Entering Thailand On A Double Entry Visa

[blossombkk]

Hi Guys,

My daughter, 16 yr old, is on a tourist visa double entry. I have a retirement visa.

In a month we will have to go out of the country to activate the entry.

I will go with with her to the border.

My question is: when she will enter the neighbouring country does she have to stay there for a long period of time for the proceedure? or is it just get in and come back?

Can I stay on the Thailand side and wait for her? since I don't want to pay for a visa to go out.

Thanks

[bangkokburning]

Yes, you can return as fast as your legs will carry you and immigration posts can process you. My record at Aran/Poipet is < than one hour - that of course is my record.

[Lite Beer]

As said she can enter and come straight back again.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

All up to you whether or not your cross over with her, and return, but it can be a bit confusing now and then what with all the "helpers" and taxi touts on the other side, Laos or Cambodia. Some border points are better than others I'd reckon. Could be a bit overwhelming for a 16-year old girl, unless she's done it before.

FYI, "only" $35 for a Lao Visa On Arrival, not a real killer, don't remember about Cambodia.

Mac

[lopburi3]

Be aware you would need both a visa to other country (if required) and a re-entry permit from Thailand (to return on extension if that is what you actually have). As for time she may be told she can not immediately return without paying an extra fee at some location so let her know to be aware of that scam. She should be able to wait them out if required but suspect most will not bother trying to block if you show you know better.

[IMA_FARANG]

You don't say where you're located....but from Bangkok there are "visa run" agencies to Cambodia that provide that service for a fee in an about 12 hour day trip by 16 passenger van.

I had a multi-entry visa and did visa runs this way.

I believe the fee was about 2000 baht...which included the Cambodian visa.

They would take you and your daughter to the Cambodian border where you could stay on the Thai side while your daughter exits Thailand and crosses into Cambodia. She then turns aruound and reenters Thailand. to sctivate the 2nd entry on the double entry visa. She just has to be sure that she is properly stamped out of Thailand and into Cambodia on exit from Thailand; and then is stamped back into Thailand properly for another 60 days.

The service I used took me to a smaller and relatively quiet border crossing called (I believe) Ban Laem. They provided everything including the required Cambodian visa. The van left early in the morning, two toliet and/or snack stops from Bangkok to the border, about a 1 hour stay at the border, then return to Bangkok (with one toliet/snack stop). We left Bangkok about 7 a.m. and returned about 5 p.m. Not sure if they still keep to that schedule or not however. Anyhow, it is basically a day trip. On my part the only effort required on my part was to cross the small wooden bridge into Cambodia then turn around and cross the bridge back into Thailand. That took no more that 15 minutes and a walk of perhaps 100 meters. And of course waiting in queue to get the stamps from immigration. All easily done in less than the 1 hour given.

Do a Google or Yahoo search and I'm sure you will find many "visa run" services similar to this from your location to the nearest border.

[blossombkk]

Thank you all for yr replies. Now, when she/we cross the border, do we have to go to a consulate of a sort? or just enter, get stamped and come back?

On one hand, having another daughter who would come along, I would like to save the visa fees, but on the other hand, I am a bit/lot worried about her being alone there.

[lopburi3]

You have been provided the best solution - use a van or bus service (there should be a discount if you do not need to enter other country) but you will be in group to border and she will be in a group process for border crossing and return with them taking care of details. Cost is little or no more than doing yourself and from your name (Bangkok) there is daily service from several companiesthat do this run.

[blossombkk]

All up to you whether or not your cross over with her, and return, but it can be a bit confusing now and then what with all the "helpers" and taxi touts on the other side, Laos or Cambodia. Some border points are better than others I'd reckon. Could be a bit overwhelming for a 16-year old girl, unless she's done it before.

FYI, "only" $35 for a Lao Visa On Arrival, not a real killer, don't remember about Cambodia.

Mac

I know it's only 35$ for the visa. But then I have my other daughter. So that means 3 of us*35$ + 1900 Tb for myself to leave the country + 35$ returning visa to thailand for my other daughter. I will end uo with 6,240 Tb.

[lopburi3]

Actually a re-entry permit is 1,000 baht not 1,900.

[bangkokburning]

I would not hassle the rentry

I would have her use a service at the Cambodian boarder (Bahn Laem I believe) via Pattaya. She will not actually enter Cambodia AND you ae essentially walked thru the process.

I would not have my daughter under 18 DIY herself at Poipet. Just my 2B.

[blossombkk]

I would not hassle the rentry

I would have her use a service at the Cambodian boarder (Bahn Laem I believe) via Pattaya. She will not actually enter Cambodia AND you ae essentially walked thru the process.

I would not have my daughter under 18 DIY herself at Poipet. Just my 2B.

I think this would be the best choice. Are there any certain hours that are best to get there? Since I would be coming from BKK,do you have an idea about bus schedule from Pattaya To Bahn Laem?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Believe he is talking about a visa run service as was suggested earlier - as you are in Bangkok it would make sense to use a Bangkok departing service. They advertise in English language papers or can be found with a quick Google.

[blossombkk]

Believe he is talking about a visa run service as was suggested earlier - as you are in Bangkok it would make sense to use a Bangkok departing service. They advertise in English language papers or can be found with a quick Google.

Well, I understand quickly when explained slow...

[bangkokburning]

I have not lived in PTY in years but there used to be a service on Soi Bukhao called CamboInter -(??? I THINK). It was B1600 all in. If you live in BKK I am sure some other service might be acceptable to Poipet.

You can always have someone walk her through it (from a visa run service only) and I would not mention she is < 18 to any of them - not to make you paranoid (some things better unsaid).

You can also DIY from PTY via bus to Chantaburi mototaxi to casino minibuses and then up to the border parking lot. I forget the name of this xing (this actually might be Ban Laem??, there are 2 xings close to one another here). Anyway - its the xing heading toward Pailin. It is so small they might even let you walk her through the process yourself without checking out. Posts at least used to be meters apart.

Might be a bit of adventure for you both.

[blossombkk]

Thank you for this information. I'm still not sure if I would really let her cross a border by herself or come along with her. I think I might not risk it. If something happens, I'll never forgive myself..

[ubonjoe]

I would go with her. Your only additional cost is getting the visa for Cambodia and a re-entry permit from immigration if you don't have one already.

[Anon999]

Actually a re-entry permit is 1,000 baht not 1,900.

It has been 1,200 baht for some months now.

[ubonjoe]

Application for re-entry permit

• Single entry: 1,000.- Baht
  
• Multiple entries within remaining period of admission: 3,800.- Baht
  

Source: http://www.immigration.go.th/

[chris1dna]

She is 16 years old! I'm sorry but your are seriously not being right by not escorting her the intire way. (shakes head) Had to be said.

[lopburi3]

Actually a re-entry permit is 1,000 baht not 1,900.

It has been 1,200 baht for some months now.

The price is 1,000 baht single or 3,800 baht multi and has not changed. Suspect you are talking about the extra fee version sold at airport where they provide copy and photo service in addition to normal re-entry permit for a higher price.

[davidstipek]

Thank you all for yr replies. Now, when she/we cross the border, do we have to go to a consulate of a sort? or just enter, get stamped and come back?

On one hand, having another daughter who would come along, I would like to save the visa fees, but on the other hand, I am a bit/lot worried about her being alone there.

Remember...

Whoever goes with her needs a reentry Permit. Unless you and your other daughter have multiple entries in passport.

Just a Huge reminder here for peace of mind

David

[davidstipek]

Actually a re-entry permit is 1,000 baht not 1,900.

Correct!

You can get at Thai Immigration, here in Chiang Mai.... Next to Airport.

David

[blossombkk]

Actually a re-entry permit is 1,000 baht not 1,900.

Correct!

You can get at Thai Immigration, here in Chiang Mai.... Next to Airport.

David

Thanks, i live in BKK. But could you clarify? can I get a reentry at a thai immigration?

[lopburi3]

You have still not said what you actually have. Do you have a retirement visa (non immigrant O-A from a Consulate - is it single or multi entry - when was it issued)? Or do you have an extension of stay for retirement from an immigration office inside Thailand (which requires a re-entry permit from the office making the extension of stay)?

[blossombkk]

You have still not said what you actually have. Do you have a retirement visa (non immigrant O-A from a Consulate - is it single or multi entry - when was it issued)? Or do you have an extension of stay for retirement from an immigration office inside Thailand (which requires a re-entry permit from the office making the extension of stay)?

I have a retirement visa from Thailand. It does require a reentry permit, I do not need an extension of stay, It was given for one year. I do have to report every 90 days.

[lopburi3]

You do not obtain a retirement visa inside Thailand so you actually have a one year extension of stay for retirement reasons. You are aware you could get your daughter a non immigrant O visa on that basis and convert it to dependent one year extension of stay (to match yours)?

At any rate yes you will have to obtain a re-entry permit for any border crossing prior to doing so and if extension is from Bangkok you visit there to do it. In fact many people with any chance of travel do this automatically when they extend just to be safe in case of an emergency departure.

[blossombkk]

You do not obtain a retirement visa inside Thailand so you actually have a one year extension of stay for retirement reasons. You are aware you could get your daughter a non immigrant O visa on that basis and convert it to dependent one year extension of stay (to match yours)?

At any rate yes you will have to obtain a re-entry permit for any border crossing prior to doing so and if extension is from Bangkok you visit there to do it. In fact many people with any chance of travel do this automatically when they extend just to be safe in case of an emergency departure.

My daughter will be soon in our home country and obtain a dependent visa. However I did not know there was a difference between a retirement visa obtained in a Thai embassy versus in immigration here. Could you let me know how is it practically different to me?

[lopburi3]

A visa allows entry - an extension of stay does not. A retirement O-A visa requires requires application in country of residence and medical and police check prior to issue and can offer multi entry for a period of one year and each entry gets a new one year permitted to stay - an extension obtained in Thailand does not require additional paperwork but does not allow new one year stays.

Edit: I should add to make clear "does not allow new one year stays without a new extension of stay application".

[blossombkk]

A visa allows entry - an extension of stay does not. A retirement O-A visa requires requires application in country of residence and medical and police check prior to issue and can offer multi entry for a period of one year and each entry gets a new one year permitted to stay - an extension obtained in Thailand does not require additional paperwork but does not allow new one year stays.

Thank you for the information