CyberViking

I hope that may be of interest to someone, anyway.

Yes, very helpful indeed! Am in Sihanoukville right now on a combination border run/relocation scouting trip, and was wondering about re-entry back through Hat Lek. I did notice that the only sign posted at the Arrivals window was about the 90-days-in-6-months rule. I did understand that it was a very easy crossing, so the info in your post is encouraging. That border crossing sees a lot of back-and-forth traffic from expats staying in Cambodia, so maybe that's why they're less stringent on onward travel and such. On the way out of Thailand, the immigration officer scrutinized my last couple of tourist visas and extensions, making copious notes on the back of my departure card. Hope to get back in on a 30-day stamp, start making arrangements to clear my current quarters in Thailand, and then come back down here next month and get a biz viz, which I will then extend for six months or a year. Am tired of the uncertainly and hassle of jumping through the visa hoops in Thailand. I can stay down here long-term a LOT more easily, and still visit Thailand as often as I'd like. But that's beside the point. (Oh, let me rant!)

Stayed in Koh Kong for one night on the way down, drinking Angkors at the Moto Bar and getting briefed on the paradise that is Cambodia by Douglas and friends. Caught the ferry down to Snooky the next morning. Have been here since the 25th. Might spend another day or two in Koh Kong on the way back. The only drawback with Koh Kong is that there are no ATMs, on which I am dependent.

One other thing: Don't let moto drivers tell you that you have to change your Thai baht into riel in Koh Kong. That's absolute nonsense 'cause baht is universally accepted, if not preferred. I believed the little sonuvagun who rode me in and took a significant hit on the transaction, getting only about 80 percent of what I should have. That was my own dumb fault, tho', 'cause I didn't do my homework. Any first-timers reading this are now smarter than I was when I first crossed the border.

Also, you may be told--as I was--that only those holding Cambodian ID cards can buy SIM cards for their mobiles. That's nonsense too. It's best to ask around about anything and everything. Don't believe the first answer you get on any particular question.

Put a cork in it tropo, no need for personal attacks. You are violating thaivisa rules. Not very nice my good friend

Ok my good friend, let me rephase the question:

How does saving almost 2,000 baht on an airfare to Penang indicate that I'm the type of person who would possibly sleep on a street to save money?

or:

Who prefers to pay 2,000 extra for an airfare to Penang if they can save that much through a little simple planning.

Obviously you're not the type to plan ahead, but it's not that difficult really. I just use my laptop to book the ticket with my credit card...it's really easy.

I put off booking my flight to Penang, waiting until the 8th to book for the 24th. It cost me 5,095 baht, which worked out to USD 41 more than I paid the last time.

Also, for the first time ever, I booked a hotel in advance. The Malaysia. They sent me an e-mail back saying they had only superior rooms at a promotion price of 110 ringit per night. I told them to go ahead and book me one of those, but I think I'm going to look around and change after the first night or so.

After all that expense, I hope I get my visa

ATM's are avialable in many places in Phnom Penh, dispensing USD.

And now in Sihanoukville also. Think visa costs are in the cambodia visa sticky

That's good news about the ATMs, as I had previously heard that Cambodia wasn't very much online with the rest of the world.

OK, I see the visa info now. I came straight to this thread from the "Recent Postings" e-mail and didn't see the sticky on the main forum page. So, business visas can be bought *on arrival* at the entry point? I'm thinking I'd probably go via land border.

After beating my head against the wall in Thailand since last October, this all looks WAY too easy

Assuming Penang and other consulates are doing this latest crackdown, do people think this is a permanent change or just another case of Thai official moodiness that will pass.

Well, looking at the two recent experiences reported here -- getting a fourth TV after having a warning stamp issued after the third, and the other getting a verbal warning from a visa agent without getting a warning stamp -- if it is an official policy, enforcement seems to be inconsistent, to say the least. I feel confident enough to go down there for my fourth later on this month, with the mindset that this may very well be the last. The uncertainty and hassles associated with staying here long-term are getting wearying.

I think the jury will still be out on this until we hear more on-the-ground experiences, including consistent issuing of warning stamps or even applications being turned down. I've been hearing from my visa agent in Penang since late June -- and read posts on this forum -- that there have been warning stamps issued *occasionally* and inconsistently after four or five in a row. But even now, seeing an actual stamp, the wording seems really wishy-washy: "may be". Why not just say, "Don't apply again," or, "Further applications will be denied"?

Because by stopping the tourist visas, it would now be impossible to live here long term without an O visa (also harder to get) using a combo of tourists, extensions, and 30 day stamps.

Well that's the thing: do the authorities want people living here long-term with anything less than an O visa or retirement visa or business visa?

When they introduced the day counting for 30 day stamps, officials were openly saying, its OK, you can still get tourists visas and stay here. We just want to check you out at an embassy/consulate.

Changed their minds, have they?

If they did, it would be nice if they would publish an official policy. Even the Pattaya Today article that talked about the three-visa limit was based on something one of their visa agents told them. Their visa agent contact said three's the limit; my visa agent told me there would be no problem coming down for a fourth. Who knows what the real story is?

Wait and see, wait and see ...

No, travel agents in Cambodia. You can get tourist visa extensions as well but biz are easier. If getting a biz visa you have to get a one month biz visa first and then extend it.

Roj that. Thanks for the reply. I think I'm soon going to part of the long-term Thailand expat crowd relocating to Sihanoukville.

What are the costs for the biz visas and extensions?

What about my other question about int'l ATM availability?

The way to stay long term there are the long term business visas, renewed periodically, indefinitely. No actual business needed; you do it through travel agents.

Travel agents here in Thailand?

Asking because I'm working on Plan B now that staying in Thailand much longer doesn't look like it's going to be an option.

Visas

One month tourist visas or one month business visas are available on arrival at the airport and at most border crossings. Business visas can be extended indefinitely and only 6 mnth and above are multiple entry.

What else?

Are there long-term tourist visas?

What about ATM accessibility?

Addendum to my last:

I am perhaps the eternal optimist, but it strikes me that the information presented in the newspaper article is simply a rehash of threads that appeared on this forum back in late June and early July, addressing both the issuing of "warning stamps" and one-year non-immigrant "O"s by the Penang consulate.

I'm not packing just yet. I think this is another instance of somebody pulling on our chains.

In any case, it's likely that past visas won't count toward the new max of 3 per person for the reasons I mentioned. If they do, they we will all have to high-tail it back home a little sooner than I expect.

For what it's worth, I just now phoned my visa agent in Penang and asked him if I'd be able to obtain another tourist visa from there since I already had 3 back-to-back. He said there was a new policy, but, "No problem." I asked again for clarification, explaining once again that I already had 3 tourist visas from there. He again said to come on down, no problem. It seems that if the info about the three-visa limit is true, the consulate is not counting previous visas ... again, based on what my visa agent told me just a few minutes ago.

Has anybody heard anything different from the consulate itself or their own visa agents down there?

Their accommodation is nothing special, but if you are are only staying for one night, it doesn't really matter too much. If you plan to stay more than one night I would suggest finding somewhere nicer to stay...depending on your budget of course.

Last time I was down in Penang I stayed a week ... at the Hotel Malaysia. I had stayed there on a previous visit for four nights, but thought it was a bit too pricey for a relatively long-term stay (99 ringit per night). I'm thinking of nix-ing the 30-day extension on my current TV and just going down there to apply for another 60-day TV (I need a break from Pattaya after two months). Maybe stay *two* weeks in Penang the next time. Heck, you get a 90-day visa-exempt entry stamp, so why not enjoy it for a while, huh? Saw a "heritage" guest house in the course of wanderings on my last visit, called the Hutton House, that looked pretty cool. I checked the website, and the prices are pretty reasonable--like, half of what I was paying at the Malaysia. Might try there. Agree that if your going for just a very short stay, any of the quaint li'l guesthouses on Chulia Street might be suitable, but I like my comfort.

I admit I haven't been following this as closely as some, but my question is: Can a tourist stay indefinitely in Thailand by using a tourist visa, extended to 90 days, then using exempt status up to the maximum of 90 days (three border runs), then get another Thai tourist visa in a neighbouring country, and so on?

What you suggest is possible *right now*, but the regulations governing visas are subject to change without notice at any moment. There's no saying what's going to be acceptable a month from now, a week from now, or even a day from now.

If he's in Farangland right now, he should be able to easily obtain a long-term non-imm O visa or multiple-entry tourist visa from a Thai consulate or embassy in his home country. That would see him through the next six months to a year with no problem. Check the Thai Royal Consulate/Embassy website for his home country for details on requirements and fees.

After that, assuming the current regulations are still in place, he would be able to do the visa-exempt runs (not to exceed 90 days of visa exempt status in a six-month period), or obtain short-term tourist visas (60 days, extendable to 90 for 1,900 baht) from a Thai consulate/embassy in a neighboring country (Malaysia or Singapore are the most user-friendly at this time).

I personally think the border runs for the 30-day visa-exempt entry permits should be avoided. Keep those visa-exempt days "in the bank", so to speak, for emergencies.

All from Penang connected.

No yellow text whit any warning.

OUTSTANDING! Congrats. Did you do 30-day extensions with all of them?

Sorry I have to start a new thread regarding that topic.

Unfortunately I got disputed informations about how many tourist visas I can apply in 360 days.

I have heard from 2/year, by a travel agency who is responsible for visa runs, also for tourist visa.

Another declaration have told as many as you want.

It's very important to get a clear and correct answer maybe with any link.

thanks

It's a bit premature to be able to say how many tourist visas will be given per year because not even a full year has elapsed since October1, 2006.

Assuming you're talking about single-entry visas, only 4 would be required in a year, and we've heard from several members who have attained that many from Penang.

Many have received 3 back-to-back from Penang.

Different Consulates and Embassies have different policies, but definitely your travel agency doesn't have a clue.

Speculation A: Something got lost in translation??? Perhaps the agency was talking about the routine whereby you do two 180-day blocks (60-day TV + 30-day extension + 3 x 30-day visa runs). That accounts for the "2/year" and "360 days" mentioned by the OP. I kinda sorta think one of the local visa run outfits sells a package something like that.

Speculation B: (As stated in the last quote), the agency was referring to the number of TVs that could be gotten from a specific consulate/embassy.

Can anyone please explain what this circled 3 means?. Can I go back to Vientiane, Laos and apply for a new 60 day tourist visa?. I spoke to a friend from switzerland and he said that he belived it meant that i had to leave the kingdom for 3 months or more. Is this true?.

The circled 3 means you had 3x30-day entry stamps within 180 days. You can only get three 30-day visa exempt entry stamps in a 180-day period. A tourist visa does not "restart" the 180-day clock. Same thing happened to me back in April at Ban Laem, when I miscalculated and was, like, 11 days short of the 180 days.

You going to have to try for another tourist visa from a Thai consulate/embassy in another country. I myself quit doing the 30-day border runs 'cause of all the associated hassle (and waste of passport pages). By the looks of things in this thread, even tourist visas might start getting iffy. One hopes for the best. Good luck.

1 year ago, new regs came out cracking down on 30 day visa runners. At that time, many people in this very forum who had their visas sorted scoffed and laughed at the visa hardships being suffered by those affected. They screamed and yelled at the runners to "get legal" "get a proper visa" etc etc. They offered no solutions, just looked down on all of them. They rejoiced at the crackdown, saying it was a wonderful thing and hoped for more.

i never read a posting of that kind.

I certainly did. There were many. And many people must still feel that way, you would have to assume. The officials are always right according to them. If you can't adjust or get caught on some insane Kafkaesque technicality, good riddance! Glorious Thailand doesn't need scum like you!

Of course there were a whole bunch of those posts back in Sept when up to 1000 users were reading the threads on the new regulations right after they were announced. Who could ever forget? Anyone making a claim that no such postings were prevalent in those threads, clearly could not have read them. I hope these tightenings on visa requirements don't continue to snowball. They don't do anybody any good at all IMO

Heck, those kinds of posts still pop up from time to time. Except that back then they were trashing the 30-day visa runners, and now they're trashing the tourist visa runners. Pretty soon, I guess, as the pecking order progresses, the business visa holders will be posting stuff trashing the retirees or something.

The bottom line, I think, is that the Thai gov't, by continually raising the bar on the visa requirements, is showing they want the Westerners out. That's a sentiment that even some locals have quietly expressed to me over the past few months. Oh, they're not hostile about it: just expressions such as "Thailand is for Thais" and such, and the belief that that we Westerners, for better or worse, are now on our way out.

I'm still hanging on and was planning to try for a retirement visa once I hit 50 (military retiree), but as it is now I'd just as soon relocate to a friendlier and more secure tropical location.

Normally, customer buy 1 of wifi ID, and use internet for 2 computer in hotel?

I doubt that you could use both computers *at the same time*. If you were already logged into the network on one machine, the network wouldn't allow another machine to log-in with the same userid and password.

You guys need to get away from your computers and get out more.

Oh, I was out plenty! I would typically head out on foot in the morning. My exploring was limited to mostly the town proper, but I did take a cab out to the Botanical Park and walked around there for about an hour-and-half. I also hired a rickshaw for a tour one afternoon, during which I saw the Church Street Pier, the Kapitan Keling Mosque, Chew Jetty, the Khoo Kongsi, two or three other assorted Chinese temples, Little India, and other sights. I also visited Fort Cornwallis, and took a cab out to the Botanical Park and walked around there for about an hour-and-a-half. Also strolled the Esplanade and visited the world-renowned Hong Kong Bar. I came back with over 400 trip pictures. The last time I was there (back in April for four days), I went a bit farther afield, taking a bus out to Batu Ferringhi. I'd have done more on this trip if the weather had been better, but the rain--or threat of rain--held me back.

As I said, I like Penang. There's lots of history down there.

Thanks for the tips on the other worthwhile spots. I'll check 'em out the next time, assuming that I go there for another TV at some point.

Whoever said the guy posting about the warning was a wind up, looks to be correct. No wonder he refused to post a scan of this supposed "stamp"

I agree, but there must have a little bit of substance to it, 'cause even *my* visa agent in Penang told me at the time (in e-mail and on the phone) that he was seeing warnings issued with some of the tourist visas he processed. But only heaven knows what the real story was.

In any event, it doesn't appear to be happening now, so that's good!

me too, got it yesterday back. the fourth TV in penang, the last three in a row and the in first september last year. no special stamp.

Fourth??? Cool!!! Sounds like the consulate in Penang is still visa-runner-friendly. Let's all hope the consulate staff continues to be so generous with the tourist visas.

Yeah, can usually do the visa overnight, which is what I did the first time I came down here. I stayed four nights the second time, and this time I'll have stayed a week (leaving Sunday). I like Penang; it's a good break from Thailand. Great food. I'll save the nightlife stuff for Thailand, tho' ... Penang's better for the daytime amusements.

My hotel of choice, too, has been the Hotel Malaysia. I paid 92 for my room this time ... smaller than the 99-RM-per-night room I had the last time, and without a refrigerator. Best wifi access is down in the lobby, where the wireless router is located. I've got a "very low" to "low" signal up here on the 7th floor, but it's still usable.

Regards to all.

Greetings from Penang. I just got my third back-to-back TV, no warning stamps or other bad voodoo. Actually got a receipt this time too: price was up to 110 ringit. My agent charged me a whopping 140 ringit for the whole deal.

Has anybody out there gotten a fourth or better back-to-back recently?

That's good news CyberViking. The going rate for most agents was 20 ringgit...has that gone up too?

I don't know. I haven't run into any other visa-runners on this trip with whom to compare prices. The agent I used this time (and the other two times) quoted me 130 in e-mail a few weeks ago, and that was *after* the price of the visa had gone up. But when I dropped off my passport at his office on Wednesday he told me 140. On the next trip--assuming there IS a next trip--I'm going to use a different agent. Besides the 30-ringit service fee, which I figured at the time wasn't right, I just wasn't too satisfied with the way he did business this time around.

I want to know that anybody got special stamp or not?

See this post in this topic.

--

Maestro

Greetings from Penang. I just got my third back-to-back TV, no warning stamps or other bad voodoo. Actually got a receipt this time too: price was up to 110 ringit. My agent charged me a whopping 140 ringit for the whole deal.

Has anybody out there gotten a fourth or better back-to-back recently?

<br />I queried this earlier but, for speculations sake, do you think that <i>for example</i>.. if someone used up all their exempt stamps in Oct, Nov, Dec, then went out and came in on a TV + extension x2 (totaling a 6 months of tv's), then they could come back in on an exempt because it is past the 6 month period? <br /><br /><i>I tell you what tho', i dont want to be the first one to try.</i><br />

This is my understanding, based on (a bad) experience: You would/should have been able to get a 30-day entry stamp after the first 60-day tourist visa + 30-day extension, *_IF_* it had been more than 180 days since the date of the first entry stamp.

I used up my three 30-day stamps in Oct, Nov, and Dec, did a 60-day TV + 30-day extension (covering Jan, Feb, Mar), and then made a border run for another 30-day stamp in Apr. Unfortunately, I miscounted my days and was short of the 180. Immigration generously gave me a 5-day stamp to help me reach the 180-day mark/ I could have gone back after that for another 30-day stamp, but I opted to do a short-notice run to Penang for another TV. Even this month again, I'm opting for the TV in lieu of a 30-day stamp. Those border runs are just too iffy nowadays.

. OK, the consulate in Penang is stamping a warning. A new guy took over the visa section, and maybe he's just trying to show he's on the job.

i remember last year june/july was some report that now you get in penang only single entry stamps. was a big surprise for everybody here in the forum.

after 3 weeks or so it turned out the 'new guy' was somekind of holiday replacement. after that it was going back to the usual double or mutiple entry again. until the new rules coming on 1. of october of course.

Well, there ya' go! Maybe the same thing is happening this year.

. OK, the consulate in Penang is stamping a warning. A new guy took over the visa section, and maybe he's just trying to show he's on the job.

i remember last year june/july was some report that now you get in penang only single entry stamps. was a big surprise for everybody here in the forum.

after 3 weeks or so it turned out the 'new guy' was somekind of holiday replacement. after that it was going back to the usual double or mutiple entry again. until the new rules coming on 1. of october of course.

Well, there ya' go! Maybe the same thing is happening this year.

Nobody in the forum has yet reported a tourist visa application being denied because of this. Indeed, has anyone even reported receiving the warning?

Will we ever receive such a report?

Would anyone with an actual remark in their passport from an earlier visa run take the risk of flying all the way to Penang to test it out?

I wouldn't.

Well, I could have been a bit clearer in my post. What I _actually_ meant was, "Nobody in the forum has yet reported a tourist visa application being denied because they _already had four or five in a row_." And, according to the e-mail I got yesterday (not to mention other postings in this thread), even having four TVs in a row isn't stopping people from getting another right now.

We obviously *won't* know for another two or three months if any of these warning endorsements actually prevent anyone from getting another TV, whether they apply again in Penang or Vientiane or Singapore or wherever.