Tourist visa options

[Johnson81]

Hi,

I have been in Thailand since Oct 2016, staying on a mix of tourist visas and visa exempt entries.

1 TR visa from UK

1 TR visa from Penang

1 TR visa from Laos

4 visa exempt entries

Nearly all entries, TR and exempt, have been extended.

I am 36 ,from UK, and living in Thailand on savings which I can prove.

 

1.Given this history would I have any problems re-entering the country on visa exempt at the airport if I have 20k and a ticket out the country?

 

2. Or would it be better to go to Laos or Pennang for a tourist visa given I only have one at each?

 

3. And finally do consulates like Laos and Penang count the total number of tourist visas in passport (from all places) before issuing a red stamp, or just the number they have issued themself?

 

Thanks,

 

Johnson81

 

 

[JackThompson]

37 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

1.Given this history would I have any problems re-entering the country on visa exempt at the airport if I have 20k and a ticket out the country?

You could.  They could refuse entry, even if you have the money, by claiming you came to compete with Cambodians to work as an under-the-table maid (to whom immigration gives easy-visas, to keep the most vulnerable Thais poor).  There are special restrictions which have been placed on visa-exempt entries (by Ministerial order) to prevent their use for people spending most of their time in Thailand using them.

 

37 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

2. Or would it be better to go to Laos or Pennang for a tourist visa given I only have one at each?

That would be better - much less likely the Airport will refuse entry - but it can still happen - even with the cash, as they can make up a story you came here to work an under-the-table low-pay job.  See here:

 

47 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

... living in Thailand on savings which I can prove.

They may or may not pay attention to your proof.  Calling people "liars" is not uncommon by these unfriendlies, who often make up non-existent rules about how many entries, or how many days, you can stay in Thailand as a Tourist.  I always carried paperwork showing money overseas, but thankfully never needed it, since I didn't ever fly into Thai airports from abroad (since this craziness started).

 

The only sure-fire way to avoid rejected-entry and/or being interrogated as if you are a criminal, is to cross the border into Thailand via a good land-border checkpoint (all except Poipet), where they won't make up rules that don't exist and/or mistreat you.

 

• Coming from Laos, use the Friendship Bridge crossings and then on to Udon Thanni or other domestic-airport (fly-ride options are available from some airlines). 
• Coming from Penang, take the Train through Pedang Besar (have your 20K baht ready to show) to Hat Yai airport, and fly from there. 
• If coming from farther away, fly to Penang, and take the train + HatYai airport method.

 

37 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

3. And finally do consulates like Laos and Penang count the total number of tourist visas in passport (from all places) before issuing a red stamp, or just the number they have issued themself?

Vientiane, Laos is reported to only count their own.  Penang may count all.  But based on reports, Savannakhet, Laos is not red-stamping - though you will need more paperwork there to apply - hotel-booking or rental-contract, proof of 20K Baht worth of money in the bank, flight out within 90-days of application.  If planning to continue this pattern of stay, I would use Savannakhet, though HCMC is another option, not too far away. 

[BritTim]

I agree with what JackThompson posted. In particular, avoid any more visa exempt entries by air unless there is no other practical alternative. Immigration have more discretion in denying you entry if entering visa exempt.

 

If you go to Penang, or Phnom Penh expect a red stamp. If you go to Vientiane, you probably will not get one unless you have 3+ from there. In Savannakhet you will not get a red stamp. Consider using Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Yangon for visa runs. If you can afford a little more money, Hong Kong is a great place to apply.

[Johnson81]

Thanks for the replies. My preferred destination is to use Laos Vientiane over the friendship bridge. As I only have one from there is it safe to assume it's unlikely I will be red stamped on my second visit?

[Johnson81]

Thanks Tim, do you know what paperwork is needed in Hong Kong? Could be a decent option

[JackThompson]

30 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

Thanks for the replies. My preferred destination is to use Laos Vientiane over the friendship bridge. As I only have one from there is it safe to assume it's unlikely I will be red stamped on my second visit?

Unlikely, but no guarantees.  If you plan to be doing this for awhile, you will need to expect to get new passports often, or adjust your strategy.  Start a new passport with "difficult" consulates like Phnom Penh, who hand out red-stamps if they see even 2 used TVs from anywhere in it, then move on to ones that don't red-stamp. 

 

I usually saved Vientiane until the last, since they (generally-  up to now) only red-stamp you on the 3rd or 4th TV from them - but they will not process a TV if they or any other consulate has issued a red-stamp, no matter how much paperwork/money you show.  So if you get a "surprise" red stamp somewhere, that takes away 3 potential Vientiane TVs (this happened to me, once).  Maybe use it in the "middle" - after a Phnom Penh as #1 and Penang as #2.

 

On Visa-Exempt entries - be aware you can get 2 per calendar-year, without any trouble at all, at friendly land-borders (any Laos, or or 2 Cambodian ones - Ban Laem or Ban Packard).  I'd save at least one of these for an aborted Visa-application attempt - maybe use it right at the end of a year.

[Johnson81]

Thanks Jack, my passport is almost finished now so will follow your advice.

 

Coming from Phuket, do you know a good airport to fly into to do a land crossing into Savannakhet?

[Roadcafe]

Upon Joe could you advise me on my situation.

 

I arrived Jan 1 on a 30 day tourist arrival "visa" or whatever they consider

It is? I then flew out of country after 4 days for a few weeks and returned the

17th jan. My 30 days is up on Jan 15th. 

 

Considering cost and effort involved, is there a 60 or 90 day extension via a boarder run to Cambodia or a way without a boarder run?

 

If the cost and effort is close I may as well get the retirement visa again.

It looks like there is a way to do this without leaving the country but one needs 

two weeks left on the remaining time of your stay documentation.

 

With a trip to BKK a proof of income can be obtained. Can I extend my 

Visa exempt 30 day while in bkk for another 30 days and immediately apply

for a non_O 90 day? This gives me 60 days to stay and I then should be able

to apply then for the retirement visa where ever I am staying?

 

The most costly and time would be bkk proof of income then trip to Laos

Savanah etc for non_O. 

 

Whatever scenario you advise what paperwork is needed.

 

Thanks

Roadcafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BritTim]

51 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

Thanks Tim, do you know what paperwork is needed in Hong Kong? Could be a decent option

In Hong Kong, you need a completed entry form, visa photo, copy of passport data page and of Hong Kong entry slip (there is no stamp made in your passport, just a slip given) and 300 HKD. You submit the application in the morning one day, and pick the passport up with visa on the morning of the following day. Usually little in the way of queues. In my opinion, it is the most painless place in the region to apply for a tourist visa.

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, Roadcafe said:

I arrived Jan 1 on a 30 day tourist arrival "visa" or whatever they consider

It is? I then flew out of country after 4 days for a few weeks and returned the

17th jan. My 30 days is up on Jan 15th. 

You dates appear incorrect. I assume you mean February 15th not January 15th.

 

11 minutes ago, Roadcafe said:

With a trip to BKK a proof of income can be obtained. Can I extend my 

Visa exempt 30 day while in bkk for another 30 days and immediately apply

for a non_O 90 day? This gives me 60 days to stay and I then should be able

to apply then for the retirement visa where ever I am staying?

You could apply for the 30 day extension of your 30 day entry that would allow you to apply for a non immigrant visa (category O). Both could be done on the same day at immigration. 

Then you could apply for the extension of stay based upon retirement during the last 45 days of the 90 day entry from the visa.

[BritTim]

19 minutes ago, Johnson81 said:

Thanks Jack, my passport is almost finished now so will follow your advice.

 

Coming from Phuket, do you know a good airport to fly into to do a land crossing into Savannakhet?

Look at using the Nok Air fly-ride service from Bangkok to Mukdahan (other side of the river with a regular bus service to take you across the bridge).

[DipStick]

The OP openly states he has been in Thailand for close on 16 months, using "tourist" visas or visa excerpt.

he then went onto say

""Nearly all entries, TR and exempt, have been extended.

I am 36 ,from UK, and LIVING in Thailand on savings which I can prove.""

 

Methinks someone is pushing his luck here

[darrendsd]

8 minutes ago, DipStick said:

The OP openly states he has been in Thailand for close on 16 months, using "tourist" visas or visa excerpt.

he then went onto say

""Nearly all entries, TR and exempt, have been extended.

I am 36 ,from UK, and LIVING in Thailand on savings which I can prove.""

 

Methinks someone is pushing his luck here

He won't be pushing his luck if he follows the advice already given 

[Roadcafe]

Upon Joe could you advise me on my situation.

 

I arrived Jan 1 on a 30 day tourist arrival "visa" or whatever they consider

It is? I then flew out of country after 4 days for a few weeks and returned the

17th jan. My 30 days is up on Jan 15th. 

 

Considering cost and effort involved, is there a 60 or 90 day extension via a boarder run to Cambodia or a way without a boarder run?

 

If the cost and effort is close I may as well get the retirement visa again.

It looks like there is a way to do this without leaving the country but one needs 

two weeks left on the remaining time of your stay documentation.

 

With a trip to BKK a proof of income can be obtained. Can I extend my 

Visa exempt 30 day while in bkk for another 30 days and immediately apply

for a non_O 90 day? This gives me 60 days to stay and I then should be able

to apply then for the retirement visa where ever I am staying?

 

The most costly and time would be bkk proof of income then trip to Laos

Savanah etc for non_O. 

 

Whatever scenario you advise what paperwork is needed.

 

Thanks

Roadcafe

 

Thanks for your reply Ubonjoe,

 

Can I apply for the 30 day extension and then immediately apply for the

Non_O immigrant visa (category O) at the Surin immigration office. Would

I need the proof of income at this stage for the O_visa or just for the 

Retirement application.

 

Thanks

Roadcafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[phuketrichard]

Quote

".... Cambodians to work as an under-the-table maid (to whom immigration gives easy-visas .."

obviously u have zero idea what it entails to get an L-A migrant work visa...its not easy ,not cheap,and takes 4-6months

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, Roadcafe said:

Upon Joe could you advise me on my situation.

See my post at #10 that I did yesterday in reply to your questions.

[JackThompson]

3 hours ago, phuketrichard said:

obviously u have zero idea what it entails to get an L-A migrant work visa...its not easy ,not cheap,and takes 4-6months

I spoke to someone on one, who told me they had to get ripped-off via an "agent" system to get the visa.  It was a huge amount of money, especially given how little they are paid (and often, not paid on time) by their Thai employers. 

[phuketrichard]

There completely legal ways as well, ...my Khmer gf has one, cost me 22,000 baht for a 2 year visa, wp an thai health card. and yes she makes good money. 

Most khmers/Burmese make MIN 10,000 baht/month +lodging.