What to do ??

[Pla Simon]

Hi everyone - 

 

Am in Vientiane, after spending 3 weeks in Laos, holidaying.

 

Just queued up for 4 hours at the embassy to apply for a SETV, to be told I may not receive it tomorrow - because of the following :

 

History : 

 

Passport full of old visas ( previously lived and worked in Thailand for many Years )

 

Came back to Thailand a Year ago on a METV, issued in London, after a 2 Year break / working stint over there.

 

On expiration of METV - travelled in Laos for about 4 weeks, then applied successfully for a SETV in Vientiane 4 Months ago - so this would be my second SETV application.

 

I'm a genuine tourist, with plenty of cash, waiting on a phonecall for a new 2 Year working contract back in Blighty ( hopefully within the next couple of Months ) - just want to chill in the meantime.

 

The guy that took my application said he was genuinely not sure my application would be successful, and will have to wait until tomorrow to find out. He said if my application was not successful - my passport and documentation will be returned.

 

I did explain to him about everything, but he seemed uninterested, at best.

 

They have pinned up notices at the embassy, dated 17th December - giving friendly reminders about "genuine tourists" being made welcome - and a disclaimer stating applicants maybe denied.

 

Upon enquiring further, I was advised by another member of staff, that if my application was denied, they could "help" me get a 30 day stamp at the Nongkhai border, and that I wasn't entitled to a visa exempt stamp - she took my application number, and disappeared.

 

So, if anyone would be kind enough to offer any advice : If my application is denied - am I entitled to walk over the border, and obtain a 30 day stamp or not ? ( I hold a UK passport ) 

 

I've booked an itinery of hotels for the festive season / New Year that will need cancelling (one in Nongkhai, booked for tomorrow can't be cancelled now)- also, I will need time to empty my bank accounts, store personal effects and assets, and clear off somewhere else.

 

I need time to enter, and tie up loose ends in Thailand, basically - is this possible under these circumstances ?

 

I would imagine, if anyone at the embassy scrutinised the visas and dates in my passport properly, they could work out that I'm here for the purposes of tourism - is this likely ? (There were literally hundreds of applicants today, as the embassy has been closed for holidays of some sorts)

 

Many thanks in advance for your helpful replies.

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, Pla Simon said:

So, if anyone would be kind enough to offer any advice : If my application is denied - am I entitled to walk over the border, and obtain a 30 day stamp or not ? ( I hold a UK passport ) 

Unless you have already done 2 visa exempt entries at a land border crossing this year you will not have a problem getting a 30 day entry.

I think you will get your visa tomorrow with the history you have.

[Golden Triangle]

I can't answer your question but I wish you all the best, please let us know how you get on, I hope you get your visa. 

[Pla Simon]

Thanks for your kind replies, Ubonjoe and Golden Triangle - I will definitely post a reply tomorrow, should it prove useful to anyone else.

 

I feel sick to the stomach, to be honest - with the constant bureaucratic hoop jumping Thailand likes to impose on long term tourists - sort of takes the shine off, what would otherwise - and indeed should be, a very nice and relaxing time.

 

Good news is, after my next contract, I will have reached the qualifying age for a retirement visa (should they not change the rules by then) - thus avoiding these types of headache.

 

It's going to be quite a few hours of queuing just to find out - I'm nearly number 500 in line, then either way, going on the volume of people heading that way tomorrow - another long wait at the border.

 

I hope they honour the 30 day stamp at any rate.

 

I just noticed a new thread on the situation at Vientiane - but I wasn't required to show any itinerary, flight out, or proof of sufficient funds for my stay, to apply for a visa there.

 

Thanks again, and a good day to you.

 

 

 

 

[elviajero]

5 hours ago, Pla Simon said:

Hi everyone - 

 

Am in Vientiane, after spending 3 weeks in Laos, holidaying.

 

Just queued up for 4 hours at the embassy to apply for a SETV, to be told I may not receive it tomorrow - because of the following :

 

History : 

 

Passport full of old visas ( previously lived and worked in Thailand for many Years )

 

Came back to Thailand a Year ago on a METV, issued in London, after a 2 Year break / working stint over there.

 

On expiration of METV - travelled in Laos for about 4 weeks, then applied successfully for a SETV in Vientiane 4 Months ago - so this would be my second SETV application.

I would be surprised, given your age and visa history, if you don't get the visa. But I expect you'll get the warning stamp.

 

5 hours ago, Pla Simon said:

I'm a genuine tourist, with plenty of cash, ...

You're not. You are clearly trying to continue to live in the country.

[LongTimeLurker]

4 hours ago, Pla Simon said:

just noticed a new thread on the situation at Vientiane - but I wasn't required to show any itinerary, flight out, or proof of sufficient funds for my stay, to apply for a visa there.

 

Then I hope they don't use the absence of these documents as an excuse to refuse your visa.

 

Also, if travelling over the border, or even arriving by flight, don't forget the B20k requirement.

[whitemouse]

20 minutes ago, elviajero said:

 

 

You're not. You are clearly trying to continue to live in the country.

He is not working here, he is a tourist. As you know very well, the length of stay in Thailand is not capped, there is no law that forbids him visiting as many times as he wishes.

 

OP, embassies and consulates have no idea about the number of entries, all they see is your passport pages, and Thai entry, exit stamps. You should get a new passport. Regardless, it has become very difficult to come here frequently, that is not your fault, we all feel it, I know several Russians who have been denied Thai visa in Laos lately, most people just don't post here, and you can see why. Many here take pleasure in our misery.

[elviajero]

14 minutes ago, whitemouse said:

He is not working here, he is a tourist. As you know very well, the length of stay in Thailand is not capped, there is no law that forbids him visiting as many times as he wishes.

 

OP, embassies and consulates have no idea about the number of entries, all they see is your passport pages, and Thai entry, exit stamps. You should get a new passport. Regardless, it has become very difficult to come here frequently, that is not your fault, we all feel it, I know several Russians who have been denied Thai visa in Laos lately, most people just don't post here, and you can see why. Many here take pleasure in our misery.

He is a visitor claiming the purpose of his visit is tourism. Just like I did for over 10 years.

 

Frequent visits are not a problem, but trying to live in the country — which is what the OP is doing — is not what “genuine” visitors for tourism do. They visit for their holiday and go home or move on.

 

Would you like a list of all the changes made since 2006 to make long tourism harder?

 

Eventually people will have to accept reality, whilst people like me continue to help them play the system.

[whitemouse]

3 minutes ago, elviajero said:

He is a visitor claiming the purpose of his visit is tourism. Just like I did for over 10 years.

 

Frequent visits are not a problem, but trying to live in the country — which is what the OP is doing — is not what “genuine” visitors for tourism do. They visit for their holiday and go home or move on.

 

Would you like a list of all the changes made since 2006 to make long tourism harder?

 

Eventually people will have to accept reality, whilst people like me continue to help them play the system.

 

 

He isn't "claiming" to be tourist, he is tourist. 

 

You don't agree, but you do not tell us what you think he is. Please tell us his status in Thailand!

[elviajero]

27 minutes ago, whitemouse said:

He isn't "claiming" to be tourist, he is tourist. 

 

You don't agree, but you do not tell us what you think he is. Please tell us his status in Thailand!

A visitor for a reason other than tourism.

[elviajero]

46 minutes ago, whitemouse said:

He isn't "claiming" to be tourist, he is tourist. 

 

You don't agree, but you do not tell us what you think he is. Please tell us his status in Thailand!

I'll put it another way. I could get a tourist visa tomorrow and enter Thailand. But I own a house, two businesses, and have a Thai wife and children. My visit would not be for tourism even though I entered with a tourist visa.

[jackdd]

8 minutes ago, elviajero said:

I could get a tourist visa tomorrow and enter Thailand

Only if you lied about your purpose of visit

 

31 minutes ago, elviajero said:

A visitor for a reason other than tourism.

Can you name this reason?

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, LongTimeLurker said:

Then I hope they don't use the absence of these documents as an excuse to refuse your visa. 

They literally throw them in the trash if you provide them at Vientiane - been there and tried that.

 

Tourism is defined in Thai law by what you cannot do, in any case - such as work a Thai job - not by how long you choose to chill on a beach, shop, travel around the country, etc. 

 

The flyer in the Vientiane Thai embassy state "working illegally" is an issue - and he has been gone for weeks, so certainly he cannot be working here. 

 

I wonder how much money changed hands to start this new problem there, and who paid for it.

[tifino]

13 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Only if you lied about your purpose of visit

 

Can you name this reason?

well, he has written that he's admitted to the official he only wants to sit in Thailand, to wait out the (dead) time twiddling thumbs per se, until he finds out whether he's getting that possible job back in Thailand

 

that would seem to the official that LOS is just being used as a doormat?

[DrJack54]

Geezus...am I reading the op incorrectly. This guy has spend "relatively" quite some time out of Thailand. Compared to many other threads, this guy seems like snow white. Yes been in Los off and on but hells bells he isn't living here 365-8(weekends out for new setv).

He should get his setv tomorrow NO PROBLEM.

We await his update. 

BTW the people you deal with in Vientiane at front desk etc are not io. Just clerk pen pusher's

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, jackdd said:

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

A visitor for a reason other than tourism.

Can you name this reason?

You’ll need to ask the OP. But I could list loads of reasons other than tourism.

[elviajero]

46 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Geezus...am I reading the op incorrectly. This guy has spend "relatively" quite some time out of Thailand. Compared to many other threads, this guy seems like snow white. Yes been in Los off and on but hells bells he isn't living here 365-8(weekends out for new setv).

He should get his setv tomorrow NO PROBLEM.

We await his update. 

BTW the people you deal with in Vientiane at front desk etc are not io. Just clerk pen pusher's

Yes you’re reading it incorrectly. He’s seems to have spent most of the last year living in the country using a METV and a SETV and wants to spend more time as a tourist with another SETV.

 

He’s living in Thailand and “holidaying” in Laos.

[DrJack54]

22 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Yes you’re reading it incorrectly. He’s seems to have spent most of the last year living in the country using a METV and a SETV and wants to spend more time as a tourist with another SETV.

 

He’s living in Thailand and “holidaying” in Laos.

Umm. Think he mentioned few weeks in loas. I don't pretend to be Thai io, but if looked at his pp I wouldn't conclude he us working in Los. But here we all go again...what is a tourist. I'm running into many folk in Los and Vietnam that are taking big "time out" for travel. I agree that this chap indicated he has stuff to sort out here in Thailand. Makes me wonder why thai imm doesn't come up with set rules. Example "X days in any calander year in Thailand on VE and various tourist visas. Simple formulae, easy to enforce and follow

[Lucky mike]

Think he waiting to hear about job in "blighty" ! Not Thai....

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Lucky mike said:

Think he waiting to hear about job in "blighty" ! Not Thai....

I agree. This chap does fit typical person living in Thailand sort change out of 365 in a year. Perhaps using los as a base. But not obvious from pp. In few hours I hope he posts that got the setv and entered Thailand.