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dtag
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I entered Thailand on a Non Immigrant O for Employment last August. My job was ending in June, but I planned to return to travel for about 6 weeks in the summer. I left before my visa was expired and flew to Phnom Penh to stay for 8 days and get a 60 day tourist visa. My work permit and Non O were cancelled before I returned. I flew in on Tuesday with a valid tourist visa from the Thai embassy and was taken to the immigration office at Phuket airport.
A younger immigration officer there who seemed to want to impress his older colleagues told me he "knew" I was coming back into work illegally. I explained my situation, showed him reservations for hotels for the start of my travels, and got my former employers on the phone to speak with him. He basically said he decided already I could not come in.
I had a total of 2 visa in my passport- the 1 Non Immigrant O , which was valid for the year I worked and the new tourist one that I was seeking to use now. I have never had any overstay , etc. He still acted as if I were a serial visa runner, and refused to listen to anything I said.
I was told I had to return to the place I flew in from, which was Phnom Penh. Just leaving the country on the first available flight was not allowed. Since the flight is not daily, I have been detained at the Phuket Airport for 3 days now, basically only leaving the detention room for a couple short meals a day. Keep in mind this is my first ever entry as a tourist.
I have had several different people detained with me for shorter periods during these 3 days to discuss their situations. Some have been what could be described as "visa runners". Others were people on vacation who came in with valid visas that were simply not accepted or were on short jaunts around SE Asia from their home country and just happened to be entering Thailand a second time.
The arbitrariness of it makes it seem as if the immigration officers are just trying to fill a quota of people they refuse entry to. Some chats I have had with some of the people "guarding" me makes it clear they have noticed a sudden escalation in people being refused entry and are finding it strange.
For now, I would advise any friends coming to Thailand to avoid flying into here. They are likely better off just entering in Bangkok taking a domestic flight down.
As for me, I'm taking my tourist dollars elsewhere- for good. Bye Bye LOS. You've really hit rock bottom when you won't honor visas from your own embassies.
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Maybe unenforceable (or no one will bother) but this is another example of the steady escalation of anti-farang laws. From the 15 day visa change to this, it becoming obvious that chasing away farang has become an official policy. With the economic downturn that is only just starting to hit home there will be more of this in the near future. I and others have also noticed an increased hostility to farang in day to day life over the last few months.
Good advice to anyone- if you have not tied yourself down here with wife/kids or investment- get out as soon as possible. The writing is on the wall - a society that rarely (if ever) can blame itself for causing any of its own problems, an increase in laws to inconvience foreigners, a major economic downturn and a culture based heavily on seeing fareng as less than Thai in every way
If the worst thing that happens to farang is that the just lose all their land property, I will actually be relieved. We've already seen several mysterious farang businessmen deaths.
As hard times hit home- who will be the scapegoat? You think any new Prime Minister or royalty that take charge will blame Thais or the government fo their own plight?
Thailand is not the only place to enjoy life as an expat - other places allow you to own property, a have visas that last months or years, and don't have a moral code that sees taking everything you can from foriegners as noble act.
We're not wanted or respected here, why should any farang stay?
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"Have lost" since last August or since when ? or will be loosing at the end of the school year?
What schools and approximately what numbers of students for each?
APIS, Lanna, PTIS, and NIS for four. Mid-year. Call them for the latest numbers.
Lanna has gained more than twenty students to its overall numbers since August, and has lost few Korean students. NIS planning on more students next school year (may or may not happen)
I've never understood why people give out completely wrong information on these forums.
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Funny, I had an ex girlfriend who always called me Mr Bean. Kind of as a affectionate thing. Then walking down the street a year or so later in Indonesia (can't remember which city) three kids ran out of a house calling me Mr Bean. Gave me a bit of flashback. I don't think I look like him really.
Seems to be a common thing to call foreigners in asia.
As a far as being called farang, if you want to live here you just have to let it go. Been here three years, realized after only a few months that for most Thais you will always be thought of first as a farang, with all that entails in thier minds. You could live here for decades, learn to speak Thai fluently, convert to Buddhism, have only Thai friends, marry a Thai woman and have Thai children and you will still be a farang- just one who knows things some other farangs don't.
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I am needing to go from Chiang Mai to Vientiane for visa. There is a lot posted on visa trips already, but little about the buses direct from udon to vientiane. I already have a Lao visa so I should be able to get on this bus. I am planning on leaving CM to Udon on Tuesday evening. I should arrive in Udon around 8 am I believe. Then as far as I know I go to a different bus station and board the bus diect to Vientiane. How difficult is it to get between the bus stations? I am assuming there will be tuk tuks all over like everywhere else in Thailand.
What are my odds of actually getting to the Thai embassy and getting processed on Wednesday morning if I do this? If so, would I get my visa on Thursday afternoon? If I do not arrive there on time, but go in first thing Thursday morning, will I definately get my visa on Friday?
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A friend and I are mulling over driving from Chiang Mai to the four thousand islands in Laos. We would likely stay one night in Ubon Ratchathani on the way. Could anyone help me with these questions:
How long does the drive from Chinag Mai to Ubon take?
The trip from Ubon to ten thousand Islands?
How difficult is it to get a car into Laos? Or would we be better off leaving the car inn Thailand?
Where is good to stay in Ubon, where good to go for food, drink, etc.?
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I live in Chiang Mai and am considering travelling around Isaan during an upcoming work holiday Oct 20 -28. I am loking for any suggestions on:
Places to go, things to see and do- I pretty much like doing anything interesting
Hotels , guesthouses
Nighttime activites
Best ways/ problems in getting around in the region
Also I am debating wheter or not to drive down in my car or rely on other transport.
Disadvantages I am seeing in driving are the chance of breakdown (have an old car) and just the distance form CM to there. So any advice on how good or not bringing the car would be I would appreciate
Blatant abuse of entry denials at Phuket Airport
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted · Edited by dtag
That's the full story on my end . I'm living it right now