I am leaving for Thailand in around 3 weeks (early April 2010, date to be confirmed). I will first be visiting my (Aussie + Thai) friends in Phuket for a week, then moving to BKK to stay for a total of around 90 days (including the first week).

In Bangkok, I hope to meet local entrepreneurs, while working on starting a new internet business. The company will not be founded in Thailand, it will not be generating profit from Thai locals and I will not be getting income (since the company will be in its early stages), and instead living from savings. The goal is to live cheaply and use my free time to work on starting a location independent company.

Since I do not know my return date, I also would prefer to buy a two one-way tickets (plus the ticket from Phuket to BKK), instead of a return ticket. What do I need to do so that I can use a one-way ticket into Thailand?

I phoned a local Consulate (in Brisbane, Australia) today, and I was told that I could only get a 60 day tourist visa (when telling them I planned on visiting for 3 months to visit Thai friends). So it seems they might not be very helpful.

I do have friends who own Thai businesses that I might be able to use in some way, however I would not be working for them.

Failing any other visas, I can fall back on a 60 day tourist visa with a 30 day extension (I believe).

So, I am after advice on:

- what type of visa to get for 90 days stay?

- how can I use a one way ticket to arrive? Will I be suspicious or have money checks and such?

- how can I easily obtain a non-immigration O visa? (is posting a application the best way?)

If possible I think that getting a non-immigration O would be best.

1. Either a single-entry non-immigrant "O" visa or single-entry tourist visa with 30 day extension will give you the asked for 90 day stay in Thailand.

2. You need to ask one of the many Thai embassies or consulates in Australia if you qualify for a non-immigrant "O", it's up to them. Perth has been mentioned as being "friendly".

3. The one-way ticket issue is controlled by airline policy, with a visa you should be ok. People use one-way tickets and a visa all the time for travel to Thailand.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by InterestedObserver

I just called them up and made it sound like my trip was more business related ( as i guess entrepreneurship is) and they recommended a non-immigration B type visa.

From what I gather, they are the same price, and I was told that I would be eligible (if I provided a supporting letter from a business), so should I apply for the B type instead?

Other then their definitions, are there really any differences between O and B type?

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by wakoinc

Certainly if you inquire about a business related trip they will recommend a non-immigrant "B" visa, the Thai embassy or consulate is just trying to accommodate your wishes. The "B" would be best, followed by the "O", followed by a tourist visa; for a simple, single 90 day trip to visit friends and talk business opportunities it really doesn't matter, get whatever visa you can. Further down the road, if and when you need a work permit, then a "B" visa will be required.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by InterestedObserver

Look into getting a APEC business travel card from Aussie imigration. It gives you basically 90 days in all Apec countries. No visa required and fast track thru all immigration points. Cost is A$200 and the card last for 3 years. APEC = Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/apec/ this is the link

rgds

Thanks all for the advice.

Look into getting a APEC business travel card from Aussie imigration. It gives you basically 90 days in all Apec countries. No visa required and fast track thru all immigration points. Cost is A$200 and the card last for 3 years. APEC = Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/apec/ this is the link

rgds

And A$200 is very cheap considering you never have to pay for visas for any of the

other of the APEC members......including China and Vietnam......

Its such a valuable little card

Yep, I am applying for the APEC Card. I am really impressed that something like this exists and

is affordable, with awesome benefits. Sending my application off tomorrow.

If it fails, I will get a 60 day tourist and then extend it for 30 days in Thailand.

Just be aware they do not approve APEC cards easily anymore. They really scrutinize the application.

Just be aware they do not approve APEC cards easily anymore. They really scrutinize the application.

and about time too !!! It was getting to be a joke with every bozo with a homemade business card applying rather than legitimate users. I know that the Malays seriously considered pulling out of the scheme because of the amount of "white trash" turning up at the airport with APEC card in hand and demanding their 90 day entry. Just renewed mine for the 3rd time and it definately took a lot longer this time.

Just be aware they do not approve APEC cards easily anymore. They really scrutinize the application.

and about time too !!! It was getting to be a joke with every bozo with a homemade business card applying rather than legitimate users. I know that the Malays seriously considered pulling out of the scheme because of the amount of "white trash" turning up at the airport with APEC card in hand and demanding their 90 day entry. Just renewed mine for the 3rd time and it definately took a lot longer this time.

I didn’t experience that with my 3rd renewal ?

If there is any delay I think you will find it is all because of just one or two less efficient countries.

I usually track the progress of the application online and most countries still process the application very quickly.

Last time it was just Peru and Papua New Guinea that took for ever to give clearance.

Of course you can if you need to overcome that by accepting an “ interim card “.

By the way can you please quote your source regarding your comment " I know that the Malays seriously considered pulling out of the scheme because of the amount of "white trash" turning up at the airport " - who told you this or where did you read this because i find it very hard to believe ?

Just be aware they do not approve APEC cards easily anymore. They really scrutinize the application.

and about time too !!! It was getting to be a joke with every bozo with a homemade business card applying rather than legitimate users. I know that the Malays seriously considered pulling out of the scheme because of the amount of "white trash" turning up at the airport with APEC card in hand and demanding their 90 day entry. Just renewed mine for the 3rd time and it definately took a lot longer this time.

I didn’t experience that with my 3rd renewal ?

If there is any delay I think you will find it is all because of just one or two less efficient countries.

I usually track the progress of the application online and most countries still process the application very quickly.

Last time it was just Peru and Papua New Guinea that took for ever to give clearance.

Of course you can if you need to overcome that by accepting an “ interim card “.

By the way can you please quote your source regarding your comment " I know that the Malays seriously considered pulling out of the scheme because of the amount of "white trash" turning up at the airport " - who told you this or where did you read this because i find it very hard to believe ?

My "source" is well placed within the Malaysian government who also happens to be a client ( hence one of the reasons for the need for an APEC card on my behalf) and it was mentioned in passing amongst other topics of conversation on that afternoon. Take it for what it is.

Peru and PNG have been good this time. Still waiting for Indonesia. Brunei was the worst last time. Chile refused to recognise it when I tried to use it the first time Santiago, 2nd time and subsequent times have been fine so the message must have gotten through.