Possible changes to tourist visas

[rumbo1]

With out wanting to start a Thai bashing or political argument does any one understand the logic behind possible new changes ?

Is it the interim government who comes up with the new rules or immigration ?

The reason I ask is I've been living here for 7 months ( triple entry tourist from uk then double entry from Laos ) I'm not married to a Thai but we've been together for 2 years now. The problems I've got is I'm not 50 yet so can't get retirement visa. I'm financially secure but how can I stay here long term ?

Maybe people who have lived here for a long time and understand Thai culture/ logic can give some sensible answers ? . I love this country and it's people so don't want to hear the usual t.v shit.

I won't respond to any comments but would be interesting to hear sensible thoughts.

P.s another reason I say this is I've spent a fair amount of money here and think my money must be helping Thai economy

[mahjongguy]

The Phuket News wrote an article saying there may be changes in the rules regarding visa exempt entries which they mistakenly referred to as visa on arrival. Then they compounded their stupidity by using a headline mentioning tourist visas, which are a third thing.

Any discussion should be about website staff writers who don't know what they're talking about.

[thepool]

If the aim is to stay here legally,on a long term basis, the options are

1.Get married and apply for an extension of stay.

2 Sign up with a school and obtain a Education visa

3. Find legal work and get an appropriate visa and work permit

That is it !

[TerryLH]

"That is it !"

Investment no longer an option?

[Maestro]

Investment is still an option. Clause 2.5 of Thai Police Order 777/2551

[mahjongguy]

Yes, there is the 10 million baht investment option.

(Some would say that it's cheaper and less risky than getting married.)

[rct99q]

The laws as they currently stand are pretty straight forward. The posters above have listed many options for living here. Currently you are not living here, you are a tourist visiting Thailand. You spending a fair amount of money is not worth mentioning.

[PREM-R]

The Phuket News wrote an article saying there may be changes in the rules regarding visa exempt entries which they mistakenly referred to as visa on arrival. Then they compounded their stupidity by using a headline mentioning tourist visas, which are a third thing. Any discussion should be about website staff writers who don't know what they're talking about.

I agree, if this is an "official" statement from immigration then they have mixed up three separate types of entry ie: visa on arrival, visa exempt and tourist visa. It also states that the rules have 'changed' by allowing only 15 day entries rather than 30 days, but this has been the rule for some years now, only G8 country passport holders could get 30 days, everyone else got 15 days, so the only change would be to the G8 country rule which came into force last November.

I also found a 'Thai Embassy" website that states

"Immigration authorities further clarified that there is no longer a limit on the number of times a foreigner may enter Thailand within the days allowed on the Visa on Arrival. The former provision stating that visitors cannot stay for more than 90 days within six months has already been dropped."

To be honest it seems like someone has dug up the old story of a few years ago and reprinted it as "News" as the 90 days in Thailand rule was removed years ago.

Has anyone crossed at Nong Khai today? Is the sign indicating 30 day entry for G8 passport holders still there? It was at the end of last week.

[TerryLH]

"Is the sign indicating 30 day entry for G8 passport holders still there?"

Have they added a country?

I've seen many posts where someone says that citizens of G7 countries get 30 days for crossing by land now. Most do not name the countries.

Is it common that the average person knows whether they are from a G7 country, or not?

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"Is the sign indicating 30 day entry for G8 passport holders still there?"

Have they added a country?

I've seen many posts where someone says that citizens of G7 countries get 30 days for crossing by land now. Most do not name the countries.

Is it common that the average person knows whether they are from a G7 country, or not?

I know for sure that I come from a G7 country !

Does that confirm my being "above" average ?

[PREM-R]

"Is the sign indicating 30 day entry for G8 passport holders still there?"

Have they added a country?

I've seen many posts where someone says that citizens of G7 countries get 30 days for crossing by land now. Most do not name the countries.

Is it common that the average person knows whether they are from a G7 country, or not?

"Have they added a country?"

The G8, or "Group of Eight," consists of eight large world economic powers. The G7, as the group is sometimes known, lacks Russia.

The G8 Countries are:-

Canada

France

Germany

Italy

Japan

Russia

United Kingdom

United States

But back on topic, is the sign still there at the bridge in Nong Khai?

[samran]

To my mind the reasoning is pretty clear:

- Thailand doesn't want people living here as 'defacto' residents on visa exempt entries, and most likely, tourist and educational visas.

- Having said that the systems for 'counting days' per year allowed on a visa exempt entries appears burdensom (they've tried it)

- Additionally, the political will to change the actual underlying legislation to reflect perhaps more international standards in this area, is lacking.

As such, basically the police can use their powers to 'shift the goal posts' in terms of visa runners as much as possible, so that visa running has an element of unpleasantness/cost about it, which makes people upgrade to proper longer stay visas.

[thepool]

On the other hand the G7 countries are

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

To my mind the reasoning is pretty clear:

- Thailand doesn't want people living here as 'defacto' residents on visa exempt entries, and most likely, tourist and educational visas.

- Having said that the systems for 'counting days' per year allowed on a visa exempt entries appears burdensom (they've tried it)

- Additionally, the political will to change the actual underlying legislation to reflect perhaps more international standards in this area, is lacking.

As such, basically the police can use their powers to 'shift the goal posts' in terms of visa runners as much as possible, so that visa running has an element of unpleasantness/cost about it, which makes people upgrade to proper longer stay visas.

Most (All?) Western countries have have much stricter rules than Thailand. Try for example walking into Australia with no visa !

[samran]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

To my mind the reasoning is pretty clear:

- Thailand doesn't want people living here as 'defacto' residents on visa exempt entries, and most likely, tourist and educational visas.

- Having said that the systems for 'counting days' per year allowed on a visa exempt entries appears burdensom (they've tried it)

- Additionally, the political will to change the actual underlying legislation to reflect perhaps more international standards in this area, is lacking.

As such, basically the police can use their powers to 'shift the goal posts' in terms of visa runners as much as possible, so that visa running has an element of unpleasantness/cost about it, which makes people upgrade to proper longer stay visas.

Most (All?) Western countries have have much stricter rules than Thailand. Try for example walking into Australia with no visa !

Goes without saying!

[TerryLH]

"Does that confirm my being "above" average ?"

You're a legend in your own mind.

I now know my country is in the G7 group, but didn't before this change. Never payed attention to that kind of stuff.

I just wonder if the average poster here , when told they'll get 30 days if from a G7 country, even knows what that means.

Are the names of the G7 countries pinned at the top?

Just a curious thought.

[moe666]

Yes, there is the 10 million baht investment option. (Some would say that it's cheaper and less risky than getting married.)

Up to you