DanceAllNight

So, i had a package sent to my from the US via USPS. The package is just some used shirts, deodorant, underwear.

I checked my tracking info and it said this...

Payment of charges - Item being held, addressee being notified

how much could i possibly be charged for simple items like this? The total value of the stuff sent was probably $30.

No place in Chiang Mai?

If all you need is a ticket into the country, then I am set. Cheap flights now on budget airlines.

Hello,

I am a US citizen in CM.

I want to get a job outside of Thailand that requires a criminal background check from the FBI.

Does anyone know where to get the prints taken in CM? Or must I go to Bangkok?

When I got my visa in Vietnam, I was asked for proof of onward travel and had to give them a print out of my flight.

"visa rules are getting better."

Please explain.

By that I mean they just recently allowed some Euro countries visa free to Vietnam for 15 days, and they also said US citizens may no longer need a visa in the future.

In addition, they're talking about doing year long visas, and making it easier to get a 6 month multi-entry visa.

Agree... it is much more relaxed there and HCMC is a lot funner and active than Vientiane.

Have you done back-to-back visas there? No double entry, right?

Good thing about this consulate, is that I can walk there from the area I stay in Pham Ngu Lau/Bui Vien area.

I want to break up traveling to Laos for a bit. I went there late last year just for travel, and then a few months ago for a visa run.

So, I thought maybe go to Vietnam, since there are some cheap flights now, and visa rules are getting better.

I have a previous tourist visa from Ho Chi Minh earlier this year, and then got a 2nd one in Vientiane when my previous visa from HCMC expired. Once my current visa expires, I am wondering if I can get a visa again in Vietnam, or will the deny me since I have one previous? And I know it's only single entry and you must prove onward travel.

Second, if I cannot get it there, or i want to get it on Hanoi, can I? Does Hanoi offer double entry?

I just think sometimes this is easier than Laos. I can fly in/out and that means less worry about immigration and the consulate in HCMC is less crowded and hassle free.

First time to reply. I work directly with Thai Military. New law can only enter Thailand 4 times with tourist visa. Will take some time but believe me it will happen.

Military want to crack down on people working in Thailand with tourist visa.

I were one on tourist visa.

My advice start now to make a plan for a work permit.

This rule is understandable and fair, however, they should enforce with with consistency and not just leave it to the discretion of the IO at that moment.

And when this does go in effect, will they count your previous visas, or the ones you got after the new law was put into place?

Furthermore, what does that mean, you can only enter 4 times? 2 double entry tourist visas? 4 single entry tourists visas? And in what time span? If you enter 4 times in a year, then come back in another year or so, are you still allowed to enter? And what if you fly in/out of the airport and not travel by land?

Don't sweat it too much. I just did a border run, and the guy in front of me had like 6 tourist visas from Thailand... the IO just looked for the current one and did not care... this was in Mae Sai.

And if they do refuse you, just move on, if you're not tied down here.

Vietnam, Cambodia will welcome you if you have the money.

For example, my visa says enter before Sept. 1, so I will go and do a border run on Aug. 31.

Am I correct in assuming it's best to re-enter Thailand a day or so before the enter before date on your visa? I'm worried that if I entered on the actual date, I'd run into problems.

Most people do it the day before, yes?

For Vietnam, you need a letter of invitation. This can be bought online for 20 - 25 bucks. Then, take that letter with you and you'll pay $45 dollars at the airport...or less if you only get a 1 month visa.

Malaysia, Singapore - no visa is required.

Cambodia - $30

Myanmar - depends... e-visa or consulate in BKK

As others have said, check everyday for new promotions. 12 am Thai time.

This whole thread is a classic example of why it so important to make the distinction between "tourist visa" and "visa exempt entry". It is clear in the cited article that the traveler was refused exit at Mae Sot planning a visa exempt entry. While this is not completely certain, I think the photographed sign talking about "back-to-back tourist visas" was also a specific immigration office creating a misleading sign. I personally have activated the second entry of a double entry tourist visa at the Mae Sot crossing (without an overnight stay over the border) in the last few months. Once confirmed that I had a valid visa, no questions were asked. Mae Sot does not allow crossing to receive a visa exempt entry, however. I speculate that someone exiting by air to Yangon and trying to enter at Mae Sot would be refused visa exempt entry (i.e. the immigration office is calling a visa exempt entry a "back -to-back tourist visa").

Thanks, that was good info.

Click the blog link and look at the picture.

That is what I am talking about.

It reads no visa runs and then no back-to-back border runs (those with a visa stamped in passport)

I did the same thing before arriving. The cheapest places to fly to will be Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Yangon.

You will not need a visa for Malaysia, so KL might be the best and cheapest. Though, once you get there, it is not as cheap as the above mentioned cities.

Keep checking Nok Air, Air Asia, Lion Air Thai - they have promotions all the time.

Recently, Nok Air has tickets to Yangon for 1,000 (it was like 30 baht, but around 800 after taxes) and Ho Chi Minh was around 1,000 - but Vietnam visa is not cheap.

Just keep shopping. Those cities I mentioned are the cheapest.

to clarify, when I say visa, I mean an actual visa.

in that blog, at Mae Sot, they said no back to back border runs with a valid visa...not an exempt.

I know about the crackdowns and I have a visa. But I'm saying, even with a visa, you cannot do back-to-back border runs. It's not a problem for me, because I like traveling and have the money to do it right now, but for others, this will cause problems.

From what I am reading, if it is your first time doing the Mae Sai border run, you'll be fine and will not need to prove anything.

However, if this is your 2nd time, then you will have to show onward proof and funds, perhaps... if they even let you cross.

Here is a good blog:

http://www.dailysoliloquy.com/land-crossing-the-thai-mae-saimyanmar-border-for-visa-run/

follow the leader to cambodia or vietnam, i think not.

simply get a proper visa.

even if you have a proper visa, you still run into headaches.

Whereas, you can go to to Vietnam and Cambodia and stay a year by just extending your visa - without ever having to leave the country...expensive, sure, but so are visa runs for Thailand. And both countries are cheaper than Thailand, but not as nice in my opinion - hence, why I am a tourist in Thailand and not there

Thailand is worth the extra money. Soon, I will be on the beach in Phuket, drinking my expensive beer, with the touts, jet-ski scammers, fat Russians, loud and proud Arabs

Apparently, you cannot do back - to - back border runs at Mae Sot and maybe Mae Sai now.

I guess you go to Mae Sai the first time, and then Mae Sot? Or just do a little trip to Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia,etc...

Geez... does Thailand even want tourists anymore? I understand the need to crack down on illegal workers, but in the long run, I am sure they're losing a lot of money...and money people are affected....

Just wait until the tourist numbers drop even more, and the economy gets even worse.

Follow the leader to Cambodia or Vietnam, eh?

Here is a blog talking about it:

https://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/North-West-Thailand/Mae-Sot/blog-877280.html

flying into Thailand is certainly better than crossing by land. You should show funds, but won't likely be refused....as they would have to cover your costs flying back to point of origin. At any rate, just get a visa!

The Patong, Phuket immigration was good for me - fast, friendly, and gave me advice.

is it come they ask for all this stuff?

I thought with a valid visa, you don't need airfare proof.

can i simply say, i have not made plans yet, and when i do, i am likely traveling by bus?

if you have a visa, they should not ask about money and plane tickets...

who carries 20k baht when traveling? You're asking to be robbed/mugged..etc...

Did Mae sai last month on a triple - second entry had to show ticket and money. First time this happened - seems they get more complicated.

interesting... do you have a lot of previous visas or stamps? Where are you from... if you don't mind me asking.