Hal65

Repeating my prior question:

My school is concerned about doing the "reference stamp transfer" (referencing the old tourist visa) at Chiang Mai. Their concern is that immigration might make a note of a volunteer visa in the new passport.

Is this is a valid concern? Has such a "black mark" been transferred to anyone's new passport?

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You don't require pp to fly domestically. 

In any event yes you can fly with both passports even international.

 

Be aware that stamps most often need to be transferred at the immigration office that issued them. 

 

What is you current status regarding permission of stay in Thailand. 

I'm on a Tourist Visa.

Is there any chance that Jomtien immigration transfers more than the prior stamp/visa? I have a volunteer visa, my new school is concerned that the volunteer visa/stamp may also be transferred over.

Another important note. I last entered Thailand through CNX. My Thai tourist visa is from HCMC and the stamp is from CNX immigration.

I need to fly to Chiang Mai from Pattaya (leaving from BKK airport). I want to move my tourist visa from my old passport, to a new one, at Chiang Mai immigration, not Jomtien. Is it possible to take the flight by bringing both passports?

Someone will ask why not do the switch in advance at Jomtien immigration. It is important that the switch is done at Chiang Mai. If I can't fly I will take the train.

Initially it was to see if it was true or not

You know 100% that you will be getting to the airport with Bolt.

Scheduling in advance adds to the list of preparatory steps on the other hand.

I consider it a win because it's one less thing to think about (trip planning has a lot going on as it is). I also tried to cut out hotel bookings, that didn't go as well. Probably paid double for an oversized room.

Any long term purveyor of the bar and gogo girls instinctively knows that is near New York Diner, just past Ibar when walking north to south.

On 3/26/2023 at 7:18 PM, redwood1 said:

You can book with Bolt or Grab 24/7/365  15 minutes before your ready to leave....If the driver does not want the trip he will reject it and it will go to the loads of other waiting drivers...

I took the trip and hired a Bolt both ways. In both cases the very first driver took the fare. Both asked if I would pay the toll to which I said Yes. Total cost each way was 1,200 + 105 toll. In both cases the very first driver offered the fare (by the app) took it. They only have 10 seconds so I imagine even if the first declines the second won't be much longer.

The airport driver was already at the airport too, with Bolt. In the case of scheduling a taxi with Cherry Taxi, the sign person told me to "wait 5 minutes" (was closer to 20)

So that ends scheduled taxis for me ????

What's the best one?

I've been mostly on ED visas. I had to switch to a 90 day single entry TV which I got from HCMC. because of timing issues I may need to get another tourist visa after this one. My guess is Yangon or Savannakhet would be a little better than Vientiane but curious what the forum thinks.

Quote

Step 8: Return envelope,  an insured return envelope is required when you are applying for U.S. passport in Thailand. Please purchase a bank draft to pay for the envelope fee — click here for Bank draft request form.

NOTE: Prepaid envelope cannot be accepted when you are applying for a U.S. passport in Thailand.

Which does this mean:

1. Send a bank draft for 100 thb from an approved Thai bank

2. Send item #1 plus a return envelope, self addressed

Asking because these guys are picky about every details. I did US passport renewal by mail 5+ years ago. The exchange rate changed in my favor during the mailing. They would not cash the check and send back the excess. I had to get a new bank draft and send it again!

I need to mail my US passport to the embassy for renewal. Can I apply for 30 day TV extension with all pages photocopied only? Any other special documents needed to do this?

Yeah I've tried the Makro mulberries. They add a bit of sweetness but are mostly bland. Blueberries are sweet and flavorful

Yeah as flight timings go this one will require the least buffer:

1. Domestic flight (no immigration gate)
2. No luggage other than carry on
3. No traffic. Probably no airport lines

For domestic flights in the US it is recommended to arrive 2 hours before flight. In this case assuming 30 minutes of searching for a taxi, 90 minutes drive, I'll be there and probably generously ahead of time.

Just a matter of finding the willing taxi. Years ago I once asked a moto taxi driver for an Utapao trip, it was 1am. He quoted 1,000 enthusiastically. Pre-scheduling would have cost 700 for a car so based on this example there is certainly a premium

I have a flight to CNX (from BKK) coming up. Flight leaves at 6am so I want to be on the road at 2am from Pattaya.

In the past I've scheduled with various taxi services. This time I'd like to practice using on demand options. It'll make the mental load of flight planning easier in the future, if it works out.

My current list in order of priority

1. Bolt

2. Grab

3. Street car /van taxis. Will check if in front of Central Festival is active first (any other hotspots?)

4. Moto taxi (I imagine this will get tiring)

PS: I'll only take a backpack

Thanks for the mulberries suggestion, I just read online they are sweet. Will check out Makro today.

When I switched from strawberries to blueberries in my daily oatmeal I cheated less (on my food not a girl). So my barometer for a good fruit is taste based, with berries at the top of the pack for nutritional value

Right now I'm paying 300/kilo at Friendship. Anyone know a cheaper place? Fresh/frozen doesn't matter

Ok then. Are there any good embassys in Indonesia, or nearby countries? I may do a visa stopover if so. I see there's a Thai consulate in Denpasar

Would like to head there for my next trip. How easy or tough are they for Thai Tourist Visa for people with a long history in Thailand? Yes I know Laos is easier and safer.

I am considering doing a border run to stay in Vietnam for 60 days total. Here is what I understand so far:

#1. Hire a border run service to go to a nearby the border from Ho Chi Minh City. I'm guessing one in Cambodia.

#2. Get the exit stamp on the Vietnam visa, and then apply for a Cambodian Visa.

After this I'm unclear on what to do next. As a American citizen I know that one of my few options to get into Vietnam is the eVisa. But I've also been told that the Evisa can only be applied for outside of Vietnam. Which means I think I would need to spend 3 days in Cambodia before approval. Or one day if I use an agency with rush service.

Is this how it's being done? If you guys know a more efficient way, please help me understand, thank you.

@JayClay the train ticket would have only proved his travel from Chiang Mai to Pattaya where his hotel booking was

I imagine this doesn't happen too often but I was thinking of staying in Medellin for a couple months and applying for a Thai tourist visa at the Bogota consulate. I am an American citizen.

In general are faraway consulates and embassies known to be harder or easier?

10 hours ago, Denim said:

Whatever the OP decides the best strategy at immigration arrivals ( airports ) is to avoid the queues that lead to a female immigration officer . Real sticklers for the rules especially if you have had a lot of Ed visas or look like a monger.

 

Next avoid the younger male immigration officers trying to shine and make it up the promotion ladder.

 

Pick the queue that leads to a kindly looking old man who wears glasses and appears a bit slow on the uptake.

 

When your turn comes give him a big wai a big smile and talk about the weather and how hot it is in Thailand but the food is delicious and Thai people so kind and friendly.

 

You will get stamped in no questions asked.

Great advice, thank you. How do you discern the kindly old man from the angry old man?

6 hours ago, Upnotover said:

There are 2 dates on a tourist visa.  Issue Date and Enter Before/Expiry Date.  You are not expected to arrive on the Issue Date (a lot of times this would be impossible) but only before the Enter Before/Expiry Date.  90 day tourist visa?

Yeah I asked for 60 and got 90. I'm not complaining!