What's the point of getting a re-entry permit and all the hassles the re-entry permit brings with it?

As far as I understand the latest entries in this forum, TM6 are not issued anymore and I was answered by immigration that it is not required anymore to report when re-entering the country unless you change your residence.

Is it not easier to skip the re-entry permit also?

When you leave Thailand without re-entry permit, mean you have to do a new O-visa (or whatever longstay visa you have) outside, before you come back Thailand. In case you come back without, mean when you are at immigration you will be stamped for 30 days (Visa Exempt or whatever you are entitled to).
So if you leave after your doing your extension, then the extension will be void. You have to start again! 

I think it's much simpler to do a re-Entry than a new extension.

46 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

What's the point of getting a re-entry permit and all the hassles the re-entry permit brings with it?

Amazing post.

Reentry permit protects your permission of stay.

Please consult someone prior to exit Thailand as you are  clearly very misinformed.

As stated above the re-entry permit allows you to enter Thailand and maintain your permission to stay ( retirement extension or extension based on marriage etc ) alive. Without it you will be stamped in visa exempt ( if eligible ).

I recently left Thailand without a re-entry permit ( on purpose to kill my retirement extension from an OA visa ) and entered visa exempt.

11 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

recently left Thailand without a re-entry permit ( on purpose to kill my retirement extension from an OA visa ) and entered visa exempt

I assume that you did that in order to obtain a non O and subsequent 12 month extension.

If possible would be good if you could report the process when all done.

It's a common pathway since insurance element for non O-A changed. 

55 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

As stated above the re-entry permit allows you to enter Thailand and maintain your permission to stay ( retirement extension or extension based on marriage etc ) alive. Without it you will be stamped in visa exempt ( if eligible ).

I recently left Thailand without a re-entry permit ( on purpose to kill my retirement extension from an OA visa ) and entered visa exempt.

I am aware of what you say, but if you have a valid visa, would it not be easier to leave the kingdom and re-enter without requiring an re-entry permit every time?

I don't see the benefit this requirement has for Thailand (except lots of paperwork).

1 hour ago, Confuscious said:

I am aware of what you say, but if you have a valid visa, would it not be easier to leave the kingdom and re-enter without requiring an re-entry permit every time?

I don't see the benefit this requirement has for Thailand (except lots of paperwork).

Only if it's a multi entry visa and you re-enter before the expiry of the visa.

 

2 hours ago, Confuscious said:

I am aware of what you say, but if you have a valid visa, would it not be easier to leave the kingdom and re-enter without requiring an re-entry permit every time?

I don't see the benefit this requirement has for Thailand (except lots of paperwork).

Business!!!

The TM6 was for free, so no benefit, only work. Re-entry permits is good and easy money.

2 hours ago, Confuscious said:

I am aware of what you say, but if you have a valid visa, would it not be easier to leave the kingdom and re-enter without requiring an re-entry permit every time?

If it's a valid multiple entry Visa, then you don't require a re-entry permit.

In most cases, if you have a valid, unexpired multiple entry visa, you will not want to protect your existing permission to stay (though you sometimes still might) by getting a re-entry permit.

 

I have the strong impression that you do not know the difference between a visa and a permission to stay. Many countries do not have this distinction, Thailand does, and it is critical that you understand it.

It's obvious why we currently need re-entry permits, but I'm reading the OP as more... "What's the point (for Thailand) to having Re-Entry Permits"

 

Why not just make all Visas multi-entry for the duration of their validity & make Extensions to permission to stay automatically "Multi-Entry" rather than getting an Extension stamp in your passport & then immediately replacing it with a re-entry permit. 

 

Waste of time, money & passport pages. 

 

And if it is just about the money, then simply add a small amount to the price to every extension. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

"What's the point (for Thailand) to having Re-Entry Permits"

 

For those on a long term visa or a 'retirement; visa, all you have to do is after going through the passport control there's that booth, you pay a 1000 baht and you get the re-entry visa, no hassles no documents, if you're a holder of any of the above permits and you didn't do the re=entry your permit is gone and have to re-apply a new...

2 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

It's obvious why we currently need re-entry permits, but I'm reading the OP as more... "What's the point (for Thailand) to having Re-Entry Permits"

 

Why not just make all Visas multi-entry for the duration of their validity & make Extensions to permission to stay automatically "Multi-Entry" rather than getting an Extension stamp in your passport & then immediately replacing it with a re-entry permit. 

 

Waste of time, money & passport pages. 

 

And if it is just about the money, then simply add a small amount to the price to every extension. 

For a long duration extension, I believe what you propose would be very sensible, and in line with most other countries. However, it would need to be paired with an additional change. There would need to be a way of cancelling your existing permission to stay. Currently, this is done by leaving the country, and it is difficult or impossible to do it voluntarily in another way.

 

For visas, the situation is different. If you are suggesting that the permission to stay on a single entry visa should automatically be protected, allowing you to make a quick trip out of Thailand and request your permission to stay is reinstated on your return, that could work. If you want the ability to re-enter up to the expiry date of the visa (with or without this affecting the validity period of the permission to stay) then I can see difficulties.

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

For those on a long term visa or a 'retirement; visa, all you have to do is after going through the passport control there's that booth, you pay a 1000 baht and you get the re-entry visa, no hassles no documents, if you're a holder of any of the above permits and you didn't do the re=entry your permit is gone and have to re-apply a new...

 

I believe (have never done it) that you need to get the Re-entry permit before going through passport control & the requirement is to complete a form (TM8?) & have a passport photo but my main gripe is it's another 1/2 a page of my passport taken up. 

 

Also worth noting that this is only available in the "Normal" security channel so if you're travelling Business Class or have access to the Fast Track Lane via another means (e.g. > 70) then you need to use the "Normal"channel to get the permit. 

May I ask how I could get a re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi as I go through the Fast Track lane [over 70] - queuing at the 'normal' lane seems to be defeating the object of being a senior citizen with Fast Track privilege?

5 minutes ago, Shannoblic said:

May I ask how I could get a re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi as I go through the Fast Track lane [over 70] - queuing at the 'normal' lane seems to be defeating the object of being a senior citizen with Fast Track privilege?

I believe (again must stress that I get my re-entry permit with my extension so have never done this) that once you've got your permit you are able to join the queue close to the front rather than having to double back & join at the back of the queue. 

 

 

 

19 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

I believe (again must stress that I get my re-entry permit with my extension so have never done this) that once you've got your permit you are able to join the queue close to the front rather than having to double back & join at the back of the queue. 

 

 

 

There are 2 different set ups at BKK and DMK.

 

At BKK the reentry permit office is after security and prior to passport control.

Zone 2.

 

At DMK the office is  just past passport control.

 

You require TM8 with photo and basic copies from pp.

Single 1000. Multi 3800.

At BKK they provide a service to cover form, photo etc for 200baht.(tip)

 

Simple quick process at airport. 

 

29 minutes ago, Shannoblic said:

May I ask how I could get a re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi as I go through the Fast Track lane [over 70] - queuing at the 'normal' lane seems to be defeating the object of being a senior citizen with Fast Track privilege?

The re-entry permit desk is in immigration zone 2. If going through fast track in zone 1 you can tell immigration you need a re-entry permit and they will direct you to the re-entry permit desk.

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I assume that you did that in order to obtain a non O and subsequent 12 month extension.

If possible would be good if you could report the process when all done.

It's a common pathway since insurance element for non O-A changed. 

Created a , some would say , “ wordy “ topic on my experience.

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Created a , some would say , “ wordy “ topic on my experience

I would call it very useful.

Ta. 

15 hours ago, Confuscious said:

What's the point of getting a re-entry permit and all the hassles the re-entry permit brings with it?

As far as I understand the latest entries in this forum, TM6 are not issued anymore and I was answered by immigration that it is not required anymore to report when re-entering the country unless you change your residence.

Is it not easier to skip the re-entry permit also?

Firstly, I don't know what your process for getting a re-entry is, but as far as I'm concerned it's absolutely no hassle whatsoever. I just get one automatically as part of the yearly extension process.

 

Even if I didn't, it would still only be a simple five minute process at my nearest Immigration office (admittedly I'm lucky in that it's only five minutes from my house).

 

Maybe I'm not understanding the situation correctly with the OP or maybe they aren't (I'm not sure) but for me the re-entry permit is highly useful if not absolutely critical.

 

Without a re-entry permit, if you're on a yearly extension of permission to stay (and I don't know why else you'd even be thinking about one) you would lose your extension - as others have pointed out it would be automatically voided. 

 

On returning, would only get a 30-day visa exempt entry. Then if you wanted to stay long-term again, it would mean starting again from scratch by converting to an O visa - which to me represents a much bigger hassle than getting a simple re-entry permit before leaving.

 

The scrapping of the TM6 and lack of need to report on returning have nothing at all to do with the reasons for getting a re-entry permit, which is to preserve the validity of your permission to stay.

 

Note: For some reason, my replies keep getting changed to bold text half way through. Not sure why. I could go back and retype but it doesn't seem worth the effort.

33 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

Firstly, I don't know what your process for getting a re-entry is, but as far as I'm concerned it's absolutely no hassle whatsoever. I just get one automatically as part of the yearly extension process.

 

Even if I didn't, it would still only be a simple five minute process at my nearest Immigration office (admittedly I'm lucky in that it's only five minutes from my house).

 

Maybe I'm not understanding the situation correctly with the OP or maybe they aren't (I'm not sure) but for me the re-entry permit is highly useful if not absolutely critical.

 

Without a re-entry permit, if you're on a yearly extension of permission to stay (and I don't know why else you'd even be thinking about one) you would lose your extension - as others have pointed out it would be automatically voided. 

 

On returning, would only get a 30-day visa exempt entry. Then if you wanted to stay long-term again, it would mean starting again from scratch by converting to an O visa - which to me represents a much bigger hassle than getting a simple re-entry permit before leaving.

 

The scrapping of the TM6 and lack of need to report on returning have nothing at all to do with the reasons for getting a re-entry permit, which is to preserve the validity of your permission to stay.

 

Note: For some reason, my replies keep getting changed to bold text half way through. Not sure why. I could go back and retype but it doesn't seem worth the effort.

In 2018, I returned to my home country for an urgent (heavy) surgery.
I had already a reentry permit in my passport, so, no need to go to immgration or ask one at the airport.
Just do the whole process and get in the airplane.
After 3 months, I decided to return to Thailand.
But I was very weak and could barely walk 10 meters.
So, I asked "wheelchair help" from the airport.
This was granted and I was transported to the airplane (in my country) in an electric buggy.
The buggy passed almost all the checkpoints, barely stopping.
Landing at Suvarnbhumi, a lady holding a bord with my name, was waiting for me with a wheelchair.
From the wheelchair, we stepped over to anothe buggy and off we went.
Passing all the checkpoints, barely stopping.
At the passport control, I pointed out to the lady that I had a reentry permit.
The lady gave my passport to the immigration officer and a few seconds later we were driving to the luggage collect point.
While waiting for my loggage, I noted that the reentry permit was mot stamped and I had a stamp with the date and "Suvarnabhumi" airport.
No "Visa on arrival" or whatever.
Next year I went for my Visa extension, and my Visa was still valid.

Maybe, it was because I was escorted by the airport officials, but I could have done the same process without reentry permit.

So, my question still remains : "What is the purpose (value) of a reentry permit" when you have a long stay visa?
 

13 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

While waiting for my loggage, I noted that the reentry permit was mot stamped and I had a stamp with the date and "Suvarnabhumi" airport.

They don't stamp your re-entry permit when you enter the country unless it is single re-entry permit

and they would of stamped it as used.

 

13 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

So, my question still remains : "What is the purpose (value) of a reentry permit" when you have a long stay visa?

If you didn't have a re-entry permit you would of lost your extension of stay and they would of stamped you into the country as visa exempt.

19 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

In 2018, I returned to my home country for an urgent (heavy) surgery.
I had already a reentry permit in my passport, so, no need to go to immgration or ask one at the airport.
Just do the whole process and get in the airplane.
After 3 months, I decided to return to Thailand.
But I was very weak and could barely walk 10 meters.
So, I asked "wheelchair help" from the airport.
This was granted and I was transported to the airplane (in my country) in an electric buggy.
The buggy passed almost all the checkpoints, barely stopping.
Landing at Suvarnbhumi, a lady holding a bord with my name, was waiting for me with a wheelchair.
From the wheelchair, we stepped over to anothe buggy and off we went.
Passing all the checkpoints, barely stopping.
At the passport control, I pointed out to the lady that I had a reentry permit.
The lady gave my passport to the immigration officer and a few seconds later we were driving to the luggage collect point.
While waiting for my loggage, I noted that the reentry permit was mot stamped and I had a stamp with the date and "Suvarnabhumi" airport.
No "Visa on arrival" or whatever.
Next year I went for my Visa extension, and my Visa was still valid.

Maybe, it was because I was escorted by the airport officials, but I could have done the same process without reentry permit.

So, my question still remains : "What is the purpose (value) of a reentry permit" when you have a long stay visa?
 

Just for clarification did you have a single or multiple re-entry permit

26 minutes ago, flexomike said:

Just for clarification did you have a single or multiple re-entry permit

The OP stated that he had a reentry permit in pp so he didn't have valid visa rather was on extension with reentry permit .

That allowed him to exit and reenter Thailand.

The OP has zero understanding of a permission of stay vs a visa.

 

He is still asking what is the purpose of a reentry permit..

Which is sorta strange as if did not have one he would have lost his permission of stay and been stamped in for 30 days visa exempt.

Seriously crazy thread.

Has been explained several times with zero understanding from OP. 

 

2 hours ago, Confuscious said:

Maybe, it was because I was escorted by the airport officials, but I could have done the same process without reentry permit.

No, you could not.

 

As already explained by several people, to keep your extension of permit to stay valid, you must get a re-entry permit before you go, otherwise your permit to stay automatically ends when you leave.

 

They actually put a stamp in your passport now, when you get an extension, that tells you this. It says:

 

 

Otherwise, on returning without either a re-entry permit (or a new, valid, longer term visa issued while you were away) you would only have been stamped in for 30 days visa exempt (assuming you were eligible).

16 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

No, you could not.

 

As already explained by several people, to keep your extension of permit to stay valid, you must get a re-entry permit before you go, otherwise your permit to stay automatically ends when you leave.

 

They actually put a stamp in your passport now, when you get an extension, that tells you this. It says:

 

 

Otherwise, on returning without either a re-entry permit (or a new, valid, longer term visa issued while you were away) you would only have been stamped in for 30 days visa exempt (assuming you were eligible).

I think what he's really trying to say is why do Thai immi make you apply for a re-entry permit instead of just letting you back in without one.

 

he seems to think he should be allowed to come and go as he pleases because...reasons.

10 hours ago, BritTim said:

a way of cancelling your existing permission to stay. Currently, this is done by leaving the country, and it is difficult or impossible to do it voluntarily in another way.

 

That would be sensible thing for immigration to institute.

 

 

 

I would add to the comments on why a re-entry permit exists (rather than just allowing you to automatically reinstate your previous permission to stay when you re-enter) that it may be partly due to a past historical issue. Today, Immigration's computer system contains all the information that is needed to resurrect the previous permission to stay. Decades ago, when the re-entry permit system was first used, no such system existed. Some mechanism was needed to tell Immigration that you were eligible for a re-entry, and the details of the permission to stay to be reinstated. A special stamp in your passport made sense as a way to do so. This stamp would only be placed in your passport on request, so as not to unnecessarily use space when you did not intend coming back (usually true when travel was much less convenient than today).

53 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I would add to the comments on why a re-entry permit exists (rather than just allowing you to automatically reinstate your previous permission to stay when you re-enter) that it may be partly due to a past historical issue. Today, Immigration's computer system contains all the information that is needed to resurrect the previous permission to stay. Decades ago, when the re-entry permit system was first used, no such system existed. Some mechanism was needed to tell Immigration that you were eligible for a re-entry, and the details of the permission to stay to be reinstated. A special stamp in your passport made sense as a way to do so. This stamp would only be placed in your passport on request, so as not to unnecessarily use space when you did not intend coming back (usually true when travel was much less convenient than today).

I agree on the second part of your post.
But I strongly disagree in the first part.
Immigration, anno 2022, has still no clue what happens with your Visa or whatever you have been doing.
This year in my Visa extension, the officer noted that all my extensions were "Non-Imm" or "Retirement" and she wanted to see which type of Visa was in my passport when I first entered Thailand.
Needless to say that I could not comply with that requirement as I need to handle my old passport over to the Embassy each time I get a new passport.
Immigration had no possibility to go trough all my previous Visa's or re-entry permits.
Luckely, I could get a copt of my first Visa trough the Thai Embassy in my country and that was enough proof for immigration.
Besides, Immigration where I live still uses an illegal copy of Windows.
Every time I go there, on right bottom of the screen a message is flashing: "Please update your windows version".