yamplaadukfuu

I just got my SETV in Vientiane yesterday and can confirm what ubonjoe said. No one asked me about proof of income or funds, either at the embassy or at the border.

Just to close the loop on this, I returned to BKK today and had no problems getting a 30-day visa exempt entry. There were no questions about cash on hand, departing flight, past entries or anything.

5 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

If you haven't purchased your flight yet

I already have my flight booked RT BKK-MAD. Sounding more like I should just book the ongoing flight from BKK to Laos so I have it in hand and still stay honest about my plans...

Hmmm....thanks Jack. I'm looking for the least complicated plan while still staying honest. Going for a visa exempt entry at BKK would definitely be the least complicated, but disconcerting if I don't yet have my TBD next destination worked out and have to make up a story & buy a fake itinerary. Will think about this a bit more before deciding.

@8OA8, I had made a lot of visa exempt entries in 2013-2014 when it didn't seem to be a problem, and since then only one in 2015.

Thanks for the speedy reply, ubonjoe! I was beginning to feel anxious after catching up on how the Thai immigration climate has changed over the past few years, but feeling much better now thanks

Hi all, hoping to get some advice on my next entry to Thailand.

I've had a work permit since 2015, but now that the job is finished the Non-Imm B has been cancelled. I'll be travelling to Spain for a month and plan to return to Thailand in late October to wrap things up here and move on to my next destination (TBD). Seems I can't get a Thai visa in Spain as I'm not a Spanish resident, so my options seem to be (a) try to get visa exempt stamp on arrival at BKK airport or (b) get transit flight via BKK (no entry) to Laos, apply for SETV there and try to enter Thailand by land at Nong Khai.

My question is how far back will they consider my visa / visa exempt history in determining whether to let me back in?

Prior to my most recent work permit, I had one for a year 2014-2015. In 2015, between the 2 Non-Imm Bs, I had one SETV and one VE entry. But in 2013-2014, prior to the first work permit, I spent a year and a half in Thailand using 2 SETVs, one DETV and a lot of VE entries. I never worked in Thailand outside the Non-Imm Bs; I was here on money earned outside Thailand.

It's been 3 years since I last entered Thailand on anything other than a Non-Imm B, but I'm concerned they will look back 4-5 years and deny me entry if I fly into BKK looking for a visa exemption.