Unlimited visa exempt entries - but Non-ImmO holders may have to pay 2000 extra for b.runs

[whattheheck]

I spoke to a visa run company yesterday (1CV)

They told me that if you hold a Non-imm O visa and are doing a border bounce from Pattaya to Cambodia, you may have to pay an extra 2000 "fee" to immigration officers at the border. 

It doesn't matter if you are using one of your valid multi-entries, or your Non-immO visa is expiring and you want to use a visa exempt.

This happened to me a few years ago, when doing one of my multi-entries on a non-imm O.
1CV warned me it could happen when I talked to them yesterday.

So be prepared, budget for and pack an extra 2000 baht, or ask the visa run service to call ahead and check for you.


 

[Rob Browder]

I'd use Nong Khai for a switch to 60-day, and any of the Friendship Bridges for a Non-O-ME border-bounce. 

Maybe Koh Kong doesn't do this, and can use a Cambodian eVisa there, but still have the "must stay overnight" fee to deal with - or just spend the night.

[mokwit]

2 hours ago, whattheheck said:

I spoke to a visa run company yesterday (1CV)

They told me that if you hold a Non-imm O visa and are doing a border bounce from Pattaya to Cambodia, you may have to pay an extra 2000 "fee" to immigration officers at the border. 

It doesn't matter if you are using one of your valid multi-entries, or your Non-immO visa is expiring and you want to use a visa exempt.

This happened to me a few years ago, when doing one of my multi-entries on a non-imm O.
1CV warned me it could happen when I talked to them yesterday.

So be prepared, budget for and pack an extra 2000 baht, or ask the visa run service to call ahead and check for you.


 

This sort of thing mostly happens to people with a few post on AN to their name.

[whattheheck]

29 minutes ago, mokwit said:

This sort of thing mostly happens to people with a few post on AN to their name.

Most people in Thailand don't post on here often or at all, if they even read it. So yes, it does.

And when someone does take the time to share, they're usually treated like liars or idiots.

You want to check, ask 1cv.

Edited August 15 by whattheheck

[BillyBobzTeeth]

The Satun border about 2hrs from Hat Yai has been okay for me on my Non O multi. I was there last month again. 

 

I've never had to pay to do a border hop on the same day BUT they did charge me 1300 baht when I was on Visa exempt to come back the same day.

 

Has anyone been there recently on Visa Exempt is that still the case?

[Andycoops]

16 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

I'd use Nong Khai for a switch to 60-day, and any of the Friendship Bridges for a Non-O-ME border-bounce. 

Maybe Koh Kong doesn't do this, and can use a Cambodian eVisa there, but still have the "must stay overnight" fee to deal with - or just spend the night.

At Chom Chong the last time someone did a same day bounce so no overnight stay, the fee was 300 baht, earlier this year.

This of course may have changed..

 

[Plan B]

There are three categories now, with the holders of non imm O getting 90 day entry being the most expensive, at around 1,500 to 2,000 baht extra. That's in Ranong. 

[jacey]

if i hold an multiple non-o going to the border and they ask for 2000 bribe, ill recorded and report them let see how long they last

ITA.

Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)

Election Commission of Thailand.

Office of the Ombudsman

Edited August 16 by jacey

[expat_4_life]

10 minutes ago, jacey said:

if i hold an multiple non-o going to the border and they ask for 2000 bribe, ill recorded and report them let see how long they last

ITA.

Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)

Election Commission of Thailand.

Office of the Ombudsman

 

Can you imagine the sh*t storm you'd potentially be bringing upon yourself over 2000 baht - might want to rethink this option.

[jacey]

sh*t storm it is

[Liquorice]

20 hours ago, whattheheck said:

It doesn't matter if you are using one of your valid multi-entries, or your Non-immO visa is expiring and you want to use a visa exempt.

Why on earth would anyone with a valid ME Non Imm O visa, want to enter visa exempt and obtain a 60-day stamp, when they can enter with the ME visa and receive a 90-day stamp.

A single entry Non Imm O visa is 'used' on entry, but your Immigration status is Non Immigrant.

To apply for a 1 year extension of stay, you must have Non Imm status.

I haven't held a valid Non Imm O visa since 2014, but I've held permits allowing me to stay continuously for the last 10 years.

 

It's no more than a scam.

[freeworld]

There should be no extra cost if one holds a valid non-O visa. Only a fool would pay that.

Edited August 16 by freeworld

[whattheheck]

6 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Why on earth would anyone with a valid ME Non Imm O visa, want to enter visa exempt and obtain a 60-day stamp, when they can enter with the ME visa and receive a 90-day stamp.

A single entry Non Imm O visa is 'used' on entry, but your Immigration status is Non Immigrant.

To apply for a 1 year extension of stay, you must have Non Imm status.

I haven't held a valid Non Imm O visa since 2014, but I've held permits allowing me to stay continuously for the last 10 years.

 

It's no more than a scam.

Some people are doing runs to Savannakhet to get the marriage visa with no funds in the account.
Savannakhet recently changed to requiring funds for the 1 year visa, so some people are only able to get the single entry there, since lack the funds or simply don't want to keep them in a Thai bank.
Savannakhet also recently changed to requiring you to reserve a place in the queue AND stay an extra day for processing, meaning you have to stay there longer, and plan ahead.
Immigration also recently announced that visa exempt land border entries are now unlimited.

So some people have the choice of:
a) Savannakhet single entry +60 day extension, every 5 months (with it's increased hassle recently)

b) Border run for 60 days visa exempt + 30 days + 60 day extension, every 4 months

And some people find the 2nd option more appealing. So rather than get an extension or fresh Non-Imm O from Savannakhet, may want to start using visa exempt entries instead.

Edited August 16 by whattheheck

[whattheheck]

On 8/16/2024 at 9:51 AM, freeworld said:

There should be no extra cost if one holds a valid non-O visa. Only a fool would pay that.

Well, I guess only fools will be allowed to cross then

[DrJack54]

This topic is discussed in article in "Pattaya Mail" pointing to increase in cost along with if not done with border bounce company may preclude same day bounce. 

[whattheheck]

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

This topic is discussed in article in "Pattaya Mail" pointing to increase in cost along with if not done with border bounce company may preclude same day bounce. 

Link for anyone who might want to read it: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/hidden-costs-may-now-apply-to-thai-border-runs-468791

 

Quote

There are also reports that holders of multiple entry non-immigrant visas, for example those with “O” three months’ family visas which cannot be renewed inside Thailand, are being charged up to 2,000 baht at land borders as an unpublicized service fee.