Have Work Permit - Ok To Come In On Tourist Visa?

[villa_boy1]

I have been trying to extend my Non-Im Visa to match the date of my work permit (Dec 2007) but have encountered some problems due to the fact that my employer's paperwork is incomplete/incorrect. I have already had a seven day extension and today was the last day on my visa. I was turned down at Immigration today which means that I have to leave the country and will probably get a day or two overstay fine.

Immigration's advice was that I leave the country and apply for a new Non-Im B Visa. However, I would prefer to do a quick visa run to give me an extra month to decide what to do as I'm not sure I want to go through the whole process again only to be possibly let down again by my employer's incompetence. However, I'm slightly worried that Immigration will not allow me back in the country on a tourist visa due to the fact that my passport shows that I have a work permit, and therefore they might (justifiably) think I am coming back in to work.

Has anyone experienced this or know what Immigration are likely to do in this situation? Thanks.

[ruaraidh]

entering thailand with a tourist visa will invalidate your work permit and you will have to start the whole application process from scratch...

[PhilHarries]

entering thailand with a tourist visa will invalidate your work permit and you will have to start the whole application process from scratch...

Will it? I was working in Thailand, with work permit, and left on a business without realising that my re-entry visa had expired. On return the immigration official would only give me a thirty days VOA (obviously). Subsequently I had to do a visa run to the Phillipines but can't remember any issue with the work permit. I have to admit that the wp was entirely handled by my employer but they never mentioned having to get a new one and I don't recall signing any additional forms etc.

[Casanundra]

entering thailand with a tourist visa will invalidate your work permit and you will have to start the whole application process from scratch...

Will it? I was working in Thailand, with work permit, and left on a business without realising that my re-entry visa had expired. On return the immigration official would only give me a thirty days VOA (obviously). Subsequently I had to do a visa run to the Phillipines but can't remember any issue with the work permit. I have to admit that the wp was entirely handled by my employer but they never mentioned having to get a new one and I don't recall signing any additional forms etc.

From my understanding, the minute you left without a valid re-entry permit and stamped with a 30 day VOA upon your return pretty much made your WP null and void as well. Don't be surprised if someone at the labour office tries to stiff you for a late return fee for your WP which if I recall should have been returned within 7 days of your imm B visa expiring, not to mention that your company will also be on the receiving end of a fine as well for failing to inform them of your WP having expired.

From what I can see, the only solution for you now is to slide down the snake and start making your way around the board again and hope you get some ladders to help you back up on your merry way.

[villa_boy1]

From what I can see, the only solution for you now is to slide down the snake and start making your way around the board again and hope you get some ladders to help you back up on your merry way.

Yes, I was expecting this scenario, thanks for your help guys. My real concern would that they'd be funny about letting me in at all, but it seems I shouldn't have a problem obtaining VOA.