Ranong Or Penang ? Urgent

[Jace]

Hi, this is my first post and im in a bit of a rush.

I am a british citizen aged 37, i have been living in thailand for 2 years. 1st year on a Cat O visa for 1 year then after that i have been doing visa runs until the laws changed. I have used my 3 x 30 day visas in a 6 month period from 20 Dec to 15 Jun with a Penang run inbetween.

My last visa run was a 30 day extension in Samui of a Penang Tourist Visa which expires on 17th of this month.

I want to know can I go to Ranong for a 30 day visa or do I have to go to Penang??

I am told from someone who arrived back from Penang today that they are issuing Educational Visas there now, as I am about to enroll in education here I would like this confirmed.

Thanks.

[Jace]

sorry, to make it clearer.

i have VOA's issued on 20 dec to 18 Jan and 17 jan to 15 feb then a penang TR visa used on 17 feb and extended by 30 days to the 17th may then i went to Ranong for another 30 days taking me up to 15th june. I then (like dumb farang) made the mistake of going to Ranong, they gave me 2 days of time left so i had to go to Penang. IE 88 days worth of 30 day VOA's in 6 months. I went to Penang and got another 60 day TR visa and i extended that last month in Samui taking me up to 17th Sept. I need to know weather i should go to Ranong or to Penang for my next visa run. The guy at immigration lead me to believe that after my last Penang trip the six months starts over again, is that correct??

or should i just go back to Penang to avoid any more confusion? that way i have a clean 6 months in my passport with NO 30 day VOA's

Kap.

[cali4995]

Jace, the 1st thing you have to do is establish the time-frame for

your 6-month periods. It appears the first relevant entry was on

20th December where you obtained a visa-exempt-entry.

Okay, 1st 6 month period begins 20 Dec and then ends on 19 June.

Tourist visas are not calculated in the 90 days in 6 months so your

next 6-month period will begin with the 1st visa-exempt-entry.

Which apparently will be your next border-run for a 30-day stamp. Here

is the infamous rule from the Thai ministry of foreign affairs website.

"Foreigners who enter the Kingdom under the Tourist Visa Exemption

category may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration

of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the

date of first entry."

So Yes, it appears the immigration officer has given you the correct info,

In general I think, the 30-day stamps are becoming unreliable.