StayinThailand2much

17 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Or that the immigration officials themselves can't interpret things in a balanced manner. It's either a hard yes or no, with little ability to make a judgement call.

Then there should be a possibility to appeal against incompetent or unfair decisions, and I mean within hours rather than weeks(?) to the minister. Why is there no 'Immigration Ombudsman' or something similar at important border entry points? (And no, supervisors who are in cahoots with rogue IOs, and/or change their decisions when bribed are no alternative to this.)

10 minutes ago, popel said:

 

best example would be the russians..

last year they got unlimited! 30 day land-crossings.. now it's 3 month.

Would be interesting to know, if Russians enter, say, 3x like that, they will face scrutiny too. After all, together with the Chinese they seem to be the preferred tourists these days.

Also, first it was tourists repeatedly arriving on VFEs, but now they are already targeting tourists with single and multiple tourist visas. What's next; expats with Non-Immigrant visas being quizzed at the border, and possibly denied?

1 hour ago, Lemsta69 said:

It only takes a few minutes a day to scan this forum for the latest news, now fool the OP for ignoring the basic purpose of this site.

Well, to be fair to the OP, I think, most border denials do not make it as reports into this forum. Also, it is not really clear what the agenda, or orders are that IOs at certain borders (e.g. both Bangkok airports, Phuket Airport, etc.) follow, particularly in recent times, denying travellers, because 'they have too many visa extensions, Covid extensions', etc., etc.

The TAT and tourism industry, as well as inland immigration offices seem to have no problem with tourists staying for extended times (or why would they extend any VFE or tourist visa), or travelling often to Thailand. Most countries have clear rules on how often and how long someone can travel there in a calendar year. Not so Thailand, where everything in regards to immigration matters seems to be 'in a grey area' on purpose. One could almost think that there is not one, but two Immigration divisions, or that things are done as if there were two different bureaucracies in one country...

13 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thus: the Bolt driver accepted the ride, then realised it was a 3-4 hour journey, then he has to get back - obviously some drivers really don't want to do this, so if they cancel immediately, they'll be downgraded by the service.

Makes sense from the driver's viewpoint. Not being a regular taxi, he'd have to be so lucky as to get a ride via the app for a similar 3-4 hour return-trip... Would be better if, for long journeys, they knew what they're signing up for.

2 minutes ago, London Lowf said:

 

I entered at Phuket a month ago on a TR60 evisa and the IO gave me a hard time for fifteen minutes before reluctantly stamping me in.

 

I would regard myself as the perfect tourist - not short of a bob or two, no relationship in Thailand, not working as I no longer need to.

 

I do spend a lot of time in Thailand - last year about seven months over three trips and I don't think that the IO liked this. However, I was always on evisas and extensions, no visa-exempt entries or border bounces and so I think that I'm within the rules?

 

The IO did bang away on her keyboard for a long time before approving me and so I think that I may have problems in the future.

 

Some will suggest a non-O but, for medical reasons, I can not consider Thailand full-time and need to pop home at least every three months.

That confirms my suspicion that they are getting stricter by the hour. - Personally, I had never a problem entering Thailand until late 2019, when, suddenly, they 'made a face' when I entered with my METV. Then, after it had expired, I entered with a VFE, and was quizzed at Don Muang. I didn't think much of it at the time, but got the same treatment months later at Suvarnabhumi... Seems, they are now targeting visitors with valid visas too. So far for: "We want tourists to stay longer, and come back", and: "You'll be fine as long as you have a visa"...

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

ED visa does not have age restriction.

However if over 50yr non O based on retirement would be better option. 

So, I guess: "If your over 50 years of age you can't get a ED visa to study Thai, Thai immigration changed the rules in Nov/2022. Before that there was no age limit. I applied for an ED visa in October/2022 was approved by the Ministry of Ed, when I went to immigration with the school to start the visa process I was not approved." (Google result from YouTube comment) is false information.

20 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

You've really got to admire the logic. You have the TAT spending many millions trying to attract tourists to Thailand. Then you have the RTP making it really difficult for a tourist who paid for a valid VISA and has been travelling within the terms of its issue.

Yes, it doesn't make sense. IOs at the two Bangkok airports were even out to deny people at the beginning of the pandemic when tourist numbers started to decline. Perhaps, every tourist who was declined should write a protest letter to the TAT. After a hundred, or so, perhaps the IOs will, at least, have to give a valid reason for this.

13 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

It's ambiguous, because "next time need apply non-immigrant visa" doesn't mean this METV is not still valid for entries until its expiry date in April unless it was canceled.

Fair enough. I never heard of a METV questioned either, so maybe just rogue IOs at Don Muang. Suvarnabhumi may let it go, but who knows...

7 hours ago, popel said:

hmm..

so would it be a "problem" on the next entry? or do i just need more funds to show? thx..

The official requirement is 10,000 baht for VOA, and 20,000 baht when entering with a SETV. Doesn't need to be more. However, having the cash is not a guarantee not to be refused.

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That requirement was removed.

Thinking August last year. 

Good to know. Thanks.

2 hours ago, BritTim said:

An Education visa is not possible at all if you need to travel, and is not a long term option these days, unless you want to study at university. 

Lemsta69 got the idea that you're over 50... Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but at that age no ED Visa possible anymore.

10 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I don't do public transportation, I really don't want to roll it.

How about paying bills (convenience stores, restaurants) with it? Nothing wrong with paying 100 baht or so in coins.

On 2/3/2024 at 7:00 AM, popel said:

now waiting with airline staff for boarding. still don't know if they let me in again (vietnam). my country gets 15 day free every 30 or 60 days (?) still not got passport back..

Better to google the latest requirements...

On 2/3/2024 at 6:16 AM, popel said:

(...) have seen about 20 people last evening/night that got send back..

Seems the TAT got all the tourists they wanted... No, seriously, seems they are getting stricter and stricter with tourists that 'like Thailand too much'.

42 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Do banks offer this service? Bring in a bucket of coins and dump it in a coin counter. 

I guess, you'd have to roll it... Better to spend it, e.g. for BTS and MRT.

18 minutes ago, khunjake said:

If they didn’t actually cancel the visa, then it is still valid. Perhaps try suwannaboom next time. 

If a remark is in the passport, or computer, Suvarnabhumi IOs will act (out) the same. (Talking from experience.)

Is that a joke? So, the hazardous air pollution in both, Bangkok and Chiang Mai is caused by Cambodia?? - Nice if one can always blame someone else... Perhaps he could start limiting the sources of air pollution in Thailand.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

The least effective way in this world to make merit is to donate your money to a temple. That is just sloth and laziness, in my opinion. 

I used to 'wai' every monk when I was new in Thailand, to the amusement of my company. Nowadays, however, I have no respect for Thai monks, and I wouldn't trust them with donations. One just needs to read about the millions some monks have accumulated in their bank accounts. Nuff said...

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Making Merit is an integral feature of the culture in Thailand.

Happy to hear that you are in step with this custom/tradition.

 

Note: Not a bad Topic for a Saturday/Sunday, a time for reflection.

Personally, I prefer giving food, or I do good deeds for people who don't need it. Cash only if I have nothing else, or, sometimes, as a tip for people, I think could need it. (I never show off, like is often the case in Thailand.)

4 hours ago, Pond Life said:

Maybe they should only teach Muay Thai to the Saudi women.

Or the foreign maids...

So, that's how the Saudis want to fight the Houthis...

On 2/2/2024 at 8:13 AM, Serenity_Now said:

here 'there are some pretty harsh people on this forum'

ive been on and off this forum for over a decade and its really gotten worse over the years the quality of responses is reflective of the cynicism in the world today
im better than thou
sneering at a lot of things
sneering at life basically 

maybe this should be a poll but has this forum denigrated into a sh*t show 

It's not just the forum, but it's most social media, the negativity in mass media, and widespread cynicism in society as a whole in the 21st century. People and their posts on FB, Twitter, etc., are not any better. The demise of the family, loss of humour, and loss of compassion are symptoms of this development, which is ever getting worse. - I blame 9/11, the ruin of the middle class, rising inequalities, the Covid pandemic, and geopolitical developments in the past two decades.

Have they discovered Uranus too?

13 hours ago, webfact said:

On February 1st, 2024, Mr. Thanakorn Kuptajit, the advisor to the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA), petitioned the Thai government to consider revising the law prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM as it negatively impacted Thailand’s tourism in overall.

Wait! Didn't the TAT just announce record numbers of tourists, and another million to arrive during Chinese New Year? So, why is he worried?