farangbuffalo

On 3/3/2024 at 8:42 AM, Dolf said:

Were the buses full of white guys?

53 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

I had a very similar travel pattern in the last year or so, albeit my bounce was 5 days in Laos by land, but nevertheless no issues or questions and no problems with my next visa application.

I think OP will be fine if he doesn't have an extended history before this visa but land entry via Laos is basically the opposite of air entry into Bangkok so not really relevant.

Any update on this? had been considering applying for a METV before today at London in case they suddenly jacked up the prices to match NZ 

Not sure where you're located but in Bangkok you renew it at VFS global on Sukhumvit soi 13, not at the embassy.

2 pages per A4 is fine but you need to do all pages, including blank ones and the inside of the covers etc. Can't remember about the payment form but think they just did it there at the counter and I paid with a UK debit card.

Not that I'm aware of. I thought all the carriers within Thailand were the same for bag size. Think I've flown them all and never had one scrutinize my bag size/weight 

If the price is the same I'd go with Nok

So no confirmation yet if this is worldwide or just NZ?

Well the RDA is 400mg so there is no issue with supplementing 200mg per day. RDA is generally considered the minimum to prevent deficiency and the optimal amount is likely more so I'd probably try taking more than 200mg to see if you get any benefit. From what I've heard about Melatonin, it's something to use occasionally like after flying to a new time zone but you don't want to use it every night. An alternative to melatonin could be to try supplementing tryptophan (amino acid) before bed which your body converts to serotonin and then to melatonin

On 1/1/2024 at 5:08 AM, Kevinphall said:

I had very similar history and also left for 5 months, I’ve  just returned with SETV. The IO was flicking through all my stamps tutting and shaking her head - but she didn’t even ask any questions just stamped me in. I think I would have been dragged aside if I tried to enter just in Visa exempt. 

Thanks for the info. Didn't end up coming back in Dec so will be end of this month at the earliest making it over 6 months away. So should hopefully be OK with a SETV/METV

2 hours ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Any recommended places in Bangkok?

BIDC

24 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

You should have no problem with an METV at Suvarnabumi airport. I was in a similar position to you back in September. I tried to enter visa exempt and was taken to a waiting area and asked to fill in a form and speak to the senior IO. Then I checked my emails and my SETV evisa had arrived. Key point: a senior IO told me, "You're always welcome to Thailand" but from now on you should have a visa, accommodation booking, return ticket and 20,000 baht. I think you'll be allowed straight in with an METV but it's better to prepare those documents just in case.

Cool, thanks. Seems like I'll hopefully be ok with a visa then but visa exempt would be too risky 

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That is rigmarole entry.

Why not obtain SETV eVisa and fly direct to Bangkok.

 

Yes that is what I'd prefer to do. Like I said in the OP hopefully will have a METV.

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Does not work that way.

If refused entry you will fly back to where you departed from.

 

You need to obtain a visa to enter again.

I would regard entering visa exempt via air very risky. 

 

Your visa options would be SETV or METV 

Sorry if I wasn't clear... I mean instead of flying straight to Thailand from my home country in the first instance, I could consider flying direct to Malaysia or somewhere then entering via land if there is a big risk of being denied entry.

I know no one can give me a definite answer on this but wondered if people think there is a chance I'll be denied entry..

• Stayed in Thailand from Dec 2020 until July 2023 minus a few days for visa runs
• Solely used TR visas, exempts and covid extensions during that time - No dodgy ED/Volunteer visas
• Planning to re-enter later this month so will have had 5 months outside the country
• Got a new passport while I was in Thailand which only has an exit stamp. I know people will say a new passport makes no difference as they have all records on the computer but when I went to extend at chaengwattana the immigration official there literally told me I should get a new passport as mine is full of stamps so it makes me think it does make some kind of difference?
• Hopefully will be entering on a METV

If there is a serious risk I'll be denied I could fly to a neighboring country and enter by land but obviously don't want to bother if not necessary.

Anyone have any thoughts?

All farang hotel data is automatically uploaded to the smart car

FTX is pretty good

Nothing new at Jomtien office. I went on I think it was a Thursday or Friday when my stamp expired on Sunday and he put a little note in my passport and told me to come back Monday after it had ran out!

11 hours ago, JayClay said:

 

You do not need bank statements to be certified for an METV

The first couple of years I got one they did starting in 2016. Maybe they only required this for print outs 

Can anyone confirm what the latest requirements are for bank statements and letter from employer? In the past I had to get my bank statements certified but not sure if they ask for that any more?

Is it more than 1 year overstay or under? Should be easy to know by just looking at his last stamp

If under 1 year then leave immediately and take the relatively short 1 year ban. But if its over a year he almost might as well stay a bit longer if he wants to, as the punishment will be the same when he leaves for an overstay up to 3 years anyway. Of course if he gets caught then it's a 10 year ban tho