Hey all,

I've concluded that I won't have the means or time to get a legitimate visa to stay in Thailand for the next year, so I'm facing the prospect of living off the 15-day entry stamp. I'll be in Chiangrai, pretty close to Burma/Laos, so bordrer runs won't be so bad. From what I gather, the 90-day limit no longer applies, so we can renew 15-day stamps without limit, but I guess it's still too early to know for sure.

1. Any chance this plan might not work out, like some hidden clause of maximum number of entries allowed?

2. Any advice for most efficient and inexpensive way for Canadian passport to cross Burma/Laos?

cheers.

You could probably do it but my question would be why.

You can make a trip to Vientiane and get a 2 entry tourist visa that would give you a total of about 6 months without getting another visa. It means a trip to Vientiane, one border run plus 2 trips to immigration.

It seems to me cost and time wise this would be better than making a border run every 2 weeks.

As Joe said, you can do it. But each border crossing into Burma would cost you 500 baht (if they didn't increase that).

As Joe said, you can do it. But each border crossing into Burma would cost you 500 baht (if they didn't increase that).

Actually $10 = 360 Baht. Just get a $10 note before your trip. There's a huge thread on this at the top of the Chiang Rai forum page.

As Joe said, you can do it. But each border crossing into Burma would cost you 500 baht (if they didn't increase that).

Actually $10 = 360 Baht. Just get a $10 note before your trip. There's a huge thread on this at the top of the Chiang Rai forum page.

Is it that straightforward to get into Burma (ie visa on arrival) for Canadians? The websites are kinda unclear - some say you need a letter of permission, or need to give hotel booking information.

It'd be sweet if it's just US$10.

Vientiane is the best advice

Check Bus Service from Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai

to Udon Thani / Nong Khai

Recommend the Bht 55 VIP bus from Nong Khai market

to Centre of Vientiane - if you can get Laos Visa.

I'd get a year visa(without having to leave the country) if I were you. There are agencies that do this for 20,000 baht.

Why do you want to stay in Thailand?

Are you here legally?

I'd get a year visa(without having to leave the country) if I were you. There are agencies that do this for 20,000 baht.

Leave what country? I don't believe steadfast7 said in what country he was when he wrote the original post in this topic.

An agency? He does not even have the two or three days it would take to get a visa from a Thai consulate in his country.

20,000 Baht? A strange suggestion for somebody who says he does not have the means to get a visa.

--

Maestro

I'd get a year visa(without having to leave the country) if I were you. There are agencies that do this for 20,000 baht.

Which is illegal to do.

As Joe said, you can do it. But each border crossing into Burma would cost you 500 baht (if they didn't increase that).

Actually $10 = 360 Baht. Just get a $10 note before your trip. There's a huge thread on this at the top of the Chiang Rai forum page.

Is it that straightforward to get into Burma (ie visa on arrival) for Canadians? The websites are kinda unclear - some say you need a letter of permission, or need to give hotel booking information.

It'd be sweet if it's just US$10.

It is that straight forward. You go to the border, pay 10$ and have your passport stamped and return, you can also go for a short visit but have to return the same day to Thailand. Other then passport and money no documents needed.

Hey guys, thanks for the advice, appreciate it.

I'm in Malaysia on holiday now but have been in Bangkok since August. I'm pausing on language school for now and heading up to Chiangrai for missionary related work.

Yeah, I inquired about the work permit help from Sunbelt. You pay them 6500 B and their lawyers will write you a letter to take to embassy saying you're thinking about starting up a business in Thailand. Tada! Non immigration B for one year, I believe it is. It's technically not illegal, just dishonest, and in my line of work ... nah.

Vientiane sounds like a good bet. thanks!

Volunteer work or missionary work can be a reason to get a no-immigrant visa and an extension of stay based on that.

I don't know how difficult or easy that will be from a neighbouring country.

As Joe said, you can do it. But each border crossing into Burma would cost you 500 baht (if they didn't increase that).

Actually $10 = 360 Baht. Just get a $10 note before your trip. There's a huge thread on this at the top of the Chiang Rai forum page.

Don't count on the Burmese border guys accepting a $US10 note. Years ago when the price was 250 baht or $US5, I offered them a 5 dollar bill (equivalent to 185 baht) and they refused it. The guy wouldn't accept it because there was a microscopic dark spot on the edge of the bill. It was the only US cash I had, and it was obvious that guy simply wanted the 250 baht instead. I made a point of handing him the most soiled and shabby Thai bills I had -- much dirtier and in worse condition than the refused US bill, but he was happy to accept them.

I'd get a year visa(without having to leave the country) if I were you. There are agencies that do this for 20,000 baht.

Which is illegal to do.

I've never known anyone in 15 years to be charged with it.

How illegal is it I wonder??

As Joe said, you can do it. But each border crossing into Burma would cost you 500 baht (if they didn't increase that).

Actually $10 = 360 Baht. Just get a $10 note before your trip. There's a huge thread on this at the top of the Chiang Rai forum page.

Is it that straightforward to get into Burma (ie visa on arrival) for Canadians? The websites are kinda unclear - some say you need a letter of permission, or need to give hotel booking information.

It'd be sweet if it's just US$10.

It is that straight forward. You go to the border, pay 10$ and have your passport stamped and return, you can also go for a short visit but have to return the same day to Thailand. Other then passport and money no documents needed.

Wrong advice!

You can stay in Myanmar for 14 days. See the pinned thread in the Chiang Rai forum.

I'd get a year visa(without having to leave the country) if I were you. There are agencies that do this for 20,000 baht.

Which is illegal to do.

I've never known anyone in 15 years to be charged with it.

How illegal is it I wonder??

Totally illegal!

And there is one TV poster who found out. His shiny new non-o obtained from Hull via a UK address whilst he was in Thailand was cancelled by the outgoing immigration chap.

I've never known anyone in 15 years to be charged with it.

How illegal is it I wonder??

Neeranam, a new post came in today on this subject. Read it here:

www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=240990&view=findpost&p=2515019

Three months in the Immigration Detention Centre and possibly blacklisted.

--

Maestro

Don't count on the Burmese border guys accepting a $US10 note. Years ago when the price was 250 baht or $US5, I offered them a 5 dollar bill (equivalent to 185 baht) and they refused it. The guy wouldn't accept it because there was a microscopic dark spot on the edge of the bill. It was the only US cash I had, and it was obvious that guy simply wanted the 250 baht instead. I made a point of handing him the most soiled and shabby Thai bills I had -- much dirtier and in worse condition than the refused US bill, but he was happy to accept them.

It is like that all over Burma when trying to use US money. When I visited Yangoon a few years ago, my Burmese friend warned me to bring mint-like US bills to exchange.

At one point when I was paying for a hotel room in USD, the receptionist rejected one of my bills for having a light pen/pencil mark on it.

Burma isn't the only country that does this.