somethingnice

11 hours ago, Halfaboy said:

I think it was a better than expected experience.

 

Did you know forehand that it would take that long ?

 

Yes. When I send it, they said it would take 2-3 months. They recommended to send by air. But i insisted to use the cheap Surface option :-)

I recently moved back to Denmark after some nice years in Thailand.

I just wanted to share this positive experience of Thailand Post, which I used to send some of my stuff back to Denmark with Surface mail.

I sent 3 big boxes (of 20 kg each) to Denmark for the price of 3030 baht each. They were sent from 3 different Thailand Post Offices in Bangkok on 3 different days.

I know someone might recommend to buy extra luggage for the Flight, but the thing is: I already did that, and it was not possible to add more pieces (without paying like  420 THB/KG) which would be much more expensive)

To sent it itself was very easy. The most difficult part was carrying a 20 kg box to the Post Office, which i did my self.

The paper work is almost non existing. All I needed to to was fill out the address and content on the shipping label, and chose what to do with the box, if it can not be delivered.

1st box: Sent 15th August 2017: Arrived in Denmark 5th October 2017. Delivered at my address: 6th October 2017 (7 weeks 3 days)
2nd box: Sent 16th August 2017: Arrived in Denmark 4th October 2017. Delivered at my address: 5th October 2017 (7 weeks 1 days)

3rd box: Sent 23rd September 2017: Arrived in Denmark 9th November 2017: Delivered at my address: 10th November 2017 (6 weeks  6 days)

And it have a tracking number. But after it left Thailand on the tracking (which will be like 2-3 days after you send it. Even they store it in Thailand for much longer. More about that later), the next step of tracking will be when it arrive in your country.

I can see on the label put on the boxes that they actually didn't physically go by the boat the hole way. They was all stored in Thailand until 2-3 days before the arrival in Denmark. The label sticker put on all the boxes says like "Planned Departure: xx-xx-xxxx" and then a number, that i think could be the flight number, and also the name: Post Nord, which is the national Danish-Swedish post carrier.

All the boxes was in a good condition and nothing was broken when i unpack it. And for the record, there was not any customs/toll control upon arrival in Denmark at all for any of the packages. (Maybe they pick them out random - I don't know)

So for me I would recommend anyone to use this way for sending non urgent stuff back home, if you go back :-)

I hope this can help others, as I spend a lot of time by researching for options, but I didn't really find any. :-)

47 minutes ago, CrashTestDummy said:

I still need a bit help demystifying how the possible import taxes/duty fees will play out. I know when I've shipped a few electronics items into Thailand, I was charged a lot in taxes and it wasn't worth it. I need to make sure the same thing won't happen the other way around.  

For this, it will depend on your country.

I know from my own country which is in the EU, that they have a rule, that when a person move from a country outside of the EU to a country within EU, then you will not have to pay any import taxes (except for alcohol, tobacco and cars). This is only for personal used belongings.

Which means, if you pack a brand new camera, computer, or clothes with the price tag on, you can will have to pay tax. For other cases, you don't. 

I think the US have a similar rule: 
See this link:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/134/~/moving-back-to-the-u.s.---sending-household-effects

I just send 2 boxes of 20 KG to Europe by Thailand Post - cheapest type called Surface Mail
Price was 3030 baht per. 20 KG box.

Check the rate here:
http://www.thailandpost.com/index.php?page=rate_result&country_code=TH&weight=20000

(Dont forget to choose the right country and weight.)

I have been told it will take 1-3 month, which is okay, as it is not urgent.

But i have read several threads here on Thaivisa from 2014 that someone report that it often takes shorter. Someone mention that "Surface mail" means "Low priority", but it doesn't mean that it's actually og by boat or train/truck the whole way. From what i have read it should be quite reliable.

Custom papers are very fast and easy to fill.

I have a full tracking number like any other package, but they put a sticker on the box says: "surface mail".

As i just sent it this week, i do not yet have a report about how long time it actually take. 
I will let you know in this threat when i know.

Options:

- Elite Visa (500.000 THB for 5 years)

- Retirement visa (if you are older than 50 years)
- ED Visa - Attend to a school and study Thai, etc. 2-3 times a week (Good for 1 year - up to 1,5 year)

- METV - Multible Entry Tourist visa. Can be obtained from your home country. Can be good for up to 9 month if used correctly (each entry gived 60 days, and you can easy cross land borders exept from Poi Pet - Cambodja, and Malaysia)

If you are working here, you should get a Non-B with work permit

Trip Report:

- Arrived at the bridge

- Stamp out of Thailand - no questions asked - no que at all.

- Walk over the bridge (On the left hand side)

- On the other side you have to write your name and passport number on a list. 

- Tell them that you want a "one day" - go inside the next door.

- Pay the man behind the desk 10 USD, and he will ask if you wanna se Myawaddy - or just to go straight back. 

- He will complain that your 10 USD banknote is not good, and if you have anything else - but I just said, thats all i have - and he accepted it.

- Walk back to Thailand on the now right hand side. After the bridge i walk to the leftside, where the thailand arrival passport control is

- The first windows are for Myanmar citizens that wants to visit Mee Sot.

- Window number 4 is for Thai & Forigner.

- No que. I hand them my passport and arrival card, that i fill out in advance from home. No questions asked, and 60 days stamp in my passport.

My visa is METV, and i have 1x METV with now 2 entrys in my passport + 2x 30 days visa exempt + 1 extension of visa exempt from this year.

All the process took maybe 15-20 minutes.

No special dress - just normal t-shirt and shorts.

Just now, Tsm12345 said:

Does anyone know if it's standard procedure to have both of them?

I'm not sure. But you said earlier you are able to enter via the bridge with 20,000 THB cash, and bank statents with 5 figures in EUR.

That should be enough to prove that you are not intending to work.

2 minutes ago, Tsm12345 said:

Okay. That's good right? So I should be able to go to landborder with 20k?

The reason why you was denied entry, was due to not enough funds.

You should try to go to the land border, and bring 20k+ funds. I think they will let you in, as you now meet their requirement.

(Worst case - back to Laos again).

Please report how it goes, if you try :)

12 minutes ago, stevenl said:

From this, plus the 4x SETV's, I can easily understand the IO got the impression he has been working here. And unless OP can prove he has transferred money into Thailand or withdrawn form an ATM consistently I also come to that conclusion, and feel an appeal stands not chance.

So, OP. 

The money you spend in Thailand on your visits the past 1,5 year or so. 

Where do you have them from? Savings in your home country?

- Did you transfer them to a bank account in Thailand?
- Did you take it out from ATM's here in Thailand?
- Bring it in cash? (Then it must show on a bank statements from the Netherlands right?)

If you can prove either of those, that should be used to show the supervisor at Immigration, or at a appeal. 

If i was me, i would fly to Malaysia, Singapore or Vietnam, and then prepare that kind of proof where your funds are from. Travel back into Thailand again. In case that they ask you again - Show the cash, Onward ticket, proff where your funds is from (One of above). You could return in a day or two with bulletproof documentation, that you are not working in Thailand.

I think that's faster, than waiting for an appeal. And if you can proff this on your second entry, they should let you in.

I'm planning a run to activate another 60 days of my METV.

Planning to go from Mae Sot to Myawaddy and turn arround and go back by the end of this month. I will travel on the last day of my current "Permitted to stay until".

Questions:
1) Can I still get the border-pass for 10$ / 500 THB? (I don't have Visa for Myanmar)
2) If yes: How does it works?
3) What are the opening hours on both sides?
4) How long is that border pass valid in case i'd like to take a look around in Myawaddy and maybe go to one of those casinos?

5) Does I need a onward ticket out of Thailand when I go back? Or is the 20,000 THB in cash enough?

6) Anything I thing i need to be aware of?

Anyone that did this recently and knows if its still possible and convenient?

Thanks :)

2 hours ago, BritTim said:

In principle, this is absolutely fine. The only thing you should check is whether you can enter Vietnam visa exempt. What is your nationality?

I'm Danish - we get 14 days visa exempt for Vietnam - so that would not be any problem.

I'm here on a METV

First entry will expire by the end of July

I found cheap round-trip ticket with Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Mint the same say (out in the morning, back in afternoon) for 2000 baht.

Will that be a problem to go out and back on the same day?

Suvarnabhumi --> Ho Chi Mint --> Stamp in / Stamp out in Vietnam --  Ho Chi Mint --> Suvarnabhumi

Then activate the 2nd entry on 60 days METV?

(Its a fresh passport, with only 2 visa exempt and 1 entry on METV)

A printed PDF with a account overview / statement is enaugh. As long it shows the amount and also your name, so they can see the account belongs to you.

If i was you, i would go on Friday or earlier.

I dont think you would have a problem if you do it monday. But better to be safe.

You could also do a border crossing to Laos/Cambodja/Malaysia, or fly in/out.

I'm planning to get a METV in Copenhagen in May.

Does anyone have any recent experience from getting it there?

I'm a Danish Citizens and in my current passport i only have 2 visa exempt + one 30 days extension on a brand new passport.

http://thaiembassy.dk/multiple-entry-tourist-visa/

There requirements according to their website: And my questions
1. Actual passport with the validity of not less than 6 month : Check

2. Copy of passport: Check

3. Copy of residence permit or proof of permanent residency (for applicants who are not Danish nationality) 

I'm danish, so i don't need it right?

4. Round-trip flight reservation (at least for first entry) 

I have a ticket to Thailand, and out of Thailand after 8 days of first entry

5. Hotel reservation (at least for the first entry) 

I have rental contract for a condo in Bangkok. But is it better to book a hotel with free cancellation for the first entry?

6. Bank Statement with minimum balance of 37000 Danish Kroner 

It doesn't say anything about how long time the balance need to be on the account? If it need to be there for 6 month or something like that, i can't.

I have head many talk about just photo-shopping this.

Do they check with the bank?

I could get that balance by moving from other accounts. (But will shortly afterwards move it back again).

I'm planning to stay in Thailand for 6-8 month on this METV by using 60 days, and then cross to Cambodia or other countries in South East Asia, and come back and to activate another 60 days.
I will bring 20.000 THB in cash for each entry, and I can prove that I have income from Denmark, if they ask. (And i'm not working in Thailand ever)

History:

I had 2 ED visa's and 1 double entry Tourist visa in my old passport.

In my new passport only 2 x visa exempt with 1 x 30 days extension.
 

After 6-8 month I will return to my home country
 

Have you concidered to get a METV from your home country first (if you are there now)?

It will give you unlimited 60 days entry's for 6 month from the issue day of the visa

Yeah! I once spend 2½ hour in the taxi back form Cheang Wattana to Sukumvit at arround 4pm. The train feels less hassle free for me.

1 hour ago, timendres said:

Some people simply enjoy the challenge of saving money, and dislike wasting money.

My friend, who is worth $80 MILLION USD often does strange things to save even $1.

It is no different than an interesting iPhone game for him. He clearly doesn't need to think about $1.

 

Furthermore, it sounded like the OP enjoyed a commute that was refreshingly different than sitting in the back of a taxi in rush hour traffic. His willingness to use mass transit removed one car from traffic, benefiting us all.

Yeah - I would say, I did it as much for just to trying a new way of getting there. And enjoyed it :-)

And now I have tried to take the Thai trains - not a bad experience at all!

Those money i saved, I can spend for a cold beer on friday :-)

I'm planning to take the train to Cambodja (Aranyapathet) in some months. It should only be 40 baht for the whole way and takes arround 5 hours. 

I just want to share this tip for a easy and fast trip to Cheang Wattana.

I did the trip by MRT-Train- Motor Bike/Taxi

11:15 - Arrived at Bang Sue MRT station - 30 Baht (for MRT)

11:20 - Took the train from Bang Sue Junction to Lak si train station - 2 baht
11:40 - Arrived at Lak Si train station Took Motor Bike to Cheang Wattana: 65 Baht

11:57 - Pick number for extension of my 30 days visa exempt stamp (i printed and prepared all the documents from home: Copy of passport, departure card and visa stamp)
11:59 - My turn (4 in que before me, but they didnt show up, when their number was called).

             They finish my extension in 1 minute and give me back my passport before going to lunch break.

             No questions asked - and friendly staff (fresh passport - with only 2x 30 days visa exempt)

12:05 - Took Taxi back to Lak Si train station (65 baht) - Next train was 13:20 - but I had a Pepsi from the little store, and enjoy to watch the rain, and fresh wind, while waiting for the train :-)

13:33 - Took the train from Lak Si train station to Bang Sue Junction (12 minutes delayed) - 2 baht

13:48 - Arrive at Bang Sue Junction, where i took the MRT back home - 30 Baht

14:05 - Back home :-)

If i did go maybe 1 hour earlier, so i could catch earlier train back - it would have saved me 1 hour, but i don't mind :-)

Quite comfortable ride, if you are not busy. For me i always hate the long taxi ride in rush our - this was for me much more comfortable, and cheap: 194 for transportation + 1900 baht for the extension.

If its in Kasikorn bank, they offer something called K-Web Shopping Card

Its basicly a virtual debit card, that works for internet purchases worldwide. Its free, and will be linked to your savings account in Kasikorn. Takes 5 minutes to apply online via Internet Bank, and it will be available next day :-)

You will see the card numbers in Kasikorn Internet Bank.
(If you don't have internet bank, apply for it at any K-Bank ATM for free :-) )

You could sign up for 400 lessons of Thai Language School and get a NON-ED visa - that should be good for 1 year.

You will need to go to the classes regularly.

Normally they will turn you back, and then cancel your exit, stamp, like if you never left in the first place, which you technical didn't.

It will depend in the Thai IO if they will put a denial stamp in your passport or not.

When you get your new passport, and travel out of the country (by air), then they will transfor your last entry stamp to your new passport, and stamp you out in the new passport. They will put a note saying, that you got a new passport,and what your old passport number is.

Normally the embassy's and consulates, will only look in the passport, to see how many stickers you have. 

But the immigration, in Thailand, can see the full history of your entrys. The passports will be linked.

Just now, ubonjoe said:

I think you failed to notice I posted that image not the OP. It was sent to me by email in January by an acquaintance.

It was issued when single entry visas were free.

Aarh yes, thats correct.

Sorry about that.

But it could be the case for OP, that he received a visa exempt entry (somehow if they didn't accept the Visa).

It looks like a Single Entry Visa?

It says Gratis - which means free (In european lanuages)

If thats the case, maybe the officer just gave you a 30 days visa exempt, and thats why you only got 30 days.

What does your entry stamp say?

Does it say พ.30 ? In Visa Type?

If thats the case, they gave you a 30 days visa exempt.