JDLove

I ended up overstaying 9 days and the processing at the airport is unchanged. The officers were all very professional and as before I was asked to pay 500baht per day. My take is that unless you are caught doing something wrong then a few days overstay is not an issue. I would very much doubt we will hear of anyone getting in trouble over this. It's was remarkably quiet at the airport !

Someone please report if you have even gone through Customs when leaving Thailand

And unless the gold it is in the shape of a gun, I have real doubts if the security inspectors are going to call the Customs Officers to come look at it

I agree with all the "financial" reasons for not doing it but it is the OP's money and he can do whatever he wants with it, to include making a lousy investment decision

You do not go through ANY customs when leaving. You declare items to customs upon arrival. No one will care if you are leaving with a suitcase full of gold bars. But the county you are flying to may.

I think they just might care when they x-ray that suitcase and find it millions worth of gold.... I doubt you or the gold would make the flight

Even with receipts, they would probably be looking for any excuse they could to confiscate a jackpot like that lol

Try it and tell us how it goes..

Listen, the security screen your bags for hazardous items or banned items for carry on. They are not custom officers as customs are only upon arrival. I have had hundreds Canadian Maples on my person, silver, palladium and platinum and all they asked was if I had coins on me. Yes, opened a tube and shook two out in my hands. They did not ask what metal, what the worth, or anything at all. Its not their job, ok? So why would bar bullion be any different? If its not a weapon, and is not prohibited as carry on, they do not care. Period.

If all the coins I had on me were platinum, the value with have been in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I say once again, they were not interested in what metal they were, only verifying that they were coins.

"Looking for any excuse they could to confiscate" Dude, we are talking about flying out of Thailand, not Nigeria. Ok?

Ok this does seem a reasonable perspective thanks for clearing that up.

Also in reply to a earlier post you made, no I am no "trader" its a small hold position that I just would like to keep thats all.

Its not a bag full only a few small bars to hold for the future....

Can anyone advise where I may get a safe deposit box to store in BKK ?

You could send the gold bars to yourself in your home country by way of secured courier service such as Malca Amit or Brinks with shipping insurance provided while they would have all the answers to your questions....or they should have the answers as that is what they commonly do as a regular service...that is, shipping valuable items such as precious stones or precious stone jewelry or karat gold jewelry for their clients who send products to their customers in overseas destinations

However.. this is Thailand so maybe you will be subjected to a degree of total ineptness and stupidity when you phone such companies and ask them simple questions related to their business services such as:

" Are there duties or taxes or restrictions when taking gold, having been purchased in Thailand, out of Thailand by way of exiting the country through the airport while physically carrying the gold out of the country???

Meantime there is no need to buy physical gold here and then take it to your home country because there is no cost saving advantage on the price of gold bought in Thailand verse gold bought in other countries and if there is, the price difference would be very marginal....and.... can be marginally more than in other countries.

Gold is traded by way of an international price structure with access to the product in several forms while the most convenient form is gold certificates that can be purchased in near every country through legitimate gold trading brokerage services.

Much easier and safer to set up a gold trading account with any legitimate precious metals trading brokerage company and trade at leisure...rather than having to physically handle the gold bars and the need for safekeeping in a safety deposit box or a safe at home and chance having them stolen or when you are robbed and just the general inconveniences involved.....Such as you are experiencing right now worrying about how you are going to get your physical gold out of Thailand.

You can even buy the certificates in one country and exchange the certificates in another country or exchange the certificates for physical gold when you get back to your country and then take possession of the physical gold and safe keep it any which way you see fit....or hidden under your bed and mattress if that makes you feel better...lol

Cheers

Thanks for the reply, I'll go and see Malca Amit on Monday in Silom BKK see what they say, maybe Brinks as well. All good information I'll also ask them for just storage options to keep it here if there are issues carrying it out on person.

In the future I'll just use a service in Singapore to buy and store the gold. Agreed its not a good idea to have to worry about !

Thanks again appreciate you reply !

Why on earth do you want to buy gold bars? That is the stupidist way to own gold. You should buy bullion where you can freely carry it in/out any country in the world without duty or tax. Also it can be freely exchanged anywhere.

You should do some research on owning gold before you make these investments.

I already have some bars now so I will sell as against risking any issues at the airport, I'm fine taking into my country its just the Thai airport I am concerned about. Just not worth the risk, sure I agree recognised bullion is best from a mint etc.

See: http://www.customs.g...ingfromthailand

I think this link is incomplete as won't load page.

Hi I was in the gold shop looking at Thai Gold bars and the sales person said she was not sure if its "allowed" to take out of Thailand.

Has anyone had any experience with this of know of others experience taking gold bars out.

I could get the bar made into jewellery but its not ideal at this stage, they charge 1000 Bht per Baht measure and I loose 100 BHT on the buyback.

Years ago I innocently I took a 10 BHT bar out but that was such a long time ago I fear its time to check on the current situation. At the time it was picked up in the bag scanner and I was asked to show it to the officer who mumbled something and waived me on.

Thanks

A little bit off topic, I will have 2 days overstay.

Does anyone know where exactly to go in Suvarnabhumi Airport to inform about the 2 day overstay and pay the fine? I want to make sure I inform them first and not the other way round

In the past you just followed the normal route and once at Immigration they would advise you and take you to the section to pay the fine.

Thanks guys, I will take your advice and leave within the date, seems too much uncertainty about what risks one would attract in the current climate.

Still same fine, 500 baht/day.

No future issues with 10 day overstay.

Thanks for reply its as I assumed but thought I should check as things do seem to be changing....

Hard to assume a 10 day overstay would get me in too much trouble .....

Why would anyone plan to have a ten day overstay ?

I hope the OP realises the risks associated with overstay.

What are the "risks" beyond the stated fine per day ?

I understand the new rules for overstay have been enforce since March but its not clear to me what the impact is for a 10 day overstay when you reach the airport.

Is this still 500 Bht per day without any future issues ?

I looked on the Thai Immigration site and couldn't make out what the current policy is.

Is it risky to attempt this in the current climate ?

Thanks

Thanks I contacted them and working out my side now .....

I am heading back to NZ and have collected some personal items that need to be sent, I estimate about 50kg in 4 or 5 boxes.

I'll take my golf clubs on the flight in baggage allowance.

If anyone knows where I can contact a freight forwarder who is reliable and easy to deal with ?

I checked the Thailand post costs for 10kg "surface" its about 2,000 Bht. Does anyone have any views on this option of using Thailand Post to send 5 large boxes back home ?.

Ok, thanks. I very much doubt that SE Asian countries (except Singapore I guess) have these facilities... I'm more concerned that the check-in staff at Pattaya airport would object to my procuring a different passport form the one I show to Thai immigration, and one lacking a valid Thai visa or visa exempt stamp. Who knows, they might even call an immigration officer to find out what's going on - and if they did give both of my passports a close look, they would no doubt find it "interesting" that I have a fresh 3-entry TR visa in my British passport before leaving Thailand. I don't know if it's illegal (probably not), but it's certainly out of the ordinary and best not advertised much. I'm also more comfortable dealing with questions from Malaysian immigration (would probably just ask me to show them my German passport) as I don't plan to stay more than two days in their country.

The procedure you suggest is probably advisable in 1st world countries, but I reckon my way is safer in SE Asia. I'll find out soon enough either way

Hi I travel with two passports,

In your case I would fly out on the German and possibly in/out of Malaysia on ( the same passport you booked your flight on ) so check-in won't ask any questions when they match your passport. Then on arrival to Thailand enter on the British Passport perfectly legal and no problem. If you are asked about having two passports then you can smile and say yes you do have two and see what they say. I really would doubt they will refuse the Visa even if you were in Thailand but technically they could.

I had a weird experience once, I went to Cambodia to get a tourist Visa (when it was announced no more visa runs) and then when i came in I never completed the arrival form correctly so i was just given a 30 day visa exemption just like normal,( the Tourist Visa was not stamped). I never looked or realised, I had an emergency request to travel before the 30days and I caught a flight to Manila. When I returned to Bangkok and the guy at immigration said to me "why don't you use your tourist visa you get 60 days, its still valid" I immediately realised what had happened and said sure thanks ! :-).

Nothing clear at present. No guarantees. The answer does not exist.

It depends on the border and Immigration Officer.

I sure would not do back to back anything, anywhere. If you have overstayed or done back to backs previously, it may be wise to fly in on a tourist visa... That should do the trick.

I could also use the two passports to my advantage. One then the other on trips to split it up. They have different numbers.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Be careful about thinking that you can use two passports to get round this.

I travel to/from BKK and London every other month to be with my lovely (Thai) wife. Until the start of this year I always used my Irish passport, not my British passport (I was born in Northern Ireland so have the right to hold both passports). Anyway, I started using my British passport at the start of this year as I'm in the process of sorting out spouse settlement in London with me for my Thai wife.

When I exited BKK to fly back to London in February, using my British passport for the first time, the Immigration officer who stamped me out said, "You seem to have two different passports". I explained that I do indeed and that I was using the British one because I'm sorting out for my Thai wife to get entry clearance to join me in London.

The message seems to be that the IT system at immigration can match different passports held by the same individual.

That said, I am now here in BKK again but on my first entry using a triple entry tourist visa issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in London as I'm not risking the 30 day visa exempt route,

Anyway, that's my experience with using two passports thus far.

I also have two passports and last trip I went o Philippines for a week, left Thailand, entered and left Philippines on ('A') then entered back in Thailand on ('B').

It was the second time I have done this as I tend to fill up the passports quickly and wanted to use both up, also was a test given the current changes.

This trip I hit a trainee and he looked at every page, then asked his colleague who also looked briefly then asked me if my name was Mr Smith and I smiled and said yes and all was good.

I expected some issue as I guessed you were required to travel on the passport at which you booked the flight and checked in. Twice this has not been an issue !

I also assumed they can easily track two passports, I have no idea of the legaities but it helped as this passport is clean of stamps since 2011, but if they track both then I am exposed to trouble.

Thank you for providing that report, I really had not considered Manila but I will now and I guess what they asked for was not difficult and would seem normal, I got a double entry Tourist Visa in NZ they asked for the same paperwork although not the

extra details of the flights out of thailand and back in etc. If you are spending 2 months in Thailand as a tourist I guess it reasonable to ask for flights in and out.

Shame it takes a 2 night stay in Manila though...... always found that a dangerous city.

Extension will be from 17th so you should do it early. Yes you must exit/return before the expiration date on the visa itself (not likely to be the same date as your extension of stay so you might have to leave/return a bit before the stay stamp expires).

Thanks and a good point I'll go to immigration in Bangkok Wednesday next week to ask for an extension.

I am not 100 % sure I understand about the requirement to exit/return before the expiration date on the visa. The visa has a "Utilization Date" of the 10th of July (it appears to have been issued on the 10th April), is this what you refer to as expiration date ?

in that case I should plan to return before the 10th July ?

Thanks again I can always ask Immigration but at times they can be helpful other times less so !

Hi I am currently under a Tourist Visa that's a double entry (says (2) in the stamp), the immigration admitted untill stamp I received at the airport says expires 17th June.

I understand I can extend this one month (1900 Bht) will they extend from the 17th or from the day I report to Immigration

which as the 17th is a Sunday I will need to go on the Friday 15th.

Next Question is, I assume I just need to do a border crossing to activate the second entry on the visa .

What's the easiest border from Bangkok these days and the best journey to the border and please advise any pitfalls I should be aware of currently ?

Thanks in advance

JD

Hi Agreed I suspect the Banks will verify the authenticity, checked with the NZ Embassy ( I have dual nationality) and they confirmed they can do it for me at a reasonable rate per copy (about 540 Bht a copy) so I'll do that as I

don't want delays later due to checks.

I did try another Thai Lawyer who's business card I was given left a message, sent an email, sent a sms ... no reply ..... TIT

I was told that in the Arab quarter you can get it done with a authentic looking stamp not sure who does it and whether they are a Lawyer but its worked for other I hear..... I just can't afford the time delay if its checked though.

Thanks for the advice above

I thought I had a solution.... asked an past work colleague who is a very nice thai fella and he said he would ask around then got back to me with a person who could do it in the Govt Immigration Department 500 Bht a copy.

I said fine I need 3 copies please and handed the Passport and copies to the messenger who arrived (he confirmed while with me on phone to my friend) then I waited and got a call that day from a Thai lady saying she was and offical and what did I want the certified copies for ? (spoke good english) I tried to explain it was a formality for a foreign bank and that I had emailed her the banks forms to look at and confirm what was needed etc. She seemed reluctant so I said I would ask my colleague to call her, he did apparently all was good 2 days later nothing then email today saying can't do ! returning passport...... sigh !

Back to square one ......

Went to Onnut Police Station again refused ! told me to go to The Royal Thai Police in Siam. ( was wearing a nice shirt and trousers and acting very polite)....

Hi I am wanting to open a bank account overseas and they have requested I provide a Certified Copy of my Passport. (Nationwide and Satander Bank)

This can be done by the following professional persons.

Qualified Lawyer

Qualified Accountant

Doctor

Govt Official

Bank Manager

Embassy or Consulate

I went to my bank who I have been banking with for over 5 years (UOB) and they refused to do it ? no clear answer that I could understand.

I went to the offices at the cnr of Petcburi Road and Rachaprasong where there is an old office that has a sign offering all sorts of legal services (2500 BHT ) crazy for 2 signatures 1 minutes effort .

I stopped by another Lawyers Office and was told 1500 Bht a copy so 3000 Bht ....TIT

Can anyone here advise me where I can go to get this done ...... very annoyed the UOB bank wouldn't do it for me after all the business I do in that bank.

Thanks in Advance

Hi I am thinking of getting a tourist visa and I have a question, surpose I get a double entry (not sure I can but its an option on the form I got from the consulate in Auckland NZ).

Can I leave Thailand for a week within the first 2 months and return without invalidating the visa or it a one shot ? I was hoping I could get a re-entry visa while in thailand to keep the first tourist visa running.

thanks

There should be at least a 45 minute wait from application of cream from what my doctors say - I just have them use needle as does not hurt that much (and don't have to wait) and have had seriously deep removals of growths removed with very little pain (needle prink type feeling). The vacuum should remove the burn smell. Should be two or three working on you.

Would you be able to advise where you went for your treatment ? I have a few small moles I would like removed from my for arms.

Hi Again,

Yeah I was hoping my employer would leave the Visa open till it expired but they wanted to cancel it along with the Work Permit as they were worried about the taxation etc.

Anyway as an update I head from the Employer today and they tell me they have cancelled the Visa It was a Business Visa.

As I have been out of the country I think that when I return with my UK Passport I expect them to notice its been cancelled (computer check) then issue me 30 days.

So from what I understand now is I no longer need to do anything with immigration as its already been cancelled.

The earlier notice from my employer that I needed to do this in person seems incorrect ! also any complications about what to re- enter on etc so that was just a lack of understnading or information on the employers side.

I hope this helps others who may be put in this position.

Key point is the Employer can cancel Visa & WP without the need for the employee to do anything, wither by taking the passport to the Immigration or without as in my case.

In my experience, the employer canceled the WP and at my request did not cancel the Non B. I had a multi entry Non B so I was able to exit/enter as I wanted on that same visa until it expired. That is what I did then got a Non OA after the expiration of the Non B.

If you are married to a Thai and have a marriage visa (Non O with 'Thai wife' stamped on the visa) all you need is a WP to work - no change of visa class.

As you have 2 passports I would use the one with the Non B - if the immigration officer says that the Non B is cancelled then you can still enter on the 30 day visa exemption. Your Non B would only be valid if you have a multi entry stamp. If there was no multi entry then the visa would expire as you left Thailand and by logical thinking (I know TIT) would no longer be valid.

Having a Non B doesn't mean the you have a WP. To get the WP you need a class of visa which will allow you to have a WP.

MJ