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harpman88
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Posts posted by harpman88
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Harp,
Where in Thailand are you settling?
MG,
How direct a flight from Saipan to Bangkok? Have a feeling you have to transit Narita(?).
Jim,I will be settling in C.Mai.
Will stay in BKK for a few days to see friends,get rid of jet lag,hit some music clubs,etc.Then go down to Samui (will be meeting a buddy of mine on vacation from N.O. who wants to go back there),then to C.Mai.around May 15 or so.
Ill be at the Top North Hotel(NOT the guest house of same name) where the senior members of the staff are long time friends of mine, (and its close to AUA where I plan to further my Thai language studies as well)
Mike: Our former employer wouldnt have paid for you on Continental thru Manila? Just curious because its a U.S.airline.Im stuck coming on NW as well thru Narita,after hanging out in San Francisco for 4 days(much shorter flight,that 25+ hours from N.O.is a real killer!)......
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Hi again,Doc M.,Judging by the description of your OA visa its become obvious to me that the ones issued in the UK dont look the same as the ones issued here at the consulates in the U.S. On mine, there's no indication as to how much is paid on the visa itself(only a "fee paid" stamp with Thai script above saying same) Also your "No. of entry" must be the same as "good for____journeys".Anyway,at least now you are certain that you indeed do have a multi and can plan accordingly
One more thing with the OA,I dont think its at the discretion of the Imm. officer upon arrival as to how long you'll be admitted for. If you would've gotten anything other than 365 days upon entry,as posted here on other OA related threads,a superior Thai Imm. officer should politely be asked for immediately.
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I'm sure that this question will have been asked before but, as every case is unique, I'm going to ask it anyway.
I am a UK citizen, 60 years of age, and have been in Thailand (Pattaya) since 05 October 2004.
I have an O-A 12 month visa, based on my status as a retiree. I just have to report to Immigration every 90 days - I don't have to leave and re-enter.
The visa has an 'M' code imprinted on it so is, in all likelihood, a multiple entry visa (although I have not used it as such).
The visa expiry date is 02 August 2005, which is one year from when it was issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in London.
The entry stamp in my passport says that I am admitted until 04 October 2005.
If I am correct in my assumption that the visa is 'multiple entry' then, presumably, I could leave and re-enter Thailand any time, or times, prior to the expiry date. What would be the affect on my 'admitted until' date? A simplistic view would be that, as the visa is still valid, if I left and re-entered sometime in July 2005, I would then get an entry stamp valid until July 2006. This sounds far too good to be true and I'm sure that it can't be right. Unless you know differently ...
When I need to extend the visa, am I correct that this should be done in July - one month before the expiry date - or do I have until September to apply?
Any advice appreciated
DM
Hi Doctor,even tho as you say it sounds "too good to be true" that one can get another yrs.entry if said (re) entry is before the visa expiration date,that has nevertheless been the case with several MULTI entry OA visa holders posting on this forum.
Where is this "M" on your OA visa printed in? In mine,the entire word"Multiple"is written in the space provided between the words"good for___ journeys"
What sounds puzzling to me about your situation is that the embassy in London evidently didnt explain what this "M" meant,nor did they mention anything about the differences between a single or multi OA. (Both the price difference
and what you'll be getting for your money in terms of the privileges of either choice)
As far as needing a re-entry permit
if leaving/ entering BEFORE the visa expiration date(with a Multi OA),again its documented here that there are those who absolutely did not....but to be 100% certain Thai Flyer's advice (getting a single re entry permit anyway) would be the way to go......
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Harp, yeah, fun to speculate over all this -- Humble sure threw a curve that got us all thinking. But it sure doesn't make sense that you'd need a reentry permit from Immigration as long as your multi-entry visa hasn't expired. A NonImmigrant Multi Entry visa, regardless of flavor, should get you into Thailand as long as it hasn't expired - any other scenario (unless blacklisted) just doesn't make sense.
Oh well. You and MG can give us the real skinny soon. By the way, when are you headed for Thailand?
(Interestingly, if you'd gotten a single-entry NonImm O-A, you'd have to use it by May 6, 2005. Maybe the Thais thought this 3-month 'window' was too small for some, resulting in the multi-entry changeover(?). And it is nice to have a little more wiggle room before making the big leap.)
But enuf speculation.
Hi Jim,Im due to arrive on May 4,
and I think mgnewman arrives sometime next week.
The "wiggle room" you mention is indeed a real added plus. Ill be able to recon back to the U.S. this summer(Ive got a whole slew of cousins Ive never even met yet) and also take care of some other business.Then go back to LOS before the winter sets in(early Nov.),and that will yet leave more than enough time to bop on down to Australia
for a visit(something Ive been wanting to do anyway) and return before my OA expiration date in Feb. 06,should be good then till Feb 07.
Planning to then get the re-entry permit ASAP after the OA expiration date. In that case I will already have it in case I may want to leave again suddenly for whatever reason.
Anyway,those are the plans at this time,hope this wont be TOO hard to explain to the TGF!
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Jim,here's another possibility concerning MFA's issuance of multi OAs,In my case(and I also think mgnewman's) altho I could have apparently qualified
financially for my multi OA just by having more than $20K in a cash acct,the consulate ALSO wanted to see that I was receiving a pension of at least $1,600/month. This was
my "proof" that I was "officially retired".....and it also proved that I have a steady(and ,in my case, annually adjusted for inflation) lifelong income stream that would be adequate in and of itself to support me in Thailand.Hence,knowing this,they saw no risk in issuing the multi supposedly realizing that one could get almost 2 yrs. entry without having to extend in LOS.
I realize Im speculating here but nevertheless,this could indeed be a factor.
Anyway,if they do indeed "fix things" going forward ,I hope it wont be before Feb.06.when my multi OA will expire! Of course,that's along way off....
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KK/HF insists he had to get one..(maybe ONLY those that go and ask if they need one have to get one??) Or maybe Thai Imm.Errrrr."saw
him coming"??
Harp, this guy's not playing with a full deck.....and you're probably right, Thai Imm 'saw him coming' and was more than willing to take his 3800bt. And if his conversation with Immigration went anything like his posts on this forum, I'm sure the Imm Officer is still scratching his head. Same for advice received at Don Muang (and Thai Embassy DC): the Imm Officer (MFA Officer) probably couldn't figure out what the real question was....
But the fact that his O-A visa expires in "Feb 06" says it is multi-entry (otherwise, as a single entry, it would expire in May 05). 3800bt wasted.
It's nice to know that since RDN's experience entering Thailand with a NonImm O-A, Immigration has now been briefed to give 365-day 'admitted until' stamps (RDN had to fight getting a 90-day stamp). And it also seems logical that now once the Imm Officer sees that the visa has 1. not expired and 2. it's multi-entry, then the only other decision he has to make is whether to reach for the 90-day stamp -- or now when he sees an "O-A" (or "B-A"), to reach for the 365-day stamp. And unless you become persona non grata, as long as your NonImmigrant visa is multi-entry and not expired, you will be admitted back into the country -- the fact that you have a hyphenate '-A' should only make a difference as to which stamp he reaches for -- not that he might have a third option.
I'm almost willing to bet how this will further evolve.
First, it has been a mistake to issue multi-entry O-A visas. If you remember, George discussed the following on another thread (from the Consulate in LA):
(the 90 days in question here is duration of visa, not number of days 'admitted')If the applicant qualifies for the "O-A" Visa, the Consulate will issue a Non-Immigrant "O-A" Visa for a single journey into Thailand for a period up to 90 days....This makes sense, if for no other reason than it prevents a free extra year's stay in Thailand, which certainly is an unintended effect of issuing a multi-entry O-A. With a single entry O-A visa, you'll have to go to Immigration and get their reentry permit. And when you reenter Thailand under this reentry permit, Immigration, unlike when seeing an MFA-issued multi-entry visa, is programmed NOT to push out the 'admitted until' date.
I kinda like the idea of the Multi-entry O-A, however. I hope they just fix things at the border, namely by changing procedure so that the first 'admitted until' date under an O-A becomes non-movable. That way I won't have to visit Immigration until nearly a year later, when my visa is set to expire (I'll mail in my 90 day reports). At that point, I'll apply for not just my reentry permit, but also my first extension of stay.
I think you're right too,Jim. It sounds like old KK/HF would've coughed up the 3,800 baht even if he KNEW others didn't have to,Very strange indeed.
As far as the multi OA is concerned,I dont understand why you'd want to "fix things" at the
border so that the 1st 365 day
entry stamp would be "non-movable"
(as it is with a single entry)
With the multi,you could leave and come back during the last week of the OAs validity and get yet another year,so you wouldn't have to visit immigration for almost 2 years.
(Assuming,like you say, you'll be doing your 90 day reports by mail)
But I think you're right,this "loophole" was almost certainly unintentional. At least Thai Imm is getting their additional $75 vs a single......
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Just discovered your post Mike,so let me say yet again,HUGE CONGRATS. I lasted 27 plus yrs. with Unc. Sam thankfully he let me go early.
(OPM just got my annuity straight too) Hope to see you in C.Mai when you can swing it...the real fun has yet to begin!
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Heeeere we go again,gang.Round and round,Redwood definitely DID NOT have to obtain a re-entry permit,KK/HF insists he had to get one..(maybe ONLY those that go and ask if they need one have to get one??) Or maybe Thai Imm.Errrrr."saw
him coming"??
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Hi all,I just ran across an (old) magazine article describing some hotels on Soi Kaseman 1,Rama 1 Rd.(opposite National Stadium)
Any current info on these places?
Among those mentioned in the article are:Muang Phal Mansion,White Lodge,and A-One Inn..
Ive been staying on Suk. between sois Nana and Asoke when in BKK for the last 16 years,but am thinking about a change of pace when I
return in May..... Thanx much in advance,the Harpman
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Despite what has been posted i/m still of the opinion that if you posess an O-A multi entry then a multi re-entry permit shouldnt be required, its not logical (but then when does that come into anything).
My premise would be this.....all the re-entry permit does is protect your years stay stamp and since you would recieve a fresh years stay for every entry on the O-A multi there is nothing to protect.
What we really need is somebody to obtain an O-A multi and no re-entry permit come into Thailand and then nip out and back in again and see what happens............all volunteers one step forward please
Your interpretation is correct as far as I know. I have a multiple-entry O-A and have left and re-entered Thailand on two occasions and have never applied for a re-entry permit during the one year validity of the multiple-entry portion of the O-A visa. Since the multiple-entry is no longer valid, as I've now been here beyond the expiration date of the O-A visa, I will have to obtain either a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit when I next leave Thailand.
I believe "shotover" had been here a year on an O-A multiple entry visa and after it expired he purchased a multiple re-entry permit for 3800 baht.
-redwood
Thanx much for the reply/clarification,Redwood! Your take on Shotover's situation makes perfect sense now,as well.
Let's just hope that your experience will still be the case
going forward.(This,then will be the big question..)
Yes,T.F... The departure/return
thing after the visa expiration date
is indeed a whole different scenerio,that's why I brought to light in my previous post..
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Despite what has been posted i/m still of the opinion that if you posess an O-A multi entry then a multi re-entry permit shouldnt be required, its not logical (but then when does that come into anything).
My premise would be this.....all the re-entry permit does is protect your years stay stamp and since you would recieve a fresh years stay for every entry on the O-A multi there is nothing to protect.
What we really need is somebody to obtain an O-A multi and no re-entry permit come into Thailand and then nip out and back in again and see what happens............all volunteers one step forward please
I was of the opinion that I wouldnt need a re-entry permit with my multi
OA as well,T.F..Until these recent postings/developments,that is.
KK/HF was not only told he'd need one by the officer at Don Muang upon his arrival, but also maintained that he was told the same by the
Thai embassy in Washington,DC,if memory serves me correctly.And on top of this,Shotover also posted
on page 9 of my "OA a breeze"
thread ,that he purchased a re-entry permit as well before his departure(s)....
As far as what they protect,wouldnt the re-entry permit (in the case of the multi OA) protect your right to leave as many times as you wanted for the entire 1yr validity of the visa, (one year from date of issue),and still get another 365 days upon re-entry ,as long as the re-entry is before the visa expiration date?
One more thing, I also know that if you would want to leave/re-enter AFTER the visa expiration date,but before your latest 365 day"admitted until" date,you would have to again obtain yet another re-entry permit,because you would lose the benefit of the multiple entries on the date of the OA visa expiration.
(whether you had to purchase a re-entry permit before leaving during that time or not)
But T.F., maybe we wont need a volunteer,Redwood are you out there? Did you need to purchase re-entry permits with your multi OA when you went to Cambodia? (Im again looking at my print out of your post dated,June 24,2004).....
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Cut to the chase........If you have a single entry O-A then you will receive 1 year stay stamp upon arrival and if you wish to travel outside Thailand within said year you will need a re-entry permit (either single or multiple) so that when you re-enter your 1 years stamp will be unaffected.However you will need to show funds etc at the end of the first year for a further extension of stay.
Alternatively from what has been posted it is possible to obtain an O-A visa multiple entry valid for 1 year and every entry within said year attracts a fresh 1 year stay stamp....so with careful timing a stay of up to 2 years can be achieved without showing funds etc within Thailand.........i.e you go out and back in just before first year is up. I cant see any point in applying for a single/multiple re-entry permit in this case as you already possess the multiple entry visa.
Would that be about the size of it?
Dead right! And the only reason that KK/HF/HJ is going to immigration is to get it from the horses mouth (so to speak) that he does not need a multiple (or single) re-entry permit because his visa is a multi-entry O-A. But he's gone very quiet...
Im not so sure now,RDN.....Shotover relates he went and paid 3,800 baht for a re-entry permit even tho he's got a multi OA,KK/HF was told he must do this if he wishes to leave/return also. The difference again being that the multi OA gives you yet another 365 days upon re-entry (for the life of the visa),whereas the single does not.The single OA is no longer"active" once its used upon arrival,that 365 day stay is the only one you'll get till renewal time.However,in either case, Thai Imm. makes out by requiring re-entry permits to be purchased as well.
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Cut to the chase........If you have a single entry O-A then you will recieve 1 year stay stamp upon arrival and if you wish to travel outside Thailand within said year you will need a re-entry permit (either single or multiple) so that when you re-enter your 1 years stamp will be unaffected.However you will need to show funds etc at the end of the first year for a further extension of stay.
Alternatively from what has been posted it is possible to obtain an O-A visa multiple entry valid for 1 year and every entry within said year attracts a fresh 1 year stay stamp....so with careful timing a stay of up to 2 years can be acheived without showing funds etc within Thailand.........i.e you go out and back in just before first year is up. I cant see any point in applying for a single/multiple re-entry permit in this case as you already posess the multiple entry visa.
Would that be about the size of it?
I thought that way for a long time,too T.F. Evidently,one must still obtain re-entry permits in LOS anyway. But in paying the extra money for the multi OA vs the single, you will get yet another 365 days upon re-entry with the multi.
Once you have entered Thailand with the single OA,however,this would be the ONLY 365 day entry you would receive,re-entry permits not withstanding,as there is no multi entry feature built in to the single OA...once its used,there will be no more 365 day entries possible with this visa. (Again,please see Shotover's last post on page 9 of the "OA Visa(retirement),a breeze" thread. He relates that he had to get re-entry permits in LOS with his multi OA,and also that he was given yet another 365 days upon re-entry.
This would also be consistent with what KK was told by thai Imm. at Don Muang as per his OP......
he's got a multi OA and relates
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T.F.,If the OP is who we think he is,(his distinctive prose gives him away) he indeed does have a multi entry(altho he didn't specify on this thread).However, his story is well documented elsewhere..
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I see what your getting at,Sophon..And your'e right, that would explain the difference between the single and multi entry OAs (In the case of a single,your initial 365 day entry is the only "admitted until" date you would get,even when re-entering thereafter for the life of the visa) It just seemed to me that Thai Flyer was saying that this was the only possibility, and that another 365 days upon re-entry wouldnt be possible under ANY circumstances. And I do believe that KK(HF??) had a multi OA on arrival.
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Just would like to add one more thing,the posts I referred to (giving the additional 365 days) are located on page 9 of the "Retirement Visa OA,a breeze" thread.
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Simple as that! I'll be at Immi in about 10 hours and will give a full report on that visit........So you pay for the multi reenty and you get up to 2 years in the Kingdom.
Sorry to burst your bubble but youve only got until 25/Mar/06 in the kingdom.........all the multiple re-entry permit does is enable you to exit and re-enter Thailand up until Mar/06 without it affecting the stay that has been granted to you.
Come Mar/06 you/ll have to meet the requirements again to qualify for another 1 year extension.
T.F.,I beg to differ! Please see the posts submitted by Shotover and Redwood 13 in the thread I started
titled "OA retirement visa a breeze,but..) The multi entry feature of the OA does indeed give yet another 365 day re-entry "admitted until "date as long as that re-entry occurs before the expiration of the original multi OA
visa,one year from date of issue.
In other words,if one times a re-entry close to (but before) the
date of visa expiration,he/she will be given yet another 365 days and wont have to extend till just before that time expires. The imm. officer at Don Muang gave KK the correct info,as is demonstrated by the experiences related in the prevoiusly mentioned thread.
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OK Jimmy, er... HF, er... KK - keep us informed
After reading RDN's post over again,it suddenly dawned on me! Forget about the question in my last post,Im a little slow tonite
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Thanx much for the report.KK!
One question,was your OA visa a single or multi entry at time of issue?
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Try Royal Lanna right in the middle of everything and good big rooms 7000 baht a month.
The views are pretty amazing too.
Any more info on the Royal Lanna?
Is this the same as Lanna Palace??
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My Retirement O-A Visa experience is consistent with that described by Redwood and Lopburi. The extra 3800 baht (now about $100 USD) I paid for the multi-entry feature of the visa is worth the extra cost as Thai Immigration extends my reentry date by one year every time I leave and reenter Thailand, thus meaning that I don't have to renew my O-A visa (issued in April 2004) until April 2006.
Where did you get your initial OA,Shot?? Everyone I know of(including myself) was only charged $75 for the multi entry feature.. ($125 multi vs $50 single)
This being from a U.S. Consulate..
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Sounds like my needs can be met,I go to Central Huay Kaew quite often anyway,wont even have to make a special trip,thanx Pro Thai.
And you're right Lop,I am referring to the lens type that was called
"photo grey" when they were 1st formulated,altho one seldom hears that phrase these days,and indeed my lenses are bifocal.The "progressive"
part must be that there is no line made in the glass between the 2 lenses.
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To Lop,I think (hope!!) you're right that,in essence, the extra $75
charged for the OA multi is in lieu of the re-entry permit(s) that would be required otherwise,and should be for the duration of the visa's validity(one year from date of issue), with re-entry permits required BEFORE leaving Thailand if one would leave anytime after the initial OA visa expiration date. This ,of course, would be the case when one gets yet another 365 days upon re-entry, since the new "admitted until date" would be later than the "valid until" date of the original OA. (Redwood, wasn't this the case with you?)
Yes Mike, that is correct. The multiple entry expired one year after the issuance of the O-A visa. But, on the two occasions when I left Thailand prior to its expiration I've been given 365 day extensions at Don Muang on returning
-redwood
There it is! Bingo!! ChaaaaChing!!
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Hello all.I will be arriving in C.Mai in May with my OA retirement visa in hand,the posts concerning condos,apartments,dental clinics,etc.have been very helpful.
Any suggestions on optical/eyeglass clinics?? Anyone have any experiences with getting "progressive" lenses fitted in CM?
(they're the lenses that darken automatically as they're exposed to sunlight) Thanx in advance,the Harpman.
Coco's Blues Bar
in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Posted
Hello! I will be stopping in Samui next month before settling in C.Mai.
As an interested musician,I would like to know if Coco's is still in existence(and where its located) or if there are any other blues venues
on Samui....Thanx much in advance,the Harpman