George36

11 hours ago, KIngsofisaan said:

Thanks Joe.

 

Been so many years, I thought folks could just show up with 20,000 baht in their pocket.

 

Always the voice of reason.

 

Where would this forum be without you.

Agree wholeheartedly about Joe.  ????????

15 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

OMG.  I thought I could get a Tourist visa in advance as the OP was trying.  Before it was easy, get 60 days visa before leaving home, then later extend for another 30 while in Thailand.  That's all I needed.  Now, I'm afraid to even start the darn process! Thanks for the posts and updates.  I will sweat this out a few more months and see if things get smoother before about Dec 1 when I hope to get back to the LOS for trip number 16.6  I may just go the visa exempt on arrival and extend for 30 days and be done with it, but I was hoping for an easy 80 to 90 day stay

I would not be leary of the process.  i am very much not Internet capable and I was able to do it myself.  Very rewarding.  Once you get it submitted, they are good at sending you emails to assist.  Very pleasant and desiring to help.  Imho.

Submitting the incorrect application got their attention and they responded requesting complete PDFs for lodging bookings for full timeframe, flight tickets, bank statement and the last one was the declaration.  

Submitted the last document late last Friday and received the approved Tourist Visa early this morning, Monday.  Love it when a plan comes together.  Submitted on 7/04.  Two emails from them responded to and visa in hand on 7/25. 
 

Three weeks until my flight.  
 

On 7/20/2022 at 10:15 AM, arithai12 said:

Frankly, the list of 11 "documents" seems easy peasy, considering that some are just copies of pages in your passport or flight bookings. When you consider that you actually do not need to travel to a consulate in person, I'd say it's not a big hassle at all.

The submission was not too difficult.  It got their attention and they responded requesting complete PDFs for lodging bookings for full timeframe, flight tickets, bank statement and the last one was the declaration.  
 

Submitted the last document late last Friday and received the approved Tourist Visa early this morning, Monday.  Love it when a plan comes together.  Submitted on 7/04.  Two emails from them responded to and visa in hand on 7/25. 
 

Three weeks until my flight.  ????????
 

43 minutes ago, Thai Visa Member 999999 said:

The different consulates around our dear USA have different requirements (or at least they did) specified on their web pages. They may all be the same in effect. I'm not sure anybody really knows. I use DC which states you have to have a letter of employment. You will find it at requirement #8 on the link below. If you're self-employed, #9 applies:

 

https://thaiembdc.org/tourist-visa-category-tr-multiple-metv/

Actually, my understanding is that the site below is the only way to get a visa in the United States.  In the application, you verify by your license what consulate has your area services and they process the visa.  I could be wrong.  Lol.  
 

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

6 hours ago, teelac777 said:

I'm blown away that all this is required for a 6 month tourist visa, and wonder if  there are many takers, especially given the steep price.

"Right now, you must download 11 supporting documents for the visa request to be submitted."  The documents are below:

- Bio Page of Passport

- Passport Photo 

- Declaration

- Travel/Flight Booking

- Proof of Accommodations

- Bank Statement

- Copy of license

- Flights. Redundant from above

- Passport pages for international travel for last year

- Driver’s license.  Redundant from above

- Picture with me holding passport info page

 

This is what is required for a 60 day tourist visa.  ????????????

17 hours ago, JamesLA said:

Let me know how long it takes for you to get your visa.
 

Also, one thing I don't see on your list that I do see in some lists: letter of proof of employment. Is that no longer required? 

 

Another question I have is, the visa is sent via email? My understanding of the METV is that you can only apply for it in your home country. But what is stopping people from just applying wherever they are in the world, using a VPN if necessary?

Will let you know when I hear from them and, yes, it comes by email and no need to send in passport. Love that as it was a hassle last year when completing the COE.

Proof of Employment. Is not required for the Tourist Visa that I applied to get.

Figured my update concerning LA Thai Consulate might be appropriate to be posted her also.  
 

“Update:  No travel agents have any updated knowledge of how to navigate the Thai E Visa site.  Worked with five of them.

Right now, you must download 11 supporting documents for the visa request to be submitted.  The documents are below:

- Bio Page of Passport

- Passport Photo 

- Declaration

- Travel/Flight Booking

- Proof of Accommodations

- Bank Statement

- Copy of license

- Flights. Redundant from above

- Passport pages for international travel for last year

- Driver’s license.  Redundant from above

- Picture with me holding passport info page

In the application, you identify the Thai Consulate that serves your area and THEY process the application.  The purpose of the driver’s license is to identify the right consulate.  You cannot get in touch by phone and no walk-in is allowed.

Anyway, I spent three hours yesterday working diligently taking pictures, making reservations and downloading one page in each category.  It was challenging as I am not a “download” knowledge kind of guy.  Lol.

i was successful in submitting my application for the Tourist Visa and it is in processing as of 7/15.  I fly out on the 16th if August so plenty of time.  Figure they will come back and want more stuff but, at least, I got the process started.  
 

Ubonjoe, please correct anything that I have wrong as you, always, have the  superior knowledge.  This is just my experience.  Thanks.”

Update:  No travel agents have any updated knowledge of how to navigate the Thai E Visa site.  Worked with five of them.

Right now, you must download 11 supporting documents for the visa request to be submitted.  The documents are below:

- Bio Page of Passport

- Passport Photo 

- Declaration

- Travel/Flight Booking

- Proof of Accommodations

- Bank Statement

- Copy of license

- Flights. Redundant from above

- Passport pages for international travel for last year

- Driver’s license.  Redundant from above

- Picture with me holding passport info page

In the application, you identify the Thai Consulate that serves your area and THEY process the application.  The purpose of the driver’s license is to identify the right consulate.  You cannot get in touch by phone and no walk-in is allowed.

Anyway, I spent three hours yesterday working diligently taking pictures, making reservations and downloading one page in each category.  It was challenging as I am not a “download” knowledge kind of guy.  Lol.

i was successful in submitting my application for the Tourist Visa and it is in processing as of 7/15.  I fly out on the 16th if August so plenty of time.  Figure they will come back and want more stuff but p, at least, I got the process started.  
 

Ubonjoe, please correct anything that I have wrong as you, always, have the  superior knowledge.  This is just my experience.  Thanks.

6 minutes ago, bbko said:

Did you start the application before July 1?  If yes, delete it and start a new one and see if the "requirements" are still there.

Good Luck.

I started the application on the 5th of July.  Sent emails to two agent services.  One in Thailand and one in LA.  Will let you all know as I work through.  Thanks .

54 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You could do that if needed.

If your wife is Thai you could apply for a single entry non-o visa that will allow a 90 day stay. It may not show all the requirements that a tourist visa requires.

Not Thai, American.  Sorta catch 22.  Tourist visa seems easy but no one has updated their systems.  Guess the only thing to do is to wait and see if they clarify things as I get closer.  I leave about five weeks from today.  Thanks.  ????????

12 minutes ago, bbko said:

This is off their webpage

https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/page/information-on-travelling-from-the-us-to-thailand

Thanks.  I set up an account for the E-Visa and it requires Covid insurance, hotels, Thai Pass, etc.

it does not look like they have updated the E-Visa site for new requirements that went into effect 1st of Julie.  All the agency sites do not seem to be updated yet.

Does anyone know about border runs?  I could go in under 30 exempt, get extension and do a border for the final 30 days.

Hi All,

You all, especially Ubonjoe, helped me tremendously last February to enter Thailand.  After two weeks quarantine and two weeks of freedom, I cut my trip short because of the Covid situation at the time.  Bummer.  
 

My wife and I are ready to try again.  I will travel to Thailand arriving on 8/17 and intend to spend 90 days with my wife joining me for the last thirty.  I hope to do Tourist Visa for 60 days and 30 Jomtien extension.

My problem is that I can find no one in Southern California that can assist in this as all seem to have no knowledge of the requirements after 7/1/2022.  Even the agency websites contain all the information of the prior requirements.  
 

The LA Consulate is only doing E-Visa ones.  The E-visa seems to contain a lot of the old requirements.

Have anyone here gotten a Tourist Visa since the requirements came in 1st of July?

What other way is there to stay 90 days?  
 

Thanks.

Squakvfr,

Glad that you made.  In 4th day at ASQ and have my first Covid test tomorrow.

For info and help to others,  I got my Covid test at LAX for $120 and it guaranteed results in three to five hours. I got the results in exactly three hours by email.  
 

20 hours ago, Winegeeker said:

Congratulations Suphawk, i hope to be there soon

i uploaded everything for COE last night, i only needed flights and asq and haven’t heard a thing all day, it should only take 10 seconds to look at 2 documents 

Sorry about the telephone number debacle.

When my daughter uploaded my stuff for COE, she had to upload the Covid medical policy even though she had uploaded it previously.  Might want to check.

Just brainstorming and guessing.  5555

1 minute ago, Pro1Expat said:

Of course they hate us. I used to have the AMEX Gold card but rarely used it. Iif I did I paid it off before it came on my statement. Banks hate that. They want you to be paying every month so they can get their extortionate interest that they charge.

Imho, banks do not hate us if we do not carry a balance.. I have not paid credit card interest in the 50 years or so that I have had credit cards.

Banks get paid by the retailers:  https://www.valuepenguin.com/what-credit-card-processing-fees-costs

On 1/27/2021 at 1:33 AM, Issanman said:

Call the COE help line:

202-431-0882

I had a problem with my COE and the gentleman that answered that number helped me figure out how to fix the problem. I have my COE now and I'm flying out Friday morning. 

Were you able to contact the number above?  No help?
 

1 minute ago, sqwakvfr said:

If you are dealing with the DC Embassy then you might just make it.  I have been dealing with LA Consulate and it has been a nightmare.  

Your experience is ridiculous and I do not understand it.  My experience with LA Thai Consulate was excellent..

I started my request for Tourist Visa and COE in mid-December and received my visa and COE within two weeks.  Even over the Christmas and New Year holidays.  
 

I delayed my trip until February due to present outbreak in Thailand.  
 

Last Saturday, I put in my application for new COE and, within six hours, I received approval and a link with a six digit code to upload my. ASQ, flights confirmation and Covid medical insurance within 15 days.  
 

I booked everything and uploaded all this past Tuesday. Within two hours, I received my COE.

After uploading, I used the six digit number to check on the status and it quickly changed to “COE approved” and I received an email with information and ability to download COE.

Sorry for your troubles.  Wish you the best.
 

22 minutes ago, Salerno said:

 

Not bad, did they just offer it up or did you haggle?

 

The below promotion was left up for an upgrade that was over.  They gave me the upgrade anyway and I would expect an upgrade can be gotten easily.

The second upgrade came unexpectedly on the ASQ certificate.

”Deluxe (32 sq.m) 60,000 THB per person for 16 days / 15 nights

Studio Executive (42 sq.m) 70,000 THB per person for 16 days / 15 nights

One-Bedroom Executive (57 sq.m) 80,000 THB per person for 16 days / 15 nights

One-Bedroom Premier (57 sq.m) 90,000 THB per person for 16 days / 15 nights

Two-Bedroom Premier (90 sq.m) 125,000 THB per 2 persons for 16 days / 15 nights

Three-Bedroom Premier (123 sq.m) 185,000 THB net per 3 persons for 16 days / 15 nights

Additional child under 12 years old/ dependent adult is charged 40,000 THB  

????The first 50 guests will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next room category* and 4,000 THB hotel credit *Excludes two bedroom apartment”

And, I get a welcome basket!  555

”Welcome hamper on arrival includes essentials such as Cereal, Soy Milk, Instant Noodles, Crackers, Bread, Butter and Fruit

????”

2 minutes ago, Salerno said:

 

Gets good reviews, other than not being allowed to use the balcony (not sure that's changed, in December they said they where looking into it but still not allowed 2 or 3 weeks back).

Learned about the balcony after booking.  The advised me that I can open the balcony door for circulation only.  
 

On the bright side, they gave me a discount on the one bedroom premiere from 90k to 70k Baht.  
 

For info if anyone interested:  https://thaiest.com/bookings/asq/somerset-rama-9-bangkok

Thanks for info about the reviews.

42 minutes ago, Salerno said:

You've got Thai cover so one less thing to wonder about at least. Did you check if they pay up front?

Nope. Did not know the right questions to ask at the time.  555

Too late now.  Visa and COE in hand and don’t want to rock the boat. Hopefully,  I won’t test positive.

My ASQ is Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok and this is on the ASQ page: 

“Admittance to Samitivej Thonburi hospital if tested positive for COVID-19”

Great information.  Thanks.

14 minutes ago, Salerno said:

 

Guy I mentioned above is paying 40K Bht (for a family suite).

That is conforting to know as worst case scenario.  
 

I read somewhere that some ASQ’s pro-rate their cost based on days you are in hospital.  
 

I depart two weeks from today and I did buy a Thai Covid policy so we will see.  555

Thanks.

1 minute ago, Winegeeker said:

Which location was it

The no reply emails with a link and six digit code came from LA Thai Consulate.