phuketjock

Just now, ubonjoe said:

I think you will find if you read the later articles about it was for everybody. Enough so that some officers were transferred.

Sorry Joe i just read the article that was posted there was

no mention of any other related articles, that I know of.

41 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

Penang agent has post on FB just yesterday it's back to 200 in the passport- I guess I will do it from now on- but then... I'm breaking the  &^%$^* law for NO REASON- I' m legal as it gets  and  still harassed. 

Bad Guys Pay, Good  Guys Pay Too (and get harassed).

I'm sorry Sarah if you have no reason to break the law why would you?

20 hours ago, JackThompson said:

It's in the news - and not the first time they tried to clean it up, there.  People able to bribe their way into the country with who knows what sort of intentions is not a good thing.  Glad they are on it.

 

This article is in particular about Malaysian tourists coming through Sadao nothing to do with farangs.

20 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Going back how many years?   I have been a regular reader here for a few years, and have seen many cases of problems on Exempts, ED, and Tourist entries.  But, by all means, do not take my word for it.  The best way to research this, is to use google to search only this site, with various terms, and use operands to maximize hits:
So, for example - search:

  refused OR denied airport site:thaivisa.com

That will return only results from this site.  Then, be sure to read all the replies, because many have additional reports of similar, otherwise-unreported incidents and detail.

Jack you are the one making the ridiculous claims you back up your claims don't ask others to

look for improbable support for your claims.

Then come back and tell us you can actually support what you are saying with facts please.

Just now, JackThompson said:

I am not blowing anything out of proportion.  I already agreed with you, that people who have come less frequently and/or stayed for short periods of time are not currently affected.  

 

But this involves far more than 2 persons - and has affected people who haven't been in Thailand for weeks, months, etc - if you have read reports here going back years, as I have.

Several have reported what they were told and, in many cases, the IOs quoted "rules" which do not exist.  Some got through, and some did not.  It is "making up the rules" and twisting the rules (no ATM access, while claiming lack of financial support) which is the problem.

 

When "bonafide" is defined / part of the Thai Law/Rules on those entering with Tourist Visas, we can discuss whether "rightly denied entry" should apply. 

Jack go and research how many people are refused entry in ONE day, never mind "going back years", in the USA and come back and let us know

how bad Thailand is in comparison.

You and others ARE blowing this way out of proportion.

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

I agree it primarily affects those with a history of longer-stays.  Visa Exempts are one thing - with their own separate rule-set.  Tourist Visas cannot be "abused" other than violation of their terms (not working, not overstaying, etc).  The fellow turned-away with 25K Baht and a Tourist Visa followed the rules.  As others have pointed out, what "they say" goes - rules/laws or not - which is sad.

I mentioned VOA for other countries (not Thailand), as the only use I had for the USD I brought here, other than to satisfy Immigration entry-requirements.

I agree people should find out about this rule, and should carry the cash, because this rule is being enforced.  I hope more learn of this rule, so their plans are not derailed by an antique rule, combined with an absence of ATMs between incoming aircraft and Immigration control.

Jack you are posting drama filled nonsense, how many bonafide real tourists have been refused entry 

for any reason, in the only, yes only, current cases that have come to light recently the 2 people involved 

had many recent back to back tourist/exempt entries and one did not comply with the money requirements.

In addition to this they were unable to come up with satisfactory answers to the IO's questions and were

rightly denied entry. They caused this problem themselves, no one else.

Please stop blowing this non event out of all proportion, ALL OF YOU.

5 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

I have years of traveling under my belt - all over.  Being an older guy, and having lived through a time when ATM machines were not ubiquitous, I bought $200 in travelers checks before leaving my passport-country for the last time.  That was ~10 years ago, and I still have those travelers checks - never needed them.  Fortunately, they never expire.  In all that time, I was always able to to to an ATM and withdraw as much cash as was needed for expenditures.  Cash, today, is something most people acquire in a "just in time" fashion - withdrawn immediately when needed. 

 

Only when this issue came up with Thailand's entry points, did I think about travelers checks, again.  Unable to find a place to buy them in Cambodia, I came in with $400 in cash to cover the rest of the 20K baht.  The first thing I did after crossing the border, was to deposit $200 of that cash in my my Bangkok Bank account, for safety.  Eventually, I spent the remaining $200 USD on Lao and Cambodian "Visa On Arrivals" - having no other use for it, other than to save a bit, vs the "Baht" price, of a VOA.

 

I wish we could poll today's travelers - especially younger ones - to find out how many travel with 20K Baht in cash or old-fashioned travelers checks.  When you arrive at an airport, you need a snack and a taxi - so under $50.   Even for these "immediately upon arrival" expenses, everyone knows that every airport has ATM machines in it, and everyone expects to be able to withdraw cash there - in the local currency - or from a street-corner - 24/7.   On my last trip to Penang, I arrived there with about 1500 Baht, and immediately withdrew local-currency from an ATM at the airport for my expenses.  When I returned to Thailand, I still had that same 1500 Baht in my wallet.

 

I respect Thailand's desire to ensure people entering are not destitute.  Who want's more bums?  If they believe that 20K Baht in cash satisfies that requirement, that is their call to make.  The point is, don't trap people in a zone without ATM Machines, then accuse them of not having money.  Put a machine right below the "you need money to enter" sign. 

Jack endless posts again.

This issue did not just come up it has been law for over 20 years and is now becoming an issue

for those who have been abusing the tourist visa/exempt entry system, not for anyone else.

The VOA argument is a red herring only a few countries a eligible for such a visa.

It is not rocket science Jack make sure you obey the rules and you will not have any problems,

and the rule for Thailand in this instance is make sure you have proof that you have the required

amount of money to enter, with the appropriate visa or exempt entry. Simple really.

21 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

Can you please clarify what you are on about regarding a 90 day report? since when do you need any paperwork other than your passport, previous notification slip, can't remember the last time I needed the TM47 form.

Sent from my SM-G610F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

The form is required by immigration when you are reporting staying in the Kingdom 

more than 90 days, whether they take it or not is up to them, i would suggest you

have it on hand when you do your 90 day report or face the possible consequences

but as they say up to you, and i believe Patong office still requires it, and a copy of

your passport and your TM6?

The fact that at the moment they seem to be letting the lack of it go does not mean

they will be so lax in the future.

3 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Someone reported there are electronic-billboards informing travelers, who just got off the plane, that they need the 20K Baht.  Yet no ATM from which to obtain the funds is available.  Why not put ATMs under flashing signs - and a big "down arrow" pointing to the ATM? 

Even better, have the ATM-fees from that machine donated to needy-children, or cancer-research, or similar - which would smooth-over any hard-feelings about the policy (and the high-fees for foreign-withdrawals).

 

A more interesting article would have been: (headline) "Catch 22 in Thailand's Airports?"  (sub-head) "Travelers Arriving at Bangkok Airports Must Show Cash - But ATM Machines are Conspicuously Absent.  Is it a set-up?" ...

 

(article text beings with) "When entering a banana republic, one might expect that Immigration Officials would play entrapment-games, but some travelers have been shocked to see this sort of scheme playing out in one of the premier tourist-destinations in the world.  Risking its reputation as friendly to foreigners, Thailand's Airport Immigration have begun a new policy of arbitrarily asking to see 'Cash On Arrival' - while withholding the means to obtain that cash. The state of modern banking means that people no longer have to risk robbery by carrying large amounts of cash, or purchasing Travelers Checks to fund their time in a foreign country.  But Thailand has created a 1970s-era zone between the airplane and Immigration, leaving travelers no way to meet this generally unknown requirement to enter the country ..."

Jack you are at it again, those electronic notice boards you refer to have been around, in

non electronic form, for more than 20 years, so nothing new.

I have travelled most of my working life and i would never dream of going to another

country, on holiday or for work, without having at least 2 or 3 hundred pounds in cash or 

travellers checks and i would wager that 99% of the tourists that come to Thailand on 

holiday do exactly that, anyone who doesn't is rather foolish imo.

You have been reading too much fiction Jack.

16 minutes ago, perthperson said:

ASEAN membership does not provide any advantage to the majority of citizens of ASEAN countries. Unlike the EU there is no freedom of movement agreement and each country retains its own visa/work permit rules. 

As I thought i understood it there was soon to be freedom of movement within ASEAN 

and eventually freedom of employment, but hey tit.

39 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I have to agree with the above. Either that or he was new to his job and completely clueless.

As she physically showed him the extension of stay and re-entry permit (which he anyway should have seen) I really doubt semantics were the issue.

There have been many reports over the years of "rent-seeking" behavior by IOs at Sadao crossing and the Thai govt rwcentlt in effect acknowledged the problem thete, issuing them an order to stop collecying "tea money".

As can be seen from this signboard which has been on display at every border post I have ever used to cross into Thailand,

and it has been around for at least the last 20 years.

If you look closely you see that for a tourist or NON- IMMIGRANT VISA proof of not less than 20,000 "bath " is required so 

it is possible that Sarahs continue reference to her current "O" visa had something to do with the demand for the 20,000 baht.

I am by no means saying that is the case but it is possible is it not?

I am pretty sure the same sign is prominently displayed at all airports just before immigration too.

I knew I had seen this sign board many times and it has taken me days to find it online.

For information I have seen this notice board sign prominently displayed at all entry points

that I have ever used in Thailand stretching back at least 20 years, so no new rules and the

info has been there for a long time.

1 hour ago, bamukloy said:

 

But what would it be they dont like?

I think with this job they can sniff an English teacher 100 yards away and if no work permit..then..

 

Anyway that isnt even consistent.

 

you cannot tell me that they do not know these Phillipino teachers doing a run every 30 days are working illegally?

Phillipines is a member of ASEAN and for them the rules are different, and no I don't know what they are.

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

I have to agree with the above. Either that or he was new to his job and completely clueless.

As she physically showed him the extension of stay and re-entry permit (which he anyway should have seen) I really doubt semantics were the issue.

There have been many reports over the years of "rent-seeking" behavior by IOs at Sadao crossing and the Thai govt rwcentlt in effect acknowledged the problem thete, issuing them an order to stop collecying "tea money".

Do you have any link to this Thai government order issued to Sadao crossing in particular

or are you just throwing that out there? as back up for your pov.

16 minutes ago, poohy said:

regardless of what "he she they" call it!

Actually i dont think i  have ever spoke to an IO, i dont wish to socialise with them and i doubt they want to talk to me

 

Anyway

 

The IO had a valid re entry permit in front of him relating to a visa

So he could easily find visa it related too

 

But

He asked for 20K that was not required

then offered to let her wander around thailand without an entry stamp which is the sole purpose of his job not to allow

 

either he's downright stupid  or playing silly games, because he wanted a tip, or running a scam

 

 

Do you just beam yourself in and out of Thailand then?

I guess you are not big on reading before you post?

The IO in question had a re-entry permit in front of him relating to an extension of stay, not a VISA,

and by her own admission Sarah continued to refer to her current "O" visa, this may or may not

have been where, when, the confusion began, and yes perhaps because the IO thought, wrongly it

would seem, that Sarah may have been a bit confused he was trying it on, who knows.

It is by no means certain that had she used the correct terms that the IO would not have behaved

the same, it is also possible that the IO was a rooky, we don't know. 

I believe that there are much more people who visit and stay long term in Thailand, like myself who

have more good experiences with immigration than bad.

We really need to keep things in perspective.

On 7/15/2017 at 5:01 PM, phuketjock said:

This is another example of why people need to understand that it is extremely important to

use the correct terminology, not doing so may have caused/contributed to this whole pointless scenario?

IMHO I think it is stretching it to say it was an attempted scam, perhaps you are over thinking it Sarah.

 

48 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

Terminology aside, I pointed out the  original  O visa, the extension based on retirement , and the multiple re entry. He ignored all three  and began  looking at prior entries, tsk'ing over the in and outs ( also not applicable to my status as a holder of a permission to stay  based on a retirement O visa.)  

Mr Supervisor suggests I enter Thailand without a stamp, that's suspicious. When Mr Supervisor suddenly does an about face when I tell him I'm calling Bangkok, that's suspicious.

 

 I've crossed many times Pedang and Sadao  both on a B and the current O  I mean   the extension based on retirement  and never been asked to show 20,000 - most agree here, that rule is for Tourists visas. 

As I said above Sarah and after your last post I am even more convinced that your misuse of the correct terminology

is largely responsible for your debacle at the border. If you have had your extension for more than 3 months then you

no longer have Visa of any kind because it has expired. Although you require a visa of some sort, usually a non imm."O",

to obtain an extension of your permission to stay this only gives you the option to apply for an extension, you do

not have to apply for that extension but if you do and it is granted then your original visa plays no further part in your

permission to stay. From then on you can renew your permission to stay every year without ever having to get another

visa of any kind. So the "current O" that you keep referring to no longer exists.

What you do now have is an extension of permission to stay based on retirement, not on any VISA, visa deceased dead

gone, no longer required. As long as you continue to obtain your re-entry permits and meet the necessary requirement

each year you can indefinitely renew your extension. Providing of course you make sure you make your application before

your current extension expires.

I hope this is of assistance to you Sarah because that is all I and others posting here are trying to do, help you.

I would also suggest that anyone crossing the border on a regular basis that you hinted that you do could arouse suspicion,

rightly or wrongly, in an overly curious IO.

3 minutes ago, jspill said:

By this line of logic if one isn't a a digital nomad then they have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to digital nomads, i.e. if they use cafes, what kind of people they tend to be, their general habits, finances, expenditure, etc. 

I think I know where you are going but not 100%.

You don't need to know anyone to see the effect that their behaviour has on other people, and

by observing their general habits it is possible to form an opinion on what kind of people they

are which is basically what i was commenting on. And if their observed expenditure was

anything to go by their finances were not in great shape, who knows they could have just been

really keenok?

8 minutes ago, perthperson said:

Probably which is why the island is suffering ................

I see he's bogged off,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,couldn't resist.

6 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

With consideration to the length of your stay in Thailand,

what made the locals so unfriendly and arrogant as you suggest?

 

And are you still in Phuket?

He's just stirring the pot mate.

probably couldn't stand the heat in Phuket???

4 minutes ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

If you think you are safe on Non-O extensions for retirement or marriage you are certainly deluded. There's no guarantees in Thailand and any fool can tell you that. Visa rules can change and be enforced on a whim. 

 

The entitlement of the old bitters is evident on many TV threads and in particular this one and indeed in your very post. 

 

It will just make it all the more amusing as demands for financial requirements increase, visas become more and more difficult to get or Thailand lurches into another crisis. The queues at the border will snake well into the jungle as the pension payments are transfered into US$, Dong or Riel and Khun Nok's daughter moves in back with her grandmother and Nok goes back on the pole in Superstars a-go-go.

 

BTW I have been here over 30 years. Phuket was good for a laugh back in the 90's. The Blarney Stone on Bangla Road opposite Soi Eric when John was running it was a good night out and one of the best in country as I recall. Now the locals are the most arrogant and unlikeable in Thailand and it seems the expats are quickly following suit (no disrespect to your good self, although I do tend to judge an expat on where he pitches his tent in Thailand, it's my barometer of how much of a fud someone is likely to be).

 

 

 

Ah the good old rough and ready Irish, bordering on the profane, humour, you've got to love it eh? 

So how have you kept yourself safe and legal for those 30 years in Thailand?

I bet you have just slipped in and out as you please over the border, you know a bit like the wild

colonial boy, not for me boyo I will take my chances with the legal route, lol.

BTW where someone hangs their hat says nothing about what kind of person they are, Just my 

opinion of course.....................

9 minutes ago, jspill said:

He seems pretty spot on to me. Remember that recent buzz about possible changes to the retirement system, requiring a lot steeper financial commitments, The thread is 160 pages long, all the old bitters freaking out that they wouldn't be able to stay here any longer. 

Haha Historically if, or when, any changes have been made to things regarding extension requirements

existing extensionees have been given grandfather rights, and the recent buzz you refer to buzzes about

every six to twelve months on a regular basis, and has yet to become anything but a buzz, but who knows.

"He" has no Idea what "he" is talking about and you will have to try a bit harder to wind me up.

The only people freaking out are the correct visa dodgers.

Cheers.

51 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Not really sure who you're referring to, but while I might never have run my own coffee shop, I do have quite a good understanding of the Starbucks business model in Bangkok, which is what my post referred to.

Having "quite a good understanding of the Starbucks business model" does not in any way mean

that you have foggiest idea how to actually run a coffee shop or any other business, what the heck

is a business model anyway Starbucks is a real business all over the world not a model, sounds like

American business school yuckspeak to me?