I Have Some Basic Questions About The Visa

[wooloomooloo]

I would forget about hitch hiking, I have been here 7 years and never seen a hitch hiker, I would think there is good reason for this. Besides, public transport is very cheap here...

Good advice as you might never be seen or heard of again.

The bus from BKK to CM costs little more than a McDonald's for two and the train for not much more.

[MikeThaison]

I appreciate all of the info and the concern for my lack of preparation... Im going in half-assed intentionally though, and that has gotta account for something.

If you are from the states, I almost guarantee the AIRLINE WILL NOT ISSUE YOU A BOARDING PASS or let you board the plane without PROOF OF ONWARD TRAVEL within your stated visa or 30 days if you are getting a VOA. If you have a 60 day visa you WILL NEED proof of onward travel within 60 days, the airline doesn't care about whatever visa extension you think you can get here! Saying you are leaving overland/ bus/ train and you will book a ticket in Thailand is not proof and they may refuse you boarding.

The reason for this is. . . . . The airlines are held liable if you are refused entry to Thailand. The airline would then have to foot the bill to return you to America and that is a pricey ticket. So you can half ass everything you want to, but you won't even get on a plane without that proof of onward travel. Every time I have flown, they have asked (American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, United, Singapore Airlines). My friends have reported the same thing.

[kevvy]

if you are coming from Australia the airlines wont let you on if you have a one way ticket, the only way you can get on with a one way ticket is to have a 3 month visa which is issued at the Thai Embassy in the capitol cities in Australia.

[lopburi3]

What airline? Airlines will allow travel on one way tickets if Thailand will accept and Thailand will accept for meeting visa exempt requirements/residents/nationals/those with re-entry permits and those with visas.

[TerryLH]

"Read up on the regulations or ask in any consulate"

I'll take that as a "I don't know where it says that."

Terry

[stoli]

"...that you are not allowed to work OR SEEK WORK with either of those visa's..."

Where does it say that?

Terry

It is typed into the remarks area of my O-A Visa, "Work Prohibited". Can't get much clearer than that.

[lopburi3]

An O-A is a retirement (long stay) visa and is not a normal O visa. But you can seek work on any entry, visa or not. It is just that a work permit may not be issued - but if it is work is fully legal on a non immigrant O visa. For NGO work that is actually the proper visa to be used.

[crazydrummerpauly]

Just to be helpful to the OP - Jingthing, i understand why it is legally correct to say : "To teach English legally with a work permit, in general you need a bachelors degree in anything and better ALSO some kind of TEFL certificate." - but in reality (up hear in the north-east at least) well over 50% of the ex-pats teaching English - probably more - have no work-permit, have no degree, no TEFL or equivalent, and even more unbelievably, many of them don't even have decent English ! Of course you are right to state the correct legal position - you are a meticulous poster - but if the OP wants to carry his 'adventurous' attitude into the realm of English-teaching, then he absolutely can get 'casual' work teaching English. Around here, i have to practically walk around with a sign on my head saying 'DO NOT WANT to Teach' such is the demand for clear-speaking farangs ! Of course, i am NOT recommending that the OP breaks Thai law about working; just reporting what i know to be the local reality.

[mickjn]

Go luck Sir you will do ok.