21 hours ago, mduras01 said:

Times will keep changing. Thailand has the right to choose — just like Europe. Contrary to popular belief, they do not need every single person’s money. When the new requirements of retirement visas broke out, a minority of the 75,000 retirees in Thailand thought the country was going down the drain because of their threat to go elsewhere.  Seriously? All they are asking for is BE a proper tourist. Or BE a proper retiree. Just BE. No, really.

So what is the definition of a 'tourist' ? This is the problem. If you come to Thailand for pleasure or culture or a vacation, ie: not working, you are by definition a tourist. The fact that you can afford to vacation more than once surely is up to you?

So many posts grossly exaggerate how important our money is to the majority of Thais. What we contribute is very little in overall terms. Get real.

First the government get the airport tax from your arrival and when they deport you. They also can collect a fine from the airline you arrived on .

 

Then you told them you are here to visit your girl friend.   you don't sound like someone on vacation.

 

All the government cares about is there money, that's it.

Read the new, Chinese and Indians

 

22 hours ago, BestB said:

One thing in common with all people posting about being denied is that all have been living in Thailand on tourist visa’s 

 

so it appears immigration is targeting all those on tourist visa’s but living in Thailand . Which in their mind means either working or doing something illegal . If rich enough to have such long holidays then they believe should obtain elite visa. 

Is that one of the reasons the Thai authorities are so hard on tourists especially those under 50, are they trying to get them to buy an Elite visa? Only the very rich can afford to give away 500.000 Bt and get almost nothing back in return during the five years.

47 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

So many posts grossly exaggerate how important our money is to the majority of Thais. What we contribute is very little in overall terms. Get real.

I'm supporting 4 Thais.

If most expats are in a similar position, that's a lot of Thais getting a free ride.

50 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

So many posts grossly exaggerate how important our money is to the majority of Thais. What we contribute is very little in overall terms. Get real.

We contribute little to the big money in Thailand belonging to the elite indeed, they do not need it. We do contribute a lot to 'normal' Thais and businesses.
 
Even this would only benefit a few million Thais directly and indirectly, that is a few million Thais having a better life than 200B a day on the farm. 
A government who would care of all their people, would understand it's value and importance but clearly they do not care, I agree on that.

Edited October 14, 20196 yr by tabarin

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

So what is the definition of a 'tourist' ? This is the problem. If you come to Thailand for pleasure or culture or a vacation, ie: not working, you are by definition a tourist. The fact that you can afford to vacation more than once surely is up to you?

This is what I'd like to know. I've been visiting LOS for 18 years (from UK). Leave restrictions in my job meant I could only visit for 2 weeks at a time, 2 times per year. I've never applied for any type of visa, because as far as I'm concerned I'm just going on holiday. 

Now my work circumstances have changed, and I'm booking a 3 week trip in Dec. 

 

Is there a danger I'll be turned away at Swampy for too many entry stamps?

Or has the OP simply been caught out trying to play the system? 

 

This is what I'd like to know. I've been visiting LOS for 18 years (from UK). Leave restrictions in my job meant I could only visit for 2 weeks at a time, 2 times per year. I've never applied for any type of visa, because as far as I'm concerned I'm just going on holiday. 
Now my work circumstances have changed, and I'm booking a 3 week trip in Dec. 
 
Is there a danger I'll be turned away at Swampy for too many entry stamps?
Or has the OP simply been caught out trying to play the system? 
 

You will have no problems whatsoever as you are what TI considers a genuine tourist.
Those having problems are those that not only have been in Thailand for months but year on year consecutively.


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21 hours ago, baboon said:

Different government departments not talking to each other should not be the concern of the traveller. Nor should they be expected to fund those departments in exchange for nothing but a lottery ticket.

I cannot for the life of me understand why any Thaivisa member can agree with the Thai government on this, yes it is a forum and people are entitled to their opinions, but this sure is a crazy world. if any Thai Consulate or Embassy can grant a visa after taking your money, why should a fellow countryman/woman in much the same job turn round and say no?

It is nothing short of a disgrace.

21 hours ago, BestB said:

Indeed times have changed. 18 years ago, i did not need visa at all, i did monthly visa runs and at times., did not even go on a visa run, my passport went.

 

I believe after Thaksin was overthrown is when visa situation started to change and get tougher.

 

Saying that, opening a company with WP 18 years ago use to cost 150 000 baht, this days, all can be done for 50 000.

 

ED visa's were super easy and most schools were visa mills, people abused it and you know how it is now.

 

Some school use to tell "students" when they go to immgration to extend visa, if officer speaks in Thai just tell them i am slow learner. You had idiots who were onto second or third year of ED visa who could not speak or understand anything in Thai

 

People keep finding loop holes to "cheat the system and appears Thai authorities, finally had enough.

 

Again, not saying right or wrong, but it is what it is. Those on METV or SETV but living or want to live in Thailand, under the age of 50 and can not afford Elite, can always open up Thai company and get NON B, yes it cost some money to open and to keep it running, but if they are well off enough to stay in the country and claim they are not working, no doubt they can afford to open a company

"cheat the system and appears Thai authorities, finally had enough."

If anyone is cheating it is the Thai government, on one hand they are taking your money, and on the other hand they are taking what you paid for from you.

If people wanting to come to Thailand as a tourist or whatever, and they don't have the right criteria, let their  Consulate or Embassy refuse to grant their permission to enter Thailand instead of letting them travel thousands of miles and then refusing entry and sending them back home.

 

I read somewhere that consulates will start using the same computer system as Immigration sometime next year....not sure if this is true but would be a step in the right direction.

 

With the new edict on health insurance for new OA applications I foresee an increase in METV applications for those who live part time in Thailand but have been using the O-A visa in the past. I am among this group, from USA , well past normal working age and spending 6-7 months a year in Thailand. When my current O-A visa and re-entry permit expire I would consider using METV but be careful to stay here under 180 days a year- hopefully this will work but who knows !  I already pay a substantial amount for Medicare plus supplement plan in USA and am not interested in purchasing additional insurance here as I can easily pay for any medical expenses incurred. 

On 10/13/2019 at 12:53 PM, ukrules said:

It's becoming risky to visit Thailand these days if you've been before.

 

I can see a situation where people arrive in December 2019 for their annual winter holiday having spent 3 months say December 2018 to March 2019 (90 days) the previous winter only to be rejected for their annual holiday.

 

They're now rejecting people who don't live here and aren't doing 'visa runs' - they're rejecting people who like to go on holiday frequently.

 

Airlines should take action on this.

 

I would like to see some official warnings from the European governments about tourists being subject to random rejections on arrival.

 

Many people who have previously overwintered in Thailand go elsewhere now. Of those I know it has not been change of rules/ enforcement per se but rather that they feel country has become less welcoming.

 

 

 

This thread is great!  It finally motivated me to figure out how easy it is to use the "ignore user" button.  

5 minutes ago, notmyself said:

 

Many people who have previously overwintered in Thailand go elsewhere now. Of those I know it has not been change of rules/ enforcement per se but rather that they feel country has become less welcoming.

 

 

 

You're in a dreamworld if you think the boys coming here for the lovely weather and warm girls give a rats about hugs from immigration or some jet ski scam in phuket...too funny!

1 minute ago, madmen said:

You're in a dreamworld if you think the boys coming here for the lovely weather and warm girls give a rats about hugs from immigration or some jet ski scam in phuket...too funny!

If men just come for sex, the sex is still there , but if men come to Thailand for a holiday and not just sex, then Thailand not such a pleasant place anymore and there are other more enjoyable Countries to go too 

20 hours ago, BestB said:

So according to this poster all comps yes including all the multinationals can no longer have foreign directors? You do of course realise how insane that sounds and all will be packing up.  But welcome to believe an annonymous poster of what he thought he heard or understood ????

Spelt anonymous BTW, anonymous how? what do you want, a written introduction? Also it seems my hearing is suspect as is my understanding. Not sure exactly where I mentioned multinationals, I was told this was Companies that own land, believe what I was told or not, I couldn't care less.

5 minutes ago, stuandjulie said:

Spelt anonymous BTW, anonymous how? what do you want, a written introduction? Also it seems my hearing is suspect as is my understanding. Not sure exactly where I mentioned multinationals, I was told this was Companies that own land, believe what I was told or not, I couldn't care less.

If i wanted a lesson in spelling, rest assured i would not be asking you.As clearly your reading is just as bad as your comprehension.

 

If you actually bothered to follow the discussion, i clearly said this rule would apply ONLY to companies that exist to own houses, not only i i said it once, but twice if not 3 times.

 

Now you just confirmed what i said but with an attitude.

 

If this is how well you read, i seriously doubt you "hear" any better, so safe to assume what you heard or did not hear is just as useless as your response, but do not let that stop you from misguiding others

 

 

 

 

Yes it is certainly a big concern that you spent so much money and seemed to have done all the right things, but get denied!

I certainly understand your frustration.

I have been travelling in Asia for pretty much 5 years out of the last 6 years, most of this time in Thailand, and yes I’ve had several issues with immigration, once denied entry after initially being given entry and calling me back because they classed me as a visa runner even though I was out of the city country for 2 weeks, but after a lengthy interview I was permitted entry. A couple of times my visa application was declined and once in Laos I got a stamp saying my next visa maybe declined.

My biggest issue was all the stamps and visas, so when my passport was getting full I got a new one, this seemed to help with visa applications. But really this shouldn’t make any difference. A visa should never be declined if you supply all the required immigration information. Sure they can question anything, but many of their decisions are purely based on how they’re feeling on the day, simple as that.

Ive only ever had tourist visas and visa exemptions, I have been asked by immigration to find another way to stay in Thailand. But I actually don’t live in Thailand, and I’m not trying to live in Thailand, and I always leave within my Visa period. I travel extensively, I only live in hotels, and I’m rarely in one place for more than a couple of weeks.

I don’t have the big savings to get a retirement visa, and just live off money I earn in my country. When the money runs dry I return home and start saving again.

This year I have a new passport, 1 visa exemption, 2 thai visas, 1 Cambodia visa and 1 Laos Visa.

Coming though the Laos/Thai border a few days ago 1 man was declined entry to Thailand as he already had 2 visa exemptions. His wife was Thai but he didn’t have a marriage visa either. I’m sure he will now look into his options more closely now.

But anyway, I know my story is not helping you get back here, but i do hope you can return to this beautiful country to see your girlfriend soon.

Just as a side note, if you’ve had any issues with the police or immigration then this may hinder your return here.

 

On 10/13/2019 at 1:09 PM, mduras01 said:

Times will keep changing. Thailand has the right to choose — just like Europe. Contrary to popular belief, they do not need every single person’s money. When the new requirements of retirement visas broke out, a minority of the 75,000 retirees in Thailand thought the country was going down the drain because of their threat to go elsewhere.  Seriously? All they are asking for is BE a proper tourist. Or BE a proper retiree. Just BE. No, really.

Please explain precisely what a ' proper' tourist is. Do you define one by the length of their trips ?

12 hours ago, EricTh said:

Digital nomads aren't really tourist, that's called 'working online' and the real purpose should be conveyed to immigration .

Old discussion, if you move around only for a few months and get back to your home country, a tourist visa or any visa that permit your stay is sufficient. Several immigration officials been asked about this and they are not going to arrest DN's as long as they do not live here permanently. And I am not talking about a big group of them renting office space, but individuals on international contracts , paying their taxes at home. 
But we've had this discussion before. 



 

15 hours ago, baboon said:

Interesting too is the banks not refusing transfers into Thailand on the grounds that you send or receive money too often or the money may not have been honestly obtained. Why is the junta not taking measures to limit or reject transfers to one's spouse, say? 

Yeah, remember lots of stories about too many transfers, alleged money laundering or whatever.  Now they want transfers, even though they have no proof the money is from "legitimate" origins. 

4 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

Yeah, remember lots of stories about too many transfers, alleged money laundering or whatever.  Now they want transfers, even though they have no proof the money is from "legitimate" origins. 

An interesting take on what I actually wrote, which bears little relation to your response.

The Thai junta wants free movement of capital in their direction. They do not want the freedom of movement of humans which goes with the said capital.

They do, however, insist that Thai capital should not have any such restrictions. That Thai capital should be allowed to take any advantage it wants and the profits sent back and kept in Thailand.

 

8 hours ago, sanemax said:

If men just come for sex, the sex is still there , but if men come to Thailand for a holiday and not just sex, then Thailand not such a pleasant place anymore and there are other more enjoyable Countries to go too 

 

I was referring more to semi-retired individuals or couples who have their grandchildren etc. over at some stage during their stay… after xmas and Songkran for example. 5-6 months in Thai and the remainder working in Europe or travelling in it/elsewhere. Lose a 'couple' and that could essentially mean a dozen or more. Not strange or unusual for such things happen as we can reflect on historical data from when other 'places' have has the army in charge. To a large extent it's the same with corporations running things... different outcome but the logic is the same.  

On 10/13/2019 at 1:09 PM, mduras01 said:

Times will keep changing. Thailand has the right to choose — just like Europe. Contrary to popular belief, they do not need every single person’s money. When the new requirements of retirement visas broke out, a minority of the 75,000 retirees in Thailand thought the country was going down the drain because of their threat to go elsewhere.  Seriously? All they are asking for is BE a proper tourist. Or BE a proper retiree. Just BE. No, really.

 

I know literally hundreds of people who want to come here on holiday but they have no other choice than to get a tourist visa. 

 

 

 

On 10/13/2019 at 6:44 PM, BestB said:

should obtain elite visa

which only give a 5  year minimum and  that they can change their rules at any time, so you spend 500k then next week they announce compulsory insurance from their own over inflated  insurers ( of  course) and despite you maybe having your own or a lump sum contingency.

18 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I would imagine very soon these airlines are going to get <deleted> off with the Thai immigration the amount on a daily basis they are rejecting,

One way around this would be dont fly long haul into Thailand maybe to Malaysia at least it's a short flight and spend your money there

Flying back from Manchester last Thursday & the (Qatar) Check-in staff were a lot more thorough in checking for Visas than I remember them being in the past, both I (entering on an extension to a Non-O > 50 Visa) & my mate (Works in Thailand & has a Non-B / BOI VIsa) were asked for proof that we were entitled to stay in Thailand [I actually had to point out my extension & how it was valid to Sept 2020, so I'm not sure if the check-in staff are used to checking for these things yet].

 

I'm used to it when returning to Singapore (always have my Employment Pass ready to show) & it's happened to me a couple of times when travelling to the Philippines (flying back from a different airport with a different carrier) but this is only the 2nd time I've been asked for it for Thailand (1st time was Scoot Airlines at Changi, I find the budget airlines there are a lot keener on checking these things that the premium ones) 

 

 

18 hours ago, EricTh said:

Whether immigration will create another visa category for 'working digital nomads' is another story.

Yes they have nothing better to do than sit around working out new and creative ways to allow foreigners to live in Thailand! But first let them finish the job of reducing them. 

20 minutes ago, Chazar said:

which only give a 5  year minimum and  that they can change their rules at any time, so you spend 500k then next week they announce compulsory insurance from their own over inflated  insurers ( of  course) and despite you maybe having your own or a lump sum contingency.

Elite visa might be useful for people who want to live in Thailand full time. I don't have any interest in that but I am able and willing to spend 4 to 6 months there during winters. METV would be ideal for that but if it's not respected because of an individual IO's feelings, what the **** am I supposed to do?

 
I know literally hundreds of people who want to come here on holiday but they have no other choice than to get a tourist visa. 
 
 
 

Why can't they get a free visa-exempt entry?

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45 minutes ago, rabang said:

Elite visa might be useful for people who want to live in Thailand full time. I don't have any interest in that but I am able and willing to spend 4 to 6 months there during winters. METV would be ideal for that but if it's not respected because of an individual IO's feelings, what the **** am I supposed to do?

Immigration does not want us to spend 4-6 months in a row here on a tourist visa regularly. They do not need our money. We have to accept that.