unbiasbob

Additionally, just heard that Air Asia are offering 500Baht flights from Bangkok (one way), plus 200 or so for admin' and other tax, and you'll have to pay the 500 for leaving Thailand as well. Much better than doing the train/bus or bus/bus thing.

unfortunately you heard wrong. i just punched in a number of sept and oct dates and got prices ranging from 1499-2100 baht plus plus plus. that is not a great fare for the formerly budget air asia. so all r/t fares inc fees were over 4k plus depart tax and all else. AA aint what it used to be

This should be interesting.

The 64,000 baht question.

Amen to that

I do not know why I read so many times bad things about the Thai authorities.

Just now, I applied for my first time for a one year Visa in Thailand with “extended Stay”, and first I got an extension of one Month, because I applied for a Working Permit,

Which was not issued jet.

Even that I had one day overstay was no problem and no discussion.

I did not use an agent I did it by my self.

(And NO “Tea Money” was paid!!!!!!”)

After I got my Working Permit for one year, I went back to the Immigration and got instantly, with out any problems my One Year Multiply Entry Visa with extended stay.

(And again NO “Tea Money” was paid!!!!!!”)

At the immigration everybody was kind, polite, and try to help me where ever they could.

So if anybody, have to complain about those people, maybe because you met them on a bad day (and everybody have a bad day) or you was just one of this arrogant “farangs” nobody like to deal with.

Think about it!

In Germany we say : “Wie es in den Wald hinein schalt, so schalt es auch wieder heraus”

What mean, how you act, you will get it back!

Great job GM. I agree 100%

Anywyas, something finally does seem to be happening, and more or less in ine with the rumors on ThaiVisa. Go figure.

Think about it. many visa rules are made and then strictly enforced and then there seems to be a loophole. What would have been the sense to make the rules in the first place. It has been coming a long time and will get tougher in the future.

I say if you are a tourist great, if not than get the right visa. It's not that hard to get the paperwork together. I have been doing it for 5 years without any problems or difficulty.

Some people retire at 45 and don't want to shell out 3 million baht into a thai investment or they don't have the cash to shell. They may have pension income far exceeding the retirement qualification but for 1 reason or another don't have the lump sum. In such a case, that person simply does not meet the age requirement but has easily the means to support onself. So what you say is that getting the "proper visa" is a piece of cake. Sorry but not for said person. I believe that Thailand accomodates a person in this situation through tourist visas and/or visa running. I see no evidence of any change. I hear a great deal of talk and rumor along with occasional questioning by immigration and embassy personel but nothing indicating that these people better get "proper, ez to get visas" or else. It may be easy for some to get but others must do it this way and will continue w/o problem I assure you.

until 3 times means 3 times of applying double entry tourist visa is no problem

or until 3 times of applying single entry tourist visa is no problem?

What Sunbelt is saying is that there are no guarantees, only maybes, so who knows? No one at this point that I know of

OK, this option is for people not concerned with cost as an r/t ticket to hat yai is 6000 baht. These visa run flight options are too expensive for someone seeking to make such run for minimal cost.

While I agree it is not the cheapest it is not as expensive as you indicate with the new flights. The NokAir morning flight and return on the evening flight would cost 2878 for round trip including all tax charges. AirAsia might be even cheaper if you book in advance on a weekday.

Right, I was just referring to the poster's comments about flying down to hat yai on Thai Air and thus getting freebie transport to and from hat yai town from thai air as part of the cost cutting scheme. So sure, perhaps you can cop a 3000 baht flight and then you shell out 500 baht taxi fare to and fro town. Air Asia is always steeper than they appear (higher fares) after they tack on huge airport taxes to those cheapo looking base fares

The question was not a 30 day entry which seems to be not effecting most people. It is going to Penang and going to the consulate and asking for tourist visa.

Certainly the odds are if you went to the Penang Embassy and ask for this tourist three times in a row. They will ask what are you doing in Thailand? Are you working? This would be a general rule. Would it happen every time... no but the odds are high you would have problems obtaining a 60 day tourist visa the 4th time in a year. Nothing is to stop you though, until they say "enough is enough"

By the way, I know of one person who last week went to Singapore with a Thai work permit and was denied a one year multiple entry visa. Was told they could not issue multiple visas in Singapore even with a Thai work permit. He asked why? " orders from Thai immigration, no multiple entry visas" Could it change this week?...sure. But this denial happened in at least one confirmed case this past week in Singapore. Stay tune...

www.sunbeltasia.com

Maybe they would grant the visa. Maybe they would deny. Maybe they would say this is last time. Maybe we're talking in circles here with no basis for what we are saying

When I was at a Cambodian border I was asked to produce 1200 Baht for a visa on arrival. Since I know the price is just 20 US (about 800 Baht) I asked the immigration officer if I can pay in dollars next time. The answer was no. I am now wondering if this is the norm and if I therefore always have to apply at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok in order to avoid getting cheated at the border in the future? After all, it is a steep 50% increase of the fee if you apply for a visa on arrival.

Also, I have heard many different stories regarding the amount you have to pay if you just want to stamp your passport at the border. The Cambodians are demanding everything from 100 to 300 baht. Is it possible to just pay 100 baht? I have tried, and they always say that I have to pay 300. I'm almost certain that the operator of "The Visa Shop" in Pattaya told us that it's just 100, and that he would take care of that matter. (I have done the trip by myself after that first time I was travelling with them.)

Speaking of organised visa tours, anyone have a clue about the amount these guys have to pay for the Cambodian visa? Certainly I cannot be 1200 per visa, when you think about the total cost for the trip (2000 baht incl. everything). The profit cannot be rather big in that case, can it? Just curious... maybe they have a special deal (i.e. paying the actual price of equivalent 20 US). I just don't like to get cheated by several hundred bahts just because I'm not travelling with an organised tour. First they charge me more for the visa and I also cannot pay in dollars. After that, I get cheated when I have to pay the "unofficial fee". I would accept 100 baht, but I think 300 is far too much.

As far as I know, $20 is out of the question at Cambo land crossings. You should go to embassy and get visa or fly if you want to pay 20 bucks. 1000 baht is what they charge. of course you are farang so they try and rip you. I would refuse any fee above 1000 baht. they are criminals

You will be ok with Jack golf, just don't be late.

0645 means just that, they cannot wait for slackers as the traffic is bad at 0700 anywhere on Sukh. When that coach stops get aboard fast

Don't forget a passport/visa photo.

Enjoy the trip.

That Soi 12 service is outstanding. Why would anyone use another?

jamesn,

I take it you have the details now.

We are starting our own visa service daily to Cambodia next month, pm me for details.

Angie

Angie, you said you were going to charge 1500 all inclusive? No need for the lunch buffet

The norm seems to be two to three times before they say enough. This is on the tourist visa not the 30 day entry.

www.sunbeltasia.com

"2 to 3 times and they say enough"? Do you have a source on that? I haven't heard that one before. Is that kind of like those dudes who were "stranded in Cambodia"?

How much roughly are we talking about if I was to fly the cheapest airline to Malaysia? I'm 5 mins from Don Muang airport so no expense or time used getting there. How much does all the departure taxes add up to?

Carl, years ago I used to fly to Hat Yai on Thai Airways. From the airport a minibus to Hat Yai market. From there a bus (17baht and 45 mins) to Pedang Besar. Get my stamps. Back to Hat Yai to kill a few hours before getting a free limo from the Thai office to the airport.

Depending on any time and money constraints, this may provide an option for you.

Gazza

OK, this option is for people not concerned with cost as an r/t ticket to hat yai is 6000 baht. These visa run flight options are too expensive for someone seeking to make such run for minimal cost.

Anybody ever managed to fly down to Penang from Bangkok and come back the same day with Air Asia.....you only have 45 mins turnaround time in Penang......is it possible? The Air Asia flight into Singapore lands at 9pm and returns at 11pm ......seems feasible?

Air Asia will not book a r/t ticket without 3 hours between arriving and departing flights so the answer to both questions is no. Also as for the OP in this thread, he is looking for a cheaper way to do a visa run than the Poipet border run from BKK. The Air Asia flights are cheap but they are not that cheap. You normally shell out 4000 baht with airport and departure taxes or more. I wouldn't call that a cheap visa run or a convenient one either. I know, I just did one. In addition, you have the transport cost of getting to and fro airport, which in the case of the latenight Singapore arrival, there is no bus service. So there is another 200 one way ride min. So for me it was a hellish visa run starting at 5AM, a 200 baht taxi to airport (no bus early morning either), followed by a 9 AM arrival in Singapore. then the longest day of my life waiting 13 hours for the flight back to bkk at a r/t cost of 4k and 500 dep tax + 400 taxi. I was back in my pad 5000 k poorer and beaten to a pulp after a 22 hour day. It was ######. I can't recommend it. I would take poipet bus any day

The OP on this thread can't be serious

Personally I love Penang and could almost live there. It's a fine

antidote for Thailand. Very civilized, like a REAL country, honest, safe,

friendly, quiet, aid-back, and funky with all the ethnic

groups and backpackers. Few visible police. Great place to relax. I

spent last Songkran there and that was by far the best Songkran I've

ever had! I'll be going back next year, that's for sure.

Are we talking about the same Penang? As far as i/m concerned its good for a visa run and nothing else. but each to their own.

I'll second that emotion thai flyer. this dude is obviously anti-anything thai by the way he speaks of thai bus drivers at the swiss and how malaisia is a REAL country, thus insinuating that thailand is something less than that. I must say that my experience in penang was one where I was bored to tears there. great for visa only. IMO

I am thinking of flying to hat yai. how do I get to the town and back again from the airport?

easy, they have a taxi desk inside airport. pay there for taxi or mini bus. no other way to do it. from town, grab a street taxi for about 150 baht or less

Daft is quite a light hearted word, but if there was a really dark, sinister version of 'daft' then that is how I would describe it.

It isn't technically marraige, same same a lawnmower isn't technically a boat.

As sick as it is it has become legal in some states in the us.

You say it isn't technically a marriage?

It sure is. They get tax benefits, can change their names, can adopt children, divorce, alimimony--the whole 9 yards.

Don't you worry. We have a lot of good people in my beloved US getting ready to pass a constitutional amendment BANNING gay marriage so that all those freaky judges who passed it in those few states will be overridden. You need not worry cause 88% of Americans are against it. Even France dealt a major blow to gay marriage just today. You're climbing Mount Everest in a wheel chair. Gay marriage talk in the US will soon be history.

Chingy, interesting to read your penang story. after my trip i drew the exact same conclusions. The place is pretty worthless cept to get your visa

I totally disagree. Besides in the sex trade, how does Thailand beat it?

Personally I love Penang and could almost live there. It's a fine

antidote for Thailand. Very civilized, like a REAL country, honest, safe,

friendly, quiet, aid-back, and funky with all the ethnic

groups and backpackers. Few visible police. Great place to relax. I

spent last Songkran there and that was by far the best Songkran I've

ever had! I'll be going back next year, that's for sure.

Sounds like you are rather anti-Thailand. This being the case you should certainly move to your beloved Penang

Looks pretty clear that a retirement visa is way to go here

Have never had problrm with Thai immigration on these runs its the Cambo immigration that i am referring too,(all Scams)

Could have been a scam or a legitimate check due to a new passport without old one in hand. They need to make sure the guy doesn't owe any overstay cash and is in fact legal

OK, its currently 10.45pm and I am feeling the warmth of my Thai beer bottle spreading throughout my body :-) feeling this is well deserved after just returning from yet another 30 day Poipet visa run.

Anyway why I am writing this is because today I was a little nervous doing the run because of all the gossip that has been flying around lately.However I felt confident with my brand spanking new UK passport (issued this week) in hand and thought I would sail through the border. Last time I used Poipet they had to fit the exit stamp almost over another one because there was absolutely no space left in my pport, and most of them were BKK-Poipet runs.

But today when I showed them my new pport they asked me where the last one was to which I replied "it is finished and is not with me". The woman at the ALIEN ENTRY desk simply threw it back at me and said she would not let me through without her boss interviewing me !!!! Yes I was bricking it by this point as in around 2 years of living here NOTHING like this has ever happened so you can guess what I was thinking. Anyway her boss walks over to me and asks me to follow him to the office (the exit booth office, Poipet) while he runs a check on me. I stand there to watching a Thai soap opera in this office for about 15 mins before he comes back -with another officer. They had a sheet with a computer printout of every crossing I have made in & out of Thailand. I was asked to take a seat. I took a seat and just looked at the officer, then at the sheet and thought F####.

He asks me a few questions about my old pport which I tell him, grills me about amI working in Thailand etc etc which I say no. He then asks me why have I been here so long. I laugh and say "extended holiday". Fortunately he laughs also, charges me 20 baht for his time and escorts me out of Thailand personally!!!!

PPPPPPPPPHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW, is not the word for it.

After that it was just the usual procedure. I dont know if this was just a bit of bad luck on my behalf but it I didnt enjoy my day so muh , lets put it that way. Anyway my typing is getting a bit sloppy as I am a few beers ahead of when I started this so I will finish.

POINT of this message (I think) is they still dont really give a flying one about the back to backs..............ENJOY but be carefull

Kankaroo.

Yes Captain, they love to run those printouts. They did that to me in PP. It's no big deal really. The guy in PP was actually trying to help me get a non imm visa but he was confused as to actual requirements. He seemed to think that an under 50, unmarried farang could get a non imm with same req's as a retiree. That was a top official at the PP embassy. I guess he needs to brush up on his facts.

I have always thought the Thai immigration officials at Poipet have been more friendly than at most checkpoints. Last time on re-entering Thailand i even got a smile from the lovely girl who stamped my passport:)

Btw , if these guys did get stranded in Poipet, it would not be hard to walk back into Thailand without a stamp anyways .Regardless of the consequenes, better than being stuck in a frontier hole like Poipet .

Specifically how are these dudes supposed to enter Thailand stamp free? That's a good one. Then when they leave the next time, how to explain no prior entry stamp. This sounds completely insane to me

Dr P.......just checked the Hull website , they state that a single entry tourist visa is valid for 3 months, a double 6 months, triple 9 months and quadruple 12 months......which is what i thought was always the case, isnt it?

A single entry tourist is valid for 3 months I believe and I know for certain that a triple entry tourist is valid for only 6 months

I wonder how people have the patience to do 29 day visa runs. It would seem to me that this is a lot of hassle to go through to stay here. I know I wouldn't be able to handle it. Every 4 weeks an all day excursion by land to Cambo with the lines and touts and ripoffs. I give you guys who do it a great deal of credit. I'm not worthy

on the surface it would seem that there is more to this story than as described by the person entering your office