jonaz

I just came back from Vientiane with a new double entry visa. No problems at all. About 700 peoples in the queue. It was my worst visarun ever.

For people who want to apply a 3rd or 4th visa there, they should show up a rental-contract for their house or condo and the bankbook with at least 40 000 Baht for each month. 6 months x 40 000 = 240 000 Baht. This money should be in the bank account for the previous 6 months. It's not necessary that the money came by a bank wire from abroad. I asked this, because i brought Euros from my home country in cash to Thailand.

That' said; stay as long you want, as long you provide the embassy with the right paperwork. Much better then the ed-visa thing....

This makes little sense to me.

Firstly, why would a tourist be renting a house or a condo long term? Surely a genuine tourist will be moving around quite a bit and won't be getting contracts on a condo. Maybe a hotel/guesthouse.

Secondly, those figures are ridiculous. 40k per month? The border crossing only asks for 20k per entry which is 2 months.

A double entry tourist visa only lasts 4 months unless you extend it so that 240k figure goes out the window straight away.

Something doesn't add up here. Who gave you this information? A tout or the actual embassy?

Did you just happen to take proof of these requirements along with you just in case?

I just returned from Penang via minibus. Getting the visas was straightforward for most everyone in our group, however upon returning to Thailand at Sadao crossing all of us on TVs were asked to insert 200thb in our passports in order to avoid having to prove 20000 in cash. I had a bank statement, hotel receipts and onward ticket info etc... but was told that was no good. Our driver did say "up to you" but implied that it would be rude as we would end up in the office for some rather lengthy questioning and that would hold up the rest of the bus. Work permit holders were not asked for this, which sort of makes sense, I guess.

I had read about this practice on these forums so I was not surprised, but everyone else in the van was not amused and protested that they didn't need to do this last time etc etc...Next time I might try having the 20k on hand just to see if it really makes a difference...

Anyways just confirming the practice.

Was this your 4th (or more) back to back visa too? Or anyone else in your group that you know of had more than 3?

My next will be my 4th back to back entry if I get it.

Can anyone confirm that the same day service is no longer available in Savannakhet for tourist visa as stated in the 3rd post? Did/does it cost extra? Thanks

That post was about a casino that did visa run services not the consulate.

It is still same day service for visas at the consulate.

Ah ok. Thank you

Can anyone confirm that the same day service is no longer available in Savannakhet for tourist visa as stated in the 3rd post? Did/does it cost extra? Thanks

Whether or not I agree with it, right or wrong, I can understand that they can refuse you entry into Thailand. However, since you are not "officially" in Thailand you should be able to choose your alternate destination, not return to your home country.

IMHO I suspect that the only reason that they have not cracked down on multiple back to back tourist visas is the negative impact that it would have on the tourism industry. They are forcing those that are long term residents, possibly working illegally, to go the tourist visa route to stay here! I often wonder why people would go the ED visa route and enroll in an expensive school only stay here when double entry TVs are available in neighboring countries without paying enrollment fees and triples in most home countries.

Two double entry tourist visas, 4000 baht, 4 extensions 7600 baht for a total of 11,600 for 360 days versus the cost of enrollment in a school, plus ED visa and cost of extensions.

I was told in Penang just yesterday that ONLY three Tourist Visas are allowed in one year.

Was this by the actual embassy or the tout at Banana Boutique hotel?

I ask because I was told the same thing by the tout when using the Phuket visa run servive, but I've heard they're still giving more than 3 back to back tourist visas

The lady at Banana hotel said you're only allowed to have 3 entries per year on tourist visas. I think this may be true but that's not to say that it's getting enforced, as the OP shows.

It is not true. People goes to Laos because of the double entry visa, from the South it can be done economically with Air Asia.

Well that's good to know. I'm living in Phuket now so Penang is closer for me. I'll try flying this time and doing it myself rather than using the visa run company I think.

She told me the same thing at the banana guesthouse when I went with the Phuket visa run company 5 weeks ago. I don't think she knows what she is talking about and I am gonna risk going for another in January when my currently one expires.

She said I'd be lucky if I got this one and I definitely won't get another and would have to return to the my own country and get one there next time. I got it though no problem and will hopefully get another

Just get a new passport or obtain the next in Laos to be on the safe side.

My passport has a triple entry from Hull from Jan 2013, then a double from Vientiane when that ran out in October 2013. I only used one entry though and returned to UK for 2 months.

This year I had another triple entry from Hull but only used 2 entries because I missed the expiry date for the last entry. Then I got my current single from Penang.

The lady at Banana hotel said you're only allowed to have 3 entries per year on tourist visas. I think this may be true but that's not to say that it's getting enforced, as the OP shows.

I think going by all that, the chances of me getting another are just the same in Vientiane or Penang.

I did get asked to show 20k at border control which I had brought but left in the visa run van by mistake. They let me through anyway.

Please explain if all 4 visas were within the past 365 days? I was just told by banana guest house after three visa you havve to go back to your home country after the third one or they dont give. Seems the rules change allot down there...

She told me the same thing at the banana guesthouse when I went with the Phuket visa run company 5 weeks ago. I don't think she knows what she is talking about and I am gonna risk going for another in January when my currently one expires.

She said I'd be lucky if I got this one and I definitely won't get another and would have to return to the my own country and get one there next time. I got it though no problem and will hopefully get another

"Violators will face a fine ranging from 400 to 1,000 baht."

So that will be 400 baht for Thai people and 1000 baht for farangs.....

Hi Steve.

Would it still be possible to bring a few kefir grains with you this week please if you're still planning on coming to Phuket?

I'll pick them up from wherever you are. Just a tablespoon or so would be enough.

Thanks.

Jon.

Ah ok thanks. I have a discount card for Fascino

Sure.

One is called South East Asia Pharmacy and it's on Sukhumvit Road, about a third of the way between Asoke and Nana bts stations. On the right hand side of the road if you're walking from Asoke.

The other (and better one) I don't know the name of because it's written in Thai. It is on Sukhumvit 77 about 75m down the sidewalk, and again.. on the right hand side of the road if you're heading away from Sukhumvit. Nearest bts is On-Nut.

This pharmacy is the cheapest and has the widest range of medicines I've seen in Bangkok, although the one at Asoke is smaller it's prices are nearly on par.

Brilliant. Thanks! Very helpful indeed

Thanks

Cool, thanks. I've been in Big C a couple times already and it's quite close to me. I'll check it out next time I'm there

Great. Thanks for that. I'll check both of them out. Cheers

That's ok as I have a motorcycle and It's not that often I need to go.

Thanks for your reply

I've recently moved to the Patong area from Bangkok and am looking for a reasonably priced pharmacy for general and prescription medicines. The only ones I've seen so far are quite small and 50-100% more than similar pharmacies in Bangkok.

There were two pharmacies that I used in Bangkok that were quite a lot cheaper than most others and had a massive range of medicines.

I was hoping that I could find something similar here?

Oh ok that's some good news then at least if I can get another.

Lesson learned. I'll plan to go earlier next time if I need another one.

I rang the night before as well just to confirm it was definitely booked.

Poor service on their part.

Thanks for your reply anyway. Much appreciated

First a little background into my situation.
I was due to activate the 3rd entry of my triple entry tourist visa yesterday but the visa run van didn't show up! (The company is called **** so please steer clear of this company)
Anyway. This means that I am now on overstay. I had planned on staying until January by using and extending that final entry.
If possible, I would like to go to Penang and get another tourist visa but I remember there being a clampdown on back to back tourist visas. Is this still in effect or has it been relaxed?
Last year I had a triple entry tourist visa that expired in October. Then I got a double entry from Vientiane of which I only used 1 entry then returned home to the UK for 2 months due to illness before returning on this current (now expired) triple entry.
So all in all I have 3 tourist visas in my passport already.
Will I be granted another? Will I be let back into the country with it?
Thanks

Ok great. Thanks so much. I'll get in touch closer to the time.

Jon.

Hey. Thanks, that would be great as I'm also in Patong. That's very kind of you. Just let me know a time and a place and I'll be there.

ps. I'll let you know if I've already found some before then.

Jon.

Does anybody know where I can purchase some live milk Kefir grains here in Thailand?

Or is anybody willing to share some of theirs if I pay a fee to cover the cost of postage plus a little extra for the grains?

Mine have perished due to unfortunate circumstances and I'm having trouble finding somewhere to purchase them.

I'm currently in Phuket.

Thanks in advance.