Entered via Land Border and got 30 Days stay!

[ARGUSEYE]

Hi,

this might be of relevance to many travellers.

I entered the kingdom yesterday via Had Lek (from Koh Kong, Cam) and got 30 days stay instead of 15.

Sadly I only discovered this today (4th Nov) in my passport after reading a relevant post in the Pattaya forum, so I missed the chance of asking the officer at the border if this a new rule and/or for what nationalities it is effective.

In any case, this makes life a lot easier for me (Schengen State citizen)

//Edit: see also this related topic: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678982-30-day-stamp-land-crossing-in-ranong/

Edited November 5, 2013 by Maestro
Added edit note

[Lite Beer]

Thanks but it would be very helpful to know your nationality.

[ubonjoe]

More info info in this topic: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?/topic/678982-30-day-stamp-land-crossing-in-Ranong?

[Maestro]

From the OP:

In any case, this makes life a lot easier for me (Schengen State citizen)

You did not get a 30-day visa-exempt permission to stay on a land border because you are a national of a country that is part of the Schengen area but because you are a national of one of the seven countries, the so-called G7 countries, that based on recent reports from members are newly entitled to this 30-day stay since November 1, 2013.

[NanLaew]

I guess the next burning question will be....

What are the so-called G7 countries?

U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan?

Edited November 5, 2013 by NanLaew

[thaiexpat21]

I guess the next burning question will be....

What are the so-called G7 countries?

U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan?

U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.

Yes that is them !

[gk10002000]

I just called the visa place inside Witherspoons. She called me back and she said she called immigration at border and they were not aware of the change. She also said a customer just came back this week and only got 15 days. So while I love the idea of the 30, I don't think it is happening everywhere yet.

[slipperylobster]

I just called the visa place inside Witherspoons. She called me back and she said she called immigration at border and they were not aware of the change. She also said a customer just came back this week and only got 15 days. So while I love the idea of the 30, I don't think it is happening everywhere yet.

I think this would have been headline news in ThaiVisa. com. Terrible people feed in false information. Makes us jump through hoops to find out if it was true.

[ubonjoe]

There is several posts in the other topic I posted a link to about this including some with scans of stamps. So it seems to be for real not just a rumor.

[Maestro]

It is indeed a sorry state of affairs that the "competent" authorities in Thailand do not announce changes in requirements regarding visas and permissions of stay in a timely fashion. We have seen this happen in the past and it seems to be happening again in this case.

[Maestro]

The reduction in visa-exempt permission to stay at land borders from 30 days to 15 days for all countries except Malaysia was announced with Police Order 778/2551 dated November 25, 2008 and was published on the website of the Immigration Bureau with some delay, if I remember correctly. I don't know if these Police Orders get routinely published in the Government Gazette, nor is it public knowledge how the immigration headquarters communicate changes in the rules to the various immigration offices that have to implement these rules.

[Maestro]

I just called the visa place inside Witherspoons. She called me back and she said she called immigration at border and they were not aware of the change. She also said a customer just came back this week and only got 15 days. So while I love the idea of the 30, I don't think it is happening everywhere yet.

Suggestion: call the immigration hotline 1178 and see what they say, then report it here. I am in Switzerland and can't call that number from here.

[Maestro]

So far, we have seen new 30-day arrival stamps from land borders for nationals of Germany and Japan. Please keep them coming from nationals of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and USA.

[Maestro]

I just called the visa place inside Witherspoons. She called me back and she said she called immigration at border and they were not aware of the change.

Did she tell you if she asked about the permission to stay for nationals of a particular country and if so, what country?

She also said a customer just came back this week and only got 15 days. So while I love the idea of the 30, I don't think it is happening everywhere yet.

Did she tell tell you with what country's passport this customer was travelling?

[bangkokstick]

So is it true ? 30 days for the old Europe G7 countries ?

[ubonjoe]

From all the reports I have seen I can say yes it's true.

[oliver engel04]

Only Russian and some South American Nationals are getting 30 days at he border,as those Countries have an aggreement betweent their Countries,so also Thais getting the same at their border.

No European Foreigner either Americans getting 30 days if entering Thailand via Land!!!

[ubonjoe]

Only Russian and some South American Nationals are getting 30 days at he border,as those Countries have an aggreement betweent their Countries,so also Thais getting the same at their border.

No European Foreigner either Americans getting 30 days if entering Thailand via Land!!!

You need to go back and read the entire topic plus the other one I posted a link to.

It appears to be a fact that the rules have been changed.

[gk10002000]

So is it true ? 30 days for the old Europe G7 countries ?

I just talked with a lady named Tanya at the following website. She guranteed that it is in effect for the G-7 countries effective Nov 1. Now, if true, that doesn't mean that all the provincial border crossings or officials are aware of it. The "law" seems to originate from a different branch of government (economic development versus Immigration) or something like that. So it might take a while for this to promulgate around.

This visa company seems to use the Poipet Casino Resort. crossing location.

I am convinced enough suchthat tomorrow after I fly from Krabi up to BKK I plan to book with her. Her office is over near the Asoke BTS across from soi 15 off of sukhumvit.

http://bestbangkokvisarun.com/news-and-updates/

Edited November 5, 2013 by Lite Beer

[thaibreaker]

So what about us from other countries in Europe, or from other parts of the world for that matter...

If it exists a new deal for only these 7 countries, good for them, but try to take one step back and think about it for a second.

Are the citizens of these countries looked at as some kind of elite? Why not just go back to the old rulings from before 2008, where almost everyone were treated equally?

I will once again say, amazing Thailand.

Edited November 5, 2013 by thaibreaker

[gk10002000]

I just called the visa place inside Witherspoons. She called me back and she said she called immigration at border and they were not aware of the change.

Did she tell you if she asked about the permission to stay for nationals of a particular country and if so, what country?

She also said a customer just came back this week and only got 15 days. So while I love the idea of the 30, I don't think it is happening everywhere yet.

Did she tell tell you with what country's passport this customer was travelling?

yes, One was from the UK. Pattaya Visa run folks and the crossings they use seem to not be aware of this change.

[gk10002000]

So what about us from other countries in Europe, or from other parts of the world for that matter...

If it exists a new deal for only these 7 countries, good for them, but try to take one step back and think about it for a second.

Are the citizens of these countries looked at as some kind of elite? Why not just go back to the old rulings from before 2008, where almost everyone were treated equal?

I will once again say, amazing Thailand.

I agree with you. I felt the same way when I heard the Russians were getting 30 day land visas, while UK, USA etc,. were only going to get 15. The mysteries of politics, economics, etc.

[visarunner]

It's 30 days for the G7.

UK, USA, Japan, Germany, France, Canada and Italy.

Other countries which get 30 days are, Mongolia, Laos, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau and Russia

[Shot]

How many back to back can you do?

[ubonjoe]

How many back to back can you do?

That depends upon which border crossing you go to.

[Shot]

How many back to back can you do?

That depends upon which border crossing you go to.

Ranong?

[thaiexpat21]

How many back to back can you do?

That depends upon which border crossing you go to.

Ranong?

They will knock you back if it is noticed that you are a "serial runner"

[MMarlow]

So what about us from other countries in Europe, or from other parts of the world for that matter...

If it exists a new deal for only these 7 countries, good for them, but try to take one step back and think about it for a second.

Are the citizens of these countries looked at as some kind of elite? Why not just go back to the old rulings from before 2008, where almost everyone were treated equally?

I will once again say, amazing Thailand.

The owner of a visa run company has just confirmed to me also that it is true.

You are right, passport holders from the G7 countries are considered elite, but only because we are (apart from the other 6 of them!).

Got to love Thailand.

[DGIE]

How many times have you had 15 days?

[mrfill]

So what about us from other countries in Europe, or from other parts of the world for that matter...

If it exists a new deal for only these 7 countries, good for them, but try to take one step back and think about it for a second.

Are the citizens of these countries looked at as some kind of elite? Why not just go back to the old rulings from before 2008, where almost everyone were treated equally?

I will once again say, amazing Thailand.

This is exactly the same as before 2008. Almost everyone is treated equally.

In this case I am treated more equally than you but less equal than residents of some other countries.

A while ago New Zealand residents used to get 90 day visa exempt on arrival. They were obviously even more equal....