MrKFC

So - the original METV expired March 10, I dd a run on Feb 26, now shows an expiration of Apr 25.

A friend who's spent a lot of time here said he thinks that  - if the borders should happen to open before my current visa expires - I could do another run and extend 60 days, conceivably extend into late June.

I'm a bit skeptical ... ?

Thanks!

current info from a volunteer at CNX immigration, 5 minutes, worth a watch:

https://www.facebook.com/michael.j.gaudet/videos/10220533119945329/UzpfSTYwMDY4ODA1NjoxMDE1ODM0MDk4NTM2MzA1Nw/

Yep, what's clear is there is no single correct answer.

My thinking goes kinda like this:

Circumstances here are really quite good for isolation, health is good, doing what I can to pump up the immune system, but if I should happen to get infected, I can afford to pay for medical help here.

Isolation at home is also easy, but if I happen to get the bug, I can't really afford what it might cost.

I'm thinking that by mid May, the 'system' there will have evolved.

DS

Thank you! 

And just to be clear - the date shown for expiration is Apr 25 - so I should hold off applying till maybe Apr 15?

DS

You're right, did a border run - don't seem to be able to fix that in the post - whoopsie!

My current US METV runs from Sept 11, 2019 to March 10, 2020.

Until recently I intended to return early April, so I did an extension on Feb 26, OK till Apr 25, have a flight booked for Apr 10.

But with the Covid frenzy at full tilt there, all things considered, I think I’m better off to stay here a while longer if possible.

I’ve seen various posts that say Thai Gov’t is allowing additional 30 day extensions – with a letter from the Embassy. But an article in Phuket News also said the the US Embassy is refusing to issue that sort of letter.

So – I’m wondering if I was to go to Immigration here in Chiang Mai with 1,900 baht, no letter, is there a reasonable chance of getting another 30 days?

Thanks!

DS

Good news!

Where'd you ride in from? I'm in Khanom, thinking I might ride the train from Nakhorn Sri Thammarat but haven't been able to find a schedule that shows that ... might have to do Nakhorn Sri Thammarat to Hat Yai.

Other option is to ride the scooter, but it's 300+ km, a long day in the saddle.

DS

Thanks. ????

Have you heard whether they're requiring an overnight there? - I'm just getting a stamp on my METV, trying to do the usual U-turn.

DS

I can't seem to find a schedule that shows this run, found about everything else, hoping someone here can send a link or something ...

Thanks,

DS 

21 hours ago, recom273 said:

If I needed to spend a night in Malaysia I think Padang is a better bet than Wang Prachan - there is a couple of grubby guesthouses that you can walk to, not far from Maybank.

Hey recom273, quick question - I haven't been to Pedang before - what's 'Maybank' - 

Thanks,

DS

Right, it's not Thai immigration, it's Malaysia. I assume the Malay Hotel Industry (or somesuch) is paying big bucks to whoever got Malay Immigration to start doing this. 

Thanks Asanee - was a simple thing last year, evidently they're requiring an overnight in Malaysia these days. I saw a post on a different site that sez Ranong isn't available, trying to confirm that.

Wotta flippin nuisance.

DS

Thank you Schondie ... assuming there's $ going from the hotel owners to whoever has made this a requirement ... they have things in common with pickpockets ... 

Hi,

I just saw a post on a different site that sez we can no longer do a METV extension at Ranong. I couldn't find the date it was posted or any details.

It's a company that ran the vans, said "Due to the changes in the visa regulations it is not possible any more to extend the visa in Ranong. Therefore the visa run is dead! No more minibusses come from Phuket or elsewhere for this purpose."

Anyone know more about this?

Thanks,

DS

Thinking about maybe updating my METV at Pedang Besar, Malaysia but have been hearing tales about being required to stay over night.

I did it last year at Satun, was quick and easy then.

Any recent news?

Thanks,

DS

Thanks one more time Joe, I'll check into that, you're always helpful, much appreciated. 

DS

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions for the quickest/easiest run from Khanom ... ?

Thanks!

DS

This guy was waiting outside my door a while ago, not quite 2' long ... rat snake perhaps? 

Am I correct in thinking that with my METV I'm not limited to a certain number of entries in the 6 month period the visa is valid for? Can cross in and out of Lao several times if I want to? 

And that each entry is good for another 60 days? 

I know that the number of land entries is limited to 2 per year, but an article I just read said that limit is only if you show up at the border with with no visa and are issued a new one each entry - and there's no limit to airport entries.  Is that '2 per year' limit applied to the METV as well? 

Thanks!

DS

Coming from the US, I'll be using an METV, plan to stay at least six months.

This time I don't want to commit to a return date or airport.

Booked a one way Delta flight to Chiang Mai through Expedia ($565 BZN to CNX) last leg is Korean Air ... is that where I might encounter a problem for no proof of onward travel or would that happen at the first flight?

This will be 4 years in a row that I've done 6 months in Thailand (always with a round trip ticket)  and the passport will show that. Would that history be sufficient to prevent any hassles? 

Have thought about buying a throw-away ticket, but having trouble finding any cheap flights six months from my scheduled entry.

Wondering whether date shown on the 'proof of travel ticket' has to be somewhere in the range of 6 months from entry? 

Thanks,

DS

19 minutes ago, lastminutebozo said:

Type (DMK) to (KOS) flights in google then click flights below the google search bar and then choose one way. It should be a little over 1000 baht with service fee 1100ish. While you're processing they'll add luggage and insurance which will increase the cost but you can cancel it. 

Thank you, much appreciated!

DS

2 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Each time you enter the country using the visa, you receive a 60-day permission to stay starting with the day you arrive in Thailand.

Thanks much! I'd rather ask a dum question than make a dum mistake ????

DS

3 minutes ago, BritTim said:

When you apply for an METV, the expiry date will be six months from the date the visa is issued. If the visa is issued around, say, September 10, 2019, this would mean that you would be able to use it to enter Thailand (receiving a 60-day permission to stay each time) until March 10, 2020. If you would wish to use the visa to enter Thailand in, say, late March, it would make sense to apply for the visa closer to your departure date from the US.

That was quick, thank you sir! 

I think I got it ... but just to be sure ... the first 60 day visa begins the day I enter the country ... not the day they 'approve/send' the visa to me from Los Angeles ... right? 

DS

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Have you applied for your visa yet. Most embassies and consulates will want to see at least one ticket out of the country when you apply.

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can get a low cost one way ticket to any nearby country. Check some the regional low cost carrieres from any airport they fly out from and you can get one for not much more than 1000 baht.

Hi, 

Any suggestions for what might be least expensive? 

I checked a few, most were upwards of 2000 baht ... Hat Yai/Kuala Lumpur, Mae Hong Son/Yangon, Udon Thani/Vientiane ... 

Thanks,

DS

On 3/17/2017 at 4:15 AM, Upnotover said:

No.  Within 6 months of the issue date of the visa, marked as "enter before" on it.

Hi ... I have a question regarding the 'enter before' thing.

I'll be applying for the METV through the Los Angeles consulate and plan to arrive on October 8.

How much time do they allow?

Thinking I'll apply early September ... will that 'enter before' be past October 8 or do I need to cut it closer?

Thanks,

DS