JemJem

I think the original poster wrote that he would try the land entry today. I hope he will come back to the topic and tell us what happened. My guess is there is about a 50-60 percent chance that he WILL be accepted visa exempt. If he came by air, his chances would be higher. I think we can all agree that the tourist visa requirements in the region have gotten tougher over the past 5 years or so, and the chances of getting your application rejected after 2-3 successful back to back visas have increased. As for visa exempt, it is really not clear, it seems. It seems to be very much up to the Thai immigration officer. But after doing 3 back to back visa exempts, I think one runs a big risk of denial of entry, even by air, on the fourth one. I think even a third back to back one might be risky. My advice, if you wanna take that risk, would be to have a certain amount of cash with you (maybe 20,000 baht) or another proof of funds, plus an airline ticket back home, plus some kind of accommodation document. Having these MIGHT help if they initially seem to be denying you an entry. However, they might not. So, it is a risk after all.

Folks, do you know if it is possible to change status from visa exempt to ED visa WITHIN THAILAND? It will be a university program, not a language school. Or, do I have to exit Thailand and apply for the student visa at an embassy/consulate? Thanks.

I know I probably won't be popular saying this, but, it will be a bit sad for me to see Khun Prayut go. I feel that he has improved himself quite a bit over the years. Yes, I know how he came to power. But, come on, still, I feel he has always had good intentions. But anyway, it is time for Prayut to go. This Pita guy seems good. A breath of fresh air for Thai politics. But, time will tell. And, I shall say nothing about the Shinawatra clan. Not a big fan of them at all ????

This whole thing is weird.

Does Penang require an appointment? And, what are the requirements there for a single entry tourist visa?

Yes. In the US at least, right-wing extremists have overtaken Islamist extremists as the most dangerous terrorist group/individuals.

Correct. That has been the case with me. But, I will be here in Thailand for 5 more weeks, and sadly, Covid cases seem to be on the increase here nowadays so I wanted to have it done here by next week the latest. Well, if my attempt that I wrote above doesn't work, I will just say 'Never mind', and will have it done when I go back home.

Thanks. But, sadly, I am on tourist status. I might just try my luck though, taking those documents with me, and talking to them in Thai. It might just work ????

Thanks. I'll see and decide by next week. I am now 50-50 about it.

No, I am not from the UK. If the price is as you guess, it is quite more expensive than I guessed. Thanks anyway. I will decide by next week.

Hey. It has been quite a bit longer than 6 months since I had my last booster. So, I am thinking of going for another booster. Does any of you know at which private hospitals a foreign national can get that done? Preferably in central Bangkok and preferably the Pfizer/Biontec one. If they don't have that here, for example the Moderna one would be fine too. And, price info would be appreciated too. Cheers.

Nice, informative post. But, I am surprised. They really seem to have gotten strict about the requirements. About 4 years ago, I got my Thai visa in Malaysia. But, it was in Penang and it was a single entry tourist visa. I am very sure that for example they didn't ask for a bank statement. And, I can't remember if I had to give an accommodation document. I had it with me but not sure now if they asked for it. Maybe, the difference was because mine was a single entry visa? Or, maybe it was because it was in Penang, not KL? Or, maybe things have changed and the requirements are like the ones listed above for all types of tourist visas? Any idea?

I hope the guy recovers. Although 'coma' doesnt sound so good sadly. As a Turkish person, I would love to see the full force of the law applied to this scumbag. I mean, yeah, there are millions of Turks in this world, but, still, this gives us a bad reputation overall. Getting soaked doesnt justify headbutting someone. Sad.

I did a 30-day extension on my visa exempt at Laksi. This was about 6-7 weeks ago. And, they didn't ask for TM 30 from me. I don't want to give wrong info. But, I got the idea that they ask it only from people who last entered Thailand via land. As I wrote, I don't want to give wrong info. I could be wrong. Does anyone here know about the TM 30 situation for visa exempt (and tourist visa) extensions at Laksi? I mean, in a certain and accurate manner.

I sadly also doubt it.

Well, assuming this is true (it probably is, to some extent at least), sadly, it will hardly get any coverage in news outlets etc. around the world. Most of them, especially those in the West, are still fully preoccupied with the Ukraine-Russia war. Sadly, Myanmar won't get much sympathy or attention, just like almost none of the less-developed countries does. Since last year, it is just Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine.

I have just read the article. I had thought that the booze ban started at midnight the day before. Well, I was wrong. The ban apparently starts at 6 pm of the day before. Shucks ????

Oh, dear. A rich businessman becoming the next PM of Thailand. What can go wrong? ???? Of course, Thaksin's daughter might be the PM. In that case, of course, it will be the same thing. A rich businessman as PM. How much say would his daughter have in important matters? Not looking good.

I agree. Let people have fun and enjoy themselves, but I am also mostly staying in my room till Sunday. Water fight is not my thing. By the way, will tomorrow be okay to venture outside? For example, Nana area. Today is the last day of Songkran, but tomorrow is Sunday, so I was wondering if the water thing will continue tomorrow. Any thoughts? I will most probably take my risk anyway, and go out. I have been bored, being mostly in my room since Thursday morning.

Students from 2 vocational schools fighting each other...... In Bangkok, this has been going on since early 90's, as far as I know. Possibly even since much earlier. Some things never change. Well, but, I guess they don't normally take the fight to Khao San though ????

Seems so. But of course, the no. of 7-Elevens is really high in Bangkok and so, the chances of some extremely drunk and/or drugged up guy doing damage at them are not low. It is sad actually because I have found almost all the 7-Eleven staff in Thailand very nice, polite and helpful. This incident must have made staff at that store terrified. It is also sad because such incidents give us foreigners a bad reputation due to generalisation. At least among some Thais.

We are no idiots. We all know the first and only choice. And, then the REAL choice behind her. Thaksin coming back will cause major divisions again. I dont know why some of you even like the guy. And, he was/is no socialist. Do you honestly believe a rich businessman in Thailand can be a socialist? He was clever to adopt the color red, just to attract the masses. It is just sad. I lived in this country for many years. Shinawats should have been history by now. I actually think Khun Prayut has done a decent job.

He is a criminal. Sad to see many of the posters supporting this guy. In the name of war against drugs, he caused the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Then, there was the raid against a mosque, where many people without weapons etc got killed. And, he had been heavily corrupt. And, he caused so much division in Thailand. And, he will continue to do so, if he comes back. Seriously, why do you support him? Because he got elected by popular vote?? So did Hitler. So has Lukashenko. So has Putin. So has Erdoğan. And many others. All dictators. Come on.

Just found out about this as I was reading the Bangkok Post of today just now. Horrible. One doesn't want to imagine how the poor girl felt from the moment she was kidnapped. I hope they will be caught and then get the death penalty or life without parole, either here or in China. I guess life without parole here in Thailand would make them suffer more.

Yes, I did the Laksi extension too. Twice. So, for me, enough is enough. Heading back home at the end of this 45-day period. More than enough money will have been spent ???? For those of you who will continue to do the leaving and coming back thing, it will now make more sense to get the tourist visa, as the visa exempt will be only 30 days from now on.