this accurate and still the case? Is there a charge for this?

Do I need to transfer as soon as I get my new passport, or any day up to the end of my current visa?

Is it necessary to go to immigration at all, or can I do a visa run when the visa is due to expire and get whatever is required done at the border? Would go to Ban Laem or Mukdahan.

Apologies for all the questions. Appreciate all advice.

Many thanks

Thanks. I'll check with the school tomorrow to see if they can assist.

Just had another thought. If the school can't help, a friend of my partner's is a police officer. Would an official police letter of address be accepted directly, or if not would this enable me to get the certificate of residence from CW?

Thanks

Hi, really glad I came across this thread. I need to renew soon as I'm low on pages.

I have the same trouble of no easily provable address. Rental agreement is in my partners name but it seems from the comments that that's not acceptable anyway. I have no bills in my name either.

I have my last 90 day report letter from when I was on an ED visa (now finished course and on Tourist Visa) but this has no address on. Could I get a proof of address form from Cheang Wattana as another poster mentioned and would that be acceptable? I really don't want to have to go back to the U.K just to renew my passport.

Also from reading the Embassy website, they are very particular over passport photos. One post mentioned they have plenty of services in the trendy building. Do they do passport photos that are acceptable to the U.K requirements there?

Many thanks

O.K Mario,

Thanks, appreciate your quick and knowledgable help.

Mario

Just seen your comment on another current thread on ending an ED visa.

You mention that you can do a border run. You seem to imply that you can still do one as long as they not back to back is this right? I didn't realise I may be able to still do this. It could be another short term option for me as my plans are liquid at present.

I've been in thailand about 2 years now. Initially on a mix of Tourist Visa from Lao and Visa exempt from Cambodia and currently an ED Visa. Am I still able to do a visa exempt border run in this situation? Is it still O.K to do this on ending my ED visa and will I still need no letter as long as I don't cross in Nong Khai, but Savannakhet or Cambodia?