Hi guys,

 

Its been a while since I have been on 30 day exempt stamps so not sure what the latest is. At the moment I am on a 30 day exempt through Chong Chom border in Surin. Due to finish on the 15th July. Its my 2nd 30 day exempt in succession (first one being through the Malaysian border). What is the general word on the street ? Is it still 2 exempt stamps in a row and your denied entry or did that rule fall away. I accept no one can be sure and its all subjective for each border but just trying to get the general vibe.  I can do an extension but I wanted to go into Cambodia to see a freind and come back 2 days later so hence my question.

 

Any recent experiences appreciated.

Only 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year are allowed at land border crossings under a ministerial order that went into effect on January 1st of 2017.

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

Only 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year are allowed at land border crossings under a ministerial order that went into effect on January 1st of 2017.

Thanks. Are you aware of how strictly this seems to be enforced ?

3 minutes ago, PhoSai said:

Are you aware of how strictly this seems to be enforced ?

It is strictly enforced. Many border crossing put 1 or 2 beside the entry stamps.

Edit: Are you aware that you can get a 30 day extension of your 30 day visa exempt entry?

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

It is strictly enforced. Many border crossing put 1 or 2 beside the entry stamps.

Great, thanks for the clarity. Will have to wait for my Non O this time then. 

1 minute ago, PhoSai said:

Thanks. Are you aware of how strictly this seems to be enforced ?

 

At Chong Chom it is enforced. You should try Surin Immigration in Kap Choeng first and see if they will give you a 30 day visa exempt for 1900 baht. If not you need to make other arrangements.

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is strictly enforced. Many border crossing put 1 or 2 beside the entry stamps.

Sorry 1 more question. What about the equivalent through airports ? Or is it the same.

Just now, khwaibah said:

You should try Surin Immigration in Kap Choeng first and see if they will give you a 30 day visa exempt for 1900 baht.

I think you mean a 30 day extension not a visa exempt entry.

1 minute ago, khwaibah said:

 

At Chong Chom it is enforced. You should try Surin Immigration in Kap Choeng first and see if they will give you a 30 day visa exempt for 1900 baht. If not you need to make other arrangements.

Thanks.

 

Yeah Im not worried about the extension, if thats what you mean. I will do that in Ubon. Its just I wanted to pop over to Cambodia thats all.

Just now, PhoSai said:

Sorry 1 more question. What about the equivalent through airports ? Or is it the same.

There is no written limit on visa exempt entries by air.

Just now, ubonjoe said:

There is no written limit on visa exempt entries by air.

That's interesting. Ok thanks for that. Might have to bite the bullet and come back through DMK.

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no written limit on visa exempt entries by air.

If only Ubon was actually international..ha ha

17 minutes ago, PhoSai said:

That's interesting. Ok thanks for that. Might have to bite the bullet and come back through DMK.

I would not risk that.  A Tourist Visa from a Thai consulate and returning via a land-border (other than Poipet/Aranya) would avoid any potential problems.

 

If you don't need that much time, you could get an extension on your current entry (30-days for 1900 Baht, per others posts above), then get a re-entry permit (1000 Baht) to keep that permitted-stay in-effect, while you visit your friend in Cambodia and return.

 

 

9 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

I would not risk that.  A Tourist Visa from a Thai consulate and returning via a land-border (other than Poipet/Aranya) would avoid any potential problems.

 

This would be no problem at Chong Chom.

28 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

I would not risk that.  A Tourist Visa from a Thai consulate and returning via a land-border (other than Poipet/Aranya) would avoid any potential problems.

 

If you don't need that much time, you could get an extension on your current entry (30-days for 1900 Baht, per others posts above), then get a re-entry permit (1000 Baht) to keep that permitted-stay in-effect, while you visit your friend in Cambodia and return.

 

 

Thanks. Yep that would work and I forgot about that. 

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no written limit on visa exempt entries by air.

The embassy in my home country in Europe said otherwise. 'Only 2 entries also through airports'. I knew this was BS but the young embassy lady said 'we have it written on a paper on the wall here'.

 

'Im sure you know it better' I said as I was applying for my marriage visa and did not feel the need to convince her otherwise (she had just seen my passport full of biweekly entry/exit at Suvarnabhumi for 3 years, but was more convinced of the 'paper on the wall'). I hope nothing has changed regarding the VE, but happy not to use them anymore ?

1 hour ago, somtumwrong said:

The embassy in my home country in Europe said otherwise. 'Only 2 entries also through airports'. I knew this was BS but the young embassy lady said 'we have it written on a paper on the wall here'.

Ignore what Thai embassies and consulates say about any other rules other than those they apply for their own services. People naturally believe that they ought to be the experts on Thai immigration rules, but they are in reality notoriously ill informed.