ilocos

This happens far too often and is why I insist on no higher than 1st floor.

I have a friend, late 60s. He had so many tourist visas, never exempt entry, Kota Bahru embassy said no more tourist visas. In September he will go for his 3rd or 4th back to back 90 day non O, 3 days out. He does not qualify for extension due to small pension and no cash assets. In the past has it been possible to stay in Thailand for decades on 90 day non O visas? His 48 page passport full of Thai tourist visas and several 90 day non O. Will he be able to get repeat 90 day non O for many years to come based on retirement. Could he be refused the 90 day non O? Every time he has used letter from embassy stating he has pension of around 30,000 baht a month. They told him this letter was necessary and good for the life of passport. He is very worried and always broke. He is single, no girlfriend, no wife, no kids. He gets non-o based on retirement. The letter from embassy essential.

Moral of this story is to do everything in your power not to end up in a Thailand jail because it is well reported that the jails fall well below the standard of a Dutch jail. Leave several days before your visa expires, obey all requests & don't get lippy or else pay the consequences & obey all new enforcement of existing regulations. (comment deleted by moderator)

This story is sick.
Just 10 days overstay man.

Really wird.
They put him with criminals instead overstayers...

I agree with you but this is not a one of event, if you read enough it is part of the system.

And if you own the condo you'll have no landlord and be deemed not to be a genuine tourist. We all know where this is leading. Don't invest more than you're prepared to walk away from is the motto now.

Can the police jail you if they catch you not carrying passport. I had this problem in Shizuoka city, Japan.

a visa is far less hassle, i dont understand his thinking. 90 days with extension, no border run. incredible!

incredible is what you saying

that was absolutely normal until 1 or 2 months ago

most of the tourists dont go on thaivisa,they buy the last edition of lonely planet and leave

nope, what is normal is a visa for an intended 3 month stay

most mister normals use Thailand as a hub, land in Thailand, hop over to Myanmar, hop back into Thailand, cross over to Cambodia, hop back into Thailand then cross into Laos then hop back into Thailand for Suvarnibhumi departure. This is now impossible that Thailand is now the hub of denied entries. Absolutely ridiculous. 40 years of hard work promoting Thailand as a travel hub ruined. I feel sorry for the recently unemployed due to this lunacy making Thailand the hub of denied tourist arrivals.

This is very common. Not everyone posts on Thai Visa their problems with ED VISAS. You are one of thousands. My colleague had to pay 20,000 to escape IDC. So many doubting Thomases I suspect sitting comfortably on their retirement visas. I do not doubt your story and understand you did nothing to cause problem.

understanding the (harsh for some) basics would help:

- either you are retired (>50) and have proof of funds

- or you are under 50 and do have a job (work permit) or invest in Thailand

- or you go for an Elite Card visa (costing 1 million THB+, there will also be more scrutiny in the future, I am sure, but with the money involved that should still be an option, maybe if the funds are there...)

There is simply no "stay on the cheap side" option while staying long term in Thailand any more. Thats is over with "visa runs" and "back-to-back" tourist visas very obviously now having been taken out of the picture.

- Not 50

- Under 50 - don't have a job here and not interested in investing in Thailand

- Elite Card maybe if I wanted or just go to another country and come back in a month during my travels.

- Or wait till I turn 50 in decade and come back to do the retirement thing.

Things seem to change more with the visa rules here than any other country I've been to. I guess they don't like us spending our money here. I will try the visa in Loas and if not, go on to another country where they like foreigners to come and spend money.

You will be relieved to know in the Philippines it's all about the money 555. Pay visa fee, visa issued without issue. No need to prove you are a bona fide tourist.

Jaakko, you did not mention your home country or your nationality, but generally I see no reason why you should not be given a new tourist visa.

I'm from Sweden.

I believe embassies are very reluctant to issue tourist visas if you already had them recently. I thought I'd have best luck getting one fom Savannekhet. but if not, I can always go visit some other country. Plus Thailand is now denying entry from people with tourist visas too, so it guarantees nothing.

But the main question is. Is 5 months enough or am I still seen as a back to back "visa/visa exempt abuser" because of my history.

I was out 8 months and they didn't like it. Fly to a nearby ASEAN city to be on safe side.

I just called the wine bar - talked to a thai girl who speaks english - she says he hasn't been there at the bar for 3 MONTHS....

so to his family in Ireland.. suggest you call the wine bar at 66-2-714-2223 - talk to the girl and then call the thai police and initiate a missing persons report ?

http://www.thailandguru.com/thailand-tourist-police.html all the numbers are here on the website...

or the brit/irish embassy i would think and get any proper channels going for Bangkok police missing persons.... eh?

very good work ringing bar. Very stylish, sophisticated bar - a very costly investment.

What did it say on 7 day pass? Was this issued at land border? Did you have to pay for it. ? Thailand certainly swimming against the tide. Malaysia & Singapore offers 90 days at land border free. Philippines just pay without leaving country for 18 months & welcome back same day from Brunei flight.

I overstayed 1 year after my passport was stolen then girlfriend turn me in to police then I went to court and paid my fine 750 ThB and judge told me to just get new passport and new visa and I was fine to stay.. immigration police were supposed to take me to my Embassy but instead took me to IDC and I met my embassy people there and arranged new passport and ticket home from there

was it a malicious act your girlfriend turning you in or a gentle helping hand? Yes my friends brother turned himself in and was kept in IDC for 3 months until he had money for airfare. Never turn yourself in. It does not always work out sweetly.

So this is a taster of what is to come on a national scale in the next month.

This will put the brakes on many Thai girls marrying a farang from a nice western country.

No farang in their right mind would marry a girl within 30 days (or less) of knowing them just to get a non-imm visa.

Although you always get some stupid exceptions.

Maybe they are doing this to force tourists to shore up the struggling Thai Airways by making them fly for entry... who knows.

It may not end there either, if this is xenophobia induced then they are going to look for ways to give the non-imms some of their own problems.

I say we all move out of Thailand for Myanmar.... That'll screw em up

Sadly many farang are not in their right mind. Some marry in 10 days. They can be pretty persuasive lol

I just had a conversation with a person who must know all this things about the visa crackdowns. Please understand, that i don't provide the identity of this person. I know this person since more then 10 years. And i know how is this person is connected.

For people who stay long term in Thailand with tourist visas will nothing change after 12th August. Unless, they had some overstay or too many visa exempt stamps in the past. That said, to activate the second entry after 12th August will be no problem. It doesn't matter how long the "visa runner" stay in Thailand prior. All this refers not to southern borders. Border to Laos and Cambodia are fine.

People who want to apply another Tourist Visa in Vientiane or Svannakhet, should provide to the consulate a rental contract, or a housebook on your own name or a certification of residence. Also, proof that you can effort to stay here. Show them copys of your bank book. The consulate want see movements on your Thai account. Money come in, money go out. For rental fees, shopping or whatever.

It may sounds ironic, because somehow, you have to proof that you are not a tourist to be considered as a tourist.

Some people will think, this is all bullshit. But i know who this person is. And if a moderator or admin think all this is bullshit, he is free to delete this posting.

Nothing is as bad as it looks.

Well I just had a talk with a person I know, the son of the brother from a uncle of my wife, he told me that his friend has a friend, who's father no somebody at the police station. This policeman has a brother who know somebody in immigration.

Offcourse you will understand that I can not reveal his name, butbelieve me, this man knows everything about the crackdown, just believe me!

There are people on this form who don't know what is going to happen with this crackdown and have the feeling they are in trouble.

So please stop your bs and write something that can be backed up with a link or article.

Thank you.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

how many links do you need to know "it's gonna get tougher to stay in Thailand"

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Just one or two factual ones. Just one or two actual border experiences. Most of the posts here are supposition based on rumor written by people who don't live in Thailand. The devil is in the details. The OP, "Pol Lt-Colonel Weerawat Nilwat, an inspector at the Sungai Kolok border checkpoint in Narathiwat province, disclosed that immigration officials at his workplace had already barred more than 100 visa-runners from re-entering the Kingdom." That's 3 a day for a month.

Immigration begins to report to a different agency soon other than the ministry of the interior. Read the writing on the wall.

But this sungai golok border is rarely used. I would be more interested for numbers being barred entry at the danok/sadao border please. Updates please, real experiences, no haresay please.

Thai elite card - reserves the right to change and modify privileges. I will part with my 2 million baht with the greatest peace of mind as I would buying a wife a home. A very sound investment. Cambodia, Laos $200 usd a year with guaranteed terms & conditions.

I'm interested in the elite Card. I think this will be a much cheaper and a more peaceful option than marrying. Please advise of links to elite Card.

Google "Thailand Elite card." http://www.thailandelite.com/index.php

2 million baht for elite card extremely cheap compared to marrying. I recommend it to all Thai Visa members.

I'm interested in the elite Card. I think this will be a much cheaper and a more peaceful option than marrying. Please advise of links to elite Card.

It's official.

I have just rung the farang owner of a bar I regularly use who told me last night he was getting his wife to call immigration at Poipet to ask what they consider 'too long' The IO told her more than six months of tourist visas in your passport over the last 2 years and you will be questioned.

That is the order that came from the bosses in BKK and being circulated around all border points as the official guide rule.

They don't consider anyone to be a tourist of more than 6 months across the past 2 years, and you have to be good to prove you are.

Secondly he also confirmed that second visits on double entry visas are not considered. You will still be turned away at the border regardless.

That is official from the horse's mouth.

Thank you, most helpful. Now i know why the IO was very unhappy with me even though I had been out of Thailand for 8 months. Time for me to be a long term tourist somewhere else. Your priceless post certainly confirms this. I am now under no illusions.

no more than six months. I for one are taking note. Some posters wish you to disregard this recent post. Completely incomprehensible logic to call people trolls and scare mongers. One must see a problem then tackle it. Your post I believe has revealed the way things will transpire. Your post the greatest of help for thai visa members. A job well done !

You wrote, "I for one are taking note." Why?

I think that is quite obvious. Look at the forum heading.

It's official.

I have just rung the farang owner of a bar I regularly use who told me last night he was getting his wife to call immigration at Poipet to ask what they consider 'too long' The IO told her more than six months of tourist visas in your passport over the last 2 years and you will be questioned.

That is the order that came from the bosses in BKK and being circulated around all border points as the official guide rule.

They don't consider anyone to be a tourist of more than 6 months across the past 2 years, and you have to be good to prove you are.

Secondly he also confirmed that second visits on double entry visas are not considered. You will still be turned away at the border regardless.

That is official from the horse's mouth.

Thank you, most helpful. Now i know why the IO was very unhappy with me even though I had been out of Thailand for 8 months. Time for me to be a long term tourist somewhere else. Your priceless post certainly confirms this. I am now under no illusions.

no more than six months. I for one are taking note. Some posters wish you to disregard this recent post. Completely incomprehensible logic to call people trolls and scare mongers. One must see a problem then tackle it. Your post I believe has revealed the way things will transpire. Your post the greatest of help for thai visa members. A job well done !

diplomatically I want to say I am astonished to see how many are so gullible to take immigration at their word thinking it's only going to apply to back to back visas. This is a royal flush out for those who have too many stamps in their passports, back to back or otherwise. At least I see it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. However if you can convince border post guy you're not working there's still hope perhaps.

Diplomatically I want to say, "time to stop trolling." Have you ever crossed into Thailand? Have you ever visited Thailand? Where and when and for how long. Try and let the folks who have some experience with boots on the ground relate their experiences instead of stirring the pot with things you imagine.

If I am wrong and you have made a border crossing recently please inform us.

I have had nothing but good experiences with Thai immigration in the 40 times I have interacted with them over the past ten years.

Stop spreading rumors and try personal experiences.

rumours are things people talk about but don't happen. You need to do some more research and reading. I am not a troll. Why do you see it fit to accuse people? I could accuse you of something but such conflict would not be conducive to the fraternal help needed on this forum. Times have changed.

Fraternal? Have you ever been to Thailand? When? So, any more reports from the Borders today of people being turned away with tourist visas? Try posting something useful instead of creating an atmosphere of fear and loathing.

respectfully you must have missed theno more than 6 month in 2 years report. This is what has prompted me to write this. I will not lower myself to bicker with you, especially as you are busy bickering with many. I can read, write and speak both laos and thai so i believe i may have spent more than a week in Thailand. I find it childish that one needs to boast about their time spent in Thailand. I have far more respect for Mother Theresa.

diplomatically I want to say I am astonished to see how many are so gullible to take immigration at their word thinking it's only going to apply to back to back visas. This is a royal flush out for those who have too many stamps in their passports, back to back or otherwise. At least I see it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. However if you can convince border post guy you're not working there's still hope perhaps.

Diplomatically I want to say, "time to stop trolling." Have you ever crossed into Thailand? Have you ever visited Thailand? Where and when and for how long. Try and let the folks who have some experience with boots on the ground relate their experiences instead of stirring the pot with things you imagine.

If I am wrong and you have made a border crossing recently please inform us.

I have had nothing but good experiences with Thai immigration in the 40 times I have interacted with them over the past ten years.

Stop spreading rumors and try personal experiences.

rumours are things people talk about but don't happen. You need to do some more research and reading. I am not a troll. Why do you see it fit to accuse people? I could accuse you of something but such conflict would not be conducive to the fraternal help needed on this forum. Times have changed.

How does one prove that they are a genuine tourist?

think again!

Trying to enter the country without a luggage, wearing a business attire, having numerous back to back tourist visas, just to name a few, should already be a sign....

Of course, you can object, but if you are honnest with yourself, you will just think how you are when you enter a country a s tourist....

I have my own condo with everything I need, so no big luggage. I fly to Thailand 5-7 times a year and stay a week or three max. Then I fly back to work overseas. I checked my passport and so far this year I have been in country total of 5 weeks. No bookings, and no check-out time! Thats why I bought the condo! What does it matter what I wear on the plane, am I not a tourist? If not what am I?

Are you doing back to back entries, NO - so an entirely different scenario.

diplomatically I want to say I am astonished to see how many are so gullible to take immigration at their word thinking it's only going to apply to back to back visas. This is a royal flush out for those who have too many stamps in their passports, back to back or otherwise. At least I see it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. However if you can convince border post guy you're not working there's still hope perhaps.

It's official.

I have just rung the farang owner of a bar I regularly use who told me last night he was getting his wife to call immigration at Poipet to ask what they consider 'too long' The IO told her more than six months of tourist visas in your passport over the last 2 years and you will be questioned.

u

That is the order that came from the bosses in BKK and being circulated around all border points as the official guide rule.

They don't consider anyone to be a tourist of more than 6 months across the past 2 years, and you have to be good to prove you are.

Secondly he also confirmed that second visits on double entry visas are not considered. You will still be turned away at the border regardless.

That is official from the horse's mouth.

Thank you, most helpful. Now i know why the IO was very unhappy with me even though I had been out of Thailand for 8 months. Time for me to be a long term tourist somewhere else. Your priceless post certainly confirms this. I am now under no illusions.

Why was he unhappy with you?

Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

too many visas, i. e. more than 6months in 2 years. Exempt entries aand tourist visas but many not back to back. I enjoy a week to a month out of Thailand. They are saying only visa bounce, immediate return, but this is not true. If you've got more than 3 exempt and tourist visas combined in my opinion you won't be getting back into Thailand. Feel the vibe man. It tells it all.

It's official.

I have just rung the farang owner of a bar I regularly use who told me last night he was getting his wife to call immigration at Poipet to ask what they consider 'too long' The IO told her more than six months of tourist visas in your passport over the last 2 years and you will be questioned.

That is the order that came from the bosses in BKK and being circulated around all border points as the official guide rule.

They don't consider anyone to be a tourist of more than 6 months across the past 2 years, and you have to be good to prove you are.

Secondly he also confirmed that second visits on double entry visas are not considered. You will still be turned away at the border regardless.

That is official from the horse's mouth.

Thank you, most helpful. Now i know why the IO was very unhappy with me even though I had been out of Thailand for 8 months. Time for me to be a long term tourist somewhere else. Your priceless post certainly confirms this. I am now under no illusions.