Visa crackdown risks stranding Phuket expats in Myanmar
Phuket Gazette


Ranong Immigration warns that any foreigner who exits Thailand after using three consecutive visa exemption entries must get a proper visa. Photo: Chris Husted

PHUKET: -- Officials at Ranong Immigration today confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that they are turning away any foreigners attempting to enter Thailand after using three consecutive “walk-in” visas.

The news follows reports of immigration officers allegedly stopping Phuket expats on visa runs to Ranong from exiting the country. Ranong, nearly 400km north of Phuket, has for decades been a prime destination for foreigners conducting "visa runs".

“We began enforcing the rule from May 3 [saturday] after receiving an order from Bangkok,” an officer at Ranong Immigration told the Gazette on condition of anonymity this morning.

“We have already spoken with several foreigners and strongly advised that they do not exit Thailand to arrive in Kauthaung [in Myanmar], as there is no Thai embassy or consulate there.

“We explained that if they went and tried to re-enter Thailand without first obtaining a visa from a Thai embassy or consulate, we would have to refuse them entry because they would have already entered Thailand three consecutive times on ‘visa exemption’ status.”

Any foreigners who ignore the advice risk being stranded in Myanmar, the officer warned.

The officer explained that the crackdown on the “three-visa-and-out rule” was aimed at catching foreign criminals staying in Thailand.

“This is just the first step in a crackdown on expats and tourists who keep renewing their visas so that they can live in Thailand for the wrong reasons,” he said.

“Some foreigners live here and form their own ‘networks’ to carry out illegal business. Some of the people we are targeting are known associates of international criminals.”

Visa run companies in Phuket have been notified of the situation, the officer assured.

“These companies can explain the rules to foreigners before they book them on a visa run,” he said. “This will help avoid any problems at the Ranong checkpoint.”

“As I said, this is just the first step as we attempt to root out foreign criminals. The next step might be tougher than this one, but law-abiding foreigners should be aware that we are not picking on any particular nationalities – criminals are the ones we want to catch.”

Any foreigners caught overstaying their permit to stay are subject to a fine of 500 baht per day, up to a maximum fine of 20,000 baht.

Foreigners caught grossly abusing the maximum overstay fine rule risk being deported and added to the immigration blacklist, barring the foreigner from re-entering the country (story here).

— Chutharat Plerin

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Visa-crackdown-risks-stranding-Phuket-expats-Myanmar/29346


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-05-05

“We began enforcing the rule from May 3 [saturday] after receiving an order from Bangkok,”

Mmmm.... So both houses of the govt make rules, but it's up to the immigration / police to decide to enforce them ?

Interesting

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“We began enforcing the rule from May 3 [saturday] after receiving an order from Bangkok,”

Mmmm.... So both houses of the govt make rules, but it's up to the immigration / police to decide to enforce them ?

Interesting

It's always been the rule that the final decision rests at the individual Immigration officer's discretion, despite the letter of the law.

Sept already?

Mister Fixit, on 05 May 2014 - 08:54, said:

skippybangkok, on 05 May 2014 - 08:36, said:

webfact, on 05 May 2014 - 08:30, said:

“We began enforcing the rule from May 3 [saturday] after receiving an order from Bangkok,”

Mmmm.... So both houses of the govt make rules, but it's up to the immigration / police to decide to enforce them ?

Interesting

It's always been the rule that the final decision rests at the individual Immigration officer's discretion, despite the letter of the law.

As it is in most countries.

“This is just the first step in a crackdown on expats and tourists who keep renewing their visas so that they can live in Thailand for the wrong reasons,” he said.

What went wrong? Does this mean cops and immigration is not relying anymore on extortion money (the former right reason) from those they caught?

Not really surprising. Visitors should make appropriate visa applications and not abuse the free 30 day transit stamp on a repeat basis.

Any one who drives 400 km north of Phuket to get to Ranong is taking a pretty weird route.

“We began enforcing the rule from May 3 [saturday] after receiving an order from Bangkok,”

Mmmm.... So both houses of the govt make rules, but it's up to the immigration / police to decide to enforce them ?

Interesting

It's always been the rule that the final decision rests at the individual Immigration officer's discretion, despite the letter of the law.

Very true. In my case about 8 years ago a bottle of Black Label easily changed their minds.

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

Any one who drives 400 km north of Phuket to get to Ranong is taking a pretty weird route.

Yes Google Maps has it at 289 Km, perhaps they went via Surit Thani & Chumpon

when will all this stop ,we marry thai lady ,build house here come and live ,most of cause no problems ,we support there parents,educate there children ,then get hard time from the government ,visa runs ,our thai wife can come to the west get visa for life without any investment ,can start new life with no problems from the government /work,in the UK free health care ,,about time thailand ,gave as old gents little respect for our efforts ,for sure marrying a thai lady is better than ending up in a OAP home ,well maybe ,and well maybe cheaper

....so 3 renewals and you are out.....mmmmm so that gives "the criminals" 90 days plus there original 30.......to "do the business"

Targeting criminals???...to me that is a bit of a generalisation....if you target a criminal then surely you already know who he/she is....so why not actually target the criminal in the first place....like arrest the perpetrator and deal with him/her for whatever crime or law he has broken in Thailand.

This story has holes in it...very wishy washy.

Now all "tourists" are subject to the 3 and you are out count......perhaps there are some genuine tourists wanting to stay longer in Thailand because they like the place so much.

I agree there should be a maximum number for the renewal process...but I say again....surely plod and immigration can "weed" out those of special interest to them.

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when will all this stop ,we marry thai lady ,build house here come and live ,most of cause no problems ,we support there parents,educate there children ,then get hard time from the government ,visa runs ,our thai wife can come to the west get visa for life without any investment ,can start new life with no problems from the government /work,in the UK free health care ,,about time thailand ,gave as old gents little respect for our efforts ,for sure marrying a thai lady is better than ending up in a OAP home ,well maybe ,and well maybe cheaper

Get a marriage visa, very simple problem solved. No more border runs.

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

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

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

marry a Thai, get a job here, retire here are among a few ways.

Sorry, but I can only see one result of this rules. And that is more people on overstays. Long overstays.

I don`t think most people will leave Thailand after three times passing the border, just because of "Bangkok" saying so. If you are set and determined to be here, for any reason, then more people probably will take their chances on the overstay.

One year overstay or so, laying low, and paying the fine at the airport on their way home.

Unfortunate, of course, but, sorry to say, necessary for those who doesn`t get the proper visas (for any reason), and have their loved ones here.

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Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

marry a Thai, get a job here, retire here are among a few ways.

Many farangs don`t want to marry their girlfriend. Marrying just for getting a one year visa, is definitely a wrong reason.

Many of us are also under the age of retirement, and some people doesn`t meet the money aquirements for that kind of visa.

So many people fall between chairs here, so it isn`t that easy.

when will all this stop ,we marry thai lady ,build house here come and live ,most of cause no problems ,we support there parents,educate there children ,then get hard time from the government ,visa runs ,our thai wife can come to the west get visa for life without any investment ,can start new life with no problems from the government /work,in the UK free health care ,,about time thailand ,gave as old gents little respect for our efforts ,for sure marrying a thai lady is better than ending up in a OAP home ,well maybe ,and well maybe cheaper

So ghet a visa based on that marriage.

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

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

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

marry a Thai, get a job here, retire here are among a few ways.

Many farangs don`t want to marry their girlfriend. Marrying just for getting a one year visa, is definitely a wrong reason.

Many of us are also under the age of retirement, and some people doesn`t meet the money aquirements for that kind of visa.

So many people fall between chairs here, so it isn`t that easy.

No one owns you a visa to stay here, just because you want to.

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

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

marry a Thai, get a job here, retire here are among a few ways.

Many farangs don`t want to marry their girlfriend. Marrying just for getting a one year visa, is definitely a wrong reason.

Many of us are also under the age of retirement, and some people doesn`t meet the money aquirements for that kind of visa.

So many people fall between chairs here, so it isn`t that easy.

Yes, those people can not be here legally, except on tourist visa.

.....and what about criminals that can just use a cheap budget airline to do visa runs?

I'd happily pay for a long term visa. I'm under 50 and not married. Which type of visa is it I need...?

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

it is hard for people younger than 50 such as myself, not married with thai. unless i wanna do some ED fraud farce thing of course.......... what's the difference then with going to Kawthoung (where I have been 25x or so sofar).....................

when will all this stop ,we marry thai lady ,build house here come and live ,most of cause no problems ,we support there parents,educate there children ,then get hard time from the government ,visa runs ,our thai wife can come to the west get visa for life without any investment ,can start new life with no problems from the government /work,in the UK free health care ,,about time thailand ,gave as old gents little respect for our efforts ,for sure marrying a thai lady is better than ending up in a OAP home ,well maybe ,and well maybe cheaper

Marriage is not for every expatriate seeking to live in Thailand long term. Many single expats, such as myself, have proper, legally obtained, long term visas. Complying with the law is sometimes laborious and difficult to understand. That being said, I don't make the rules or run the show. If I want to live here, I comply with the law.

Thaibreaker is absolutely right!

It seems incredible that a country like Thailand which relies so heavily on tourism, makes it so incredibly difficult for people to stay here for any more than the standard 28 days!

This paranoia even extends to the well-off ! For instance, a private individual cannot own or operate a helicopter in Thailand ! Why not? Apparently because they might go smuggling with it across the various borders!! But you can own a fixed wing aircraft which would be far more convenient and carry more goods! Any development I am involved in, will have a hallmark all-weather Helipad included, as one day someone will see common sense! I am relying

on it !

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

Go back to Europe and acquire an 0 visa. year stamp and border run every 90 days. ----there is a Retirement visa and +++++

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Many farangs don`t want to marry their girlfriend. Marrying just for getting a one year visa, is definitely a wrong reason.

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

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

marry a Thai, get a job here, retire here are among a few ways.

Many of us are also under the age of retirement, and some people doesn`t meet the money aquirements for that kind of visa.

So many people fall between chairs here, so it isn`t that easy.

Totally agree, especially if under 50 years old... And: No, not everyone needs to work until 50 but can retire, earlier, much earlier.

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

Get a year visa. AINT HARD

how do you get a year visa?

marry a Thai, get a job here, retire here are among a few ways.

1. i'm not into marrying, never married in the west, let alone in the east

2. i don't need a job, i have enough to live another XX years (the way i live) and i don't have a criminal record just in case u wonder

3. i retired at a very young age as i had an idea what i wanted to do with my life at a young age and went for it (and made the necessary choices/sacrifices then).

4. i'm not interested in abusing the ED visa thing

now, if i go out in ranong 3x and then go out elsewhere (eg. satun or narathiwat or tak) would that cause any problems? i have done the satun trip 5-6x in a row without problems several years ago. anyway, the rule doesn't make sense since those "bad people" refered to in the article will simply overstay or fly from phuket abroad and back in for 30 days exempt or use other malafide channels.

I find it a good thing... If us honest working people have to do all this then those who think they can find a way around the law should be punished. Getting a visa is easy. Just get one for the right reasons... Retirement starts at age of 50, or get and education visa and learn something which is good for a year and renewable up to 3 years. Or GET A JOB or invest in the country... And if you don't make the requirement for a marriage visa which is 400.000 baht then you seriously did something wrong in life if you don't have 9500 euros on your savings account... It just shows you are in Thailand for all the wrong reasons. Wish we were more stricter in Europe. It would keep the scum out that is draining our countries