Limit to Single Entre Tourist Visa (per year)?

[aldriglikvid]

Hi guys, 

 

I'm 30 years of age, took 1 year of work to travel Thailand. 

 

I'm about to do my 3rd Single Entry Tourist Visa in a 12 month rolling period - would that be any problem in immigration?

 

I'll apply for my new SETV in Vietnam, as I did last time. Was it a mistake of me to book the same trip? 

 

- All trips are by air

- Have documents for exiting Thailand within 90 days

- Can show cash of 20 000 baht

- I've not made a trip to Thailand without a SETV for 24 months

 

 

Here's why I'm a bit worried: I was under the (naive) impression that as long as I followed the rules (applying for a tourist visa and doing all my trips by air) I'll not be hassled at immigration. However, last trip (my "second visa") I got questioned at immigration. They brought a couple of people to my booth and they asked me several times as to what my purpose in Thailand was. They asked what places I visit for tourism and if I had a GF here (I said no - should I've said yes?).

 

I'm a bit disappointed at my self not arranging a METV while I still was employed. I really thought I wasn't making any problems if I just made all my trips with a tourist visa. And, being 30 I don't have many other options... 

 

Sorry for the long thread. All feedback is appreciated. ????

[RickG16]

"They asked if I had a GF here (I said no - should I've said yes?)."

 

 

I'm also interested in knowing the best answer to this question.

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, aldriglikvid said:

They asked what places I visit for tourism and if I had a GF here (I said no - should I've said yes?).

There is no definitive answer as it would depend on the attitude -- towards foreigners having Thai girlfriends -- of the IO asking the question. Having a girlfriend does give a reason to want to visit/stay in the country frequently or for longer than a typical 'tourist'. Having a copies of your girlfriends ID, house registration book; her phone number and a letter inviting you to visit might be useful.

 

1 hour ago, aldriglikvid said:

Here's why I'm a bit worried: I was under the (naive) impression that as long as I followed the rules (applying for a tourist visa and doing all my trips by air) I'll not be hassled at immigration. However, last trip (my "second visa") I got questioned at immigration. They brought a couple of people to my booth and they asked me several times as to what my purpose in Thailand was.

There are not many 30 year olds that can take a year off work to travel, so your age is a factor and probably the main reason you were questioned. They will be suspicious that you are working. Whether you get questioned again will come down to the IO at passport control. But the longer you stay as a tourist the more the chances of being questioned. Although there are no set limits, tourist visas -- under the visa system -- are not meant to be used to live in the country for months/years.

[BritTim]

It is better to enter Thailand at a friendly land border (such as the Friendship Bridge at Vientiane/Nong Khai) rather than entering by air, especially at Don Muang.

 

There are differing opinions on whether to cite a steady girlfriend as one reason for frequent and/or extended visits to Thailand. My own view, for what it is worth, is that most officials will regard it as a legitimate reason for wanting to spend time here.

 

Make sure, when applying again in Vietnam, that you have a recent printout of your bank statement (in addition to the cash to show to immigration on entry).

 

For any future visa runs, consider getting a couple of visas in Vientiane Laos, entering Thailand by land. You could then proceed to Udon Thani airport, less than an hour from the border, flying on from there if desired.

[DrJack54]

OP, your a good example of genuine tourist. Many young folk now do take a year off (gap year) and travel. Your more likely to be questioned at bangkok airports. Especially if you are returning from Vietnam with couple of days out of Thailand. I'm currently having a break in Saigon. Very easy to spend time here. You have done setv at Saigon so you know what they require. If you have a hotel booking for your return to los, have a printout. For you next setv, after this one, try Vientiane. You can do border crossing get your visa overnight. AirAsia flies to Vientiane but personally I like going to udon thani and mini bus is straight and easy drive. Just a thought for your next visa. The report not long ago about chap who was refused at don mueang after he obtained setv from Saigon, had setv,s for 18 months, with only couple days out of Thailand between each setv. Bit up from your number. You might get a verbal warning. Thinking you will be fine. 

[JackThompson]

7 hours ago, aldriglikvid said:

Here's why I'm a bit worried: I was under the (naive) impression that as long as I followed the rules (applying for a tourist visa and doing all my trips by air) I'll not be hassled at immigration.

Years ago, those entering by air received less trouble than those crossing by land - but this was only an issue with those entering "Visa Exempt" - who would do "border runs" every month to extend their stay.  In recent years, the rules for Visa-Exempts have been changed a few times - but this is a separate issue from yours, as you are using Tourist Visas.

Under Thai immigration law, there are only certain, proscribed reasons that a person can be denied entry.  Because those who wrote the laws concerning Tourist Visas wanted as much foreign-sourced spending into the country as possible, and because people from higher-wage nations are not a threat the Thai labor-pool, they purposefully avoided limiting their use to "x days per year" or similar.

 

Unfortunately, some parts of the immigration system are operated for the primary-purpose of forcing "extra money" harvesting, not their stated mission.  Tourist Visas, which are issued by a different agency (the MFA), do not generate any "extra money" to immigration.  To maximize "extra money" flows, they are targeting an increasing percentage of those who stay in Thailand more often and/or for longer periods.

 

If entering at the Poipet/Aranyaprathet land-border, or some airports (both in Bangkok), the IOs have been tasked to enforce non-existent "time in country" rules.  They are even reported doing this to snowbirds from Europe, in their 60s, who spend only 5 or 6 months per-year here. 

 

If denied entry, because there is no ministerial-order or law which allows for denying entry for "too much time" in Thailand, an alternative reason for denial will be stamped into one's passport - most frequently the "No 20K Baht Cash" rule, or if the person has the cash, "No means to fund their stay."  Any evidence offered to counter these claims will not be considered - one cannot go to an ATM for the money in the first case, and cannot show any documentation of their wealth in the second - because the purpose is not to "find out the truth," it is to punish those not paying off what is, essentially, a "bridge-troll" / "tribute" type network. 

 

Use of the 2nd rule, "No means to fund your stay," absent any evidence that this is true - and even refusing to review any evidence presented -  invalidates every MFA-issued Visa in use - but they are selectively targeting those with Tourist and ED Visas, at this time.

 

Quote

However, last trip (my "second visa") I got questioned at immigration. They brought a couple of people to my booth and they asked me several times as to what my purpose in Thailand was. They asked what places I visit for tourism and if I had a GF here (I said no - should I've said yes?).

Some have had their GFs talk to the IO, and still were rejected.  The "real reason" you are here is not what they actually care about.  Their objection is that you are "sticking around too long" without paying tribute. 

 

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I'm a bit disappointed at my self not arranging a METV while I still was employed. I really thought I wasn't making any problems if I just made all my trips with a tourist visa.

Clearly, you are not "making problems" - on the contrary, your foreign-sourced spending is directly funding the wages of multiple Thai citizens.  But the people you deal with at a bad-checkpoint don't care about "other Thai citizens," or the law - they care about "What's in it for us?"

 

An METV would not guarantee a lack of hassles entering at certain checkpoints, where the law is not followed.  Others have reported similar treatment, and some denied-entry, to spite having an METV. 

 

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And, being 30 I don't have many other options... 

There are a few options.  At the bad entry-points, they are tasked with trying to force you to use an option that pays them, such as:

• If you get an ED Visa, you will likely need to pay "extra" (3K to 5K Baht each 90-days) for each extension given. 
• If you Volunteer, an agent/lawyer will be the one who gets the extension processed, for a significant fee far beyond the official cost of the extension.
• If you buy an Elite Visa, it's essentially a large, completely-legal payoff, for them to not question your financial status or "reason" for being in Thailand, for years.

But, you also have extortion-free options.  Only a few points of entry are reported as problematic to those with valid Tourist Visas.  Most Immigration checkpoints are still operated honestly, by decent people. 

 

If you only intend to stay one more 3-mo period, the easiest way to avoid potentially being denied-entry would be to enter by-land at any point except Poipet/Aranyaprathet.  That could be accomplished by a flight from Vietnam to Vientiane or Penang - or by traveling overland through PP (if in HCMC) to either Koh Kong, Ban Packard, or Ban Laem.

Alternatively, you could fly direct to Chang Mai (not via Bangkok), where we do not have reports here of problems for those entering with valid Visas.  But, this still has some risk - because any rejected-entry by air could lead to being held in detention and then forced to buy a last-minute-priced ticket back where you came from.  In the case of Vietnam, you may also be returned there lacking a visa for entry, so could end up having to purchase another last-minute ticket to your passport-country.

[aldriglikvid]

Extremely helpful all of you guys - and thanks @JackThompson for giving me a background and understanding to the situation. 

 

Would you - in general terms - advice me not to go to Vietnam for my second SETV in that nation (and my third one on a rolling 12 month period)? You could of course not know in advance how I will be treated at the airport of BKK - but perhaps you could say if I have 'a good chance' or 'zero chance'? (I'll have sufficient cash, copy of condo rental, flight ticket exiting Thailand within 90 days). 

 

 

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, aldriglikvid said:

Extremely helpful all of you guys - and thanks @JackThompson for giving me a background and understanding to the situation. 

 

Would you - in general terms - advice me not to go to Vietnam for my second SETV in that nation (and my third one on a rolling 12 month period)? You could of course not know in advance how I will be treated at the airport of BKK - but perhaps you could say if I have 'a good chance' or 'zero chance'? (I'll have sufficient cash, copy of condo rental, flight ticket exiting Thailand within 90 days). 

Entering with a tourist visa, your chances of dodging trouble will be good, even entering through one of the airports in Bangkok. That said, it would be better to enter by land (not at Poipet) in which case you will almost never have a problem.

 

If you get your visas in Vientiane, and enter via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai, everything should be easy. Vietnam is a good place to get your visa, but travel becomes a hassle if not flying back into Thailand.

[MyFriend You]

On 12/16/2018 at 3:40 AM, RickG16 said:

"They asked if I had a GF here (I said no - should I've said yes?)."

 

 

I'm also interested in knowing the best answer to this question.

I think he hit the nail right on the head with that answer, having a permanent connection in Thailand could have disqualified him as a "Tourist"  I have two off-shore oil worker friends that go in and out every other month, been doing this for years, not married, just living & working the dream - they have documents from the company etc etc etc, just recently one was held up in Swampy and raked over the coals for half a day -  one IO said, go back to Jakarta, get a real Visa, I suppose he was coming in on Visa Exempt over and over again.  He pleaded with them and another IO gave him "One more entry, then get proper MEV".................. both have said they are thinking about Cambodia or Vietnam as a home base, tired of the BS....................

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, TunnelRat69 said:

I think he hit the nail right on the head with that answer, having a permanent connection in Thailand could have disqualified him as a "Tourist"  I have two off-shore oil worker friends that go in and out every other month, been doing this for years, not married, just living & working the dream - they have documents from the company etc etc etc, just recently one was held up in Swampy and raked over the coals for half a day -  one IO said, go back to Jakarta, get a real Visa, I suppose he was coming in on Visa Exempt over and over again.  He pleaded with them and another IO gave him "One more entry, then get proper MEV".................. both have said they are thinking about Cambodia or Vietnam as a home base, tired of the BS....................

Depends on nationally. Many countries are visa exempt to vietnam, many are not. Also UK get 15 days VE not suit your friend. I type this from Saigon. I visit every month. I have to obtain 3 month multiple 4 times a year. It isn't as simple as you suggest.

[MyFriend You]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Depends on nationally. Many countries are visa exempt to vietnam, many are not. Also UK get 15 days VE not suit your friend. I type this from Saigon. I visit every month. I have to obtain 3 month multiple 4 times a year. It isn't as simple as you suggest.

US can still get one year multiple entry to Vietnam, I got mine last month in Bangkok, cost 6400 baht.  they are both Americans and have been getting Visa exempt every other month for years now.  just recently one was held up in Swampy.   I am going to Saigon tomorrow to apply for Multi-Entry Thailand visa, any suggestions??

 

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, TunnelRat69 said:

US can still get one year multiple entry to Vietnam, I got mine last month in Bangkok, cost 6400 baht.  they are both Americans and have been getting Visa exempt every other month for years now.  just recently one was held up in Swampy.   I am going to Saigon tomorrow to apply for Multi-Entry Thailand visa, any suggestions??

 

I'm bit confused. You can only obtain METV for Thailand from home country. In your case USA. As for your points about visa for Vietnam.... I'm unaware that USA citizens have ever been visa exempt to Vietnam. As for 12 month multi to Vietnam you can obtain "letter of invitation online" then VOA at Vietnam AIRPORT. If your coming to Vietnam tomorrow all you will obtain is SETV.

[MyFriend You]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm bit confused. You can only obtain METV for Thailand from home country. In your case USA. As for your points about visa for Vietnam.... I'm unaware that USA citizens have ever been visa exempt to Vietnam. As for 12 month multi to Vietnam you can obtain "letter of invitation online" then VOA at Vietnam AIRPORT. If your coming to Vietnam tomorrow all you will obtain is SETV.

Sorry, you are correct SETV is what I want - I can only get an METV from a Consulate in USA.  There is no Visa Exempt for US Citizens, don't think I said that.......but I received my one year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa last month in Bangkok Vietnamese Embassy, I am traveling on that right now.........last year, I got the One year at the Embassy in Bangkok as well but was almost 1 thousand baht cheaper this year for some reason.  Last year was the first time an American Citizen could get a one year Multiple Entry visa, I have read where they are reviewing this visa next year, might not be available, so I'll be sure to extend mine this time...    Cheers.

[JackThompson]

5 hours ago, TunnelRat69 said:

I think he hit the nail right on the head with that answer, having a permanent connection in Thailand could have disqualified him as a "Tourist"  I have two off-shore oil worker friends that go in and out every other month, been doing this for years, not married, just living & working the dream - they have documents from the company etc etc etc, just recently one was held up in Swampy and raked over the coals for half a day -  one IO said, go back to Jakarta, get a real Visa, I suppose he was coming in on Visa Exempt over and over again.  He pleaded with them and another IO gave him "One more entry, then get proper MEV".................. both have said they are thinking about Cambodia or Vietnam as a home base, tired of the BS....................

Another couple dozen or so Thais put out of work with that move, it sounds like.  Those are some of the most reliable spenders.  The IO knows the only "proper" visa in this context, is the massively-overpriced one - likely paying him to try to shoe-horn people into buying it.

[swineninety9]

On 12/16/2018 at 4:28 AM, elviajero said:

There are not many 30 year olds that can take a year off work to travel,

I think this funny, how hard is it to save up 30-40k USD or other western currency? Just live in your moms basement while employed and save ????