Caldera

So we have a bunch of sycophants that is being hailed as brave for their sycophantic act by a former member of the same club. Let's just say he didn't quite convince me.

6 hours ago, Lovethailandelite said:

There is an issue there with people booking all the slots and then attempting to sell those slots on. The system is being changed over the next couple of weeks so as this cannot happen again in the future.
You will need to use somewhere else until it gets sorted out.

Quite amazing that they failed to foresee that potential problem. When I make an appointment with my home country's embassy (to apply for a new passport), the appointment is tied to my personal details and I couldn't sell my slot even if I wanted to. Hardly rocket science.

5 hours ago, chowny77 said:

OK. So I am back from Vietnam. All went well at the consulate as I had every document ready plus the money in US dollars.

Thanks for your report. It would be great if you could let us know which documents you gave them. The last time I went there, they were mostly interested in flight tickets (in and out), but didn't ask me for a bank statement although that was already listed as a requirement. I had one ready in any case. I'm mostly interested in knowing if they want to see hotel bookings, or anything else on top.

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

The family applied on the last day (their choice), which meant any unforeseen event stopping them completing the extension that day would put them on overstay. They would have known that.

 

But you go ahead and - as usual - blame immigration and their anti-foreigner staff! 

I think you do have to consider what caused the problem. If they hadn't had their documents in order or if there had been an issue outside of immigration, okay. But in that case? Clearly immigration's fault! If an office isn't closed for a holiday, showing up at 7am and expecting to get seen to the same day is perfectly reasonable. Yet you defend these clowns time and again.

4 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:

From the FAQ regarding anybody ALREADY on overstay and regarding anybody on PAST overstay.

https://www.thailandelite-direct.com/faqs
 

No, an individual is not eligible to acquire a Thailand Elite Residence Program privilege entry visa in this case. The individual is required to leave the country if they are overstaying on their current entry.

Any applicant who has more than one overstaying record will not be eligible to apply for the Thailand Elite Residence Program. Regardless of whether an approval letter has been issued, any member with a record of overstaying more than once will be rejected at the immigration office when they arrive to have their privilege entry visa affixed.

Sounds excessive if their check goes back "forever", not just three years as mentioned elsewhere. Up to a few years ago, it was not that uncommon that people overstayed a few days every now and again (more than once). Often even following advice given by immigration officers who said something along the lines of two days overstay being cheaper than an extension.

I just topped up my Rabbit card at BTS Ekkamai and was NOT asked for identification. I did choose the place and time carefully (no queue at all) and did take my passport along just in case.

Maybe enforcement is spotty as so often, or maybe it's because my Rabbit card is (also) a Bangkok Bank visa debit card. As the bank obviously knows all about me and registered me for Rabbit Rewards, there really shouldn't be a need for more. But yes, I read what other members found in the FAQs, so who knows!

What's the most efficient way to check with Bangkok Bank if a particular ACH transaction was coded in the correct format? Call or email their New York office? Or check with the HQ in Bangkok instead?

If anyone has up to date contact details of the right person to ask and is willing to share them, that would be great.

I bet the book will be distributed in army barracks all across the country to boost the number of "readers" (owners).

On 2/24/2019 at 3:54 PM, colinneil said:

Tourist police are not armed.

You are having a laugh.

52 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

I get your point - but hard to believe top-line folks making such decisions are behaving with the emotional maturity of 6-year-olds having a tantrum, while ignoring reality and pointlessly harming their own country.

Not that hard to believe if you've ever seen the PM on TV, I'm afraid. He makes most 6 year olds look mature in comparison.

OP, you've been told by many that "any land border except for Poipet will be fine". Most of the discussion regarding which one to choose is more about logistics relative to your current location than possible immigration troubles.

As for "inconsistencies", that just reflects that the Thai officialdom is inconsistent with regards to long-term visitors on tourist visa. If you want to keep doing what you are doing, you will need to deal with that uncertainty.

4 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Agents are not a racket for those who need . help.

Ah, just like with loan sharks, then!

OP, you're a master of suspense, I thought you're already on your way.

I agree with @BritTim. I've used the Koh Kong border quite a few times and I don't expect any problems entering there. In case our OP is wondering, that's the same border @ubonjoe had suggested in an earlier thread (Cham Yeam).

1 hour ago, buick said:

i assume you don't have a thai wife ?  did you mention a thai GF ?  i've always thought it was best to say no wife, no GF.

I think it's best to tell the truth. Even though they seem to have almost non-existent interrogation skills, lying to an immigration officer really isn't the way to go.

9 hours ago, balo said:

Whatever Big Joke is trying to achieve, there is a limit for what he can do.

Exactly. This is the country where you can stage a military coup and still won't be able to achieve something trivial like stopping lottery ticket vendors from overcharging lottery ticket buyers, after all - despite making a lot of noise about it.

3 hours ago, BigT73 said:

It would be great if they put in writing what the rules are similar to a schengen visa.  Instead everything is fine to do until its used against you. Lol

Absolutely. But it goes against the fiefdom mentality of Thai officials ("my office, my rules") , so it might not happen.

Two putsch generals come out to defend the military. Surprised I am, NOT.

9 hours ago, KIO said:

Point taken, thanks for the tip. Do you know if one can withdraw USD straight from an ATM at the airport in Hanoi or is a currency exchange where one must head?

ATMs in Vietnam only dispense VND. Personally, I'd get USD before heading to Vietnam if possible.

28 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

He could get his letter of approval online...easy.

Depending on how long they want to stay in Vietnam, getting the eVisa instead of an approval letter for a visa on arrival might be an even better option.