Advice on visa run SETV options? And an odd immigration extension experience.

[dcgm]

Hi,

I'm looking at options for getting another SETV and finding guides/info seems difficult. I'm just looking to go get the visa and get out as doing the tourist thing & going to crowded places right now doesn't seem like a great idea.

I've looked at KL and I feel like Vietnam might be a good option with the low number of COVID-19 cases. Cambodia & Laos have low/no cases but I'm not confident that reflects reality.

Really I just want to get a visa and get out as painlessly & quickly as possible.

Also reading through the threads here I wanted to make sure that I'm not in any danger of getting denied entry or having my SETV application refused.


Travel/Visa History:
29-Sep-2019 - BKK (visa waiver)
5-Oct-2019 - Left Thailand
17-Oct-2019 - BKK (Visa waiver + 30 day extension)
14-Dec-2019 - Back home (UK) - (renewed my passport that was due to expire and got SETV in London)
11-Jan-2020 - BKK - SETV + 30 day extension


On another note - I had an odd experience at immigration in BKK this week extending my SETV. During the application they gave me another form (other than the extension form) to fill in. Majority of the form was in Thai so I couldn't read it but the part that was in English clearly said "Overstay". This worried me so I asked why it said that and they told me not to worry (of course this made me more concerned).

So I sit down and wait for them to stamp my passport which they do (nothing about the stamp looks odd or mentions an over stay, as it should because I still had a week before the SETV would expire). While I'm being handed the passport though I'm told to "wear long pants next time". 

Has anyone experienced either of the above? It all struck me as quite odd. I wasn't aware there was a dress code? I saw quite a lot of people in shorts there. I'm more concerned about that other form though of course.


Any help is much appreciated ???? 

[EricTh]

Most probably that 'form' is just for you to know the penalty that you will get if you overstay. 

 

If you overstay for more than x months, then the ban is x year etc. I used to see that whenever I renew my yearly visa.

 

Another note, It is advisable to wear long pants when visiting government offices and Buddhist temples.

 

Thailand is a conservative country ... sleeveless shirts and short pants revealing hairy legs are frowned at in formal settings.

[BritTim]

Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (and Yangon) should all be OK for the SETV. In your position, I might choose Vientiane because it is convenient for entering Thailand by land. The new passport from the UK and single visa in it make it easy to get the visa. However, Immigration can see the full history of your visits. If entering by air, there is an outside chance that the wrong official might decide you have stayed too long to be a tourist. In your case, I would not worry about this unduly, however.

[Alan TinWin]

Go to google translate. Check that you are translating thai to english. Click on camera icon. Point at document. Read english translation. Not 100% accurate, but will give you an idea of what the document is about.

[rhodie]

Your best bet would be to do a visa run to a land border. You get 2 a year and you are pretty much guaranteed entry. That would give you 30 days which you can extend if required. You could probably get back in by air, but land is 99% certain. Just avoid Poipet border. Good luck.

[DrJack54]

OP, obtain a setv. Save your border entries.

Always good to have one up your sleeve for future if denied setv you can enter border visa exempt.

[TigerandDog]

7 hours ago, Alan TinWin said:

Go to google translate. Check that you are translating thai to english. Click on camera icon. Point at document. Read english translation. Not 100% accurate, but will give you an idea of what the document is about.

Google translate is pathetic when translating Thai to English. The translation makes absolutely no sense at all, so you still won't know what the document says in Thai.

[BritTim]

6 hours ago, pdtokyo said:

I'm not there yet ... still trying to work out what the best visa options will be for me ... not yet married but that's a certainty later ... any thoughts on options for land-based bouncing from Uttaradit region ?

 

If i went in the bouncy direction it occurs to me it may be a more pleasant experience to pack my Thai partner and drive ourselves across a border for a day or two. She food shops. Anywhere.

 

I know it's not practicable to cross borders in a rental, but how about if car is owned by her (a Thai national) ?

 

Or will i always need to do a walk of shame over a border bridge like some cold war spy movie ?

If you just want to do a border bounce for a visa exempt entry, I would suggest Maesot. It does involve walking across a bridge, but you have the company of plenty of locals, and I have not found it embarrassing when crossing there. The town on the Myanmar side, Myawaddy, is nothing special, but offers a few points of interest that can be explored with a local driver. My understanding is that getting a vehicle passport for Myanmar (without an official Myanmar guide to accompany you) is nearly impossible.

[dcgm]

16 hours ago, EricTh said:

Most probably that 'form' is just for you to know the penalty that you will get if you overstay. 

 

If you overstay for more than x months, then the ban is x year etc. I used to see that whenever I renew my yearly visa.

 

Another note, It is advisable to wear long pants when visiting government offices and Buddhist temples.

 

Thailand is a conservative country ... sleeveless shirts and short pants revealing hairy legs are frowned at in formal settings.

Ah ok - a form for acknowledgement of penalties for overstaying makes sense.

I was aware of the rule for Buddhist temples but didn't realise that would be the case for the to government offices. Thanks for the heads up, I will keep that in mind going forward.

 

14 hours ago, BritTim said:

Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (and Yangon) should all be OK for the SETV. In your position, I might choose Vientiane because it is convenient for entering Thailand by land. The new passport from the UK and single visa in it make it easy to get the visa. However, Immigration can see the full history of your visits. If entering by air, there is an outside chance that the wrong official might decide you have stayed too long to be a tourist. In your case, I would not worry about this unduly, however.

Thanks so much for the information.

At the moment I'm leaning toward Kuala Lumpur for logistical ease & because I've wanted to check it out. Would there be much cause to worry going the flight to KL route over land crossing from Vientiane? From reading I've done this morning there seem to be some examples of people getting denied at Vientiane recently?

Looking at the requirements for KL I have one question about this point "A copy of reservation/confirmation of accommodation for the whole stay or rental agreement in Thailand." I can bring a copy of my lease but my concern is it extends beyond 90 days - I just wonder if they might use that as a reason to reject the application?

[BritTim]

7 minutes ago, dcgm said:

At the moment I'm leaning toward Kuala Lumpur for logistical ease & because I've wanted to check it out. Would there be much cause to worry going the flight to KL route over land crossing from Vientiane? From reading I've done this morning there seem to be some examples of people getting denied at Vientiane recently?

The risk of flying in from Kuala Lumpur would be low in your case. Also, even if denied entry, you will likely just be returned to Kuala Lumpur. If that is your preference, it is a perfectly rational option.

 

8 minutes ago, dcgm said:

Looking at the requirements for KL I have one question about this point "A copy of reservation/confirmation of accommodation for the whole stay or rental agreement in Thailand." I can bring a copy of my lease but my concern is it extends beyond 90 days - I just wonder if they might use that as a reason to reject the application?

I have never heard of a long lease, per se, being an issue. Some will argue that a typical tourist will be staying in a hotel. You do have the option of making hotel reservations (through Agoda, Booking.com or similar) that allow free cancellation. Personally, I think this is unnecessary, but use your judgement.