Canadian in Thailand currently. (Phitsanulok)

1st trip Dec 11-23 to Feb 06-24 visa exemption

2nd trip Feb 21-24 to Apr 20-24 visa exemption

3rd trip Jun 11-24 must leave by August 09 visa exemption.

I have decided I really like it here and am looking to get an ED visa but have been having difficulty finding a Thai language school here in Phitsanulok. I'm considering a stint in Bangkok to get a TEFL and then trying to get a gig teaching in Phitsanulok.

I can't get an ED visa (can't find a school in PHS)

I can't get a work visa (no job offer)

I'm looking to get out and back in one more time visa exempt to sort out my best course of action. I'm thinking of flying to Vientiane and back. I have talked to the immigration office here about this and was told that I should have no issue going out and back in same day/next day. Looking online makes me question what I was told.

Does anyone here have any guidance for me?

The information online changes from one site to the next. The information from immigration changes from one officer to the next.

Is 4 trips in 9 months going to get scrutinized?

Has anyone here done fly in, fly out on the same day recently? How did it go?

Visa run companies do this all in one day so just wondering if I can do the same by air?

Thanks for any and all replies.

1 hour ago, Sepacai said:

. I have talked to the immigration office here about this and was told that I should have no issue going out and back in same day/next day. Looking online makes me question what I was told.

My answer from current similar threads.....

"Immigration at airports in Thailand not thrilled with fly out/in same day.

 

At most land borders its common practice to bounce same day

Many folk use border bounce agents (recommended)" 

Ok, thanks. Any recommendations on a border run company in Udon Thani? I would like to lessen my time having to sit in a vehicle. I have a really bad back.

I've done it twice now without any problems

25 minutes ago, Sepacai said:

Ok, thanks. Any recommendations on a border run company in Udon Thani? I would like to lessen my time having to sit in a vehicle. I have a really bad back.

once in Udon, just get a mini bus to Nong Khai
and cross the border into Laos, have lunch, and come back (you can just skip lunch turn around and straight back)
although if not in a rush, you might as well spend a day or two or more in Laos

44 minutes ago, Sepacai said:

OK, thanks. Any recommendations on a border run company in Udon Thani

You don't need a visa run company if using Nong Khai crossing.

Grab mini van from front of central Plaza. 

Ok, Nong Khai crossing it is. Thank you all for the info.

Sorry, one last question. Can foreigners use the Tha Li crossing to bounce. This one i could drive to from Phitsanulok. 

I hope the OP does fine, whichever way he chooses. 

 

But I'd suggest packing some extra socks, underwear and cash in case he runs into a grouchy IO on the day.  With 3 trips in a row and extensions on each, that seems like the profile of an informal resident.  Hopefully, even if he does get called aside for "extra scrutiny", it'll be a warning to get a visa for his next trip.  But there's an outside chance he'll have to go to the Thai Embassy to get a visa.  Clean socks and undies are handy in those cases.

 

Also, I'd suggest dressing appropriately and smiling a lot.  Best of luck, and I mean that sincerely.  Also, please post back with your results, which may help the next guy.

 

Thanks. I understand how it looks. I won't be surprised if I face an issue either way I go. I'm hoping the fact that I've truly been trying to find something to get an ED visa for in Phitsanulok and have been unable to, will at least show I'm trying to do things the right way. I have been to immigration here so many times that they know me now. I was told if it was up to them, there would be no issues here. Sadly, this immigration office isn't the one to help me get back in. My gf is a government employee who can vouch for my making every effort to do this right. I have resigned myself to the fact I will likely have to go to Bangkok for a TEFL course and then try to find work teaching in Phitsanulok. I have some promising leads going this route. This course is only 4 weeks so no need for an ED visa. If I take this course and get a job offer, my understanding is I would have to leave again anyway for the work visa. This would truly be my last visa free entry.  I'm hoping that if I do get questioned all of this will mean something. Heck, I even have the LineID of the IO i deal with, lol. Fingers crossed and I absolutely will post again with the results. 

 

Thanks guys!

Have you considered getting a DTV 5-year Visa in Vientiane?  Read the threads in this forum on this - just need the 500K in the bank (stamped letter from the bank as proof) + some sort of "soft power" event - even just a doctor's appointment.   That would solve your problem for a long time.

20 hours ago, Sepacai said:

Canadian in Thailand currently. (Phitsanulok)

1st trip Dec 11-23 to Feb 06-24 visa exemption

2nd trip Feb 21-24 to Apr 20-24 visa exemption

3rd trip Jun 11-24 must leave by August 09 visa exemption.

I have decided I really like it here and am looking to get an ED visa but have been having difficulty finding a Thai language school here in Phitsanulok. I'm considering a stint in Bangkok to get a TEFL and then trying to get a gig teaching in Phitsanulok.

I can't get an ED visa (can't find a school in PHS)

I can't get a work visa (no job offer)

I'm looking to get out and back in one more time visa exempt to sort out my best course of action. I'm thinking of flying to Vientiane and back. I have talked to the immigration office here about this and was told that I should have no issue going out and back in same day/next day. Looking online makes me question what I was told.

Does anyone here have any guidance for me?

The information online changes from one site to the next. The information from immigration changes from one officer to the next.

Is 4 trips in 9 months going to get scrutinized?

Has anyone here done fly in, fly out on the same day recently? How did it go?

Visa run companies do this all in one day so just wondering if I can do the same by air?

Thanks for any and all replies.

well the border runs to Arunyaprathet that I used to do many years ago, we would cross over the border into Poipet, stamped out and Cambodian visa entered, go to the casino for free lunch, then back to the border and cross back into Thailand on the same day.  That was many years ago so don't know what the story is today.  Good luck

 

yes. previously i have flown to Malaysia and returned the same day

I have done it once, flown to Viet Nam and back on the same day.

21 hours ago, Sepacai said:

Canadian in Thailand currently. (Phitsanulok)

1st trip Dec 11-23 to Feb 06-24 visa exemption

2nd trip Feb 21-24 to Apr 20-24 visa exemption

3rd trip Jun 11-24 must leave by August 09 visa exemption

So basically you have been in Thailand on visa exemptions approx 8 months. 

There are few posts in this thread pointing out they have bounce by air same day.

Do not read a lot into that.

I have read numerous having a difficult time and the history in Thailand less that the OP.

What has not been mentioned is the requirement for onward flight out of Thailand for return flight to Thailand.

Most likely required with airlines such as AirAsia. 

I suggest a border bounce via land.

Nong Khai mentioned earlier is a good option. 

Have done it a few times flying to and from Cambodia.

3 hours ago, kidneyw said:

Have done it a few times flying to and from Cambodia.

With previous 8 months+ of living in Thailand on visa exempt entries and the you fly Bangkok to Cambodia return same day for another visa exempt entry?

It's all about the history of continuous stay

See 

George showed (page 12)an interview with deputy of foreign affairs Naruchai Ninnad.

In that interview he says, you have to be out of Thailand for one day, from 9 minutes 50 sec to hear. However is that so?

Todd "says" and shows, you can do instant border runs in and out same day.

BUT all is depending on the IO's ! If they follow Naruchai Ninnad, then they could refuse you.

Maybe he doesnt like you? And then say, stay out of Thailand for one day, rule of Naruchai Ninnad. 

 

On 8/4/2024 at 10:10 AM, Sepacai said:

1st trip Dec 11-23 to Feb 06-24 visa exemption

2nd trip Feb 21-24 to Apr 20-24 visa exemption

3rd trip Jun 11-24 must leave by August 09 visa exemption.

You can get a 30 day extension to each VE entry.

 

Departing and returning Aug 9th, you'll now get a stay of 60 days on entry taking you to Oct 7th, then a 30-day extension, taking you to Dec 5th.

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

With previous 8 months+ of living in Thailand on visa exempt entries and the you fly Bangkok to Cambodia return same day for another visa exempt entry?

It's all about the history of continuous stay

No had a one year multiple entry non immigrant visa.

16 minutes ago, kidneyw said:

No had a one year multiple entry non immigrant visa.

Of course you can fly out/in same day as you had a multi entry visa.

 

The OP has extensive history of visa exempt entry and is asking if another VE can be done via air in same day.

Answer: huge risk

Update. 1st. I did not previously have Multiple entry visa. Each time I came I had visa exempt 30+30.

 

I spoke to a friend living in Pattaya and he highly recommended a visa run. I called the company and the lady simply said "now it doesn't matter, it will be fine." I decided to go for it. I crossed into Cambodia this morning with no issues. When I came back to Thailand 10 mins later, the IO took my passport, took my picture, scanned my fingerprints, stamped my passport with a fresh 60 and sent me on my way. Not a word was spoken. 

22 hours ago, xtrnuno41 said:

interview with deputy of foreign affairs Naruchai Ninnad.

In that interview he says, you have to be out of Thailand for one day, from 9 minutes 50 sec to hear. However is that so?

He was talking about the DTV - not Visa-Exempt entries.  Whether it will actually work like that is not known for sure, as no one on a DTV has made a border-run for another 180 days yet.  

 

In any case, this sounds like what the Aranyaprathet/Poipet Thai IOs would make those with Multiple-Entry visas do - as reported in the past - stay out one night.

22 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

He was talking about the DTV - not Visa-Exempt entries.  Whether it will actually work like that is not known for sure, as no one on a DTV has made a border-run for another 180 days yet.  

 

In any case, this sounds like what the Aranyaprathet/Poipet Thai IOs would make those with Multiple-Entry visas do - as reported in the past - stay out one night.

Mind the time stamp I put up, there he is talking about 60 days visa exemption, extensions and border bounces.

On 8/7/2024 at 3:32 PM, xtrnuno41 said:

Mind the time stamp I put up, there he is talking about 60 days visa exemption, extensions and border bounces.

I stand corrected.  So, yes, will be the same system as airports have been - only with a new "overnight out" rule, if he is correct. 
As to his "The Final Decision is up to Immigration" = Immigration's agent-system for repeat-entrant permission will apparently be preserved.

52 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

As to his "The Final Decision is up to Immigration" = Immigration's agent-system for repeat-entrant permission will apparently be preserved.

Read several times ...no idea what you are staying.

The OP has indicated that plans border bounce. 

 

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Read several times ...no idea what you are staying.

The OP has indicated that plans border bounce.

Yes, and now land-borders will be like airports for visa-exempt entries - no "hard limit" + "immigration scrutiny."  Therefore, i would be surprised if a similar "agent service" for repeat-bouncers is not employed at land-borders, as it has been the case in airports. 

 

The only question is, will previously "friendly" borders like Nong Khai not require agent-service for perpetual border-bounces?  Will they simply revert to "how it always was" before the "crackdowns" started?  We can only wait and see.