Denied Tourist Visa at Both Vientienne and Savannakhet - Told 3-6 Months Max Stay in Thailand Rules Now in Effect

[SunsetT]

16 hours ago, nakluapattaya said:

So entering once a year with a SETV from my country + 30 extension before going to Laos for a second SETV, and stay six months a year would still be possible right?

According to the OP; Possible in Vientiane, not possible at Savannakhet.

[FarFlungFalang]

1 hour ago, ExFarang said:

Yes. This. I was exhausted from taking the overnight bus from Vientienne to Savannakhet with like an hours sleep and posted straight away from being rejected at the embassy in Savannakhet so maybe I worded it funny, I don't know. 

 

So- hadn't set foot in Thailand for 3 years. Was in Thailand for 6 months. Told 6 months Max stay in Thailand at Vientienne. Told 3 months Max stay in Thailand at Savannakhet. No visas for anyone stating longer than that is what I was told both times.

That's cool,it did look a bit funny so was just trying to clarify to get a clearer picture.I've done many long haul bus rides and can appreciate how you were feeling.I also don't understand why they don't let people stay as long as they want especially if they have money so I wish you good luck and hope you can find a way through Thai imm mess. 

[SunsetT]

15 hours ago, ExFarang said:

I haven't wanted to publicly speculate as it might just be my imagination, but I see such a difference now vs just 3 years ago when I was last in Thailand that I can't help but wonder if there is more to this than meets the eye insofar as preferring large Chinese tour groups.

 

As in, with the USA/ China so called 'Trade War' and general geo-politics, if Thailand is not moving away from the US and towards China and if this is a side effect. But I concede, that's highly speculative. Kind of funny though that those M-16's the Thai military totes around are US made. From what I hear the Chinese have taken over Sinoukaville so they do seem to be expanding their influence in SE Asia, including the Belt and Road initiative but I don't want to get too far off into geo-politics, but I can't help but wonder.

Not your imagination. I think similarly. I posted this on another thread recently:

 

Exactly! Cross reference this thread with all the other threads on the ever-increasing regulation/harrassment of Caucasian (farang) expats and also the fall in english teaching and speaking standards in Thailand. Every year when I come for the Winter I notice less and less Western english World news channels on the hotel and apartment TVs that I stay in, yet German, French, and Italian remain. The 4th hotel today is the 1st this year with any and only has Fox news which, as every farang knows is purely a US political and not a news channel anyway. Thailand is mostly owned and run by Chinese Thais. China's status and influence in the World and Thailand is increasing day by day. I have read that the Chinese Thais do not want to raise the appalling Thai education standards for fear of losing their ability to control and exploit the Thais for cheap labour. The West represents Democracy, Equality, Freedom of speech and movement, Minimum  wages, eradication of corruption, and Free trade, etc. etc., All of these values are antithetical to the Chinese and to the current Thai rulers. They dont want Thais learning about and adopting these values by learning english, or by learning to think critically, or from hearing Western English TV news or from the internet or from English speaking Expats living here. With the rise of China, they think they dont need us  and they dont want us or our values here anymore.

Edited October 26, 2019 by SunsetT

[SunsetT]

Thank you Exfarang for posting this worrying, seemingly NEW limitation on the number of SETVs being issued in Laos; especially Savannahakhet. I have read all your replies here and I like your attitude and respect your patience with those criticising and even insulting you saying they've never had trouble getting SETVs in Laos before when they are the very people who should be appreciative of your info. and warning.

[Matzzon]

4 hours ago, hobz said:

a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure.

 

that is the definition of tourist.

 

Appearently not to Thailand and Thai Immigration. I would say that they decide and that whoever wants to stay in Thailand has to learn to accept their way of looking at things.

You are right "a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure." is the difinition of a tourist. I hope you realized that is stood visiting, and not trying to live as long as possible on a visa that is made for visiting.

[Matzzon]

5 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Where is your obsession with 6 months max coming from? 
Many people like myself come for winter on an METV for 6 1/2 or 7 months EVERY year! Please explain EXACTLY where you get this 6 months max figure? Prove it! Or shut up. 

You will probably realize that on your next application or your try to enter Thailand. Good Luck!

You have no right to tell me to shut up.

[ExFarang]

19 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

Thank you Exfarang for posting this worrying, seemingly NEW limitation on the number of SETVs being issued in Laos; especially Savannahakhet. I have read all your replies here and I like your attitude and respect your patience with those criticising and even insulting you saying they've never had trouble getting SETVs in Laos before when they are the very people who should be appreciative of your info. and warning.

Thank you. Appreciate it. Best wishes.

[ExFarang]

So, without starting an entirely new thread, does anyone know the process for Cambodian visas at the Laos/Cambodia border? Inquired at the bus station in Savannakhet in regards to a direct bus to Phnom Penh but was told buses only go directly to Pakse and will have to take a bus from there. That border area does not seem as heavily traveled as something like Poi Pet which I never had a problem with  getting a Cambodian Visa on arrival before, but Pakse to Phnom Penh seems like a remote area. Anybody have experience crossing that border with no already affixed Cambodian visa?

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, SunsetT said:

Really! Since when? Thats news to me!

Since a few months. Apparently Savannakhet got too busy after Vientiane introduced their appointment system. Quite sad, really, Savannakhet used to be a very relaxed consulate before.

[Thaidream]

I seriously doubt there is any formal policy or order limiting Tourist Visas.  It should br noted that  since  both Ventienne and Savanakhet have become the places many people who want to stay long term in Thailand are going for their tourist Visa.

 

Now that Vemtienne has an appointment system- the  Visa run vans have started innundating  Savanakhet.  The Consul  has decided he does not want the hassle so he is limiting the numbers by simply denying the Visas.  Vientienne is basically doing the same thing except one can get 6 months worth there.

 

Penom Penh runs hot and cold  on these issues depending who has the Consul role.

 

However, there is no doubt that the Thai Government is trying to stop long stays to Thailand on every Visa except the Non O married or retired unless a person is employed by a Company and working legally in Thailand.

 

IMO-  I doubt the target is only Westerners.  I am certain that any nationality that comes to Thailand on a VE or Tourist Visa and stays long term is going to be targeted.  We just don't hear about as  other Asians use their own social media platforms .

 

Then there is the oddity called the Elite Visa- if one purchases  it and lays out 500K  for a 5 year Visa all the hassles and reasons why a perpetual tourist should not stay in Thailand disappears/   That Visa is simply an expensive tourist Visa and the fact that it exists flys in the face of all the reasons given by the Thai Government; self righteous posters on the forum that long stay tourists are doing wrong and  should get the 'proper' Visa.   

 

It's complete hypocrisy .

 

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

This topic just got several posts shorter after I removed several, bickering, baiting, flaming and etc posts along with the replies to them. Time to end it or this topic will be closed and warnings given.

More baiting and bicker posts and etc have occured. Enough is enough.

Topic now