New 180 Day Cycle Begun.

[janchangtha]

The tourist - 3x 30 day - tourist visa cycle works.

Here's mine: 30 day exempt entry until 15/10/06.

30 day exempt 15/10 - 14/11/06 with a circled 1 highlighted in green.

30 day exempt 14/11/06 - 13/12/06 with a circled 2 highlighted in green.

30 day exempt 13/12/06 - 11/01/07 with a circled 3.

Visa run to Vientiane 11/01/07 - 17/01/07. Got a single entry tourist visa.

60 days in Thailand 17/01/07 - 17/03/07.

30 day extension 17/03/07 - 16/04/07.

Visa run to Mae Sai border. New 30 day exempt stamp with a circled 1 highlighted in green. Was told I can come back another 2 times.

[lopburi3]

The cycle is six months - not 180 days. So it worked because you got into the new six month period (which is more than 180 days).

[LivinLOS]

OK anyones best guess at this ??

22/09/06 - 10/10/06 = 19 days (or 10 days if Oct 1st)

01/11/06 - 27/11/06 = 27 days

27/11/06 - 22/12/06 = 26 days

Tourist visa 20/01/07 - 22/02/07

24/03/07 - 22/04/07 30 days (not all used)

In my reading he should not have got a 30 day stamp on last entry due to 90 day regs and also has a 6 month block scene. If you count back from now he has 27+26+30 (up to and including next week)

However.. If they are blocking should he now have a clean slate on blocks ?? Also in last 6 months from today ther are 7 days change..

The reason he didnt get another TV in Bali on the way back this time was there are only a couple of spare spaces on half used pages and they refused to stamp it saying he didnt have enough room.. He couldnt get a new passport in Bali either..

Hes trying to get a 7 day extension to get a new passport now (and GF a UK visa).. any bets ??

Only really posting (no one can safely answer) to show how confusing all this can be..

Edited April 17, 2007 by LivinLOS

[blizzard]

re livlos

he shouldnt get a full 30 days exempt entry becoz i didnt get one. and i like your example used up most of my 90 exempt days at the beginning of the first 6 month period.

[Krub]

OK anyones best guess at this ??

22/09/06 - 10/10/06 = 19 days (or 10 days if Oct 1st)

01/11/06 - 27/11/06 = 27 days

27/11/06 - 22/12/06 = 26 days

Tourist visa 20/01/07 - 22/02/07

24/03/07 - 22/04/07 30 days (not all used)

In my reading he should not have got a 30 day stamp on last entry due to 90 day regs and also has a 6 month block scene. If you count back from now he has 27+26+30 (up to and including next week)

However.. If they are blocking should he now have a clean slate on blocks ?? Also in last 6 months from today ther are 7 days change..

The reason he didnt get another TV in Bali on the way back this time was there are only a couple of spare spaces on half used pages and they refused to stamp it saying he didnt have enough room.. He couldnt get a new passport in Bali either..

Hes trying to get a 7 day extension to get a new passport now (and GF a UK visa).. any bets ??

Only really posting (no one can safely answer) to show how confusing all this can be..

His first entry after October 1 is November 1

If it is a blocked 180 days or 6 months he is entitled to 90 days between 1 Nov and 1 May

He now has 27 + 26 that is why he received another 30 days.

if he does a run before May 1 he would receive 90-30-27-26 = 7 days which he could extend by 7 days (I think) and be over his fixed 6 months

He could then do another run and get a full 30 days

Unless some of the immigration officers start rolling his 6 months periods

Edited April 17, 2007 by Krub

[sabaijai]

If nothing else the new visa regs should make better mathematicians out of all non-immigrant residents.

[LivinLOS]

@blizzard.. He shouldn't get one because you didnt.. Either sour grapes or non native english.. I will hope the latter..

@Krub.. I see your point about '1st entry after Oct 1st'.. Good spot and may be correct.. He would be happy with a 7 day extension, time enough for a new passport and visa run.. He is actually in transit to UK anyway. All these Thai visits have been due to some family issues and medical assistance, its not his normal MO and his house is in indo.

Part of the problem is he is really out of any room in his passport.. He even has an indo visa sticker on one of the pages that is writing and instruction. Theres a couple of 1/4 pages left..

[Wanderer_99]

@blizzard.. He shouldn't get one because you didnt.. Either sour grapes or non native english.. I will hope the latter..

@Krub.. I see your point about '1st entry after Oct 1st'.. Good spot and may be correct.. He would be happy with a 7 day extension, time enough for a new passport and visa run.. He is actually in transit to UK anyway. All these Thai visits have been due to some family issues and medical assistance, its not his normal MO and his house is in indo.

Part of the problem is he is really out of any room in his passport.. He even has an indo visa sticker on one of the pages that is writing and instruction. Theres a couple of 1/4 pages left..

FYI: for those with lost of Indo visa stickers that take up a whole page....

They are real easy to peel off within the first couple months

//Such action would not be legal and would invalidate the passport - lopburi3//

[aussiestyle1983]

What would be the scenario if someone's last 6 month cycle looked like this.

Entry 1- VOA

Entry 2- Tourist visa plus extension

Entry 3- VOA

Entry 4- VOA

So now lets say your 6 months period from the date of your first VOA has eneded, all thought you just did two VOA entries for your last two entries, that doesnt matter does it? Since some people say that the 6 month period is fixed, not a rolling period, you should be able to come back in and your first VOA entry during the next 6 month cycle should be counted as entry number one? Correct? Even though it will have been your third VOA entry in a row, it should still be VOA entry number one since a new 6 month period has began................... is this correct?

If so, you could actually do 5 VOA entries in a row if you have to which would ba as follows......

Entry 1- VOA ( start of first 6 month period )

Entry 2- Tourist visa plus extension

Entry 3- VOA

Entry 4- VOA

Entry 1- VOA ( start of a new 6 month period )

Entry 2- VOA

Entry 3- VOA

Entry 4- Tourist visa plus extension

[LivinLOS]

Aussiestyle.. I have been asking that one myself..

If its 'blocks' as they are saying then you could Visa Exempt Stamp (not VOA and for the rest of this post a VES).. Then tourist then VES VES add in a few days extension somewhere and its a new block.. But getting 3 more VES's I strongly doubt it..

They told a fella I know who was given 22 days when he was under 60 days here due to the 6 months block issue.. Dont come back without a real visa.. He hadnt even used 90 days.

[Krub]

Aussiestyle.. I have been asking that one myself..

If its 'blocks' as they are saying then you could Visa Exempt Stamp (not VOA and for the rest of this post a VES).. Then tourist then VES VES add in a few days extension somewhere and its a new block.. But getting 3 more VES's I strongly doubt it..

They told a fella I know who was given 22 days when he was under 60 days here due to the 6 months block issue.. Dont come back without a real visa.. He hadnt even used 90 days.

Which means that somewhere along the line they will be using fixed and rolling 6 months depending on the mood of the moment....

[aussiestyle1983]

My apologies for saying VOA in stead of Vise Exempt Entry. I nnevr thought i'd be caught saying that, but I havent posted about a such topic for ages! Hahaha!

It seems that it would be ok to get more than three full 30 day Visa exempt ennties in a row, as long as some of the older entries came from you first 6 month block. But, thats proably when immigration say to you "No, we change mind, new law come today, 6 month period rolling periond like my car roll, not 6 month block, no way block, you go embasy noe get visa, turn around, go away!"

[LivinLOS]

I have said on here that we simply cannot know how the block issue will be dealt with until at least a couple of months after the first 6 months to see how they handle it..

My gut feeling (and this has not basis in fact or evidence) is that they will use both rolling and blocks.. Eg they will look at the previous 'block' of 6 months and still issue part stamps to people and they will roll that block through the year.. My feelings or thoughts on this is that I see that they are basically trying to make the V.E.S. unworkable for the regular long stay visitor.

The big problem with this to me is the unpredictability.. Rules need to be rules not officer discretion. Currently the block structure could give a tourist a 1 day stamp after they spent 1 day incountry 6 months previous, thats plain silly but thats the rule they are applying to some visitors.

[lopburi3]

@blizzard.. He shouldn't get one because you didnt.. Either sour grapes or non native english.. I will hope the latter..

@Krub.. I see your point about '1st entry after Oct 1st'.. Good spot and may be correct.. He would be happy with a 7 day extension, time enough for a new passport and visa run.. He is actually in transit to UK anyway. All these Thai visits have been due to some family issues and medical assistance, its not his normal MO and his house is in indo.

Part of the problem is he is really out of any room in his passport.. He even has an indo visa sticker on one of the pages that is writing and instruction. Theres a couple of 1/4 pages left..

FYI: for those with lost of Indo visa stickers that take up a whole page....

They are real easy to peel off within the first couple months

//Such action would not be legal and would invalidate the passport - lopburi3//

To anyone who read the above prior to my edit - don't do it.

[Estrada]

I have said on here that we simply cannot know how the block issue will be dealt with until at least a couple of months after the first 6 months to see how they handle it..

My gut feeling (and this has not basis in fact or evidence) is that they will use both rolling and blocks.. Eg they will look at the previous 'block' of 6 months and still issue part stamps to people and they will roll that block through the year.. My feelings or thoughts on this is that I see that they are basically trying to make the V.E.S. unworkable for the regular long stay visitor.

The big problem with this to me is the unpredictability.. Rules need to be rules not officer discretion. Currently the block structure could give a tourist a 1 day stamp after they spent 1 day incountry 6 months previous, thats plain silly but thats the rule they are applying to some visitors.

They are working the 6 month block system, but also the "T.I.T" system. This means that they have introduced the 6 month block system rather than applying the logical rolling 6 month period, as otherwise they have a lot of counting to do. This is more "Sanuk" for them because after the new 6 month block starts they only have to count 3 stamps before having to count the days.

As for rules being rules, fortunately This is Thailand known by the Thais as the Land of all possibilties, and Thai immigration can be very flexible and accomodating compared with many Countries.

Hence, when I came in 4 days before the end of my 6 month rolling period, they told me I had to go out and come in again. But after I let them know that I knew the Law and that I was a friend of the former Head of Thai Immigration, they were most appologetic and gave me the 30 days without problem. So it would seem that it should be a 6 month rolling period, but typically are operating their own TIT rules. Obviously the 6 month block system is illogical, as I could have come in for 1 day in October 2006, and set the clock ticking, then came back for 30 days in January, February, and March. Then gone out and come back in again the day after the 6 month block expired, and then have April, May and June. This being almost 180 days in 6 months which is not the Law, but is what they have decided to follow. However they have told me that the regulation is going to be changed soon as they find it too much work, for the better we hope.

[LivinLOS]

OK.. I will believe the block system when we see anyone with 4 or 5 back to back full 30 day stamps (exemption, tourist visa, exemption exemption -new block- exemption exemption etc)..

Not gonna happen.. Block when they want and rolling when they want..

[blizzard]

instead of making a blanket statement like this is what they decided to follow it is better to say who knows what they are following.

i read so many reset period this reset period that, was my officer the only one who didnt use the reset principle.

are they accomodating when you give names of important people or are they really accomodating to the masses. most of what i read is immigration officer makes decision and you live with it.

[B-BOY]

Can anyone help pls?

I am a Swiss expat based in Saigon and have been traveling to BKK back and forwards for a long time, mostly for a weekend break or a short holiday.

Since October 1st, did following trips:

9-13 Oct, 5 days

3-5 Nov, 3 days

17-19 Nov, 3 days

29 Dec - 2 Jan, 5 days

13-14 Jan, 2 days

17-21 Feb, 5 days

16-20 Mar, 5 days

3-8 Apr, 6 days

Alltogether 34 days within a 180days period. However, upon arrival at Suvarnabhum on April 3rd, i was given another 30 VOA valid till 2nd May.

I am due to arrive again this week on Friday, 27 April for 10days this time, which falls into my 2nd block of 180days and am not sure what to expect. Will time be reset and calculating will start again by 0 from 27 April onwards???

Can i expect another 30 days Visa on arrival?

Every time I arrived a immigration counter so far, I showed immigration officer a flyer where i calculated days together for them to make it easier and never had a problem so far......

Thanks for any advice, lopburi3 and other experts....

[meom]

are they accomodating when you give names of important people or are they really accomodating to the masses. most of what i read is immigration officer makes decision and you live with it.

The mess they're in doesn't really effect the masses since they assume (and i guess they're right) that the majority of people has either a visa or is a 1-2 times a year package tourist.

[Wanderer_99]

@blizzard.. He shouldn't get one because you didnt.. Either sour grapes or non native english.. I will hope the latter..

@Krub.. I see your point about '1st entry after Oct 1st'.. Good spot and may be correct.. He would be happy with a 7 day extension, time enough for a new passport and visa run.. He is actually in transit to UK anyway. All these Thai visits have been due to some family issues and medical assistance, its not his normal MO and his house is in indo.

Part of the problem is he is really out of any room in his passport.. He even has an indo visa sticker on one of the pages that is writing and instruction. Theres a couple of 1/4 pages left..

FYI: for those with lost of Indo visa stickers that take up a whole page....

They are real easy to peel off within the first couple months

//Such action would not be legal and would invalidate the passport - lopburi3//

To anyone who read the above prior to my edit - don't do it.

Ok, mom.

[Krub]

Can anyone help pls?

I am a Swiss expat based in Saigon and have been traveling to BKK back and forwards for a long time, mostly for a weekend break or a short holiday.

Since October 1st, did following trips:

9-13 Oct, 5 days

3-5 Nov, 3 days

17-19 Nov, 3 days

29 Dec - 2 Jan, 5 days

13-14 Jan, 2 days

17-21 Feb, 5 days

16-20 Mar, 5 days

3-8 Apr, 6 days

Alltogether 34 days within a 180days period. However, upon arrival at Suvarnabhum on April 3rd, i was given another 30 VOA valid till 2nd May.

I am due to arrive again this week on Friday, 27 April for 10days this time, which falls into my 2nd block of 180days and am not sure what to expect. Will time be reset and calculating will start again by 0 from 27 April onwards???

Can i expect another 30 days Visa on arrival?

Every time I arrived a immigration counter so far, I showed immigration officer a flyer where i calculated days together for them to make it easier and never had a problem so far......

Thanks for any advice, lopburi3 and other experts....

Some have reported that immigration officers will use fixed blocks and if you arrive just before then end of your block you only get the remainder days although you did not go up to 90 days.

In your case it is obvious you only stay a few days each visits and should be clear for another 30 days. I would take it up with a senior officer if that happnes

Tell us how it goes

Good luck

[LivinLOS]

Definately write out a clear legible sheet with all your entry and exit day in order showing total stay not be well under the 90..

Rules say you should be fine.. Also looking at your pattern it doesnt look like the end of the world if you got only a 7 day stamp or something..

[danc]

Just throw my two pennies worth in to the ring..

I am about to to go and get an 7 day extension on a 30 day extension to my two month tourist visa, which itself came out of three consecutive 30 day runs.

Extra cash again for the 7 day extension in order to get past the 6 month period, which started on 29th October (run number 1) and run out on 25th April, which is 4 days too early...

I have been advised that if I go to the border and look to come straight back on a 30 dayer, they will say go and away and come back on either 28th or the 29th - this being the end of my 6 month block...but if you were to count days, rolling.......

I have heard lots about "not liking falangs", but there is an element of the more complicated it is, the more likely that people will go over to visas and use the airport and well, it's going to be not a bad earner - it kinda makes sense to me - all these people, working not working, not paying tax, but living here and so do the tax by stealth....visas........and extensions and more visas and the airport tax and so forth.......In the end, those that can't' will go and those that can will stay and pay - the worry will utlimately be where does it end....because if it really goes down to only the truly prosperous can afford it, then the next wave of people may well be the ones that are now towing the line, paying as directed, visas in order who simply are not that well-off....sort of Bhutan syndrome creeping in....

Danc

[bkkguy1970]

people will go over to visas and use the airport and well, it's going to be not a bad earner

given the cost of transport, accomodation etc for a visa run to Penang, a better earner for the country would bea special class of tourist visa issued in Thailand for 2-3,000 Baht!

bkkguy

[Sunny Valentine]

J......., but there is an element of the more complicated it is, the more likely that people will go over to visas and use the airport and well, it's going to be not a bad earner - it kinda makes sense to me - all these people, working not working, not paying tax, but living here and so do the tax by stealth....visas........and extensions and more visas and the airport tax and so forth.......

I heard this money argument quite often lately, but it still does not make sense to me.

A border run costs the applicant from 2000 - maybe 2500 Baht, with no money going to the Thai State. A Visa trip to a neighboring Consulate or Embassy costs between 10000 and maybe 15000 Baht, including ticket, taxis, Hotel, spending money, and fees. Out of this maybe 2000 Baht to the Thai Government. I does not make sense. Charge higher fees for issuing One Year Visas to qualified people (hel_l, you can't even get a 1 Year Multiple B with a Work Permit in South East Asia, <deleted>?), or better still have people come to Immigration every month or three, and extend their permission for a fee of say 3000 or 5000 Bt a month. Show sufficient foreign income, make a check with national police records, maybe also Interpol, and get a new 3 month stamp for say 10000 Baht (cheaper for older people, and people with family ties here.) And the rant about people working illegally: Make it easier to get Work Permits, just make sure they pay tax.

Sell Multiple Entry One Year Tourist Visas (but only in the applicant's Country of residence) for say 5000 Baht, to cover the ones who come here often for shorter stays. Apart from that, limit the 30 Day Stamps to lets say maximum 3 per Calendar Year. This system would be so much simpler, more effective for the Thai Government, raise their income, and create a win-win situation for all involved!

Sunny