I know the new ruling for vise exempt stamps started on 1st October 2007. I was in Thailand at the time and left on 8 October. Would those seven days I was already in country for be counted, or would the 6 month start on my next stamp in, which was 3rd November?

Getting a bit cloudy here I guess.

Cheers

First non visa entry after October 1.

First non visa entry after October 1.

Thanks Lopburi.

Is there something new I didn't know about? I was ready to apply for my non-O retirement back in 2004. However, after losing more than 3 Million baht, between the Tsunami and one dishonest Thai business partner who cleaned out my personal account I was relegated back to the dreaded Visa Run. With Social Security representing my only income (I am losing 8000 baht a month now just on the exchange rate) it isn't easy trying to build up my resources with the baht appreciation and the dollar’s weakness.

Anyway I am not complaining. My last “arrival” was after October one. 3 VOAs, a flight to Kuala Lumpur, 60 day visa and a 30 day extension courtesy of Phang Nga immigration everything worked out great. Same scenario after 3 trips to Ranong, marked in “yellow” as “3” , I departed the Kingdom for Malaysia on March 21^st, purchased another 60 day ticket which was extended (1,900 baht) officially by Phnag Nga immigration to June 20^th 2007. All entries show the usual “stay is permitted until such and such a date”.

That date was June 20^th 2007. (today) I really detest that 3 hour trip at 5 AM especially when it is pouring rain the entire jaunt. They do know me by now. The nice officer takes out his calculator and advised me: You can not leave !!!! What ????

Well, yes you can but you must stay in Burma for 4 days before re-entering Thailand. No way José, I have a house, a dog 3 kids I take care of etc. Well you are 4 days short of having left the country and re-entering it. We have new rules as of yesterday, “BUT” for 1,900 baht we will give you a 7 day visa. See you in 7 days, sawsdee crap.

I tried to figure out how he came to this conclusion but I can not for the life of me.

Easy. The rule is 90 days in a six month period (not in 180 days). So the 30+30+30+60+30 do not get you into a new six month period. You either have to extend 7 days as they allowed you or leave the country for a few days. Nothing really new and has happened to others before but perhaps they have just made it official for all border crossings.