New visa exempt arrivals

[heybuz]

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

So Ubon Ratchathani immigration not allowing the 60 day extension to visit wife.

Here is thread where ubonjoe points out that the 60 extension to visit Thai spouse is available from visa exempt entry.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1130123-re-60-day-extension-to-visit-your-wife/ 

 

Here is one of many posts from various members. This one from @Liquorice 

30-Day Extension was a breeze for my American friend at Jomtien. Took about 1 hour.

He could also apply for a further 60-day extension to visit a Thai spouse on top of the 30-day extension.

Edited June 13 by Liquorice 

 

 

I miss Ubonjoe 

[transam]

1 hour ago, heybuz said:

I miss Ubonjoe 

Agreed..........

 

Went into Laos this morning at Chong Mek, where after asking, the IO told me I could cross there anytime with no restrictions.  😊

So that was a bit of good news.......

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, transam said:

Agreed..........

 

Went into Laos this morning at Chong Mek, where after asking, the IO told me I could cross there anytime with no restrictions.  😊

So that was a bit of good news.......

 

   Did they say that you could come back ?

[transam]

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Did they say that you could come back ?

Try reading my post again.........🤔

[MUU BAH]

3 minutes ago, transam said:

Agreed..........

 

Went into Laos this morning at Chong Mek, where after asking, the IO told me I could cross there anytime with no restrictions.  😊

So that was a bit of good news.......

Appreciate that update as I'm off there end of November to do just that!

[transam]

15 minutes ago, MUU BAH said:

Appreciate that update as I'm off there end of November to do just that!

Pay with $40 US dollars, 4x10's, in case one gets refused, cost around 1350 bht at the mo, if you pay with baht, it is 2000bht.....🙄

If you pay in dollars, the notes must be like new, if not, they will be refused, so they can charge you baht to earn extra money. I have the T-shirt...🥴

[Stewart12]

53 minutes ago, transam said:

Pay with $40 US dollars, 4x10's, in case one gets refused, cost around 1350 bht at the mo, if you pay with baht, it is 2000bht.....🙄

If you pay in dollars, the notes must be like new, if not, they will be refused, so they can charge you baht to earn extra money. I have the T-shirt...🥴

They screwed me with that last time too. The time before that, I was given a QR code and paid only 1,500 thb - using the kiosk next to the visa application booth.

 

The funny thing is, they have all of these signs showing how to pay (get QR code and pay at kiosk), but they wanted me to give 2,000 thb in cash to the visa application booth - not at the kiosk.

 

Corruption at its finest.

 

Oh, and yes - I will upate you on the 60 day extension. My wife is going to call the hotline too to triple confirm. We asked the visa agent "ThaiVisa" this morning and they confirmed you can get 60 days on top.

Edited October 30 by Stewart12
missing info

[transam]

1 minute ago, Stewart12 said:

They screwed me with that last time too. The time before that, I was given a QR code and paid only 1,500 thb - using the kiosk next to the visa application booth.

 

The funny thing is, they have all of these signs showing how to pay (get QR code and pay at kiosk), but they wanted me to give 2,000 thb in cash to the visa application booth - not at the kiosk.

 

Corruption at its finest.

I get the $40 at the local exchange, they put it into an addressed envelope with a receipt, then when the bloke asks for the money, I slowly pull out the envelope and receipt, then hand the money, if they refuse a note I will ask them to state why on the envelope to show the exchange for a refund, but the last few times my routine seems to have worked...😉

[Stewart12]

On 10/30/2024 at 2:05 PM, transam said:

I get the $40 at the local exchange, they put it into an addressed envelope with a receipt, then when the bloke asks for the money, I slowly pull out the envelope and receipt, then hand the money, if they refuse a note I will ask them to state why on the envelope to show the exchange for a refund, but the last few times my routine seems to have worked...😉

Have you ever tried exiting, doing a little shopping in the duty free and just turning back around?

 

My memory isn't as good anymore, but I'm sure people used to post about another crossing near ubon which didn't require a full passport stamp from Laos, just exit and re-enter.

[transam]

30 minutes ago, Stewart12 said:

Have you ever tried exiting, doing a little shopping in the duty free and just turning back around?

 

My memory isn't as good anymore, but I'm sure people used to post about another crossing near ubon which didn't require a full passport stamp from Laos, just exit and re-enter.

The shopping thing has all gone at Chong Mek, closed.

 

Yes, they give a full page visa thing, which is daft for the day. With an online visa they don't, but sadly they do not accept those 'yet' at this local crossing...🥴

It is now that quiet, I was out and back in 20 minutes......

Edited October 31 by transam

[Stewart12]

A little update;

 

I called 1178 this morning, and they were a little cagey. I told them I entered 60 days VE, and got a 30 day extension at immigration. I said "Can I get a 60 day extension to visit Thai wife?" and the guy on the phone indicated that it was possible - but wouldn't confirm it. He said "Because you've already had an extension for 30 days, I don't know if you can get another 60 - you will need to confirm with your local office."

 

I'm still going to try the other office to see if they'll do it, but I'm not so sure it's doable now.

 

Question; If I don't have enough space in my passport for the full page Lao sticker, do you see any issues with me walking in and out at Chong Mek? I'm thinking if they stamp me out, but I can't get a Lao stamp, will they allow me back in rather than leaving me in no-mans land between Thailand & Laos?

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, Stewart12 said:

Question; If I don't have enough space in my passport for the full page Lao sticker, do you see any issues with me walking in and out at Chong Mek? I'm thinking if they stamp me out, but I can't get a Lao stamp, will they allow me back in rather than leaving me in no-mans land between Thailand & Laos?

 

If that happens and they "allow you back" without having entered and exited Laos, they will cancel your Thai exit stamp, so you won't get a new entry. They could also refuse to let you exit right away if they realize that Laos won't admit you. Not a good idea.

[transam]

2 hours ago, Stewart12 said:

A little update;

 

I called 1178 this morning, and they were a little cagey. I told them I entered 60 days VE, and got a 30 day extension at immigration. I said "Can I get a 60 day extension to visit Thai wife?" and the guy on the phone indicated that it was possible - but wouldn't confirm it. He said "Because you've already had an extension for 30 days, I don't know if you can get another 60 - you will need to confirm with your local office."

 

I'm still going to try the other office to see if they'll do it, but I'm not so sure it's doable now.

 

Question; If I don't have enough space in my passport for the full page Lao sticker, do you see any issues with me walking in and out at Chong Mek? I'm thinking if they stamp me out, but I can't get a Lao stamp, will they allow me back in rather than leaving me in no-mans land between Thailand & Laos?

At Chong Mek they check everything on both sides, I doubt your idea will work. An E-visa does not use a full page visa thingy, but sadly, Chong Mek doesn't accept them...

[Rob Browder]

On 11/5/2024 at 4:14 PM, Stewart12 said:

Question; If I don't have enough space in my passport for the full page Lao sticker, do you see any issues with me walking in and out at Chong Mek? I'm thinking if they stamp me out, but I can't get a Lao stamp, will they allow me back in rather than leaving me in no-mans land between Thailand & Laos?

If PP-page-space is an issue, and your 60-day at immigration fails, would need to bounce at a "small stamps" location - (using eVisa if for Laos/Cambodia, at limited crossing points where they are accepted) see:

Edited November 7 by Rob Browder

[Stewart12]

@DrJack54 @transam

I was able to get the additional 60 day extension yesterday at Ubon Immigration (outside the city).

 

So the inner city office doesn't seem to do them on top of 30 day extensions, but the other office near Chong Mek will do them.

 

Hope this is useful for other folks!

[transam]

4 minutes ago, Stewart12 said:

@DrJack54 @transam

I was able to get the additional 60 day extension yesterday at Ubon Immigration (outside the city).

 

So the inner city office doesn't seem to do them on top of 30 day extensions, but the other office near Chong Mek will do them.

 

Hope this is useful for other folks!

Thanks for the update. Where is the immigration office 'outside' the city..?

[Stewart12]

38 minutes ago, transam said:

Thanks for the update. Where is the immigration office 'outside' the city..?

The one near Phibum, about 30km from Chong Mek

[transam]

48 minutes ago, Stewart12 said:

The one near Phibum, about 30km from Chong Mek

OK. thanks, I know that place, though never been in it.

 

Strange that Ubon cannot get their combined act together regarding the 60 day extension......🤔

I have been to the one actually in Phibun a few times, a long time ago, which is now closed..

 

[Stewart12]

59 minutes ago, transam said:

OK. thanks, I know that place, though never been in it.

 

Strange that Ubon cannot get their combined act together regarding the 60 day extension......🤔

I have been to the one actually in Phibun a few times, a long time ago, which is now closed..

 

Yes, I used to go to that office years ago, then they moved the office to the uni in Ubon.

 

The office is about a 20 minute drive past the old office in Phibum. It's been there a for a few years, but it's always empty. Very close to a hospital, on the left hand side.