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.

[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......

[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:

[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. 

[edwardflory]

"""would add that I only spend between 4 to 6 months each year in Thailand"""

 

"ONLY" 4 to 6 MONTHS ""EACH"" YEAR is NOT a tourist trip,

You are part time residing here, part time somewhere else - maybe your home or other country. 

Immigration sees you as someone trying to "work" the system and you are using Thailand as your 2nd home WITHOUT a proper visa or stay extension.

[Rob Browder]

7 hours ago, edwardflory said:

"""would add that I only spend between 4 to 6 months each year in Thailand"""

 

"ONLY" 4 to 6 MONTHS ""EACH"" YEAR is NOT a tourist trip,

You are part time residing here, part time somewhere else - maybe your home or other country. 

Immigration sees you as someone trying to "work" the system and you are using Thailand as your 2nd home WITHOUT a proper visa or stay extension.

The Thai govt WANTS us to come and spend money here - see the change to Visa-Exempt to 60 days and the DTV - because our spending creates Thai jobs. 

Immigration just want a "cut of the action," or they make up non-legal reasons to deny entry at known-bad entry points. 

[fotunate]

I am a little bit confused on the time period being used to determine number of visits in a year, is calendar year or moving year being used? I am planning to visit friends in Thailand 6 January 2025 thru 8 May 2025 using 60 day visa exempt entries (US passport). During that time period I was also planing to get one extension and week trip to Japan. This year (2024) I visited Thailand in January using a METV that started in November 2023 plus a 10 day visit in October 2024 on visa exempt. Am I inviting increased scrutiny? To add a bit more to this equation I am bring my pet cat, which I have done twice before with no problem (while on METV). I have already applied for pet import permit.

Thank you for any input 

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, fotunate said:

I am a little bit confused on the time period being used to determine number of visits in a year, is calendar year or moving year being used? I

 

As there's no official rule as to the number of visits per year, any IOs making up their own rules can count the visits any way that suits them.

 

You gave me a good chuckle with the tidbit about taking your cat along. I thought I've heard it all. It's an interesting point though; if you were denied entry, you would have to hope that they properly take care of your cat while you're in detention waiting for your flight back. That would be extra stressful to say the least. 

[VBF]

On 11/28/2024 at 1:51 AM, edwardflory said:

"""would add that I only spend between 4 to 6 months each year in Thailand"""

 

"ONLY" 4 to 6 MONTHS ""EACH"" YEAR is NOT a tourist trip,

You are part time residing here, part time somewhere else - maybe your home or other country. 

Immigration sees you as someone trying to "work" the system and you are using Thailand as your 2nd home WITHOUT a proper visa or stay extension.

I disagree. Take my situation, retired, living in UK with a permanent residence, do not have a "home" in Thailand, but visit Thailand for 58 days in January, so nearly 2 months.

Then visit again in July for another nearly 2 months.

 

Both trips I'm a tourist but by your definition, I couldn't then make a 3rd trip in November because that would take me into "4 to 6 months in the year" (say 175 days) territory returning to my home country at the end of each visit.

 

I see that as tourism, don't you?

[DrJack54]

40 minutes ago, VBF said:

I see that as tourism, don't you?

Not that I was asked, however I see that as being a tourist. 

 

2 months x 3 with time between visits should be fine using visa exempt. 

[GypsyT]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

2 months x 3 with time between visits should be fine using visa exempt. 

I'm timing mine so that year changes.... should help? I haven't have problem entering yet.

I don't know if there is a rule "so and so many times per calendar year". But just in case.

 

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

I'm timing mine so that year changes.... should help? I haven't have problem entering yet.

I don't know if there is a rule "so and so many times per calendar year". But just in case.

 

There is no such rule re "times per calendar year " 

Previously there was a rule re limit of 2 land border entries per calendar year.

That recently was removed.

There never been similar rule on visa exempt entries via air. 

[raz0r21]

A friend of mine got told yesterday that this was his last time entering visa exempt. He spent a week in Vietnam before arriving. The reason he stays in Thailand for longer periods of time is because he trains muay thai on a high level, something he told the IOs as well.

 

They wanted him to get a DTV for muay thai for next entry. The previous time he entered was also "the last time" according to the IO, so I don't know what the real last time is... but he probably shouldn't push it. Just a FYI for anyone in a similar situation.

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, raz0r21 said:

The previous time he entered was also "the last time" according to the IO, so I don't know what the real last time is... but he probably shouldn't push it.

Talk about rolling the dice.

Assume this lastest "last time warning" after previous same warning was at Thai airport since you mentioned Vietnam.

Getting refused entry would he hellish. 

[raz0r21]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Talk about rolling the dice.

Assume this lastest "last time warning" after previous same warning was at Thai airport since you mentioned Vietnam.

Getting refused entry would he hellish. 

Yes, both at airport (Suvarnabhumi)