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February 14, 2023

Not sure of your source for the link - It looks like from the url you provided this is for the old location at Wattana Rd, which is no longer the location for extensions. This is the link you need for Bangkok appointments - The location is Immigration Office (IT Square Laksi Plaza, 3rd Floor)

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

February 8, 2023

17 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

A. The 60 days starts when use the visa to enter the country.

B. Yes if you count the day you entered the country in the total.

Thanks Joe - Perfect.

February 8, 2023

If an application is made for a Tourist Visa in a neighbouring consulate and the passport is returned the next day.

A). Can someone confirm that the start of the 60 days only start on entry to Thailand (rather than the date of application nor the next day when the passport is returned)?

B). If the start of the 60 days was on the 1st day of the month and the next two months each had 30 days would the admitted until date then be on the 30th of the second month?

February 7, 2023

41 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I must admit that those reviews seem strange. Did the people who posted them have appointments? I am not trying to defend the surly officials, but I have a feeling that part of the problem is people arriving without appointments and expecting to make applications.

One of the reviews (not copied on the post) from 2 months ago identifies a very protective door guard that only allows 2 people inside at any time and before getting access visitors need to show their confirmation of appointment. All these reviews seem to have gained access to the Consulate and hence all reviews presumably had appointments.

February 7, 2023

After reading the recent experience by bigqueso26 at the once friendly Hanoi Consulate for a Tourist Visa I looked at the other once friendly Consulate in Vietnam, HCMC - Below is their most recent reviews on Google Maps. It seems that similar to Hanoi recently the experience at this Consulate has also changed.

I took a look at the appointment system - The next available appointment 16th March 2023 (37 days advance booking required).

Has Vietnam Tourist Visa applications for Thailand undergone some known change that has caused the experience to be so different?

Google Reviews:

1 Star ------- 21 hours ago NEW

Worst place I've ever been in my whole life. The guy refused to answer sinple quoestions like "Is it possible to get a visa for three months?" or "What is the fee for a visa?" He simply doesn't answer. He showed me a piece of paper with a website of the vietnamese government, which, as I noticed now, doesn't work. Unfortunately I could not give 0 stars.

1 Star ------- 6 days ago NEW

DO NOT COME HERE TO EXPEDITE OR APPLY FOR A VISA.

This place is a complete disaster. No one working - like, at all. As in, no one is even physically there (even during their own posted hours on the service window). After 1 hour of waiting for someone to arrive, a very rude and unhelpful man arrived. He did not greet me.

The only thing he did do was to point at a printed piece of paper, which had the website to the online visa application. Then, he walked away without saying a word, despite another person in line behind me, who was actively talking to him.

This is an embarrassing way to welcome visitors. I cancelled my 2-week trip to Vietnam because of this place and will never look back.✌️

1 Star ------- 6 days ago NEW

They are useless. And very rude.

1 Star ------- a week ago NEW

Worst service ever, they literally don’t care at all.

They don’t even look at you or anything.

Avoid this place, do your visa with time ahead, and online.

1 Star ------- a week ago NEW

Honestly don't bother, try online or any other embassy anywhere. 2 applications and an embassy visit and still nothing. Take your money to another country.

1 Star ------- 2 weeks ago NEW

ridiculous, chaotic, unorganized, unfriendly and most staff doesn't speak and ignoring You

1 Star ------- 2 weeks ago NEW

Unbelievable. They never replied to any of my emails or picked up the phone calls. The website is not useful and it’s impossible to reach them online or via calls.

1 Star ------- a month ago

Very poor quality of staff , we were at the embassy at 10 am & no staff at the counter until 11 am .

When one gentleman came out, he is very rude & should not be working at the counter. Very disappointing to see someone behave like that. Whoever in charge should consider to review their performance.

1 Star ------- a month ago

Very bad service, no answer the phone call, open 30 minutes late, and the staff of tourist visa counter is helpless and very rude.

January 28, 2023

3 hours ago, BritTim said:

In late 2019, just prior to Covid, it was becoming more and more difficult to acquire Thai tourist visas at embassies/consulates in countries neighbouring Thailand. The limitations imposed varied from location to location. Vientiane and (especially) Savannakhet had historically been easy places to get serial tourist visas, but had been steadily tightening their requirements. I am not sure of the limits they are now applying. I have seen one report (not confirmed) that they will allow you two tourist visas, but block any attempt to apply for a third.

In 2019, the best places to apply were Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Yangon. Even there, you would risk a denied application if your passport was full of Thai tourist visas.

Good info BritTim - Its just a pity that Immigration can not just make a single set of rules that could be possibly even harder to qualify for - But a least everyone knows what the rules are.

I suspect that that even outside of the amount of tourist visa's each immigration algorithm has also been adapted to include some kind of calculation for the amount of Visa exempts especially now this has increased to 45 days.

The reason that McDonald's gets repeat customers is they provide predictability, the one thing you never get from Thailand immigration is predictability.

January 28, 2023

I came across this old post (October 8, 2019) by UbonJoe - If stay in Thailand 90 days in the past 6 months application at Vientiane and Savannakhet possibly KL or Penang or Ho Chi Minh City then will not accept a application for a tourist visa.

Is this still a thing?

Has this been adopted by any other Consulates / Embassies?

January 23, 2023

1 hour ago, RedArmy said:

Just pay on the day.

Ps, don't wear flip-flops.

B+)

January 23, 2023

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Forgot to mention. Are you Bangkok.

Extension to a visa exempt entry is done at IT Mall Laksi and not CW.

If they have changed it to CW someone will correct my advice.

I just booked with the online system - I thought I also needed to pay online before the booking would be accepted, but I got confirmation of the appointment time and date - I have had mo payment request.

Is the 1,900 Thb paid on the day or is this an online payment (that I have missed / misunderstood)?

January 23, 2023

Yup - Bangkok - Thanks for checking - I am aiming to go to IT Mall Laski

This is the destination currently showing on the booking site:

"Immigration Office - IT Square Laksi Plaza, 3rd Floor"

January 23, 2023

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

30 day extension for visa exempt very simple process and paperwork basic.

Provided you have a TM30, I would stick with the appointment.

BTW be 15-20 minutes early as they run on time.

Make sure you print out your online booking confirmation hard copy.

DrJack54 - You have given a brilliant Response - Exactly what I needed.

January 23, 2023

After Going online to book an appointment for the extension I found that the next available date is just 2 days before end of my Visa Exempt.

Since this is the land of surprises it seems best to get things done as early as possible in case a plan-B is necessary.

Questions:

1. Is the walk-in option something that takes up a lot of the day (Since the booked appointment is supposed to only take 15min)?

2. If I book one of the available slots is there any danger (even with all the correct forms, money and pics) that a rejection might occur - I am speculating here, but probably the only other reason might be because of what is disliked in the passport?

January 10, 2023

1 hour ago, Bigz said:

Thais will let you back in on the same day. To my knowledge Cambodia has a rule that if you are a solo traveller (not in a tour group) you must stay at least a night in Cambodia. The Cambodian border guards usually charge 300 Bahts to 'exempt' you from this rule.

I actually expected the same once the overnight requirement had been identified. However one of the people in the crowd when I entered into Cambodia after leaving immigration was shouting he could fix it with Thai immigration to go back the same day, which did confused me. It could be I misunderstood or his English was not accurate or none of the above. However the sheer number of people trying to get attention for commerce was a bit overpowering and difficult to really have a sensible conversation with a crowd.

At the end of the day even if the overnight issue was fixed, unless all the other issues were fixed with Thai immigration I was still going to have the same challenge with the immigration supervisor - I am speculating here, but she was more likely looking for a week or two in Cambodia - The one overnight didn't impress her at all. Also I think in retrospect staying one night in Poipet is probably a small price to pay if it could guarantee re-entry to Thailand with a Visa Exempt. Unfortunately these probably might be two separate issues.

January 10, 2023

1 hour ago, persimmon said:

I need to cross the border at Nonghai next month for a 45 day VEE . I then need to extend this by 30 days to match my flight date . Is this likely to be a problem when coming back into Th . - will they require a flight out within the 45 days ?

Great report BTW , did you take notes as you were going through the process , or just remember it all afterwards ?

Thanks - persimmon I took a notepad with me. I have done trips before and could not remember the details after a few weeks - Hence this time wrote it down.

January 10, 2023

5 minutes ago, Saigon said:

At first I had to join the queue for the kiosk and wasn't

even told to go to the office till I handed my passport

over to the IO at the kiosk.

There was actually a Thai woman queuing ahead of

me, and the IO asked her the same questions like

'Where are you going?' and 'How long there for?' so

that must of been their standard process, I'd say.

Good feedback Saigon - Thanks for taking the time for the response

January 10, 2023

32 minutes ago, mockingbird said:

If I'd never set foot in Thailand in my life, I would still avoid the Poipet border.

Ha - That made me laugh - And I guess I agree mockingbird

January 10, 2023

23 minutes ago, Saigon said:

That's a very interesting but amazing report

about the immigration at Poipet, which is

believed to be a land crossing to be best

avoided! It's proved to be as notorious as

other reports say!

I did a border bounce at Padang Besar last

month for my 2nd visa-exempt entry in the

calendar year. Only Thai and Malaysian

passport holders were allowed to queue for

the kiosks so I was told to go to the office

where I was asked the same questions by

the IOs as you were (even when I left The

Kingdom), but was never asked if I had

booked an onward ticket out of Thailand

yet when I came back here.

Good info Saigon -

Its difficult to know if the questions that were ask of you at Padang was just immigration doing their job and this is standard process for all non Thai / Malaysians or this was a one off arbitrary decision made on that day.

However on a more general point - It is difficult to remove conflict from a system when there is presumed entitlement by users, while many times it's just interpretation and subjective thought.

I was actually very surprised by the flight details that were required and again echoing the above - If you want compliant users then provide them a consistency to follow so they can give what you want.

January 10, 2023

35 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Great report, but since you seem to like trains, you could have saved yourself quite a bit of hassle by taking a train to Nong Khai and crossing the border to Laos there instead.

Yup - I have done that train journey to Nong Khai a few times before and yes in hindsight it would have made more sense.

Its my Bad, that will serve as experience for future decisions.

However more importantly hopefully this will help others who were on the fence about Poipet with a similar Visa / exemption profile - Providing them with some details for consideration.

January 10, 2023

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Fantastic report.

Appreciate the detail. Ta

I really appreciate your positive feedback - Thanks

January 10, 2023

Background:

Mostly O & OA Retirement Extensions between 2010 - 2020. - Previously leaving Thailand Feb 2020 and I entered Thailand with Visa exempt November 2022 (was not extended) . After 44 days I was attempting to get another 45 day Visa exempt on a Poipet border run.

5:15 am Arrive at Hua Lamphong station and buy a Ticket to Ban Klong Luk Border (Poipet, Cambodia), 49 Bth - 4 queuing lines with 7 in each line, time taken to get a ticket is 3 mins. Took #53 bus (8 Thb) from Thewet to railway station, travel time of 14 mins.

5:55 am Train leaves on time, most seats are full

11:21 am After 50 stops arrive at the border (4 mins late) and follow most of the passengers out of the station, turn left and then immediately turn left again, following the signs for Thailand immigration, total distance 100 metres.

11:24 am Enter Thailand immigration, 4 lines with 7 people queuing in each line. The process of getting stamped out is straightforward and without questions or issues.

11:31 am Exit Thailand immigration, walk down the steps and enter Cambodia arrivals which is 80 metres on the right, then walk up the steps and immediately directed to the table on the right to fill in an arrival card (like a TM.6). The building is new, the kiosks have signs “payment should not be made at this kiosk” looks professional, clinical and well organised. There are 4 lines and 7 people queuing in each line.

11:47 am Get the arrival stamp in my passport and walk down the steps into Cambodia (I had the Cambodian Visa purchased previously, no payment was required). Immediately met by 10 vendors offering transport. One was smartly dressed and spoke good English and similarly offered transport, seemed like a middleman. I said I was going directly back to Thailand and he said that this was not possible since I need to spend at least one night in Cambodia or would be refused entry by Thai immigration.

11:49 am Spoke to a Cambodian uniformed official who was about 50 metres away, outside. I asked if I would be allowed back into Thailand with a Visa Exempt as I had just arrived today in Cambodia. His answer was No, I would need to spend one night in Cambodia, but I should go check with Thai immigration to be sure. His English was good and his approach was friendly.

11:52 am I walked into the entry to Thailand area about 100 metres behind the Cambodian uniformed official (will refer to this building again later) and spoke to a Thailand Immigration Police officer. I asked the same question and his response was that I need to go back to Cambodia. I persisted and said I would do this, but I wanted to know if I could enter Thailand on a Visa Exempt if I stamped out of Cambodia today. The officer raised his voice and waved me away saying "come back once you leave Cambodia".

11:59 am I entered the Cambodian exit building I had just walked from and I walked up the stairs and there were about 100 people queuing for the 4 exit Kiosks open. I asked a man who was not in uniform at the doorway if he worked for Cambodian immigration which he confirmed he did. I asked him the same question as before. His answer was that I need to spend one night in Cambodia or will be denied entry by Thai immigration. His English was good and his approach was friendly.

12:23 pm I exit the building and set off to Poipet to find accommodation

5:02 pm I found Hotel accommodation ($15, paid with 550 Thb) 1Km from the border (clean and good value). I tried 9 hotels and Guest Houses previously, which were surprisingly all full and had prices between $50 to $17.50 with distances ranging from close to the border and up to 3 Km away.

7:35 am Next day I leave the hotel and head towards the border.

8:01 am Enter up the stairs again to the Cambodia immigration exit kiosks. There are 4 Kiosks open and no one else waiting. Fingerprint and photos taken with some keyboard work, then stamped out of Cambodia. The exit is straightforward and there are no questions asked.

8:04 am Walk down the stairs at the rear and head back again to Thailand arrival. There is a coffee shop on the left with a “Quarantine area” sign above and 20 metres further there are barriers that guide you to the Thailand Immigration. On the left when entering is an office signed Thailand immigration and I enquire for guidance and the officer points loosely across a large open area filled with about 150 people mostly seated. I reach barriers next to the escalator on the left hand side where I ask a man not in uniform, partially sleeping, where I need to go and he sits up and finds a pack of TM6 forms and he hands me one. I completed the form and he then directs me up the escalator.

8:12 am I enter the Thailand immigration room and there are 75 people queuing with 6 Kiosks open. There is one western family with a child and all other passports seem to be Cambodian.

8:49 am I entered the Kiosk area. There are 2 Kiosks now open and approximately 110 people are queuing. My fingerprints and photographs are taken and some computer keyboard entries are made. After about 90 seconds I am asked questions: “How long you stay in Thailand” and I reply 45 days. He asks “How long do you stay in Cambodia” and I reply 1 day. He asks “Why do you come to Thailand” and I reply that I am on holiday. He calls over his supervisor and I am ushered to a seating area.

9:06 am Supervisor arrives and the following conversation approximately happened:

Supervisor: “ How long you stay in Thailand” Me: “45 days” (Assuming this to be my Visa exempt entitlement)

Supervisor: “Why you come to Thailand” Me: “For a Holiday”

Supervisor: “When do you leave Thailand” Me: “In 2 weeks to go to Vietnam” (I now start adapting and mentally rescheduling my time in Thailand since I am sensing she has a problem with another 45 days of stay).

Supervisor: “Where do you go then” Me: “I will then go to Bali for 2 Months” (more mental adaptive rescheduling)

Supervisor: “Show me your flight out of Thailand” Me: “ I have not booked this yet”

Supervisor: “Where do you stay in Thailand Me: I hand her a copy of my Condo Contract

Supervisor: “This is for a 6 months stay Me: “I have an arrangement that I can leave before this date and I am then just charged a fee for storage of my things while away.

Supervisor: “ Do you have Flight bookings to leave Thailand” Me: “ Yes, but this is in May 2023”

Supervisor: “ You need to book a flight now out of Thailand to leave in the next two weeks” Me: “How can I do that, I only have cash with me (20,000 Thb) and my credit card is in my condo in Bangkok.

Supervisor: “You need to book a flight now” Me: “ I have a ten year history of long term visas with very few visa exempts. I am here on a short holiday and will be going back to the UK, returning to Thailand to get a conversion to O Visa and then an extension, I just misunderstood the Visa exempt rules"

Supervisor: “You did not have to come to Cambodia as you could have applied for an extension giving the 2 weeks needed before leaving for Vietnam” Me: “I did not know that”. In reality I did know that, rather I thought my entitlement would start again for 2 per calendar year, just in case I needed them (the border run was December 2022)

Supervisor: “ You need to book a flight out of Thailand before you will be allowed to enter” Me: “How can I do this if my credit card is in Bangkok”

Supervisor: “Do you have a Thai girlfriend” Me: “No"

Long silence occurs as she flips through the pages of my passport. She then stands up and says “Follow me”. We go to a Kiosk and then she takes my fingerprints and photo again and then she stamps into my passport a 45 day permission to stay.

9:38 am I exit immigration and enter Thailand then I head to the market to buy a fresh shirt before getting back on the train to Bangkok.

1:53 pm Train leaves the station (full) and we arrive in Bangkok 7:53 pm (13 min late)

THE END

Subjective Issues:

I should have taken a credit card with me and booked onwardticket.com ($14) when a ticket was needed. However I thought this was only required for Airport arrivals, not land crossings. I had the 20,000 Thb and proof of accommodation, which I thought was the only requirement.

It was not stated that any further comments would be made in my electronic file and there are no comments made in my Passport and I am guessing that after I extend the current Visa exempt and then I go for another 45 day exempt (at Lao Border) or possibly apply for Tourist Visa (in Hanoi) this incident will not jeopardise nor will the same issues be raised.

I should have known from other reports, one night's stay would be required in Cambodia and that 2 border runs per calendar year is not the only consideration for Thai immigration at the Poipet border. However I was convinced otherwise by two people living near me with broadly similar Visa backgrounds who had just done the same run successfully and had not found any problems other than queuing times were excessive.

A Cambodia border bounce company costing 3,500 Thb vs DIY 2,000 Thb = 1,500 Thb premium - If doing the trip again now I would consider this to be good value insurance.

On a positive note - The 45 day Visa exempt objective was achieved and the supervisor didn't give a denied entry stamp / write comment in passport / enforce a return to Thailand by air and I got a cheap shirt from the market.

December 29, 2022

29 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No.

Thanks - That is good.

December 29, 2022

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will l do it ai Laksi.

You can do if up to 2 weeks early.

Just a quick follow up question: Assuming you turn up with the correct documents and money, are there any known reason why an extension might be refused (on an exempt)?

December 29, 2022

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

You will l do it ai Laksi.

You can do if up to 2 weeks early.

Thanks Joe

December 29, 2022

For getting an extension to Visa exempt (45 days) in Bangkok do you go to Chaeng Wattana or IT Square Laksi Plaza?

Do you need to wait until the last few weeks of the Visa exempt to extend this or can you do this immediately once you get it?

December 21, 2022

My assumption is that the border crossing points are open every day of the year, but only between certain hours of the day.

Are there any special days when they might be closed - specifically are they open this Christmas and New year?

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