Extention Of Non-0 In Laos- My Best Chance?

[sreiter]

Hi All I need some advice about the best way to proceed.

Facts: German National over 50 but not resident in Germany (but Greece). I had two multiple entry non-O visas in a row, I never stay in Thailand all year round. I am legally married to my Thai wife and have never declared any money or income as I had a new non-o after the old one had expired.

Arrived in Thailand on the 7th of December, my non-o expired on the 5th. My original flight (Arrival on the 3rd) was cancelled due to the situation at the airport. I could not get a new visa outside Thailand as my wife's mother had a nasty bike accident and broke her spine badly. So we both rushed to Thailand asap. The mother is at home now and needs care which we provide. I myself had planned to go for surgery in Bangkok which means I might not be too flexible. My return ticket (alone) is for the 2nd of Feb.

The original emergency plan was to leave the country to Laos after 30 days and get another 30 on re-entry. That would have been enough to get me to the 2nd of Feb. This option was confirmed as viable by immigration on arrival. However, now and only by chance I find out that you get only 15 days upon re-entry.

Visited Immigration in Bung Khan. The officer there suggests to go to Laos where I would get an extention of my expired non-o visa- or a tourist visa for 2 month if I explained the anusual circumstances. Is this correct? Is this my best option? I plan to return to Thailand next year October. Which papers would I need?

Or could I fly from Ventiane to Bangkok and would get 30 days on arrival there? Immigration Bung Khan said this would only give me 15 days too. I was under the impression the difference between 15 and 30 days was entry by "land" or "internationl airport"?

Also_ does anybody know about the rules for taking a car or my wife's motorbike to Laos? Help would be appreciated Thank you Stefan

[Maestro]

Nobody in Laos can give you an extension on your expired non-O visa. All you can get in Laos is a new visa, either non-O or tourist.

The officer at the immigration office should have suggested to you a one-time extension of 60 days for visiting your wife under clause 2.25 of Police Order 777/2551. I suggest you go back to that office and ask if they will give you that exension.

--

Maestro

[ubonjoe]

Here is copies of police order. This is the new police order but it was in the old police order also.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a70477-...ember-2008.html English

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a70478-...7-2551.pdf.html Thai

Edit: The english version is not an official translation from immigration. The Thai version is from immigration.

[sreiter]

Thank you very much, I will make this my fist choice. However, if I do not succeed--will I need prove of funds in the bank to get a new non-o or tourist visa in Laos? Where would I get a visa for Laos, on the border in Nong Khai?

And lastely : Does anybody know the rule? 15 days now in general upon re-entry or 15 days when crossing a border by land and 30 in the international airports? Thanks Stefan

[Lite Beer]

Thank you very much, I will make this my fist choice. However, if I do not succeed--will I need prove of funds in the bank to get a new non-o or tourist visa in Laos? Where would I get a visa for Laos, on the border in Nong Khai?

And lastely : Does anybody know the rule? 15 days now in general upon re-entry or 15 days when crossing a border by land and 30 in the international airports? Thanks Stefan

You would not need proof of funds.

Laos Visa can be obtained at the border. Around 1,500 Baht.

15 days by land and 30 days by plane.

[ubonjoe]

Thank you very much, I will make this my fist choice. However, if I do not succeed--will I need prove of funds in the bank to get a new non-o or tourist visa in Laos? Where would I get a visa for Laos, on the border in Nong Khai?

And lastely : Does anybody know the rule? 15 days now in general upon re-entry or 15 days when crossing a border by land and 30 in the international airports? Thanks Stefan

You will only get a single entry non-o in Vientiane. You only need a copy of your passport photo page and marriage certificate and 2 photos. No need show money in bank.

For the visa on entry to Laos you will need one photo and 1500 baht or $35 US.

[sreiter]

Visited Immigration Bungh Khan again today:

Officers are very symapthetic but say they can not help as my arrival date was 2 days after expiry of visa. They mentioned the Thai courts had only made rules for people who could not leave Thailand, not for people who had their incoming flights cancelled. Their suggestion was today to go to Laos, get 15 days on re-entry and then they would be able to give me another 30. The logic defies me- why not now? At the same time they suggested I should get my surgery and then get a doctor`s certificate that I had to stay longer. That seems to refer to another paragraph in the police order 777/2551. My very subjective impression is, that the guys here are not sure about their own laws. So- I guess the only way that makes sense is go to Laos (soon!) and try to get another non-o or tourist visa. Flights from Vientiane to Bangkok seem quite expensive....

Thanks again for help Stefan

[Mario2008]

As Maestro pointed out you should have been given a 60 day extension of stay based on your Thai wife. You can still apply for that extension if you didn't, or try your luck at another immigration office.

[ubonjoe]

It sounds like the people at immigration don't have a clue about what you were asking for.

I don't know exactly where you are statying but looking at the map using Bung Khan as a reference Nakhon Phanom might be closer than Nong Kai. There is an immigration office there that might be more up to date on the rules. Plus you can cross the river to Laos there and get a 15 day entry when you return if you wanted to.

[sreiter]

Hi Ubonjoe To make everything just more difficult: Now I have internet problems- no bandwidth with DTAG GPRS/Edge simcard!

Thanks for caring, we are in Porn Charoen, just 50km South of Bung Khan. We found out yesterday that you can cross the river there too with a barge...

I do need 30 days somehow, we are juggling various issues at the same time. My wife's mother broke her spine and needs to go back to the hospital in Sakon Nakhon on the 27th for a check. That might be an opportunity to go to Nakhon. I also need to book myself into a hospital in Bangkok (unless someone can recommend a good international one for example in Udon?), I have Thai health insurance and need to get my hernias fixed, flight back was booked for the 2nd of Feb. I would not like to rush to any border after 15 days just having had surgery- apart from that you can never be quite sure how quickly you are up and running again (fingers crossed)

Overall I have to admit that the recent events make me quite reluctant to consider Thailand for permanent living- how can you ever relax if you never know which law is going to be changed next, when and why? Even in the airport upon arrival on the 7th of December immigration told me I would be fine with two times 30 days- they had no idea. I just found out by chance (thanks God!) I wish you a very happy Christmas Stefan

[ubonjoe]

You might want to post on the Isaan forum with your hospital question I am sure somebody there can give you an answer. You might even check udonmap.com for info.

I don't think that there is a Lao visa on arrival there. It will do you no good if you can not get a Lao entry stamp.

List of visa on arrival locations from Lao embassy website is on this page: http://www.bkklaoembassy.com/consular%20se...information.htm

I went through that a few years ago when I had a multiple entry and at the time Nong Kai was the only place to cross without having a Lao visa from the embassy Bangkok.

I think you need to try another immigration office. You are eligible for a 60 day extension of your current permit to stay to visit your wife.

The rules changes seem to be going on two year cycles at the moment.

Hope things work out for you.

Joe

[sreiter]

Thanks Joe!

I think I will go to Nong Khai (about 80km)- if immigration there can not or does not want to help, I can cross and get to Ventiane for a new visa. Due to what ever else happens- and the New Year holiday- I probably can only go on the last day of my current permit which is the 5th of January - unless I risk a trip on the bike to Non Khai now hoping for a QUICK resolution with immigration there.....

HAve posted a query on the "Health Forum", thanks for further tips! All the best Stefan

[Lite Beer]

Thanks Joe!

I think I will go to Nong Khai (about 80km)- if immigration there can not or does not want to help, I can cross and get to Ventiane for a new visa. Due to what ever else happens- and the New Year holiday- I probably can only go on the last day of my current permit which is the 5th of January - unless I risk a trip on the bike to Non Khai now hoping for a QUICK resolution with immigration there.....

HAve posted a query on the "Health Forum", thanks for further tips! All the best Stefan

Yes the 5th is the first day after the holliday. Gonna be busy.

As said Nong Kai should give you 60 days to visit your Wife.

Khon Kaen has one or two good hospitals. I would have thought that Udon does as well.

From the Police Order.

2.24 In the case of an alien

visiting a Thai spouse or child:

Permission

will be granted for a period of not more than 60 days at a time

(1) Proof of relationship.

(2) In the case of a spouse, their marital relationship shall be de

jure (legitimate) and de facto.

[ubonjoe]

Nong Kai immigration would be a good try.You may have to explain to them that you were given the run around at the other office because they have been turning people away and giving them a list of other offices to go to.