Phuket’s courtroom prescription: Legal drama escalates in Swiss assault dismissal

[Fred Sanford]

Are you under 50, don't work and not married to a Thai? Pretty much the only solution to live in Thailand had been:

1. border runs for 30 day stamps --- limit now 3 months in 6

2. triple entry tourist visa --- limited to single and now limited to 3 singles

I think this new restriction will affect a great many people and I'm curious what can be done at this point?

[mel2surf]

Yes,I am one of those,and am keeping all options open(ie: Vietnam,Phill,Cambodia) and meanwhile cautiously waiting and reading. I think if true,this ruling will affect a GREAT many people,who basically,play by the rules,respect the culture,etc.

Very sad day for the LOS AND for us falangs staying long term-ish.

[Pattaya46]

under 50, not work, not married... the only solution to live in Thailand had been:

1. border runs for 30 day stamps --- limit now 3 months in 6

2. triple entry tourist visa --- limited to single and now limited to 3 singles

3. multiple non Imm, O or B, from a friendly consulate...

So, not affected by "new" rules.

Pattaya46

[ballzafire]

3. multiple non Imm, O or B, from a friendly consulate...

So, not affected by "new" rules.

Pattaya46

Reread the title. It refers specifically to Tourist Visa restrictions.

Of course you aren't affected, Einstein...

Edited October 6, 2007 by ballzafire

[eek]

Is this actually being enforced now?

I already have four TV's. In December i intend to travel for a couple of months but will of course be leaving the majority of my belongings at "home" (Thailand). After travelling I intend to get another TV. But now i have no idea where i stand...like most of us.

Fingers crossed on clarification and a better looking outcome.

[ballzafire]

Is this actually being enforced now?

I already have four TV's. In December i intend to travel for a couple of months but will of course be leaving the majority of my belongings at "home" (Thailand). After travelling I intend to get another TV. But now i have no idea where i stand...like most of us.

Fingers crossed on clarification and a better looking outcome.

I'm pretty sure of one thing: back-to-back TVs from the same consulate are definitely frowned upon now and some outright refusals may be forthcoming soon.

Best to mix it up by rotating thru known issuing consulates interspersed with either the 30-day extension or one of the free visa-exempt stamps.

And keep crossing yer fingers (like I am, too)...

[Pattaya46]

Reread the title. It refers specifically to Tourist Visa restrictions.

Calm... calm... I have read it, and undestand it. So I just gave you the solution :

In such a case, forget Tourist Visas and get a multi-non-Imm => problem solved... for a time...

[Jim Abbott]

I'm on TV #11 in 4 years

[ballzafire]

Reread the title. It refers specifically to Tourist Visa restrictions.

Calm... calm... I have read it, and undestand it. So I just gave you the solution :

In such a case, forget Tourist Visas and get a multi-non-Imm => problem solved... for a time...

Sure, just 'go get one'. Simple.

You're forgetting about that nasty little problem of qualifying for one first (without undue expense and hassle).

In the old days, you could say you were exploring business opps, writing a book, absorbing the culture...whatever... and get a non-O. Not anymore. Much more restrictive now.

[Pattaya46]

You're forgetting about that nasty little problem of qualifying for one first ...

Please reread my first answer :

3. multiple non Imm, O or B, from a friendly consulate...

There are yet MANY consulates in Europe, USA, Australia where you can get a multi-non-Imm-O just saying "to visit a friend". You can also see a lawyer in Thailand to "buy" a "business invitation letter" and obtain a multi-non-Imm-B visa in many other friendly consulates.

Please search on ThaiVisa : many discussions about that.

Pattaya46,

on a multi-non-Imm-B after many Tourist-Visa...

[mel2surf]

I was in USA earlier this year (March) and emailed the more liberal consulates(Denver and Houston) They

both said NO to the one year multi entry type "O" After I recieved one no problem just the year before from same

consulate and same agent. They gave me a TR (3 entry tourist) but now I've heard they won't even be issuing THOSE.

Seems the giant walls of the kingdom are starting to rumble SHUT and us dirty nasty foreigners must be banished.

I live near Pattaya and the effects can be seen despite slow season..just ask many falang business owners.

[cali4995]

It's just the constant uncertainty. I would almost prefer a more rigid

implementation of the rules across the board for all nationalities. As

long as you knew what to expect, and immig was fairly consistent.

What they seem to be doing is purposefully allowing ambiguity so they

can evaluate each applicant on a case-by-case basis. Some nationals

are already only given a 7-day extension on TV's as an immig rule.

If you read the list of requirements for TV's on some of these consulate

websites there are always alternate requirements occasionally applied.

When you go to apply for a TV, nobody is ever really sure of the outcome.

Applying for the normal 30-day extension has gotten to be the same way.

It's difficult to make even short-term plans when you don't know what's

going to happen from month-to-month. It is what it is, but I think what

Thailand is losing more than anything is goodwill. Everyone is getting a

sense that the system is so unpredictable that you just can't visit here.

Edited October 6, 2007 by cali4995

[Maestro]

...What they seem to be doing is purposefully allowing ambiguity so they

can evaluate each applicant on a case-by-case basis...

When you go to apply for a TV, nobody is ever really sure of the outcome.

Applying for the normal 30-day extension has gotten to be the same way.

Every visa application is always evaluated on a case-by-case basis, not only by the consulates of Thailand.

Regarding extension of stay, I have yet to hear from a tourist who applied for a 30-day extension and showed a ticket out of Thailand for a date within 30 days after the expiration of his permission to stay (entry stamp) that he was denied the 30-day extension.

--

Maestro

[pkspeaker]

I'll be at the Los Angeles consulate in 2 weeks to apply for a double entry TV, a year ago they only allowed 2 entries, I will post on this forum what happened--particularly if they gave me 2 entries again or if they are restricting to 1! (US citizen BTW)

Edited October 7, 2007 by pkspeaker

[LivinLOS]

Reread the title. It refers specifically to Tourist Visa restrictions.

Calm... calm... I have read it, and undestand it. So I just gave you the solution :

In such a case, forget Tourist Visas and get a multi-non-Imm => problem solved... for a time...

Sure, just 'go get one'. Simple.

You're forgetting about that nasty little problem of qualifying for one first (without undue expense and hassle).

In the old days, you could say you were exploring business opps, writing a book, absorbing the culture...whatever... and get a non-O. Not anymore. Much more restrictive now.

He said friendly consul.. Go buy a plane ticket..

I am now on my 4th year of non imms and am in the exact under 50, non married, etc.. You just have to be prepared to go where you must.

Edited October 8, 2007 by LivinLOS

[backflip]

"I think this new restriction will affect a great many people..."

Wasn't this change implemented a YEAR ago? It's not exactly "new". When it was first announced, there was a lot of the expected moaning and groaning, but those affected learned how to deal with it.

[LivinLOS]

No I believe the OP is now referring to the fact that getting back to back tourist visas (not visa exempt stamps) is now getting much harder.