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Thai visa woes: From easy as pie to digital fly, book before you buy


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1 hour ago, webfact said:

Now, brace yourselves: several Thai consulates in the region have ditched paper applications altogether, opting for the online-exclusive e-visa route. Others still cling to the good old-fashioned paper method but insist on an online appointment first. Confused about which consulate offers what? Don’t fret! Here’s the ultimate guide to prevent a wasted trip across the border.

The Embassies/Consulates don't have an option.
It forced upon them by the MFA.

 

Prepare for all Thai Embassies/Consulates to go online in the near future.

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14 minutes ago, CLW said:

The only difference between e-visa and paper application is indeed the longer waiting time. 5-10 days vs 2-3 days

 

My non-imm O e-visa was approved and sent to me within 72 hours. I applied on a Wednesday and it arrived on the Saturday, so it was not restricted to business days.

 

Edited by Pattaya57
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35 minutes ago, Guderian said:

It's years since I did any travelling in SE Asia, but I remember when Cambodia started its e-visa scheme 20-odd years ago that it was a Godsend. A simple online application process, and it meant when you entered the country at a dodgy land border crossing like Cham Yeam you were no longer subject to the scams and "price adjustments" beloved of the local Khmer Immigration officers. 

20 years, are you sure about that?

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A two friends were in Japan and did not realized that the passports (Bahamian); they are carrying required an eVisa to enter Thailand. 

They caught a plane, and arrives into Singapore Sunday gone, hoping to get their eVisa at the Royal Thai consulate there on Monday.

They were told, they can apply, but they have to stay put in Singapore for 15 days for the eVisa. 

Not sure this is normal. They decided to head out to Edinburgh on Thursday.

 

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What about those who do border hops with the Pattaya agencies ?  ( I’ve never done that ) Can they come in on a turnaround like before and get their 60 days Visa Exempt or not ??  Will it depend on the immigration officer who stamps you in ? 
Myself, I would probably do just the three months allowed ( 60 days + 1 extension ) instead of the 5 months I usually do. 
I wouldn’t fancy being locked out for some reason or other and all my belongings in my rental condo. 

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3 hours ago, geisha said:

What about those who do border hops with the Pattaya agencies ?  ( I’ve never done that ) Can they come in on a turnaround like before and get their 60 days Visa Exempt or not ?

Yes.

The thread is about obtaining an eVisa. 

That's different to simple border bounce to obtain visa exempt entry to obtain 60 day stamp. 

Plenty of companies operating from Pattaya.

Here is one link. Good idea to use company.

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

 

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5 hours ago, retayl said:

If applying online how will the local embassy establish you are in that country? Surely the use of a VPN would give the appearance of being in that country. Or am I missing somethin?

Yes you are missing something. You have to provide proof of address in the country you are applying for the e-visa in.

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4 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

Suspect they will also want a flight to Thailand from the country in which you are applying.

That was always required for applying at consulates (eg Saigon) so guessing will be required for eVisa you outlined.

 

Interesting (to me) that if you apply for eVisa for entry  to Vietnam, a proof of flight is not required..

 

 

 

 

 

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On 10/30/2024 at 2:42 AM, node said:

A two friends were in Japan and did not realized that the passports (Bahamian); they are carrying required an eVisa to enter Thailand. 

They caught a plane, and arrives into Singapore Sunday gone, hoping to get their eVisa at the Royal Thai consulate there on Monday.

They were told, they can apply, but they have to stay put in Singapore for 15 days for the eVisa. 

Not sure this is normal. They decided to head out to Edinburgh on Thursday.

 

Umm... The Thai embassy in Singapore doesn't use e-visa so none of this is the actual story.

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At first glance sounds great. But the kicker is that you have to be in the country to apply to Thai Embassy there. And the wait time. I know. I applied at the French Embassy fora 90 day non O by marriage, applying with what I thought was plenty of time, 4 weeks,. Previous  applications this way had been approved in days. Not this time although what was supplied by me had not changed.. After doing nothing for nearly 10 working days I was contacted for more information and a rehash of the invitation letter, typed not handwritten ( a new requirement) and with more info.  By this time my flight was just days away. I begged, I pleaded, by email as never got through on the phone. The e -visa was finally sent through 6 hours before my flight departure, seemingly after a review by jobs worth's superior.

I suppose whilst waiting you could nip home visa exempt stamp but not sure how that would "fit" with the e- visa when that arrives, by email with instructions to print for border entry.

 

Looks to me like this is getting very expensive for those who do border runs.

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48 minutes ago, Kalasin Jo said:

Looks to me like this is getting very expensive for those who do border runs.

Why, people who do border runs can get a free 60 day visa exempt so why would anyone wait around to apply and pay for a tourist e-visa to get the same 60 days entry (any other visa is not a border run imo)

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