scavenger

I flew them twice this year. First I flew from Hong Kong to Manila, on time, can't say it was a great flight as I then experienced my worst turbulence ever but the service was otherwise good.

The second time I flew from Manila to Singapore, delayed for 25 minutes, smooth flight. When I got on the plane I saw a flight attendant who was on that HK flight 28 days earlier; he recognized me too, smiled and greeted me with "it's nice to meet you again sir." Without the turbulence I had the chance to eat the provided meal: it wasn't fantastic, but it was decent.

The terminal used by Philippines Airlines is not great but okay for a few hours.

As for taxi drivers, just walk past the touts at the airport and you should be okay. Ask the hotel or a friend how much to expect to pay for where you are going. Last month, I paid 265 pesos from Cubao to the airport (as per meter), in the usual Friday morning traffic.

Will it make a difference for the taxi drivers anyway? You probaly know what I mean if you've tried to get a ride in a "meter taxi" at MBK, Central World or Don Muang airport at night recently...

That said, I agree that the fare rise is long due. And that said, this has never been a valid excuse for aggressive behavior and reckless driving.

A 20% drop just because of martial law? Wait unitl they read about the wristband and tracking, the violent taxi drivers back behind their wheels on the streets of Phuket, and of the immigration raid at Punspace in Chiang Mai...

So, should we begin to pool our money for when he signs up here to beg for his overstay fine?

I have never been to the southern islands, and I have no intention to go at any time in the future. Actually, my fiancée and I have ruled the south of Thailand out of our travel plans simply because we don't like the people there. The north and northeastern parts of Thailand are much more agreeable. And there are other countries besides Thailand for pleasant vacations, such as the Philippines, where it is cheaper, with extremely polite and welcoming people who speak excellent English.

There is more to safety than crime statistics. There is also the atmosphere, the welcome, and the seriousness with which crime is tackled. I have felt safer not only in Manila but also on the streets of New York or in the townships of Cape Town SA than I have anywhere south of Petchaburi.

Thailand is safe for those who take the same precautions as they would elsewhere; it gets dangerous when you follow their advice "don't think."

What do they expect when they buy a vegetarian red pork bun? And can we really call gluten &msg confections "vegetarian"?

Catching illegal teachers should be very easy: immigration officers just need to walk in a language school on a Saturday and ask to see the work permits.

Asking "visa-runners" to show how they earn their living would be legitimate; assuming they are all criminals is not.

But crackdowns are only part of solving the problem. Paying teachers enough would ensure an adequate supply of qualified ones. And they should lift the restrictions on types of employment for foreigners married to Thais.

That was years ago, but I was once asked to produce an onward ticket to check-in a flight to Taipei at Los Angeles airport.

When checking-in for Air Asia to DMK from Changi Airport (Singapore), I was asked to show an onward ticket even after they saw my double-entry tourist visa. Not realizing I had a double-entry, they wanted to know what my plans were after Cambodia, the destination of the first onward ticket I provide: was I going for an put-in? When I pointed put the double-entry and a second onward ticket (to Nepal), they stopped asking questions. They were most probably just over-zealous staff (though very courteous, I must say) but I would hate to miss a flight for such hassle.

Arriving at DMK, I was asked a few questions but wasn't asked to produce an outbound ticket.

"They were most probably just over-zealous staff ..."

In what way is carefully checking your plans & ticketing considered "over-zealous?"

As far as I know, and from what I have read on this forum, an onward ticket is not needed if we hold a visa. I was holding a double-entry visa, and I still add to produce two outbound tickets, one booked & paid air ticket for each visa entry. I doubt this is required by Thai immigration, and I was asked for jone of such when I flew in at DMK.

What I have in mind is emergency cash which could also serve as proof of sufficient funds (NOT the whole traveling money in TCs.) Along with the liquid currency I carry when traveling, why would I want to carry an extra 20,000baht in cash? Can my Thai bank ATM card be replaced in the Philippines or in Nepal?

In a worst-case scenario, I much prefer the fees incurred by using TCs than calling home to get some pity cash through Western Union...

When checking-in for Air Asia to DMK from Changi Airport (Singapore), I was asked to show an onward ticket even after they saw my double-entry tourist visa. Not realizing I had a double-entry, they wanted to know what my plans were after Cambodia, the destination of the first onward ticket I provide: was I going for an put-in? When I pointed put the double-entry and a second onward ticket (to Nepal), they stopped asking questions. They were most probably just over-zealous staff (though very courteous, I must say) but I would hate to miss a flight for such hassle.

Arriving at DMK, I was asked a few questions but wasn't asked to produce an outbound ticket.

I wonder what % of people getting questioned about having enough money has to do with how they dress and look when inline to get the passport stamped, I'm at the counter a few times a year and have never been asked for anything .

I am a male rocker, early forties, with long hair, always traveling in jeans, t-shirts and sneakers, and I have never been asked to prove sufficiency or funds or anything beyond an onward ticket when checking in at an airline check-in counter. Nor have I got searched at customs. That said, in the current atmosphere, I prefer to be prepared.

What are you showing proof of funds for? Is this a new rule just to enter Thailand?

Not a new rule it has been a requirement for a long time. Immigration has recently been asking for financial proof from some people when entering the country. It is 10,000 baht for a visa exempt entry or 20,000 baht if you have a visa.

The OP intends to have it in case he is asked for it.

"Visa runs" are not really my thing, I prefer to "walk"; traveler's cheques are old school indeed, but as I travel solo for several weeks at a time and spend some of the nights in hostels to cut the cost of travel (I have visited four countries so far and will visit two more by the end of the year), they seem to me like a good solution, and, if lost, more easily reissued than a Thai bank ATM card while in Africa or Nepal.

Out of curiosity: as there might be destinations where one would prefer not to use ATM machines or carry 20,000 baht or the equivalent in USD just to come back to Thailand, and as I have seen no ATM machines on the airside of immigration control on the arrival level, do you think traveler's cheques would be accepted as a proof of sufficient funds?

The tourist visa at the Hong Kong Consulate is HK$300 per entry. HK$600 is therefore the cost for a double-entry tourist visa.

Thanks ubonjoe & wayned!

This might be the right place to ask. I am on the first entry of a double-entry tourist visa. Can I obtain a re-entry permit to leave the country during the first sixty days and keep my second entry for when I will be back in January (enter before date: 3 Feb)? I do not want to limit my travels to embassy and consulate locations.

This was six years ago but I don't think the procedure has changed: before I got my work permit, I had to leave the country to get a non-b visa; I then came back to Thailand to apply for my work permit and it was a painless process. I am pretty sure a non-b or a non-o based on marriage is required to apply for a work permit.

In the 2013 single entry report for Hong Kong, the OP wrote that he was told he could get a double-entry if he could provide the air tickets, so I took his lead and prepared photocopies of three tickets (but a triple-entry visa could not be issued in HK.) Air tickets can often be purchased at a much lower price when booked several months in advance. And now I am glad that I can go visit Cambodia for nine days without a trip to the embassy there, and have time to get out of Phnom Phen, perhaps even take the boat to Angkor Wat.

I forgot to mention that this particular AirAsia counter staff did admit he found the Thai immigration situation confusing. And then I thought of the different "rules" that seem to be applied at different immigarion and embassy locations, according to numerous posts on this forum.

I didn't really buy what he said; I just thought it would suck if one missed a flight because of confusion and miscommunication, and posted here to see whether others came across similar situations. Glad to see it is not common.

I do agree that 2- has got to be wrong. I actually had him repeat it, and that one employee held on to it.

I flew in from Singapore with AirAsia yesterday, and what I was told might be worth sharing here.

I am Canadian, and hold a double-entry tourist visa. When I checked in at the Air Asia check-in counter, I was told by the (courteous) staff that there were now two requirements:

1- An outbound ticket

2- This part surprised me: not an "I will receive a 30-day visa-exempt stamp", but an actual visa.

When I showed them my e-ticket to Cambodia, it seemed that this wasn't good enough. I pointed out that I held a double-entry visa and that I also had a second e-ticket, for Kathmandu, and then I was allowed to check-in for my flight.

At Don Mueang's immigration airport, the officer didn't seem convinced I was a genuine tourist, as I have previously been in Thailand with non-b visa and work permit. He looked around a few times for someone then asked me if I spoke Thai (I speak it fluently.) He asked me a few fair questions then stamped my passport with no further ado.

Hi everyone! I've been reading this forum and gaining helpful info for years; now that I may have something to contribute, I have signed up.

I am Canadian and I have been here on a non-b visa (with work permit) for a little over six years. I have left my job and I am now taking time off for traveling. I have just returned to Bangkok from Singapore, where I spent an entire week, after a month in Manila and a week in Hong Kong (not sure how relevant it is but it does show I am actually traveling.)

I applied for a double tourist visa at the Royal Thai Consulate in Hong Kong on 4 August in the morning and received my visa the next morning (on the 5th). I submitted: filled application form, passport-size photos, photocopies of passport pages, and e-tickets in and out of Thailand (from Singapore, to and from Cambodia, to and from Nepal,) and HK$600 (HK$300/entry). The visa is valid for six months: enter before 3 Feb 2015. I spent less than 15 minutes at the consulate on both days and all went very smoothly.

I first requested a triple-entry visa but was politely told they only issue double-entry visas.

I flew into Don Mueang Airport from Singapore yesterday with minimal hassle.

The Consulate is conveniently located, a short walk away from points of interest such as Hong kong Park and the Bank of China where one can see the city from the 43rd floor.