O-A Visa Multiple Entry-Re-Entry Permit Needed?

[Andre0720]

Here is what can be found in ThaiVisa.com, which has been added to the Visa application form at the Canadian embassy:

5. Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom

5.1 Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

I have a one year, multiple entry visa issued on October 6 2011, and valid until October 5, 2012. I was admitted in the Kingdom on October 14, 2011, until October 13, 2012.

I have left the Kingdom on June 7 2012, and intend to re-enter on September 15 2012, 3 weeks before the end of validity of my visa.

The 2012 revised visa application form indicates that when a visitor wishes to leave and re-enter the Kingdom, there is a requirement to obtain a re-entry permit, before leaving Thailand. As the Visa application form that I filled in 2011 did not include the above Recommendation 5. and 5.1, I was not aware of this and did not ask for a re-entry permit to re-enter on September 15.

The Canadian Embassy in Ottawa cannot provide additional information as to what it means. Can someone help?

[Mario2008]

Any time you enter before Oct 5 2012 you get a new permission to stay for 1 year. If you leave and plan to re-enter after Oct. 5 you will need a re-etry permit to keep your permission to stay alive.

So now you will be fine with re-entering in Sept. and will get a new permission to stay till Sept. 2013.

[lopburi3]

The quote is for single entry visa - you have a multi entry so no re-entry permit is needed or wanted during the one year from date of issue returns. Once beyond the expiration date of visa a re-entry permit would be required to use any further permitted to stay time on a new return.

You will receive a new one year stay on entry September 15 with no re-entry permit.

[Andre0720]

Thanks for quick replies that are reassuring. However, here is another quote from ThaiVisa Frequently asked questions, which adds the the confusion, as it refers to 'any kind of visa'.

http://www.thaivisa.com/349.0d.html

Q. How to apply for a re-entry permit?

A. In the case where an alien who holds any kind of visas for stay in the Kingdom wishes to travel abroad before his/her visa expires, the alien must apply for a re-entry permit. A re-entry permit allows the alien to re-enter the Kingdom and use the time remaining on his/her visa. If a re-entry permit is not applied for, the visa will automatically be cancelled at departure, although it may not have expired yet.

So it would appear that the Recommendation 5.1 should be amended to refer to "SINGLE ENTRY VISAS ONLY". I will forward the information to the embassy.

And also that this "Frequently asked question" should also be amended to to show "In the case where an alien who holds any kind of (SINGLE ENTRY) visas

[lopburi3]

Read that above as "permitted to stay" rather than visa - visa is used for entry - it is not what allows you to remain in Thailand - that is the permitted to stay stamped into your passport on entry. And yes the first quote should be single entry O-A visa.