Glenn128

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Sorry got topics mixed up. I had been dealing with 2 of them about canceling extensions of stay by leaving the country.

Entry at CNX would be the best option.

OK Thanks for the advice ubonjoe...

I have searched the forum for feedback on Utapao and HatYai airports, re; deportations/denied entry, and it seems there's not much to be found, presumably because there's significantly less foreigners entering through there... However, one thread I found on Utapao in August had a post from you commenting that you didn't expect trouble entering there: 

I know you can't know everything about every airport, but would you say that entry at CNX is any more advisable than entry at UTP?

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Any airport.

No problem at those airport when departing the country. Only problems with entry at at those airports have been reported.

Sorry, I think there was a misunderstanding. I am talking about entry.

I will be flying IN to Thailand, same as the OP. Your initial reply to him was the he wouldn't have trouble flying in to Chiang Mai. I'm just wondering if you would say the same for another international airport, as well. particularly a Southern one.

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes

OK thanks. And would you say the same thing for any other airport besides CNX, or is it only them?

Because I stay mostly in Bangkok so I obviously prefer DMK or BKK, but I think at this point it seems the prevailing wisdom on here is to avoid each of those places for anyone in my situation, which I'm willing to do.

Would you say that any of the other international airports more South are also not a problem? i.e. Phuket/Hat Yai?

On 10/28/2019 at 10:46 AM, ubonjoe said:

You should not have a problem when flying into Chiang Mai.

Your history of entries is not all that bad.

Hey ubonjoe, just to follow up on this, I'm in a similar scenario to the OP in that I have 6 total TR visas since '17 and am considering trying to fly in to CNX for a visa exempt entry next month, only difference is that my passport is not brand new, but was issued Dec '18 and now has 2 TR visas and 2 visa exempt by land in it since. Would you say I also shouldn't have a problem? (I know you're only giving your opinion)

Thanks in advance.

On 8/16/2019 at 2:12 PM, justin case said:

jim and others are nothing more than a double priced TAXI service

 

they don't help you in/at embassy ... 

 

they call you a taxi and one might be there to bring you back to your hotel

 

if you GRAB  it yourself, you pay half or less

 

 

Interesting, I had read that Jim was taking people to the embassy, but then when I called just this Thursday the guy answering said that they go and file the application on their own and don't need you to do anything, as well as obtain on their own, which is how I remember it back in 2017.

Guess I'll find out how true that is this week. I agree that if they're just a glorified taxi service then I'd be better off calling Grab, but if they take care of the whole arrangement, then I still think they're worth it.

6 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Recent reports that they are strict,looking for an excuse to deny you entry. Also, the possibility of a long wait while each arriving foreigner is given the third degree.

 

At the time when immigration was done in the train station, it was a great place for entry, but apparently not these days.

Yes, I've only recently read that they do a sit down interview with everyone, and it's with a rather unpleasant lady just looking for people to reject, which is something I think I'm not really looking forward to doing...

What's your take on DMK, Tim? I just came in on a TV in March through DMK, and while I must admit that I was a little scared, the IO didn't hardly skip a beat in stamping me through. I've seen stories of people being detained and deported here, but it seems they always seem to have a slight little asterisk somewhere mixed in, such as previous WP, or 5th consecutive TV, or passport holder from a slightly less prosperous country, etc. 

Is all the fear warranted?

50 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Based on reports I have seen, Penang for a tourist visa would concern me a bit. However, that is not your question. In my opinion, using DMK would be very risky. My choice would be to return through Sadao. That crossing has been problematic at times in the past, but seems OK these days.

Thanks Tim... Any particular reason you don't recommend Padang Besar? 

7 minutes ago, atecom said:

I crossed a Pedang Besar twice earlier this year in May having been in Thailand for about 10 of the previous 14 months. They didn't seem interested in my long stay history, but they are strict when it comes to what they require. Make sure you have 20K Baht, Hotel booking and a flight out if you cross there.

Thanks for the info, I was not aware of the Hotel booking requirement...

Can I ask, did you make a booking specifically for purposes of presenting to the IO? I imagine that after 14 months here in Thailand, you must surely be renting an apartment by now. If so, how long was your booking for?

Going to Penang next week for a Tourist Visa, and while my current passport only has one TV in it, my previous passport had 4 in it spanning back to 2017.

From basic searching and calling ahead to Jim's place, it seems as though I probably won't have a problem in obtaining a visa, but it's in re-entering where I have my concerns. 

I've read some reports of troubles at Don Mueang, but I've personally never experienced this (including on my most recent return from Vietnam in March where I was stamped through in a matter of seconds on a TV). Given the amount of TVs I have, and my duration of stay, would crossing at Padang Besar be a better option? 

Full disclosure: American, arrived in May '17, return to the states for 5 weeks each Nov/Dec plus a couple 2 week getaways around SEasia, so I've only been outside of Thailand for approximately 4 months total over a 27 month span, which I know is a potential red flag. Just need to do one last run to get me to November, after which I'm headed elsewhere.

Any friendly tips/advice is greatly appreciated. 

3 hours ago, esclub said:

mybe 7am although I would not be surprised if it's already busy at that time. 

 

 

 

Just got back from the embassy and can report that a 7:30 arrival time was not early enough. When I got there, gates were open, all seats were filled, and line full all the way back to the security guard. Maybe 7 does the trick, maybe not. As has been stated by others, main priority for a run to Vientianne should probably be to avoid Monday and Thursday, but for those of us that have no other choice, I can at least confirm that arriving at 7:30 won't cut it.

Fyi, I was able to submit with a downloaded form, no questions asked. Would be curious about the form for the Lao visa, though.

49 minutes ago, nowhereman said:

Get there on Friday, enjoy Vientiane on the weekend and get your visa on Monday. No crows guarantied. I know it's not your present situation but keep it in your mind for the next one. Good luck with your visa.

 

Thanks, mate. Definitely considering it for the next run, or at least any day not Monday or Thursday.

1 minute ago, elviajero said:

They usually get to the bridge before the border opens.

Any idea what time they actually start arriving at the consulate, though?

I'm already through the border, spending the night in Vientianne.

Here in Vientianne and going to consulate tomorrow, and trying to figure out how early is early enough to arrive and beat the Visa companies, but not so early that I'm just standing in line for no reason.

I know bridge opens at Nong Khai at 6am, and Consulate is 30 minutes away from the border, but beyond that I don't know how much time the Filipinos and ASEAN people take to actually get through Nong Khai.

Anyone got a good pulse for what time the Visa companies start arriving?

1 hour ago, jackdd said:

A bit older, but maybe helpful for you https://talltaleboe.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/fly-n-ride-with-nok/

Yes, this was very helpful. Like you said, a little dated, but it's the best I've got to go on, so I'm grateful for the link. Thanks a ton!

Bump for the evening crowd...

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

I do not recommend the fly-ride service to/from Vientiane. The vans used are different on either side of the Friendship Bridge, and can leave you waiting for a long time. It is better just to find a van yourself (they are regular) between Udon airport and the Nong Khai side of the bridge, then separate transport (which you can often share) on the Vientiane side. .

Thanks for the input, BT.

Being as how I've already booked the service, I am going to go ahead and try and make use of it best as I can.

In regards to the vans they use, do you know if they're marked any differently than the others? Wondering if I should be expecting to see Nok Air decals, or shirts, etc.

For those that have used Nok Air to fly and ride to Vientianne through Udon Thani, I'm wondering how does the transport service go after you get through Laos immigration? Is there a car just waiting there for you? Or some kind of van shuttle service with Nok Air markings? How are they to be identified, is the main thing I'm wondering.

Also, on the way back, they list pick-up time as 1:30pm in Vientianne. Does anyone know if they're flexible with this? I've read that the consulate only starts their release process at 1:30, so even if I got the first number, I'm not sure if I could catch the return service.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I'll be going to Vientianne for a border run on Sunday, and after using Mesuk a couple times now, I'd really like to try a different company this time. Not to disparage Mesuk, because they're a fine company and they're adequate to get the job done, but the experience with them definitely feels like it's more suited for Filipinos.

On my last border run I noticed that there were a few other sets of groups with different lanyards around their necks, and I regret not asking what company they were with. Hoping someone here might be able to recommend someone.

I'd also prefer to avoid TVS, as I've already had the unpleasant experience of showing up to their meet point only to be told they're not going to do the run. 

14 minutes ago, elviajero said:

As long as you fly in with a tourist visa the odds of being denied entry are very, very small.

 

However, the longer you stay as a ‘tourist’ the higher the chances are of being questioned at any border. Having 20K cash on you, an onward flight within 60 days, and a hotel booking are the things an IO might ask to see if they are scrutinising your entries. But even providing those doesn’t guarantee entry if the IO is intent on denying entry.

 

If they deny entry at the airport they will send you back from where you came. No big deal other than the inconvenience. Being denied entry for not really being a tourist doesn’t disqualify you from entering in the future.

 

If you’re denied at a land border it’s less of an inconvenience as you can turn around and re-enter the country you came from. 

If you get denied at an airport, how do they send you back? Obviously, by plane, but do they send you to a flight counter and force you to book a flight on the spot? 

Also, should a Westerner (USA) have any concerns about showing up without a tourist VISA? I've flown here twice from the states, and once from PH, all 3 times through BKK, and each timethe IO couldn't have been finished with me any faster. Each time I had onward flight tickets worth probably $40-$60 each, and each time they never asked for it. Can't help but wonder if they ever really ask...

On 8/12/2018 at 5:33 AM, BritTim said:

The new passport helps with the consulates, but not with Thai immigration on entry at the airport. Your old and new passports will be linked in immigration's computers.

I was unaware of this. What level of caution do you think I should have regarding flying in or out of the country, and does the airport choice matter?

My current situation is that I have been in Thailand since December '17 with 2 same-day border runs to Cambodia, and a trip to Vientianne, in that same span. Prior to that I had stayed from April to November with one flight to PH, and a border run to Vientianne.

What level of caution do you think I should have about flying in or out? Should I just avoid flying for now? Or is it just a particular airport (DMK)?Most importantly, when I fly home for the Holidays and come back just before New Years in Suvarnabhumi with a new passport (I know you said that doesn't matter), should I feel any apprehension about that?

Thanks again.

12 hours ago, BritTim said:

First, if using Vientiane, avoid the days most of the visa run companies make trips. Usually, this is Monday and Thursday, so go Tuesday or Wednesday. Second, when applying on when of those quieter days, deliberately arrive at the consulate about 10:30 am. By that time, the queue is short. The only downside of this is that passport pick up the next day is later. However, you can just plan for that accordingly, arriving at the consulate for passport pick up around 3:00 pm and taking a later flight back from Udon to Don Muang.

 

Another good alternative: go somewhere else. You will likely need to show an onward flight reservation and bank statement, but that is the trade off.

Great advice. I had never considered how much of the problem was due to the simple fact that the Visa companies all go on Monday and Thursday...

Would you have a general guess at approximately how much the crowd is reduced on the "off" days vs Mon/Thu? Also, are you aware of a company that goes on an off day? Also, I'm assuming that the embassy is closed on weekends, and therefore is Friday not an option?

Regarding going somewhere else, is there another land border that's highly (or less) recommendable besides Savannakhet?

2 minutes ago, travelerjim said:

Have you considered getting a tourist visa in Saigon ...Ho Chi Minh City ? A great place to visit. Low cost airfare. Helpful Thai Consulate.

I base this on reports of others posted on the facebook forum Thai Visa Advice. I read many like forums and appreciate the input and postings from expat experts and individuals.

Good luck...

Tj

Yes, I've considered it, but from my experience, and at the advice of others in this thread, the Immigration Officers at the airport are more hostile to people with multiple Visas in their passport, as I already have. I've personally experienced when I flew in from Penang, and that was only my 2nd TV in my passport. I definitely am interested in using Saigon as a destination for my first border run after I get my next passport, though.

13 minutes ago, BritTim said:

If you will be getting a new passport, then using Vientiane is completely fine.

 

When going to Savannakhet, the fly-ride service arrives too late to apply for a visa the same day. On the other hand, the overnight bus, typically arriving in Mukdahan about 6:00 am, allows an almost perfect connection. For the return, the fly-ride service gets you home the same evening, rather than the following morning. Further, although I advise going to Mukdahan by overnight bus because of the ideal connection, I tend to avoid long bus journeys unless they carry significant advantages.

 

The reason for paying the Lao visa on arrival in US dollars rather than Thai baht is that it saves you about 500 baht. I would rather spend the money on Beer Lao, but it is up to you.

 

[For going to Vientiane, my choice in to fly to/from Udon Thani in both directions (transferring to/from Vientiane via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai). I definitely do not want to travel in one of the vans, often used by visa run companies, all the way from Bangkok.]

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

Yes, the van trips with the visa companies are not fun, so I am definitely interested in trying it solo...

My main question is about processing the entry VISA when you get to immigration at Laos. The one thing that has always driven me absolutely nuts is that no matter how close you are to the front of the line (I'm ashamed to say that I once sprinted to be first) at Thai immigration, it all gets completely negated by the time you get to Laos immigration because all of the Filipinos (and presumably some other ASEAN peoples) get to just walk straight through while I have to sit and wait for my company's (meesuk) batch of International passports to be released. So no matter what I do, by the time I get to the Laos embassy, I'm still left 200 or more places behind everyone else, while they all get to sit in the shade and under fans, while I get to stand out in the sun while we wait for 2 hours.

How do you beat this? If I go to the counter on my own do they still take forever to process the Visa? Is it an advantage to submit your own passport as an individual, or submitted by the Visa company?

The disconnect between how many spots lost in line between the Thai border and the time you actually make it to the Laos embassy is absolutely maddening.

Any advice?

3 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

 

 

 

Apparently he's just looking for "another 30 days" or "2 more months." before returning to the US in November. Not sure if he thinks those two time periods equate, but at this point an Elite Visa would seem like overkill.  

For purposes of brevity I figured it best to not spell out that the additional 30 days I "need" to stay another 2 months meant that an extension at Chaeng Wattana was already implicit. But I get that that wasn't the main point you were making in reply to the other poster.