How Many More Visa Runs Can I Do?

[cali4995]

...using thaivisa's date calculator, 6 months for me = 183 days. but 3 exempt entries+1 tourist visa =178 days. so it looks like if you wanted another visa exempt entry you would have to wait 5 days in cambodia or laos before your return?

I think the best thing would be to plan your trip for the tourist visa to fill up those extra five days. Now, instead of just a quick 2 day trip every 6 months, it'll have to be a five or six day holiday.

Another option would be to get the 7 day extension on one your last visa exemption for 1,900 baht. Does anyone know if you'd be able to get the extension, after your 90 days were up? I'd expect that immigration would be happy to get the money...

Two five day holidays a year, six visa runs, two extensions!!

Must be nearly time to consider working legally and paying the tax, which is one of the reasons they started this in the first place.

People (the bar owners and illegal workers, which is the majority of people affected) should spend more time trying the legal route and less time trying to work out how to circumvent this one.

By no means certain that anybody is going to get a second 60 day tourist visa when the next batch of 90 day stamps expire. The more you get, the more you don't look like a tourist and this is very easy to alter when the authorities decide to clamp down again.

More likely that you are going to have to start showing income and resources to get one. This is a logical next step for them, they just havn't thought of it yet. They will!

"IF" you're working illegally in the Kingdom "THEN" Yes, obviously you need to get legal. "IF" you're a genuine tourist, planning on travelling throughout the region for more than 90 days "THEN" you had better take a moment to study the current Immigration law, because I'm afraid feigning ignorance will not get you much leniency.You are absolutely correct, they may not issue two consecutive single entry tourist visas. This also is not yet clear. However, they are also only issuing single entry tourist visas at consulates in many passport holder's home countries. There are many variables at play in this entire issue. It's possible some foreigners are working here and not paying tax, but I think there is a disproportionate number of regular tourists who are attempting to understand the blanket restrictions so they can remain legal every day of their stay here and not get ensnared in these confusing regulations.

Edited February 11, 2007 by cali4995

[jeebusjones]

Must be nearly time to consider working legally and paying the tax, which is one of the reasons they started this in the first place.

"IF" you're working illegally in the Kingdom "THEN" Yes, obviously you need to get legal. ... It's possible some foreigners are working here and not paying tax, but I think there is a disproportionate number of regular tourists who are attempting to understand the blanket restrictions so they can remain legal every day of their stay here and not get ensnared in these confusing regulations.

Yeah I'd have to disagree with Dupont's statement as well. It's unreasonable to assume that all "long stay tourists" are working illegally. IF they were working, then of course they should get the proper visas etc...

Why wouldn't they? It would save a lot headaches. On the other hand, it's much more difficult to stay if you're not working, but don't fit the very rigid categories available for long stay visas.

Basically, for someone under 50 the only option available for a long stay is to marry a Thai. But wouldn't that be like filling yourself before going to an all-you-can-eat buffet?

[cali4995]

Must be nearly time to consider working legally and paying the tax, which is one of the reasons they started this in the first place.

"IF" you're working illegally in the Kingdom "THEN" Yes, obviously you need to get legal. ... It's possible some foreigners are working here and not paying tax, but I think there is a disproportionate number of regular tourists who are attempting to understand the blanket restrictions so they can remain legal every day of their stay here and not get ensnared in these confusing regulations.

Yeah I'd have to disagree with Dupont's statement as well. It's unreasonable to assume that all "long stay tourists" are working illegally. IF they were working, then of course they should get the proper visas etc...

Why wouldn't they? It would save a lot headaches. On the other hand, it's much more difficult to stay if you're not working, but don't fit the very rigid categories available for long stay visas.

Basically, for someone under 50 the only option available for a long stay is to marry a Thai. But wouldn't that be like filling yourself before going to an all-you-can-eat buffet?

I'm sure there are a few foreigners working illegally in the kingdom. But you know how efficient the Thai grapevine is? Unless the Thais wanted to allow it (such as language teachers in the past) these people would be turned in by the local Thais inside of a week. Not to mention that if caught, an offender would be immediately arrested and probably face a jail sentence and deportation? There are many myths concerning foreigners in Thailand. As you've noticed every single time they catch a foreigner in criminal activity, the story gets splashed over one or both of the national daily papers. As if the Thais weren't already so hyped on xenophobia and patriotism? I've been here a few times in years past and you never used to see violent crimes commited against foreigners. Now, it's almost a weekly occurrence? As if it's a justifyable activity? If I were a Thai person constantly being barraged with all this negative news concerning foreigners I would also begin to be suspicious if these people were working illegally, or engaged in criminal activity, or had bad intentions toward children? Sadly, I think it all just signals the beginning of the end for holidaying in Thailand. Sensationalism sells newspapers but it can also be a little dangerous.

Edited February 12, 2007 by cali4995