Some information please. My brother retired in England last summer and having a Thai g/f tried to get her to England, no luck with the visa.

They are not married but have basically been a couple for a number of years, he travelled over here a couple of times a year.

He used his savings on retirement to build a small house on her land but has no capital and a government pension of just over 20,000 baht a month so he has been doing the Mae Sai border runs every couple of weeks but last week he was informed that he had more than 4 entry stamps and needed a longer term visa of some discription.

Is there anyway bearing in mind his limited financial status of getting some kind of a visa to stay or is the warning from Mae Sai a fly in the ointment so to speak.

I read something along the 4 stamp topic from Mae Sai immigration a couple of weeks ago but cannot find it and he really needs to know of any opportunities open to him.

Just go to another border crossing to get the visa.

If unable/unwilling to marry and not able to meet financials of retirement extension his options are limited. Border crossings for 15 day entry (30 by air) or getting tourist visas for 60 days which for 1,900 baht can be extended for 30 or study getting non immigrant ED visa and extending for 90 days (most locations) for 1,900 baht (but this will cost about 30,000 baht per year study fees). As said above a change to another border crossing will likely solve the immediate problem and then he can likely return to using for another cycle.

He really should be getting Tourist Visas from a Thai Consulate

So what are the requirements needed for a ed visa apart from the 30,000 baht, in the meantime which is the nearest visa crossing point for him, he lives in Doi Suket.

Where is the nearest thus the cheapest Thai Consulate that he can get Tourist visas from seeing as it looks like I will have to bank roll him.

Vientiane in Loas - fly or bus Chiang Mai to Udon and Nong Khai border is about an hour further by bus/van. Two entry tourist visa allowing up to six month stay (with extensions) is available there (most other Consulate do not provide). Cost of visa will be 2,000 baht and an overnight stay plus visa for Laos plus trip.

For student most study Thai 4 hours per week but if way outside city that could be an issue.

Vientiane Laos will be the nearest. He could get a 2 entry tourist visa there without any problem for a cost of 2000 baht..

By doing 30 day extensions at immigration (1900 baht) of each 60 entry he would not have to get another visa for 6 months. He would need to make a border run just before his visa expires to use the 2nd entry.

If my brother gets the bus to Nong Khai and crosses into Laos is it far from the crossing to the Thai Consulate?. How about the border crossing fee cost, how much? and does he have to apply for the tourist visas in the morning and collect the next day and can anyone recommend a cheap clean hotel near the consulate.

Sorry to be a pain in the arse but he is not used to travelling on his own.

The tourist visa forms, are they the same in all Thai Embassys/Consulates because he has a couple of applications from Queensgate, London but if different maybe can download from their website.

Thanks for all your help, much appreciated. David.

He will need to get from Udon Thani to the bridge in Nong Kai.

The Lao visa costs $35 or $1500 baht.

See this topic for more info on Vientiane visa runs. Latest Reports Of Getting A Visa In The Region

Look here form some reports with lots of details:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/189375-latest-reports-of-getting-a-visa-in-the-region/

Yes, apply morning of day 1, pick-up afternoon next work day.

There are some hotels near the consulate starting at 500 baht

Do Thai nationals have to pay 1500 baht to cros the border or is it the same as Mae Sai, getting a 30 baht? paper from the local office.

David.

So what are the requirements needed for a ed visa apart from the 30,000 baht, in the meantime which is the nearest visa crossing point for him, he lives in Doi Suket.

Where is the nearest thus the cheapest Thai Consulate that he can get Tourist visas from seeing as it looks like I will have to bank roll him.

Mae Sot is not much further than Mae Sai.

My pals in CM usually alternate between the two.

Do Thai nationals have to pay 1500 baht to cros the border or is it the same as Mae Sai, getting a 30 baht? paper from the local office.

David.

With passport entry into Cambodia is free. If no passport, they might need to pay something for a border pass (which allows limted travel and duration of stay).

Mario 2008.

I was thinking of my brothers wife crossing into Laos with him otherwise I just know there will be problems if he is on his own.

Mario 2008.

I was thinking of my brothers wife crossing into Laos with him otherwise I just know there will be problems if he is on his own.

Oops, Laos.

Believe same applies. With passport free entry for up to 30 days even. Without passport, border pass should be possible.

If coming to Nong Khai remember to apply for the visa Monday thru Thursday as it takes 1 working day to return. Otherwise if you apply on a Friday you will be there until Monday to pick up your passport.

If he decides to come this way to Nong Khai send me a message and can help out on this side of the border with any paper work and such. It is a pretty easy process so do not worry too much coming this way. Lots of tourists every day all doing the same thing.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Just one more question and sorry to be a nuisance but ThommoPhysicist said about Mae Sot crossing from Chiang Mai, is that just for the 14 day visa or is there a Embassy or Consulate there to get tourist visas {2 entries?}.

David.

Mae Sot is only for border hops, not for people wanting to get a visa.

OK Mario and thanks that about sums up my brothers options so Nong Khai it is then.