Refused double entry in Laos

[JO1973]

May I ask what your real reason for wishing to stay in Thailand is ?

None of your business.

[Mario2008]

1 post related to questionable and possible illegal activities removed.

[Rimmer]

Overly aggressive post removed

[Arif Khalil]

How about getting a retirement visa? And by the way it's all good to know few words of Thai to talk to the staff directly over phone or to immigration authorities to solve the issue, well they know English too.

[IMA_FARANG]

i can stay because my work/salary is based on youtube channel which give me solid income every month. I don't think i'm braking any rules with that.so you work in Thailand its illegal

thaichalina

---------------

Unfortunately you're wrong.

if you do any work in Thailand, even on the internet, you technically need a Work Permit.

But there is no way for you to get one, without paperwork from a Thai employer.

That however, does not change the labor law.

So, even if you don't "work" in Thailand, you gain profit somewhere from your "activity" in Thailand.

That would be considered by the Thai labor department as "working" in Thailand.

I know it's silly, but that's the way it works.

For practical purposes, the Labor law regarding foreigners working in Thailand was written BEFORE the concept of "working" on line was conceived.

So, in fact the Labor department tends to not bother small people working on the net.

But, if they wanted to, you are working illegally (without a Work Permit) and therefore in violation of the law.

That is exactly why, if you do make money on the internet, I advise you to keep quiet about it.

Or don't do it.

All it would take is one Thai filing a complaint against you ..... and you are in (as we Americans say) "deep doo-doo".

Edited July 5, 2013 by IMA_FARANG

[bangkokstick]

Thai immigration have computers now. It won't matter if you have a new passport as they check your name and birthday in the database. Funny how some people think getting a new passport somehow is like becoming a different person. there are other options for you but new passport won't solve anything

Why talking about what you don't know ?

A new passport has ALWAYS worked since years and still works today, computer or not they do not check.

The OP using an agency isn't also the smartest guy when it's so easy to go your self and get your visa.

This kind of things always happen to the same kind of people...

[jpinx]

Thai immigration have computers now. It won't matter if you have a new passport as they check your name and birthday in the database. Funny how some people think getting a new passport somehow is like becoming a different person. there are other options for you but new passport won't solve anything

Why talking about what you don't know ?

A new passport has ALWAYS worked since years and still works today, computer or not they do not check.

The OP using an agency isn't also the smartest guy when it's so easy to go your self and get your visa.

This kind of things always happen to the same kind of people...

Please don't distribute wrong information. Thai immigration DO have it all on computer and from first-hand experience they can cross-check you. Even if you have dual-nationality they can find your "other" self.

If you annoy the immigration officer enough he will start to check you out in detail and you can be sure that he can find all the information about all your passports and arrivals and departures if he wants to.

Edited July 5, 2013 by jpinx

[bangkokstick]

There is no check when applying for a visa and anybody spreading different information is just dumb.

Of course they have computers, even my 5 years old sister has one !

[alocacoc]

I have in my passport 4 double entry visa from Vientiane. After that, i decided to apply for the next visa go to Savannakhet to "break the chain". I just come back from there and got already the second double entry visa from there. No remarks, no red stamp.

So far, i have 6 double entrys visa in a row in my passport. In December i will visit my home country anyway, will apply for a new passport and a new visa.

By the way; i used the second time the great service of the Savan Vegas Hotel Casino.

Edited July 5, 2013 by alocacoc

[Issangeorge]

 

 i can stay because my work/salary is based on youtube channel which give me solid income every month. I don't think i'm braking any rules with that.so you work in Thailand its illegalthaichalina

 

---------------

Unfortunately you're wrong.

if you do any work in Thailand, even on the internet, you technically need a Work Permit.

But there is no way for you to get one, without paperwork from a Thai employer.

That however, does not change the labor law.

So, even if you don't "work" in Thailand,  you gain profit somewhere from your "activity" in Thailand.

That would be considered by the Thai labor department as "working" in Thailand.

I know it's silly, but that's the way it works.

For practical purposes, the Labor law regarding foreigners  working in Thailand was written  BEFORE the concept of "working" on line was conceived.

So, in fact the Labor department tends to not bother small people working on the net.

But, if they wanted to, you are working illegally (without a Work Permit) and therefore in violation of the law.

That is exactly why, if you do make money on the internet, I advise you to keep quiet about it.

Or don't do it.

All it would take is one Thai filing a complaint against you ..... and you are in (as we Americans say)  "deep doo-doo".

No mention was ever made that the YouTube videos were made in Thailand, they may have been made abroad and posted abroad and the money may be going into a bank account abroad, then in no way is the OP working in Thailand, he is a tourist. In my over 25 years of coming to and living in Thailand I have met many long term stayers who were not working here, but were too young for retirement visa and were not married. Some had sold their business and settled here, some were on disability pensions, some were being supported by their families who wanted them as far away as possible, some had inherited money and some were out and out crooks and here on the lamb.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ubonjoe]

What I suggest to those wanting more than a few tourist visas is some proof of income from outside of Thailand with their visa application. It could be a bank book, atm slips or even Western Union transfers in. This would prove you are not working here which is the main concern they have.

[lazygourmet]

"Also bunch of others were refused too,apparently same story"

Refusal might be only due to bad relation between your agency and some consulate officers.

If it's case, your agent has just canceled the journey and gave you that excuse -your fault- to save his face.

I doubt that any visa agent would call the consulate to check -one by one- eligibility of each visa runners; and this on every trip they organize.

[diggledunc]

Think I remember your OP. You used an agency.

I have a friend 45 who has been up and down to Nong Khai and Vientiane for SIX years and always gets double entry tourist visa. Legit pays no extras.

Don't know if your ED visa is the problem.

I live in Isan many people do it. Maybe it is your agency and an embassy is not the same as a consulate for getting things done.

Suggest you review your approach to this and check re the ED visa being a problem. If it isn't get up there and try. You get 15 day permit to stay when you come back over the bridge if you have a problem. That's enough to search for alternatives.

Vientiane also issue 3 month non-immigrant 'O' visas.

Good luck

[thaichalina]

Thai immigration have computers now. It won't matter if you have a new passport as they check your name and birthday in the database. Funny how some people think getting a new passport somehow is like becoming a different person. there are other options for you but new passport won't solve anything

Why talking about what you don't know ?

A new passport has ALWAYS worked since years and still works today, computer or not they do not check.

The OP using an agency isn't also the smartest guy when it's so easy to go your self and get your visa.

This kind of things always happen to the same kind of people...

Are you joking me,so i'm not the smartest guy when it's so easy to go yourself and get the visa?

So you are telling me that it is more easier to arrange yourself trip,accommodation and all the hassle THAT POSSIBLY CAN EMERGE and paying how much -5000,6000b?

Or paying 6800 and go with aircon minivan,ALL the documents,no worries,minimal time at border and most important all the problems that can emerge are taken care of.

Well i would pay 1000baht more just to have that privilege.

[stickylies]

That's why it's difficult to get an unlimited number of consecutive tourist visas. They know you are working in Thailand but can't prove it.

I get triple entry tourist visas all the time based on savings (outside Thailand) combined with a motivation letter. I don't work unless typing this very message is considered work. As I'm too young for retirement visa I have played open cards from the beginning with the consulate I deal with and explained them my situation.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

"Also bunch of others were refused too,apparently same story"

Refusal might be only due to bad relation between your agency and some consulate officers.

If it's case, your agent has just canceled the journey and gave you that excuse -your fault- to save his face.

I doubt that any visa agent would call the consulate to check -one by one- eligibility of each visa runners; and this on every trip they organize.

need to hear some first hand accounts of Tourist visa applications in VTE recently.

The agent's deal there is not a given. They might just be renegotiating the relationship and fee's.

Agents are not going to volunteer the recommendation to apply yourself and circumvent their lucrative services.

[RandomSand]

It's not all just about Consulate-Agency relations.

Applying myself I was refused a double entry at Vientiane. I didn't have any previous visa but I had basically been in Thailand for 1 year on 30 day airport chops.

I asked the Lady "why?" and was told by her that "you're working in Thailand!" -which is/was not the case.

*edit; I then got a new passport, single & double entries then obtained for two years at other consulates, but I never went back to Vientiane!

Edited July 6, 2013 by RandomSand

[SlideRiceFC]

I was interested to see this thread because I also am currently on a ED visa and need to get out of Thailand this weekend and apply for a tourist visa. It's a slightly different situation because I was trying to enroll at a University but some paperwork from the US has gone missing in the mail botching my schedule. So I have not been able to obtain the proper paperwork for a new ED visa. So unfortunately I have to get a tourist visa until all is sorted. I'd prefer to just get a double entry so I don't have to worry about exiting again when school starts and the one time day trip out in the middle is of minimal cost and inconvenience.

I'm concerned about getting denied another tourist visa (have 3 currently although only 2 were back to back). I suppose if they refuse to issue a multiple and give a single instead it's no major loss since I should have things sorted for school by then but I fear the dreaded total rejection and 14 day stamp. I know traditionally Savannaket seems to be more lenient and Vientiane more stringent. On the runs I have made to Vientiane I think at least one person in the party was either only given single or denied a visa plus I've seen countless threads here. Right now I'm in the process of trying to decide which place to go but as is usually the case in Thailand it seems it is largely up to the whims of the person handling your application. As either seems a gamble I am just hoping someone can help me decide which is the best bet.

So the total is 4 Thai visas (3 being the tourist visas before the ED visa and also two 30 day stamps from Suvarnabhumi). In the past 2 years I have never exited Thailand for more than 30 days except for the trip back home. So if anyone can offer some helpful advice I'd appreciate it. Obviously I won't hold anyone accountable if their prediction is incorrect. LOL

[alocacoc]

As i wrote in another posting, i just got my sixth double entry in Savannakhet. I got a little bit concerned, because the casino staff told me, i would have a good chance that the consulate could refuse the visa, or could stamp at least a remark into my passport. I guess he meant the dreaded red stamp. So, finally i'm happy to got the visa without any remarks. In December i will visit my family in my home country. There i will get a new passport and the game will start from new

As i ordered my last passport at my embassy in Bangkok, i chose the 48 pages passport. But next time, i will order the standard passport. I think 36 pages... I guess its better to renew the passport after 3-4 visas....

The casino stuff told me also, it could be helpful, when you bring a bank statement. Then they could see, that you can effort to stay in Thailand.

Good luck mate. Please report here your experience when you are back...

Edited July 8, 2013 by alocacoc

[ubonjoe]

I suggest you get a 3 entry tourist while you are home instead of a new passport. Getting a visa at home country will break the chain of back to back visas you have.

[Stjohnm]

As far as I know you can only stay for 1 year on consecutive tourist visas before you have to get a Non-Imm or stay out of the country for 90 days.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

That is incorrect.

There is no time limit on how long you can stay on consecuative tourist visas, nor is there a requirement to stay out of the country for 90 days.

It's been a while since I've been here on a TR visa so they may have had a rule change but I was lead to believe there was a 1 year limit by both the Thai Embassy in Singapore & the Consulate in HK on two separate occasions years apart so I was under the impression it was a longstanding rule.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[lopburi3]

Consulates issue visas and can set there own rules on that - they have no authority over immigration and what immigration allows.

[Briggsy]

As far as I know you can only stay for 1 year on consecutive tourist visas before you have to get a Non-Imm or stay out of the country for 90 days.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

This is totally untrue and incorrect. I know plenty who have been on consecutive tourist visas for over one year.

Stjohnm, please retract this inaccurate statement.

[tubby johnson]

By the way, where on the visa application form can we request specifically for a double entry tourist visa?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Please do not multi post the same question.

under the photos

Number of Entries Requested_____

[diggledunc]

As far as I know you can only stay for 1 year on consecutive tourist visas before you have to get a Non-Imm or stay out of the country for 90 days.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

This is totally untrue and incorrect. I know plenty who have been on consecutive tourist visas for over one year.

Stjohnm, please retract this inaccurate statement.

Please see my post #43 my friend has been going to Vientiane and obtaining Tourist visas for six years. Never paid anything under the table. He has no money to. Never had to stay out of the country.

Exactly what somebody else posted consulates issue visas. Whatever the rules say he has and is doing it.

[SlideRiceFC]

I'm just following up with a report on my trip to Savannakhet as I'd previously expressed concern in an earlier post. I contacted the visa service that I normally use to Vientiane and they indicated in all honestly it may not go my way in Vientiane so I'd be better off going to Suvannakhet.

I caught a VIP night bus from MoChit in Bangkok to Mukdahan (641 baht)

The Thai-Lao international bus to the border was 50 baht. After getting my exit stamp I boarded the same bus and they took us over to the Lao side.

I ran into another American at the Mukdahan terminal and when we got to Laos he talked them down from 1500 to 1300 for the visa. We also skipped on the 40 baht ripoff stamp. I read a few blogs where people mentioned paying it but I assure you that's just a sucker tax. I don't even recall them asking the first time I went but they sure dinged the Thai woman with her child in line in front of me for 50 baht so it's not just a foreigner scam.

Tuk tuk to embassy was shared at 75 baht each.

2000 baht for the double entry visa...no problems

Coming back was pretty much the same in reverse except bus fare was a bit more. Total trip cost 5,300 not including food/drinks. Suvannakhet is a sleepy little town...not much going on but for those of us that live in the hustle and bustle a couple of days in the sticks can be a welcome break.

[dick]

Can anybody confirm 6 months double entry visas in Vientian or Savannakhet this month? I;ve talked to visa agents but they all said they can not guarantee it,which sounded like,yeah,you'll get single entry for sure and we will return you 1500 baht for trouble.

[SlideRiceFC]

Can anybody confirm 6 months double entry visas in Vientian or Savannakhet this month? I;ve talked to visa agents but they all said they can not guarantee it,which sounded like,yeah,you'll get single entry for sure and we will return you 1500 baht for trouble.

By 6 month I'm assuming you mean double entry with 60 days on each entry (extendable by 30 days on each entry without leaving Thailand). As the post right above yours stated I got mine in Savannakhet Tuesday as my normal visa service said it was highly likely I'd get denied in Vientiane. I'm sure the number of tourist visas currently in your passport is a factor but if in doubt go to Savannakhet.

[dick]

Can anybody confirm 6 months double entry visas in Vientian or Savannakhet this month? I;ve talked to visa agents but they all said they can not guarantee it,which sounded like,yeah,you'll get single entry for sure and we will return you 1500 baht for trouble.

By 6 month I'm assuming you mean double entry with 60 days on each entry (extendable by 30 days on each entry without leaving Thailand). As the post right above yours stated I got mine in Savannakhet Tuesday as my normal visa service said it was highly likely I'd get denied in Vientiane. I'm sure the number of tourist visas currently in your passport is a factor but if in doubt go to Savannakhet.

Yes,you are right. So you went there independently and got the double entry? About 3 years ago they only issued one entry,at least when i was there. From Pattaya visa agents are only offering visa run for 2 entries in Vientian for 8500 baht.