Border runs

[Farangdanny]

Some years ago, I crossed the border at Mae Sai every three months and came straight back to get new VISA stamp. Is this still acceptable these days? Thanks.

[BuddyDean]

If just making a new entry on a one year visa..easy..10 USD for Myanmar.  If trying to string together 30 day visa exempt stamps..the max is two per calendar year at maesai....

[sharktooth]

2 hours ago, BuddyDean said:

If trying to string together 30 day visa exempt stamps..the max is two per calendar year at maesai....

Has this been changed again? I thought it was only one per calendar year?

[BuddyDean]

27 minutes ago, sharktooth said:

Has this been changed again? I thought it was only one per calendar year?

Quite possibly...as of about six months ago, it was two, but better verify.  Also, better check on outbound ticket and 20,000 THB.

[Farangdanny]

19 hours ago, BuddyDean said:

If just making a new entry on a one year visa..easy..10 USD for Myanmar.  If trying to string together 30 day visa exempt stamps..the max is two per calendar year at maesai....

Thank you. You say 'if making new entry for one year VISA'. Surely if you have one year VISA, don't need to do border, just ninety days report. I thought border run was for people who don't have VISA ?

[FolkGuitar]

12 minutes ago, Farangdanny said:

Thank you. You say 'if making new entry for one year VISA'. Surely if you have one year VISA, don't need to do border, just ninety days report. I thought border run was for people who don't have VISA ?

 

When I had my business in Chiang Mai (2001-2011,) I was not permitted to do 90-day reports. I had to make border runs. I don't know why.  I had a registered business, work permit, and a one-year renewable visa, but I was required to make the runs to the border instead of just signing the 90-day report.

[steve187]

17 minutes ago, Farangdanny said:

Thank you. You say 'if making new entry for one year VISA'. Surely if you have one year VISA, don't need to do border, just ninety days report. I thought border run was for people who don't have VISA ?

if on a yearly extension of stay of an entry by a non immigrant 'O'A' visa then 90 day reports are required, but a multi entry non immigrant 'O' visa ( note the missing 'A' after 'O') requires a border run after 90 days ( unless extended)to activate another 90 day entry

[BuddyDean]

2 hours ago, steve187 said:

if on a yearly extension of stay of an entry by a non immigrant 'O'A' visa then 90 day reports are required, but a multi entry non immigrant 'O' visa ( note the missing 'A' after 'O') requires a border run after 90 days ( unless extended)to activate another 90 day entry

Yes, which I think quite a few married guys do.  People doing in and outs at maesai are often those with an existing visa.  Used to be mobbed with runners getting 30s and that crackdown started more than 10 years ago, with 1,2,3 written in the passports..three max.  Tourism has suffered greatly up there, including Chiang Rai.

[millwall_fan]

There is a sign, clearly posted at the Mae Sai border immigration office that states 'no more visa runners'. I go up every few months instead of doing a 90 day report because I enjoy going to the casino in Tachilek the cheap beer in the market and Western food at the border. There are scarcely any Westerners there these days and the market and bars cater to local Thai tourists rather than Farang. Mae Sai is now somewhat down-at-heel, whereas Tachilek has a certain quiet exuberance - in an almost complete volte face from a few years ago. They readily take $10 bills as the entry fee on the Burmese side so 325 Baht entry rather than 500 Baht. 

[BuddyDean]

2 minutes ago, millwall_fan said:

There is a sign, clearly posted at the Mae Sai border immigration office that states 'no more visa runners'. I go up every few months instead of doing a 90 day report because I enjoy going to the casino in Tachilek the cheap beer in the market and Western food at the border. There are scarcely any Westerners there these days and the market and bars cater to local Thai tourists rather than Farang. Mae Sai is now somewhat down-at-heel, whereas Tachilek has a certain quiet exuberance - in an almost complete volte face from a few years ago. They readily take $10 bills as the entry fee on the Burmese side so 325 Baht entry rather than 500 Baht. 

If I lived up there, instead of CM, I would get the multirentry and do the same.  How does the casino compare to naga world in Phnom Penh?  Is there sports Betting?  The fake liquor at the duty free is a big turn off..but I believe that is more of a Thai scandal.  That is my fave imm officer up there with the big smile..really nice if you aren't scamming.  Glad they ended the circus..missionary families of six passing the 20,000 to other families through the fence?  They should be discouraged.

[sharktooth]

13 minutes ago, millwall_fan said:

There is a sign, clearly posted at the Mae Sai border immigration office that states 'no more visa runners'. 

There are also one or two signs around Chiang Mai advocating the use of motorcycle helmets, however...

[millwall_fan]

5 minutes ago, BuddyDean said:

If I lived up there, instead of CM, I would get the multirentry and do the same.  How does the casino compare to naga world in Phnom Penh?  Is there sports Betting?  The fake liquor at the duty free is a big turn off..but I believe that is more of a Thai scandal.  That is my fave imm officer up there with the big smile..really nice if you aren't scamming.  Glad they ended the circus..missionary families of six passing the 20,000 to other families through the fence?  They should be discouraged.

I've never been to Naga World in PP, but its definitely more relaxing than the casinos in Poipet. There is no sports betting at Regina where I go (great for low-rollers like me). Maybe there is at the big one a klick or tow further east. I bring a bottle or two of booze back in a rucsac each time and I have never had a fake one yet, nor have I been hassled by immigration/customs. Never witnessed your missionary story either. 

[millwall_fan]

1 minute ago, sharktooth said:

There are also one or two signs around Chiang Mai advocating the use of motorcycle helmets, however...

That is a misleading post. There is no connection between the two. Mae Sai/Tachilek is now a fully fledged international border. I have seen guys turned away from the border because they din't have the correct visa. When was the last time you were there?

[sharktooth]

May

[millwall_fan]

Did you miss the sign? Or do you have evidence that it is possible to do repeat visa runs contrary to the notice? I would hate to think of anyone depending on doing a visa run there and being turned away.

[sharktooth]

Never noticed it. Is it in reference to punters attempting more than two per year, or just in general or what?

[drtreelove]

On 11/20/2017 at 9:39 AM, steve187 said:

if on a yearly extension of stay of an entry by a non immigrant 'O'A' visa then 90 day reports are required, but a multi entry non immigrant 'O' visa ( note the missing 'A' after 'O') requires a border run after 90 days ( unless extended)to activate another 90 day entry

Steve 187, I'm here a little over a month on a Non-Im 'O' one year multi. (spousal).  I've decided not to travel every three months like I originally intended, and border runs are a pain.  From what you say, "unless extended", I'm interested to know if I can I abort the multi entry status and apply for a one year extension at the end of my first 90?  If so, then if I decide to travel outside Thailand, I just have to buy a re-entry, right? 

[Mickeem]

On 19/11/2017 at 4:16 PM, BuddyDean said:

Quite possibly...as of about six months ago, it was two, but better verify.  Also, better check on outbound ticket and 20,000 THB.

Went through yesterday, was not asked to see the cash and had my outgoing flight printout waved away. Was told two times a year .. just needed 15 days tacked onto my 60 day tourist visa.

 

Load up on as much beer as you can carry Ie Hoegaarden 45B (Tops 140B)