Tourist Visa Denied In Vientiane. Laos

[vacationman]

Hello,

Thought we would provide some details of our recent Visa Run To Vientiane, LAOs

on November 16th - 17th, 2010.

We departed from the Bus Station at 8 p.m. in Chiang Mai on a VIP Bus via

Chackrapong Tour. We have never used them before and must say we were quite

disappointed. The VIP Bus was very OLD more like a 2nd class Bus with 3 rows of seats and AC.

We paid 618 baht for the VIP Bus.

We arrived late into Udon Thani almost 10 a.m. sooo was kind of forced to take a Taxi to the Border

due to time limitations. We got 5 people together and paid 150 baht each. Took 40 minutes to arrive at border.

At the Border almost NO ONE. We walked up and were the first ones in line to get stamped out.

Paid 15 baht each for the bus to cross the border.

In LOAS here again almost NO ONE. We walk directly up to the window and get application, pay our $35.00

in US Money. About 3 minutes later handed our Passport and LOAS VISA.

We get a Taxi for 3 people and 100 baht each to go to the Thai Embassy.

We arrive at the Thai Emabassy between 11 a.m. and 11. 15 a.m.

Again to our amazement almost NO ONE at the Embassy. Our Number was 211 but they called our number before we

had time to fill out the paperwork.

We walked directly to the window, The Lady and Man that normally work the window both were present.

I hand our paper work to the Lady.

She goes thru my passport first. I have THREE Double Entry Visa's in my Passport.

She states, I'm sorry sir, but with the NEW Directive from our boss you can NOT get another Tourist Visa.

She looks at my Filipino Wifes BRAND NEW Passport which only has ONE Double Entry Tourist Visa and

states and YOU can only get ONE MORE.

After a little bit of begging for ONE MORE for the Hubby, she says I'm sorry my boss will not sign off on it.

Sooo we didn't get RED STAMPED like you read about here on Thai Visa.... but might have if if forced the issue and

demanded that they process the VISA... Probally would have got RED STAMPED and Denied....

She states that we should return to the Border and get 15 days.

Soo that is what we did.

Take taxi directly back to the border cost 300 baht.

Cross over again with NO LINES at all.

Get taxi for 300 baht to take us directly to the Udon Thani Bus Station # 2 the one departing for Chiang Mai.

Arrive at Bus Station at 1.15 p.m. purchase ticket again with Chackrapong Tour on a 1st class Bus departing at 2.30 p.m.

Paid 526 Baht.

Only about 5 people boarded the bus. You could tell they did NOT want to leave.

This bus was MUCH WORST than the 1st bus... think Plastic Seats like on 2nd class bus. Only the bus driver, no workers like normal.

They did NOt give any water or food like they normally do on our past trips on a 1st or VIP Bus with other companys.

LESSONS LEARNED FOR THE FUTURE:

1. Try NOT to use Chackraporn Tour Buses if have other option.

2. Don''t do to many Tourist VISAS in a ROW.

3. It seems they might have a NEW Directive of a limit to TWO Bacak to Back Double Entry Tourist Visas in A Row

but we have NOT seen anything official.... just the word of the lady working at the embassy.

She was VERY Nice as always and very appolgetic that she could not help us.

HOW YOU Can help us:

Due to my wife being Filipino it is difficult to get her the same types of Visas that I can get as an American.

Based on your experience is it possible to get:

1. Volunteer Visa along with a Dependant Visa?

2. ED Visa along with a Dependant Visa?

Forgot to Mention I'm only 46 years old sooo a Retirement Visa is NOT an option for us.

Thanks for your help.

Edited November 18, 2010 by vacationman

[eek]

..thats a horribIy Iengthy and uncomfortabIe trip having gone on, onIy to be denied a visa. good Iuck.

Good Iuck with getting another visa ()

[ThaiPauly]

A torrid tale indeed, glad I have a retirement visa

Though ,of course I wish I was younger and could not get one

[LanxangBillybob]

Chackrapong tour is horrible. Unfortunately, if you tell the taxi/tuk tuk drivers you're going Chiang Mai/Udon, they bring you there to get their commission. There's another company - pronounced Aw Seuk Saa tour - it's excellent. Unfortunately it only runs every other day between Chiang Mai and Udon, and you have to reserve ahead of time as most people have had the unfortunate pleasure of travelling Chackrapong. Actually, I've got loads of horror stories - air con broke in sealed bus in 43 degree weather (standing room only), VIP bus with plastic chairs down the aisle...

I do hope you get your visa situation worked out.

[Ulysses G.]

Aw Seuk Saa tour is quite good and water and snacks provided for free. Very helpful staff.

[nattydread]

why not go to mae sai instead,...the vip bus leaves around 8am costs 660 baht and takes 4 hours.......songtaew to the border 20 baht..........500 baht to enter Myanmar......straight back over if u dont want any cheap dvds and home to CM by 9pm

[bangkokcitylimits]

Aw Seuk Saa tour is quite good and water and snacks provided for free. Very helpful staff.

Suksa tours is the window next to the crappy Tjsakkapong, at the Arcade busstation, they have the best buses to Udon called 'Super VIP' it's the blue doubledecker with door in the middle, best seat is downstairs, second row on the left side.

Personally I find the provided water disgusting, it taste like plastic, so I bring my own survival set, including also a set of earplugs, U-shaped neckpillow etc.

Annoying is 8:30 they switch off the lights and the passengers are expected to go sleep as if they are babies, making the night unnessesary long.

For the rest good luck with the visa stuff, I this situation I would probably have hired the (rather expensive) guys who wait outside the embassy to do the visa thing for me, perhaps they can get it more easy.

Edited November 18, 2010 by bangkokcitylimits

[thaimiller]

why not go to mae sai instead,...the vip bus leaves around 8am costs 660 baht and takes 4 hours.......songtaew to the border 20 baht..........500 baht to enter Myanmar......straight back over if u dont want any cheap dvds and home to CM by 9pm

Because you can't get a 2 month tourist visa on the border at mae sai only visa on arrival valid for 15 days. Unless of course you already have a proper visa nd you just need to leave the country on a visa run.

[bangkokcitylimits]

why not go to mae sai instead,...the vip bus leaves around 8am costs 660 baht and takes 4 hours.......songtaew to the border 20 baht..........500 baht to enter Myanmar......straight back over if u dont want any cheap dvds and home to CM by 9pm

Don't pay 500 baht but 10 dollar instead ! (ignore the sign, they DO accept dollars)

In Burma you can't get visa, but that way you can enter Thailand free and unlimited = every week

[bangkokcitylimits]

why not go to mae sai instead,...the vip bus leaves around 8am costs 660 baht and takes 4 hours.......songtaew to the border 20 baht..........500 baht to enter Myanmar......straight back over if u dont want any cheap dvds and home to CM by 9pm

Don't pay 500 baht but 10 dollar instead ! (ignore the sign, they DO accept dollars)

In Burma you can't get visa, but that way you can enter Thailand free and unlimited = every week

Your GF could contact members of this forum to share information. (i've a pinay gf myself, good choice )

xxxxxx

Edited November 18, 2010 by bazmlb
Link to other forum removed

[Ulysses G.]

I this situation I would probably have hired the (rather expensive) guys who wait outside the embassy to do the visa thing for me, perhaps they can get it more easy.

If one meets the current requirements, those guys are a waste of money. There are so few applicants right now that the whole thing is a breeze.

If one has some kind of problem, it is very possible that paying them will meet with the desired results, but I would not pay them until getting the visa if it is guaranteed.

Edited November 18, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[CheGuava]

Are all the references to there being "NO ONE there" intended to create the impression that you're thinking that Thailand would want higher numbers no matter what, and/or owes you something? Your handle captures it nicely: As a Vacationman you are entitled to a vacation, not de-facto indefinite Thailand-squatting using visas for purposes for which they are not intended.

Edited November 18, 2010 by CheGuava

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

give it some time. They have had some clamp down periods like last March and then back to business as usual.

Will also be interesting to see what happens when they start charging again for tourist visa's. The consulate will be making money again instead of working for free.

[bangkokcitylimits]

Are all the references to there being "NO ONE there" intended to create the impression that you're thinking that Thailand would want higher numbers no matter what, and/or owes you something? Your handle captures it nicely: As a Vacationman you are entitled to a vacation, not de-facto indefinite Thailand-squatting using visas for purposes for which they are not intended.

What ?

[millwall_fan]

Sadly and like it or not, the Thais are saying that the 60 day tourist visa is just that: a visa for the purposes of tourism. After 2 60 day entries - and many people add another 30 days at immigration, the authorities, kind of understandably feel at 150 days is enough for most people to explore Thailand as a tourist fairly thoroughly. The message is becoming increasingly clear. If you want to live here you have to get a non-immigrant visa. If you qualify for one, you'll get one, if you don't qualify then after 150 days or so, they'd like you to go home. That's the law and its more liberal than many countries. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear OP, but that's the case!

[anonymouse]

Sadly and like it or not, the Thais are saying that the 60 day tourist visa is just that: a visa for the purposes of tourism. After 2 60 day entries - and many people add another 30 days at immigration, the authorities, kind of understandably feel at 150 days is enough for most people to explore Thailand as a tourist fairly thoroughly. The message is becoming increasingly clear. If you want to live here you have to get a non-immigrant visa. If you qualify for one, you'll get one, if you don't qualify then after 150 days or so, they'd like you to go home. That's the law and its more liberal than many countries. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear OP, but that's the case!

The Hull consulate in the UK are still issuing triple entry tourist visa's so it seems to be ok for us Brits.

[thaimiller]

Sadly and like it or not, the Thais are saying that the 60 day tourist visa is just that: a visa for the purposes of tourism. After 2 60 day entries - and many people add another 30 days at immigration, the authorities, kind of understandably feel at 150 days is enough for most people to explore Thailand as a tourist fairly thoroughly. The message is becoming increasingly clear. If you want to live here you have to get a non-immigrant visa. If you qualify for one, you'll get one, if you don't qualify then after 150 days or so, they'd like you to go home. That's the law and its more liberal than many countries. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear OP, but that's the case!

The Hull consulate in the UK are still issuing triple entry tourist visa's so it seems to be ok for us Brits.

If your paying for a triple entry at Hull you may as well just apply for a non-o for the purpose of visiting friends, its multi-entry and lasts a year(well 15 months with an extension) for about 100 quid. I have a friend who got one before coming over here and the procedure took 15 minutes and he walked out with the year visa.

Edited November 18, 2010 by thaimiller

[nikster]

A torrid tale indeed, glad I have a retirement visa

Though ,of course I wish I was younger and could not get one

[nikster]

Will also be interesting to see what happens when they start charging again for tourist visa's. The consulate will be making money again instead of working for free.

Hmm... very good point there... you wouldn't think the embassy staff would directly profit from consulate income, but who knows...

[jan1van1hooten]

maybe this response is a bit off topic but ...

I seldom do "visa runs" anymore.

I have been getting a Free 2 month SINGLE ENTRY in Phnom Penh. Then I extend it for a month at chiang mai immigration. Then I might do ONE visa run for 15 days at Mae Sai

but then I would leave the country again because you are allowed the FREE two month single entry tourists visas TWICE within a six month period.

If you make sure to say long enough in Cambodia or Laos or wherever, then you can start another six months cycle. If you make sure to stay a month in the out country then you never violate the "six-month -2-tourist-visas" regulation.

The OP did worry me because I am planning to go to Laos next time, and I hope they have the same policy as Phnom Penh.

[JoePai]

Sadly and like it or not, the Thais are saying that the 60 day tourist visa is just that: a visa for the purposes of tourism. After 2 60 day entries - and many people add another 30 days at immigration, the authorities, kind of understandably feel at 150 days is enough for most people to explore Thailand as a tourist fairly thoroughly. The message is becoming increasingly clear. If you want to live here you have to get a non-immigrant visa. If you qualify for one, you'll get one, if you don't qualify then after 150 days or so, they'd like you to go home. That's the law and its more liberal than many countries. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear OP, but that's the case!

The Hull consulate in the UK are still issuing triple entry tourist visa's so it seems to be ok for us Brits.

If your paying for a triple entry at Hull you may as well just apply for a non-o for the purpose of visiting friends, its multi-entry and lasts a year(well 15 months with an extension) for about 100 quid. I have a friend who got one before coming over here and the procedure took 15 minutes and he walked out with the year visa.

Agree totally, very easy - cannot understand these people who just have tourist visa's when Non Imm visa is straight forward to get

[millwall_fan]

maybe this response is a bit off topic but ...

I seldom do "visa runs" anymore.

I have been getting a Free 2 month SINGLE ENTRY in Phnom Penh. Then I extend it for a month at chiang mai immigration. Then I might do ONE visa run for 15 days at Mae Sai

but then I would leave the country again because you are allowed the FREE two month single entry tourists visas TWICE within a six month period.

If you make sure to say long enough in Cambodia or Laos or wherever, then you can start another six months cycle. If you make sure to stay a month in the out country then you never violate the "six-month -2-tourist-visas" regulation.

The OP did worry me because I am planning to go to Laos next time, and I hope they have the same policy as Phnom Penh.

I'm afraid Jan that the reason the Thais keep tightening up on the tourist visa regulations is because people like your goodself are using tourist visas in order, effectively to live here. The authorities would like you to go back to your country once a year and get a non-immigrant visa, which as Thai Miller says, they will grant you for the flimsiest of reasons. The more foreigners keep bending the rules, the more they will tighten up on them. Not saying I agree with them, but that, as I understand it is their rationale.

[anonymouse]

Sadly and like it or not, the Thais are saying that the 60 day tourist visa is just that: a visa for the purposes of tourism. After 2 60 day entries - and many people add another 30 days at immigration, the authorities, kind of understandably feel at 150 days is enough for most people to explore Thailand as a tourist fairly thoroughly. The message is becoming increasingly clear. If you want to live here you have to get a non-immigrant visa. If you qualify for one, you'll get one, if you don't qualify then after 150 days or so, they'd like you to go home. That's the law and its more liberal than many countries. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear OP, but that's the case!

The Hull consulate in the UK are still issuing triple entry tourist visa's so it seems to be ok for us Brits.

If your paying for a triple entry at Hull you may as well just apply for a non-o for the purpose of visiting friends, its multi-entry and lasts a year(well 15 months with an extension) for about 100 quid. I have a friend who got one before coming over here and the procedure took 15 minutes and he walked out with the year visa.

Yes I use the multi-entry non- o, infact just sent off for it this week, normally it takes a couple of days to get back to me. I am married to a Thai national though so have a valid reason.

[Awk]

maybe this response is a bit off topic but ...

I seldom do "visa runs" anymore.

I have been getting a Free 2 month SINGLE ENTRY in Phnom Penh. Then I extend it for a month at chiang mai immigration. Then I might do ONE visa run for 15 days at Mae Sai

but then I would leave the country again because you are allowed the FREE two month single entry tourists visas TWICE within a six month period.

If you make sure to say long enough in Cambodia or Laos or wherever, then you can start another six months cycle. If you make sure to stay a month in the out country then you never violate the "six-month -2-tourist-visas" regulation.

The OP did worry me because I am planning to go to Laos next time, and I hope they have the same policy as Phnom Penh.

I'm afraid Jan that the reason the Thais keep tightening up on the tourist visa regulations is because people like your goodself are using tourist visas in order, effectively to live here. The authorities would like you to go back to your country once a year and get a non-immigrant visa, which as Thai Miller says, they will grant you for the flimsiest of reasons. The more foreigners keep bending the rules, the more they will tighten up on them. Not saying I agree with them, but that, as I understand it is their rationale.

I'm afraid, millwall_fan, that while you and some other people here believe that, it is unfortunately completely wrong.

There are only a few embassies and consulates in the world who will give you a one year non-imm visa for the

"flimsiest of reasons".

Myself, I could never get such a visa in my home country, even though married and accompanied by my Thai wife to

the embassy. In fact, they did not even wish to grant it to our daughter, who at the time could present a birth certificate,

but had not yet applied for a Thai passport.

Likewise, I have never heard of anyone else in my country getting such a visa from the local embassy.

I think it would thus be beneficial to all if one stopped perpetrating the false myth that anyone, anywhere,

can get a one year non-imm visa if they just travel back to their country now and then.

As has no doubt been pointed out countless of times, there are many good reasons why people would want to stay for a year

or more in Thailand, yet not be eligible for anything but a tourist visa.

[vacationman]

maybe this response is a bit off topic but ...

I seldom do "visa runs" anymore.

I have been getting a Free 2 month SINGLE ENTRY in Phnom Penh. Then I extend it for a month at chiang mai immigration. Then I might do ONE visa run for 15 days at Mae Sai

but then I would leave the country again because you are allowed the FREE two month single entry tourists visas TWICE within a six month period.

If you make sure to say long enough in Cambodia or Laos or wherever, then you can start another six months cycle. If you make sure to stay a month in the out country then you never violate the "six-month -2-tourist-visas" regulation.

The OP did worry me because I am planning to go to Laos next time, and I hope they have the same policy as Phnom Penh.

I'm afraid Jan that the reason the Thais keep tightening up on the tourist visa regulations is because people like your goodself are using tourist visas in order, effectively to live here. The authorities would like you to go back to your country once a year and get a non-immigrant visa, which as Thai Miller says, they will grant you for the flimsiest of reasons. The more foreigners keep bending the rules, the more they will tighten up on them. Not saying I agree with them, but that, as I understand it is their rationale.

I'm afraid, millwall_fan, that while you and some other people here believe that, it is unfortunately completely wrong.

There are only a few embassies and consulates in the world who will give you a one year non-imm visa for the

"flimsiest of reasons".

Myself, I could never get such a visa in my home country, even though married and accompanied by my Thai wife to

the embassy. In fact, they did not even wish to grant it to our daughter, who at the time could present a birth certificate,

but had not yet applied for a Thai passport.

Likewise, I have never heard of anyone else in my country getting such a visa from the local embassy.

I think it would thus be beneficial to all if one stopped perpetrating the false myth that anyone, anywhere,

can get a one year non-imm visa if they just travel back to their country now and then.

As has no doubt been pointed out countless of times, there are many good reasons why people would want to stay for a year

or more in Thailand, yet not be eligible for anything but a tourist visa.

Thank YOU for saying that.... I get frustrated with people JUDGING others on why they use certain visas..... We love THAILAND and try to help many people, but becasue we are not old enought for a retirement Visa and my Wife is from the Philippines.... it is very difficult for us to stay in Thailand.... but we BOTH feel like this is our HOME and where we want and hope to live for many years to come.

[millwall_fan]

maybe this response is a bit off topic but ...

I seldom do "visa runs" anymore.

I have been getting a Free 2 month SINGLE ENTRY in Phnom Penh. Then I extend it for a month at chiang mai immigration. Then I might do ONE visa run for 15 days at Mae Sai

but then I would leave the country again because you are allowed the FREE two month single entry tourists visas TWICE within a six month period.

If you make sure to say long enough in Cambodia or Laos or wherever, then you can start another six months cycle. If you make sure to stay a month in the out country then you never violate the "six-month -2-tourist-visas" regulation.

The OP did worry me because I am planning to go to Laos next time, and I hope they have the same policy as Phnom Penh.

I'm afraid Jan that the reason the Thais keep tightening up on the tourist visa regulations is because people like your goodself are using tourist visas in order, effectively to live here. The authorities would like you to go back to your country once a year and get a non-immigrant visa, which as Thai Miller says, they will grant you for the flimsiest of reasons. The more foreigners keep bending the rules, the more they will tighten up on them. Not saying I agree with them, but that, as I understand it is their rationale.

I'm afraid, millwall_fan, that while you and some other people here believe that, it is unfortunately completely wrong.

There are only a few embassies and consulates in the world who will give you a one year non-imm visa for the

"flimsiest of reasons".

Myself, I could never get such a visa in my home country, even though married and accompanied by my Thai wife to

the embassy. In fact, they did not even wish to grant it to our daughter, who at the time could present a birth certificate,

but had not yet applied for a Thai passport.

Likewise, I have never heard of anyone else in my country getting such a visa from the local embassy.

I think it would thus be beneficial to all if one stopped perpetrating the false myth that anyone, anywhere,

can get a one year non-imm visa if they just travel back to their country now and then.

As has no doubt been pointed out countless of times, there are many good reasons why people would want to stay for a year

or more in Thailand, yet not be eligible for anything but a tourist visa.

Thank YOU for saying that.... I get frustrated with people JUDGING others on why they use certain visas..... We love THAILAND and try to help many people, but becasue we are not old enought for a retirement Visa and my Wife is from the Philippines.... it is very difficult for us to stay in Thailand.... but we BOTH feel like this is our HOME and where we want and hope to live for many years to come.

Belive me i am not judging you or supporting the Thai government or immigration depts position, I'm merely pointing our the way that I understand the Thai authorities see it: just because you want to be here , doesn't necessarily mean the authorities want you here. They have rules just like any other country does and if you qualify for a visa you'll get it, if you don't, their message is loud and clear; the more ways you think of for staying here on the wrong visa the more they are going to clamp down on those ways. They consider Tourist Visas to be for tourists- on your own admission you are not a tourist, you are living here. As i said, I don't support their policy, but that is the way they think and if you don't qualify for a non immigrant visa, your days are numbered.

[thinkinofstayin]

Thank YOU for saying that.... I get frustrated with people JUDGING others on why they use certain visas..... We love THAILAND and try to help many people, but becasue we are not old enought for a retirement Visa and my Wife is from the Philippines.... it is very difficult for us to stay in Thailand.... but we BOTH feel like this is our HOME and where we want and hope to live for many years to come.

It would be difficult for you to live in most countries in the world other than your own, and that is the same for everyone. Thais would find it very difficult to live abroad and often find it near impossible to even get a tourist visa for most countries. You may well feel that this is your home but the reality is that it isn't. You may well want to live here for many years to come, but your hosts obviously don't want you here and you obviously have no entitlement to live here. That's not judging you or questioning your love of the country it's simply stating the facts.

[Contractor]

Thank YOU for saying that.... I get frustrated with people JUDGING others on why they use certain visas..... We love THAILAND and try to help many people, but becasue we are not old enought for a retirement Visa and my Wife is from the Philippines.... it is very difficult for us to stay in Thailand.... but we BOTH feel like this is our HOME and where we want and hope to live for many years to come.

It would be difficult for you to live in most countries in the world other than your own, and that is the same for everyone. Thais would find it very difficult to live abroad and often find it near impossible to even get a tourist visa for most countries. You may well feel that this is your home but the reality is that it isn't. You may well want to live here for many years to come, but your hosts obviously don't want you here and you obviously have no entitlement to live here. That's not judging you or questioning your love of the country it's simply stating the facts.

<Vacationman>

Do the authorities in the US allow foreigners who arrive in the US on tourist visas then to stay indefinately? I think not.

Thailand has a right to prtoect its borders and to control immigration.

Tourist visas are for tourists. If you try and buck the system, then do not be surprised if obstacles are put in your way.

I am truly sorry to hear of your difficulties, but feel that you may have undertaken a little more research before deciding that Thailand is your "home".

In any event, good luck.

Rgds

[eek]

Just wish to thank you vacationman for such a detailed description, which im sure is beneficial information for many.

I also wish you and your wife the best in obtaining a visa that allows you to live in the place you feel is home.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

[thinkinofstayin]

Just wish to thank you vacationman for such a detailed description, which im sure is beneficial information for many.

I also wish you and your wife the best in obtaining a visa that allows you to live in the place you feel is home.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Considering the ways in which Thaivisa has cleaned up the forums of late, particularly with regards to making sure everyone stays within the law, I'm surprised that a Moderator is condoning peoples attempts to skirt the local immigration laws.