Bangkok45

As I had earlier posted of my TV experience during the 'crackdown' and the means I took to accomplished it, I had been pondering on the ways as to how can I continue to live in Thailand while not working, doing any business or being a 'serial tourist'.

I had considered applying to a school and get an ED visa to circumvent my issues, but with no intentions of studying I forgo that.

I had also seriously considering to apply for the 5 year Thai Elite visa for the cost of 8333.33 per month. I considered it due to the fact, that these visa issues was a cloud over my head that had given me unduly stress and worries each time the visa was nearing it's end. Thus I am all set to go for it then...

I was introduced to volunteerism by an aquaintance of mine. She has been volunteering in a French aided organisation in the South for the past 4 years.

After gleaming informations from her and the passion that drives her, I was thoroughly impressed. Though I am not inclined to work with children I had, nevertheless, looked into volunteering as a possibility.

I have no business, no work (don't intend to), don't party nor do drugs. I am here to research the possibility of permanently calling Thailand home. Age is the only setback for me to be able to apply for the retirement visa (4 years short).

I went to quite a few volunteering organisations to see where I would fit in. During one of these visits I met an organic farmer from Korat who has been running his farm with the aide of volunteers. His farm is a Social Enterprise thus, volunteerism is a cost saving move.

No sooner, I found out that people pay to volunteer. There were student's from Germany, Netherlands and UK who paid anything between 1500 to 2500 Euros to a volunteer stint of 6 months to a year. The amount paid were to cover the cost of lodgings, food, visa and etc.

Though inclined I am somewhat searching for a part-time one and where I can choose the time and day of volunteering. Through recommendations I found it. It is also an organic farm in Patum Thani.

I have to somehow raised the issue of my visa status to them. All said, I was arranged to meet a person who will do all the necessary paperworks which I had deemed to be a tedious process. Surprisingly, it was a breeze! I met the guy who gave me forms to tender my signatures and he briefly explained to me how the process will go.

After the signatures were tendered he asked me for 6 photographs, my original passport (and 2 copies), and a copy of a local bank account (not compulsory) and 40,000 baht in cash as my volunteering cost. As I do not intend to volunteer full time nor do I need the lodgings, food and etc. I have to asked why?

He quickly explained to me that for me to get a work permit, Non-O visa with (1 year extension), wheels needs to be greased and a signature of endorsement from an official high up is of utmost importance.

I gave the money to him. He was back within an hour with my passport and told me to wait for a few days for the paperworks and then I had to go to Vientiane to convert my single entry TV.

I was given a call by him 2 days later wanting to know where should he send the documents. We met at a cafe near my place and handed to me a load of official and supporting documents.

I left for Vientiane the very next night and arrived at the embassy in the morning and met by another person. Submitted my documents and passport to him at the embassy.

Came back the next day at 1.30 pm and received my passport with all the proper stamps and stickers. Crossed the border in Nongkhai and now I'm back in Bangkok with an official WP, Non-O visa with 1 year extension and issued a volunteer pass.

It was a total breeze and in comparison it saves me costs and the stress.

Yes, I am volunteering as an account executive for the organisation once a week working remotely from home, keying in data in a spreadsheet for no more than 2 hrs.

All my visa worries are over! And the good part is I get to contribute something by volunteering my expertise.

Cheers!

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I would recommend the park in front of Ministry of Public Health at Chaeng Wattana. It is a legit dogs allowed park and filled with Thai dog owners and a sprinkle of expats.

I would normally take my dogs there on weekends to socialize them. Mostly, friendly owners and has a picnic kind of atmosphere.

If you see a guy with a GSD, American Eskimo, Bangkeaw, Shihtzu, Golden Retriever and a Labradoodle, come and say hi...that's me.

But no sudden movements towards me as my GSD is a trained protective dog.

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Anyone know how busy they are on Tuesdays or Wednesdays since the crackdown?

I was there on the 20th of May (Tuesday) 7.45 am and the queue was already snaking to about 150 people.

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So just to make this clear. The crackdown is not about Visa Exemption stamp anymore. According to OP's post they are not letting people with Tourist Visas in the country if they don't have flight back home/ hotel bookings and such.

Officially some of the rules were supposed to be enforced starting from August 12? But I guess the immigration got excited and went with it..

So just to make this clear. The crackdown is not about Visa Exemption stamp anymore. According to OP's post they are not letting people with Tourist Visas in the country if they don't have flight back home/ hotel bookings and such.

Officially some of the rules were supposed to be enforced starting from August 12? But I guess the immigration got excited and went with it..

So what???

Every tourist visa that I have applied for the last 10-15 years. I had to show a return ticket to get the visa. The embassy or consulate don't even look at it if you have that.

And my friend came here on Thursday last week with a tourist visa. And he didn't have to show any return ticket or hotel booking. Just went through immigration.......so I don't even understand why he did all those things???

The operative word is 'CRACKDOWN'! Thus, the people denied entry even with TV issued were those who already has a history of many border runs stamped in their passport, unless proofs such as flight itinerary, hotel bookings and 20000 baht in cash. Many were unable to show these proofs.

I am one who already had many border runs stamped in my passport and would be right in the cross hair's of the crackdown target.

That's my raison d'etre!

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Re: Thailand Elite. ?

8333 baht a month? Is that for a year? I get American disability money for a neck problem.

I can collect for six months overseas..I have some land to sell, on my cold Hawaiian Mountain.

Then I would be able to stay possibly, as Im over sixty and play music to make retirement mo' better!

lol

Aloha

The 5 year 500k baht Elite Visa (8333.33 pm), yes sir!

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BKK post #29 I gave you a thumps up for a incredibly informational post earlier.. But I don't see the harm in having a base camp ie apartment lease while your touring Thailand and surrounding countries if you should so choose. I also agreed with your reason for the hotel/flight out for the current boarder crisis so to speak. I pay peanuts for my Apt. per month..I to am 4 years away from retirement and looking for options on where to retire if I choose to in Thailand although I come on triple entries from the USA as compared to your, I think you said multiple back to back 30 day stamps .It just makes sense to me to be able to travel lite IMOP

Before the visa crackdown I had always entered the address of my place of lease on the arrival card and was never once questioned. Even had the lease and it's copy with me during the first few runs, just in case.

Since it was never asked for as proof of address, I just took for granted that it never would and stop carrying it with me during my runs.

In fact, I too, do not see any harm as having my townhouse as my base. I had spent the months of November 2013 to March 2014 travelling to Vietnam, China and India and had flown in and out of BKK a few times during that period.

Somehow with the visa crackdown I felt that by having a permanent address with a 2 yr lease does not make me sound like a tourist and would render suspicions as to what am I doing in Thailand.

Hence, the panic and the worries as I just didn't know what to expect. Though I remembered one of the articles on the crackdown that mentioned the South Koreans, Russians, Vietnamese and Laotians are the target of these crackdowns.

As the saying goes, 'desperate times needs desperate measures'.

Btw, I'm only allowed a single entry TV and 14 days extension if I entered under 30 days visa exemption. That explains double the in/out stamps compared to anyone from a G7 country.

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Sorry your last sentence is a bit confusing. I didn't bother to re-read your OP, but I believe you're Singaporean (correct me if I'm wrong)? Anyway, why are you only allowed a single entry TV, is that all that Singaporeans are allowed? And as for extensions on a TV, I thought 30 days were allowed and only for a select few nationals, it's 7 days (such as Sri Lankans, West Africans, Chinese etc.) but for everyone else including Singaporeans it's 30 days (never heard of 14 days).

I still don't see any problems with having a lease. Bring that along with proof of funds, outbound travel when you either travel or apply for a new visa. All that matters is the money and that it isn't being sourced from within Thailand, not what kind of accommodation you are staying at. Thailand isn't Myanmar, where tourists and business travellers are only allowed to stay in hotels i.e. the type of visa determines the accommodation you are allowed to stay in. So you have nothing to worry about.

Yes, I am indeed holding a Singapore passport. Singaporeans are only allowed Single entry TV (free) with 30 days extension at the end of 60 days (total 90 days).

Alternatively, we are also given 30 days visa exemption with unlimited border run extension of 14 days each time.

I had 11 border run extensions prior to my last entry when I was warned and advised during my 4th run at Aranyaphratet to apply for a TV. This was 4 days before the first announcement of a crackdown.

I will heed your advice and use my lease in the future.

I am considering the Elite 5 year visa which amounts to 8333 baht a month. Do you have any input for this option?

Thank you.

Also I would emphasise your available funds if you are ever questioned at the border. That is, show them these funds in the form of cash, credit and debit cards, traveller's cheques (if you have any) and possibly a bank statement from your home bank or a Thai bank showing money that is coming in from abroad or appears to have been withdrawn from an overseas account and deposited into the Thai account. No one will likely care about your lease, but having it with you is not a bad idea because it shows you have a place to stay and can thus support yourself without working. As in any situation, never volunteer anything you weren't asked for UNLESS you are put in the unlikely compromising situation where immigration starts glancing over your passport and it looks like they suspect you are working illegally or something, but I would presume they'll ask you for proof of funds, where you are going etc. first. If you can answer the officer's questions/show proof to their satisfaction, I don't see any problems at all.

The same procedure occurs when suspicious foreigners arriving into Australia are questioned. First, availability of funds is asked for, then proof of source of funds (if necessary) and perhaps accommodation proof, in case the amount of funds for the proposed stay would seem a bit tight if it weren't for the pre-booked or pre-arranged accommodation. For example, if someone had access to $1200 for a proposed stay of 6 weeks, that would seem a bit tight, but if there is a pre-existing arrangement for that traveller to stay with friends, live in someone's apartment or house while they are abroad or if they have pre-booked all their accommodation then that amount might actually last a while, especially if not too much travelling is involved. On the other hand, someone with access to $3000 and planning on staying 6 weeks might not need to prove accommodation has been arranged simply because that amount could see them through their 6 week stay just by staying at hotels/hostels/guesthouses B&Bs.

I wouldn't take it for granted that 14 day (technically 15 day) border runs will continue to be unlimited for Singaporeans as they have been in the past. They may be unlimited in the sense that as long as you have a solid itinerary, appear to be travelling in the region for a while and haven't been living in Thailand for months or years on back-to-back stamps, then you should be OK. Similarly, if you repeated such travel every 6-12 months after an absence of a few months.

If you have the funds for the Thailand Elite Card then go for it. One less thing to worry about and you might actually save some money by not having to do continuous border or visa runs. You might want to just take a wait and see approach to make sure the scheme isn't cancelled or changed in light of the current military takeover. There haven't been any changes announced, but things have a habit of changing at the last minute here. Best would be to ask a Thailand Elite specific question in a separate thread to see if other members know more than I do.

BKK post #29 I gave you a thumps up for a incredibly informational post earlier.. But I don't see the harm in having a base camp ie apartment lease while your touring Thailand and surrounding countries if you should so choose. I also agreed with your reason for the hotel/flight out for the current boarder crisis so to speak. I pay peanuts for my Apt. per month..I to am 4 years away from retirement and looking for options on where to retire if I choose to in Thailand although I come on triple entries from the USA as compared to your, I think you said multiple back to back 30 day stamps .It just makes sense to me to be able to travel lite IMOP

Before the visa crackdown I had always entered the address of my place of lease on the arrival card and was never once questioned. Even had the lease and it's copy with me during the first few runs, just in case.

Since it was never asked for as proof of address, I just took for granted that it never would and stop carrying it with me during my runs.

In fact, I too, do not see any harm as having my townhouse as my base. I had spent the months of November 2013 to March 2014 travelling to Vietnam, China and India and had flown in and out of BKK a few times during that period.

Somehow with the visa crackdown I felt that by having a permanent address with a 2 yr lease does not make me sound like a tourist and would render suspicions as to what am I doing in Thailand.

Hence, the panic and the worries as I just didn't know what to expect. Though I remembered one of the articles on the crackdown that mentioned the South Koreans, Russians, Vietnamese and Laotians are the target of these crackdowns.

As the saying goes, 'desperate times needs desperate measures'.

Btw, I'm only allowed a single entry TV and 14 days extension if I entered under 30 days visa exemption. That explains double the in/out stamps compared to anyone from a G7 country.

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Sorry your last sentence is a bit confusing. I didn't bother to re-read your OP, but I believe you're Singaporean (correct me if I'm wrong)? Anyway, why are you only allowed a single entry TV, is that all that Singaporeans are allowed? And as for extensions on a TV, I thought 30 days were allowed and only for a select few nationals, it's 7 days (such as Sri Lankans, West Africans, Chinese etc.) but for everyone else including Singaporeans it's 30 days (never heard of 14 days).

I still don't see any problems with having a lease. Bring that along with proof of funds, outbound travel when you either travel or apply for a new visa. All that matters is the money and that it isn't being sourced from within Thailand, not what kind of accommodation you are staying at. Thailand isn't Myanmar, where tourists and business travellers are only allowed to stay in hotels i.e. the type of visa determines the accommodation you are allowed to stay in. So you have nothing to worry about.

Yes, I am indeed holding a Singapore passport. Singaporeans are only allowed Single entry TV (free) with 30 days extension at the end of 60 days (total 90 days).

Alternatively, we are also given 30 days visa exemption with unlimited border run extension of 14 days each time.

I had 11 border run extensions prior to my last entry when I was warned and advised during my 4th run at Aranyaphratet to apply for a TV. This was 4 days before the first announcement of a crackdown.

I will heed your advice and use my lease in the future.

I am considering the Elite 5 year visa which amounts to 8333 baht a month. Do you have any input for this option?

Thank you.

BKK post #29 I gave you a thumps up for a incredibly informational post earlier.. But I don't see the harm in having a base camp ie apartment lease while your touring Thailand and surrounding countries if you should so choose. I also agreed with your reason for the hotel/flight out for the current boarder crisis so to speak. I pay peanuts for my Apt. per month..I to am 4 years away from retirement and looking for options on where to retire if I choose to in Thailand although I come on triple entries from the USA as compared to your, I think you said multiple back to back 30 day stamps .It just makes sense to me to be able to travel lite IMOP

Before the visa crackdown I had always entered the address of my place of lease on the arrival card and was never once questioned. Even had the lease and it's copy with me during the first few runs, just in case.

Since it was never asked for as proof of address, I just took for granted that it never would and stop carrying it with me during my runs.

In fact, I too, do not see any harm as having my townhouse as my base. I had spent the months of November 2013 to March 2014 travelling to Vietnam, China and India and had flown in and out of BKK a few times during that period.

Somehow with the visa crackdown I felt that by having a permanent address with a 2 yr lease does not make me sound like a tourist and would render suspicions as to what am I doing in Thailand.

Hence, the panic and the worries as I just didn't know what to expect. Though I remembered one of the articles on the crackdown that mentioned the South Koreans, Russians, Vietnamese and Laotians are the target of these crackdowns.

As the saying goes, 'desperate times needs desperate measures'.

Btw, I'm only allowed a single entry TV and 14 days extension if I entered under 30 days visa exemption. That explains double the in/out stamps compared to anyone from a G7 country.

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Tourists are allowed to change their travel plans. So canceling hotel reservation is ok. In theory one should inform police, immigration or some other government office about the new address but that I have not heard is requested here in Thailand?.

Latest after 90 days people have to report anyway. And if extending 60 days visa tourist will report 60 days after coming into country.

Changing hotel reservation to another hotel is ok. Hotels report their guests.

Thank you, that's a gem of an information I will keep note of. A new lesson learnt.

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Wow, BKK45, great response. And thanks for all your help in these threads.

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Most obliged, sir! It's nothing much really just paying it forward.

I have Ubonjoe to thank for calming my jittery nerves and to a few other members who provided ways and solutions during my run. I thank them all!

I simply ignored whatever the armchair pundits and lab rats sitting on their high-moral-horses have said for it does absolutely nothing.

For they remain nothing and will never be, till they learn to give without prejudice.

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There's a fly in the ointment with respect to this idea of making hotel reservations (to show to thai immigration), and then cancelling them. Under the crackdown as announced, you'd show immigration your hotel reservations and be allowed in, yes, but immigration supposedly checks on you later and if you're not checked-in at that hotel you get flagged, and awarded an OI stamp (or somesuch) on your next exit from Thailand. Then you have a problem the next time you try & enter.

Do I know the details - No.

Where did I see this - One of the many & overlengthy threads on this subject here on TV.

When does this start - In August if memory serves.

Will Thai Immigration actually DO this? - Your guess is as good as mine.

Does this apply to t-visa holders as well as visa-exempt entries - I don't think so, but then again there's always the question of immigration officer "discretion", which trumps everything...

Agreed! What I did cannot be justifiable in a subjective way. It was a means to an end.

During my previous applications and entries I had always entered the address of my rented townhouse, paid for in full for 2 years (I still have 10 months on the lease). The lease is under my name and I never have a problem with it before.

But with the visa crackdown, it works against me to show them my lease and say I'm a tourist.

I am here in Thailand simply because I am seriously considering retiring here. I truly love Thailand! I'm 4 years short of the retirement age and do not intend to work nor start a business here. I do not engaged in any illegal activities, do not do drugs, do not infringe the law and never a destitute.

I did what I had to and get it done. I do not propagate but posted my experience for others reading pleasure. I answered only when questioned as there are others in a similar situation who needs help.

I do not make judgement on a person's motives or inclinations for wanting to circumvent the recent crackdown any ways they can. It is what it is, the end justifies the means!

A forum member maxisrael calledme an a$$hole and wanted to report me to bookings.com and have them blacklist me for what I did and hope I got kicked out of Thailand soon.

I am so sorry that I hurt his feelings, or his vested interest in bookings.com or whatever that would have caused his anger towards me (sarcasm intended).

Truth be told, I don't give a s*** what he thinks. I am who I am and got here on my own accord and terms. Don't owe nobody anything.

All in all, it's about perspectives.

However, I do appreciate your input and it's duly noted Thank you.

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I was thought you book everything before you apply for a visa. If you havent book any of these maybe the immigration finds it or ask for flights and hotels. Is this the additional requirements for getting a tourist visa right?

The immigration and the consulate works independently. Your friend will not have an issue getting a visa from the consulate. And if she's not a seasoned border runner like myself, she will not have a problem getting cleared by immigration.

The target of the visa crackdownLn at immigration are for people like myself and those that have had abused the system. Since I can show proofs and already issued a visa, I was cleared. It's just a formality and in my case, I checked all the right boxes.

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@Bangkok45 -

OK many thanks... SO she have to book a flights and hotels before she apply for a tourist visa.

I only booked everything after getting my visa. Having booked everything before applying for the visa would be ideal but your friend would be issued a visa with or without the itinerary.

The itinerary is to facilitate the process at immigration.

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@Bangkok45 - I just wanna know if your booking flights bkk-hanoi and hotels are made for how many days/months you stay in thailand? I wanna help my friend shes in the same case like you. We just need an advice, before she will apply for a tourist visa. many thanks

Example: booking before she apply for a tourist visa:

shes going to apply a tourist visa on 28 of may her booking flight is june 9,2014 BKK-SIN

and hotel booking is like june 1,2014 - june 9,2014 is this correct?

help

However, the hotel booking was dated to 1 day after my entry. I entered on the 23rd and my hotel was booked for the 24th. I only booked the hotel for a week.

I did this taking into account that I entered Nongkhai and should be in Bangkok by that time.

Hope it helps

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Could do with a refresher course in grammar ....hahaha Anyway, whenever I needed advice or tips pertaining to any issues I had always count upon Ubonjoe's, always given factually. Never from a moral or authoritarian highhorse.

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If it's nothing more than 90 days that you need, a single entry visa should suffice. It is 60 days and extendable by another 30 days.

2 ways of extending it. 1. Exit the country and reenter 2. Pay 1900 baht and have it done without exiting.

Either way will give you the 30 days extension. 60+30 and you are covered. The return or flight ticket out is not important.

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" a single entry visa should suffice. It is 60 days and extendable by another 30 days.

2 ways of extending it. 1. Exit the country and reenter"

The re-entry would get an American a thirty day visa exempt entry (maybe), but since the visa is a single entry it would have nothing to do with him coming back into Thailand. After his initial entry the visa would be dead and finished. His presence in Thailand would be based on a 60 day permission stay granted by Immigrations, extendable at an immigrations office in Thailand only.

Read my postings above, please! I have erred and had clearly stated it before your post. IMA_FARANG and Ubonjoe has made things as clear as day for me.

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Oops! My apologies. IMA_FARANG and Ubonjoe are totally correct. I had done the extension at the immigration office for 1900 baht and was also made known that I can exit and reenter which was incorrect. The explanation by IMA_FARANG makes total sense. Learnt something new. Thanks guys and again sorry for the misinformation.

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If it's nothing more than 90 days that you need, a single entry visa should suffice. It is 60 days and extendable by another 30 days.

2 ways of extending it. 1. Exit the country and reenter 2. Pay 1900 baht and have it done without exiting.

Either way will give you the 30 days extension. 60+30 and you are covered. The return or flight ticket out is not important.

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Hi,

Thank you for the information!

From what I've read the problem is that they want an itinerary/ticket information when I apply for the visa.

So I will need to have that outbound ticket when I apply. I'm just wondering if they will care if it is within the 60 days or within the 90 days.

Thank you!

You can just tell them that you've read/heard that the most scenic way to experience Thailand is by rail and you might just do that and exit via Laos come the end of your journey.

Alternatively, you can also tell them you will be travelling overland ending North and exit Thailand via Chiang Kong to take the most scenic boat ride to Luang Prabang in Laos.

All they need is a satisfactory answer. Positive description of your plans and a smile should get you the visa with ease.

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If it's nothing more than 90 days that you need, a single entry visa should suffice. It is 60 days and extendable by another 30 days.

2 ways of extending it. 1. Exit the country and reenter 2. Pay 1900 baht and have it done without exiting.

Either way will give you the 30 days extension. 60+30 and you are covered. The return or flight ticket out is not important.

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Thanks for the updates, going to Nong Khai tomorrow morning will report back.

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No problem crossing the border to exit Nongkhai into Laos and from Laos into Nongkhai (with visa). In fact, with the military presence the whole experience is better. Smiles all around!

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Made an entry just yesterday with more than a few people with double entry visas. No problem at all! Smiles all around.

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I am looking to hire a Thai (preferably university student) who can work independently.

The job requires you to create a website, update content periodically and maintain the site.

Remunerations are negotiable.

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