Non-immigrant Class B Multiple Entry Visa...

[jezchesters]

Hi!

I have a few questions regarding doing a visa run - I have searched the forum and have not yet found definitive answers to my questions, so please bear with me, and hopefully the help posted here will be of use to other members...

I am a British citizen aged 33 and currently hold a Non-Immigrant Class B Multiple Entry Visa obtained from the Thai Consulate in Hull, UK. I am doing business in Thailand, but do not hold a work permit.

Stupidly, I got it into my head that my passport was stamped for 3 months rather than 90 days when I arrived. Consequently, having checked my passport this morning, I realise that my stamp expires today. I really could do with some advice on two matters, if anyone can help

Firstly, regarding overstaying:

1. Is there a penalty for this, if so how much?

2. By overstaying, have I affected the liklihood of getting my passport stamped on re-entry to the Kingdom?

3. Is there anywhere in Bangkok I could get this sorted out - can my stay be extended without leaving Thailand? If so how much would this cost?

Secondly, regarding the visa run:

1. Am I correct in thinking that I don't need to go on an organised visa run? Is it correct that because I have a multiple entry, I just need to leave the country and re-enter to get another 90 days?

2. If this is the case, is there anyway that I can be refused re-entry, especially if I were to do it on the same day? Or would I have to take a few days holiday somewhere, then come back?

3. If it is possible just to hop over the border and then come back, can anyone recommend the closest border to Bangkok to do this where I wouldn't have a problem getting my passport stamped?

Phew! Very long-winded, I know, but I would really appreciate some advice on any or all of the above points as I have no experience in these matters. As I said, I tried searching the forum, but I think that I'm getting confused between a 'visa run' where you have to leave the country and apply for a new visa, and one where you just have to leave and then re-enter the Kingdom...

Many, many thanks,

Jez

[Crossy]

RULE NUMBER ONE -- NEVER, EVER, EVER overstay your visa.

OK Jez, here we go:-

Penalty for overstay is 200 Baht per day with a maximum of 20,000 Baht, there is no penalty for a one day overstay but the first day counts towards the penalty for longer transgressions. This applies IF you make it to the border / airport without getting caught, if you are caught on overstay anywhere else you will be arrested, banged up for a few days and then deported at your own expense, if you cannot affort the air fare to your home country you will remain locked up until you can, something of a viscious circle that. Note that there have been reports of the police stopping visa-run buses and removing anyone on overstay almost within sight of the border.

An overstay stamp does not normally affect your re-entry into the Kingdom unless the immi. officer is having a really bad day

I don't believe you can extend a non-immi stay (others please correct me if I'm wrong)

You can make your own way to a border crossing, if it is a land border you MUST enter and leave the other country (you can't leave Thailand, turn around in no-mans-land and re-enter).

Same day re-entry is no problem, even same hour is OK.

Poipet is the closest border to BKK, it's where many of the organised runs go.

Good luck in sorting your problem.

[ovenman]

...I think that I'm getting confused between a 'visa run' where you have to leave the country and apply for a new visa, and one where you just have to leave and then re-enter the Kingdom...

Yes, technically what you need to do is an entry permit run rather than a visa run. As Crossy points out, the nearest border to Bangkok is the Aranyaprathet/Poipet crossing to Cambodia. Or you could always hop a cheap flight to say, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

I don't believe you can extend a non-immi stay (others please correct me if I'm wrong)

You can extend your entry on a non-immigrant visa, but I think you need to have a real reason for doing so, like a work permit for a non-B visa.

[lopburi3]

Although the likelihood is low the outcome could be rather unpleasant if you are found out prior to reaching a border crossing. If it were me I would plan a flight to Singapore or other cheap destination tonight just to avoid any possibility of a black mark as you seem to be here on more than a one week visit. I admit I am very conservative and you are most likely not going to have a problem if you take care of it soon but you still have a chance to avoid overstay if you act fast.

[Sunbelt Asia]

You can extend your entry on a non-immigrant visa, but I think you need to have a real reason for doing so, like a work permit for a non-B visa.

A Brit can extend for 14 days and then an additional 7 days if he so desires for any reason. You can do this this at he Immigration office Soi Suan Plu. South Sathorn Road. Bangkok 10120. Thailand. Tel: (02) 287-3101-10 The cost is 1900 Baht.

. By overstaying, have I affected the liklihood of getting my passport stamped on re-entry to the Kingdom?

no

www.lawyer.th.com

[jezchesters]

Thank you all for your sound advice!

So basically, I could hop on one of the visa run buses from Sukhumvit tomorrow morning, but then risk arrest should the bus be stopped by the police - does anyone know how likely this is, and could it be avoided with a bit of 'tea money'?

Or - book a flight down to Penang or somewhere like that which virtually negates the risk of arrest?

Thanks again!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Be safe. Do the flight

[jezchesters]

Thank you all very much once again for your advice!

The flight it is then - nice excuse for a long weekend in Penang - the hotels down there seem to be very reasonably priced

Don't suppose anyone knows of any good night spots down that way? The last time I was there was 9 years ago on Ferrenghi Beach and seem to remember it wasn't that lively...

Cheers again!

Jez

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Good decision. I'm on extended visa so I don't do the runs, but others will bring you up to speed on the nightlife. Good luck.

[meadish_sweetball]

There is a good thread about what to do in Penang in the Travel forum... will try to dig it up for you.

[ovenman]

There is a good thread about what to do in Penang in the Travel forum... will try to dig it up for you.

Good luck. I wanted to post a link to that thread yesterday but couldn't find it using the search function (maybe a problem related to the Travel forum being down at the moment?)