MfGlove

Hello,

I am planning on applying for and obtaining a Non-Immigrant O visa but I'm not sure the best route for me. I came to Thailand on a 90 single entry (for volunteer work) and since that has expired I have been doing border runs in Mai Sai ever since. I have done 4 or 5 15-day visa exempt entrys and would really like to go and get another Non-I O. It appears like Laos has the closest Thai Embassy from Chiang Rai City. I hope to get a Non-I O and apply for a work permit and 1-year extension when I return (but that'll be a whole other experience in itself). I just want to get the Non-I O now to avoid having to do border runs every 14-15 days and I also need it to apply for a work permit.

My question - is Laos the best option for me? I read that I'd have to get a Laos visa in Bangkok before I go? Is this true or can I get a visa on arrival when I enter Laos? I'd hate to have to travel all the way to Bangkok and then back up north again to Laos. Does anyone have any suggestions about what might be the best option for doing a visa run?

Also, does anyone foresee any complications for myself considering I have 4 or 5 sets of exit/entry visa exemption stamps in my passport? Meaning, will anyone give me a hard time for filling up my visa so quickly where they would deny me a Non-I O (PS. I will have a sponsor/support letter and all the documentation I need for a Non-I O)?

Any advise would be appreciated. Detailed advise, as I am fresh to this whole process and I don't want to be guessing. Thanks!

Hello,

Does anyone know of any health centers or spas that have flotation tanks, particularly in northern Thailand? I could only find a couple places in Phuket but that is too far from me as I live in the north. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Ok, so it appears I need to get a new Non-Immigrant O visa before my 15 day Visa Exempt Entry expires and then apply for a work permit once my visa is secure. Could I get an additional 15 days of cushion room if I cross/re-cross the border in Mae Si again?

Also, which consulate might be the best place to go if I'm living in Chiang Rai city? I suppose "best" meaning closest and most able to provide me with what I need. Laos?

Would it make sense to get a multiple entry type O so I don't have to worry about doing this whole process over again? I only had a type O 90 day single entry before. I'd hate to have to go through all this trouble again in another 90 days. Is it true that a multiple entry visa witll give you another 90s if you make a border run after the first 90 days are up. And do all neighboring consulates offer multiple entry visas for type O?

Is getting a new visa something that can be done same day or is it a process where as I have to apply for it by mail and go pick it up at a later date? I had planned on scheduling a few days for travel to a neighboring consulate to apply for and obtain the visa but want to be sure I can take care of it all in one trip.

I assume I would need what I needed for the first O visa I obtained. That being:

Passport

Application

2 photos

Letter from the Thai organization

Money

Is this a correct assumption?

So, again, my situation is that I plan on volunteering for 9 more months in Thailand. My Non-Immigrant O, single entry visa expired and I have had my visa stamped as a 15 day Visa Exempt Entry. I do plan on applying for a work permit but I need to figure the best O visa type to get (single/multiple entry), where the best place to go would be, and any other useful information I would need so as not to come across issues when I finally go.

I apologize but this is all very confusing to me and I'd hate to go to the consulate in another country only to find out they can't provide me with what I need. Any specific suggestions or reccomendations would be great. Thanks in advance!

Thanks a lot everyone! I'll check out CRC and see if it's the same as Mrs. Bless' class. Keep the info coming! Appreciated.

Thanks all, for the replies. Yes, Ginkas, my Visa is no more and I have a 15 day Visa Exempt Entry. A question about the work permit - I did not need a work permit when applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa back home. I only needed a support letter from the organization and documentation showing that the organization is registered. It was my understanding that if I am volunteering without pay I don't need a work permit as it is not "work.". Can I just get another Non-Immigrant O from a neighboring country without a work permit or do I need a work permit to do so? I understand that it is necessary for an extension so perhaps that is the best way regardless. Thanks!

Aaron

Hello,

I'll be getting a day or two off in the coming week and I'm looking for suggestions on something to do in Chiang Rai. During the week, I usually only make it to a few coffee shops or to the market for groceries. Perhaps someone knows of a cool shop to visit, or a nice park to hang out in, or something creative or active to take part in. I have been looking into yoga/meditation classes and pottery classes and I was really excited to hear Chiang Rai has a disc golf course at Boomerang but it is closed for rainy season. It'd be great to take in some exciting, new experiences and to meet some interesting people, too. My days off are few and far between but I'm looking forward to just getting out for a while. Any suggestions at all would be awesome. Thanks much!

Aaron

Hello,

I'm fairly new to Chiang Rai but I am looking for something therapeutic and mindful to do on my free time. Meditation and yoga has always interested me but I never had time to practice back home. I'd love to feed my mind and body with these disciplines and would be eager to learn. Does anyone know of any good yoga or meditation studios? I've emailed Katharina Bless at her Nada Yoga studio and she replied but she currently isn't in Chiang Rai and won't be that often anymore. I have been reading about sacred sound meditation and it's affect on mind expansion which is why I contacted her. With that said, I am however just a beginner but eager and excited to start so any information at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton!

Aaron

Hello,

I am volunteering in Chiang Rai and will be here a year. I wonder if there are any pottery studios that allow the public to come in and throw pots. Or maybe even give classes/lessons on Thai pottery. Throwing pots is something I had always enjoyed back home and would greatly enjoy learning the Eastern and Thai style of throwing and glazing. Throwing pots is very thereputic and I would look forward to an opportunity like this. I saw a flier with stunning ceramic photos for Doy Din Dang Pottery and emailed them regarding this inquiry but I have not heard back. Does anyone know if any pottery studios in or near Chiang Rai? Much appreciated!

Aaron

Hello, I am an American and a volunteer at a non-governmental orphanage in Chiang Rai. I plan to volunteer for 1 year and my 3 month visa will expire soon. I have a Non-Immigrant O, single entry visa. It was actually set to expire last week so I traveled to Mae Sai for a temporary extension of 2 weeks. I have seen posts and suggestions for people extending this type of visa but for marriage reasons, retirement (over 50) reasons, or volunteering for a governmental school as a teacher. I am 29 years old, single, and volunteering (no pay, room & board only) for a non-governmental organization. What is the best way to go about getting a new visa or visa extension if I plan to be here for 9 more months? Can I take care if this with Thai Immigration or will I have to go on a run to another country? If so what country would you suggest and what type of visa or visa extension would I apply for? Finally, what would I need to bring with to ensure everything goes to plan? Any specific information would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! -Aaron-