BritTim

No problem to cross the Friendship Bridge, get a Lao visa, enter Laos, then return to Nong Khai for a 30-day visa exempt entry.

EDIT: AS I recall, the hours of operations are 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

2 hours ago, Russell17au said:

I know that there used to be more but now there are only those listed as international. Udon Thani used to be an international where a lot of Chinese used to come in but I think that they have closed the international part and Khon Kaen has not opened its new part yet and has not become an international airport at this stage

A partial list of airports with international flights includes Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, U-Tapao and Surat Thani.

32 minutes ago, Hal65 said:

Looks like Kuala Lumpur has a direct route to Utapao / Pattaya, which is rare:

 

12:45 – 13:45 | AirAsia | 2h 0m | KUL–UTP | Non-stop | $27

 

I know Utapao doesn't even get the traffic of CNX in Chiang Mai. Does anyone know if it's safe, in terms of immigration officers that don't try to hassle you? I would assume it should be if the number of flights is fairly low.

While this is subject to change without notice, historically U-Tapao has been an excellent airport to enter through.

3 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

You have 4 international airports on the Thai Mainland beside BKK and DMK to choose from as listed above there is Chiang Mai there is also Phuket, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai so check to see what international airlines fly into those airports and book on the shortest flight even if it means that you stay a couple of days before you fly in

There are a lot more than the ones you list. However, Phuket (and Krabi) involve the same risks as the Bangkok airports.

5 hours ago, Kaopad999 said:

But are there any flights from the west to Laos? or would you fly to bkk and then to laos?

Best is to fly to Kuala Lumpur (lots of flights) and then get a separate flight to Vientiane. Surprisingly, this is usually cheaper than trying to get a combined ticket from the West to Vientiane.

When you enter with a visa, the immigration official (in theory) has less power to deny you entry. Indeed, at some airports, they seem always to honour visas unless there is an official reason under Section 12 of the Immigration Act to deny entry. That does not apply to either Bangkok airport. If possible, avoid entering there (and also Phuket and Krabi) even when in possession of a visa issued by a consulate.

Although subject to change without notice, at the current time, you are fine entering at most land crossings when in possession of a valid visa. If you successfully negotiate your initial return from the UK, try to ensure any further entries during your intended 6-8 month stay are done by land.

5 hours ago, elviajero said:

They issue visas all the time in the form of permits.

 

They could issue any type of entry visa, but because they are entry visas it's only done in a few cases. As you know Non-immigrant visas are regularly issued by immigration. The Smart Visa and the PE visa are another two routinely issued by immigration. The O-X is another that can be done in country. The O-A could be too, but for some reason they choose not to.

Thank you for correcting a misapprehension I have long been under, and clarifying that the permission to stay stamp is better called "a visa". As I understand you, Immigration can issue any kind of visa used to enter the country, but only embassies and consulates are able to issue visas not used to enter Thailand. Presumably, these "non entry" visas are the only logical rationale for the consulates' existence. Otherwise, it would be much easier just to have Immigration issue all the visas when you arrive at the border, and want to enter Thailand.

I am assuming your intention is to return to Thailand with a tourist visa. In your position, I would probably go for a multiple entry. The tourist visa (at the current time) will definitely be fine for entering Thailand through most land crossings. Border runs are so far not a problem by land. You should keep your fingers crossed during the first entry, assuming you enter through Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang.

There have been increasing reports of troubles getting repeat Non Ed visas. I appreciate your point about a clean passport. However, the consulates that were considered best for Non Ed visa applications have apparently been refusing applications sponsored by many of the big language schools. I hope your luck holds.

10 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Any IO that's authorised, regardless of rank, can cancel a visa/permit.

 

Immigration control who gets in and who doesn't, and "they" have the power to revoke visas/permits. I'm not sure why @BritTim believes otherwise. 

As a matter of interests, besides voiding visas, do you believe immigration officials can also affix visas in your passport? Are there any restrictions on the kinds of visas they are allowed to issue?

3 minutes ago, zaZa9 said:

If you like Thais and know them as much as you profess , you would realise that a Jai Yen Yen approach is what is ideal behaviour for a good Buddhist Thai is  in all situations  , yet these officials appear to have been encouraged to do the opposite.

If they are going to be aggressive , only to end up granting the entry , then what may I ask is the point?

I have a different viewpoint. These second level inquisitors have a job of questioning and often denying entry for hours and hours every day. The reactions they are going to get from affected visitors will vary, but they will have experienced some ugly situation. I would be very surprised if they have received appropriate training. The officials have become hyper defensive, and one of the ways this manifests itself is in aggressive behaviour on their part. This is regrettable, but not surprising.

7 minutes ago, elviajero said:

No. There is no 30 day extension available. You could only apply for a 1 year extension (retirement) or a 60 day extension (visit Thai family).

 

They would issue the METV with a RE permit in your passport.

 

The consular staff cannot “invalidate” the RE permit.

 

Yes the IO has discretion to use either the RE permit or new METV visa. They could cancel the METV and use the RE permit, ignore the METV and use the RE permit, or use the METV and ignore the RE permit.

 

I would use the RE permit and do a visa run for a 30 day visa exempt entry that can be extended 30 days. 

I believe this is substantially correct, except the statement that Immigration can cancel an METV issued by a consulate. They can (and often do) ignore METVs, but cannot void them.

19 minutes ago, SpanishExpat said:

 But that`s exactly what they do! And not just that. They check every detail you told them before to verify that it`s the truth.

In my case the female IO even told my gf, if she knew that i`ve stayed in LOS before I met her and that she should be careful, as I look like a playboy. My gf didn`t even react to that provocation and just ignored it. If I read that on FTV I would say this is just a joke and impossible. Sadly it`s not!!! 

That is truly horrible, I am pretty good at keeping my cool, but if I overheard something like that, my patience would be sorely tried.

1 hour ago, gk10002000 said:

If she really did say that, then you should get a name and send in a complaint to some offices, an open letter to Immigration, TAT, etc.  Putting policies and procedures in place that are challenging to visitors or expats is one thing, but if immigration is now saying they object to tourists staying more than one week, well, somebody should get yelled at.   Never mind the 30 day visa exempt designed to encourage tourists, or the SETV tourist visa which starts at 60 days length of stay by default, never mind the long travel times and why a person would not want just a one week visit, etc.

Once you establish the principle that Immigration Officials can set their own rules on what constitutes desirable and undesirable tourists, language students, etc., there is no such thing as an unacceptable grilling, or even denial of entry. A seven-day limit for tourists with tattoos is just as valid as a 180-day maximum or anything else that takes their fancy. 

2 hours ago, denb said:

hi guys

 

i am off to Penang on Sunday to do a one year O visa, marred to a Thai lady. just one question please.   do you need the original marriage certificate or just a copy?   thank you kindly

You need the original marriage certificate to show them, plus a copy that they take for their records.

1 hour ago, madmen said:

Where do you live? Thailand right. Try making non stop back to back visa entries year after year and you will get question in cambo where pedophiles and drug running is rampant

I have a couple of friends who have lived in Cambodia for several years. Neither is a paedophile. Indeed, one is past the age where he could do anything about it if he was. Neither has, so far, had any issues entering the country.

9 hours ago, madmen said:

9 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines would all like you to visit, and your gf would get a 90 day VISA free of charge.

Why Thailand? They hate us.

Because those countries never ask questions, just a big hug and instant stamp. Your in dream world 

When entering those countries, I must make  habit of choosing lines with young, attractive female IOs!

Seriously, as far as Cambodia and Philippines are concerned, I have never received a hug, and the stamp is not instant (they need a few seconds to find an appropriate page in the passport) but otherwise (as with Thailand many years ago) you are stamped in automatically without any questioning.

2 minutes ago, ukrules said:

I believe they're not allowed to simply say no to an extension of stay request that is in order.

The rules state that all extensions are at the discretion of the immigration officer. As a practical matter, they do not deny extensions unless they think it can lead to some benefit to themselves (such as pushing you towards agent assisted extensions where they take a cut). They are not under instructions to aggressively screen extensions to tourist entries, so they do not. They just do what is easiest.

To the OP:

Your recent history raises no red flags. However, Immigration's system has a long memory. Did you in the distant past ever have a long overstay and/or several overstays? That would explain being passed from the regular immigration counter to the inquisition, and their strenuous attempts to find a good reason to deny you entry. If my hunch is correct, this issue is going to dog you continually going forward.

As someone else suggested, you may need to be selective about where you enter in future. With a visa, you can consider airports like Chiang Mai and U-Tapao. If seeking visa exempt entry, use land crossings.

3 hours ago, lupulin said:

Thanks BritTim. Looks like we'll have to plan better and try next time!

Probably best. If still keen on the idea, you could find a full service immigration office not too far from the border, and see if they will issue re-entry permits for long stay extensions. While most offices will not (you must use the office that issued the extension) offices close to border crossings will sometimes oblige.

If you have long term extensions of stay, re-entry permits will be necessary. If planning several border crossings during the trip, it had better be a multiple re-entry permit (3,800 baht from your immigration office, not available at the border). You are going to burn quite a few passport pages in the process.

2 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

I don't want to hijack the thread but what is the current rule on tourist visas these days? I spent 2 weeks last August, 2 weeks this Jan but went to Japan so got 2 stamps  and am planning a week in April. All in all that's 4 stamps in 8 months. Am I going to have any issues?

From context, I think you are asking about visa exempt entry, not entering with a visa issued at a consulate. With your history, you are not going to have a problem at this time. If planning much more time in Thailand in the future, you might need a different solution than visa exempt entry

4 hours ago, Vascoda said:

You can always enter through most land borders witout any problem.  

True for many (actually most) visiting this board. However, it is important to remember that not every nationality is entitled to visa exempt entry. Also, those with bilateral agreements for visa exempt entry cannot always enter at land crossings.

In general, though, yes. For those entitled to standard visa exempt entry, those two visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year are a great insurance policy for when your visa plans fall through.

6 hours ago, mtajim said:

Thank you everyone for you answers.

 

I have never been to Thailand before.

 

I will be carrying $1500 USD

 

I plan to stay in Thailand at most 10 days and will be back home after that.

Enjoy your holiday. You will be fine.