designersing

A week before is fine.

Clear, precise and straight to the point! Cheers Lopburi3! What would we do without you?!....

Thanks mate

DSG

I recently received my first Tourist visa which is stamped up to 25th January, I believe I can then extend this for upto another 30 days at Suan Pluu immigration Office in Bangkok. The question I ask being, do I have to allow for 21 days left on my 2nd month (eg.apply for 30 days extra during 1st-4th January) in order to extend or can I apply a week before the stamp expires (25th Jan)?

Thanks in advance, this is my first tourist visa and would like to check the details beforehand so I am prepared for the end of January.

Very best

DSG

My Update from Thai Embassy Laos:

I went and applied for a double entry tourist visa on the monday, to see if it is possible (on a monday) to obtain the double. After handing in the application form (which I marked a x2 Double next to the tourist visa box) the man at the cash counter asked for 1000b, I said excuse me it should be 2000b correct? he said no, single entry, I politely asked why I couldnt have a Single and he said "I dont know" with an emberassed look on his face.

I left and came back the next day (after 1pm for collections) to pick up the visa, and was therefore given a single entry. I have no tourist visas previous only a non-b, from my experiences other people did not also recieve the double only singles, and I would probably argue a guess that this was because of someone at the office who will not issue doubles on a Monday. The waiting time and huge ques at the Embassy on monday were frightening, I would not go back there on a monday to apply for a double, In my experience you will NOT receive the double. Hope this helps some people out.

Edit: Anyone planning to go to Laos and apply for said visa who needs any questions answering, feel free to PM me here at thaivisa.

Best

DSG

Strange.

Were you there monday 26/11 ?

I also marked a "x2" next to the tourist visa box and 120 days after "purposed length of stay". I also politely asked (in Thai) if I could get a double entry tourist visa and he said "yes, sure" (in English). He was very friendly. I also had no tourist visa before this trip, only two 30 day stamps and a non-b (from 2002 to 2007). I'm French. I was traveling with a German guy who also got the double entry TV. I saw 4 Americans handing 2000 bahts for the 2 entry TV. Later in the morning, I met French, Swiss and English men who were also granted the double entry TV.

Question : are you one of those two middle-aged Americans, first and third in the queue, who didn't smile and dressed quite impolitely (according to Thai standards) ?

BTW, monday morning, there was no man working at the cash counter, only two Lao women. The only man on duty that morning was working at the application counter. And he was the decider.

Hi, Indeed strange. I marked the x2 next to the tv box, and also wrote 120 days for length of stay. I always dress very smart for Embassy/Consul visits. At the time I reached the application desk with my form there WAS a man taking in the applications, I then noticed it was HE who answered "I dont know" to my may I ask why I cannot get a double please. I also spoke to MANY others who did not recieve doubles, including an American and an Italian guy. I have no idea why they didnt accept my application other than they have a quota per day, or they just didnt like the look of me? Either way I would advise NOT to apply on a monday, but if you want to try it out go ahead, I am just posting here to let people know others experiences.

best

DSG

Do you think if you had gone any other day of the week, you would have obtained a double entry TV?

Also, does anyone know if the double entries are being given only to those who have not had previous TVs?

I have had 3 TVs so far. Not back to back. Plus x2 entry stamps from Myanmar, would like to know if anyone can give an idea of what my chances are. (I'll also take copies of bank statements, in case they ask)

eek, I would say your chances are better if you apply any other day than a monday, also I have never

had any tourist visa before, only a non b used up for 15 months. I would advise you to steer clear of monday applications for doubles, as I and others didnt recieve it, and also I spoke to other thaivisa members there at the consul (amazing whom you meet from tv.com) who also did not receive, put simply, you will not receive the double.

Best

DSG

My Update from Thai Embassy Laos:

I went and applied for a double entry tourist visa on the monday, to see if it is possible (on a monday) to obtain the double. After handing in the application form (which I marked a x2 Double next to the tourist visa box) the man at the cash counter asked for 1000b, I said excuse me it should be 2000b correct? he said no, single entry, I politely asked why I couldnt have a Single and he said "I dont know" with an emberassed look on his face.

I left and came back the next day (after 1pm for collections) to pick up the visa, and was therefore given a single entry. I have no tourist visas previous only a non-b, from my experiences other people did not also recieve the double only singles, and I would probably argue a guess that this was because of someone at the office who will not issue doubles on a Monday. The waiting time and huge ques at the Embassy on monday were frightening, I would not go back there on a monday to apply for a double, In my experience you will NOT receive the double. Hope this helps some people out.

Edit: Anyone planning to go to Laos and apply for said visa who needs any questions answering, feel free to PM me here at thaivisa.

Best

DSG

Two days as counted from morning submit day 1 and afternoon receive next workday.

Many thanks for clarifying that Lopburi, that makes more sense, much appreciated.

Best

DSG

Previous reports have said the two entry is seldom issued on Monday so another piece may fit the puzzle.

I asked for a double entry tr visa last monday, and was rejected by the people taking the money.

Didn't say anything about why or any mention of any bankbook.

Hi, any of you fellas know how long it takes for the application to be processed? Just checked with the Embassy website and it says 2 days for tourist visa, this sounds a bit drawn out surely! anyone with recent experience able to comment please, thanks in advance for any feedback!

Best

DSG

Hi there, anyone know the price of the two TR visa? I have searched and have noted the following, please can anyone confirm this is up to date pricing info:

Visa on arrival for Laos (30 days) 1500b (35usd)

Single entry TR1 tourist visa 1000b

Dble entry TR2 tourist visa 2000b

points to possibly note, mondays can be a difficult day to obtain a double, also they may ask your for a thai bank book, also you need a photocopy of your passport (phot) page, 2 x passport photos and the cash and the filled in form, phew! A tourist visa is valid for 60 days and can be extended 30 days at the nearest Immigration office. Fee 1,900 Baht (as per 2003-08-26).

Im guessing this is all correct above! oops! EDIT! Do I need to show any form of onward travel ticket at the Thai Embassy in Laos?

Thanks for your help!

DSG

I look forward to your reply from the Embassy designersing. Also looking forward to the 100 Baht you were willing to bet.

Thais can enter Laos without a visa, they don't even need a passport as they can get a border pass. I took my girlfriend with me when I went earlier this week.

Norrad, well I did'nt receive any answer from them as I couldnt get through! Maybe I owe you that 100b already lol! Tell you what, would you settle for two bia chaang instead?!

DSG

I'm sure many of you will be with me on this one, I wouldn't usually make such an effort here to deserve somebody of an award, or try to brown nose, as we have people in all threads giving useful advice, but I would like to think this person should be recognised as one of the best advisors of useful and experential info with regard to visa info for Thailand.

My vote and the reason for this thread goes to Lopburi3 for his resourceful, outgoing, helpful thai visa advice, you cant knock him, he can answer all questions. So therefore my vote goes to Lopburi3

If you think it is a nice idea to award people for their hard work and knowledge, feel free to join me and post below!

Double entry requires that you have a Thai Bank book with you. No mention of funds was made, only that they wanted to see a bank book.

I still do not believe you whatsoever. Do backpackers travelling in south east asia also have to have a thai bank book to apply for a dble entry tv in this circumstance? I doubt your words very much. I will send a pm to Lopburi3 who I am sure will clarify things here, as there seems to be fairy tales going round with this thread.

I'm with you on that one. If you read the entire thread that Norrad was kind enough to link, there's only one person on there talking about needing an account to get a double entry TV...and he was saying that he was told that 800,000 was necessary. I questioned this (along with others) and he never responded.

I'm sure he was confusing a TV with a retirement non-O which requires 800,000 on a Thai bank account.

In that thread there were 2 people who mentioned they had received double-entry TV's from Vientiane. Neither of them mentioned anything about having to show a Thai bank account.

Let's keep this thread alive and see if anyone can verify Norrad's story.

Agreed. This is a subject which I feel many members here will benefit through knowing the correct details, and I will report back with my experiences as and when. I appreciate everyones input above, just want to make sure of the facts (as they stand at present) to assist myself and others and put something back into thaivisa.com, as many people have helped me out no end here.

Best

DSG

Designersing, I've had it go both ways. At one point I had 95 visa exempt days with a 7 day

extension stuck in there. And to be honest, I've also gone to the border and had them give

me a 23 day stamp because they didn't want to add them together. Just a heads-up that

it's a very gray area. http://www.thaiembassy.org/vientiane good info and app there.

Hey Cali, thanks for the heads up. Also I have friends here on tv whom you have given advice and input to previously, which has helped them dearly. Thanks for your experience here mate.

Best

DSG

I still do not believe you whatsoever. Do backpackers travelling in south east asia also have to have a thai bank book to apply for a dble entry tv in this circumstance? I doubt your words very much. I will send a pm to Lopburi3 who I am sure will clarify things here, as there seems to be fairy tales going round with this thread.

They will give you a single without any problems. Backpackers should only need a single.

Call them and ask about what they will need for a double, then come and let everyone know. You seem very sure of yourself, for someone who has only been doing 30 day runs and never had a tourist visa before. Come grovelling back when you are sure of the facts. I am only telling you what happened from personal experience 3 days ago.

Backpackers also like to apply for double entries also, but I will call them and find out the info, just to put the likes of you correct, and also I AM sure of myself (well, according to my gf) and no your wrong again, read the original post I stated that I have had a Non B for 15 months. Listen up, I appreciate your feedback here, I will find the real info and put you wrong.

DSG

Double entry requires that you have a Thai Bank book with you. No mention of funds was made, only that they wanted to see a bank book.

I still do not believe you whatsoever. Do backpackers travelling in south east asia also have to have a thai bank book to apply for a dble entry tv in this circumstance? I doubt your words very much. I will send a pm to Lopburi3 who I am sure will clarify things here, as there seems to be fairy tales going round with this thread.

No one will have a definitive answer for you . Not even Lopburi.

Why don`t you give the Embassy a ring and ask them yourself.

Embassy Laos

thanks for the link, will call them today and let everyone here know of the answer to this. Cheers mate.

Best DSG

Double entry requires that you have a Thai Bank book with you. No mention of funds was made, only that they wanted to see a bank book.

I still do not believe you whatsoever. Do backpackers travelling in south east asia also have to have a thai bank book to apply for a dble entry tv in this circumstance? I doubt your words very much. I will send a pm to Lopburi3 who I am sure will clarify things here, as there seems to be fairy tales going round with this thread.

Double entry requires that you have a Thai Bank book with you. No mention of funds was made, only that they wanted to see a bank book.

Eek! A Thai Bank Book? Are you sure? This seems impossible for somebody wanting a tourist visa! Please can you clarify your experience, as I somehow doubt a Thai bank book is required, even on a non b without work permit people have failed to open a bank account, so I suggest your comments are incorrect, possibly you mean to show details of your financial status, ie, savings to substantiate your application to the officer, but please put me wrong. I'll put 100b on it that you don't, troll worthy for sure.

Best

DSG

If you do a search you should find some recent threads about experiences in Vientiane.

No documentation is required.

There have been several recent reports of people getting double-entry tourist visas there.

Cheers tropo shall do another search, just need to confirm details , thanks for your input mate.

Best

DSG

Any advice from the the expert tv members much appreciated,

I'm on my last 30 day exemption stamp from Ban Laem (Daung,Cambodian/Ban Laem, Thai Border) My 'stamp' expires 24th Nov, and I will go to Laos to apply for said Tourist Visa. I have never had a Tourist Visa before.

I have had a Non B previous (Utilised 15 months), 3 exemption stamps and plan to get a TV from Laos net week. Please can you advise with recent experience which docs are required for the TV, also Is a multi entry tourist visa available here? I would like to obtain a 2month TV which I can then extend at suan plu for an extra 30 days.

Many thanks in advance, this is the best Thai forum ever! Thanks!

DSG

Designersing, you really have about a 50/50 chance of getting a 7-day after you have already

used up your allotted 90 days. In theory, you're trying to expand the number of visa-exempt days

you get and you're maxed-out. It really is a judgement call depending on the individual officer.

If you only had one or two 30-day stamps it would be more likely. Just so you're prepared.

Hi Cali, thanks for your comments, I hear you and your correct in saying so, I just hope that under my own personal circumstances/situation I can arrange this. If not, no big deal I will have to travel to Laos to apply there for a Tourist visa, which brings me onto my next question, but I will post this in a new thread, the question being, What are the current requirements in order to obtain to TV at Laos?

Thanks for your input above fellas

Best

DSG

You should go to Laos and obtain a tourist visa. The most you could get as an extension of stay would be 7 days.

Cheers Lopburi, I thought as much, Bugger! Thanks for the reply mate.

Best

DSG

Any advice from the the expert tv members much appreciated.

I'm on my last 30 day exemption stamp from Ban Laem (Daung,Cambodian/Ban Laem, Thai Border) My 'stamp' expires 24th Nov, and I wonder if I can extend this 'Stamp' at Suan Plu on the basis I/We will become wed shortly.

I have had a Non B previous (Utilised 15 months), 3 exemption stamps and possibly plan to get a TV from Laos if all else fails. Please can you advise with experience that I am able to extend my stay at Suan Plu for said circumstance. I am stuck with no idea as to what to do re:visa.

Many thanks in advance,

DSG

"I would like to give a word of caution to people passing through the new airport at Suvarnabhumi in Samut Prakan Province. Do not be tempted to steal anything"

thanks for the sound advice, your mum must be proud of you.

Interesting, I would presume there would be plenty of opportunities for accommodation under 8k per month in Hua Hin, its just a matter of getting down there (or up there) and checking the places out. I'd also be interested in renting a place here, so far my listing - phuket/rayong/hua hin. Any recommendations for cheap rooms/apartments?

I live up on Phahonyothin too, the noise here is minimal most of the time, yet some nights we are awakened by the soi dogs outside, they all seem congregate for a midnight howl singalong!

Silly fools - ji jaa จิ๊จ๊ะ

awesome track