peixotorms

I think you should just stop complaining or stop trying to understand. Thai bureaucracy is like that, it's like using google translate, just doesn't make sense.

You don't need to understand, only to obey. I agree it's nonsense, but they decide, so if you want the visa, just do as you are told. There is nothing you can do.

The bubble was only until 1 January from what I read and for legal residents in thailand only. No foreigners allowed into japan now, unless you are married to japanese and have residency in japan

If you have a working card on google pay, that is visa or mastercard, it should work on any contactless reader around the world that is visa/mastercard compatible. In other words, if you can tap an international visa, you can likely use your phone as well.

Maybe on the last one she overtook or delayed some government or military high ranking person... Cannot forgive that.

Time to spend another 54 Million fixing some toilet. It's better to loose both eyes than to see this.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/12/18/air-force-to-spend-54-mil-baht-to-refurbish-vvip-lavatory/

this is so much like china. I've been saying that soon they are going to ban facebook, cause "they never know" what are those kids plotting to do there.

17 hours ago, steven100 said:

oh dear  !     more money gone which they don't have

Make no mistake... Flights are not free. From KL to BK, thai embassy has been charging between 7000 to 9000 to thai nationals to go back on thai smile. The other flights above must be paid as well at a premium price.

time for #faranglivesmatter or should it rather be #farangwalletmatters ?

5 hours ago, alien365 said:

Now if only they could introduce some filter so I can see films and series in English only. I'm fed up of being led to something that looks good then it's in Flemish, German, Spanish etc. You accidentally click on one and then your recommendation list is forever inundated with others.

agree, but to me the problem is how they list the catalog. I wish it was more youtube like, instead of horizontal scrolling showing always the same movies in different sections.

what they should really ban, is eating bats. It looks like some pandemics started because of them anyway.

South Korea looks like it still allows people in, as long as you do what they say.

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

2 hours ago, newatthis said:

or a Thai coming home from Italy.

 

no way... Thai would never do such thing.

Hot weather, humidity... it's irrelevant. The virus may not survive long outside, but it will definitely survive inside your body and fluids regardless of the weather. 

If an infected person goes to a supermarket and coughs around to your face and it happens to go into your eyes, mouth or nose, you will most likely get it, regardless of the weather outside. 

Depending on your immune system, you may not have symptoms and still pass around the virus to others.

This is one of the main challenges with COVID-19 where people without symptoms can be carriers and pass it around to older people with weaker immune systems that get sick and die.

Weather may help slow down the virus outdoors, but will do nothing indoors with AC on all day (think bts during rush hour for example). There were some reports in China, that an old grandma, infected the grand daughter within just 5 minutes.

Expert opinions should still be questioned and that's why, in the scientific community, scientists have to have their research reviewed by their peers before it can be accepted. The fact that the major expert says something like this, can be interpreted by the media in many different ways. Furthermore, regardless of who he is, I'm pretty sure that anyone can make a mistake... nobody is perfect.

In my opinion we should take experts advice but judge the logic of it by ourselves.

No point of jumping from the bridge and die, just because some world known expert said it's good for your health.

only farangs? How about the many chinese also not wearing it? Oh wait... let's not hurt their feelings. Sokapok farangs are ok.

I do sincerely hope not to see any chinese when travelling not only in Thailand but other countries as well.

With a few exceptions, they are generally rather rude, often litter, spit, don't know what a queue is, are loud, think they own every place just because they have money, and they often overcrowd and ruin any experience while travelling.

It's absolutely stupid for a country to depend so much on another country for tourism.

Thailand has been welcoming all chinese and following their instructions in regard of many policies.

Of course, Thai people only want their money, that's why even though there is a virus going on, they still welcome them with open harms and even suddenly, provide them with insurance. Never mind spreading disease.

Chinese also have many rights, which other foreigners don't.

They can be hurt, but everywhere in the world is banning chinese tourists, so why not thailand?

This is what happens when Thailand kicks out farangs and depends so much on the chinese.

It's time to realize that relying on chinese money, is not going to end well for Thailand.

22 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You can fly anywhere you want if you don't sign their 'confession' admitting you have no money.

I didn't sign anything when I was denied entry in August last year, and I was only allowed to fly back to KL or to Europe.

The only paper I got, was an "order of expulsion" which was sent to malaysia immigration by airasia together with my passport.

I only got my passport back in Malaysia, by the immigration officer that asked me what happened and said "Welcome to Malaysia".

I specifically asked them to fly to Japan (I have family there) and I was not allowed, but then, maybe I was just unlucky with that female officer in DMK.

The thing I hate most about thailand is that we are always playing lottery with multiple entries, so never again for me.

If you are denied entry, you must fly back to either your home country or origin country.

You are not allowed to fly to another country, for the vast majority of cases.

What you must do asap is to go to your embassy and renew your passport, before attempting any flight.

If you are Norwegian, then any Norwegian embassy will renew it for you in any country, as long as they have consular service.

If your passport expires within 180 days already, you are out of options.

Either fly back to europe (there are cheap flights to Berlin or Athens via Singapore usually, or other places via hong kong) or find a place that allows you entry with your current passport and let's you renew the passport.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_of_Norway#Asia

It's almost certain, you will be denied entry again, only that this time if you are returned to origin and your passport doesn't have enough validity, you are not eligible to enter the country and therefore, you are sent back to Norway.

You may argue you are european citizen, so any europe location will do... but it's up to them.

If you have enough money, you can also try to get married in europe, apply there on the thai embassy and go back with the proper visa, though your wife will probably have to go places in thailand to get things translated and perhaps a lot of documents.

Also check the visa requirements and extensions for married people.

You need 400k in a bank account in your name (not joint account) in Thailand or monthly income, that arrives exactly every month to your thai bank account. Point is... you are not supposed to be able to get a bank account in thailand, so get ready to be grilled as well.

A multiple entry visa based on marriage, where available, may make more sense for you.

Student visa will also get you denied as well as multiple entry tourist visa.

14 minutes ago, elviajero said:

It can and it might. It’s worked for others.

More than to bring your girlfriend in person and let her do the talk?

The letter helps in getting the SETV in the embassy, but not for entry.

But like anything, it depends on the officer.

One boss lady wanted to deny me entry previously but was interested in listening to my situation.

In the end asked me to buy her some snack (I gave her some cookies from Japan) and it was all smiles and stamp.

The other lady boss didn't even bother to listen. Quick remarks in succession without any pause to explain anything.

Why you here? You bring gf huh? Doesn't matter, cause you are soooo going back.

Have money mai? Mi mai mi? How much? OK, but you stay too long, mai dai.

Pai go back to your country or where you came from.

You there, take him to airasia... walks away.

Proceeds to grill my gf that I cannot come on tourist visa ever again.

walks away without listening to any reasonable explanation.

We are definitely not begpackers and neither we look criminals.

It doesn't matter how many letters from gf you bring... it may work if you are lucky and they are in a good mood.

But better have it than not having it always.

1 hour ago, CHiangMaiMuu said:

My entry/exit record looks even worse. I came back to Thailand in January, this year, after having lived in Pattaya and Chiang Mai for most of 2009-2014 - having started out with a retirement visa. This time it was an impulsive decision to leave the U.S.A. and I came w/o a visa. 

So i started with a 30-day visa-exempt permit, extended it once for a month and flew to Vietnam - where I had been 50 years ago in the military -,  where I found the government surprisingly more accomodating to Farangs, and stayed there 3 months and came back to L.O.S. again without a visa and got another 30-day permit, walked over the line into Myanmar at Tachileck and got one more 30-day exemption....

I got a new U.S. passport in May and it shows the stamps where I entered the kingdom and left again in June, came back to Thailand again in July and got the 30-day permit again and the one at Tachilek in August.

I flew to Canada in Sept and back early this month and they stamped me with a 30-day with no questions.

So this passport shows my Vietnam visa of June and the stamps for June, July, August and Sept. 

My Departure Card has a date of 13 Oct stamped beside it.

 

I had thought I was under the limit of 30-day exemptions since there was one by land and two by air with once extension.

 

Now my plan is to make an extension in Oct at C.M. Immigration and then fly to DaNang (with an online application for a visa to Vietnam) in November and apply for a 3-month Tourist visa to Thailand over there.... I have been talking to the the language schools and martial arts school and they are sure they can get a one-year Ed visa for me when I bring my T.V. , around the end of 2019.

 

- My question is do I fall below the annual limit of 30-day visa exemptions - 2 by land and no limit by air was the last I heard?

Or will Immigration think that I am trying to stay in Thailand (which is true)?

-And, before that, will Immigration just look at the current passport entries and disregard my travels before May of this year, which are on their computer??

I am sure the answer to that is No!

-Can I expect the Thai embassy in Saigon to O.K. my T.V. in Nov? I will have my two bank books showing a few thousand dollars in American banks and showing my monthly disability allowance from the U.S. Veterans Administration.

-Will I need to have an onward flight booked out for the Thai Immigration at CNX when I get back in Dec? 

- again, is reasonable to think the Thai Immigration Officer will not stop me from entering the kingdom since it might look like I am trying to just stay in Thailand. ?

Sometime in 2020 the odds are I will get married and want to apply for that visa.

But that is not part of the equations right now.

 

Any advice or warnings will be appreciated.

Anyone who just wants to throw out insults and put-downs, please pass on to someone else - I don't need trash talk right now.

 

Thanks

 

I 

They won't ignore your previous entries even if they were more than 1 year ago.

They just see a big list on the computer, so you must be up to no good on tourist visas.

If you show a lot of money and pension, they will tell you to get a retirement visa.

Thai embassies in vietnam have been refusing ED visas as well... but like everything, it depends on your luck.

Thats the thing I hate most about thailand... is that you are playing lottery every time, even if you have all documents.

On 10/24/2019 at 7:34 PM, elviajero said:

Get a letter from your girlfriend giving the address you're staying at and explaining that your reason for frequent entries is to visit her. A copy of her ID with her phone number might also help. If you are questioned and immigration call her make sure she confirms, if asked, that you do not work in Thailand - even online.

This will make no difference.

Last time I went to Bangkok my girfriend went with me and even though she was there in person, the officer was extremely unpleasant and rude. Result, go back to where you came from.

On 10/24/2019 at 7:42 PM, eg84 said:

Wish I found this forum sooner. There's no direct flight to CNX from Phnom Penh. I found a flight that takes me through DMK to CNX. Already booked. Taking off in few hours ???????? I guess the worst they say is no and make me fly back or somewhere else. One can only try and plead with the immigration officer and hope he has a heart to let me back for a short stay to pack my belongings. Settle my affairs. Wish me luck

What's going to happen is that the officer will tell you that the computer says you have to be sent to the boss. Boss, if the same as mine last time, will send you back escorted with a letter for the immigration at the destination country.

You only get your passport back in Phnom Penh by local immigration officer, after some mild grilling abut why you were denied.

When I was sent back to Malaysia in August, they asked me why I was sent back, gave me the letter from thai immigration, stamped my passport and said "Oh well! Welcome to Malaysia!"... 

And now my gf mom thinks I must be a drug dealer because I was denied entry to Thailand (funny).

Those dirty farang... keep good one in (locals, rich chinese and now indians), bad ones out... any farang sokapok that thinks we are a colony if they think can come here on tourist visas lah.

The problem is, if you get denied entry, a few things will happen.

a) Immigration keep hold of your passport and you have to buy a last minute flight back to vietnam or your home country.

b) Immigration will issue a letter to the airline and immigration, titled along the lines of "order of expulsion".

c) Airline hold your passport as well, and when you arrive to vietnam, you have to follow them to immigration.

d) Immigration in vietnam receives your passport, and a "notification to control prohibited person" which makes you look like a drug dealer.

e) Proceed to either some light grilling at the Vietnamese immigration room and allowed in, or forced to buy new last minute flight back to your home country and have your multiple entry visa void.

I was going back to Thailand together with my Thai girlfriend, and this happened to me in DMK about a month ago and I was sent back to Malaysia. It was relatively easy in Malaysia to reenter, but had to explain the situation before the guy told me welcome to Malaysia.

To me, Thailand never again.

They had no reason to treat me this way, and neither they were interested in seeing money, or hear any sort of explanation from me or my local girfriend.

No idea how vietnam immigration will deal with your order of expulsion and notification to control prohibited person, but once I got hold of the document, I realized that while denied entry is not actually a crime, you sure are treated as one.

At least, airline staff will assume you are one, the staff at the gate, the cabin crew, the transfer and security staff as well, more airline staff in vietnam, the immigration once you arrive will also assume the same, etc.

I would consider going back at all on tourist visa, or maybe dig some information on what happens in vietnam once you sent back. 

Its the amount of entries and time you spent in Thailand, but it's up to the officer.

If you stay 3 months and come another 3 months, its less dangerous than multiple visa exemptions.

But 9 months, and chances are you get pulled aside at the airport.

I had 3 TR visas (one not fully used) and maybe 4 visa exemptions until I was denied entry in DMK, even with a SETV from KL.

It was upsetting because I was entering Thailand as Tourist for the last time to get married... and the lady IO didn't even bother listening to my Thai girlfriend, which was travelling with me at that time.

That IO lady doesn't have the qualifications to be dealing with people... unlike some other officers there, which were humanly polite.

Try KL embassy if Vientiane said no.

Attach the required documents + bank extract showing money.

But like I said, even with that, you can be denied at the airport nowadays... so it's your risk and money.

On 7/25/2019 at 6:55 PM, HampiK said:

There are schools, where you can choose the days you want to attend. For example Language Express at Ploenchit. They have schedules for different lessons. and therefore you can choose which days you want attend.

So far I know I think you need 8 hours per week for the ED.. so you can go 2 days for 4 hours.. or 4 days for 2 hours.. of course you also can do more hours if you want.. but I don't think that is what you want at the moment ????

 

I was under the impression that in order to be ED Visa eligible, we have to attend 15 hours a week.

Am I wrong, or what?

On 7/26/2019 at 1:13 AM, UKJASE said:

our school in hua hin is only 2 x 2 hrs a week too. 

 

people at my school been on ed visa a few years now, and all seems well

Same as above. Isn't it 15 hours week minimum for ED Visa?

On 7/26/2019 at 7:15 AM, FredGallaher said:

Thanks. I knew they were transferable before and assumed they stile were. If an  ED visa is considered I'd look at the cost. The real cost of an Elite visa would be : EV cost - Ed visa costs (visa + tuition + etc). The EV might be a better deal. Continued boarder runs are non-starters and eventually you'll be denied.

Yes, I understand all that. Just wanted to stretch my situation a bit further to have enough time to make a better decision. Thanks

On 7/25/2019 at 1:13 PM, arithai12 said:

Einstein made a whole theory for relativity.

But in your case, you are NOT a tourist, period. Many here will give you advice on how to push the limits of the system, but be aware that sooner or later an officer will decide that enough is enough. If you are serious, better make your situation here clear: marry her, or buy an Elite visa. Surely a great love deserves 100,000 Baht per year over 5 years, especially if your gf who has a good career is willing to contribute.

 

ps: when you have time, sit down at some bar and listen to stories of guys who met their love here after 2 weeks. Could be educational.

Like I said, it's relative to each person.

I may not be going around everyday visiting places as a tourist, but I do not work, or study or are retired... so none other than tourist. Just a long term at it, as long as I can afford it.

I don't go to bars so I cannot relate, but I heard the stories as well.

Yes, a great love deserves 100k and even more, but precisely because of those stories, things need time.

Asking her to contribute however, is a good tip... thanks.

On 7/25/2019 at 1:17 PM, Isaanbiker said:

Please let us know when you're in detention and make some good photos what will happen to people who believe that tourists can live in Thailand. 

Will do, thanks! I've been eager to visit that place as a tourist as well.

On 7/25/2019 at 1:31 PM, Uroller said:

Be very careful with 30 day visitor visa on entry anywhere as there is a purge on right now. Especially bad if you have multiple entries and some 30 day extensions. I got stopped coming into Phuket along with 2 other guys one of which had a 3 month visa bank statement and return flight along with paid accommodation. Other guy had been teaching for a year left for a month after school finished then came back to get his belongings gongs before going traveling. The three of us spent a night under lock and key st Phuket airport then sent back to our origin. All of us had money etc but they were not interested. So beware of the “purge”

Yes, I heard that thing as well, hence I asked.

I heard the recent purge is because there was some prophecy in the old days, stating that someday some farang will rule Thailand (government or whatever). Thai people are very superstitious... so if the right people believe this, it makes sense to start the purge now.