whattheheck

There is a guy in my village who walks around with a huge dog that looks exactly like this. Walks it off the lead around the park where little children play. He tells people not to let their little dogs run up to him (understandable), because his dog will kill them and he won't be able to stop it (maybe put it on a leash then?) He refuses to put it on a leash. Do I have to take matters into my own hands on this, or is there a "proper" way to proceed? Or is he in the right? Should I be speaking to village management or police or what.

Link for anyone who might want to read it: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/hidden-costs-may-now-apply-to-thai-border-runs-468791

Well, I guess only fools will be allowed to cross then

Some people are doing runs to Savannakhet to get the marriage visa with no funds in the account. Savannakhet recently changed to requiring funds for the 1 year visa, so some people are only able to get the single entry there, since lack the funds or simply don't want to keep them in a Thai bank. Savannakhet also recently changed to requiring you to reserve a place in the queue AND stay an extra day for processing, meaning you have to stay there longer, and plan ahead. Immigration also recently announced that visa exempt land border entries are now unlimited. So some people have the choice of: a) Savannakhet single entry +60 day extension, every 5 months (with it's increased hassle recently) b) Border run for 60 days visa exempt + 30 days + 60 day extension, every 4 months And some people find the 2nd option more appealing. So rather than get an extension or fresh Non-Imm O from Savannakhet, may want to start using visa exempt entries instead.

it's quite a lot further, and I'm sure the visa run companies which go to Laos will charge a bit more. There are regular buses to Mukdahan if you wanted to do it yourself. Might be worth it to some.

Most people in Thailand don't post on here often or at all, if they even read it. So yes, it does. And when someone does take the time to share, they're usually treated like liars or idiots. You want to check, ask 1cv.

I spoke to a visa run company yesterday (1CV) They told me that if you hold a Non-imm O visa and are doing a border bounce from Pattaya to Cambodia, you may have to pay an extra 2000 "fee" to immigration officers at the border. It doesn't matter if you are using one of your valid multi-entries, or your Non-immO visa is expiring and you want to use a visa exempt. This happened to me a few years ago, when doing one of my multi-entries on a non-imm O. 1CV warned me it could happen when I talked to them yesterday. So be prepared, budget for and pack an extra 2000 baht, or ask the visa run service to call ahead and check for you.

I just spoke to a visa run company from Pattaya to the Cambodia border, 1stCV They said if doing a visa exempt border run whilst here on an expiring Non-Imm O, that I would probably have to pay 2000 baht extra at the border to immigration officials. They said they had a case on Sunday (last or next Im not sure) where someone had to do exactly that. They couldn't tell me for sure if I would have to, but if I put a deposit down for the run then they can make their arrangements at the border and check.

I forget exactly when, I think it was very early during covid though. People had just started wearing masks, I was wearing one, I remember that. I was the only westerner in the minibus, I think everybody else was Cambodian. It was with a minibus service. You wait in the car park whilst their agent takes your passports across and back for the stamps.

Yeah, I think it was a bit of a one-off. But once bitten, twice shy... makes me reluctant to go back. And I really don't like that minivan trip! If anyone else is reading this deciding which route to go, you're very unlikely to get blackmailed there like I was. Those minivans are running daily for years now with hardly any problems. DrJack's advice was good 🤝

Think I'll do Nakhon Phanom, thanks for the tip! If they deny me re-entry, I'll make my way down to Sav on the Laos side!

It was the Thai officer who was refusing to let the minivan company take my passport across to do my exit and re-entry. Said I should have a 1 year extension with 90 day reporting in my local office, said I shouldn't have a multi-entry and do border bounces! So unless I paid him 2000 baht on top of what I had already paid the minivan company, he wouldn't let them take my passport across. I would be refused an exit stamp!! I had to choose between kick up a fuss with a senior immigration official, or just pay 2000 baht fee. No receipt was given, he made me give him the cash to someone off to the side where nobody could see. 100% blackmail. Having an e-visa would not have helped. It was during covid times, I assume they needed a bit of extra cash.

I've done that run roughly a dozen times. The last time I did it, I was blackmailed for a 2000 baht "tip" at that border crossing, by one of the higher ups there. I was doing a border bounce for a perfectly valid multi-entry visa. I was not being a difficult customer, I did nothing to deserve it. Just unlucky. So now I don't go there. Also I don't like being up at 5am, or getting carsick. But I do appreciate you trying to help, thank you!

I'm in Pattaya, I would probably fly to Ubon Ratchathani and do the Mukdahan border(?) That's good news though, no reason for me to get the 90 day in Sav if 60 days is so much easier/cheaper/faster. I plan on getting the funds sorted and applying for a marriage visa locally after this visa exempt entry (+60 day extension) has been used Thank you both

Sorry for bothering you Do you mean unlimited as in unlimited number of visa exempt entries? Context: I was on my 3rd visa exempt entry last year On arrival from a air border-bounce in Vietnam, BKK immigration pulled me aside and questioned me, said I should get the appropriate visa I have since had a 90 day based on marriage from Savannakhet (and 60 day extension). This is about to expire. As I didn't prepare the 400k in time for an extension at a local office, I am about to go back to Savannakhet for another 90 day entry Do you think I would be able to get 60 days visa-exempt by doing a land border-bounce? It would be much more convenient for me than going to Sav. Thank you Mr Daniels.

Thank you, that's what I was hoping, and trying to say in the OP.

Yes by "single entry", I was referring to the "Single entry Non O based on marriage". Not the 1 year "Multi entry Non O based on marriage". I don't have the funds seasoned and ready to get this inside of the country right now, hence going to Savannakhet. I can not re-enter on tourist visa or exempt, I have been pulled aside by immigration for using too many of these recently. We can get a 60 day extension on the "Single-entry Non O based on marriage" for "visiting Thai spouse" My question is, can I get the one year "Non O based on marriage" extension whilst I am here on the 60 day extension to visit Thai spouse? The reason for doing this is to give me more time to sell assets and season the funds in a Thai account for the "Non O based on marriage" at a local immigration office inside of Thailand. I have been to Savannakhet and gotten the "Single entry Non O based on marriage" already, in preparation for this. I'm just double checking that I haven't missed something, and that this is possible. Hope that is clearer, thank you

I have a Thai wife... Can I get a single entry at Savannakhet and then apply for a 1 year Non-O visa at local imm office? I don't have the funds ready right now, but need to get a non-o visa. I've run out of tourist passes. Long story... But basically... Can I get the 90 day based on marriage at Savannakhet, then apply for a marriage visa locally? Bonus question (congratulations!) : can I also get the 60 day extension (permission to stay, to visit thai wife) and apply for the marriage visa whilst staying in Thailand on that? Gives me a bit more time to get the funds sorted. (Am busy selling assets in other countries) Thank you