Immigration Crackdown On Border Runners

[robokop]

Thailand, love it of leave it. Trying to figure out the reasoning of Thailand Govt rules of visitors, business men, running of Thailand etc. is like trying to figure out the inner workings of a woman's mind. Will never happen. Thailand is like a woman's thought process as seen by a man, unrational thinking on many issues.

[private eye]

I have no problems(what so ever), in understanding this new regulation. Order Order.

[janetdoe]

I don't live in Thailand but this new ruling could effect me and many others like me, and I think for the wrong reasons...

I live in Vientiane, Laos and like many other foreign nationals, as well as Lao citizens here, I regularly go to Nong Khai to shop for the day. I also visit Bangkok for a few days once a month, via Nong Khai and bus to Bangkok or fly from Udon.

For all these trips I do not obtain a visa, just arrive at the border and get the 15 day waiver, as does everyone else I see.

We are not visa border runners, we do not abuse the system and live in Thailand on permanent basis by exiting every 15 days, but we do enter for a day or two frequently. If these new rules are inflexible and only count number of times into Thailand on visa waivers without looking at the dates I and many others like me will be effected...

I need my Tescos like everyone else in Thailand!!!

[madi]

I lived in a few nations, all were easy.

Too party in, Thailand is great.

Too work in, it is not so great.

To raise your family in as a fa-rang, it is terrible.

So why would anyone want to buy a house here?

Why would you want to vote in a nation who does not want you here?

You are a visitor.

Look at your passport.

You cannot vote.

You cannot even own land.

You certainly cannot work most jobs.

If you want to belong, go home or to another nation that wants you because Thailand surely does not.

Over 99% of the western people who live here do go home. It is just a matter of time you know.

Party--enjoy-- and then go home.

The Thais will be happy and you will be happy.

[Zappo]

The new rules will not solve any problems but will increase some:

More people will overstay since it get's more difficult or too expensive to stay 'legally'

Tourists cannot look upon this in any way than negative, even if it does not affect them selves.

This is how they should do it:

Extend the 30 day visa on arrival to 60 days

Make it possible to do a visa run and get another 30 day, but only one time.

Make it much easier to get a legal 1 year visa and at a considerable LOWER cost. Every time you do a work permit or extend a visa you get scammed. It is a lot of paperwork but not THAT much.

This will have following effects:

Tourists will welcome the opportunity to stay longer in an easy way and will spend a lot more money in Thailand.

Overstay will almost vanish since it is so cheap and easy to get a legal visa.

Border runs is no longer a problem since it will mostly be done by tourists.

Automatically grant a foreigner who buy a condo or house 6 months visa every year. That will boost investments in Thailand.

The ones that still are overstay, the police can concentrate on, because those are really the people they want to get rid of today. Sorry to say they try to do that by new regulations that affects to many 'good' tourists and farangs in a negative way.

I beleive Thailand is on a very dangerous path. It will probaly not take that many years before neighbouring countries will have same or better political stability, living standard, infrastructure etc.

That day Thailand will see a massive transport of farangs out of Thailand.

It seems to me that Thailand do not really understand what will happen to their country if all westerners leave the country.

Thailand, wake up before too late!

[bjhabal]

Few months ago my wife and I arrived from Singapore by air and got 30 days visa stamp, however four days later we decided to visit the casino in Aranyphratet (as we do from time to time), and in coming back next day, the captain (chief) who was replacing an officer for a short period of time (maybe for a break) looked at my wife and told her, well, I recognize you, why don't you go and apply for a visa; my wife looked back at him and said, well, why don't you check when I arrived to Bangkok last trip and when I left. After seeing the stamp and realizing that she has spent only 4 days of the 30 days allowed, he said that he was sorry. But my wife continued asking him for the reason that she should apply for a visa when her visa as a Singaporean citizen would be free anyhow; It is just waste of time for her, the embassy staff and the consul, and it dosen't really make any sense. The captain gave no reply, just smiled and wished her a pleasent stay. I realized from that time that they really still don't like people to just cross over and make a visa run, no matter with the age or qualification.

Bishop

[ubonjoe]

I don't live in Thailand but this new ruling could effect me and many others like me, and I think for the wrong reasons...

I live in Vientiane, Laos and like many other foreign nationals, as well as Lao citizens here, I regularly go to Nong Khai to shop for the day. I also visit Bangkok for a few days once a month, via Nong Khai and bus to Bangkok or fly from Udon.

For all these trips I do not obtain a visa, just arrive at the border and get the 15 day waiver, as does everyone else I see.

We are not visa border runners, we do not abuse the system and live in Thailand on permanent basis by exiting every 15 days, but we do enter for a day or two frequently. If these new rules are inflexible and only count number of times into Thailand on visa waivers without looking at the dates I and many others like me will be effected...

I need my Tescos like everyone else in Thailand!!!

You are going to suffer because of a few that abused the rules. And are probably one of the few that will. Lao citizens won't be affected because they come under a different rule.

You may have to adjust and fly to Bangkok from Vientiane to reset the 4 entry count,

Perhaps if enough perople were to talk to immigration in Nong Kai they could come up with some kind of waiver. They might even do it if you showed them proof that you are on a long stay visa in Laos and are doing the reverse to what they are trying to stop,

[mommysboy]

If you think about it it's just preventing abuse on what is already quite a generous and flexible offer, ie, you can come to Thailand for 30 days and even extend your stay without going through the tedious process of visa application.

But what timing! Once again it sends out all the wrong messages, and of course this is yet another change of mind. Public relations blunder as usual. Thailand has a real problem now in my view; it's reputation was really built on freedom and economy (as in cheap prices), arguably it's now has neither.

[nookiebear]

Luck im a 3 year overstayer

You won't be so lucky if they pick you up .......A Dutch Guy near Nong Ki was picked up on Overstay about 3 weeks ago .So far it has cost him 65,000 bahtThats without the cost of the air ticket back to AMS & he is still locked up here in LOS.

[chrisdom]

I assume that this means that you can re-enter 4 times (so in fact you can get 90 days without having to fly out and back - 30 days initially with 4 consectutive re-entries of 15 days) then you must leave the country and re-enter via Int. Airport and the whole process starts again.

No-one has to leave the country more frequently than 90 days by air - the rest could still be Visa runs to Cambodia etc.

Is this interpretation correct - if so doesn't seem so bad to me?

If not then I'd appreciate knowing how this logic fails! The key word for me is consectutive because you break that by leaving and re-entering on a flight and a 30 day stamp and thus your next border run is NOT consectutive and the 4 permitted re-entries start again (I assume).

Of course TiT so I suppose there could be an unseen flaw here - we'll only be sure when it is tested by some brave soul!

[Sunny Valentine]

Factual question: I have not seen a post or sensible comment about how the new rule specifies the resetting of the 4 stamps count. To me it seems that after the 4th stamp you can't get any more, indefinitely. Someone has real information about this?

Speculation: To me all these ever changing new Visa rules follow exactly one reproducible thought: There is not enough thought at all. The power that issue these regulations (almost every time overnight) do not have the capability or the will to consider the consequences beforehand.

Remember the 90/180 rule: It failed, mainly because the rule was ill planned, and it turned out that counting days (to 90 or 180) is beyond the qualification of many of the clerks that were supposed to enforce them.

But it would have been so much easier to issue a rule that limits the total amount of stay in Thailand to say 180 days IN A CALENDAR YEAR. Much easier to enforce, much easier to calculate.

Then the discrimination of land border crossing stamps, as always without further notice, thereby causing lots of grief to perfectly legitimate tourists who made their travel plans considering the Visa regulations, and were caught in a trap. I know of some that were planning a three month trip to Thailand with several planned and often prepaid visits to neighboring countries, including choosing more convenient land crossings in several cases. Once they started their trip, all seemed ok. Only coming back from a 4 day trip to Cambodia they realized that they have been shortchanged by the rule makers, and had expensive pre-booked and prepaid Hotels in Thailand to cancel in order to go on an impromptu trip they had never wanted to do, just to conform to some erratic and insensitive rules.

I also don't understand the problem that people staying here for long term seem to make. I remember to have read that most of the farangs that were caught in criminal activities while in Thailand were on perfectly valid Visas. So having a legitimate Visa does in no way stop you from being a criminal. Looking at these figures it might even make more sense to clamp down on holders of Visas.

In case there is a rule that holders of certain passports can get a 30 (or 15 or whatever) stamp at a border, I see no way one could ABUSE this system at all! Nowhere is it written how long or short a holiday has to be to qualify as a holiday. Perpetual tourists are a reality these days, and most of them have absolutely legit funds, no reason to suspect them as criminals per se.

Illegal working? Sure, it is a problem, and I have little doubt that almost all foreigners abuse and act in contrary to the work permit laws. As working is defined by, eh, "working", and all of this is subject to limitations, you cant do a lot at all in Thailand that cannot be considered working, at all. Maintain your jobs Email correspondence, mend your garden, drive a car, undergo training (as a sports pro) it all clamps down on working. And even if you have a work permit, your job description and place of works usually makes it impossible to follow both the rules imposed and the aim of your job. This rule is that stupid and non-enforceable, that everyone here is breaking it on a daily basis. Some more than others.

[monekyface]

"A foreigner who has entered the kingdom four (4) consecutive times on 15 days tourist exemption stamps, will not be allowed to leave the country and reenter Thailand. The only option is to exit Thailand and re-enter via an international airport, which will allow a further 30 day stay."

I don't understand. Everyone seems to be saying "go get a tourist visa, loser!" But this quote says that "an international airport" is the only option. So in other words, if I have these four consecutive entries, I am not allowed to take a bus to Laos or to Cambodia and get a tourist visa and come back. I have to fly. This seems to be aimed at propping up an ailing airline industry more than it targets any class of foreign visitor.

Does the count begin on June 1 for these four exemption stamps, or is this retroactive?

I've been using the 15-day stamps because I am close to the border so it is cheap and easy. Also if I organize a company and get a business visa then I have to hire four Thais. That is the law in this province. My business supports me and my significant other, and contributes to the local economy- virtually all of my income is cycled through the locals in one way or another whether it is buying goods and services or business expenses or materials for resale. We eat local food, use transportation, rent here, and contribute to the local economy in many ways.

I agree that Thailand can make their own rules and we are to respect them as we are visitors here. But to paint all of the border-runners as pedophiles and drunks with no contribution to make, well, that is simply not the case. It might be time to move to Bangkok where I only have to hire one Thai worker when I formalize the business paperwork. The monthly filings and fees will still run about 400USD not counting the single employee’s salary. It's more pleasant to live where I do now and it is better for me to invest directly in the economy than in new clothing and cars for the beauracrats, but such is life.

[Robbie Dye]

it is not good what the immigration and the country is doing to the foreigners.

first they make all the tourist visas free and now they are making border runs short to stay.

as to before they were 3 months and now they only give two months.

what will happen next???

I think this is a perfectly reasonable and sensible step and will help remove the "dodgers" of whom there are any number.

[fabianfred]

Far too many poster here with the "I'm alright jack....sod you!" attitude...

I only hope their comfortable lives don't experience any difficulties and cause them to have any worries.....

To class all those who live here with minimal spending power as being unworthy or filthy trash is an extremely prejudiced attitude ....don't forget 'what goes around, comes around'....

[Moonrakers]

What's the problem, people screaming how it will make it more difficult and more expensive... How?

It won't affect tourists. The usual 30 day on arrival will normally be enough and if not then they can get a tourist visa before they leave. Not much change there really, OK some might get caught by the short notice but that can be dealt with easy enough.

Long term stayers: Let's say that a Poi-Pet visa run costs 2,500 baht per run, that's 5,000 baht/month or 15,000 baht for 3 months. For 15,000 baht you can fly to Laos and get a tourist visa. So it is no more expensive is it?

More difficult: Well I would consider having to go to Cambodia every 2 weeks much more of a pain in the arse than a trip to Laos every 3 months and if I understand correctly in Laos a double entry tourist visa can be obtained.

The only type of person that I can that I can think of that will be negatively affected by this are those who cannot raise a 15,000 baht lump sum for a trip every 3 months.

Edited June 2, 2009 by Moonrakers

[dman961]

Luck im a 3 year overstayer

good boy, best way if u never plan on leaving.

[Moonrakers]

One more thing.

I remember well when the limitless 1 month visa runs where ended. How so many where screaming about how it makes it so difficult, "THEY" don't want us here, it's terrible etc etc. I remember very well because I was on of them.

However, the new rules actually lead me to realise just how much more convenient a visa run once every 3 months was. I can't think of why I never did it before, but maybe a few on here will soon realise that it really is not a bad thing.

[epicstuff]

it is not good what the immigration and the country is doing to the foreigners.

first they make all the tourist visas free and now they are making border runs short to stay.

as to before they were 3 months and now they only give two months.

what will happen next???

It serves them right. No one should be staying in Thailand doing 15 day border runs. Go and buy a bloody visa, it can't be any easier.

If you can't afford to buy a visa then you are exactly the type of foreigner Thailand does not want....or need.

Soundsnlike your the sort of guy who thinks only the well off are aloud to cross borders and the only people who should live in Thailand are the rich white falang and the poor locals who we can make clean our villas for peanuts.

The reasons the enforcements and crackdowns are a farce . is

1 . that they are not making it harder for the undesirables. There are many foreigners trying to set up legitimate businesses on small budget who are in love with the country or a woman. Not all people are privileged to have massive business start up capital , and although want to do the right thing are forced to try duck under the radar until they can properly establish their business. I can understand this , as trying to do things by the book is an expensive and complicated procedure, , work permits Business visas, tax retunes , accountants fees, etc Unless your business can instantly turn a profit , you drown before you start

2. ( I wont publish details of my experiences as I don’t want to attract trouble) but many immigration police and officials are as bent as it comes ( worse than the police ) and it is very easy for the undesirables to pay off people and bypass the whole system anyway.

Then of course theres the group who ignore the whole visa thing completely save a fortune not doing runs and fees. And just pay the maximum charge leaving the country when they eventually decide to do so..

The system penalizes good people in my view. Easy victims.

The whole 'leave the country' thing is a croquet of shit and totally unnecessary. Maybe its done just to create employment for tour companies or give extra posts for officials to be moved to when they’ve been slapped on the wrist for some other naughtiness.

[fabianfred]

A poor country needs all the jobs it can get, expats, tourists, foreign investment all create jobs. Why discourage ANY of those?

The Government don't care about the little people of thailand and their lives....only care about 'face'.......their own perceived face from having a country seen as the sex capital of asia... or other things irrelevant to the ordinary thai people who only want to make a living...

[Moonrakers]

<deleted>.

Please excuse my netiquette but:

THESE CHANGES MAKE OBTAINING VISAS NO MORE EXPENSIVE.

For a few near the borders it might not be the case, but for the vast majority then no change.

[kurtgruen]

Mexico (enforcement can vary)

BTW, you CAN STILL stay here for years with NO VISA. Just FLY IN instead.

Not sure about other Nationalities, but for us Canadians, the Mexican visa regulations are great...Get on a cheap airplane, fill out a tourist card on the way down, which gives you a six month stay (no cost for the tourist card)....if you really want to stay down there longer (which I never did), cross the border for a day and get another six month upon return...to be repeated indefinitely as one wishes to do so.

I had spent 10 winters down there, before I started coming to Thailand. I found Mexico generally to be quite friendly, at least in the villages where I stayed, but they did have more of the "Macho" and sometimes racist males there. (Usually drunk). I find Thailand to be much friendlier that way.

In fact, Thailand is probably the friendliest country I have ever lived in, so maybe it's a good thing, if they are trying to keep the foreign "RiffRaff" out

[ubonjoe]

"A foreigner who has entered the kingdom four (4) consecutive times on 15 days tourist exemption stamps, will not be allowed to leave the country and reenter Thailand. The only option is to exit Thailand and re-enter via an international airport, which will allow a further 30 day stay."

I don't understand. Everyone seems to be saying "go get a tourist visa, loser!" But this quote says that "an international airport" is the only option. So in other words, if I have these four consecutive entries, I am not allowed to take a bus to Laos or to Cambodia and get a tourist visa and come back. I have to fly. This seems to be aimed at propping up an ailing airline industry more than it targets any class of foreign visitor.

Does the count begin on June 1 for these four exemption stamps, or is this retroactive?

I've been using the 15-day stamps because I am close to the border so it is cheap and easy. Also if I organize a company and get a business visa then I have to hire four Thais. That is the law in this province. My business supports me and my significant other, and contributes to the local economy- virtually all of my income is cycled through the locals in one way or another whether it is buying goods and services or business expenses or materials for resale. We eat local food, use transportation, rent here, and contribute to the local economy in many ways.

I agree that Thailand can make their own rules and we are to respect them as we are visitors here. But to paint all of the border-runners as pedophiles and drunks with no contribution to make, well, that is simply not the case. It might be time to move to Bangkok where I only have to hire one Thai worker when I formalize the business paperwork. The monthly filings and fees will still run about 400USD not counting the single employee's salary. It's more pleasant to live where I do now and it is better for me to invest directly in the economy than in new clothing and cars for the beauracrats, but such is life.

You can leave from a border crossing but you can't come back at border crossing unless you have a visa if you have reached the 4th entry. You could also leave at a border crossing and fly back if you wanted to.

There is nothing that I can see that says you have ti fly out.

The count began yesterday. I read a report before this one was started that a person had gotten the number one was written on his entry stamp.

The work permit rules are the same in every provence. Four Thais to every foreign worker unless you are married to a Thai and then it is 2.

[ubonjoe]

What's the problem, people screaming how it will make it more difficult and more expensive... How?

It won't affect tourists. The usual 30 day on arrival will normally be enough and if not then they can get a tourist visa before they leave. Not much change there really, OK some might get caught by the short notice but that can be dealt with easy enough.

Long term stayers: Let's say that a Poi-Pet visa run costs 2,500 baht per run, that's 5,000 baht/month or 15,000 baht for 3 months. For 15,000 baht you can fly to Laos and get a tourist visa. So it is no more expensive is it?

More difficult: Well I would consider having to go to Cambodia every 2 weeks much more of a pain in the arse than a trip to Laos every 3 months and if I understand correctly in Laos a double entry tourist visa can be obtained.

The only type of person that I can that I can think of that will be negatively affected by this are those who cannot raise a 15,000 baht lump sum for a trip every 3 months.

Agree it makes no sense to me making border runs every 2 weeks unless you live directly on the border and if you are on the Lao or Cambodia border you still have to pay for a visa.

A 2 entry Tourist visa can be gotten in Laos.

You can even fly out every 4 weeks to KL cheaper than 2 border runs. Check the fares on Air Asia,

[leonn]

because the free visas in the embassies are ending. they are going to have another big meeting to extend it or even not.

but i think for sure they will be taking money again for the tourist visas,

because many tourist make this to have a longer stay. it dose not mater if they would have to pay or not. but to get it they will pay anyway.

it was just an attraction to get people a longer visit to thailand for free with out the visa runs

but many longstays that do not have a lot in the pocket was a good time to save money for a about six months not to pay all the visa runs they should have been making.

but still many will say the same thing which i hear all the time.

"why do these thai make so many regulation, cambodia, and the phillipines have no strickt regulation on this."

but still i see them every time making the visa run and still live in thailand, and look for other ways to make their stay longer.

YES; UP TOMORROW: 3.6.2009 they will be again start taking money for the tourist visa as i informed from thai consolate in abroad.

[think_too_mut]

My take on it is this: If you have family here, you have every right to stay. That is a fundamental human right. If you have an idea to be productive, create value, directly employ people and pay taxes to the Thai revenue department , then you are welcome. But if you are neither of these, then you have no right to simply stay here and make no net contribution to society.

There was one indirect, unintentional contribution: why did Bangkok Pattaya Hospital erect another wing, effectively doubling itself?

To fleece health insurances of all those retirees there, while it lasts.

Even when creating a considerable number of jobs, this 'contribution" has had one hard side effect that will hit Thais where it hurts, literally: it has also drained doctors and health workers from surrounding area hospitals, making the public health scheme even less bearable. The doctors went for money to look after irreparable oldies farangs while leaving able population without or with cranky medical care.

One doctor told me 4 years ago - the Sri Racha Naval Hospital, with state of the art expensive equipment is idling. All doctors and staff trained to use and operate the equipment have left for better money in farang oriented hospitals.

So, with all the retirees money, for Thais things are getting just worse, infrastructure more stretched and cost of living just going up. The deterioration is visible with bare eye. Who would welcome that?

It's not the fault of the retirees but it is the effect of their presence what they have brought upon local Thais. So, when claiming entitlements as that idiot who built a house, think that as well. Forget about supporting 1 immediate family, it's the aggregate force of farangs altogether that does damage to those locals not personally related to (non-tourist) foreigners.

[nick123]

Hi,

There's much to say about the new border run restriction, but guess most could agree that commencing a regulation like without prior notice is simply ... not polite... amongst other things... to say to least...

My passport is nearly full and consequently (because not enough pages for the Laos and the Thai visa I need to go to Vientiane) need to do a few more border runs before my new passport arrives. Have already four 15 day border stamps in my passport.

1. Would like to know if the new rule starts from 1st June, which would mean I could get another 4 stamps (need 2 max.). Or are they counting all consecutive border run stamps already in the passport?

2. Would greatly appreciate any input from anyone who has been to Mae Sai immigration since 1st June.

3. If they do not let me out the country at Mae Sai, would they do so at Chiang Khong if I explain that I will catch the boat to Luang Prabang and retrun to Chiang Mai by plane?

Thanks

[IMA_FARANG]

As usual they are completely ignoring the real problem.

For many people there are no real alternative or very poor alternatives to visa runs. I am one of the lucky ones that got my investment visa in place before they were terminated, but if you are below 50 and wish to stay in Thailand your options are limited.

'Give us your money and get the hel_l out!!', seems to be all they really want.

I don't want to be harsh, but if you can't afford to fly to Penang (or take the train) snd get a 60 day tourist visa, you probably shouldn't be in Thailand.

Are you spending most of your time and money buying booze and p#ssy? What value are you to Thailand, if that's all you do here?

I understand "vacations" and I've done them before, spending as much time in Thailand as I could. But I've always known I had to leave and go back to work to get the funds for my next "vacation".

If you can't afford the price of a tourist visa, then you shouldn't be in Thailand as a "tourist".

Edited June 2, 2009 by IMA_FARANG

[ubonjoe]

Hi,

There's much to say about the new border run restriction, but guess most could agree that commencing a regulation like without prior notice is simply ... not polite... amongst other things... to say to least...

My passport is nearly full and consequently (because not enough pages for the Laos and the Thai visa I need to go to Vientiane) need to do a few more border runs before my new passport arrives. Have already four 15 day border stamps in my passport.

1. Would like to know if the new rule starts from 1st June, which would mean I could get another 4 stamps (need 2 max.). Or are they counting all consecutive border run stamps already in the passport?

2. Would greatly appreciate any input from anyone who has been to Mae Sai immigration since 1st June.

3. If they do not let me out the country at Mae Sai, would they do so at Chiang Khong if I explain that I will catch the boat to Luang Prabang and retrun to Chiang Mai by plane?

Thanks

How long does to get a passport? That's 2 months already.

1 The count started on the 1st of June. A report yesterday said that they are numbering the stamps.

A person got number 1 yesterday.

2. Not sure it has started there yet.

3. They will not stop you from leaving. You just can't re-enter by land.

[george]

Hi,

There's much to say about the new border run restriction, but guess most could agree that commencing a regulation like without prior notice is simply ... not polite... amongst other things... to say to least...

My passport is nearly full and consequently (because not enough pages for the Laos and the Thai visa I need to go to Vientiane) need to do a few more border runs before my new passport arrives. Have already four 15 day border stamps in my passport.

1. Would like to know if the new rule starts from 1st June, which would mean I could get another 4 stamps (need 2 max.). Or are they counting all consecutive border run stamps already in the passport?

2. Would greatly appreciate any input from anyone who has been to Mae Sai immigration since 1st June.

3. If they do not let me out the country at Mae Sai, would they do so at Chiang Khong if I explain that I will catch the boat to Luang Prabang and retrun to Chiang Mai by plane?

Thanks

My take: I guess you will not be allowed a new 15 days entry into Thailand, and they will tell you that when you try to exit.

[tartempion]

Visas for Thailand are easy if you are british and you want to come for holiday no problem if you want to stay longer then get the correct Visa If you cant afford the correct Visa then get back to where you came from. Try getting a Visa for UK or USA if you are a Thai and then maybe you will see how easy it is for Brits to get visas for Thailand

Let me tell you I paid 62 euro last year and took two visits to the Vietnam and embassy and one week to get a simple tourist visa, there will not be a repeat visit to Vietnam because of the hassle, not worth it.

I can also tell you I live 120kms from Vientiane and was it not for the 1300 Baht I need to pay at the border for a visa I would go over there each month as a day tourist.

Now I went there once and won't return.

So if Thailand would give tourists a free 90 days stamp arriving at Swampy all would be very easy and there would be a lot less border runs.

Too difficult to grasp for the authorities isn't?