Greenwich Boy

To add and agree with your comment on long term tourists not being overly welcome. I got a Special Tourist Visa in April 2021. Did my first extension in Chiang Mai to be told that the extension was from the day of application not added to the permission to stay stamp. At the time the scheme was due to finish 30 Sept so another hurried extension. An announcement that this visa was to continue was made on 29th Sept so really handy for those of us who like to plan ahead. I did get over 9 months stay in the end but used an agent in the end to take some of the pain a2ay.

That could have been me. Postal application to Canberra. The only item I had to provide as a non citizen was my version of an Aussie tourist visa. That may not be the correct terminology. All quite easy, I am planning a similar application from Wellington in September, we shall see

It was Canberra. I have applied for plenty of TV's over the years, triple entry, double entry, 15 days at a land border then 30 days as a G7 passport holder (that one baffled me). One of the daftest current regulations is no onward travel is required once you have a TR60 but in many cases you now need onward travel to get the TR60. I am too old to worry about the logic, plenty of ways to fiddle things if necessary.

I provided a flight in to Thailand. I typed a note saying that I may extend my SETV beyond 60 days and so the details of my flight out were uncertain. This was accepted. I.e No onward flight required

I got a TR 60 by post from Canberra late last year. Took just over a week to get back to me in Adelaide. Wrote a note explaining that I was not sure if I was going to extend so no proof of onward travel required. Had to provide my Aussie visa as I am a Brit. Easy.

No, your two land border entries at Mae Sai are pretty much guaranteed and really only count against you if they pull the 'too much time in Thailand' card at an airport. By back to back I mean maxing out your say 30 plus 30 days, flying out then back immediately. I always stay out for 3 or 4 nights. Some great places nearby, I am currently enjoying DaNang. Dirt cheap from CNX

My own experience. Been flying in to CNX direct for over 10 years with either TR or VE. No problems at all. Normally stay 4 or 5 months but then stay out for at least 4 months. I always have hotel booking and onward flight just in case. Recent visits, May 2021 to April 2022 Special Tourist Visa and 2 covid ext. Jan 23 to June 23 (just left for Vietnam) SETV, extension and two side trips to Singapore and Osaka. All entries except one via CNX. Be polite, provide what they ask for if anything, avoid too many back to backs and Chiang Mai is a good place to enter.

Bali is a no go as they have stopped issuing visas. Applications must be made in Jakarta

Oi, I grew up around Lewisham. A definite candidate for the armpit of London though????

Good post Tim. From recent reports Bali is a no go as it is a Consulate. Applications must be via the Embassy in Jakarta. Shame as they were helpful in the past.

Not how I read it. Thais and foreign permanent residents. Think that excludes people on long term permission of stays. Could have interpreted it wrong of course but it is a brain fart of an idea anyway

I was in Japan last month. The vast majority of locals were wearing masks, most foreigners (including me) were not. At no point did I notice any animosity to those not masked. More an 'each to their own' attitude. Certainly different to Thailand where some locals would give me a very wide berth last year even when masked

Don't think so. All polite, just their own version of rules. Got my stamp so no big deal.

Just for info my printed TM30 screenshot was not accepted at CM today, not sure why. I had to queue to get the correct TM30 and then queue again to get my stamp. No big deal but another 30 mins. This was for a visa exempt extension.

Personal experiences obviously differ. My own is very much pot luck. Flying out of CNX to Osaka last week I was asked for a return flight. I pointed out that I was returning with the same airline in one week and that the details would be on the clever machine in front of her. Not good enough, printed itinerary needed. Been doing this for years, if I had a recommendation just have an 'onward flight' and avoid all the stress. $12 is cheap

Just my recent experiences this year visa exempt. KL to Chiang Mai no checks, Singapore to Krabi ditto. Checked in Osaka to Chiang Mai 10 mins ago, no onward flight asked for. Have 20k and onward flight in back pocket just for peace of mind.

I have a passport full of Thai entry stamps and prefer things to go as smoothly as possible. Flying to CNX this week. Will have 20k and onward flight. Rarely get checked but playing safe costs nothing

Like much info on Embassy websites out of date and incorrect. There is no limit to how many times you can enter visa exempt by air. However, if the IO thinks you are using visa exempt entries to live in Thailand long term you will eventually run in to difficulties. How many entries this will be? Who knows. Depends on the individual IO and your luck. It will happen eventually though.

As a Consulate Bali do not issue visas (according to reviews on their website) Shame as they were very helpful in the past

As long as you don't have an extensive history of recent travel to Thailand any combination of 45+30/leave country and reenter will work. If you are concerned about an exit flight use onwardticket.com for $15 or so for peace of mind Getting a TR in Vietnam requires a pre booked appointment last time I looked

You can get a 30 day extension for 1,900B. Go to the immigration office in Central Festival, it is less busy than the main airport immigration office.

Last year I applied via the Evisa system in London for a Special Tourist Visa. Realise this is not exactly the same but I had to show proof of accommodation. Attached the relevant page of my lease agreement and it was accepted.

Flew KL to Chiang Mai last week on a one way ticket with AirAsia. On line check in, printed luggage sticker from machine then used automated baggage drop. Interacted with no one so not sure how things are checked. I do have a visa maybe that was checked by immigration at KL but I doubt it. Generally I think it is pot luck if you get asked for onward travel without a visa. I have been asked more often than not.

Immigration at Central Festival is less busy than the office near the airport. They are helpful and you can get a 30 day ext there

A few friends of mine applied for the 30 day TV. Processing should be about 3 working days but sometimes a bit longer. Quite a few reports of payment issues so best not leave to the last minute and obviously use the official site