catinthehat

On 4/22/2024 at 8:14 PM, DrJack54 said:

Things have changed. 

For the multi seasoning is required (previously not the case) 

Few reports where guys have attended for multi and without seasoning have been give single entry non O (90 day) 

Damn, today I saw that the fellow just reported that 400k does NOT have to be seasoned. That's the definitive report I was looking for. Too late now. Fly tomorrow.

Next time when the 90 day is up. Unless I leave first.

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Things have changed. 

For the multi seasoning is required (previously not the case) 

Few reports where guys have attended for multi and without seasoning have been give single entry non O (90 day) 

Thank you much.

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Current thread on this. Keep eye on replies.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1325538-non-immigrant-o-visa-based-on-marriage-savannakhet-vientiane-or-which-is-easiest/

Nothing definitively points to seasoning required or not. I travel next week and can deposit the funds this week and get my banks letter if seasoning not required.

I would like confirmation on whether the 400k has to be seasoned to apply for Non-Imm O Thai marriage ME visa in Savannaket?

Does Vientianne also offer the same visa in 3 month or 1 yr increments?

Thanks in advance.

On 2/19/2017 at 0:52 PM, hobz said:

Driving is different, because the whole country has to decide on one way. Toilet doors have room for decisions in each case. In sweden MOST toilets open out. In thai ALL open in.

No to worry. Some day all toilet doors will open inward globally. The same as the Thai language will replace English as the most globally accepted language. Just wait and see. Or ask t5he all knowing Mr P.

1 hour ago, ldiablo72 said:

I guarantee this has everything to do with the issuance of free tourist visas. Denials started just after the initial announcement of free tourist visas back in December .As with most corruption in the Thai and Lao society because they have to issue Tourist Visas free of charge employees and management are not able to skim large portions of the money for themselves when issuing visas so much easier to just deny the visa.

I mentioned last week here that two weeks ago when I was renewing a "B" Visa that I saw numerous applicants there told by the consular officer to "go to  the border and get your 15 day visa. Did not get a chance to ask any of these for a possible reason such as too many prior visas or such.

Part 2

I just re-read your post. It seems you do not have a work permit yet. And this is your first Non "B". In that case you will get a 3 month single entry. you can buy the multiple stamp (for a single entry more or for the full 3 months) for the 3 months period. During which time you can apply for your work permit. Then when you return with your work permit they will issue a one year multiple entry non "B".

Experts please correct me if I am wrong.

I have just returned last Friday from  my annual non "B" visa renewal trip to Penang. Make sure that the one preparing the documents understands EVERY document that you will need. They can email the consulate there. This year (my 10th year in Penang) they at first refused me as I did not (nor was never required in the past) a copy of my employment contract/agreement from my business. As the weekend was looming I pleaded with them and they allowed my accountant to fax a copy of the employment agreement.

He also made me go outside and get copies of every page in my work permit. New this time.

When I went to collect the passport with visa the (angry) Thai gent sternly reminded me to have all of my documents next time.

This same fellow seemed to advise his colleagues on numerous tourists visa applications to not accept them. I actually heard him tell several people to "........get their 15 days at the border". Seems to be the Poo Yai there.
It is apparent that this guy is not a happy camper.

In addition every year I seem to have compiled many documents for submission, like 40 to 50. this year like last the Penang Thai Consulate returned 21 of these stating they were not needed. Still better to have more than not enough.

Sorry to get so  wordy, but I know that every bit of intel helps all of the others  in their quest.

2 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

The land crossing limitation rules should be impacting the Laos and Thai and Cambodia and Thai land border crossing areas also.  I am sure there are many people and tourists and expats that go back and forth a lot, at least used to.  Total numbers and dollar amounts I don't know 

Many of my mates living in Laos are concerned about this.

5 hours ago, Maestro said:

Definitely a mistake made by the immigration officer, who perhaps did not pay enough attention when the visa-exempt rules were explained to him by his superiors or colleagues.

More like he never took any exam. Or cheated when he did (they are part of the police). And if he paid for the position figured he was above learning anything.Or was as possibly checking his Facebook account during any explanations or staff briefings.

41 minutes ago, lavender19 said:

Grasping at straws again as they say.

Thailand is just not value for money anymore.

But they just don't get it

And add to that the increasing crimes against the unwary tourist. Used to be these were only heard of occasionally. Now there are multiple daily occurrences. I am sure that much of this is due to the fact that the use of smartphones and social media is rampant nowadays. And it even increases the evidence of Thai vs Thai violence as depicted in the use of dash cams and such.

By the way CCTV now seems to be used quite selectively. Due to the many that are not working or scrutinize those that can afford not to be.

On 1/17/2017 at 6:15 PM, JESSVANPELT said:

9000 a month is the lowest legal wage


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

I always engage in small talk with any wait staff where I frequent. Most of the Thai owned business including Restaurants in our area of Samut Prakan refuse to employ Thais. Owners have told me this directly. They contend that the Thais are lazy when paid they will not show up for some days, and will steal money. Therefore many of these same owners have switched to Cambodian and Myanmar help. Unfortunately these same business owners pay below the minimum wage of 300THB/day. Staff have told me 6 to 8k/mo. And I can tell you they do work harder, show up on time every day, are rarely if ever sick, And will not steal money.

These business are car detail shops, petrol stations, nurseries, tire shops, restaurants driving ranges, etc, etc. This is not hearsay.

7 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Laptop checks are pre-flight (on the way out), checking it's not a bomb. Only reason I could think of that they'd power it on on the way back in is if they've been flagged for something else and are in the office being searched. What's that, 1000:1, 10,000:1? Or indeed that one is being watched for anti-junta behvaiour. But, yes, always a good idea to clear browsing data before entry: (CTRL, H) - browsing history/download history/cookies/cached images files + run through and delete any dodgy movies. 

The only incoming provisions set up for this I have ever heard of for  a fact is in the US for some returning from Thailand. This was a bit ago when the flavor of the month was for checking on child porn and kiddie fiddlers.

If done here there are no provisions in wither Immigration (too  busy already) Or customs. those few jokers are always too busy on Facebook to even look up.

On 1/14/2017 at 2:31 PM, Jingthing said:

Don't make excuses for these rude Thais.

When it happens, and it happens a lot, it's racism.

You don't count as much.

If you live here, you just learn to accept it.

It's the fault of both the vendor and the jumping customer.

The jumping customer obviously but a decent vendor will shut them down and serve you first. 

To expand on this thought a bit more. How many of us have heard Thais tell us to "go home farang"? Many really do despise (are jealous of) us just a bit behind the Thai smile.

..................how to contact the person who matters ............"

An expat manager at Foodland told me that as many times they pay new foreign suppliers very late, those same suppliers do not wish to have any further to do with them.

46 minutes ago, gettingno said:

No taxi no tuktuk there when I left, only two lonely cars in the parking lot thats why I asked a motorbike driver who just arrived  at the station to drive me to the Friendship bridge. Very polite guy, he even refused to take money from me for the ride so I have to force him to take it.

I do have one stupid question. How did you go out and come back in at the bridge when you were an illegal immigrant for that period?

4 hours ago, DSJPC said:

do US passports really have to go back to US for renewal?...never used to be...I had a passport stolen about 6 yrs. ago and a new one took 3-4 days at BKK Embassy...

FYI also deleted (01 Jan 2016) the addition of (3x26) in additional pages.  Even with the 128 pages total (50 + 78) in the past still never made even half of the 10 year validity.

20 hours ago, Falconator said:

I was at the Chiang Rai market. A lady selling wooden frogs was trying to sell them for much more expensive price to some European tourists.

 

Then she told me in Thai that she is selling it more expensive to them because they're Farang, and that she'd offer them to me for cheaper.

 

I'm ethnically Asian but am a US citizen, so I'm a Farang in disguise. So to be honest, I didn't like the way she said that. Unfortunately, this is how many Thais think, which is actually not too far off from how many Chinese also think.

Some Thai golf course offer Thai only promotions. Usually with my WP I am allowed to pay the "Thai' price. Except at a certain 27 hole course where they flat out told me: " Farang have more money".. 

On 11/10/2016 at 1:51 PM, NanLaew said:

Mrs NL is also partial to Boncafe. Personally, I find it a bit bland. However, I was working on a ship that had Boncafe beans that were bagged and labeled in Singapore and they were really quite good and tasted totally different from the stuff they sell in Thailand.

Boncafe has been around for a long time. Mostly due to their service (to the restaurant/hotel industry) and QC. Been my fav for 10+ years. Although they recently sold to the Italians. Haven't had much since then. Available in most mid to  upper scale supermarkets.

I will get your money. For a percentage.

7 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Whenever an official from a corrupt third-world country makes you pay for his mistake, you can be sure that the mistake was intentional - and that it is a scam.  (See my earlier story about my experience at the Vientiane airport.)

When I went downstairs at the Vientiane  airport to the TM I stopped by the TG desk. they stated that many a foreigner had experienced the same scam as I did. And early trip to Laos in the hundred or so subsequent Laos entries never a problem. But I now have a work permit and one year visa also to prevent this.

A bit different than your current situation. I once and only once did not check for my entry stamp when I entered by train at Tana Lang (near the Friendship bridge).  It cost me $100 to get out of Laos as I did not have an entry stamp when I was leaving at the VTE airport. If I were you I would go back to where you entered immediately and show them that you did not receive an entry stamp. Maybe they will give you one.

Because even if you try to leave and re-enter, you will not be allowed to leave without that entry stamp.

BTW I first refused to pay the 100usd as it was their fault. Were not going to let me leave w/o paying. Expensive way to l;earn to ALWAYS CHECK FOR THE PROPERLY DATED ENTRY STAMP TO ANY COUNTRY.

They are fine as long as the proponents continue to walk unknowingly backwards to their demise from building tops, cliffs and such venues.