4evermaat

24 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Appointment on May 29 to produce another bank letter and statement showing the 400k is still there, politely asked why? Politely told "if you don't do it no extension" 

 

Under consideration stamp until June 14 

Could you have made the appointment earlier or later than 29 May?

23 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Warned that the 400,000 had to stay in the account for 90 days after the extension is granted.

22 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

I don't know when the "3 months after" starts, if it runs from the start date of the extension or the date the extension is granted (this is about a month later) I will ask about this on my May 29th visit.

How will immigration check actually this?    Especially if you mail in the 90 day report or do it online, how will they check if money is there?

I assume this remains to be seen.  Perhaps another thread at that time to confirm.

If someone is going to get a Visa on Arrival (VoA), and then need to leave/come back into thailand before the permission to stay expires, can they get a re-entry permit? 

Where can they obtain re-entry permit?

I think they have an Indian passport, but I assume the rule would apply to any VoA holders.

Will Ministry of Foreign Affairs still be in Chaeng wattana

5 hours ago, humbug said:

thats what is interesting because you still get the extra 12 months to make it 21 years, but if they allow up to 4 * 5 years, then it could be that you can still receive the final 5 year  visa within the 20 years and push you beyond the 21 years. unless they specifically mention that 20 years exactly is the last date of this superiorty programme

They are not giving you an extra year of membership.  The visa validity and the permission to stay stamps are independent of each other.   This is not unique to the Elite visa; it applies to any entry permission to stay based on any visa.

So the "21st" year is really just about getting the final 1 year permission to stay stamp right before your Elite Visa/membership expires.   Your membership will expire (and all the benefits that come with it), but your permission to stay stamp for the last entry is still valid.

11 minutes ago, ukrules said:

I will know for sure with personal experience by next weekend.

While this is great, @MsBom and others must understand that the entry rules are the same as long as the visa is valid at the time of entry.  The visa expiry date and permission to stay stamp are independent of each other.  The category/type of visa just tells the immigration officer how much permission to stay you qualify for on each entry.

I have personal experience with multiple entry non-immigrant ED/O visas.  Each entry give you 90 days permission to stay.  If you enter before the visa expires, you still get 90 days.  

I know of people who had Double/triple/multiple entry Tourist Visas.  Each entry give you 60 days permission to stay. They were able to enter just before the visa expires.  They got their 60 day stamp.

There is a non-O/A retirement visa that each entry give 365 day (1 year) permission to stay stamp.  They were able to enter thailand just before the visa expires.  They got their 365 day stamp. 

When her boyfriend or whomever has valid Elite visa at the time of entry, each entry give 365 day (1 year) permission to stay stamp.

As long as you remember that the visa validity and the permission to stay stamp are two separate things, it's easier to keep track of when you must do your border run.

Now here is a question:  Could he do a 1 year extension of stay with the reason Thai Elite membership at local immigration office, if he initiates it before his membership expires?  Would they give him the full year (after the membership expires)?

Although I imagine it might be less hassle to just do an out/in border run, it would be good to know.

23 minutes ago, See Will said:

don't forget a official Letter from your embassy that says you changed your passport.. 

Last December I got told that this letter was mandatory.

Lucky the IO did it for me because he knows me since many years, but he warned me next time I need to show the letter. 

9 minutes ago, Took said:

I got my new passport about a few years ago, and

I did need a certificate from the embassy to transfer

my Non-B stamp.

The Embassy said they will include the letter to transfer stamps/visa in both English and Thai.

49 minutes ago, elviajero said:

It doesn’t.

 

Immigration usually only want long term extension permits transferred. And at the same time they will note the original entry visa info in the new passport as it’s required for future extensions.

You may contact the US Embassy and ask them to update the page.   But as far as I know, it is accurate. 

It is a question of whether you are transferring an entry stamp or an extension of stay that determines whether you can do it at the border when exiting or must go to a local immigration office.

35 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If you are on a visa entry it can be done on departure from the country by showing both passports.

Wow.  Even better.  

4 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I think if I were a pensioner, I wouldn't get the 20 years, but perhaps 10 years, if possible. 

The OP has been living on a retirement visa for 15 years, so I calculate must be over 70.

The way the memberships work, the two most common ones that will enable visa privileges are the 5 year option and the 20 year option.   

From the USA Embassy Bangkok's website on passport renewal (transfer Thai visa and entry/Exit stamps dropdown)

Quote

...Thai immigration law requires entry/exit stamps and Thai visas be transferred into new passports. After receiving your new passport, please visit any Thai immigration office to have the visa transferred. The letter to facilitate visa transfers comes standard with all passport renewals and is provided without fee.

 

Please bring with you:

• Canceled passport, new passport and your visa-transfer letter

 

The Thai Immigration offices nearest Embassy Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai are:

• Bangkok (PDF 191KB)
• Chiang Mai

So my questions are:

- Can any local Thai immigration office do this?

- Is there any fees associated with this?

- How long does it take?

- What else do I need to bring with me (besides old/new passport, visa transfer letter)?

On 4/17/2019 at 2:42 PM, Bountyhuntr said:

 

Ty for reply. A boat is 50b for a Thai so I would say max 100b / each way for a foreigner ???? I guess it's doable for a total of 520b (320b / for 10 dollars)

The boat that you can get for ฿50 will wait until it is full.   Also, it may have neighboring migrant nationals onboard.   So the way their boats get stopped at checkpoints is different than if a boat is 100% foreign nationals (Western tourists).  They might get held at the checkpoint longer or talked down to a bit before being allowed to continue.  Not all the time, but I've seen....well......   The Western tourists are usually a quick spot-check and then that boat will continue.   

You need to get that $10 from a foreign national, SuperRich, etc before heading to Ranong.   They are hard to find.  Those that have them it will be ฿450.  Again, it must be crispy new (no marks, creases, or tears).  They might accept $20, $50, $100 now....not sure how the change would be.   I remember one time several years ago when the new bills came out and some tourists wanted to use $20 bill (for two people) and he was denied.  And then he tried to buy from one of the visa tour runners at the pier.  They wouldn't accept it.  So he had to pay like ฿900 (in baht) to get his $10 bills.

If you do it at Saphan Pla vs Andaman club purely for the cost savings, I think it is maximum ฿200-500 depending on if you have your own $10 bill and if you take 50 baht boat vs ฿400 baht.

Up to you.   Let us know how it all works out.

On 4/14/2019 at 10:00 AM, ubonjoe said:

May I ask why went to all the way Ranong to do the border hop?

There are much closer crossings to Myanmar from Bangkok than Ranong.

Where would you recommend?

Cost?

On 4/14/2019 at 3:31 PM, Bountyhuntr said:

....If I go myself it's like what, 100-150 boat each way and 10 dollars at border, around 700b right?.....

Two different piers in Ranong for border runs.

You are thinking of Saphan Pla to Kawthaung. The crispy new looking $10 USD (no rips, creases, or marks) + getting your own longtail boat to/from Kawthaung (I think it is ฿400-450 but they will leave right away).  You must remember to make your own copies of passport or bring your own before you leave.  

On 4/14/2019 at 3:31 PM, Bountyhuntr said:

TY for recommendation buddy. So total 1250? ....

Andaman Resort has its own pier.  The ฿950 is the total round trip fee:   Air conditioned yacht or speedboat Andaman Pier to/from Andaman Resort

free access to the pool or game room if you want to stay for a few hours.

All copies are done by Andaman staff on the Thai side and they have their own immigration booth on-site on both sides, (Air condition, restroom, and ATM on the Thai side) so it's more of an "all inclusive" experience and more recommended port.

The ฿300 baht is for Kiwi Orchard to get you to the pier and back from the bus station or market area.  And help from Kiwi getting it all arranged for you.  So 1250 total.

On 4/15/2019 at 12:14 PM, Bountyhuntr said:

Do Thais need to pay the $10 for the border pass as well? I don't think they do right as they can enter without a visa period.

The Andaman Club it is free for Thai kids, and Thai adult nationals pay a whopping ฿100.  And they can do some sort of border pass thing where they can just use their ID + a signed form to cross.  When they return, they just hand in the form.

At Saphan Pla, I'm not sure if they must use their Thai passport to cross, but there is no Myanmar visa fee at Kawthaung.

On 4/8/2019 at 9:57 PM, Bountyhuntr said:

Yup will be first land border entry this year and I will not be using an agency/tour as I don't think it's required if you are already in the area?

You should be able to go yourself.  But since you must take a taxi there anyway, I recommend Kiwi Orchard right outside the Ranong Bus station.  ฿950 for the andaman club + ฿300, and she will ensure you get there and back

It worked out with no problems for both passports. 

Seems to be a possible soft rule for those doing Visa Exempt land border run.  If you have done more than 2 in a calendar year, the 3rd+ one may require showing an onwards plane ticket.   At least at Andaman Club this is the case.  

I assume something similar is in place for Saphan Pla.   Jai at Kiwi Orchard guesthouse can help. 

On 4/3/2019 at 1:56 PM, PoorSucker said:

Go on a border run with Herbert. 

Office outside immigration in Maenam. 

He will let you know if he wants you on the bus. 

 

https://hdvisa-thailand.com

I was thinking exactly the same thing.  He's right there in Koh Samui....Herbert would be the guy to talk to....

1 hour ago, AusDieMaus said:

I am back from Ranong. Everything went smooth and all smiles and cracked jokes by the IOs. There was no problem whatsoever. And for sure no entry in the system regarding me needing a non-immi visa. I used the Andaman Club crossing. I payed 950 Baht for everything. It's a little more expensive but the service and efficiency really are worth it. 

As you can see, no problems.   If you exceed the twice per calendar year Visa Exempt by land rule, you may need to show an onward ticket on the 3rd one (Ranong border).

I just did one with ME non-o and no problems at all.  (and it was a female IO that first took my passport ????; she asked where my son was ????  So cruel ????

14 minutes ago, Bountyhuntr said:

Well I am entering Myanmar so normally the rule applies, whether you 'travel' or not. But alright I will take your advice, thanks.

In this case they will give you their equivalent of a Visa Exempt:  Essentially a stamp in, and a stamp out of the country.

If you have maxed out your land border Visa Exempt entries (2 per calendar year), they may require an onwards plane ticket for the 3rd or subsequent one.   My friend went with Kiwi Orchard Tour, and was able to get it arrange quickly.  He was going to Laos next month anyway, so it wasn't a total loss and I think the ticket price was pretty good since the departure date was several weeks out.

I think in your case, this is your first land border Visa Exempt entry?  Nothing to worry about.

BTW, what kind of Thai Visa do you have now?  SETV, METV, SE/ME Non-immigrant?

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

 

....The problem is that some border crossing will say you need 6 months of validity. Also all neighboring countries require 6 months of passport validity to enter.

Would be 1 day for the border run into neighbor country.  90 days for the non-O entry, 30 days for the VE entry.  We'll see what happens.  

Has anyone done this recently (entered with less than 6 months left on passport)?  Particularly with a border run.

Is it possible to do an entry into Thailand either for Visa Exempt or Non-immigrant O entry with a passport that expires in less than 6 months?  The passports will have about 4-5 months of validity left at the time of exit/re-entry.

Either for Visa Exempt or Non-immigrant O entry?   Likely border is Ranong.  

3bb Fiber no problems in Chumphon

4 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Do you mean first application in Penang specifically, or in general, never mind where it was done previously? 

 

I am not 100% sure.  The evidence from my experience and what I have heard seems to suggest that they only count Penang issued visas.  The worst case there is you must If you never had at least a SE non-immigrant visa from Penang, you may only get SE non-immigrant visa on the first application.  so in 3-5 months, you would have to return to get ME non-immigrant visa.  I guess if you live closer to the south or near bangkok (or near an airport/train), the train or air ride isn't too bad.

There was a report recently of someone with a new passport, but had copies of his 1st page (with photo and signature) and the last ME non-o visa from penang from old previous passport.  So he was able to get ME non-o visa from penang on "first" application of his new passport.

9 hours ago, justin case said:

If I would go, I like to go prepared, no surprises

 

but little Jim does not reply or it is with YES or NO

 

asked him about costs

 

asked him about my chances of getting what I want / need with the papers I have = no reply

 

so Jim can go ....

 

I hate travel, I hate surprises

 

Did you see his "website" ? it is a 1999 tripod one pager and links don't even work

 

and facebook without contact me or message me option

 

 

maybe he can get things done

 

would have preferred he put it on facebook or "his website"

I do have to admit though, these guys can be quite busy.  So they might prioritize local customers first.  Callers second.   If these agents didn't exist at all, imagine you'd have to figure it all yourself with trial/error.

Thailand is not really the place for that attitude.  And definitely not the Thai consulate.   Just keep smiling and have the minimum documentation, you will be ok.   Calmly make your case if any eyebrows are raised; and keep smiling.

At least you know you have some standing (at worst, SE non-o; or marriage and then Penang/Savannakhet).  Consider those digital nomads and such that cannot get their back-to-back TVs anymore.

A third option might be to contact at Herbert at HDVisa (Koh Samui).  Not sure if he will only discuss certain things in person.  But he mainly deals with the Kota Bharu Thai Consulate.  And he's been known to get things done according to a couple of sources.  Whether he can still do it or not, you'd need to investigate.  Especially since you "don't like surprises"   

@Okis please update us when you have obtain the ME non-o and have returned to thailand.  Thanks.

21 minutes ago, mngmn said:

I don't want to waste money on a new Non-Immigrant O, so plan to enter on visa exempt. Will make sure I have 20k and a ticket home when I enter.

 

Can you tell us more on your future travel pattern?  How often do you intend to come in over the next 12 months?

The first couple of VEs shouldn't be an issue.   But you might realize that non-imm might save you the hassle, even if you will be leaving permanently.  Especially if you have some family drama that crops up at the last minute related to your dependent.

1 hour ago, Essecola said:

Is that true about there not being immigration desks in the train station anymore? 

I doubt it unless they renovate the entire station, moving it back 1-3km.   There are 3 int'l trains (with more in the future possibly).

And how would you do it?  The train station is technically in Malaysia.  Walk and then stamp out of malaysian border office (without an entry stamp)?  Then walk or motorbike to the thai border immigration office?  Stamp "out" of thailand and then walk back into Malaysia?

I think @vinniekintana confused the fact that there are in fact two separate border checkpoints at Padang Besar (train and vehicle/foot)

-----

I agree with the advice to either take the train, or go via Sadao/Dannok.  No photos allowed inside the Thai Danok immigration arrival office.   (That's a story for another time).