Slosheroni

5 hours ago, Boombum said:

Whilst the Lazy mided just soak up any garbage from a media which has been caught lying and propaganda spreading for decades... especially now it is wholley owned by those that perpetrate the "news" in the first place. Even your paraphrasing "Consiracy Theorist" is a term promulgated to brainwash the masses by the very same media.  Youve just proved that you have zero critical thinking and just follow the herd.

Never Mind ...Global Warming is REAL...LOL !!! Twin Towers and "Building 7" all just fell down identically by themselves,  the PNAC report doesnt exist its been made up, Sandyhook shootings really wasnt a Hoax.  oh and Father Xmas is REAL too...people have actually seen him in shopping centres...

Spectacular Tsukahara bro

1 hour ago, EricTh said:

 

 

 

There is no 100% protective situation, some Americans are HIV carriers so do you see countries banning all Americans just because a small percentage have them? There is an incubation period for AIDs carrier too.

 

 

 

 

Wait...are you equating the contagiousness of this virus to that of HIV?  

21 minutes ago, codebunny said:

I find the overt hysteria being whipped up about what is simply another variation of the existing coronavirus - that's been around for quite a long time, btw... since at least the 1960s - a bit silly. Basic normal hygiene habit that you should do anyway are all that's needed. Wash your hands, eat properly, keep your house and yourself clean, and don't get drunk every day.

Newspapers love an apocalypse story for sales, but has anyone looked at the demographics of the dead? Not average members of any population, but vulnerable elderly with poor immune-systems, in populous country with dubious hygiene habits, like constant hacking and grollying indoors and out, infrequent handwashing at toilets, leaving used bog roll in the bin, chucking waste (food) out anywhere into the street, major pollution, and sharing of food plates .

Spreading any variation of a disease (which seems a slightly grandiose term for this), usually results in increased resilience to it, or the development of treatments for it, and sometimes even, some improvements in hygiene and screening procedures. I see plenty of Chinese outside (not all from China, some from Hong Kong and Taiwan), and maybe half the people out and about with knickers on their faces, which they mostly had because of the pollution from cars, which seems like a bigger health problem than this. It's a snowflake on a rail line.

What's this have to do with the conspiracy theory that big pharma started all of this to make a buck?

9 hours ago, Boombum said:

haha well, allow your mind to be manipulated in the Main Stream Media propaganda and you will always have a distorted view of the way, and why things are!! VAXX kill and maim thousands annually, Big Pharma produces poisons in all forms, Doctors would be struck off for just expressing their truthful views, VAXX companies are now legally immuned from prosecution against law suits regarding adverse effects on humans. Hence trials and testing is not on their agenda....they make billions so  long as they can shift their poison...they pay billions to media and have the influence to spread fear to the public...

oh, and please dont cite polio "cure" as the true figures will prove otherwise. 

The mental gymnastics people go through to come up with these conspiracy theories are astounding.

5 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

I was referring to a post about banning travel to Thailand, not China. 

Are you suggesting it's not a real possibility if the response is too slow and too lackadaisical and this thing goes sideways?  

11 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

By air would not be a "walk in" entry. They clearly mean entering overland but the walk in term is bit odd.

At Ranong it would be by boat. At some crossing it is by bus or car.

You have nothing to worry about since you have not already done 2 visa exempt entries at a land or sea border crossing.

After December 31st you can do another entry by land or sea.

Awesome..Thanks

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

You will appear only to have used 2 walk in 'Visas' by Dec 19th. The rule states 3, so I do not see why you are concerned. 

The rule is no more than 2 Visa Exempt land border entries in the calendar year. 

Thanks.  Only concern was the wording in the article about "walk-in visas" and exactly what that means.  I assumed "walk-ins" were for land/sea crossings but you never know.  It could have also meant any visa exemption, airport included. 

I entered Thailand at Chong Mek on January 7th, 2019 and stayed in Thailand for about 10 days.  I plan to arrive at Suvarnabhumi on November 29th and leave Thailand around December 9th, crossing into Myanmar.   Then I plan to arrive in Thailand at Ranong again on December 19th.  

I just read this article and it says in the first paragraph that: "Ranong immigration have today confirmed that they are turning away foreigners who are attempting to enter Thailand on three consecutive walk-in visas."  Later it says: "“We explained that if they went and tried to re-enter Thailand without first obtaining a visa from a Thai embassy or consulate, we would have to refuse them entry because they would have already entered Thailand three consecutive times on ‘visa exemption’ status.”

http://www.samuitimes.com/crackdown-visa-runs-ranong-leaves-stranded-myanmar/

I was under the impression that one could enter overland twice in a year and through an airport more than that.   Is the above quote referring to land/sea crossings only or does three consecutive walk-ins include airports?  

If I am allowed to enter at Ranong, in 2019 I would have entered Thailand twice and at Suvarnabhumi once.  I also am planning to enter at Sa-Ngam in early January 7, 2020.  In 2019, I think at most I would have stayed three to four weeks total.

Am I ok or do I stayed a chance of being stranded in Myanmar?  I was pretty thorough when I made my plans but after stumbling across this article, I'm not sure.  I'll have proof on onward travel, funds, and hotel reservation in hand when I try to enter at Ranong.

Thanks

2 hours ago, onera1961 said:

Have you looked at your visa? I assume you know what is a visa. It is the sticker on your passport. Does it have a valid until date? What do you thing that date is? 

 

If you ever entered Thailand, you know the IO puts  a square rubber stamp on your passport. Does it have a Admitted Until  date? What is that date, you think?

 

If you're a Thailand veteran and  you've not figured it out by now those two dates, I have no explanations for you. Otherwise, please confirm that it is your first visit to Thailand. You already have your query answered by generous, kind, and patience posters. I have nothing more to add

Is this post for real?  If I was that far down the road that I had a visa in hand I would know the answer.  Did you read the o.p. or is this just another one of those posts that's intended to show how much more veteran or savvy a poster is then someone asking a legitimate question? I'm actually baffled that someone would take it that my o.p. is coming from someone with a visa in a hand.  Good gravy man.

My question was for planning purposes because I do not intend to simply jump on a plane and arrive in Thailand within a few weeks of getting a visa.  My mode of transportation will most likely take me upwards of 8 to 9 months to arrive.  It may have been quite possible that a Non O-A visa would have a stipulation to arrive by, say, 6 months of issuance.  I know Chinese visas and others have "enter by" dates.  Would that be that much of shock to you if at some point in time a Non O-A came up with the same?  If that were the case I'd have to make adjustments to my plan.  

I also have myriad of other visas to research and the logistics there in so it's not a simple as leaving my country on a flight to Thailand.  

And yes, my questions were answered generously......and civilly.  You could have started your post with "nothing to add" and it would have been better because that's all it was.  Just another attempt to look more seasoned then someone else all the while having no clue about the person you're replying to. 

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I think you have nailed it in your post.

The OA can be a little confusing to understand because it’s a 1 year visa but you can stay for two years ( 1st year on visa, 2nd year permission to stay).

 

I’ll run through the basics using Jan 1 2019 as issued date.

 

Your OA stamp will have 2 dates:

Issue date: 1st Jan 2019

Enter before/valid until date: 31st Dec 2019

It’s a multi entry visa so you can come and go at will until 31st Dec 2019.

Each time you enter you will get an “ admitted until “ stamp in your passport with a date of 1 year ( -1 day ) in the future.

The trick is to leave and re-enter close to 31st Dec 2019 to maximise it’s utility. This can be done by flying out or simply crossing the border at various places and returning either on foot or using an agent pick up etc, borders vary.

For example: you leave Thailand and re-enter 16th Dec 2019 you will get an “ admitted until “ date of 15th Dec 2020 .

Note: after 31st Dec 2019 your visa is expired and you need to obtain a re-entry permit ( obtainable at immigration or airport before you leave !! ) if you want to travel and re-enter Thailand.

The re-entry permit ( 1000 baht single entry, 3800 baht multi entry) keeps your permission to stay valid.

In the above example you can stay until 15th Dec 2020 when you then go get an extension of your permission to stay from your local Immigration Office, vapid for 1 year, cost 1900 baht, financial requirements required and new re-entry permit needed.

 

If you attempt to enter without a re-entry permit ( after your visa has expired) you will be given 30 days and your permission to stay based on your OA visa will be lost and basically you have to start again.( I think this is what Joe was referring to).

 

90 days:

You report to your local Immigration Office when staying here 90 CONSECUTIVE days, if you leave before when you return the 90 days “ clock “ starts again.

Normally required to do 1st 90 day report in person and can do online afterwards, not all offices accept online reporting.

 

Sorry for the long winded post .

 

( Elviajeiro answered while I was writing my novel ).

Andrew,

Fantastic post and now with everyone's help my understanding is clear.   Much obliged. 

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Yes.

 

No. Every time you enter before Dec 31st you get a new 1 year permit to stay.

 

You are being confused because UJ is talking about leaving and re-entering after the entry visa has exipired.

 

e.g. 

Visa expires 31/12/2019

Enter 30/12/2019

Permission to stay until 29/12/2020.

 

If you were to leave on 15/01/2020 you’re permission to stay until 29/12/2020 ends. If you tried entering again on 20/01/2020 you would only receive a 30 day stay because the entry visa has expired.

 

HOWEVER, you can protect that permission to stay by buying a re-entry permit before you leave. Then If you re-enter on 20/01/2010 — and present the re-entry permit — you will be stamped in until the remainder of the protected stay being 29/12/2020.

 

I hope that helps.

Thanks,  that helps immensely.  That's what I thought both you and Joe were suggesting but I just wanted to be clear.   Thanks again for your time.

12 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

No

After your visa expires you would only get a 30 day visa exempt entry.

If you had used your visa previously you would have to get a re-entry permit to keep that one year entry valid if you wanted to enter the country. You would be stamped into the to the date that one year entry ends.

Thanks Joe,

Does what you are saying jibe with what elviajero posted above you?  The way I'm understanding it is as follows:

The initial Non O-A multiple entry one year visa, remains valid for a year (an actual visa). 

Every time I would leave and enter under that visa I would then have a permit for one year from that latest entry date up until the time that the initial visa expires (i.e. Dec 31 in elviajero's example).  I guess this is the crux of the question.  I'm understanding elviajero's post as saying I would get a one-year permit but your post as saying that's not so, that the clock would still be ticking on the initial one year visa.  I'm sure I'm misunderstanding one of the posts so I'd be grateful for the correction.

So again, by entering under the initial one year Non O-A on Dec 31 (the day of expiration) in his example I would then have an additional one year permit to stay from that date.  I would then be using a one year permit rather than a visa which then starts to change the equation. 

From that point on (until the permit expires in one year), I would need a re-entry permit which would allow for stay but not with a one year extension on each arrival but rather with the clock ticking on the one year permit.  The re-entry permit would only allow for stay up until that permit expires.  If I didn't have a re-entry permit then I would then only be allowed a visa exemption entry. 

Is this right?  Sorry for being a bit obtuse.  I just want to be sure of what I'm understanding

Thanks

36 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Yes. Every time you enter using the visa you are issued with permission to stay for 1 year (it’s a permit not a visa).

 

If you want to maximise your stay in the country using the visa you should exit/re-enter just before the visa expires to get a final 1 year permit to stay.

Thanks again.  One more question if you don't mind.  So are you saying that if I leave the country on the original permit when I re-enter I get another one year permit?  If that's so how many times can that be done? 

I thought I read that one can get the O-A visa as multiple entry but I was thinking that would allow one to enter and exit within the one year time frame and no more, until an extension of one year is granted then it starts all over again.  So once the original one year is permitted you could come and go as long as you had a multiple re-entry permit but while doing so the one year clock was ticking.  I didn't realize you could exit and a new one permit would be issued upon re-entry. Sorry,  I'm just a little confused about the wording of it all. 

2 hours ago, elviajero said:

The visa is valid for 1 year from it’s issue date. 

 

Yes you could enter after 9 months. You can enter right up to the last day of the visas validity.

 

Thank you..  I know this might be a dumb question and I should have asked in the o.p. but once I arrive then the visa would be valid from the date of arrival right?  So I could get the visa, arrive nine months later for instance, then have one year from the arrival date, not the issuance date.  So in this scenario basically have a year and nine months before expiry. 

For a non O-A visa is there an "entry by" stipulation?  In other words once a visa is issued is there deadline to enter the country?  If so what is that time frame?  Is it possible to get a visa and not arrive for say 9 months or so?

Also, after arriving, and either on the visa or visa extension, can the 90 day reporting be done online but out of the country? 

I'm asking both questions due to a mode of travel I am thinking of that isn't really conducive to covering distances quickly. 

Thanks

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Many people have successfully applied for the OA visa by mail. Just make sure you have all the supporting documents done correctly. If there is a problem they will contact you to about it and allow you correct the problem and send them what is needed.

Where are you located in the states?

As said the problem may be opening your bank account. But girl friend may be able to help. She could act as a reference to open the account and if you go to a bank where she has an account it can be even easier.

Also there is not guarantee using transferwise that it will be shown as a international transfer (most are shown as domestic transfers). It is mandatory that the you have proof the funds came from abroad to apply for a non immigrant visa at immigration.

See the requirements here (click Eng at the top of the page to change it from Thai). https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80

 

 

I'm in Wyoming.  I'll take another look into the OA from here.  My consulate would be the LA consulate which comes with mixed reviews.  I'll also look into the SWIFT transfers.  As I recall the banks I have near me don't transfer money to Thailand (i.e. Wells Fargo). 

41 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Possible glitches.

1) Some USA guys have problems getting a local bank account without a 1 year visa, your GF may help there.

2) To get the Non-O you have to show 800k from overseas, Transferwise transfers do not always show up as International.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, I didn't read where the funds had to be shown as from overseas.   What are some other options for transferring the money? 

First, thanks for all the time and effort everyone puts into posting here.  I've read as many threads as I could until my head started swim. 

Here's my scenario:  American, 50s, enough money to put 800,000 baht into a Thai bank.  Girlfriend is a Thai government school teacher if that helps.

I really don't want to deal with getting the Non-OA here in the States.  I live a long way away from any of the consulates that will do a Non-OA and sending it by mail seems like a long shot.  Maybe I'm wrong about this.  If so, please correct me.

Would this work?

- Arrive in Bangkok on a 30 day visa exemption.  Then extend that for 30 days.  (In lieu of that get a 60 day tourist visa and extend that 30 days.) 

- Open a Thai bank account

- Transfer in required baht via Transferwise into a Thai bank

- Let the money sit for 30 days (question on whether that is enough time) then 15 days before the extension of exemption expires apply for a Non-O 90 day visa.  If that is not enough time for the money to have seasoned in the bank then travel around the region and come back into Thailand after, say, 30 or 60 days, get another visa exemption and apply for the Non-O then.

- At least 15 days before the 90 day Non-O expires apply for a one year multiple entry retirement extension.  While doing that get a multiple re-entry permit. 

- Then report every 90 days and annually extend the Non-O as long into the future as possible. 

Is that feasible?  If not, why not?

Thanks

As an American looking to get a non-O visa while in Thailand in the near future I read this entire thread with interest especially with regards to the catch 22 Thomas J encountered.  Has anyone else personally, or know of someone, who was not able to open a bank account without first having a one year visa?  Unless I missed it no one else has chimed in that they have faced this problem.  Thomas I'm not questioning your experience.  I'm just trying to see if there are others that can verify that this is now the case. 

Thanks

5 hours ago, elviajero said:

• US citizens don't qualify or need a Visa On Arrival (15 days). They qualify for the Visa Exempt Scheme and get permission to stay for 30 days.
• You can extend the Visa Exempt Entry by 30 days at your local immigration office for 1,900 baht.

Thanks for the reply.  So do they allow a person to enter under the extension provision if onward travel documents show a departure date beyond the 30 day permit?  I would imagine they do otherwise the extension provision is pretty much worthless unless I am missing something.  I've crossed the border a number of times over the past 7 years and have never had anything checked other than my passport.  

Greetings,

I know this has been answered in this thread but not as recently (I think) as some changes have been made to the visa regulations (i.e. METV) so please bear with me.  

I am a US passport holder and plan to enter Thailand at Mae Sot.  I am hoping to get a 30 day visa-on-arrival.  I will have all supporting documents and 10,000 baht to show if need be.  Do G7 citizens still get a 30 day visa on arrival or is it 15?  I am asking because the US embassy in Thailand website says 15 days.  But every link within that website to Thai immigration and the Thai embassy in D.C. indicates a 30 v-o-a.  But that info is from April 3, 2015. (Does anyone clean this stuff up?)

Also if the limit is 15 days can I extend for 15 days at any Thai immigration office (i.e Phitlok, Nan, Si Saket, Khon Kaen)?

As a fall back plan I may apply for a 60 day visa in Yangon as I will be staying there for four days before departing on a long bicycle ride.  I think I will attempt this first and if it works I won't have to deal with the visa on arrival.....just for peace of mind.

Thanks for any help