bamboozled

The most annoying thing about the visa situation is the rules/no rules. There is what is written down on the consulate website or Immi website, but when you go there and speak directly, you get a slightly difference version. And come another day and get another slightly different version. That's been my experience. I've never brought my wife to Savannakhet and I've gotten 4 or 5 Non-O visas over the years. I just don't recall the signing thingy. Thanks Tod!

1 hour ago, khunjake said:

It may not be an issue but no guarantees. The signed ID card and house book should suffice. Definitely bring the original marriage certificate, both of them would be best to show current marriage is intact. From my experience, the consular officer there flips through everything very quickly and efficiently, i have only seen them hassle tourist visa applications that show too many issued already.

Thanks, Jake. That's my recollection as well.

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

Your recollection on this differs from mine. I can recall a single raid on a co-working space up in Chiang Mai that, in the end, resulted in no prosecutions, and which was widely regarded to have been a mistake.

 

Over the last decade, there have been raids on online workers in some very specific situations, but none on co-working spaces involving digital nomads with no Thai employer or Thai customers. That is in spite of the fact that the authorities are well aware of what is going on.

 

The authorities are well aware that the presence of digital nomads in Thailand benefits the economy. They have no desire to deter them. That said, they are not going to make a public announcement that the labour laws can freely be broken. When laws are not enforced, they are just quietly ignored. In the same way, Thailand is not going to announce that breaking the laws against prostitution is OK, but you will not find your hotel room being raided because you are in bed with a 25-yesr-old bar girl.

Hi Tim, you may be totally correct. No doubt they are aware. Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight or say you are wrong, necessarily. I just question where this "info" is coming from. Has it been stated somewhere that they have no desire to deter online workers? If so, that's great.

The mood in the air at the time of that raid in CM was pretty sour. I don't recall if there were many or just one. But teachers were getting nicked and kicked out, it seemed, left and right. In fact, there was, so it appeared, a large exodus of foreigners because things had gotten unpleasant. It really felt like we foreigners were not wanted here. Well, I certainly felt like that.

The fact is, unless I'm mistaken, any work in Thailand done without a work permit is illegal, still. Yes, the gov. does not want foreigners taking jobs away from Thais. But that doesn't mean that work that doesn't take a job away from a Thai is therefore legal. I have no crystal ball or friends in high places and maybe I'm stuck mentally in the past when folks were getting nicked all the time, so it seemed, for working online or carrying their own dirty plate back to the kitchen in their girlfriends restaurant just because they were going that way.

I guess, ultimately, my point is to not forget that whether condoned or not, I believe you can get into trouble for working without a work permit, if wrong place/wrong time/wrong person has it in for you.

I've done this run a few times but my memory ain't great. I don't think I ever took a note from wife. And I can't remember who signed certificate. Makes sense it would be both but....they don't really specify on the visa page requirements.

Where are folks getting this info that online work is condoned or 100% tolerated? I know lots of people do indeed do it and have had no problems and I have seen a lot of jabbering about it by all types both gov. officials and TV/Asean Now surfers/lurkers. But I'm not convinced that it's the same thing as condoned or 100% tolerated. Not that I've done specific research on the subject but I have been around the block a few times and would love to see this in writing somewhere. Again, not trying to be nit-picky just precise as possible.

I wouldn't go around shouting "I'm working online!" for all the world to hear. I guess I would be comfortable with the word "tolerated" but not the "100%" part and "tolerated" possibly only until the next muck raker gets a new rake.

Summation: it happens a lot and you most likely won't have an issue but I don't think there is any new law stating it is fine and dandy. Please correct me if I'm wrong and I hope I am. It's not THAT long ago that Immi was swarming co-working spaces and laying waste to online workers. Of course, I'm kind of old and time flies. Maybe it WAS that long ago.

Upward and onward with the arts... Cheers, folks!

Hi folks, flogging the dead horse here but: For Non-O based on marriage one of the documents is copy of marriage certificate. Do both husband and wife need to sign this? Wife is currently away and not available to sign it.

Thanks!

Hey guys,

Jumping back in here for a second. One question on documents needed for Savannakeht Non-O based on marriage. Copy of the marriage certificate...signed by both of us? Just the husband? Just the wife? Reason I ask...wife is away. I have the signed house book and ID but not signed marriage cert.

Thanks!

52 minutes ago, RayC said:

Thanks for the link.

 

Imo probably best to err on the side of caution and take the missus along. How could any woman resist the offer of a day out in CW?????????

Hmm, let me think a sec!

I found this: https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?p=14714

It doesn't actually say spouse has to be with you, strangely.

Got it, thanks!

Cowboy, what is needed for this extension, if you please? Passport photos, etc...etc...? Letter from wife?

2 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

Yes, the cost for the extension at immigration is 1900 baht.

To help you in future: My Non O ME Visa based on marriage to Thai from Savannakhet was issued in August of last year. I returned to Thailand the day after issuance, then extended that 90 day permit another 60, so I didn't actually leave Thailand until late January. I did a one day border bounce to Singapore on the day my permission to stay ended and received another 90 day stamp (to stay until late April). In April I extended that for 60 days until late June. I did another border bounce in mid-June, which gave me 90 days and would have taken past the expiration of the visa. I could have stay here and just extended that for 60 days, but I chose to leave Thailand the day before expiration to get a new 90 days stamp, which I ill extend for another 60 (so 17 months+).

Thank you, Cowboy. Wish I had known this a decade ago. Oh well, better late than never...

Well shoot....never knew that. Could reduce the number of border bounces. Is it 1900 baht?

A number of times I have flown (maybe take a Xanax?) to BKK timing it just so to catch the overnight bus to Muk which I think leaves at 8 in the eve or perhaps 10. Can't quite recall.

That's good news, fellers, thanks so much. It sounds like that will work out. I have been told in the past by another poster here that the 60 day extension to visit wife can be done once per visa and not once per 90 day entry. I've never tried to use it more than once so not sure which is correct. I'll report back when all is said and done.

Cheers!

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

This thread covers lot of points for ME Non O 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1303919-non-o-visa-and-when-to-start-extension/

Thanks Jack. Do you have any knowledge about whether there would be an issue to get a new visa at Savannakhet after doing a 60 day extension on my current visa? Hmm, the visa is now expired, come to think of it. But I have a valid stamp until next month. It occurs to me that I prob can't do the 60 extension because the visa is expired. That makes sense, yes?

I think I have this correct but would like to check with my brothers and sisters here on Thaivi...I mean Asean Now. My Non-O multi entry visa (to visit wife) will expire in about 10 days and I am planning to go to Savannakhet to renew. However, isn't it true that I can get a 30 or 60 day extension at immigration here in CM "to visit Thai wife"? And one can receive that once per visa? My last visa was issued in Savannakhet and I have not yet used this option. If indeed I can get this extension, is there anything in following this path that would prevent me from getting a new Non-O in Savannakhet  once the extension expires? That is, with this extension, I am able to kick the proverbial can down the road for 30 or 60 days. (I can't recall if the extension is for 30 or 60 days). Would immigration/the consulate look poorly on this? Thoughts folks?

Thank you!

I'm reminded of some of the absolute crap that comes out of China. Completely unusable stuff, such as extension cords, tools, lights, tape, etc... They are very inexpensive to buy and so you give it a try knowing it won't last long. However, it hardly lasts the trip home and either doesn't work at all or breaks immediately, all the while staining your hands with whatever cheapo colorant was used to disguise the turd. I understand the race to the bottom with cutthroat price competition but to make a product so cheaply that it doesn't even work right off the assembly line is....amazing.

It was all more exciting 20 years ago and I was, too.

Thanks so much, Vinny. And kudos to the guy that posted that. Good info for all of us in this here boat full of holes.

Cheers!

Hmmmm so...HCMC off the list and only Savannakhet remains. For how long? Don't walk, run. Thanks for the update. This is very helpful to me.

2 hours ago, vinny41 said:

HCMC website

2.5. Applicant’s financial statement of adequate finance is required.

https://hochiminh.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-o-accompanying-thai-spouse-and-family-members?page=5d80ab3315e39c2fe800a7ab&menu=5d80ab3315e39c2fe800a7ac

 Haven't seen any reports on what they mean in detail for 2.5

Think I'll just do Savannakhet again. They mention financials on the HCMC page and though not sure if that means 400k or just 20k. Anyway, just thought another trip to HCMC might be fun but the main thing is to get the visa so I'll do a trip to HCMC on my own time. Thanks for the input, Vinny.

Can I jump in here, fellas? My ME Non-O is due to expire in about 3 weeks (already at 15 months). I know the drill pretty much for Savannakhet. I haven't heard much mention recently about HCMC. I got one there before Covid prob over 5 years ago now. Are they still running just like Savannakhet for Non-O? That is, no funds necessary? (I, too, have run into issues with Wise not showing as international and the credit advice didn't help).

Lastly, does this also sound copacetic....? Going back to the US just before visa runs out. Come back in and get a 30 day stamp at airport. And in that 30 day window make my way to Savannakhet or HCMC to get a new ME Non-O based on marriage?

Thanks!