Foreginers May Receive More Than 3 Tourist Visas

[george]

Confusion over tourist visas on arrival

BANGKOK: Pol Col Chalermpong Vadhanasukha, the Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Division 3, has verified that foreigners may receive more than three consecutive tourist visas on arrival.

Col Chalermpong clarified the issue after it was raised by a Gazette reader who was concerned that such a regulation was about to be enforced. The reader told the Gazette that he had learned of the regulation through a Thai Immigration Office website.

The reader said he understood that the regulation officially came into effect in 1997 but had seldom been used. It stipulated, he said, that foreigners could not be issued more than three consecutive tourist visas on arrival, and that after the third visa expired, the foreigner had to leave Thailand would not be allowed to return for 180 days.

Col Chalermpong said, “I have never heard of this regulation. There were no changes to immigration law or regulations in that year [1997].”

However, Col Chalermpong explained that under a rule issued in 1999, people applying for visas on arrival should expect close scrutiny. “Recently, we have been discussing how to stop illegal immigrants from entering Thailand,” he said.

“Real tourists are welcome anytime, but officers at immigration checkpoints will usually consider foreigners holding many consecutive tourist [60-day stay] or transit [30-day stay] visas gained on arrival as suspicious.”

He explained that people applying for tourist visas on arrival must prove that they have at least 20,000 baht per person, or 40,000 baht per family, as spending money – each time they enter Thailand.

People applying for transit visas must prove that they have 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family. “That has been a Ministry of Interior regulation since 1999,” he said.

Col Chalermpong criticized “unofficial” websites for answering foreigners’ questions with unreliable information. “For example, http://www.thaiimmigration.com , posted by the Nongkhai Provincial Immigration Office, did not answer the foreigner’s question [about tourist visas on arrival] with the facts, but instead with misleading information and humor,” he said.

“I don’t have the authority to shut down that website. But anyone who finds [non-immigration officers doing] something like this is welcome to let us know, and if we discover they are doing something wrong, we will shut them down.”

“The Immigration Division 3 website is the official website where foreigners can find out information and post questions about immigration” he added.

The Division 3 website is at http://www.imm3.police.go.th . Oddly, there is a link from it to the offending thaiimmigration.com website.

On Friday, meanwhile, the moderator on the thaiimmigration.com website (which is registered to Pol Col Sorrapol Payoongveeranoi, Superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration), posted a backgrounder on the current confusion:

He wrote, “Nong Khai Immigration [has] got two different sets of instructions from Headquarters in Bangkok on how the new financial rules are to be executed/interpreted .

“They got one from Division 3 stating that the new rules goes for everybody [with multiple tourist/transit on-arrival visas].

“They also got one from Division 1, in the form of a letter addressed to a member of this forum, saying that the new financial rule applies only to new applicants, [ie] people who [apply] for extension [for the] first time after 9th July 2004, which means that there is a ‘Grandfathering rule’ for former applicants.

“Superintendent Pol Col Sorrapol has done a [great deal of] work trying to find out which instruction is to be followed, but so far without any luck. All the people at HQ in Bangkok say, ‘We don’t know.’.

“That has given us a kind of delicate situation ... So to keep it simple, let’s just say they are both right.”

--Phuket Gazette 2004-05-14

[thaimee]

“Real tourists are welcome anytime, but officers at immigration checkpoints will usually consider foreigners holding many consecutive tourist [60-day stay] or transit [30-day stay] visas gained on arrival as suspicious.”

I iz not suspicious looking. Will pray for other's. Thanx for all the work George.

Thaimee.

[unbiasbob]

party on

[rbcjr52]

question for the forum? i am coming on 60day tourist visa.. how easy it to go to cambodia and get consecutive 60 tourist visas.. also how difficult is it obtain a type O non img visa here in the states? i come to thailand often, but on this next trip i would like to stay for a much longer period of time..thanks guys

[LivinLOS]

OK well thats a vicious circle...

I was the reader who wrote to the gazette... The thing was I was pointing out not the 3 visa limit but the fact that multiple back to back visas will now need to show some form of proof of money / earnings...

So I read abput the issue on a thread on here... Point the gazette to here... they contact the immigration and post a story... which is then reported on here !!!

However in previous communication they stated that people would need to show evidence of 40k per month income from abroad... now they state 20k !!

[ovenman]

The thing was I was pointing out not the 3 visa limit but the fact that multiple back to back visas will now need to show some form of proof of money / earnings...

As far as I can tell, the immigrations official quoted in this article is referring to financial requirements as they pertain to visitors that fall into the visa on arrival category. If the terminology being used is correct, this is not the same thing as either receiving a visa at a Thai consular office abroad or being granted a thirty day visa-free entry.

[ProThaiExpat]

This may be entirely too logical for Thailand, but the organization chart on Division 3s webpage states that Division 3 is responsible for border check points and Division 1 is responsible for Airports.

Thus, when flying into Thailand, you may have a multiple entry problem while border checkpoints are controlled by Division 3's "no problem information" as stated in george's news article.

[surfercaesar]

Well I guess that no major high ranking official fahrted yet so the same rule applies so life goes on

[thaimee]

Well I guess that no major high ranking official fahrted yet so the same rule applies so life goes on

I agree. When let's say Thaksin give's the nod, then and only then will Visa status become an issue of all topics of conversation or is it conservation(protect the tourist's!)?

Thaimee.

[Pookywooky]

With so much confusion over immigration rules, both among farangs and also the immigration departments themselves, isn't it time to call an amnesty, draw a thick black line under transgressions (on both sides) from the past, and say that until July 1st, overstays (not my problem, incidentally) and other naive or otherwise 'technical immigration problem cases', have the opportunity for a clean start if they report to immigration by the end of June.

In the meantime, the immigration department will produce a definitive statement concerning rules for foreigners visiting Thailand, for whatever reason, which is coherent, and an accurate statement of fact.

Is an amnesty too much to ask? I remember the government just a few months ago offering an amnesty to drug lords and 'figures of dark influence' if they promised to be good boys. Who do more damage to the international reputation of Thailand, drug barons and figures of dark influence, or farang visitors?

[Axel]

This is the list of Countries which can obtain a "15-Day Visa-on-Arrival"

for Tourism

B. Bhutan I. India P. Poland

C. China(+Taiwan) K. Kazakhstan R. Russia

Cyprus M. Maldives S. Saudi Arabia

Czech Republic Mauritus U. Ukraine

H. Hungary O. Oman

How many of the members in here are from one of these countries? How often do they arrive for a back-to-back visa on arrival, which is only granted for 15 days?

Somewhere in here is a mis-understanding.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

This may be entirely too logical for Thailand, but the organization chart on Division 3s webpage states that Division 3 is responsible for border check points and Division 1 is responsible for Airports.

Thus, when flying into Thailand, you may have a multiple entry problem while border checkpoints are controlled by Division 3's "no problem information" as stated in george's news article.

There is a way. COMPLY and have a proper visa.

[dereklev]

dr_Pat_Pong SAYS - There is a way. COMPLY and have a proper visa.

AND SO SAY ALL OF US!!

Why are so many people so amazed that the Thais would like you to follow their rules?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

dr_Pat_Pong SAYS - There is a way. COMPLY and have a proper visa.

AND SO SAY ALL OF US!!

Why are so many people so amazed that the Thais would like you to follow their rules?

It is beyond me too Derek. Many go to incredible lengths to circumvent the rules. And the overstayers are something else.

[maerim]

And the overstayers are something else.

Why overstay?

You get people on here asking what are they to do as they have overstayed by months the odd day I can understand but months?

What did they do let it slip their memory?

No sympathy from me I'm afraid.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

And the overstayers are something else.

Why overstay?

You get people on here asking what are they to do as they have overstayed by months the odd day I can understand but months?

What did they do let it slip their memory?

No sympathy from me I'm afraid.

Drinkin' and shaggin' keep 'em fully occupied it seems.

[maerim]

Drinkin' and shaggin' keep 'em fully occupied it seems.

Ha, so now I know why I have never overstayed.

[unbiasbob]

And the overstayers are something else.

Why overstay?

You get people on here asking what are they to do as they have overstayed by months the odd day I can understand but months?

What did they do let it slip their memory?

No sympathy from me I'm afraid.

hey look the fact is that there are many people who overstay by months and even years. it's a rock hard fact. I've read here on the forum so many goody 2 shoes who cannot believe that someone could overstay. "oh my god" "I have no sympathy" "how could they do it" . The fact is that it has happened, happens and will happen for a multitude of reasons so deal with it. I personally could care less if someone overstays 2 years. I am not shocked cause I have heard it all. Maybe they don't want to deal with the lousy system...so be it. I've heard about people overstaying 2 years, then leaving and coming back in 2 weeks and overstaying another year. Power to them if they can pull it off

[dr_Pat_Pong]

And the overstayers are something else.

Why overstay?

You get people on here asking what are they to do as they have overstayed by months the odd day I can understand but months?

What did they do let it slip their memory?

No sympathy from me I'm afraid.

hey look the fact is that there are many people who overstay by months and even years. it's a rock hard fact. I've read here on the forum so many goody 2 shoes who cannot believe that someone could overstay. "oh my god" "I have no sympathy" "how could they do it" . The fact is that it has happened, happens and will happen for a multitude of reasons so deal with it. I personally could care less if someone overstays 2 years. I am not shocked cause I have heard it all. Maybe they don't want to deal with the lousy system...so be it. I've heard about people overstaying 2 years, then leaving and coming back in 2 weeks and overstaying another year. Power to them if they can pull it off

Just how would the ideal system work in your view Bob ? Tailor make the laws to suit each and every situation and individual ?

[maerim]

Speaking as a "goody two shoes"and erudite the reason I don't overstay or do anything that will get up the Thai authorities nose is for the same reason I did the right thing when I was in business i.e. obey the law.

It's quite clear that the authorities here just the same as they can do in the U.K or anywhere else for that matter can do a lot more to me than I can do to them so why ask for hassle?

This still does not answer the question why overstay in the firstplace?

[Whitey]

For what it's worth, they have a NEW sign up at the Padang Besar crossing that says that tourists need to show 10k baht for a single person and 20k baht for a family. They were not asking for it, but they are making it clear that the requirement is required.

[LivinLOS]

There is a way. COMPLY and have a proper visa.

OK then if its so simple how ???? (please see http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10082) if your under 50 and dont want to marry a thai even if your spending 20 - 30k USD per annum in Thailand brought in from outside you still have no legal way of maintaining residency shy of 'wasting' 3 mil !!!

I dont want to be on tourist visa's... I contribute to the Thai economy... I dont need or want to work (been there, done it)... So please explain how I comply without leaving the country !!!

[unbiasbob]

And the overstayers are something else.

Why overstay?

You get people on here asking what are they to do as they have overstayed by months the odd day I can understand but months?

What did they do let it slip their memory?

No sympathy from me I'm afraid.

hey look the fact is that there are many people who overstay by months and even years. it's a rock hard fact. I've read here on the forum so many goody 2 shoes who cannot believe that someone could overstay. "oh my god" "I have no sympathy" "how could they do it" . The fact is that it has happened, happens and will happen for a multitude of reasons so deal with it. I personally could care less if someone overstays 2 years. I am not shocked cause I have heard it all. Maybe they don't want to deal with the lousy system...so be it. I've heard about people overstaying 2 years, then leaving and coming back in 2 weeks and overstaying another year. Power to them if they can pull it off

Just how would the ideal system work in your view Bob ? Tailor make the laws to suit each and every situation and individual ?

I believe the current system is fine only that it neglects persons under 50 who do not work and are not married. If these people have the resources to live here they should be allowed to do so without the 3 million baht requirement. I know people under 50 not working who have monthly incomes from foreign sources exceeeding 65,000 baht. No reason these people should be denied a 1 yr visa at all. So for example a guy retires at 47 and has no option other than to cough up 3 million baht into the uncertainty of a thai investment? Sorry but they've got to come up with another option for said persons, IMHO

[unbiasbob]

Speaking as a "goody two shoes"and erudite the reason I don't overstay or do anything that will get up the Thai authorities nose is for the same reason I did the right thing when I was in business i.e. obey the law.

It's quite clear that the authorities here just the same as they can do in the U.K or anywhere else for that matter can do a lot more to me than I can do to them so why ask for hassle?

This still does not answer the question why overstay in the firstplace?

Why overstay? A reason given to me by someone was to evade visa run hassles. In 10 years he overstayed several times paying fines each time which were a lot less of a hassle than dealing with the Poipet border every 30 days. This was his way to deal with it. He no longer does this but got away with it for 10 years. power to him as I said. I overstayed myself by 50 days once and paid my fine and left. I then came back a week later. Scaremongers here go wild when they hear the overstay word. Overstay happens for a variety of reasons: some legit, some not. I refuse to criticize someone who has overstayed. It is his problem. He will deal with it. Let it go. I do not personally plan on overstaying in the future but the one time I did the officer was quite pleasant as he took my 10,000 baht fine. no biggy, jack

[unbiasbob]

There is a way. COMPLY and have a proper visa.

OK then if its so simple how ???? (please see http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10082) if your under 50 and dont want to marry a thai even if your spending 20 - 30k USD per annum in Thailand brought in from outside you still have no legal way of maintaining residency shy of 'wasting' 3 mil !!!

I dont want to be on tourist visa's... I contribute to the Thai economy... I dont need or want to work (been there, done it)... So please explain how I comply without leaving the country !!!

Hey dude, I 2nd your post. So easy for these dudes to say just get a proper visa. Welcome to my nightmare

[LivinLOS]

Yeah I echo that obviously...

I am retired (or certainly not working in Thailand) at 30 and bring in about 2k USD per month min...

Whats so wrong with what I do ??? I contribute to the economy, I deserve to be able to get all my paperwork legal and legit be able to have house papers, register cars etc...

[Axel]

Retirement below 50. OK I understand your problem but imagine, you come here and a lot of Thai people would like to follow suit and stop working, as well. They all like sanook more than anything else.

Above is a bit tongue in cheek, but I believe the authorities here have never thought of the idea.

Reciprocal rules? What is the minimum age for a Thai to retire in your countr(ies) and what is the amount they have to bring in every year in order to get permission to stay long term?

[LivinLOS]

Dont know the exact rules... Was living in Holland for years before coming here but it seemed very easy for a thai to be able to 'visit' if they were able to show they could totally support themselves and would make no drains on the social system there (exactly what I am doing)... My lady had a lifetime Schengen visa so travel throughout Europe (except UK) was a total non issue...

Any Thai people that wish to follow my lead are perfectly welcome to give it a go... I had no real formal education... I went to a country I did not speak the language of.. Started my own biz.. Worked 90 - 110 hours per week and ended up running a 400 employee company with offices in 3 countries and long term large contracts in 5. By 28 I had nearly killed myself by being a maniac workaholic. For 5 years I NEVER went out, I never socialised, I never did anything but eat sleep and work.

So if you want to enjoy your time later life simply sacrifice your youth (is it a fair deal ??) !!

[Axel]

So if you want to enjoy your time later life simply sacrifice your youth (is it a fair deal ??) !!

You know it, I understand it. Outsiders? No way.

OK, I give you a background, decided 12 years ago to do a little biz in Thailand, with a small office and relax. Finally had 49 offices around the world, skimmed it down to 35 during a buy out, but kept the rest that is growing.

Outsiders see it easily, "Thailand give yhou so much chances".

Back to the visa, fly in between to another country, or get a non imm B, open a company, sign up a MD for a work permit but let it run by others for good or bad. As long as the company makes some money your stay is fine.

[neenthewiser]

dr_Pat_Pong says: "There is a way. COMPLY and have a proper visa." (Achtung)!

Sycophant dereklev opines: "AND SO SAY ALL OF US!!

Why are so many people so amazed that the Thais would like you to follow their rules?"

The original post stated:

"On Friday, meanwhile, the moderator on the thaiimmigration.com website (which is registered to Pol Col Sorrapol Payoongveeranoi, Superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration), posted a backgrounder on the current confusion:

He wrote, “Nong Khai Immigration [has] got two different sets of instructions from Headquarters in Bangkok on how the new financial rules are to be executed/interpreted .

“They got one from Division 3 stating that the new rules goes for everybody [with multiple tourist/transit on-arrival visas].

“They also got one from Division 1, in the form of a letter addressed to a member of this forum, saying that the new financial rule applies only to new applicants, [ie] people who [apply] for extension [for the] first time after 9th July 2004, which means that there is a ‘Grandfathering rule’ for former applicants.

“Superintendent Pol Col Sorrapol has done a [great deal of] work trying to find out which instruction is to be followed, but so far without any luck. All the people at HQ in Bangkok say, ‘We don’t know.’.

“That has given us a kind of delicate situation ... So to keep it simple, let’s just say they are both right.”

--Phuket Gazette 2004-05-14"

Comply???

Follow the rules????

The Thais don't know their own ---snip--- rules. How do you ---snip--- expect farangs to know them?

Edited May 17, 2004 by george