18 Year Old Moving To Thailand?

[lazygourmet]

You have to show an exiting flight ticket when getting a 60 day tourist visa.

Wrong!

I am just back from Belgium, with a -new- tourist visa, on a the second leg of my return ticket bought in Bangkok a month ago.

And I am doing this, at least once a year, for the last ten years.

No, right actually. The OP is starting from the US. We are talking about the US Thai embassy and consulates.

Apologize, I thought that IATA rules were worldwide.

Anyway, to the OP: go for it!

I did my first round-the-world trip at the age of 17 -when finished high school- at these times the legal age to travel abroad alone, in Belgium, was 21!

Also, internet didn't exist, Lonely Planet were not yet published in Europe... and Western Union only available in capital cities.

[Jingthing]

I was talking specifically about the rules applied at the point of applying for VISAS in the US, not IATA rules.

[kevbomac05]

ya some good useful reply so far

never been out of the country before because family is poor and ive been working all year at a grocery store and saving money playing online poker

so i don't have that much money but if i get under 1000 i book my ticket back to Chicago

any more recommendations for a backpack for a 5 6 guy

im going to be bring 2 laptops with me a net-book and a pretty good size laptop so advice would be great

im excited about the adventure ahead, life is short im not naive about all the stuff that could happen or what not but i feel like if your a good person with good intentions it will work out \

i like to get my own education and traveling the world is it for me my writing is very poor never payed attention and got kicked out of school at 16

visa situation should i apply at the chicago consulate for the triple entry? now best way to get one with no proof of leaving flight?

im not gonna be one of those scummy tourists, i heard the Thai people are really nice i look forward to talking to some

[Jingthing]

OP, you are running out of time to get your visa situation sorted out.

Some points about the Chicago consulate.

Do NOT assume they will grant you a double or triple entry tourist visa. They may only grant you a single even if you ask for more entries; it is up to them.

Here is the text from their website. It implies but does not explicitly state that ticket out of Thailand within the first entry is needed. Implies because it only asks for a copy of your air itinerary. My feeling is if you send them your info for a one way ticket only that you won't even be granted a single entry.

Also note with multiple entries, you need to exit and re-enter Thailand to use the later entries, and all entries must be used before the expiration date specified by the consulate.

My opinion. Just apply for a single entry in Chicago and buy a one way air ticket that leaves Thailand before the end of the 60 day stay. Then if you want to stay longer you can go to Malaysia or Laos and apply for additional tourist visa entries once you are in S.E. Asia. Even then, there is no guarantee they will even grant you that single entry. They could decide to be hard assed and demand a RT back to the USA, the power is all in their hands.

If you decide to apply for multiple entries from Chicago, for example three, best to contact them and ask them how much money, if any, you need to send for three entries. They say it is free now for tourist visas, but best to ask for their specific policies right now, especially for multiple entries.

Qualification of person who apply Tourist visa

* Having the objective of the entrant as a tourist or seeking entrance as a patient requiring medical treatment in the Kingdom not over 60 days.

(in case of necessary reason, extension of stay not over 30 days can be done at Immigration Office)

* Having genuine and valid passport or document used in lieu of passport.

* Not be a person who is excluded from entering into the Kingdom under section 12, Section 14 and Section 16 of Immigration Act B.C. 2522 (A.D. 1979).

* Travelers over 12 years of age must have in hand money or bond transferable into Thai currency at least 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family.

Documents requirement for apply Tourist visa.

* Documents needed;

o Two photograph (size 2” x 2” color or black & white).

o Valid passport and having at least one visa blank page.

o Copy of flight Itenary.

* A visa application form be duly filled in and signed by applicant.

* Fee $35.00 per one entry. (Tourist visa will be exempted from visa fee from May 11, 2010 to March 31, 2011)

* If submitting by mail, a self - addressed envelope as well as sufficient postage for the return of passport by certified mail is required.

Edited September 4, 2010 by Jingthing

[neverdie]

Moving to Thailand PRICELESS.

I am setting off on an expedition to the antartic next week (I decided this morning), anyway, I've never been anywhere colder than Kanchanburi, do you think I will need to take socks?

[Jingthing]

Moving to Thailand PRICELESS.

I am setting off on an expedition to the antartic next week (I decided this morning), anyway, I've never been anywhere colder than Kanchanburi, do you think I will need to take socks?

Indeed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxGN29njs3Q

[AAACEEE]

im going to be bring 2 laptops with me a net-book and a pretty good size laptop so advice would be great

so what you are saying is you are going to bring 3-4 laptops ????

some advice 1 laptop is enough..!! specially if u are traveling all over ! from experience i can tell u the laptop always makes my luggage allot heavier and i just own one..

[neverdie]

im going to be bring 2 laptops with me a net-book and a pretty good size laptop so advice would be great

so what you are saying is you are going to bring 3-4 laptops ????

some advice 1 laptop is enough..!! specially if u are traveling all over ! from experience i can tell u the laptop always makes my luggage allot heavier and i just own one..

Why not just stay at home and do a virtual tour of Thailand. With all those screens around you it would almost become a virtual thailand. Much cheaper and you don't have to worry about the expensive airfare, insurance, backpack and tuktuk rip offs.

You do have travel insurance don't you OP?

[chops]

get a work permit, then a job as a teacher, and you can live here til you're tired of it. that is what I would suggest.

but please don't end up broke here.. we have too many of those types in Thailand.

[StreetCowboy]

Moving to Thailand PRICELESS.

I am setting off on an expedition to the antartic next week (I decided this morning), anyway, I've never been anywhere colder than Kanchanburi, do you think I will need to take socks?

? What could possibly go wrong? He'll be fine...

Let's hope his luggage goes astray, so that those two laptops don't get stolen in the first day...

Seriously, leave one lap top at home, and the other one in the office. There are plenty of internet cafes, and the last thing you need is luggage.

Get the smallest backpack that you can without compromising your virility, as well. But bring plenty of cotton socks - its all bloody man-made fibres here, and the last thing you want is static electricity setting fire to you Mae Khong breath in the morning...

SC

[tso310]

Best of luck. Please keep us all informed of what happens.

[neverdie]

Best of luck. Please keep us all informed of what happens.

Chances are you will end up reading about it in the Bangkok Post The Nation newspaper.

[Jingthing]

get a work permit, then a job as a teacher, and you can live here til you're tired of it. that is what I would suggest.

but please don't end up broke here.. we have too many of those types in Thailand.

An 18 year old high school dropout with poor English skills getting a work permit to teach English? Okie dokie.

[neverdie]

get a work permit, then a job as a teacher, and you can live here til you're tired of it. that is what I would suggest.

but please don't end up broke here.. we have too many of those types in Thailand.

An 18 year old high school dropout with poor English skills getting a work permit to teach English? Okie dokie.

He's probably got more chance of becoming a fluff boy for some nice tall lady with big hands, somewhere along beach road . I can't imagine the position pays much tho

[Tonto21]

Hi Kevbomac05………As the saying go’s; Life is a journey, not a destination. I admire your spirit, but what’s the rush? Only one certainty with this planed trip of yours……….You won’t get pregnant! The rest is anyone guess. Do you have any idea what you’re getting into? I’m not trying to discourage you from travelling to Asia. But why not a defined time period, say a month…Suck it and see. I’m pretty sure even Columbus took a rowing boat out on the pond before he sailed the Atlantic!

But whatever you decide, as someone’s already said get a…………. Berghaus,

Just a couple of thing to think about:

Not everyone is your friend, no matter how wide their smile is

Stay away from Drugs

Learn to point at thing with your lips, (think Mick Jagger)

Don’t end up, (after two weeks) living in Issan with your new girlfriends family.

Always…always have an exit plan….Run away!

Last bit of advice, Drink deep from the cup of life……………………and always wear a condom!

Have a ball.

[Jingthing]

He's probably got more chance of becoming a fluff boy for some nice tall lady with big hands, somewhere along beach road . I can't imagine the position pays much tho

Lady?

Another point. Didn't the OP mention he makes money on poker gambling sites? Aren't those sites BLOCKED in Thailand?

Edited September 4, 2010 by Jingthing

[neverdie]

He's probably got more chance of becoming a fluff boy for some nice tall lady with big hands, somewhere along beach road . I can't imagine the position pays much tho

Lady?

Another point. Didn't the OP mention he makes money on poker gambling sites? Aren't those sites BLOCKED in Thailand?

Maybe he can hang out at one of the border towns near a Cambodian Casino instead, almost sounds like a bullet proof plan. Gambling income, priceless . I wonder what the odds of this trip ending in tears?

[Jingthing]

He's probably got more chance of becoming a fluff boy for some nice tall lady with big hands, somewhere along beach road . I can't imagine the position pays much tho

Lady?

Another point. Didn't the OP mention he makes money on poker gambling sites? Aren't those sites BLOCKED in Thailand?

Maybe he can hang out at one of the border towns near a Cambodian Casino instead, almost sounds like a bullet proof plan. Gambling income, priceless . I wonder what the odds of this trip ending in tears?

Overall Cambodia is a better bet as he could easily just purchase an annual visa from a travel agent there. Nobody is rude enough to ask him how much moolah he is bringing.

[StreetCowboy]

8>< SNIP NESTED QUOTES DELETED ><8

Another point. Didn't the OP mention he makes money on poker gambling sites? Aren't those sites BLOCKED in Thailand?

Maybe he can hang out at one of the border towns near a Cambodian Casino instead, almost sounds like a bullet proof plan. Gambling income, priceless . I wonder what the odds of this trip ending in tears?

I'm sure if he can make money on-line gambling in the USA some hick town Cambodian casino will be easy pickings fro him.

What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure he'll be fine. I'm sure he'll make some nice friends that will help him find his way about...

SC

[Jingthing]

8>< SNIP NESTED QUOTES DELETED ><8

Another point. Didn't the OP mention he makes money on poker gambling sites? Aren't those sites BLOCKED in Thailand?

Maybe he can hang out at one of the border towns near a Cambodian Casino instead, almost sounds like a bullet proof plan. Gambling income, priceless . I wonder what the odds of this trip ending in tears?

I'm sure if he can make money on-line gambling in the USA some hick town Cambodian casino will be easy pickings fro him.

What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure he'll be fine. I'm sure he'll make some nice friends that will help him find his way about...

SC

Its sometimes hard to tell sarcasm from forum posts ...

[mmh8]

Don't listen to these incompetant excuses for humans

Do what your mum tells you, stay at uni and finish your education. Many around the world are not in the position of privilidge that you find yourself.

Once you are educated then grab your passport and say gud bye to the midddle east

ok son!

[Jingthing]

Don't listen to these incompetant excuses for humans

Do what your mum tells you, stay at uni and finish your education. Many around the world are not in the position of privilidge that you find yourself.

Once you are educated then grab your passport and say gud bye to the midddle east

ok son!

You assume just because a person lives in the USA they are in a position of

privilege? That's rich.

Edited September 4, 2010 by Jingthing

[mmh8]

Don't listen to these incompetant excuses for humans

Do what your mum tells you, stay at uni and finish your education. Many around the world are not in the position of privilidge that you find yourself.

Once you are educated then grab your passport and say gud bye to the midddle east

ok son!

You assume just because a person lives in the USA they are in a position of

privilege? That's rich.

oops, wrong post I thought this was the kid in kuwait who could not get a passport cos of his dad, will have to sort this out

Edited September 4, 2010 by mmh8

[StreetCowboy]

8>< SNIP NESTED QUOTES DELETED ><8

Another point. Didn't the OP mention he makes money on poker gambling sites? Aren't those sites BLOCKED in Thailand?

Maybe he can hang out at one of the border towns near a Cambodian Casino instead, almost sounds like a bullet proof plan. Gambling income, priceless . I wonder what the odds of this trip ending in tears?

I'm sure if he can make money on-line gambling in the USA some hick town Cambodian casino will be easy pickings fro him.

What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure he'll be fine. I'm sure he'll make some nice friends that will help him find his way about...

SC

Its sometimes hard to tell sarcasm from forum posts ...

Unless you can quote an example, I'm not going to believe you.

Anyway, err on the side of caution.

Err on the side. Oh, I wish I'd thought of that! 'Err indoors will be livid! (my apologies for a little spontaneous digession, I don't know what came over me...)

SC

[neverdie]

Don't listen to these incompetant excuses for humans

Do what your mum tells you, stay at uni and finish your education. Many around the world are not in the position of privilidge that you find yourself.

Once you are educated then grab your passport and say gud bye to the midddle east

ok son!

You assume just because a person lives in the USA they are in a position of

privilege? That's rich.

oops, wrong post I thought this was the kid in kuwait who could not get a passport cos of his dad, will have to sort this out

http://www.thaivisa....tionality-back/

You just did sort this out.

[Jingthing]

Not to pour it on (I lied, actually to pour it on) the OP may be interested what can happen to people who are caught in Thailand with expired visas/permissions to stay, etc. What happens is they are arrested and put in immigration prison. Then they must come up with an overstay fine and also a ticket out of Thailand. That isn't always very easy to arrange while in prison so that would mean a long stay in a Thai prison.

Won't get caught? Well, guesthouses are required to report all foreigners staying with them to immigration under law.

I realize the OP didn't say he intends to overstay, but do the math. Wants to move here, very little money, no ticket home, depending on illegal in Thailand gambling winnings, etc., etc.

I think a lot of people have this fantasy that Thailand is some kind of free for all country.

Next ...

Edited September 4, 2010 by Jingthing

[astral]

You will need a tourist visa, valid for 60 days.

Without a visa in your passport the airline will not take you on a one-way ticket.

Do not imagine you will be able to pick up casual work the way you might in the US.

In order to work in Thailand your employer will need to obtain a Work Permit for you.

To qualify for a Work Permit the employer must be able to show that there is no Thai

person who can do the job.

Therefore you are unlikely to get a job unless:

1. You have good qualifications, probably a university degree and

2. Several years of relevant experience.

Thailand is full of young Thai people seeking employment.

To compete you will have to be exceptional, and probably a fluent Thai speaker!

Buy a return ticket, and come and have a good holiday until your money runs out

then you can get home safely.

[jackr]

He WON'T get a work permit, so financing his trip while here is NOT an option.

Op says he earns money with computer. Guessing something to do with the internet/income through websites. If that's the case and is paid through bank at home, issue with permits etc is a non-issue.

[FarangSerbia]

He WON'T get a work permit, so financing his trip while here is NOT an option.

Op says he earns money with computer. Guessing something to do with the internet/income through websites. If that's the case and is paid through bank at home, issue with permits etc is a non-issue.

He is playing online poker for living, but other then that, you hit the spot.

Speaking of which, I know literally TONS of people who does the exact same thing. They play online poker for living in Thailand and recieve money on their bank accounts back at home. So you can forget about "You can't access poker sites in Thailand" crap...

[Thules]

OP. You have received a lot of good advice here, so when you've read it, I'm advising you to read it again. You can have an absolutely great adventure here, then again, you can have your worst nightmare also... as so many of your seniors 10, 20, 30 ,40 and 50 years older have found out already.

Go for your dream, with eyes wide open, but heed these posters' advice !!