ED Visa, have you ever got troubles?

[Emfernandez]

Hello everyone,

 

I’m sorry if my question has been asked before. 

 

I’m currently in Bangkok and im planning to make a 8 months ED-Visa.

The school told me to go to Laos once I get the approval but, for the past 2/3 years I went to Thailand quite a lot, stayed for 5 months, 6, 7 months using 90 days tourist visa and the immigration 30 days extension... 

 

so even if they give me ED VISA in laos, 

wont they be asking questions at Don Meuang airport? I’ve heard they’re quite tough with people staying in Thailand by using extensions... 

 

should I prepare documents? Like bank account or leasing contract in Thailand? 

 

Thank you 

[anon789561]

they shouldn't ask questions as far as i know as you will be coming back with an ed visa not a tourist visa

[BritTim]

The initial entry with the Non Ed visa should not be a problem, your frequent previous tourist entries notwithstanding. The only exception would be if they had reasonable grounds for suspecting you of illegal working. What you should beware of is leaving and returning to Thailand while on extensions for reasons of studying Thai. They may try to determine if you are a bona fide student. Two things might make them suspicious. First, if you have a couple of weeks out when you would be expected to be studying, have a good explanation of why. Second, if you do not seem to have learned any Thai they may disbelieve your story that you have been in Thailand studying.

[tgeezer]

After so much time in Thailand it is not unreasonable for someone to decide that they would like to learn Thai. I think that you should get an Ed-visa only if you are genuinely interested in learning Thai.
The Ed-visa could be open ended if you have the means to support life because who can say when you no longer need to study?


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[Emfernandez]

16 hours ago, Happy enough said:

they shouldn't ask questions as far as i know as you will be coming back with an ed visa not a tourist visa

Thank you BritTim. 

 

I really want to study Thai. So I won’t get out of the country unless there’s a long period of holidays :) 

[Emfernandez]

Thank you Tgeezer, 

 

That’s exactly why I want to study Thai. 

I came here quite often and though I have a bit of vocabulary, I’d like to be fluent. Maybe someday I’ll find a job here, it will always help to be able to have real conversations with people. 

Just hoping everything will go well :) 

[Emfernandez]

Thank you Happy Enough :) 

[JackThompson]

21 hours ago, Emfernandez said:

I’m currently in Bangkok and im planning to make a 8 months ED-Visa.

The school told me to go to Laos once I get the approval but, for the past 2/3 years I went to Thailand quite a lot, stayed for 5 months, 6, 7 months using 90 days tourist visa and the immigration 30 days extension... 

 

so even if they give me ED VISA in laos, 

wont they be asking questions at Don Meuang airport? I’ve heard they’re quite tough with people staying in Thailand by using extensions... 

I would never enter any Thai airport immigration checkpoint with a longer-stay history, using an ED or Tourist Visa or visa-exempt - but admit I am extremely cautious about this (some would say over-cautious - to each their own gambles).

 

Is there any way you could cross over Friendship Bridge, then mini-bus to Udon Thani (1 hr or less), then fly back to Bangkok from there?  Do that, and it will be a NO STRESS return to Thailand, since the bridge IOs are generally polite and professional (no reports of refusing entry on EDs), and a domestic-flight will not involve immigration.

If you must fly back to Thailand internationally, be sure you have 20K Baht in Cash or Travelers Checks on your person (not plastic - they won't let you go to an ATM), and a good explanation for how you can afford to live in Thailand without working - maybe some sort of documentation of foreign-savings/income.  Odds are, no drama - but best to be prepared for the worst-possible case.

[Emfernandez]

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

I would never enter any Thai airport immigration checkpoint with a longer-stay history, using an ED or Tourist Visa or visa-exempt - but admit I am extremely cautious about this (some would say over-cautious - to each their own gambles).

 

Is there any way you could cross over Friendship Bridge, then mini-bus to Udon Thani (1 hr or less), then fly back to Bangkok from there?  Do that, and it will be a NO STRESS return to Thailand, since the bridge IOs are generally polite and professional (no reports of refusing entry on EDs), and a domestic-flight will not involve immigration.

If you must fly back to Thailand internationally, be sure you have 20K Baht in Cash or Travelers Checks on your person (not plastic - they won't let you go to an ATM), and a good explanation for how you can afford to live in Thailand without working - maybe some sort of documentation of foreign-savings/income.  Odds are, no drama - but best to be prepared for the worst-possible case.

Hi Jack, 

thank you for your answer. 

 

I haven’t checked about the minibus at Udon Thani but what do you think about taking the night train (on the return only) 

 

1st flight > whatever airport in bkk  

return flight > night train

[Emfernandez]

I’m adding something up for you guys if you have the answer. 

 

As I previously said I will apply for a ED visa.

The School told me that it would 2-3 weeks to get the approval and then I’ll be able to schedule a transportation. 

But, I came a few days ago without any visa (30 days exemption  authorised with my French passport) so, if the school takes more than 3 weeks, I was thinking about doing an extension, only to wait for the documents to be ready. 

 

I guess it won’t be a problem, I mean having the extension stamp + ED visa (coming up) ? 

 

 

[BritTim]

5 hours ago, Emfernandez said:

I’m adding something up for you guys if you have the answer. 

 

As I previously said I will apply for a ED visa.

The School told me that it would 2-3 weeks to get the approval and then I’ll be able to schedule a transportation. 

But, I came a few days ago without any visa (30 days exemption  authorised with my French passport) so, if the school takes more than 3 weeks, I was thinking about doing an extension, only to wait for the documents to be ready. 

 

I guess it won’t be a problem, I mean having the extension stamp + ED visa (coming up) ? 

No problem, and you can wait until a day or two before your current permission to stay expires before deciding if the extension is necessary.

[JackThompson]

9 hours ago, Emfernandez said:

I haven’t checked about the minibus at Udon Thani but what do you think about taking the night train (on the return only) 

The mini-bus goes from Nong Khai bus-station (border-city with Laos) to Udon Thani.  Then, you would catch a flight from Udon Airport to Bangkok.

I have done the train overnight.  2nd Class Air-Con works.  Headed to Vientiane, the train can be late and you miss the deadline for submitting your application -  but plenty of time to catch it on the way back after getting your visa the next day.

A "real" VIP Bus (1-seat + isle + 2-seats) is also an option.  If traveling alone, choose a seat by itself.  The "Transport Company" was running comfortable-seat VIP buses Nong Khai -> BKK, last time I did it (unlike their Mukdahan-BKK VIP buses - designed for short people only).

[tgeezer]

I know that introducing logic is a dangerous thing but who would want to learn Thai if they had no experience of Thailand? Immigration might well have a jaundiced view at first bit I would think that they would have to wait and see.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

 

[Emfernandez]

Thank you everyone for the help you gave me through your answers. 

I don’t know yet which transportation I’m going to use but I’ll make sure to have 20,000 b cash on me anyway. 

 

I’ll keep you posted ASAP :)

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, Emfernandez said:

Thank you everyone for the help you gave me through your answers. 

I don’t know yet which transportation I’m going to use but I’ll make sure to have 20,000 b cash on me anyway. 

 

I’ll keep you posted ASAP :)

If you enter Thailand via Friendship Bridge almost no chance they will ask to see the cash (based on reports) - but it doesn't hurt to be prepared - policies can change without warning.

[Suradit69]

4 hours ago, tgeezer said:

I know that introducing logic is a dangerous thing

Especially when the supposedly logical point you are trying to make is unfathomable.

 

4 hours ago, tgeezer said:

Immigration might well have a jaundiced view at first bit I would think that they would have to wait and see

They would have to wait and see?  Not sure if you have a firm grip on how I/O's operate. Waiting to see something isn't their typical modus operandi.

[Master Jairam]

How to work as an ad hoc teacher for pin money? Poss on a non imm b visa? 

[watcharacters]

17 hours ago, Emfernandez said:

Hi Jack, 

thank you for your answer. 

 

I haven’t checked about the minibus at Udon Thani but what do you think about taking the night train (on the return only) 

 

1st flight > whatever airport in bkk  

return flight > night train

I  hope you can avoid  a death van.     Maybe a taxi is available?

[Master Jairam]

Do trains run on time...reservation available? Cheap?

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, Master Jairam said:

Do trains run on time...reservation available? Cheap?

Sometimes on time and other times an hour or so late.

No reservation but you can purchase tickets up to 60 days early that reserves you a seat or berth.

Purchase online here. https://www.thairailwayticket.com/eTSRT/Default.aspx?language=1

The price depends upon the class.

[Master Jairam]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Sometimes on time and other times an hour of so late.

No reservation but you can purchase tickets up to 60 day early that reserves you a seat or berth.

Purchase online here. https://www.thairailwayticket.com/eTSRT/Default.aspx?language=1

The price depends upon the class.

You mean no fixed seat no but right to enter reserved 60 days in advance can do. Sit anywhere? 

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, Master Jairam said:

You mean no fixed seat no but right to enter reserved 60 days in advance can do. Sit anywhere? 

When you buy the ticket it will have your seat number on it.

[Master Jairam]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

When you buy the ticket it will have your seat number on it.

Meaning of no reservation pls? U mean my name not linked to seat no? I can ask another person to travel on my ticket in my stead?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, Master Jairam said:

Meaning of no reservation pls? U mean my name not linked to seat no? I can ask another person to travel on my ticket in my stead?

To me reservation means you have not purchased the ticket yet. It goes back to the day when you could reserve a flight without buying the ticket until you got to the airport for example.

Railway tickets here do not have a name on it just a seat number. You could give the ticket to somebody to use it  if you wanted to.

[Master Jairam]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

To me reservation means you have not purchased the ticket yet. It goes back to the day when you could reserve a flight without buying the ticket until you got to the airport for example.

Railway tickets here do not have a name on it just a seat number. You could give the ticket to somebody to use it  if you wanted to.

Very good reply..thank you nr ubonjoe!

[9KPhalak]

I was on an ED visa for about 6 months in 2014.  I made the trip to Laos, Mukdahan I think it was.  I had no problems what-so-ever.  Just a normal visa run.  No one asked to see my bank accout or anything except my passport of course and the application form.

[JackThompson]

4 hours ago, watcharacters said:

I  hope you can avoid  a death van.     Maybe a taxi is available?

The hop from Nong Khai to Udon Thani is not bad.  Alternatively, he could use a fly-ride service from an airline - but looks like he is going with the train.

[Emfernandez]

On 17/01/2018 at 10:31 PM, JackThompson said:

The hop from Nong Khai to Udon Thani is not bad.  Alternatively, he could use a fly-ride service from an airline - but looks like he is going with the train.

Hi Jack, 

 

I’m still wondering about the transportation. I haven’t got the approval yet. Maybe in 2 weeks so it gives me time to think this through... 

 

I tell myself that, this is my 1st ED VISA and it’s a 8 months visa not a year, 

I never overstayed in the country, never stayed for more than 7 months...and always went back for 6 months to France after leaving Thailand so I’m wondering if the I/O is really going to question me...

 

On the other hand, I know some of them have some anger against people staying too long in Thailand, if the I/O wants me to get trouble, I surely will... 

 

for the moment I’ve thought about 2 options : 

 

- Flying by Nokair, they have Fly-Ride service 

or

- Take a direct fly from Suvarnabhumi, though I know it doesn’t make much of a difference but I’ve heard really less stories from Suvarnabhumi IO than Don Meuang

in both case I’ll have 20,000b cash 

[JackThompson]

22 hours ago, Emfernandez said:

... for the moment I’ve thought about 2 options : 

- Flying by Nokair, they have Fly-Ride service 

or

- Take a direct fly from Suvarnabhumi, though I know it doesn’t make much of a difference but I’ve heard really less stories from Suvarnabhumi IO than Don Meuang

in both case I’ll have 20,000b cash 

I've read as many stories about both airports - though at one time Suv was considered better.  The only airport I've not seen TR/ED-Visa trouble-reports from is Chang Mai, but that is based on who reports to this site.

 

The NokAir fly-ride solution would avoid any potential troubles.

[BritTim]

On 1/19/2018 at 10:31 AM, Emfernandez said:

for the moment I’ve thought about 2 options : 

 

- Flying by Nokair, they have Fly-Ride service 

or

- Take a direct fly from Suvarnabhumi, though I know it doesn’t make much of a difference but I’ve heard really less stories from Suvarnabhumi IO than Don Meuang

in both case I’ll have 20,000b cash 

If you use the NokAir fly-ride service

• you cross the border by land, so you do not need to pass immigration at the airport; and
• it means one night less in Savannakhet: you receive your passport back with visa too late to fly out of Savannakhet the same day, but with plenty of time to take a Fly-Ride journey.