In Penang Now

[JonnieB]

I arrived in Penang this afternoon on the Air Asia flight from Bangkok. Had a pleasant departure experience at Suwanapom Airport...flight left at 2 p. and I arrived around noon and there were only a few in line for check-in and no lines at departure immigration Had a couple overpriced sandwiches (french salami on a nice baguette and a good ham/swiss cheese sandwich at the deli bar on the the way to Gate F. Air Asia managed to leave on time and it was nice flight to Penang.

I decided to upgrade my accommodations this trip. Usually I stay at the Malaysia or Continental hotel on Jalang Penang (rates about $30 a nite, with a $8 charge for pretty crappy 24 hour wireless internet access). I researched 4-5 star hotels for Penang on a couple of the hotel booking sites and narrowed my choices to the Evergreen Laural and Traders adjacent to Komtor Tower (formerly the Shangri La). Both these rooms were listed at about $80-$90 a nite. I decided to give the Traders a try (an ex-Shangri Hotel couldn't be too bad). The all-inclusive rate was $87 a nite. Unforunatly, I had waited to the last minute to book this trip and the site required a booking to be made at least 3 days prior to arrival (I was trying to book the day before arrival). I next went directly to the Traders/Shangri La Hotels booking site. Well, fortunately, the price there was the same but I became trapped in some internet endless loop with their server and could never get past the credit-card page and onto a confirmed booking. I decided to just show-up and hope for the best.

Well, lucky me, when I arrived today, Traders had the deluxe king bed room available AND IT WAS CHEAPER than the price on the hotel booking site or Trader's own website!!! The front desk quoted me a price of RM 220 per nite ++ (w/o breakfast - which is fine with me as I prefer to just nibble on local coffee and cakes for ahaan chow when in Penang). With tax and service she said it was like RM 250 or about $75 per nite...a $10 a nite savings. The deluxe room I have is small but very nice (for Penang). There is a big picture window looking south and towards the mountains. Bathroom is again cozy but has a tub and full amenities kit. Bed is huge and comfy. Staff are very professional and helpful. When I ask at check-in about broadband pricing, it was normally US$ 40 per day but she give it to me for $30. Nice...and it is a very speedy and steady connection. Right now, I am busy downloading a bunch of videos and movies that I don't do in LOS due to somewhat unsteady and slower speeds there

I hope to get a non-imm B visa (as a house/company owner) tomorrow. in not, I will default to a T-visa. Will report my results later.

Cheers

[tropo]

Thanks for the report.

Are you going to use a visa-agent?

If you do, ask them about the 3 only Tourist Visa restriction that we're hearing so much about lately. We could use some futher insight into this latest development.

[JonnieB]

Are you going to use a visa-agent?

Yes, I will use my usual Chulia street agent. Will try to get the straight dope on the 3x T-visa limits

[JonnieB]

Regarding more than 3 tourist visas from Penang consulate, my Chulia agent says it's still no problem IN PENANG. He doesn't know about any other consulate. I will know a little more tomorrow (but this trip I am applying for a non-imm O or B based on owning a company that owns a house in LOS).

He says that primarily, the consul is interested in WHY you are in Thailand and to bring enough documentation that supports your reason for applying for a particular visa. E.g., if you are a genuine long-term resident "tourist" and therefore applying for a tourist visa (because under 50 let's say), bring documentation (original bank books for example) showing money being transfered to Thailand from overseas on a regular basis. Maybe also bring house/apt. rental contracts, car registration books/annual road tax receipts, etc...i.e., anything that shows that you spend decent amounts of money in Thailand (goverment tax receipts are very good as they show the gov't too is making money off your stay). Sorry, but beer bar tabs don't count...no matter how much you spend on them a nite

[simey]

I'm flying to Penang tonight (Firefly from Samui) to get a tourist visa tomorrow and back on Saturday. Anyone know a good agent that will fetch my passport and pictures from the Traders hotel and handle the visa application for me? Not worried about the cost so much as the trustworthyness.

[JonnieB]

I'm flying to Penang tonight (Firefly from Samui) to get a tourist visa tomorrow and back on Saturday. Anyone know a good agent that will fetch my passport and pictures from the Traders hotel and handle the visa application for me? Not worried about the cost so much as the trustworthyness.

My agent NJ Bookshop on Chulia street would probably do it. I have used NJ for years and never any problem. However, it's really just as easy to go there in person. It's only a 10 min. walk (or 5 min. trishaw or 1 min taxi ride) from Traders. Just be sure to go before 11 a.m. as that's when they take the day's applications to the consulate. The price is the actual cost of the visa you are applying for plus about US$ 5 service fee (cheaper than taxi fare to consulate and no standing in a long line in the hot sun). They can also give you any further advice as they know the consuls mood day-by-day If you are staying at Traders and arriving tonite (18th) just ring my room (#819 Mr. John) if you have any questions. I would go with you but I don't have to go till 2 pm tomorrow as I am picking-up and that's when they have them available from the previous day's applications.

Edited October 18, 2007 by JonnieB

[lopburi3]

He is arriving Thursday night and departing Saturday so will have to obtain same day. Not a normal application. Unless Penang has adopted same day service on Fridays?

[simey]

Firefly have chanegd their flight times to allow for this - they depart 4 pm from Penang to Samui to allow you time to get your visa. So I should be able to hand in my passport tomorrow morning and get it back on Saturday just before heading to the airport - assuming the embassy is open on Saturday.

Thanks for the offer John, might just give you a bell and see if you fancy a beer.

[JonnieB]

pretty tight schedule...i always allow 2 nites even when theoretically it's possible to do it in 1 (if Air Asia gets its early morning flight in the air on time). I have been to NJ in the morning and have overheard others requesting same-day service. My agent has taken their appllications but I assume there was some "expedite" fee involved but have no idea how much. Maybe someone who has been in this situation will post the contact info of a really juiced-in fixer for this non-standard application.

[simey]

Should be ok, it's only a tourist visa and if I drop the stuff off tomorrow morning I'm sure they should be able to get it back by the next day. If not - it's a longer stay in Penang I guess.

[JonnieB]

Normally the turn-around is 1 day. However, you must take account of Thai AND Malaysian national holidays (I assume the consulate is closed on both sets of holidays and plan my arrival/flights accordingly). Therefore, if you get to the agencies by around 11 in the morning then you get your passport back the next day anytime after 2 p.m. I assume when they drop-off the day's applications, they pick-up the ones from the day before, take a indian curry lunch break, and then start handing them back from 2 pm onwards.

I don't know what happens with applications turned in on Fridays...if the consulate makes them available for pick-up by the agents late in the afternoon so they can hand them back on Saturdays or if they return them to the agents the following Monday. I assume the consulate is closed on Sat/Sun. I always plan the visa trip so as to avoid a weekend stay-over (Penang is pretty bland compared to LOS).

Traders Hotel Penang update:

Room service menu is not extensive but has a decent selection of farang and local/Chinese/Indian dishes. I had a very good tomato soup, decent (for Malaysia) veggie pizza, garlic bread, and breadpudding with vanilla sauce. Arrived quickly and was hot and very satisfying. Even threw in the garlic bread and 2 glasses of iced tea for free.

This hotel service and personnel are all very courteous and professional. Today, they gave me a questionnaire about my stay to fill out and with it, some boxed penang pastries and a RM 42 ($US 10) food voucher for my trouble. I would definitely stay at this hotel again on future visa runs.

[lopburi3]

The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang has never been open on Saturday.

[tropo]

Regarding more than 3 tourist visas from Penang consulate, my Chulia agent says it's still no problem IN PENANG. He doesn't know about any other consulate. I will know a little more tomorrow (but this trip I am applying for a non-imm O or B based on owning a company that owns a house in LOS).

He says that primarily, the consul is interested in WHY you are in Thailand and to bring enough documentation that supports your reason for applying for a particular visa. E.g., if you are a genuine long-term resident "tourist" and therefore applying for a tourist visa (because under 50 let's say), bring documentation (original bank books for example) showing money being transfered to Thailand from overseas on a regular basis. Maybe also bring house/apt. rental contracts, car registration books/annual road tax receipts, etc...i.e., anything that shows that you spend decent amounts of money in Thailand (goverment tax receipts are very good as they show the gov't too is making money off your stay). Sorry, but beer bar tabs don't count...no matter how much you spend on them a nite

I hear what you saying, but wouldn't showing Thai bank books, house/apartment rental contracts, car registration etc show that you are definitely not a tourist.

Surely the Consulate will furnish guidelines regarding the documentation required if there is an option, just as they do for other types of visas.

[JUDAS]

I'm flying to Penang tonight (Firefly from Samui) to get a tourist visa tomorrow and back on Saturday. Anyone know a good agent that will fetch my passport and pictures from the Traders hotel and handle the visa application for me? Not worried about the cost so much as the trustworthyness.

Thai consulate in Penang is closed on Saturday. Think you're there until Monday

[miniwai]

Thought I'd add to the reports. I got back from Penang on Monday, Was applying for my 2nd TV in a row from there (4th in total) Got the visa ok but received the notorious stamp "The holder has traveled to Thailand with tourist visas 2 times. The consulate general may not accept the application next time" I wasn't happy as NJ said there were no problems when I specifically asked them about this!

Anyways traveled back to Thailand via Hatyai to visit the family, and upon showing them my passport the (soon to be) mother-in-law was straight on the phone (friends of friends if you know what I mean) and within 5 mins was speaking to the Thai consulate in Penang. Their explanation to the new situation was these stamps were been issued to people applying for back to back tourist visas at local cousulers/embassy's!

We were specifically told the way to avoid them was to use the free visa exempt entries (do a border run or two) in between applying for another TV and not to get back to back ones.

Hope this info helps people out (but I'm in no way saying this is gospel, just what we were told!)

On a brighter note, I was told I'd have no problems with my next TV in Penang! But think thats down to the family connections and the impending marrage! (You know what they say "It's not what you know....... TIT"

[legag]

I will be in Penang for two days next month. Any shopping advice? What should I get for folks in BKK from there?

[JonnieB]

I hear what you saying, but wouldn't showing Thai bank books, house/apartment rental contracts, car registration etc show that you are definitely not a tourist.

Surely the Consulate will furnish guidelines regarding the documentation required if there is an option, just as they do for other types of visas.

My take was that the consul, of course, is aware of the ruse of living in LOS using a "tourist" visa and was okay with it AS LONG AS one didn't have to work to support oneself (which of course is illegal under this visa) AND can document to the consul's satisfaction that this was the case. Basically the old attitude that they didn't mind someone living in Thailand using the T-visas as long as they didn't work and spent a decent amount of money per month Age, I think, also somes into play as the closer one gets to the magic 50 the easier it would be.

Also, my agent says that since I did have a legit business and had the annual balance sheet and receipts/stamps showing payments of taxes, he thought I could get a non-imm O or B (even multi-entry) might be possible. Will know if a few hours from now

[tropo]

Also, my agent says that since I did have a legit business and had the annual balance sheet and receipts/stamps showing payments of taxes, he thought I could get a non-imm O or B (even multi-entry) might be possible. Will know if a few hours from now

Good luck!

[simey]

Took my passport in to Jim last night - you are right, the consulate is not open on Saturday. He assures me that he can get my tourist visa in one day, will be ready by 4 pm today, just cost more of course (around 2000 baht).

[cali4995]

Thought I'd add to the reports. I got back from Penang on Monday, Was applying for my 2nd TV in a row from there (4th in total) Got the visa ok but received the notorious stamp "The holder has traveled to Thailand with tourist visas 2 times. The consulate general may not accept the application next time" I wasn't happy as NJ said there were no problems when I specifically asked them about this!

Anyways traveled back to Thailand via Hatyai to visit the family, and upon showing them my passport the (soon to be) mother-in-law was straight on the phone (friends of friends if you know what I mean) and within 5 mins was speaking to the Thai consulate in Penang. Their explanation to the new situation was these stamps were been issued to people applying for back to back tourist visas at local cousulers/embassy's!

We were specifically told the way to avoid them was to use the free visa exempt entries (do a border run or two) in between applying for another TV and not to get back to back ones.

Hope this info helps people out (but I'm in no way saying this is gospel, just what we were told!)

On a brighter note, I was told I'd have no problems with my next TV in Penang! But think thats down to the family connections and the impending marrage! (You know what they say "It's not what you know....... TIT"

This is an interesting observation, I mean the part about separating TV's with a border run

to avoid the red stamp. Which, I must say sounds unpleasant to have in your passport. I

think there's far less people working under this scheme than the Thai gov't believes. Sure,

we've got the odd undesireable in the group but then this is true for Thais themselves.

They catch a couple of mafia guys and now that legend is off to the races.

Edited October 19, 2007 by cali4995

[tropo]

This is an interesting observation, I mean the part about separating TV's with a border run

to avoid the red stamp. Which, I must say sounds unpleasant to have in your passport. I

think there's far less people working under this scheme than the Thai gov't believes. Sure,

we've got the odd undesireable in the group but then this is true for Thais themselves.

They catch a couple of mafia guys and now that legend is off to the races.

I'll be testing that theory out next Wednesday. I have 2 TV's from Penang in my passport, but they are well serpated by border runs.

I don't think it will make much difference, but we'll see.

[sniffdog]

Just back from Penang:

3 x 30 border run

TR (Penang)

TR(Penang)

3 x 30 border run

(Current) TR (Penang)

Got the stamp ' entered Thailand 2 times etc etc'

=======================================================

Any shopping advice? What should I get for folks in BKK from there?

=======================================================

DVD (movies, RM 7), software (RM 9) CD ROM RM 5.

For the rest, didn't see anything that was attractive (apart from a few girls).

Edited October 19, 2007 by sniffdog

[ballzafire]

I have never gotten back-to-back TVs, always separated them with a 30-day visa-exempt, and I still got the nasty red stamp (but that was from Vientiane last year. Maybe Penang is different).

If that's the case, then I'm staying, 'cuz that's how I've been "following the rules" all along to remain here as a humble, law-abiding tourist ...

So, it looks like it's going to be Penang, K. Bharu, KL, and SNG for me until further notice...

Thought I'd add to the reports. I got back from Penang on Monday, Was applying for my 2nd TV in a row from there (4th in total) Got the visa ok but received the notorious stamp "The holder has traveled to Thailand with tourist visas 2 times. The consulate general may not accept the application next time" I wasn't happy as NJ said there were no problems when I specifically asked them about this!

Anyways traveled back to Thailand via Hatyai to visit the family, and upon showing them my passport the (soon to be) mother-in-law was straight on the phone (friends of friends if you know what I mean) and within 5 mins was speaking to the Thai consulate in Penang. Their explanation to the new situation was these stamps were been issued to people applying for back to back tourist visas at local cousulers/embassy's!

We were specifically told the way to avoid them was to use the free visa exempt entries (do a border run or two) in between applying for another TV and not to get back to back ones.

Hope this info helps people out (but I'm in no way saying this is gospel, just what we were told!)

On a brighter note, I was told I'd have no problems with my next TV in Penang! But think thats down to the family connections and the impending marrage! (You know what they say "It's not what you know....... TIT"

[cali4995]

I think I'm going to make up my own "red stamp" and put it on a sticker

on the outside of my passport. "Holder of this passport has travelled to

Thailand on a tourist visa before, can eat Thai food, speak Thai like a

infant child, and understands most popular Thai songs."

[JonnieB]

Penang Wrap-up:

Received a single-entry Non-Imm B visa. Not too bad...there is a lot I can do with this visa in 3-4 months. Spoke with the "head-guy" at NJ and he says there is a new consul now for the past month and he is just learning the ropes. As to the issue of multiple T-visas, he says it's hit or miss. He has had some customers get the "red-stamp of death" on their first application and others after the third. I don't know as to me because this time I qualified for a non-imm B

At airport immigration, doesn't seem they are requesting onward tickets anymore...there was no sign up like a saw a month ago and they certainly didn't ask to see mine (never have). Was kinda funny at immigration, however, as there was a group of obviously "working" tourist girls from some one of the "stans" in the line one over from me...I counted 5 of them (why they didn't split up and go to separate lines to be somewhat less obvious is beyond me). Was watching with curisity if they would get through...to my surprise the first one made it in...but the 2nd and all the rest to directed to step out of the line and wait...then the desk officer turned on his red signal light and some supervisor came over and took the "ladies" away...for further whatever. Wonder if I'll see them trolling Walking Street tonite or if they are on their way home already

[fxe1200]

I will be in Penang for two days next month. Any shopping advice? What should I get for folks in BKK from there?

The Hindu shops sell bottled cowpiss to be sprayed in your new house or apartment to scare away the bad spirits.

I am sure that would be a surprise.

[HOOD Robin]

This is an interesting observation, I mean the part about separating TV's with a border run

to avoid the red stamp. Which, I must say sounds unpleasant to have in your passport. I

think there's far less people working under this scheme than the Thai gov't believes. Sure,

we've got the odd undesireable in the group but then this is true for Thais themselves.

They catch a couple of mafia guys and now that legend is off to the races.

I'll be testing that theory out next Wednesday. I have 2 TV's from Penang in my passport, but they are well serpated by border runs.

I don't think it will make much difference, but we'll see.

Hi Tropo,

Sounds very interesting.... How many border runs ( 2 or 3 ? ) did you have between your 2 TV's ?

Did they also ask for a proof during the Border runs that you should leave the country within 30 days ?

Thanks !

[sniffdog]

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The Hindu shops sell bottled cowpiss to be sprayed in your new house or apartment to scare away the bad spirits.

===================================================================

Don't buy it ... it doesn't battle the ghost in Thailand .... they are Buddhist.