Re-entry Thru Ranong With Double Entry Tourist Visa (advice / Experiences)

[gbrand]

Hi all - some advice or recent experiences regarding re-entering through Ranong with a double entry tourist visa would be much appreciated.

I currently have a double entry tourist visa that I obtained from Vientiane. A couple of days before the visa's 60 day expiry date, I was granted a 30 day extension at Phuket Immigration. Shortly, the 30 days will be up and I will have to complete a border crossing / 2nd entry to start the next 60 days of the visa.

My nearest border crossing is obviously Ranong, however I've heard conflicting reports from local "Visa Run" operators that the Thai Immigration Officials at Ranong will now ONLY grant 15 days, regardless of whether the holder has a valid "2nd entry" on their double entry visa (As we know, the 2nd entry should entitle the holder to a further 60 days, NOT 15 days)

As I went to a lot of trouble to get the visa in Vientiane - waiting 5 hours in the blazing heat with nearly 900 other hopefuls - I don't want to get to Ranong only to be grunted at by a surly Immigration Official after receiving a 15 day stamp in my passport.

I realise the rules seem to be changing every other day, but I'd be grateful to anyone that could clarify the current procedure in Ranong regarding a valid 2nd entry and how many days they were stamped.

Thanks in advance. G

[wtk]

if you have a visa you will get 60 days. if someone said something else then they are wrong and dont know what they are talking about

they might have confused your "visarun" with people who dont have visas, not sure

just make sure you go to ranong one day BEFORE the "enter before" date so that your visa wont be expired yet

[Lite Beer]

Yes. Check the expiry date of your Visa, not your permission to stay stamp.

[gbrand]

if you have a visa you will get 60 days. if someone said something else then they are wrong and dont know what they are talking about

they might have confused your "visarun" with people who dont have visas, not sure

just make sure you go to ranong one day BEFORE the "enter before" date so that your visa wont be expired yet

Thanks for the comments. I'll try Ranong and report back on the outcome.

[Lite Beer]

You will get 60 days providing your Visa has not expired.

[Somtamnication]

And write your address (or any address you want) AND a phone number. They are getting really anal in Ranong.

[gbrand]

Hi all..... I completed the visa-run to Ranong last week and am happy to report back that Thai Immigration honoured the 2nd entry of my double-entry tourist visa (giving me 60 days)

However, the immigration official certainly wasn't enthusiastic about it. After I politely pointed to the visa in my passport, he kept me standing at the window a lot longer than the other farangs.

He checked through every page of my passport at least 4 times. I thought it was "touch and go" there for a minute as he reached for the 15 day stamp.

Again, I politely pointed to my visa. It was only then that he begrudgingly stamped the passport for 60 days.

Then he smiled and said have a nice day - I'm joking of course. He just flicked the passport back at me as if to say "you're lucky this time smart arse" .

So, although I'm pleased to have the 60 days - please keep in mind that Ranong is becoming increasingly more difficult for visa runs.

As others on the forum have said before - to minimise any hassle, ensure ALL documents are filled out correctly and always remain calm and polite when dealing with immigration.

Just a side note: When presenting at consulates, embassies or even immigration check points, I'm constantly amazed at how scruffy and unwashed some westerners appear.

Surely, if people are applying to re-enter Thailand they could go to the extra effort of looking/sounding half decent. Beach shorts, flip-flops, dirty old singlets, unshaven, smelling of grog, loud and arrogant?

Doesn't exactly show any respect does it? Would we want them coming into our countries?

Thanks again to those that responded to my enquiry.

G