bjhabal

so no point of printing your form - the form probably suppose to be mashine readable and to store on files, so might need a proper size and gramature of the paper

on every internationl flight the crew hands out the form

London Thai

Have you seen a Form TM 88 ?

Did you open the offered form?

Visa on Arrival Forms are NOT handed out on ANY International Flights.

Kindly refrain from giving wrong information.

They are available ONLY at the Airport and other points of entry.

I have not been able to find any official place to download the form

- even after requesting assistance on this Forum.

I have seen Passengers arrive with completed Forms - but I guess they are Regular Travellers

who have collected a supply of the Forms on a previous visit.

You can’t download the arrival card from anywhere, only original one is accepted. Some airlines distribute arrival cards on their flight and some don’t.

Some borders still use the old paper version when they are out of stock, and one time they refused to accept my new version, which I reserved from a previous entry; so don’t be surprised.

Bishop

I am getting a new passport and will have used up my 90 days next time I leave the country. Could anybody tell me if this will allow me to do another 30 day border run as there will be no record of previous visits in my new passport or will it be stored on computer and therefore be noticed at the border post?

Thanks in advance.

as lopuri says they transfer all paperwork/ passport/ visa details etc accross to new passport, ive heard on here it can be done in a imigration office, i however got it done at the border of laos, and these guys dont like paperwork, and they let me know, was sat about for a while whilst they did every other job before sorting mine out, so maybe just ask at embassy if indeed you can go imigration office, might be same but might save hassles!

"Could anybody tell me if this will allow me to do another 30 day border run"

gonna presume you have come on 3 x 30 days?

options if above, 7 days ext from imigration

go to a nabouring country get a tourist visa, basically 60 days but quite a bit more as you learn!

now sounds a bit of hassle but if you want to stay awhile longer, and only takes a couple of days!

click this below and read it, got some do's an dont's & good info from many on here

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=158561

"and therefore be noticed at the border post?"

these guys have seen us all before, and the "well i didnt know officer" dont do owt out here!

chris

ps hows ya lump!

Lopburi3 is right, they will transfer your detailed last entry (visa or visa exemption) to your new passport but that’s all. However this procedure began only after they started implementing the maximum of 90 in 180 days stay, which means (probably) it is their way to find out if you have completed your 90 days or not; as before this implementation you would only be required to show your old passport alongside the new one. I have changed several passports before and two after that date, most of them for lack of empty pages (well I travel a lot), and I did the transfer for the first one in Aranyaprathet/Poipet border and the second at the immigration office in Bangkok; the later was much faster, because though you have to wait for your turn at the immigration office but at least you know where the boss (who should sign it) is; at the border they either have to wait until he comeback from his inspection tour or go to find him for you if you are a nice guy.

Bishop

First I have to admit that I own Chris an apology for my over reacting and I think that I have lost my sense of humor at that moment, so forgive me Chris, I really should'nt take it personally. cheers pal.

Second I would like to add some tips for “usernamex” might help him a bit during his long journey.

As you decided to stay at the Kenkana lodge, I suggest that you call them first from a public telephone outside Suria hotel to see if they have a vacant room and what is the rate (usually around 50 Ringet or B.500) and whether they still have the HBO channel or not as you can’t be sure what will happen from one day to the next at this part of the world.

To reach the hotel you can either take a taxi (no meter, so you have to bargain), which you really don’t need unless you are carrying a heavy luggage or walk but it is a little bit tricky as the name's signs of the small streets in KB are not always clear.

Put Suria hotel on your right side and go straight to the main road (Jalan Kebun Sultan or Jalan Padang Garong, it is the same road but with two different names). Now from here straight is the Thai consulate (about one kilometer). However to go to “Kenkana hotel, turn left on the main road and walk to the next junction, where the left side street is the city center (many restaurants, shopping centers and the night market), on the right side street you might see “Kenkana lodge” sign at the corner, so cross the main road and go straight in this street and the hotel should be in a small lane on your right hand (I think it is the third lane) and you will be able to see the hotel before you enter the lane. However “E “n” E” hotel is in the same lane but left side of the street (unfortunately there is no sign of the hotel at the corner, and you can’t see it from the main street).

By the way, what is your means of transportation to KB; the reason I am asking is because if you are taking a flight, then there is no problem and you can take a taxi directly fro the airport to the hotel; but if you are going by road (train, bus, etc.) I might be able to give you some more tips to assist you in your journey. Post me if you are interested.

Cheers.

Bishop

This hotel was my first choice too, it is located just oposit the bus station, however thier TV programs are local, which means if you don't speak Malay or Indian, then there is nothing to wach during the long evening time; that was during my last visit, so check it out first, maybe they have added a movie channel now, if not then you can check with several hotels in the area falling under the same range of prices (50-70 Ringet).

My favourit hotels at this range are:

1. Kencana Lodge: Lot PT 316-PT 324, Jalan (street) Sri Cemerlang, Kebun Sultan, 15350 KB.

Tel. 09-747 7222, 746 1073, 747 3139 Fax: 09-744 0181.

2. E "n" E: Located in the same lane but opposit side; it is owend by chiese and most of its customers are singaporean, so it is a little harder to find room available there. This hotel has another branch but further in distance, and the address is: Lot 2, Seksyen 8,Blok A,B,C,D Jalan Merbau Tel.09 743 9968 .

Both hotels are very near to the bus station too and both of them have HBO channel, in fact they were the only two hotels with moveie chanels under 150 Ringet.

Money changer are not everywhere so remember to change at a shop just behind Suria hotel, and when you arrive to the Malay border do not change large amount of money there as the rate is very bad.

If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me by PM.

Have a nice trip and good luck.

Bishop

Bishop, thanks for the answers, its very helpful.

yep very good info on that, so no need to go there then, and i hope he gets that job at KB tourism office!

chris

I don’t understand what did you mean by saying (I hope he gets that job at KB tourism office!); and I don’t understand why you look so angry either?

The gentleman asked a simple question and I answered him to the best of my experience and knowledge. I gave him the basic information and I added a little advice concluded with affirmation that if he were an adventure lover, like me, then he should go ahead. It is a personal advice and has nothing to do with any government or agencies (just take it or leave it).

I didn’t scare him off by telling him how is the situation in the deep south, simply because he will be just a passerby and the chance to get hurt is very slim (but certainly it not zero too).

However in KB itself, it is very safe, and in the matter of fact I never felt safer anywhere else on the world. Though the people are very conservative, they are very friendly and would always help who ever in need.

Most of the Malay new generation can speak English fairly and you will never get lost if you ask for direction, so do that as much as it would take.

One more thing Chris, it seems to me that the gentleman is going there anyway, otherwise he woudn’t bother to reply or ask any more questions; however why you look so desperate to send him there?

We all like to learn something from other people experience, but that when the people themselves make the choice; we don’t push them to do something just to satisfy our curiosity.

I still want to help much more if I know that he is seriously going there; I can email him with a map showing the direction to the nearest hotel to the consulate along with the consulate location; I can give him further details to the trip itself. I don’t work for any tourism agency but certainly I do my homework very well before I go to any where, whether through the internet or any other possible information provider.

I hope that I have cleared the misunderstanding (if there was any) and remember that I am just trying to help, no more, no less.

Thank you and have a very nice day

Bishop

Yes it was for the holidays and usually you collect your passport next day, however the Consulate working days are Sunday to Thursady, (Friday and Saturday are weekend)

Bishop

I have been there last December, just after the christmas and before the New Year and ther Muslim festival holidays; that was the only working day in between and I had to wait 5 days in order to collect my passpot back with double entries visa, but I do not know whether is it because they usually give double entries or because my wife was speaking to the staff in Malay language?

There were only one German couple (tourist) with me, so it did not take any time to apply.

During my stay I have noticed that there were only one farang guy in the city (too small to miss), and no wonder as the province is very conservative and the people don't like to mix with foreigners; even Maly citizen from other races (Chinese, Indian, etc.) are not allowed to buy property or conduct a business in the province except in some extreme cases.

Kelantan, the province in which (Kota Bharu is it's capital city) contrary to what the others believe, is the richest province in Malaysia, but the people there likes to have a humble life.

They do not care about development, nor the central government care about developing the area (as the province rulers are from the opposition party).

There is nothing much to see and there is no night life. Although they have a beautiful, very clean beach, no one really go to swim (women are not allowed to).

Hotels are quite cheap comparing to other cities in Malaysia, however they will be almost completely full during the Malay long holidays.

There are two shoping centers where you can hang around, but that is all what you can do; Tesco supermarket have just opend it's doors on the third of January this year, and "Giant" supermarket is under construction and will be opend very soon; but remember that they all close during the prayer times, and if you are inside a supermarket -for instance- you will be stuck there until the prayer is finished.

City centre is not far from the Thai Consulate -about 10 minutes walking distance- and most of the hotels are around that area.

The local, city, intercity and provinces bus station is also located in the city centre.

If you go by train, the boarder is not far from the station in Songi Kolok, you can either take a motorcycle or simply just walk straight for about 10 minutes to the Thai border, then you cross a very short bridge to the Malay boarder (immigration office).

walk about 150 m to the bus stop and get the bus to Kota bahru (take about one hour) and here you are in the city centre.

My advise to you -regardless wether you can get one or double entries visa from the Consulate- unless you have a nice companion to spend time with, forget about going there, as you are really not very welcomed there and you can't predict the Consulate working days; however if you are like me, love adventures, then go ahead and I can give you names and adresses of few hotels in Kota Bharu upon your request.

I hope my information is sufficient and good luck.

Bishop

Well lopburi3, It is not about you at all, It is about a simple statement posted by Dave 111 223.

quote:

(How is it that you go about bribing your way into the line? How much does it cost? Is this practice now common place?)

unquote

I know exactly what he meant and I am not saying that it is not true, but I was trying to find out if there were any other reasons for the delays?

That's all, and thank you again for your understanding specially in your last part of your reply to maestro.

Have a nice day both of you.

I went to get my 1 year marriage visa extended. I arrived at 9:45am and there were 41 people in front of me. I had to wait until after 3pm!

It really pissed me off when it was almost my turn i went to stand near the desks and thats when i noticed what was going on.

Basically for each "queued" person there were about 3 other people coming up and (i'm assuming) somehow buying their way into the line (without a ticket number or ticket number that was like 50 places to go).

How is it that you go about bribing your way into the line? How much does it cost? Is this practice now common place?

I'd never noticed this going on before, but may because last year there was only an hour or so queue.

Um..it does pay to get there early, about 30 minutes before the doors open. There is a queue however some people just slide up towards the front! I extended my Retirement Visa a few days earlier than you...it was a little slow..at least one hour..then got a re-entry permit, another 20 mintes.

I didn't see any queue jumping after tickets were issued. Certain desks deal with certain types of applications and your ticket should have said which desk.

I also arranged to get a 'proof of address' letter whilst there, for my 5-year driving licence..free letter!. Better than paying the British Embassy for one.

My dear lopuri3, I said "probably", and did not confirmed it because I never tried it. That what they posted on their notice board at the last time I been there, and to tell you the truth, I really do not use their services that often. However, I am sorry if I have offended somebody, but before accusing someone with malpractice, I felt that I should exhaust all other possibilities first. Have I nice day and thank you for your valuable advises and comments.

There is no requirement to be out of Thailand for any period of time but no Consulate in the area is likely to issue a 3 entry tourist visa to you. Vientiane may issue a 2 entry but that may be too far in the future to say for sure.

I tried to get two enties TR from Kual Lumbur Thai Embassy last month, but granted with only one entry. They assured me that no two entries can be issued in their Embassy.

I heard of a guy that was put into IDC where he was raped and got HIV.

And I'm sure that's true, since you heard of it somewhere.

Which bar was that in ? the dogs <deleted> ?

I must be very outdated man, or maybe the rules has been really changed dramatically? Although I am very straightforward in following immigration laws and staying legally in Thailand for the past few years, I have been a wild rules breaker before and I have paid the maximum fine two or three times at a land boarder and return in visa exemption less than half an hour later, not to mention the tens of time, in which I have paid less for a lesser length of over stay. The times I have paid the maximum fine, were the times that I over stayed for a longer than one year, and the only question that I answered was my father name in order to comlete the immigration form's record, followed by see you soon, don't be late!!

Life in Thailand was easier and smoother, and I think the immigration got tired of the increasing of law breaker guys these days?

I

Basically for each "queued" person there were about 3 other people coming up and (i'm assuming) somehow buying their way into the line (without a ticket number or ticket number that was like 50 places to go).

It certainly appears that way, I've recently had one of these experiences down at Suan Plu. In fact or not if the agents and lawyers are pushing in, there should be a separate desk for them at least, this would stop the 'pissed' feeling when seeing their antics.

Probably they got appointment through the immigration's website, as it is stated clearly on their advertising board at the immigration office that you can download the application forms and get an appointment. Check it out first because I think it is a bit difficult (not impossible) to bribe somebody here.

No excuse for bad manners. But it must be a difficult job and pretty soul destroying

to see a few hundred package tourists rushing in from a just landed Jumbo Jet

and knowing that few of the passengers speak fluent Thai or English and

that many of the forms are going to be improperly completed.

Just imagine it ... some people write the date with the month first, some

place the last name before the first name etc.

Me, all I seem to experience is bored indifference.

Naka.

Now, let things cool down a little bit and thing about it. Are you the first person that day to get scolding? and if the answer is yes, then why you? In my opinion it is because you are not the first one to fill your entry card incorrectly and for both the hot tember of the officer and your bad luck at that moment, you are the one who got it.

The fact that you didn't ask for a judgement, gives me no right to discuss the issue in details; however before trying to help you in finding the the correct channel for your complain, I should inform you about the procedure that will take a place relying on the experience of a friend of mine.

I have no right to tell you the whole story (Which has the similarity of yours) as it is not mine, however if you accept the whole circomstasnces that will follow, I will gladly give you the information that you asked for.

First of all, the telephone number will not help you for more than inquiring about some kind of information or address as all complains should be written and mailed or handed over to the right department for further action (this should include a complete information about yourself and your contact address). Depending on the seriousness of the complain the officer in charge may or may not order an investigation obout the matter; and if he does then the investigating officer(s) will call the defendant to hear his side of the claim and later on they will call you to complete the investigation and the result will surely depend on:

1. If there were any witness(s) or not (if yes, then the investigator has to call the witness(s) to testify.

2. If not then it will be your words against his and to take your words as the rightful ones depends on additional few facts:

- Your residency status in the Kingdom (citizen, resident, tourist, etc.)

- Your nationality (sorry about that but if you are from a poor third word country, don't set your hope too high).

-Your profession (usually it also suggests your education background).

Now if you met all the requirment to give this officer the lesson he deserves, the next question that will rise is what kind of punishment do you think he will face?

- A verbal worning?

- An apology to you?

- A transfer to another immigration post?

- A transfer to an inactive position? (Do not expect that he will be fired of his job just because he abused you verbally.)

Will one or all of these penalties will be enough to satisfy you?

Now remember that you have been scrutinized thoroughly in the immigration office, do you feel comfortable with that?

I am not trying to scare you off but is it really worth it?

My advise is unless you are completely protected (not using tourist visas and visa run to stay or work illegally in this country) just forget the whole matter and go back to your normal life; at the end of the day we all are human beings, we do good and bad deeds, we have our regrets and sorrows as well as our appreciations; so let's be forgiving and remember what Jesus said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Believe me no one would like to be in your shoes in that day, however if it comes to me (and it happened before for different reason and to a lesser harshness) my answer to him would be something like that:

"Well I am sorry sir I did a mistake in filling my card, but your words were too painfull to me, I really feel insulted, but because I know how hard your job is, I will not take it personally and I will forget it"

Try to do that next time if it ever happend again (I sincerely hope not) and see the reaction by yourself. I am not going to tell you what was the reaction of the officer who insulted me, but will just leave to you to imagine it.

However if you still insist of filing the complain, inform me and I will guide you to how to do it.

Well, I am not a new member but this is the first time I join the discussion, and the reason is that I am tired of reading some unusful questions and/or comments in this forum, which supposed to help others in solving their problems.

First of all, it is not my or anybody else business to question the law of a hosting country that we choose to make it as (some kind of) a second home.

Evry country in the world has it's own regulation in treating other nationalities, for example, as a canadian citizen I do not have to present a passport to enter United State (ID is sufficient), meanwhile European need to present a passport, but no visa is required. Singaporean can go any where without a visa including China, which has granted only two countries in the world with this Privilege (the other one being Brunei), and for the United State, they can get an indefinite visa, which is valid as long as their passports are valid (normally 10 years). Thais and many other nationalities applying for a US visa have less than 20% chance in getting it depending on their situations (mainly financial support). Shouldn't we bring this out too??

English, who created countries such as Australia, need a visa to enter, and an English friend of mine was rejected twice although his brothers are Australian citizen?

The point is that the comment here has nothing to do with this forum, it is simply a racist statement as the Arab you mentioned are not belong or citizen of one country (There are 22 separate Arab countries in the world), and this apply to the Indian too as their are many Indian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Etc.)

However to satisfy your curiosity I will give you some answers for your question.

Arabs can't apply for a visa on arrival, nor from any Thai embassies in the world except the one in the country they resided in; furthermore most of them (majority Yemeni) have been in Thailand for a long, long time, some over thirty years, married to Thai ladies (mostly more than one) and have a good business here. The rest do exit to get a visa from their own countries or the one used to reside in, but certainly you won't see them at the boarder run, simply because they are noty entitled for visa exemption (not lucky as you).

I can keep going on forever, but I can't see the the reason of discussing this issue in this forum.

The bottomline is even if there were a special treatment or arrangement for specific citizens or races, who are we to oppose, challenge or dedicate our policy to a forign government (try to that at your home country)?