BritTim

I cannot recall threads specifically about Non O visa entry at Koh Lipe. However, there have been recent threads on tourist entry, with no one reporting any issues. I believe your plan would be perfectly safe. There is no need for a specific 90-day stamp. A date stamp can be set to whatever the immigration official needs it to be. Check the official has calculated the date correctly immediately the passport is returned to you. Using https://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html to calculate the entry date plus 89 days is a simple way of ensuring you have the date correct.

12 minutes ago, Suradit69 said:

out of curiosity, since the 7 days to leave the country is not an extension per se, does it begin from the date the current permission ends or from the day your application for another extension is denied?

I once wondered about that. Like you, it seemed logical to me that the seven days would start when the extension was denied. However, it turns out that the seven days is added to the end of your current permission to stay.

Ask the bank manager if the account supports standing orders. These are not used much in Thailand, but they do exist.

The Lao eVisa cannot be used to enter via Savannakhet airport (see https://laoevisa.gov.la/index).

The Lao visa on arrival, I believe is still currently available at Savannakhet airport. However, according to https://www.tourmag.com/Laos-fin-du-visa-a-l-arrivee-pour-certains-points-d-entree_a101660.html, from 31 March 2020, visa on arrival service there will cease.

54 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I have nothing to compare with and I acknowledged that fact. 

Fortunately for AU citizens health care and quality of that is excellent. Granted nursing homes vary.

I think my point in the main based on repatriation down the track. 

I was assuming the patient would be ending her days in Thailand. I certainly would not propose such a move as a temporary measure. Also, in all honesty, I do not know all the facts around her situation. If she still has friends and family in the UK she has regular contact with, that might make the move less attractive. I was only commenting that quality of care in nursing homes is better in Thailand than the UK.

If the Alzheimer sufferer's daughter is not in Thailand on a long term visa, the most straightforward solution will be to apply for a Non O visa (either from the UK or at the immigration office in Thailand) followed by annual retirement extensions. Some nursing homes can help with this. There are many threads on retirement extensions on ThaiVisa. The quality of care in Thailand is high, and I can well see why this approach might be taken.

I am of the opinion (nobody can state, for sure, all the consequences) that you, out of an abundance of caution, should avoid the overstay. Waiving of the fine (which would most likely happen) does not mean that immigration officials in the future will necessarily ignore the overstay in other situations. I appreciate that a trip to CW for an extension may be a hassle, but you must be able to fit it in within the next three weeks, surely, even if you are having difficulty with communications with the airline. If you need to urgently contact the airline, this can be done from CW.

According to the latter of the law, there should be no problem. That said, each immigration office can be its own fiefdom, creating its own local laws. You will not know for sure until you try.

7 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

11 minutes ago, BritTim said:

re-entry permit will be marked used when you exit

Enter I hope! 

It should have happened when he entered, but the immigration official failed to do so. I have had this happen before with single entry visas. Minor errors by immigration officials later cleaned up by their colleagues is not rare.

In Thailand, the way to avoid violating rules on occupations reserved for Thais is to call the service something else. Maybe, you will be a military conflict expert or something. The biggest problem is that you will need to have an employer. You cannot get a work permit for something like this as an individual.

There is a pretty good chance, if you have an alert immigration official, that the re-entry permit will be marked used when you exit. I have had similar experiences with single entry visas only marked used on exit. You would be crazy to rely on an old re-entry permit to save 1,000 baht plus some space in your passport.

If you have a multiple entry business visa for Cambodia, and a multiple re-entry permit for Thailand, I think even Aran/Poipet is going to hesitate to hassle you. That said, Thai immigration at that crossing is pretty lawless. Do you have the number of a good immigration lawyer you could use to pressure them if the worst happened?

It is better if you have an SETV. In theory, the immigration official has less power to deny entry when you have a visa than if requesting visa exemption. Really, you will be very unlucky if denied entry but, in the current climate, I do not regard denied entry as totally impossible. I would recommend you risk it.

3 hours ago, RedReding said:

Sorry for the double post but got one more question:

 

Does the money in the bank needs to be in your home country or any bank in the world will work ? Is it fine if the money already is in Thailand ?

In principle, the money can be anywhere. However, money in your home country looks better. It is usually also easier to show the most recent few months of bank statements when the bank is local to where you are applying.

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I would just play around with say AirAsia.

Check some routes that are generally cheap. Other than that Google "rent a flight". These agents provide a CONFIRMED flight (non usable) with validity 48hours. Cost ~ $12usd.

Just now I checked AirAsia bkk to Saigon Feb date. 1090baht. 

Air Asia to Can Tho (also Vietnam) is a little cheaper. Sometimes, Air Asia is not the cheapest option, however. If looking for the very cheapest option, a more general search such as SkyScanner is recommended.

Surely, no problem.

11 minutes ago, petedk said:

I have made a written complaint on the UK government website. I actually wrote 3 emails (now up to 5) to clarify exactly what documents I need. The VFS requirements don't match the requirements written on the UK Gov website.

 

Yesterday, for the first time, I was informed that I need a colour photocopy of every page of my passport. I have to show my current passport, but not hand it in and I cannot travel on it. This was new information and contradictory to the UK gov website.

Another little point is that the English they use in the emails can be a little difficult to understand.

Did you ever read this page: https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/overseas/information/thailand/renew/adult. It includes

Quote

You must also bring your current passport with you when you apply, and a full colour photocopy of the entire passport (every page including blank pages).

If you have difficulty navigating sites like https://www.passport.service.gov.uk, it might be wise to have someone help ensure you have everything in order before attempting to go further with your application. You cannot afford further delay.

1 hour ago, unheard said:

Please correct me if I'm wrong...

My understanding is that in order to qualify both foreign parents must have permanent residence status.

That is not the way I read the law. Simplifying, both parents must have been in Thailand legally at the time of the birth, and neither can be a refugee.

That said, officials can be resistant to following the law as written. As is often the case in Thailand, officials can choose to interpret the law in a way that was not intended. Using the services of a competent immigration lawyer is likely to be necessary.

Following the law change in 2008, the first example of someone getting Thai citizenship for their child was a missionary couple who did not have permanent residence.

EDIT: Note that the law on this was rather different prior to 2008. Those excluded from Thai citizenship prior to 2008 are entitled to claim citizenship retroactively under the new conditions, but the process is difficult.

1 hour ago, TIP1888 said:

By first few months, you mean how many, mate?

 

And btw, this is something that popped up in my head now: should I pack all my stuff for every border run and bring it with me, in case I get rejected at the border?

You could safely enter by air, I think, for at least the first four months or so. After that, you would likely be OK at some airports, but I would recommend entering only through friendly land crossings. Assuming things remain as they are now, you will be fine for the full 8-9 months on the METV assuming you follow this protocol.

46 minutes ago, TIP1888 said:

Hello mate, thanks so much for your help.

 

The only time I have been in Thailand before was in 2018 for 2-week holidays. Apart from that, nothing.

Great! No issues for the first few months on the METV.

2 hours ago, TIP1888 said:

I plan to be using the border closest to Pattaya, is that fine as well you think?

The closest to Pattaya is Aranyaprathet/Poipet which you should avoid. There have recently been reports of problems at a couple of other border crossings within reach of Pattaya, though this was with multiple Non O visas rather than METVs. It is difficult to say what the situation is liable to be within a few months when you need to do a border run. It is probable that something feasible can be worked out.

Note that assumptions of no issues for your first arrival by air with an METV depends on your having limited previous time in Thailand. If there is some history, you would be well advised to describe it to us, and let us assess your risk.