What's behind the current THB strength?

[asia123]

I am not married, and I have a child in Thailand. I have his birth certificate. I plan to get a single-entry visa for 3months in Savannakhet. 

 

1. Is a bank balance certificate required in Savannakhet?

2. I have been obtaining visas and living in Thailand for the past two years. Can I still do a visa run? It would be easier if I could get a 60-day visa at the border.

 

my passport has full of visa seal and stamp from thai

[Tod Daniels]

There are no financial requirements to get the 90-day single entry non-o visa

Based on either marriage to a thai or supporting a Thai child.

 

Birth certificate,

mother's thai ID,

mother's house book listing,

child's house book listing if you have it.

Your passport, three passport size photos, one to get into lao at the border, two for the application,

copies of the data page of your passport, your lao visa, your lao entry stamp and a filled out application

 

Remember the Thai consulate in Savannakhet now requires mandatory online booked appointments to get in the gate, and they have three business day processing counting the day you apply

[Tod Daniels]

At this time it would appear there is no problem bouncing out and back to get a 60 day entry stamp as the 60-day Visa exempt entry by land was recently made unlimited.

Meaning if you've already milked your two 30 day entries this year by land you should be able to get out and back in on a 60-day entry stamp without any issue as long as you pick the correct border <-by that I mean don't try to exit re-enter at the Aranyaprathet Poipet border.

[dontpanic]

14 hours ago, asia123 said:

I am not married, and I have a child in Thailand. I have his birth certificate. I plan to get a single-entry visa for 3months in Savannakhet. 

 

1. Is a bank balance certificate required in Savannakhet?

2. I have been obtaining visas and living in Thailand for the past two years. Can I still do a visa run? It would be easier if I could get a 60-day visa at the border.

 

my passport has full of visa seal and stamp from thai

I'm in the same position as you, I have done the non o 90 from Savannakhet since last year and the online appointments are a ball ache. I did get one but it was for last Friday meaning a 6 day stay with the King's holiday plus the weekend. 

 

I scrapped that idea as I'm sure that's the only reason I actually got that appointment as the new ones get grabbed as soon as they are released but the visa run companies no maaltter if you're refreshing the page at midnight or not. Plus spending 6 days there is not my idea of fun.

 

Anyway I've just done a border bounce to Cambo, Ban Pakkad. The visa fee is 1400 baht but if you want to go out and back same day it's 2700 which I'm told is no issue. I decided as I hadn't been there before to stay the night in one of the casinos and with the hotel, food ect it came to about the same price.

 

Morning crossing was a breeze, filled out tm6 🤣, went to Thai Imm window, brief look through the many non o stamps I've had, stamped my passport and I was off with a khrap. 

 

I'm thinking I will use them until I get legitimized as my sons dad then I will do the yearly extension route. I haven't done this yet as I can't be bothered going through the courts nonsense and when he's a little older he can say I'm his dad at the Amphoe and I don't need to do this.

 

This stamp will take me through till January 2025 with the 30 extension plus the 60 to visit him. Next year I'll do the 2 border bounces with extensions plus the extra 60 to visit him for each one which will give me 10 months by which time I will be able to get the yearly and for now I don't mind traveling about as I haven't seen much of the neighboring countries yet and I'll tie it in with a trip to them.

[Liquorice]

2 hours ago, dontpanic said:

This stamp will take me through till January 2025 with the 30 extension plus the 60 to visit him. Next year I'll do the 2 border bounces with extensions plus the extra 60 to visit him for each one which will give me 10 months by which time I will be able to get the yearly and for now I don't mind traveling about as I haven't seen much of the neighboring countries yet and I'll tie it in with a trip to them.

I stand to be corrected, but I've known Immigration to refuse a 60-day extension to visit a Thai child, when you're not legalised as the Father, and/or, the child is not living with you.

I'd check the requirements at your own IO before making your plans.

[Tod Daniels]

4 hours ago, Liquorice said:

I stand to be corrected, but I've known Immigration to refuse a 60-day extension to visit a Thai child, when you're not legalised as the Father, and/or, the child is not living with you.

I'd check the requirements at your own IO before making your plans.

I have not personally seen or heard of immigrations denying 60 day visit thai family extensions because the foreign father doesn't have legal parental rights.

Usually birth certificate, mother's thai house book listing, thai i/d, child's house book listing should work.  

Now year extensions are a totally different kettle of fish

[dontpanic]

9 hours ago, Liquorice said:

I stand to be corrected, but I've known Immigration to refuse a 60-day extension to visit a Thai child, when you're not legalised as the Father, and/or, the child is not living with you.

I'd check the requirements at your own IO before making your plans.

No worries I've extended 3 times already. The guys at Kalasin Imm are real nice. One time my son was sick as he normally needs to come to with his mum but they said don't worry we will sort it out for you (no "extras" involved)

[dontpanic]

5 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

I have not personally seen or heard of immigrations denying 60 day visit thai family extensions because the foreign father doesn't have legal parental rights.

Usually birth certificate, mother's thai house book listing, thai i/d, child's house book listing should work.  

Now year extensions are a totally different kettle of fish

Yes 100% yearly extensions are totally different hence the faf until he can tell them I'm his dad. The guy did say it would be soon though as I already spoke with him about that. Fingers crossed they might do it for me early next year.

[whattheheck]

On 7/31/2024 at 7:20 PM, Tod Daniels said:

At this time it would appear there is no problem bouncing out and back to get a 60 day entry stamp as the 60-day Visa exempt entry by land was recently made unlimited.

Meaning if you've already milked your two 30 day entries this year by land you should be able to get out and back in on a 60-day entry stamp without any issue as long as you pick the correct border <-by that I mean don't try to exit re-enter at the Aranyaprathet Poipet border.

Sorry for bothering you

Do you mean unlimited as in unlimited number of visa exempt entries?

Context:
I was on my 3rd visa exempt entry last year
On arrival from a air border-bounce in Vietnam, BKK immigration pulled me aside and questioned me, said I should get the appropriate visa
I have since had a 90 day based on marriage from Savannakhet (and 60 day extension). This is about to expire.
As I didn't prepare the 400k in time for an extension at a local office, I am about to go back to Savannakhet for another 90 day entry

Do you think I would be able to get 60 days visa-exempt by doing a land border-bounce? It would be much more convenient for me than going to Sav. 

Thank you Mr Daniels.

[DrJack54]

40 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

Do you think I would be able to get 60 days visa-exempt by doing a land border-bounce?

Yes. 

Where are you located

[Tod Daniels]

1 hour ago, whattheheck said:

Do you think I would be able to get 60 days visa-exempt by doing a land border-bounce? It would be much more convenient for me than going to Sav.

You certainly would be able to get a 60 day visa exempt entry (if you're one of the 90+ countries on the list) at a land border as long as you picked the correct border to bounce out and back at
As in DO NOT try to bounce out/back at the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border 🙂 

[whattheheck]

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes. 

Where are you located

I'm in Pattaya, I would probably fly to Ubon Ratchathani and do the Mukdahan border(?)

That's good news though, no reason for me to get the 90 day in Sav if 60 days is so much easier/cheaper/faster.
I plan on getting the funds sorted and applying for a marriage visa locally after this visa exempt entry (+60 day extension)  has been used

Thank you both

Edited August 11 by whattheheck

[Upnotover]

15 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

I'm in Pattaya, I would probably fly to Ubon Ratchathani and do the Mukdahan border(?)

As you don't need the consulate then Chong Mek would be a closer crossing to Ubon.  And if you fancied a couple of nights somewhere Pakse is a nice place to hang out.

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

I'm in Pattaya, I would probably fly to Ubon Ratchathani and do the Mukdahan border(?)

Have a read of this thread.

Had positive review for border bounce mini van company.

Seems easier than a flight.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1312731-border-run-pattaya-to-cambodia/

[bigt3116]

9 hours ago, whattheheck said:

I'm in Pattaya, I would probably fly to Ubon Ratchathani and do the Mukdahan border(?)

That's good news though, no reason for me to get the 90 day in Sav if 60 days is so much easier/cheaper/faster.
I plan on getting the funds sorted and applying for a marriage visa locally after this visa exempt entry (+60 day extension)  has been used

Thank you both

 

Flying to Sakon Nakhon would be easier for Mukdahan

 

Flying to Nakhon Phanom would be easy for the border crossing there.

[whattheheck]

17 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Have a read of this thread.

Had positive review for border bounce mini van company.

Seems easier than a flight.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1312731-border-run-pattaya-to-cambodia/

I've done that run roughly a dozen times. The last time I did it, I was blackmailed for a 2000 baht "tip" at that border crossing, by one of the higher ups there.

I was doing a border bounce for a perfectly valid multi-entry visa. I was not being a difficult customer, I did nothing to deserve it. Just unlucky. So now I don't go there. Also I don't like being up at 5am, or getting carsick. But I do appreciate you trying to help, thank you!
 

[transam]

3 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

I've done that run roughly a dozen times. The last time I did it, I was blackmailed for a 2000 baht "tip" at that border crossing, by one of the higher ups there.

I was doing a border bounce for a perfectly valid multi-entry visa. I was not being a difficult customer, I did nothing to deserve it. Just unlucky. So now I don't go there. Also I don't like being up at 5am, or getting carsick. But I do appreciate you trying to help, thank you!
 

Get an online visa, no probs, no full page sticker, 50 US dollars, less than 2000bht....😉

[whattheheck]

12 minutes ago, transam said:

Get an online visa, no probs, no full page sticker, 50 US dollars, less than 2000bht....😉

It was the Thai officer who was refusing to let the minivan company take my passport across to do my exit and re-entry. Said I should have a 1 year extension with 90 day reporting in my local office, said I shouldn't have a multi-entry and do border bounces! So unless I paid him 2000 baht on top of what I had already paid the minivan company, he wouldn't let them take my passport across. I would be refused an exit stamp!!

I had to choose between kick up a fuss with a senior immigration official, or just pay 2000 baht fee. No receipt was given, he made me give him the cash to someone off to the side where nobody could see. 100% blackmail.

Having an e-visa would not have helped. It was during covid times, I assume they needed a bit of extra cash.


 

Edited August 12 by whattheheck

[whattheheck]

9 hours ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Flying to Sakon Nakhon would be easier for Mukdahan

 

Flying to Nakhon Phanom would be easy for the border crossing there.

Think I'll do Nakhon Phanom, thanks for the tip!

If they deny me re-entry, I'll make my way down to Sav on the Laos side!

Edited August 12 by whattheheck

[DrJack54]

33 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

The last time I did it, I was blackmailed for a 2000 baht "tip" at that border crossing, by one of the higher ups there.

In the thread I posted, no one had an issue similar to yours.

Could have posted several other threads similar.

Seems that you have extensive experience. 

Just do what suits yourself. 

[whattheheck]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

In the thread I posted, no one had an issue similar to yours.

Could have posted several other threads similar.

Seems that you have extensive experience. 

Just do what suits yourself. 

Yeah, I think it was a bit of a one-off. But once bitten, twice shy... makes me reluctant to go back. And I really don't like that minivan trip!

 

If anyone else is reading this deciding which route to go, you're very unlikely to get blackmailed there like I was. Those minivans are running daily for years now with hardly any problems. DrJack's advice was good 🤝

 

[Tomtomtom69]

48 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

It was the Thai officer who was refusing to let the minivan company take my passport across to do my exit and re-entry. Said I should have a 1 year extension with 90 day reporting in my local office, said I shouldn't have a multi-entry and do border bounces! So unless I paid him 2000 baht on top of what I had already paid the minivan company, he wouldn't let them take my passport across. I would be refused an exit stamp!!

I had to choose between kick up a fuss with a senior immigration official, or just pay 2000 baht fee. No receipt was given, he made me give him the cash to someone off to the side where nobody could see. 100% blackmail.

Having an e-visa would not have helped. It was during covid times, I assume they needed a bit of extra cash.


 

 

Covid times? Land borders were hermetically sealed during Covid. You could get in via air only with quarantine.. I do wonder when you're talking about exactly.

 

I've been on multiple entry O or B visas for years, never really an issue and never heard of anyone trying to extort me. Single minor issue was at Ranong where they wanted to see 20000 Baht to stamp me out. After explaining I wasn't on a border run as such, was going for tourism and to spend several days over there plus had a non O multiple entry they relented and allowed me through. I did in fact have almost 20000 Baht in cash with me for spending on my trip in Myanmar as credit cards aren't accepted there.

 

Last year Ranong didn't say anything - the issue at the time was my Chinese colleagues needing re entry permits (on a Saturday) because they no longer have VOA at that border as it "caused too many problems". However, re entry permits for my colleagues done and dusted at 330pm and we were through. Returning the next day at lunch time, zero issues for any of us.

 

However, with the exception of day trips to Myanmar (when the border was open), given that Myawaddy only permitted day entry without a visa, I always spend at least a night and these days it's usually minimum 2 nights outside of Thailand on any given trip and I travel more regularly than once every 90 days, generally speaking as I travel a lot for business.

 

No hassles at all, not even at Aranyaprathet, though I always travel through land borders in my own car and at that border, if you're alone, you stamp in right there where you park your car but ONLY the driver is allowed to do this.

 

It could be that the immigration officers, which scrutinize foreigners and have a bad reputation are the ones upstairs in the hall, which passengers of those traveling by car and anyone who is traveling on foot or public transportation has to use. Only the driver can use the outside checkpoint. 

Edited August 12 by Tomtomtom69

[whattheheck]

1 hour ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Covid times? Land borders were hermetically sealed during Covid. You could get in via air only with quarantine.. I do wonder when you're talking about exactly.

 

I've been on multiple entry O or B visas for years, never really an issue and never heard of anyone trying to extort me. Single minor issue was at Ranong where they wanted to see 20000 Baht to stamp me out. After explaining I wasn't on a border run as such, was going for tourism and to spend several days over there plus had a non O multiple entry they relented and allowed me through. I did in fact have almost 20000 Baht in cash with me for spending on my trip in Myanmar as credit cards aren't accepted there.

 

Last year Ranong didn't say anything - the issue at the time was my Chinese colleagues needing re entry permits (on a Saturday) because they no longer have VOA at that border as it "caused too many problems". However, re entry permits for my colleagues done and dusted at 330pm and we were through. Returning the next day at lunch time, zero issues for any of us.

 

However, with the exception of day trips to Myanmar (when the border was open), given that Myawaddy only permitted day entry without a visa, I always spend at least a night and these days it's usually minimum 2 nights outside of Thailand on any given trip and I travel more regularly than once every 90 days, generally speaking as I travel a lot for business.

 

No hassles at all, not even at Aranyaprathet, though I always travel through land borders in my own car and at that border, if you're alone, you stamp in right there where you park your car but ONLY the driver is allowed to do this.

 

It could be that the immigration officers, which scrutinize foreigners and have a bad reputation are the ones upstairs in the hall, which passengers of those traveling by car and anyone who is traveling on foot or public transportation has to use. Only the driver can use the outside checkpoint. 

I forget exactly when, I think it was very early during covid though. People had just started wearing masks, I was wearing one, I remember that. I was the only westerner in the minibus, I think everybody else was Cambodian.

It was with a minibus service. You wait in the car park whilst their agent takes your passports across and back for the stamps.

 

[Rob Browder]

5 hours ago, whattheheck said:

... unless I paid him 2000 baht on top of what I had already paid the minivan company, he wouldn't let them take my passport across. I would be refused an exit stamp!!

I had to choose between kick up a fuss with a senior immigration official, or just pay 2000 baht fee. No receipt was given, he made me give him the cash to someone off to the side where nobody could see. 100% blackmail.

I would have told mini-van guy to refund my fee, because he failed to warn of this, and drop me off in Chanthaburi.  Then, take a local mini-bus / songthiew to the other checkpoint in that area.  And not because it was 'so much money', but because I wouldn't want that (expletive) IO to get the 2K Baht.  You had a legal multiple-entry visa, and were doing nothing wrong.

 

During that time - early covid, before the borders were closed - I also had that type of visa, and used the Myanmar border near Kanchanaburi.  I had to pay the same agent as the people doing visa-exempt runs, but no more than that.  There, the agent put a little stamp on your TM-6 card, which clues the local IOs you paid their agent, and they would let you cross and return.  Sadly, that border is closed to all but locals, now.

[bigt3116]

14 hours ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

I've been on multiple entry O or B visas for years,

 

Where did you get these multiple entry Non-B visas?

[whattheheck]

On 8/12/2024 at 3:21 PM, DrJack54 said:

In the thread I posted, no one had an issue similar to yours.

Could have posted several other threads similar.

Seems that you have extensive experience. 

Just do what suits yourself. 

I just spoke to a visa run company from Pattaya to the Cambodia border, 1stCV

They said if doing a visa exempt border run whilst here on an expiring Non-Imm O, that I would probably have to pay 2000 baht extra at the border to immigration officials.

They said they had a case on Sunday (last or next Im not sure) where someone had to do exactly that. They couldn't tell me for sure if I would have to, but if I put a deposit down for the run then they can make their arrangements at the border and check.

 

[Rob Browder]

On 8/14/2024 at 3:29 PM, whattheheck said:

I just spoke to a visa run company from Pattaya to the Cambodia border, 1stCV

They said if doing a visa exempt border run whilst here on an expiring Non-Imm O, that I would probably have to pay 2000 baht extra at the border to immigration officials.

In that case, I would go to a Laos border, instead.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

In that case, I would go to a Laos border, instead.

I had no probs at Chong Mek, I have never had a problem at Chong Mek, in all the years I have been here........🙂

[whattheheck]

4 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

In that case, I would go to a Laos border, instead.

it's quite a lot further, and I'm sure the visa run companies which go to Laos will charge a bit more.

There are regular buses to Mukdahan if you wanted to do it yourself. Might be worth it to some.
 

[Rob Browder]

30 minutes ago, whattheheck said:

it's quite a lot further, and I'm sure the visa run companies which go to Laos will charge a bit more.

There are regular buses to Mukdahan if you wanted to do it yourself. Might be worth it to some.

No "visa run company" is needed to go to a Laos border.  There is no "must stay overnight" rule or similar.  One can take a VIP bus or Train.  Just bring USD from a currency-exchange, if you don't want to pay their "conversion rate" from baht for the Visa On Arrival.

Other Cambodian borders may also be OK.  Someone else mentioned no problems at Chong Mek.  Could also get an eVisa to Cambodia, and then use Koh Kong.  The only downside is the "must stay overnight" rule / payment - reported as 300 Baht in the past.