Re-entry Permit: 3,800 Baht!

[PeaceBlondie]

I never had to pay for a re-entry permit before, because I had the privilege of being forced to leave the Kingdom every three months or less. It was reasonably easy to ride to Burma and pay the Myanmarese junta 250 baht, and then re-enter Thailand for free. However, I paid twenty times as much to get a new one-year B visa each year, so I thought it would be cheaper to just retire and get an O retirement visa.

So, I finally have an O visa that cost me about 3,500 baht plus round trip fare to Malaysia to obtain, converted to a retirement visa that cost another 1,900. So, I decided to visit China for a one-week holiday. About 4,300 baht to leave Thailand and enter China; another 3,800 to re-enter Thailand. Ouch! Not to mention the air fare to Shanghai.

I can afford it, but gee whiz - 3,800 baht just for the privilege of re-entering the country where I've been living for three years. Ouch!

Just never realized the cost was that high. And before some genius says every country charges fees like that, Mexico doesn't.

[lopburi3]

The cost is not that high for anyone but you. You paid for the multi entry type which allows unlimited trips. For a single trip it only costs 1,000 baht.

[DavieA]

The cost is not that high for anyone but you. You paid for the multi entry type which allows unlimited trips. For a single trip it only costs 1,000 baht.

Lops correct Peace. 3,800 bt is for a multiple re-entry. The single is only 1000. I found this out last year when I had to return to OZ because of a death in the family. I was quoted the 3,800 over the phone but was pleasantly surprised when I found out the full story at the immigration office. I think it is a bit crap when you do have a work permit and 1 year visa and you have to pay to come back into the country. Just the Thais making things easier as usual!.....NOT! And they wonder why it's hard to get falangs here to teach.

[PeaceBlondie]

Thanks, everybody. I only checked the form 'multiple' because I was confused (filling out two forms at once, back and forth, passport photo shop, copies, etc.) and the junior officer never questioned or explained it.

Okay. Lesson learned. I rushed home from Bangkok this morning, thinking they might close early for Songkran, and I needed both forms. Well, at least if I need to leave the country again, I can do it as often as I can pay the airfare and the 500 baht airport fee, eh?

[lopburi3]

Or you can go by land and not have to pay the airport fee.

[samran]

Price comparison: My Further Leave to remain in the UK costs me 350 pounds (24K baht) pounds by post (valid for 3 years) or a whopping 500 pounds (nearly 35K) in person. No re-entry permit necessary, but the fee's built in just in case you need to come and go! Australia too charges for Return Residents visa's. It is called a captive market.

Thailand, well, at least they give you the choice, if you go nowhere, you don't pay.

[Krub]

Japan, one of the most expensive countries in the world charges the equivalent of 2.000 baht for a multi re-enrty permit.....valid 3 full years !