Obtaining A Re-entry Permit At The Airport

[Ken]

In the past on this forum I have read that one can obtain a re-entry permit at the airport (as you exit or just before exiting), but I don't ever remembering reading the method to do it. The "search" engine here isn't helping me find any info so I'm asking now. In the past I have always got the re-entry at the immigration office at Suan Plu, downtown Bangkok. However I am now planning a trip next month and needing a re-entry permit that I don't have at the moment. I might like to persue getting this at the airport if it can be done there. Can anybody tell me how do I get this done at the airport?

I am on a "support Thai wife" extension (permitted to stay to April 8, 2006). Thanks for any help.

[lopburi3]

You must have boarding card so you need to arrive early and check in. Then head for the re entry permit desk which have been told is upstairs in Terminal 1. Be sure to have photos and fill out application and pay the fee. People say it only takes about 20 minutes (although I KNOW it would take me more time than I have).

[Ken]

Thank you for the reply and info "lopburi3". I was hoping to get some replies from people who may have actually done this. I am a bit leary to just "try" it this way, and then find out it's a problem, so I suppose I will have to "bite the bullet" and plan an extra day to Bangkok to get the permit. However, if I do decide to get it at the airport, I'll post again how it went.

[jayenram]

Thank you for the reply and info "lopburi3".  I was hoping to get some replies from people who may have actually done this.  I am a bit leary to just "try" it this way, and then find out it's a problem, so I suppose I will have to "bite the bullet" and plan an extra day to Bangkok to get the permit.  However, if I do decide to get it at the airport, I'll post again how it went.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've done it twice.

As has been said, you need a boarding card before they will process your application. Take the boarding card, your passport, a photo (or was it 2 - no matter), Bht 1,000 (single re-entry) and fill out the form. The "booth" is in terminal 1 just to the right of the screen for passport control. Unless they are very busy, should take no longer than 20 minutes, although, if your leaving from terminal 2 you will need to run about a bit.

[Ken]

Thanks for the "update" Jaye. Now I feel a bit more comfortable going for it. Thanks.

[WilliamIV]

Ken

Please see my post at foot of Page 2 on thread

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...pic=25218&st=15

bill

[Ajarn]

Is the single-entry re-entry at the airport for 1000 baht any different from the 1900 baht single re-entry stamp I got at immigration?

[lopburi3]

Is the single-entry re-entry at the airport for 1000 baht any different from the 1900 baht single re-entry stamp I got at immigration?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When did you pay 1,900 baht for a re entry stamp? That is the cost of a TM.7 extension not for re entry.

[Ajarn]

Is the single-entry re-entry at the airport for 1000 baht any different from the 1900 baht single re-entry stamp I got at immigration?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When did you pay 1,900 baht for a re entry stamp? That is the cost of a TM.7 extension not for re entry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got it at CM immigration in February..... Maybe I'm confusing the price with the extension fee, which I also paid the same day.

[lopburi3]

Is the single-entry re-entry at the airport for 1000 baht any different from the 1900 baht single re-entry stamp I got at immigration?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When did you pay 1,900 baht for a re entry stamp? That is the cost of a TM.7 extension not for re entry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got it at CM immigration in February..... Maybe I'm confusing the price with the extension fee, which I also paid the same day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's an easy mistake that I always have to think twice about but one of the reasons the multi entry at 3,800 is not that inviting if you do not travel much.

[jackr]

Thank you for the reply and info "lopburi3".  I was hoping to get some replies from people who may have actually done this.  I am a bit leary to just "try" it this way, and then find out it's a problem, so I suppose I will have to "bite the bullet" and plan an extra day to Bangkok to get the permit.  However, if I do decide to get it at the airport, I'll post again how it went.

I've done it twice.

As has been said, you need a boarding card before they will process your application. Take the boarding card, your passport, a photo (or was it 2 - no matter), Bht 1,000 (single re-entry) and fill out the form. The "booth" is in terminal 1 just to the right of the screen for passport control. Unless they are very busy, should take no longer than 20 minutes, although, if your leaving from terminal 2 you will need to run about a bit.

Are they open all hours?

[Ajarn]

Is the single-entry re-entry at the airport for 1000 baht any different from the 1900 baht single re-entry stamp I got at immigration?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When did you pay 1,900 baht for a re entry stamp? That is the cost of a TM.7 extension not for re entry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got it at CM immigration in February..... Maybe I'm confusing the price with the extension fee, which I also paid the same day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's an easy mistake that I always have to think twice about but one of the reasons the multi entry at 3,800 is not that inviting if you do not travel much.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Funny how that 3800 had somehow become 4900 in my mind

Thanks for the reality check(s), Lop

[Ken]

Hey folks, thanks for all the replies concerning this. That was a good link WilliamIV and good info. Considering all of this, I think, for me, my best "bet" is to go to Bangkok the evening before my flight and then go to immigration downtown first thing in the morning and get it done there. My flight doesn't leave until 1:30 PM, so if I do it this way, I should have plenty of time and not have to worry about what "might" happen at the airport. But in a pinch, it's good to know that it can be done at the airport if "Murphy's Law" doesn't mess with you. Thanks again.

[lopburi3]

It may take two hours or even more to do in Bangkok (they have stacks to do) and you would still have to get to airport and check in - for a one thirty flight that could be close. Go early to airport and do it there would be best I believe.

[jackr]

Are they open all hours?

[lopburi3]

Suan Plau is not open all hours. Airport is.

[Neeranam]

Suan Plau is not open all hours. Airport is.

Just checking, but are you saying that the immigration at the airport is open 24 hours? I can get a permit at 3am?

I just got my permit yesterday as I was renewing my visa. I thought as I am not leaving until August I couldn't get it, but they advised me that it was ok.

So, if you know you are leaving the country once a year, just get the re-entry permit when you get your extension, takes about 5 min.

[lopburi3]

Suan Plau is not open all hours. Airport is.

Just checking, but are you saying that the immigration at the airport is open 24 hours? I can get a permit at 3am?

I just got my permit yesterday as I was renewing my visa. I thought as I am not leaving until August I couldn't get it, but they advised me that it was ok.

So, if you know you are leaving the country once a year, just get the re-entry permit when you get your extension, takes about 5 min.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes the airport is open 24 hours although you might have to wake someone up from a nap.

You received this in 5 minutes in Bangkok? Normal to have a queue here and be told to come back in an hour, two, four or whatever the height of the stack of passports.

[Indo-Siam]

Its been about three years since I used the airport reentry permit booth - but - at that time, it was "open" 24 hours because a clerk was required to sleep in the cubicle - with a cot and blanket. If you were on an "o-dark-thirty" flight, you had to wake him up by beating on the glass and screaming "khor toht" through the window slot.

I did this once - the guy finally woke up, rubbed his eyes, then left the booth, and disappeared through a security door into the rear area of the airport. I'm guessing he either went for a toilet break, or a cup of coffee, or both - he reappeared about 15 minutes later, then took another 10 minutes to set himself up, and then grudgingly handled my paperwork - and that took 15 monutes. I would definitely have missed my flight, had it not been delayed.

One other time, I ended up behind a whole gaggle of muslims headed out on the haj - in whiite gowns. I would have been out of luck, except I had a Thai Airways gold card, and went back to the ticket counter, and a Thai Airways "fixer" was assigned to square me away - and she simply pushed all the hajis out of the way, and told the reentry guy to drop what he was doing, and fix me up - and he did.

It's hit or miss - given the possible ramifications of a failure to get a re-entry permit, I recommend using Suan Phlu. But - if you get to airport early enough, it is definitely available.

Cheers!

Steve

Indo-Siam

[Neeranam]

You received this in 5 minutes in Bangkok? Normal to have a queue here and be told to come back in an hour, two, four or whatever the height of the stack of passports.

No, Nong Kai.

[jackr]

Cheers for that, Lop and IS. Think I'll do it the old fashioned way though. Don't want my bottom snatching when the wagon's sat on the tarmac.