I have 2 from UK, 2 from Vietnam, 1 from Burma, 1 from Vientiane and 3 visa exempts. Do you think it's likely Kuala Lumpur would issue me an SETV if all my documents were in order?

I cannot answer you question with any certainty it would be correct since I have not seen enough recent reports for KL to go by. I would say that your history is not all that bad so they should do one. See this checklist of their required documents.

http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/contents/images/text_editor/files/Notes_1_1 Toursit TR_1_0 application(1).pdf

I can though state you would not have a problem getting another one in Vientiane.

Thanks. I think I'll give KL a go as I much prefer spending a few days in Malaysia compared to Laos.

Just out of curiosity how many of your setvs are back to back as in short border runs with only a few days out of thailand?

 

5 minutes ago, BigT73 said:

Just out of curiosity how many of your setvs are back to back as in short border runs with only a few days out of thailand?

 

Yep, if only a few days break between them I would avoid airport entry just in case and have 20,000 baht, flight out booking and hotel booking in my hands on entry into Thailand.

A few years ago, your chances in Kuala Lumpur with six previous tourist visas in your passport would have been near zero. There is no doubt that the situation there is far better now. Assuming you do go there, please let us know the outcome. It will be important feedback. Also, let us know if you are given the "travels frequently to Thailand as a tourist" stamp in addition to the visa if your application is successful. We know that would be likely now in Penang.

10 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Yep, if only a few days break between them I would avoid airport entry just in case and have 20,000 baht, flight out booking and hotel booking in my hands on entry into Thailand.

Thanks for your reply!  I usually do the metvs.  Do you think if I have my Bangkok bank acct book with balance printed of 20k+ will be ok?

1 minute ago, BigT73 said:

Thanks for your reply!  I usually do the metvs.  Do you think if I have my Bangkok bank acct book with balance printed of 20k+ will be ok?

Has to be cash. Showing a bankbook can make it look like you're not a tourist. Credit cards don't work either.

Just the way it is.

18 minutes ago, BigT73 said:

Thanks for your reply!  I usually do the metvs.  Do you think if I have my Bangkok bank acct book with balance printed of 20k+ will be ok?

No - and they will not let you go to an ATM, either.  They will not really be denying you for not having money, even though that is what they would stamp in your passport as the "official" reason for rejection.  They would deny you for spending "too much time in Thailand" on Tourist-type entries - and will tell you this (per other's reports). 

But because there is no law or rule limiting time in country on tourist-type entries, and the folks in charge of those entry-points cannot get the laws changed to their satisfaction, they use the "doesn't have money" (20K Baht in Cash or Travelers Checks) rule, or the "Cannot Afford their Stay" rule (a separate rule, which they use when the person they want to deny has the 20K in cash), as the "official reason" for denial.

 

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

I have 2 from UK, 2 from Vietnam, 1 from Burma, 1 from Vientiane and 3 visa exempts. Do you think it's likely Kuala Lumpur would issue me an SETV if all my documents were in order?

It's a big maybe.  If you go to KL, I would return by train via Pedang Besar (per above risk at Bangkok airports), then fly onward domestic from Hat Yai.  You did not mention if any/all of your visa-exempt entries were by-land and what year.  You can get a Visa-Exempt entry 2x per calendar-year, so could enter this way at Pedang Besar if your Tourist Visa is denied in KL.

 

Easier would be to go to Vientiane, and return by land (Friendship Bridge), from now until you get the remark-stamp on a visa ("This person travels to Thailand frequently...").  Then, you would get a new passport (as consulate staff will advise), and make KL one of your earlier TR Visas.

 

The risk of entry by air at Bangkok airports will persist across passports, however - as immigration has all entries in their DB, and will link your old and new passport entry-histories.  The new-passport is primarily helpful with getting new Visas from nearby consulates, as they only count what they see in the passport presented.

Edited December 15, 20187 yr by JackThompson

I've been around for a while so I'm well aware of the need to avoid airports and all that other general advice. But I do much prefer Malaysia and if I need more SETVs it's obviously better to do Kuala Lumpur first and then Laos than the other way round.

Good luck, but I don’t fancy your chances. KL’s has always been anti long term tourist’s. It would be my last choice of place to apply at with your history.

7 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

I've been around for a while so I'm well aware of the need to avoid airports and all that other general advice. But I do much prefer Malaysia and if I need more SETVs it's obviously better to do Kuala Lumpur first and then Laos than the other way round.

If you were on your 1st, 2nd or maybe 3rd TR Visa in the passport, I would agree - definitely KL first.  At this point, that ship may have sailed.  But things have gotten easier there than a couple years ago, so no one knows for sure.  And there is always the Visa Exempt by land (if you haven't done 2 by land in 2018), as a backup plan.  Please let us know the result, in any case.

I took 8th SETV from KL but i have residence certificate what i put my documents. 1 from KL, 1 from Savannakhet, 2 from Penang, 2 from Vientiane, 1 from Kota Bharu, 2  visa exempts. and I have certification monthly pension. This time i have little problem Sadao border they say i have so many Tourist visa but i say i must wait 11 months when i am 50 years and that is why i must use tourist visa, he say Ok go in Thailand, give stamp and dont ask money 20 000 Baht.

12 hours ago, BritTim said:

"travels frequently to Thailand as a tourist" stamp in addition to the visa if your application is successful. We know that would be likely now in Penang.

Do you know how often / on what loose criteria Penang is implementing this?

 

Also, is this a problem which can be got around with the help of some well known visa agents?

5 hours ago, RickG16 said:

18 hours ago, BritTim said:

"travels frequently to Thailand as a tourist" stamp in addition to the visa if your application is successful. We know that would be likely now in Penang.

Do you know how often / on what loose criteria Penang is implementing this?

 

Also, is this a problem which can be got around with the help of some well known visa agents?

The only thing that can be said for sure about Penang is that you can get that stamp even on your first application in Penang if you have previous tourist visas in your passport. They often give that stamp, but the exact criteria are not known.

 

It is unclear whether you can pay to avoid the stamp (obviously using an agent as a go between). You could ask the advice of a good agent on this.

11 hours ago, Tilli said:

I took 8th SETV from KL but i have residence certificate what i put my documents. 1 from KL, 1 from Savannakhet, 2 from Penang, 2 from Vientiane, 1 from Kota Bharu, 2  visa exempts. and I have certification monthly pension. This time i have little problem Sadao border they say i have so many Tourist visa but i say i must wait 11 months when i am 50 years and that is why i must use tourist visa, he say Ok go in Thailand, give stamp and dont ask money 20 000 Baht.

This is an interesting approach - and great result. 

 

Were your residence-certificate and certified-pension document issued by your home-country embassy?

 

Was your cert-pension also included in the documents you submitted to the Thai embassy in KL? 

Residence certificate is from Immigration office because i want Thai-driver's license. Certified-pension document issued my home country embassy KL. I am from EU. Yes my cert-pension also included in the documents what i submit to the Thai embassy in KL.

10 hours ago, Tilli said:

Residence certificate is from Immigration office because i want Thai-driver's license. Certified-pension document issued my home country embassy KL. I am from EU. Yes my cert-pension also included in the documents what i submit to the Thai embassy in KL.

If they accept a residence certificate issued by immigration that suggests they don't mind long stayers, which is good. I can't see how it would actually help you get a tourist visa though.

 

I live in Thailand last 8 years and use tourist visa. I have only one red stamp from Penang but then i replace new passport about 2 years ago. Last 2 years I using Residence certificate from Immigration office and every time i have new visa. Maybe I am lucky.