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Maesai 30 Days Stamps Limited

tiger5
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tiger5 Rookie Member

tiger5

Posted
Posted

Hi,

I did my visa run today in Maesai and finally, after about 2 years of getting 30 days stamps in a row, I was told not to come back next month - new rule from Bangkok. They were kind enough to warn me and recommended to exit at any other border next time.

Canuk_Al Apprentice Member

Canuk_Al

Posted
Posted
Hi,

I did my visa run today in Maesai and finally, after about 2 years of getting 30 days stamps in a row, I was told not to come back next month - new rule from Bangkok. They were kind enough to warn me and recommended to exit at any other border next time.

This has been coming for some time now!

With the costs of Visa's up, the government is missing out on the extra revenue.

It is a balancing act to try and keep the foreigners happy as well as encourage foreigners to obtain the proper Visa based on their personal circumstances.

Limbo Platinum Member

Limbo

Posted
Posted

The nearest one is in Chiang Saen.

First you have to go to the immigration office on the main street of Chiang Saen (at the big T-crossing).

There you get (at least I hope so) a little paper that says that you are not a 'persona non grata'.

With this paper you go to the little immigration boot at the river (from the office straight to the river, about three hundred meters).

A little fast longtail boat brings you to the casino on the Burma side opposite the Golden Triangle and back (however: 500 Baht).

An Australian friend made a bet with me that he would be back in half an hour and he did. I paid the beer but I don't know how much he paid the skipper.

I think it is still tolerated to get the little paper from the big immigration office in Chiang Saen and drive by car to the free ferryboat at the casino and do the crossing there.

There was a time a while ago that it wasn't really appreciated.

There was a period that the officers in Maesai asked you to go elsewhere once in a while. And then you could come back to Maesai again. So don't worry too much about it.

Limbo.

tiger5 Rookie Member

tiger5

Posted
  • Author
Posted
There was a period that the officers in Maesai asked you to go elsewhere once in a while. And then you could come back to Maesai again. So don't worry too much about it.

Limbo.

Thanks for your info on Chiang Saen.

I think you're right; it sounded like they wanted me to add some variation to my renewal practice. They named a few borders to go to next time and they didn't say I should go and get a proper visa or anything like this. My guess is, I can try again in Maesai after some time.

Also they were quite apologetic when saying that the order came from Bangkok and not from them. I have no idea how cases are picked out or what the threshold for rejection is.

lamphun Gold Member

lamphun

Posted
Posted

A friend had the same experience a few months ago. Instead of going elsewhere for his next visa run, he went back to MaiSai. He got the usual 30 day with no comment.

I suggest you go to Chiang Saen.

lopburi3 Legendary Member

lopburi3

Posted
Posted
I suppose the idea of getting legal by getting a proper visa is out of the question.

Is getting 30 days stamps illegal then? :o

Depends on purpose/time. Read below.

According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) ,18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005)  , passport holders from 40 countries and Hong Kong SAR do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.
tiger5 Rookie Member

tiger5

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Is getting 30 days stamps illegal then? :o

According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) ,18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005)  , passport holders from 40 countries and Hong Kong SAR do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.

It was about a year ago, around the time when this 'show money' thing was introduced in Maesai, when I asked my (thai) wife to call Maesai immigration for me, to ask them if it was ok to continue with 30 days stamps despite the fact that I had already 12 or 13 of them in my passport. The answer was: yes, no problem, there is no limit.

I believe by asking an official about the interpretation of this law in regard to my situation, I fulfilled my responsibility and I never did anything illegal.

Crossy Star Member

Crossy

Posted
Posted
Is getting 30 days stamps illegal then?  :o
According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) ,18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005)  , passport holders from 40 countries and Hong Kong SAR do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.

It was about a year ago, around the time when this 'show money' thing was introduced in Maesai, when I asked my (thai) wife to call Maesai immigration for me, to ask them if it was ok to continue with 30 days stamps despite the fact that I had already 12 or 13 of them in my passport. The answer was: yes, no problem, there is no limit.

I believe by asking an official about the interpretation of this law in regard to my situation, I fulfilled my responsibility and I never did anything illegal.

With a Thai wife you can get an 'o' visa extendable in 12 month chunks. Never do a visa run again :D

Firefan Platinum Member

Firefan

Posted
Posted (edited)

I do agree, but that is not always that easy to get!

If one is not above 50 or married to a Thai things get a bit harder(unless working of course), even if one has enough money.

Yes; there are embassies/consulates out there that hands out 1 year O and B visas like candy - but many more require a lot of paper work, and do not accept "visiting friends" as a reason for an "O" visa.

Using one of the sponsor services to get a sponsor letter "looking for investments" might be the best choice - but even that has a chance of failure should the embassy/consulate decide so.

Cheers!

Why don't folks who make these endless 30 day runs ever get a proper visa?

Well said Mr Stanley :o

Edited by Firefan
Braccobaldo Advanced Member

Braccobaldo

Posted
Posted

...example..under 50..not married...retired young...wish to live in Thailand and have enough money to afford this...don't want buy any property...what are the options unless making 30 days visa run???....maybe 3 months visa run to a thai embassy.....nothing more (I think...)....

lopburi3 Legendary Member

lopburi3

Posted
Posted
...example..under 50..not married...retired young...wish to live in Thailand and have enough money to afford this...don't want buy any property...what are the options unless making 30 days visa run???....maybe 3 months visa run to a thai embassy.....nothing more (I think...)....

3 million baht investment. That does not have to be property.

Braccobaldo Advanced Member

Braccobaldo

Posted
Posted
...example..under 50..not married...retired young...wish to live in Thailand and have enough money to afford this...don't want buy any property...what are the options unless making 30 days visa run???....maybe 3 months visa run to a thai embassy.....nothing more (I think...)....

3 million baht investment. That does not have to be property.

...yes, I know about it...but I feel that my money are much more safer where are just right now... I'm "giving" Thailand 70% of their interests...but this don't qualify me for a visa... :o

lopburi3 Legendary Member

lopburi3

Posted
Posted
...example..under 50..not married...retired young...wish to live in Thailand and have enough money to afford this...don't want buy any property...what are the options unless making 30 days visa run???....maybe 3 months visa run to a thai embassy.....nothing more (I think...)....

3 million baht investment. That does not have to be property.

...yes, I know about it...but I feel that my money are much more safer where are just right now... I'm "giving" Thailand 70% of their interests...but this don't qualify me for a visa... :o

That's your choice - but don't say there is no option - you just don't want to use it. :D

Don't understand what "70% of their interests" means but I seriously doubt you are "giving" anyone anything.

Braccobaldo Advanced Member

Braccobaldo

Posted
Posted
...example..under 50..not married...retired young...wish to live in Thailand and have enough money to afford this...don't want buy any property...what are the options unless making 30 days visa run???....maybe 3 months visa run to a thai embassy.....nothing more (I think...)....

3 million baht investment. That does not have to be property.

...yes, I know about it...but I feel that my money are much more safer where are just right now... I'm "giving" Thailand 70% of their interests...but this don't qualify me for a visa... :o

That's your choice - but don't say there is no option - you just don't want to use it. :D

Don't understand what "70% of their interests" means but I seriously doubt you are "giving" anyone anything.

thank you for your reply and..sorry for my bad english...I live in Thailand with the money coming from my investments in Usa/Europe (stocks/bonds)..when I say "giving" it means only "spend in Thailand"...ok, let's say that don't exist at the present a good visa option for those in my situation...

rainman Platinum Member

rainman

Posted
Posted
...example..under 50..not married...retired young...wish to live in Thailand and have enough money to afford this...don't want buy any property...what are the options unless making 30 days visa run???....maybe 3 months visa run to a thai embassy.....nothing more (I think...)....

that's about your only choice. its what i'm doing right now. i'm under 25, not married (though have a thai girlfriend) and obviously under 50, living from my monthly overseas income and not working in Thailand. 90 day non-imm O or tourist visas from consulates like Penang are the only choice for me as well, perhaps a marriage visa in the future :o

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