Scott3000

22 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Several.  It depends on the school.

Thanks for the comment... still, the answer to my question is hard to find, especially in Chiang Mai.

So far, I've found Pro Language School Chiang Mai offers ED visas for Thai, English, and Mandarin. 

http://www.prolanguage.co.th/chiang-mai-branch/

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

Quote

BTW - Can we use the "new rule" that ends at 15 January - "leaving to a neighbor country" ? 

 

There is also the ED Visa + extensions model.  Both of you could enroll in a language-school and stay 18 to 24 Mo per-language studied (24 mo if the school offers advanced courses).

1. What is the '"new rule" that ends at 15 January - "leaving to a neighbor country"'? Sounds interesting...

2. Which languages are allowed for ED Visa? It seems I've heard that Mandarin is allowed, along with Thai. Any others?

Thanks!

On 11/20/2018 at 11:31 PM, Briggsy said:

This topic is becoming more of a general inquiry topic with a heavy bias towards the possibility of denial of entry and not a thread giving recent reports of border runs which is what it says on the tin.

The topic is called "Border Run Alternatives" not "Border Runs". Regardless, no need to get caught up in semantics.

Lots of alternatives are discussed, along with their likelihood of success. 

I find this thread among the most useful for the latest updates on said alternatives. It has helped keep me on the right side of immigration law, with minimum inconvenience.

On 11/15/2018 at 4:44 AM, MuuKondiao said:

I have booked a flight to C.M. and a Guest House where I used to stay in 2012-3.

And I just booked a round-trip flight to Luang Prabang form C.M.

...

BUT I cannot be certain that I can get visa for Thailand in Luang Prabang ...

Can someone tell me if there is a visa service for Thai visas in Luang Prabang (I think there is no longer a Thai consulate there)?

If not, can an American get a Thailand visa - without going to Vientiane - legally, in Laos.

 

Hi! Your info is way out of date! There's been a coup d'état in Thailand, in May, 2014. New regime in place.

There never was a Thai consulate in Luang Prabang, at least not in the 10 years I've been an occasional visitor there.

I got an SETV when in Luang Prabang in January, 2013, thru an agent, which is what I believe you did. That all changed after the 2014 coup.

I got 3 double entry tourist visas in Vientiane directly after that, 2014-15, until the tourist visa crackdown in 2015. The 3rd such DETV was branded with the infamous red writing, which meant that I could never again get a TV in that passport in VTE. Also on that 3rd VTE visa run, local agents were also no longer allowed to appear alone on behalf of applicants. As far as I know, visa agents are banned from the consulates in Laos... at least for tourist visas. I also suffered the miserable bus ride from Chiang Mai to Nong Khai, and all the other trip-related inconvenience you mention.

But there is some good news for you:

1. Since 2012-13, both Thai and regional air travel is SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED and MUCH CHEAPER. Specific to your situation, in September, I got a round trip air fare from CNX to Udon Thani for about $20-25 USD each way... similar price as the old beat up bus called "VIP".

The departure time of the flights from Chiang Mai to Udon was too late to get you to Vientiane's consulate on time for same day passport drop off, so you'll have to spend at least 2 nights in the area between your departure and return flights. (I heard talk of an additional flight being added, but I'm not sure if it's in time to get you to the consulate in VTE early enough for same day passport drop-off).

At Udon airport, there's a limo service (minivan) that times its departures to coincide with flights arriving from Chiang Mai. The minivan will take you either to the friendship bridge (250THB), or to Udon bus station, if you prefer. There are also plenty of options to get you back to Udon airport in time for the evening flight back to CNX on your return. The earlier you get to the border after leaving the consulate with your new SETV in hand, the less you are likely to pay to get to the airport in time to catch your flight back.

2. You shouldn't need ANY supporting documents (hotel bookings, plane tickets, bank statements, etc.) at the Thai consulate in Vientiane. At least I did not need them in September... perhaps somebody with more recent info can confirm the present situation.

3. There's also a Thai consulate in Savannaket, Laos, which seems to have a good reputation among visa-seekers. I went there in June, but for a non-immigrant B. Still, the line was very small -- maybe 4-5 people there at morning drop-off, and about 15-20 people waiting when they opened for pick-up the next day. Both drop-off and pick-up took about 10-15 minutes -- almost as quick as the Thai consulate in Hong Kong. I also spent the first of my 2 nights on that trip in Mukdahan, on the Thai side, before getting my visa. I like Mukdahan, mostly because it has a wide riverfront walk, and it's not a tourist destination. So I actually enjoyed my Savanaket visa run. Perhaps not worth the substantial extra travel effort if you're going from Chiang Mai, but if you have any plans to check out Isan, you may want to plan such a trip to coincide with your visa run and go to Savanaket, since you don't like Vientiane.

I hope the trip works out well for you!

31 minutes ago, swineninety9 said:

I always hear the opposite, better to fly in... or is immigration seeding false information online to catch people? I'm flying into Chiang Mai, do I go through immigration in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

I have avoided entering Thailand visa exempt at BKK and DMK airports since early 2017, when I was hassled at the former, then interrogated at the latter. Haven't tried those two airports since, and keeping up with the news on this forum.

I did enter Chiang Mai airport visa exempt late last year, no problem, though I did have to spend extra, buying two airplane tickets from Bali, instead of just one. AirAsia automatically routs you thru DMK, so I spent about 50% more to buy a ticket to KUL, and then a second ticket departing a few hours later from KUL to CNX non-stop, therefore doing immigration in CNX airport, not Bangkok.

Since that time, all of my entries have been land entries, including two visa exempts for CY 2018. Most recent entry is by land, with SETV from Vientiane in September. Seems as though VTE is still a good place to go for a tourist visa. I did NOT need to provide onward tickets or monetary documentation.

Hope this helps!

On 9/20/2018 at 8:46 AM, 1ricardsvp said:

Really ?? Unlimited ?? They almost refused it to me 2 years ago when i was back from KL..

The situation is very, very different than it was in 2016. I had the same hassle you mention, some resistance at BKK in Jan, 2017, then interrogation at DMK two months later.

The 2 land border visa exempt entries per calendar year policy was implemented in early 2017... it took a few months for extended stay folks to find out about it. I found out about it just after buying a one-way plane ticket to Bali that year.

DMK and BKK airports can be difficult points of visa-exempt entry into Thailand.

4 minutes ago, TSF said:

Vientiane is OK, as someone already pointed out Beerlao is cheap and excellent, one of my most favorite drinking spots in all of SEA is up at Bor Phen Yang, knocking down several cold mugs of Beerlao while looking out over the Mehkong to Thailand. Never once been there for a visa but been numerous times just for a few days holiday.

Haven't been to Vientiane since 2015. I didn't like it my first time there in 2009, but then it started to grow on me over the years. By now, I look forward to the trip!

As for Bor Phen Yang, not sure if I've been there. I recall a place in a similar location, riverfront at the north end of the park, with two Lao men singing Lao, Thai, and country music covers.

I think I've got about 1000 photos from VTE that I haven't even looked at yet!

9 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Your visa exempt history shouldn’t have any relevance to your visa application.

Thanks!

On 9/8/2018 at 11:52 AM, JackThompson said:

Savannakhet did issue me one after having a red-stamp from another consulate, so that would be a better alternative.  If you don't have 2 visa-exempt land-border entries, you can use this instead.

Thanks for the update. I do not have a red-stamp in my current passport, but I do have 2 visa exempt land border entries from earlier in 2018 (February & April).

Will that be a problem in Vientiane?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks ubonjoe... time to buy my ticket.

Have a nice weekend!

On 4/6/2017 at 1:39 PM, elviajero said:

On 4/6/2017 at 1:35 PM, Ianatlarge said:

What would I need for a Vientiane Thai tourist visa: hotel booking, proof of income, money in the bank, flight ticket out?

At the moment Vientiane do not require any of those.

Hi!

Is the above still true regarding getting an SETV at Vientiane? i.e., Do they require hotel booking, proof of income, flight ticket out, etc?

I am planning a trip there to get a tourist visa next week & wanted to verify here first.

Thanks!

Thanks Ubon Joe!

Hi!

I'm in Thailand on a single entry non-immigrant B visa, with enter before date in mid-September.

Is it possible to buy another entry at Chiang Mai immigration and use it to do a visa run to Mae Sai before that date?

Thanks in advance!

7 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

1000 Baht for the visa, I think it's around 1550 for Laos VOA, everything else needed I advised on above, no proof of funds are required to be shown at VTE

This is great, thanks! 

So to summarize, VTE and HKG are best -- and I happen to like both cities :-)

Travel costs to/from VTE are lower, but Laos devours more than a full page in your passport.

HKG's Thai consulate is much more efficient, but getting there and back is more costly.

5 hours ago, darrendsd said:

forms photos and money are all that is required

How much money is required? The cost of the visa, or do you need to show additional cash?

Thanks!!!

7 hours ago, darrendsd said:

The places  mentioned will involve coming back through the Airport, if you are planning to stay here longterm stick to Laos, yes it's boring but with land entries on a TV you have a lot lot  less chance of having issues

How does the Thai consulate in Vientiane compare to that in Hong Kong, in terms of requirements to get an SETV?

I got the red fine print in my passport last time I went to VTE for a 2-entry TV, which was 2015. Since then, I've gotten a new passport & have done my 2 land crossings for 2018. From personal experience, I agree that HKG is best, but as you say, VTE is more convenient. So I'm wondering if the requirements to get the SETV there are similar or more stringent than in HKG???

Thanks!

I <3 Song Kran ;-)

Thanks ubonjoe!

I appreciate the suggestion -- I am giving a lot of thought to the alternatives over the next week or so.

Hi! I arrived Visa-exempt from Bali in late October, 2017, and have done 2 visa runs by land to Mae Sai, one in December, 2017; the other in February of this year. Will I be OK to do another visa run to Mae Sai this month? That would be my second land entry of calendar 2018.

I am planning on switching to a retirement visa some time this year; doing visa runs in the meantime.

Thanks!

1 minute ago, sanemax said:

just go to Maesai , cross to Myanmar and come back again

No money needs to be shown .

You will get 30 days visa exempt , which can be extended for another 30 days

Thanks! This is exactly how it worked 2 months ago (though I will bring cash "just in case").

I've got pending business in the Philippines that may take some time; otherwise I'd convert to a retirement visa.

Hi!

I am looking to do a land visa run to Mae Sai next week. It seems like 2 such entries are allowed per calendar year. I did one in December, 2017, so this would be my first land visa run for calendar 2018. I plan to be in Thailand less than 60 days from next week's trip; if these plans change, I will convert to a retirement visa.

I don't think this will be a problem, and I will carry 10,000 THB in cash just in case it's asked for.

Could somebody please comment on my plan.... is there anything I'm overlooking?

Thanks!

... and to add to the above, if you get an extension to your current entry, no need to go thru the costly retirement visa conversion with an agent so late in your trip.

8 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

The advice I need is about my SHORT TERM situation and how to stay until April 3

I was responding to the above as you were entering it! See my reply for what I would do and why, but the short answer is, in your place I would get an extension immediately, and postpone the Vietnam trip until next season. Leaving the country right now under your circumstances and given the date of your return to the UK would add a lot of risk, uncertainty, and stress to your current stay in SE Asia -- Not worth it to me.

From my experience, I would say that getting an extension to your current border stamp should be no problem. Though I've never been to Pattaya or its immigration office, I have noticed that Chiang Mai Immigration has become less militant since late 2016, just as the Bangkok airports have become more restrictive. The feeling at Chiang Mai Immigration is much less anxiety-riddled than it was in 2015-16. Even back then, I could sense the pressure was coming from above. I see the same group of IO's working here, but they seem to be simply handling their administrative duties professionally and courteously, and I've noticed a huge drop in scenes and outbursts at Immigration.

The staff at your provincial Immigration office operates under a different M.O. than the staff at DMK and BKK airports. 

With that in mind, if I were in your shoes, I'd opt for staying in Thailand rather than leaving and returning. I would gladly pay the visa agents on the 2nd floor of Promenada their 500 THB fee to run my passport thru Immigration 2 floors below as soon as possible, and scrap the Vietnam trip for this year, then do as you say for next season, when you could go to Vietnam without the overhanging stress of wondering whether you'd be admitted back into Thailand or not.

Hope this helps & good luck :-)

On 12/20/2017 at 2:09 AM, phuketrichard said:

depends on where u are.... Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma

Not necessarily. If somebody is driving around touring the country, they may want to plan where to be when it comes time for a visa run. 

I am also interested in people's comments on the matter, just to have some ideas top of mind for planning purposes.

With that in mind, I went to Mae Sai this week and there was zero hassle. Did NOT need to show 10k THB cash. Professional IO's just doing their jobs, treated me as somebody doing a routine procedure (which it was), polite and no questions asked. I did provide complete address in Thailand on the entry card.