BadCash

1 minute ago, JackThompson said:

If in Bangkok, you don't have to do this at all.  At other immigration offices, the reporting requirements vary by office (yes, really).  In any case, it generally only becomes a problem if you need to extend a visa at an immigration office - no reports of enforcement at entry/exit points.  Would it be correct to assume you have extended your exempts or TR Visa entries without this being mentioned (yet)? 

Ah... I thought it was already a complicated mess, and now you're telling me it depends on where in Thailand? Wow... lol :D

Yes, the AirBnb place I'm renting is in Bangkok. 

Yes, I've done two extensions, one of a TR Visa and one of a 30 day exemption. No problems at all, and I gave the full address including room number both times.

I was totally unaware of the TM30 address reporting thing, thinking it was just something that applied to people who own their places or have some more long term type of Visa or something. But now I came across https://perfecthomes.co.th/tm030-registration-thailand/ and it does sound like it applies to everyone who is not a Thai national.

I'm staying at a condo that I rent on AirBnb, and have been for a couple of months. I've been on normal tourist visas and exemptions the entire time, since I'm studying in an online university. I have no idea if the guy I'm renting from on AirBnb (a Thai who is a bit "difficult to communicate with" sometimes), or the condo building, have made any registrations. Also, I've been travelling both outside and inside Thailand, staying at hotels a few nights here and there. Never had any problems about the address at Immigration Complex or border immigrations though...

So, what do I need to do? Check with my AirBnb "landlord" if he has registered me? Tell him every time I'm coming back from staying at a hotel? Or can I report it myself?

12 hours ago, USPatriot said:

Stay on the other side of the gate.  Once you get the stamp no overstay

This seems like the most reasonable solution.

Only problem would be if the weather is so bad (so far the weather warning seems ridiculously overblown!) that they cancel or delay the check in entirely. Extremely unlikely in this case since the flight is scheduled at noon, with plenty of room for delay until midnight. But using online or smartphone app check in to obtain a boarding pass, one should be able to pass immigration without waiting for the check in counter anyway. 

7 hours ago, BritTim said:

Relax. A one-day overstay because of a canceled flight caused by bad weather is not going to have any repercussions now, or in the future. Anyway, in practice, even with storms around, the Air Asia flight is unlikely to be canceled altogether. They are quite happy to run a flight 8 hours late. They might even give you a Pepsi as compensation.

After lasts nights "storm" it does seem that the weather warning might be exaggerated

I'm not worried about the overstay itself, but since they let me off with a warning last time I arrived in Suvarnabhumi, adding an overstay to the computer records - no matter what the reason - seems like pushing my luck. But as you say, there is plenty of room for the flight to be delayed since it's scheduled early in the day. My concern was that if this supposed "storm" will affect earlier flights as well, they simply might be backlogged with insufficient planes at DMK. Small risk, but I'm still interested in having a backup plan, just in case.

Flying from Don Mueang to Vientiane at noon on Sunday, and now they say there are gonna be storms. It's the last day of my visa exemption, and they warned me at Suvarnabhumi last time that I was on the border of having too many visa exemptions and back-to-back visa runs.

What are my options if the flight is cancelled? It's a Sunday, so CW immigration complex will be closed. I don't trust that immigration will have much understanding of an overstay due to cancelled or delayed flight - already had problems one time despite the airline saying "don't worry, they make an exception for only one day". The next day I got taken to the overstay counter and a grumpy guy told me "don't overstay again", he didn't care that the airline cancelled the flight the night before.

Of course there's a (big?) chance that the flight will be okay, or at least just delayed within sunday, but I'd like to have a backup plan in place, if possible. Should I contact immigration at Don Mueang as a preventative measure if it looks like I'll be forced to have an overstay? Is it even possible to talk to immigration at DMK, aside from when entering or leaving?

Would you recommend arriving early (8.30) or late (11.00) to apply? Will be arriving in Vientiane on sunday and staying until wednesday (unfortunately, the wednesday is a holiday so application will have to be on monday and collection on tuesday).

How about picking it up? Early (13.30) or late (16.00)?

I found a Visa application form for the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, as I will go there to get a new Visa soon. I was under the impression that a flight ticket or other proof of onward journey was required when applying for the Visa, but the application form doesn't mention any such thing at all.

So do I still need to provide a ticket at the Embassy?

If no, do I need to provide it at the border (Friendship bridge) when entering Thailand?

Or all/neither of the above?

Note that I mean "what are the legal requirements", not "Well I entered Thailand without a ticket 50 times and had no problems"...

With a METV, is it considered "ok" to just do a quick 1-2 day border run when needed, or is that frowned upon the same way it is with TR visas and exemptions?

Are there any problems or other "side effects" with coming and going halfway through a stay? For example, let's say I arrive to Thailand on day 1, then on day 20 I decide to take 2 day trip to KL. That gives me 2 new months, right? And no limit on how many times I can come and go, and how long I have to stay out each time? So on day 43 I can do another weekend trip to Vietnam, etc, etc, with no negative impact on my immigration "trustworthiness" when coming back to Thailand?

Also, is there any difference coming and going by land vs. by air, from the perspective of immigration I mean?

29 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:

Private Groups in Thailand on the Internet. The majority won't even bother posting here. A friend of a friend in immigration that works the desks at times in Suvarnabhumi passes him news at times.

Any chance of a name, link, quote or any other reference to one of these "Private Groups"?

48 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I already copy/pasted the generic google definition of a tourist for BadCash. It may not be what Thai Immigration uses but it is pretty close to what I would consider a good definition. What is your definition?

Great, I should have no problems at immigration for the next 5 years then, since I'm an out-of-towner visiting Thailand for pleasure!

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

From google (you can do it yourself)

 

tour·ist

ˈto͝orəst/

noun

 

1. 1.

   a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure.

   "the pyramids have drawn tourists to Egypt"

   synonyms:

   vacationer, traveler, sightseer, visitor, backpacker, globetrotter, day tripper, out-of-towner;  informalleaf peeper "the islands teem with tourists"
2. 2.

   short for tourist class.

verb

rare

 

1. 1.

   travel as a tourist.

   "American families touristing abroad"

Am I to believe that the Thai immigration uses this definition to decide who is welcome and who is not? Where does it say anything about the length of stay, etc, etc, etc. that separates a "legitimate tourist" from a non-legitimate tourist?

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Beyond legitimate tourists, the only other ones that are welcome are Elite visa holders, married to Thai or retirees with sustainable income (and proof thereof) and those with real jobs who are paying taxes. Anyone claiming that they are contributing to Thailand's greater good by buying their beer and ciggies at the local 7-eleven, bar fining "my friend me" and eating at the local market are deluded.

Is there a definition of a "legitimate tourist" somewhere I can have a look at?

2 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

The argument is that Thai immigration use your name, nationality and date of birth to link them. But how many Americans called John George Smith are there with the same date of birth? I think it would be difficult for them to link passports like that.

Biometrics maybe? Just speculating...

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

 

I emailed the UK passport office asking whether the new passport/number contained the old passport history and they replied
"Your new passport will not hold the previous travel details"

 

It was mentioned earlier in this thread, although I don't know the source of the claim, that the Thai immigration link your new passport to your old history by running your name, date of birth and country of residence through their computer... so unless you change your name... :D 

28 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Stop propagating this nonsense will you? As a collective, the likes of the OP aint shit on Thailand's GNP.

 

However, if he was a genuine tourist...

Not trying to argue with you, just trying to understand the logic here... If someone is living in Thailand, paying rent, electricity, food, entertainment, and so on, they must surely contribute at least as much as some cheap ass backpacker who sleeps in 100 baht/night guesthouses and eats 100 baht worth of street food per day? Yet I don't know of any rules that say backpackers aren't welcome, or that they are welcome only if they spend at least X amount of baht per day?

Either way, let's say someone is staying in Thailand for 12 months, using tourist visas and just going out a few days at a time to renew his visa, i.e. "bad". Another person is staying 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in Cambodia during the same 12 month period, i.e. "ok". Obviously, the first guy is spending more money in Thailand... but the second guy is welcome, the first guy is not... makes no sense.

47 minutes ago, bamukloy said:

[...]

You cant really blame them..who at that age has savings to live several years as a tourist without working?

[...]

I know at least two people in their mid thirties with that kind of savings, and they're not billionares or unusual in any way... Anyway, if you have the funds, you have the funds. If they doubted the OP,  they could just ask to see some proof, like a bank statement, instead of just assuming he's working illegally? I'm not sure where the 20k cash fits in the picture? Surely anyone who is working here illegally or doing anything shady can provide that just as easily as someone who is staying here for an extended holiday?

Is there a definition of "work" used by the Thai immigration? Let's say I develop an app or website that just sits there year out and year in and ticks in money without me doing anything, is that work? Or if I have a million dollars in a bank account that just keeps on accruing interest without any effort on my part, is that work?

Also, nowadays people can study online, which is the case for myself. However, neither of the immigration officers seemed interested in seeing any proof when I told them about my situation. I'm clearly not working, yet I have saved funds and a monthly income. 

26 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Perhaps, 6 or more Visa-Exempts ever?  That is one we are aware triggers a warning.  Not sure if you or your friend have this total.  Same day return is not recommended.  Maybe not for Non-O Multiples either, since this week.

Really!? Never heard that before... I have been coming for short holidays on Visa exemptions at least 10 times during the past 5 years, although it's usually been months in between holidays... I'm sure my friend has a lifetime total of 6 or more visa exemptions as well, although distributed differently (probably the most from 4-5 years ago, while mine are mostly 3-4 years old).

8 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

[...] I doubt they could check every person but a quick scan by an IO of someone's passport with multiple stamps could trigger the questions. Also, they can trigger the computer system to immediately alert that a person has multiple tourist Visas. [...]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that the nice immigration lady who "counceled" me, informed me that their computer system indicated that there was something suspicious going on. I was under the impression that it was most likely the same-day visa run (although I did arrive back just after 00:00). Might have been any number of things though - total time in Thailand this year, number of trips back-and-forth, and so on.

Not sure why the computer system didn't indicate anything for my friend who has had the exact same in/out travels as me though. It might indicate that the immigration officer must actively open something on his computer to be able to see that type of flag.

Another thing I might add was that we arrived in the midst of a huge number of Asian tourists, so immigration was extremely busy at the time, I've rarely seen the queue stretch that far  back. That didn't seem to distract my immigration officer the slightest from taking a good long hard look at my passport. I bet I held up the line for at least 5-7 minutes or so before being led away to another empty booth. So don't expect to be better off with busy immigration lines...

Interesting thread, I also had problems for the first time ever at Suvarnabhumi last weekend. Been staying in Thailand for about 5 months, both TR visa+extension and exemption+extension. Stupidly enough I did a same-day visa exemption run to KL and back (to Suvarnabhumi). After looking at my passport for a minute, the immigration officer started shaking his head, asked how long I was staying and started conferring with his colleague next to him. Funny thing, he didn't even understand the outbound ticket was a flight to Australia with a transit in Singapore, his reaction was "You live in Singapore?".

Anyway, eventually he called an immigration lady who led me of to another booth and explained the problem with staying on visa exemptions in a nice and calm manner, and let me off with the warning that next time I should stay out of Thailand at least a few days and get a proper tourist visa. No mention of any 20000 baht. My friend who has the exact same in/out stamps in his passport didn't have any trouble whatsoever, they didn't even ask him anything when I had to call him over because he had the outbound tickets in his bag.

So I'm going home to my country in June and had been planning on going back to Thailand in the fall, about september or so. I was thinking I should get a new passport while in Sweden (I know it will be connected to the old one in their computer system, but at least it looks better when just glancing through the pages). I also thought I should get a 6 months multiple entry Visa. But seeing this thread made me worried that the multiple entry visa might not help much? And if I don't have any trouble getting into Thailand on it - might I have trouble coming back if I go out? I mean it is a multiple entry visa, but from the looks of it the mood of the immigration officer might override all of the above...?

Another thing I've been thinking about - what about appearance? I was well dressed with jeans and a proper shirt. Maybe I'd be better off getting one of those awful Chang tank tops and a pair of Billabong shorts, to look like a "real" tourist...?

6 minutes ago, buick said:

i can't remember which is which, but the counter letter is related to what you are doing - extension of tourist visa or extension of visa exempt.  one does tourist visas, the other does visa exempt. 

 

i think this is also a relatively slow period at CW.  more people getting extensions in nov/dec/jan.  i remember going in july one year and i got queue number 5 (from J or K, can't recall which).  they were on 3 when i sat down so i was out of there quick.  other times, i've got number 50 and they are on 3.  i always show up btwn 8:30 and 9:15.

 

bad cash - how was the traffic to CW ?  i went to DMK yesterday and it looks like the road is cut down to one lane at the first intersection you hit after you enter a taxi by BTS/MRT.  i had my taxi take the tollway as a result. 

The used both J and K for the same type of Visa yesterday, since my friend got a "J" ticket with a 12 person waiting time, so he went back to the counter I used and got a K ticket with 1 person waiting time instead :) I can see how they would use them differently depending on the load of people though.

My last extension was in january, was a total of 2 hours then (but arrived 08.50 due to not finding a taxi).

Traffic was no problem, didn't really pay too much attention but I don't recall any lane restrictions... had a quick look in Google Maps navigation before deciding not to use the tollway - it would have only saved 5 minutes according to Google, so not worth it in my case. Trip took about 20 minutes including a 5 minute sightseeing detour (the driver took a wrong turn, mistaking the Gov. complex for the similar looking but smaller building just north of it, I think it's some sort of court building).

It turned out that the taxi queue was indeed where @buick stated - just north of the north west exit (i.e. just beyond the BTS station on the Chatuchak park side). Plenty of taxis there, no problems getting one (had to go out to the concrete barriers that separate the bus lane from the other lanes). 

I still have no idea why there weren't any taxis there last time though, must have been a freak coincidence and possibly some weather report warning about possible rain...

Off topic: Arrived at immigration 08.25, already perhaps 100 people in line :/ Once the doors opened, most proceeded to get tickets directly but I had to fill out the form first (got two copies so next time I'll have it ready beforehand). Filled out the application, proceeded to get at ticket and was super lucky because I got it from a counter that just opened up, and for some reason I got queue "K" instead of "J", and literally 0 minutes waiting time to hand over the paperwork and pay - didn't even have time to sit down! Waited perhaps 10 minutes for them to process the application, got my name called and was out of there at 09.10. Incredibly smooth operation (I think I was super lucky though with getting counter "K" on my ticket, as the queue for the "J" counters had like 10-15 people already waiting).

23 minutes ago, buick said:

that is the spot.  used to walk to where those pink taxis in the picture are (farther down the road against the curb).  but now this concrete barrier is there and that appears to be the new taxi line.

That's very strange - I recognize the spot in the photo, walked right past it last time - absolutely zero taxis there! I hung around that area for a few minutes, no available taxis showed up, and after starting walking and looking back over my shoulder from time to time there were still none! Must've had extremely bad timing or something... Well, will be going on wednesday, so I'll give it another try... will try to remember to report back about how it went :D 

3 hours ago, IMA_FARANG said:

I don't understand what you are talking about.

I have been to CW at least 50 times and I take my taxis there from the nearby Fortune mall which if you need to use it is also a stop on the  MRT.

Right back at you - I don't understand what you are talking about.

I'm talking about taking the BTS from On Nut to get as close to immigration as possible before having to deal with potential rush hour traffic jams - as you might know, the risk of the BTS getting stuck in traffic is about 0%... I don't know why you'd assume I'm staying anywhere near Fortune Town? Or are you suggesting that it would be a better choice to get off the MRT at Rama IX/Fortune Town and take a taxi from there than to keep going as close to immigration as possible without risk of traffic jams?

The answers from buick and TallGuyJohninBKK seem to be perfect - except that they contradict one another.... 

6 hours ago, buick said:

 

yes, the park side is the right one (where exit 3 is).  the key is to make the u-turn at the bottom of the stairs so you are heading toward CW.  if you don't make the u-turn, you are walking back into town and will not see taxis (i think tall john is a little confused as walking out of town is the right direction, you don't want to walk back towards town). 

6 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

When you exit BTS Mochit, and if you want to travel north (?) toward Chaengwattana and Immigration, you need to exit the BTS station on the PARK side of the road (sorry, I don't keep track of exit numbers).

 

Once you exit on the park side of the road, the taxi queue is beyond the last BTS stairs heading back into town.  If you come down the stairs and walk going out of town (north?) toward CW and Immigration, you'd never see it.

 

Which one is it guys?

It sounds like TallGuyJohninBKK is right, since last time I did as buick suggests and walked out of town on the park side of the road - there was definitely not a taxi queue in that direction (and I walked past the intersection, turning left towards immigration!). The only queue'ish thing there were some minivans. However, I had a quick look from up on the bridge to see if I could spot any taxi queue, but I didn't see one towards the city center either...?

Last time I did a Visa extension at the immigration office in Bangkok I took the BTS to MoChit and thought I'd just get a taxi the rest of the way. But it turned out to be almost impossible to find an available taxi there at 8 in the morning! Spent probably 20-30 minutes trying to find one (while walking in the direction of the immigration office to at least avoid some of the traffic queues). It wasn't raining or anything, although it was a bit cloudy and seemed like it might rain, so that might have something to do with it. Saw quite a few occupied taxis though, so perhaps it would be better to walk in the opposite direction? Or even get off at another BTS station?

The next extension is coming up in a few days, so I am very interested in knowing if anyone has any solid tips on the best place in that area to quickly find a taxi at around 8 in the morning?