Red Stamp and possible run?

[Jhansoz]

Hello, Since I've come to Thailand i done 4 visa runs (Laos x3, 1 Penang), and at last run (Penang) I've got my first red stamp on my visa. So, i know one of the possibility is getting new passport, although i would like to know if i can do visa run to Cambodia with one of the agencies like thaivisarun.

Thank you very much for your answer by now.

[ubonjoe]

Immigration will not pay any attention to the stamp on your visa when you depart and re-enter the country. 

Remember that you can only do 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year at at land border crossing (resets at midnight on the 31st of this month).

[Samuel Smith]

18 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

 

Remember that you can only do 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year at at land border crossing (resets at midnight on the 31st of this month).

Thanks, I didn't know about the new year reset, thought it was 2 entries in 12 months.  My second will run out first week in January, so I can get another at Mae Sai?  didn't fancy the drive to Savannakhet so close to New Year.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, Samuel Smith said:

My second will run out first week in January, so I can get another at Mae Sai?

According to the ministerial order you can do another one in January.

[Jhansoz]

30 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Immigration will not pay any attention to the stamp on your visa when you depart and re-enter the country. 

Remember that you can only do 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year at at land border crossing (resets at midnight on the 31st of this month).

Forgive my ignorance but I don't quite understand this; if so, why people rejecting to enter the country or applying for TV?

 

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, Jhansoz said:

Forgive my ignorance but I don't quite understand this; if so, why people rejecting to enter the country or applying for TV?

 

Two separate things:

 - A consulate red-stamp on their Tourist Visa will make it impossible to get more Tourist Visas at some nearby consulates, but will have no effect on using the visa, or any additional entries.

 - Visa Exempt by Land is limited to 2 per calendar-year - no relation to Tourist-Visa red-stamps.

 

2 hours ago, Jhansoz said:

... I've got my first red stamp on my visa. So, i know one of the possibility is getting new passport, although i would like to know if i can do visa run to Cambodia with one of the agencies like thaivisarun.

I got a Tourist Visa successfully from Savanakhet with a red-stamp from Phnom Penh on the previous Tourist Visa.  No luck at Vientiane later, though - who 'honored' the red-stamp 2 TR-Visas before, from Phnom Penh.   I entered visa-exempt (my 1st in years) without issue on that trip.

 

One option would be to try for a TR-Visa at Savanakhet, and if rejected, come back by land Visa-Exempt.  The downside would be the prep-work (ticket, etc) to meet Savanakhet's qualifications. 

[sananeamk0715]

On 12/5/2017 at 9:09 PM, JackThompson said:

Two separate things:

 - A consulate red-stamp on their Tourist Visa will make it impossible to get more Tourist Visas at some nearby consulates, but will have no effect on using the visa, or any additional entries.

 - Visa Exempt by Land is limited to 2 per calendar-year - no relation to Tourist-Visa red-stamps.

 

I got a Tourist Visa successfully from Savanakhet with a red-stamp from Phnom Penh on the previous Tourist Visa.  No luck at Vientiane later, though - who 'honored' the red-stamp 2 TR-Visas before, from Phnom Penh.   I entered visa-exempt (my 1st in years) without issue on that trip.

 

One option would be to try for a TR-Visa at Savanakhet, and if rejected, come back by land Visa-Exempt.  The downside would be the prep-work (ticket, etc) to meet Savanakhet's qualifications. 

I thought Savannakhet  cannot give red-stamp?

[JackThompson]

On 12/11/2017 at 2:22 PM, sananeamk0715 said:

On 12/5/2017 at 9:09 PM, JackThompson said:

... I got a Tourist Visa successfully from Savanakhet with a red-stamp from Phnom Penh on the previous Tourist Visa.  No luck at Vientiane later, though - who 'honored' the red-stamp 2 TR-Visas before, from Phnom Penh.   I entered visa-exempt (my 1st in years) without issue on that trip. ...

I thought Savannakhet  cannot give red-stamp?

Savannakhet did not give me the red-stamp.

 

I got a Visa in Savannakhet even though I had a red-stamp from an earlier Tourist Visa from Phnom Penh - but Vientiane rejected me for the same red-stamp. 

 

We do not have reports of Savannakhet giving red-stamps yet.

[Jhansoz]

On 12/13/2017 at 11:04 AM, JackThompson said:

Savannakhet did not give me the red-stamp.

 

I got a Visa in Savannakhet even though I had a red-stamp from an earlier Tourist Visa from Phnom Penh - but Vientiane rejected me for the same red-stamp. 

 

We do not have reports of Savannakhet giving red-stamps yet.

Well, apparently, I can't go to Cambodia because I'm a Turkish citizen, at least that what travel agency told me, they have been fussy since terrorist bombings that few years back..

 

I might go to Savannakhet, but even for going to Laos, i have to apply for visa beforehand - which doesn't take long at all-.

Or agency said I can just go to Malaysia and get in by entry visa 30 days.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, Jhansoz said:

Well, apparently, I can't go to Cambodia because I'm a Turkish citizen, at least that what travel agency told me, they have been fussy since terrorist bombings that few years back..

 

I cannot find any info stating that. You can still get a visa on arrival for Cambodia.

There might be some restrictions on entering visa exempt to here though at at land borders.

[sananeamk0715]

18 hours ago, Jhansoz said:

Well, apparently, I can't go to Cambodia because I'm a Turkish citizen, at least that what travel agency told me, they have been fussy since terrorist bombings that few years back..

 

I might go to Savannakhet, but even for going to Laos, i have to apply for visa beforehand - which doesn't take long at all-.

Or agency said I can just go to Malaysia and get in by entry visa 30 days.

 

 

Well I’m Turkish too. I never been Cambodia but as I heard from my other Turkish friends who have been Cambodia many times for visa run, there is no problem and we don’t need visa for Cambodia. Turkish citizenships only need visa for Laos and Vietnam in southeast asia. And last time around 2 weeks ago I got my Laos visa from Khon Kaen just passport, 2 photo and 1,600 Baht. Pick up after 10 minutes later. But I’m not sure about visa run in Cambodia safe or not if you have several visa in your passport. Might be get red stamp. Next time I also go Sakvannhanet for visa run. Because no red stamp there.

 

Ingilizce yazdim belki forum da sadece Ingilizce istiyorlardir.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, sananeamk0715 said:

Well I’m Turkish too. I never been Cambodia but as I heard from my other Turkish friends who have been Cambodia many times for visa run, there is no problem and we don’t need visa for Cambodia.

You need a visa to enter Cambodia but you can get a visa on arrival or a e-visa.

The only countries exempt are ASEAN countries (except Myanmar) and Seychelles.

[sananeamk0715]

14 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You need a visa to enter Cambodia but you can get a visa on arrival or a e-visa.

The only countries exempt are ASEAN countries (except Myanmar) and Seychelles.

Yes I mean no need visa but can visa arrival. 

[Jhansoz]

On 12/17/2017 at 5:36 PM, ubonjoe said:

I cannot find any info stating that. You can still get a visa on arrival for Cambodia.

There might be some restrictions on entering visa exempt to here though at at land borders.

I've called the visa run agencies such as Meesuk and Sawadee (thaivisarunservice), they both have return to me with negative response. 

What would be the smartest option in this situation then? Go to Laos and get visa from Sakvannhanet? or do normal entry and get new passport after?

 

8 hours ago, sananeamk0715 said:

Well I’m Turkish too. I never been Cambodia but as I heard from my other Turkish friends who have been Cambodia many times for visa run, there is no problem and we don’t need visa for Cambodia. Turkish citizenships only need visa for Laos and Vietnam in southeast asia. And last time around 2 weeks ago I got my Laos visa from Khon Kaen just passport, 2 photo and 1,600 Baht. Pick up after 10 minutes later. But I’m not sure about visa run in Cambodia safe or not if you have several visa in your passport. Might be get red stamp. Next time I also go Sakvannhanet for visa run. Because no red stamp there.

 

Ingilizce yazdim belki forum da sadece Ingilizce istiyorlardir.

Yes, i have been aware of visa requirements from Cambodia, we can get it at arrival or e-visa but i think problem would be getting into Thailand back with red stamp on last visa, I'm not quite sure that i will get Tourist visa once they've seen it. 

[BritTim]

7 hours ago, Jhansoz said:

Yes, i have been aware of visa requirements from Cambodia, we can get it at arrival or e-visa but i think problem would be getting into Thailand back with red stamp on last visa, I'm not quite sure that i will get Tourist visa once they've seen it. 

The visa for Cambodia is absolutely no problem. However, if you have the red stamp for frequent Thai tourist visas, the consulate in Phnom Penh will not give you another tourist visa (until you get a new passport). I recommend you go to Savannakhet, and arrange to get a new passport as soon as convenient.

[sananeamk0715]

15 hours ago, Jhansoz said:

I've called the visa run agencies such as Meesuk and Sawadee (thaivisarunservice), they both have return to me with negative response. 

What would be the smartest option in this situation then? Go to Laos and get visa from Sakvannhanet? or do normal entry and get new passport after?

 

Yes, i have been aware of visa requirements from Cambodia, we can get it at arrival or e-visa but i think problem would be getting into Thailand back with red stamp on last visa, I'm not quite sure that i will get Tourist visa once they've seen it. 

How many tourist visa do you have? And why want to apply visa via agency? But I’m pretty sure there is no problem enrty Cambodia etc. but I know if you have many tourist visa might be get red stamp. Well depends of your visa. Actually I have 5 tourist visa and never use agency until now no problem. Next time I’ll go Sakvanhanet because no red stamp. My recommend to you go Laos make visa then go travel Cambodia. This is safe way.

[Jhansoz]

6 hours ago, sananeamk0715 said:

How many tourist visa do you have? And why want to apply visa via agency? But I’m pretty sure there is no problem enrty Cambodia etc. but I know if you have many tourist visa might be get red stamp. Well depends of your visa. Actually I have 5 tourist visa and never use agency until now no problem. Next time I’ll go Sakvanhanet because no red stamp. My recommend to you go Laos make visa then go travel Cambodia. This is safe way.

I do have 4 Tourist visa on my passport at the moment. 2 of them by Land border to Laos, 1 Vientiene by flight and another flight to Penang - Malaysia.  The reason i wanted do next visa run is; when you go to another country by travel agency, they help you to pass the border faster, also they ''help'' you under different circumstances.

 

I'm thinking about going to Savannakhet as well, since people say that no red stamp, but what's the shortest or best way to go there?

 

[sananeamk0715]

23 hours ago, Jhansoz said:

I do have 4 Tourist visa on my passport at the moment. 2 of them by Land border to Laos, 1 Vientiene by flight and another flight to Penang - Malaysia.  The reason i wanted do next visa run is; when you go to another country by travel agency, they help you to pass the border faster, also they ''help'' you under different circumstances.

 

I'm thinking about going to Savannakhet as well, since people say that no red stamp, but what's the shortest or best way to go there?

 

Well both of us have Turkish passport. I do have 5 tourist visa, 2 times Penang, Malaysia and 3 times Vientiane, Laos. I never use agency until now and all the time cross border by bus without problem. But right now 4-5 tourist visa kind of dangerious. That’s why next time I also go to Sakvanhanet, Laos because no red stamp. 

 

I never been there but as I search on internet have flight but not directly and expensive. I guess best way go there, first go other city  by bus which one close to Laos then take bus again to Laos.

 

When will you go visa run? May be we can go together.

[JackThompson]

On 12/19/2017 at 6:23 PM, Jhansoz said:

I'm thinking about going to Savannakhet as well, since people say that no red stamp, but what's the shortest or best way to go there?

You need to get to Mukdahan, which is the Thai-city on the border to Savannakhet, Laos. 

 

There are fly-ride services, but unless buying tickets months in advance, that will be expensive. 

 

There are many buses out of MoChit in Bangkok which go to Mukdahan, of which I have tried many.  The one with the highest comfort and legroom is "Sapaphan" VIP-24 (seat), with a cost around 650 Baht one-way.

[ubonjoe]

12 hours ago, JackThompson said:

You need to get to Mukdahan, which is the Thai-city on the border to Savannakhet, Laos. 

 

There are fly-ride services, but unless buying tickets months in advance, that will be expensive. 

Not sure what you consider expensive. Just checked Nok Air for the 2nd week of January and a one way is 1200 baht DMK to Mukdahan. Used a fare comparison calendar they have have and it is about the same in February. 

[Jhansoz]

17 hours ago, JackThompson said:

You need to get to Mukdahan, which is the Thai-city on the border to Savannakhet, Laos. 

 

There are fly-ride services, but unless buying tickets months in advance, that will be expensive. 

 

There are many buses out of MoChit in Bangkok which go to Mukdahan, of which I have tried many.  The one with the highest comfort and legroom is "Sapaphan" VIP-24 (seat), with a cost around 650 Baht one-way.

Ok i've checked them out, in Pantip they say ''Sombattour'' is good too and about 530 baht.

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Not sure what you consider expensive. Just checked Nok Air for the 2nd week of January and a one way is 1200 baht DMK to Mukdahan. Used a fare comparison calendar they have have and it is about the same in February. 

I think i've find some flight tickets about that price. Getting a flight ticket would be lot more easier.

 

One more question which i've seen before but can't find it now: what are the TV requirements in Savannakhet embassy? Do they really ask about bluebook for +20k? and onward flight ticket? etc.

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, Jhansoz said:

Do they really ask about bluebook for +20k? and onward flight ticket? etc.

They want copies of a bank statement or bank book showing the equivalent of at least 20k baht in the account.

They want tickets out of the country but will accept bus and train tickets.

[JackThompson]

6 minutes ago, Jhansoz said:

I think i've find some flight tickets about that price. Getting a flight ticket would be lot more easier.

Glad to hear those air-tickets are still reasonably priced. 

But depending on the times, you may have to spend an extra night to fly both ways.  My preferred method is to bus there overnight, apply the day of arrival, collect passport the next day, then fly back that day (if a flight is available late enough in the day that it will not be stressful to make it).

 

OTOH, if you flight arrives too late to apply on the day you land, Mukdahan has a tower with a small museum, a nice little night-market, and a riverfront area to see - so not a bad place to spend an afternoon and evening, before crossing the bridge the next morning.

[sananeamk0715]

50 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

They want copies of a bank statement or bank book showing the equivalent of at least 20k baht in the account.

They want tickets out of the country but will accept bus and train tickets.

I thought Savannakhet not asking for showing 20.000 Baht in bank account for tourist visa?

[BritTim]

54 minutes ago, sananeamk0715 said:

I thought Savannakhet not asking for showing 20.000 Baht in bank account for tourist visa?

That was true until earlier this year. They now ask for financial proof, flights, and possibly even accommodation bookings. I have a theory that may or may not be correct. I think Thai consulates in Laos wants to give you a choice. You can use Vientiane a handful of times with no need to provide any financial proof or onward travel proof. However, they will red stamp you if you ask for too many. Vientiane is too busy to check documentation on each visa application, so they want people who apply often (but have the necessary documents) to apply in Savannakhet instead. My theory is based on the fact that I have always found them to try hard to accommodate foreigners (see, for instance, their willingness to issue the METV to foreigners resident in Laos) but they are under pressure to crack down on those living illegally in Thailand on tourist visas. Thus, some restrictions (which they try to minimize) are unavoidable.

[Jhansoz]

Btw, Has the Thai airways removed their ''pay later'' option? because i've checked many payment options and i didn't see it, which i did it very easily at my return from Penang to Bangkok flight.

 

Confirmation edit: You can only choose ''pay later'' option 4 days advance.

[Jhansoz]

[Urgent]: So i have came Laos embassy to apply for tourist visa, officer here said to me ''Turkish people can get visa after 3 weeks'' and he added ''it's new law'', i asked him what is it or what, but no details. Is there really a such regulation at the moment? 

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, Jhansoz said:

[Urgent]: So i have came Laos embassy to apply for tourist visa, officer here said to me ''Turkish people can get visa after 3 weeks'' and he added ''it's new law'', i asked him what is it or what, but no details. Is there really a such regulation at the moment? 

There is certainly no new law for that. 

As far as I know Turkey has not been added to the list of countries that can only get visas in their home country or the ones that have to have approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the visa is issued.

[Jhansoz]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is certainly no new law for that. 

As far as I know Turkey has not been added to the list of countries that can only get visas in their home country or the ones that have to have approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the visa is issued.

I've issued 3 visas in same embassy, and same time last year as well, never had a problem like today. A Thai lady said to me she wanted to apply visa for her Pakistani friend, and officer said 3 weeks to her as well. Is it like temporary ban for people who are from Islamic countries? precaution for christmas and new year events maybe?

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, Jhansoz said:

I've issued 3 visas in same embassy, and same time last year as well, never had a problem like today. A Thai lady said to me she wanted to apply visa for her Pakistani friend, and officer said 3 weeks to her as well. Is it like temporary ban for people who are from Islamic countries? precaution for christmas and new year events maybe?

Pakistan is on the list of countries that can only get a visa in their home country. See: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/upload/pdf/RestrictedCountries2013.pdf

Are you in Vientiane or Savannakhet? If Savannakhet it could be a local policy they have made up.