tookwan cottage

"i wasn't just sat in my house doing nothing" - can someone clarify if this is not allowed, as per the Thai Immigration's policy?

Maybe Cambodia is the concern?

Can I ask what nationality? Fair enough if you consider that intrusive.

Those passengers whose arse hurts aren't saying anything I guess.

I just want to express "JoeThePoster" that you are a certifiable comedic genius and should embark on a career in the industry immediately. Furthermore, your avatar title is also a work of pure genius. How do you cope in such a mediocre world??

You sir are most certainly not the reason for the recent visa crackdown. I nearly fainted from the laughter.

Do we need a thread on how to use the Internet—in particular, the various search engines that are on offer?

You are stressing everyone out. See this?: "$" - it is called a "dollar symbol". Thanks.

since building our house almost 5yrs.ago how many exit and re-entry stamps in my passport NONE.

how many times have I visited immigration 26.and they still want to know where I live.at almost 70 I am not going anywhere as long as my wife is here and my dog,so it would be nice to be treated with a bit of dignity.

With all due respect, gain some perspective—ever heard of the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff"? I am sure your life is heavenly on the 300-plus other days of the year that you don't need to suffer at the hands of the torturous immigration officials.

BTW, this recent post may give you some insight into the view of "Westerners" that some officials might be used to.

If CW is business-as-usual, you will read no complaints from me.

 

As was announced by immigration, and posted on this forum on July 20, 2014:

 

"If you are traveling on visa-exempt or with a tourist visa, bring these documents for your extension:

 

1. Your onward flight ticket or eTicket out of Thailand within the 30 days

2. Minimum 10,000 Baht, or rather 20,000 Baht

3. Hotel booking confirmation - and if you have it, your itinerary

4. One photo, passport sized.

5. Application fee, 1,900 Baht"

 

Excuse the hackneyed statement, but best to be safe than sorry. BTW, don't ask me what the "or rather" means ...

There have been recent reports of people getting 30 day extensions for tourist visas and needing nothing more than their passport and copies and of course the fee.

 

I am presuming that this practice, in line with what has been the case prior to the "crackdown", will apply in the majority of cases; but, given the cost, time and effort to get to Chaengwattana (depending upon who and where you are in BKK, of course), I would find it very frustrating to be caught out, for whatever reason.

I suggest reading today's Bangkok Post for further insight; although, you will still have questions afterward.

As was announced by immigration, and posted on this forum on July 20, 2014:

"If you are traveling on visa-exempt or with a tourist visa, bring these documents for your extension:

1. Your onward flight ticket or eTicket out of Thailand within the 30 days

2. Minimum 10,000 Baht, or rather 20,000 Baht

3. Hotel booking confirmation - and if you have it, your itinerary

4. One photo, passport sized.

5. Application fee, 1,900 Baht"

Excuse the hackneyed statement, but best to be safe than sorry. BTW, don't ask me what the "or rather" means ...

You do not need your birth certificate.

It is incredibly straightforward kirstymelb101. Just go into the Aust. embassy on Silom Rd and the Thai staff at the counter on the first floor speak fluent English—you fill in the form they give you, pay the fee, and hand over your passport and suitable passport photos. You then have the option of having it mailed to you or picking it up from the Embassy—the latter is typically the best option.

So we now live in a world where adults can't be trusted around balconies with low railings?? So therefore blame the construction of Thai buildings?? What percentage of our brains do we use again??

Thanks for this.

All the media reports seem to come from the south and I am yet to encounter one from BKK. According to this security expert, covering your hand while entering the PIN is still the best precaution, but it would be good to know of any experiences. Cheers.

The Chinese woman did not come here to commit crime?? Then why the hell did she overstay??

I have long-known that humans are just another part of the animal kingdom, but, too often, the place that the species occupies in the general order of things can vary each day.

Hang on. So you're not fed up with Thailand after acting like an idiot for a prolonged period of time and you don't have any sanctimonious or bigoted slurs to throw at Thai culture and its people?? 

Oh, okay. So all is well then because you understand intercultural awareness, respect and mutually beneficial relationships? No problem—just checking.

Over 1000 people applied at the Vientiane embassy this morning—Thursdays are especially bad for long waits at present. So, don't just watch out for public holidays and the weekend.

Aside from a brief storm last Friday evening, I don't recall any rain in Bangkok since November. Blazing sun and about 38 now. Bring on the rain...

I definitely concur!

tldr: business as usual regarding tourist visas in vientiane.

Just came back from vientiane. I got a double entry tourist visa. (i had the same previously,, so it was back-2-back double-entry tourist visa).

No problems in vientiane, business as usual, was not asked to provide financials, tickets, etc...

The only thing different was the amount of people,, but could be due to holiday may 13.. Anyway, everybody got served and i saw noone get refused or hassled in the embassy or when going through the border back to thailand.

Because of the amount of people in the embassy, stuff got a bit delayed, usually the stop taking applications 11:30 ,, but now they took applicaitons to around 1pm.. As long as you got a queue number before 11:30.. Some people said this was due to the holiday may 13th..

Getting passports back the day after usually starts at 1:30pm,, but now it was delayed to around 2pm because they were still taking payments from applicants.

You are a gentleman sir. Thank you for bothering to follow through with this account of your experience :-)

The new rules do not apply to tourist visas, There will be no change to getting them but the embassy will be busier.

Do you have one from there now? The worst case is that they will only give you a single entry. Attaching financial proof from outside Thailand to your application will help to prove you are not working here illegally.

Yes the rules have not changed, but the enforcement of existing rules for tourist visa may be enforced stricter now, that is what i'm worried about.

Vientiane is famous for not asking about financials, tickets, hotel reservations etc.. But i fear they might have started doing that now due to this new crackdown..

I do have one double entry from there now.. going the tonight (will arrive tomorrow morning) to get a new double entry..

How do you know they will give single entry at worst? Do you know that they can and have refused applications entirely in the past,, asking for supporting documents,,, rare but can happen.,.. and i fear, that with this new crackdown they have to be stricter about enforcing the rules and asking for supporting documentation ..

Anyway, i will report back here soon

That would be great if you can find the time and effort to let us know how you went! Oh, and thanks again ubonjoe

That's why every time I go, I literally take the kitchen sink (and a copy of it) with me!! That's including an ATM receipt as well as a bank letter dated that day.

Ever seen a guy in a queue with a wheelbarrow? That's me!!

Amazingly, I've never had an ounce of stress nor ever stood in line at immigration. I don't even go to immigration.

When I first arrived, I went to Assist Thai Visa Service in Chiang Mai, gave them my passport and my proof of income

(which I composed myself at U.S. Consulate), paid the fee, and about a week later I went back to Assist Thai Visa and

picked up my passport with my retirement visa. Also, I don't do any 90 days reports, they do it, 1,000 baht per year.

For me, the whole thing is easier than falling off a chair -- couldn't believe how simple, quick and painless, especially

after several years reading all the moaning and groaning on TV.

If I couldn't afford the fee charged by Assist Thai visa Service, I would just stay in farangland.

Wow, 1K baht per year is NOTHING. This is great info for those it applies to!

Now I understand the ordeal: You were doing a 90-day report, or something else related to a retirement visa? When I went to extend a 60-day tourist visa, it was very straightforward and I think I spent 40 mins there all up.