Kaalle

Any one actually been to Penang to secure a tourist visa lately who can confirm 100% ?

Just now, sanemax said:

IED's and corrupt Police generally do not effect tourists . But thousands of fat red faced miseries, sitting in bars on their own at midday nursing a large Chang , peering out from bars and just watching people walk by , could make tourists feel uncomfortable

Ok so people staying permanently on tourist visas are bad for tourism and therefore bad for Thailand? The chinese are bummed out by the chang drinking depressed expats? I get your point now, really hope they clamp down hard, lives are at stake! 

2 minutes ago, sanemax said:

It does, it hurts the whole Country . Most Westerners here are miserable and depressed and moan all the time about everything and it makes Thailand a miserable place with all these saddoes moaping about 

This speaks to my point. People walking around being grumpy is a bit of a minor issue compared to roadside IED´s and a police force that is an organized mafia.  

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Immigration control isn’t just about money, and just because someone has money doesn’t give them entitlement.

 

Most countries want ‘tourists’ to visit for short holidays, spend their money, and go home. Most countries want long term visitors to be working, or prove they have the means to support their stay. People staying long term as ‘tourists’ using tourist visas don’t meet either condition.

Didnt say it was, my whole point was that people staying here doesnt hurt any one. You didnt really refute this at all. 

Why pretend like Thailand would benifit from stopping people staying on tourist visas? Its a country with a myriad of problems, terrorism, corruption, slavery, road safety etc etc etc. People staying longer and spending a bit of money isnt hurting any one. And if it is in a minority of cases then thats like worrying about ugly wallpaper in a house you havent even built yet. 

I dont know anything about that wierd looking dude and his facebook. But it wouldnt suprise me if Banana for example could work their magic and circumvent this new "rule" perhaps. 

I dont rely on them at all. I asked her to double check etc, since im guessing people are leaving tonite looking to secure tourist visas. I hope we get some definit info. 

I asked the visa company I use here in Phuket if they had heard anything, they had no clue what I was talking about, sent her the facebook post but no reaction. According to her its still a regular onward ticket requirement, anywhere outside the country that is. 

On 9/24/2017 at 1:15 AM, TerryLH said:

"I have no choice in the matter the online shop uses a courier service."

 

You could always look for another shop.

Check out Lazada or Aliexpress.

For supplements? 4x the prices for christ sake. 

But yeah If I make another order I will see if they have another shipping alternative. 

Thx!

I have no choice in the matter the online shop uses a courier service. 

Ordered some supplements from the UK, big box actually, about 10 kgs, ended up in customs and for starters the box broken and they had damaged stuff and then I had to pay a considerable  sum and no way of finding out what I actually paid for, great that no one speaks english at customs in Phuket of all places. Anyway, I have another order placed and thinking about cancelling it because I dont want the same procedure again. My question is what are the odds of packages getting picked up by customs? Is the risk bigger for larger boxes? Have ordered small packages from the US many many times and never had a problem. Thx!

7 minutes ago, eezergood said:

ok - im also looking for an agent as I would like to enjoy the day(s) in Penang rather than spend them in the office... so if you can offer you personal recommendations?

The company that im going with now I actually dont know what agent they use. The other company uses Banana as far as I know, Banana has always been great, they can probably fix most potential problems and what not. Not sure if they can sort out a ticket for you though. 

Edit: Which you dont need I can see now, anyways, go with banana for sure! 

Just now, eezergood said:

which agent are you using?

They book a "dummy" ticket for you the lady said. Got the same price from two companys who I know use different agents so this is the new norm as far as the onward ticket rule goes I guess. 

Just now, eezergood said:

does this depend on the visa type?

Now they are saying pay 1000 baht extra no problem. So I guess its not the end of the world, cheaper than a ticket. 

Just now, ubonjoe said:

That is not correct. Only a ticket out of Thailand to anywhere is needed.

Thx! But this is new yes? So I need to book an airline ticket for several thousand baht probably, on top of everything else yes? 

If I can borrow the thread, a visa company in phuket is now telling me embassy in penang require a ticket "to your home country" for them to grant a tourist visa. Is this correct?

Wether or not the transfer will be smooth at the immigration office is not the issue. I was hoping to save a trip there and just go for visa run straight away when my extension is finished. 

Sadao is the border crossing I will visit in the coming weeks. Thx

Swedish.

Shouldnt matter much what nationality since its in the hands of thai immigration not the perticular consulate. 

And you are 100% sure about this elviajero?

Thx!

I have a new passport waiting for me at the consulate. Currently on a tourist visa 30 day extension. Do I need to go to immigration or can things be sorted out at immigration at the border if I bring both passports? Read some other threads but couldnt really understand 100%.

Thx!

2 hours ago, newjohnny said:

Foreign transfer fees are prohibitively expensive from US banks and the exchange rate is bad. I deposit cash into my account when I get to Thailand. It's safer than a hotel safe (which I rarely have anyway)and much cheaper than making endless ATM withdrawals.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

I have no choice in the matter, the money is coming from a bank based in Europe. As far as I can see after some minor research online it seems like the fees on the thai end are managable. 

Actually scratch that used an app to verify and its real. Im stupid, or rather the manufacturer needs to update their webpage

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 
I had the same trepidation when I first started using Lazada, to the point I did my first couple of orders on COD.  But after the first few went smoothly (and it was a PITA to have 5-10,000 Baht for the COD payment) I entered my debit card info and have never had an issue with Lazada.  I had some minor scares with AliExpress related to the shipping company claiming delivery prematurely, but I've never been cheated in over 100 orders between 100 baht to 30,000 baht between the 2 websites which are now under the same ownership.
 
Edit:  I can't tell you how many hundreds of hours of scrounging around the shopping malls that has saved me- if I could find the goods at all locally.
 

 
I had the same trepidation when I first started using Lazada, to the point I did my first couple of orders on COD.  But after the first few went smoothly (and it was a PITA to have 5-10,000 Baht for the COD payment) I entered my debit card info and have never had an issue with Lazada.  I had some minor scares with AliExpress related to the shipping company claiming delivery prematurely, but I've never been cheated in over 100 orders between 100 baht to 30,000 baht between the 2 websites which are now under the same ownership.
 
Edit:  I can't tell you how many hundreds of hours of scrounging around the shopping malls that has saved me- if I could find the goods at all locally.
 

 
If it's a fake, file a dispute and request a refund.  
 
Every time I get a delivery confirmation email, there's a section on the bottom that almost begs me to file a dispute if I'm not satisfied for any reason.  I can't say I've ever done it (over 50 orders and never had to), but Lazada doesn't want the word to get out that its vendors are peddling fakes or second hand stuff and it's letting them.