Mae sai visa run

[Bob Chittie]

Well I decided to opt for a visa run rather than trying to talk immigration into a medical visa based on a bad back. I had read from many people that there is a limit on the number of no visa stays one may have in a row. Some said 2. Some said 3. Some said 6. Then, you would be banned from Thailand for 6 months! I also had been reading that for a 30 day non visa stay, one must now pay 1000-1600 Baht. So I was expecting the worst.

I appreciate all the information people post, but it seems like a lot of it is misinformation. For the second month in a row, Mae Sai immigration assured me that there is no limit on the number of times you may exit and re-enter on a 30 day no visa stay. Also, there are no fees...

The one major change is that now you must give copies of your passport and all the stamps you've received for 30 day no visa stays. You must sign each page. On the front page, you must write your reason for being in Thailand and sign your name. I wrote 'tourist' which is true and that was that.

So let's all relax a little. If they really wanted to kick the foreigners out of thailand (especially the less financially well off), the consecutive 30 day no visa stay privelage would be an obvious place to start and it simply has not happened.

[pnustedt]

it simply has not happened.

Yet!

[Bob Chittie]

pnusdet, yes exactly right. And if it ever did happen then i think we can declare that major changes are taking place. But all the posts to date exclaim that it HAS happened. At least in my experience, nothing has changed, except for the passport copy and declaration of what you are doing here.

[PREM-R]

There has been much talk of the requirements for the "30 day on arrival" stamp and it is always stated that the main requirement for this type of entry is to have a 'fully paid up' return airticket from whence you came  and that the purpose of your visit is 'Tourism'.  Well if Bob has a number of these "30 dayers" and the border officials merely require he give signed copies of the relevent pages of his passport in order to receive a further 30 day stamp  then they are clearly aware that he is a 'long term' inmate of Thailand, you would have thought that they would have directed him to a Thai Consulate in Manaymar to purchase a TR visa if he was wanting to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days. ???

[Bob Chittie]

There has been much talk of the requirements for the "30 day on arrival" stamp and it is always stated that the main requirement for this type of entry is to have a 'fully paid up' return airticket from whence you came  and that the purpose of your visit is 'Tourism'.  Well if Bob has a number of these "30 dayers" and the border officials merely require he give signed copies of the relevent pages of his passport in order to receive a further 30 day stamp  then they are clearly aware that he is a 'long term' inmate of Thailand, you would have thought that they would have directed him to a Thai Consulate in Manaymar to purchase a TR visa if he was wanting to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days. ???

Immigration at Mae Sai is well aware that I have been here as a long term toursit for many months as they are of thousands of others who they see at their offices each month. That was my point. As of yet, they have not prohibited this. And I don't want to run afoul of immigration. That is why I have asked them two months in a row if there is any limit on  the number of times I may do this. And as I said, they have said that there is no limit. So maybe it won't be like this forever, but the reality of the situation is that as of right now, you may cross over and back every month.

As far as going to Mynamar for a TR visa, at Mae Sai, the visa you get from Burma is for a one day stay, out before 5pm, which prohibits you leaving that province so going into Burma to a Thai consulate from Mae Sai isn't an option.

[PREM-R]

Seems to be working fine for you Bob, and as they say "if it aint broke, don't fix it!"  Do they ever want to see evidence of your ability to leave Thailand at the end of 30 days?, evidence of ability to pay your way?  Your experience is very different from the 'official line' of the Thai authorities concerning  30 day 'on arrival' stamps and it is clear that land crossings into Thailand are considered differently to Airport arrivals.

 Chock Dee and long may it continue.  

[Axel]

If I would come to Thailand, stay under visa exemption for 29 days, come back same day and stay again 29 days I would be nervous at the 3rd time. Below the ruling of the Ministry of Foreign affairs. One point is clear, the visa-exemption is for tourism purpose only and there should be internal rules to the immigration officers how to check who is a tourist. This can (not must) include interview by the chief of post etc. You have to convince them you are a tourist. If for whatever reason somebody prefers to enter under such conditions the worst that could happen, one day entry denied or more probable, you don't get 30 days but only 5 or 10 (not exceed 30 days) and are advised to visit the immigration office.

If you come here regularly, but do not use the full 30 days the chances for denial will be smaller. What many people do, arrive, stay 2 weeks, leave for 4 days, come back and stay for 10 days a.s.o. I have a friend who once was asked at BKK-airport, if he lives in Thailand. He said "No, I work in Vietnam (his passport had a multiple VN-visa for 6 months) and in SIN, but I like here to relax".

Guess you understand my meaning, use the 30 days-rule but don't overuse it and you are ok and do it until somebody changes the rules.

TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION

- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 6 February B.E.2538 (1995), 8 December B.E. 2541 (1998) 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002) and 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) , passport holders from 39 countries do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.

- The applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php#Tourist

Nationals of 14 countries can get Visa upon arrival, among others the applicant  must

produce instrument of means of transport (full paid ticket) which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry.

I do not see any requirement for ticket under the 30 days but under the 15 days

[Bob Chittie]

Seems to be working fine for you Bob, and as they say "if it aint broke, don't fix it!"  Do they ever want to see evidence of your ability to leave Thailand at the end of 30 days?, evidence of ability to pay your way?  Your experience is very different from the 'official line' of the Thai authorities concerning  30 day 'on arrival' stamps and it is clear that land crossings into Thailand are considered differently to Airport arrivals.

 Chock Dee and long may it continue.  

Hi there,

No, they never ask for anything like that. I would go to Penang and get a visa if required, but if they permit me to do this, it is more convenient for me. I don't want to do anything illegal and so like I said, that is why i asked twice whether it was okay. if you are here on tourism purposes, it seems to be....at least for now.