Final crackdown for border runners - New strict Immigration regulation in force from today

[Eagleizer]

Oh dear!

I'm just caught in the middle of it now.

I have a legit Non Immigrant 90 days Visa expiring this coming May 13th.

A few days ago I pre-paid for a Visa Run, to Ranong, this coming Monday May 12ve.

And actually I just need a minimum 7 days extension since circumstances made that I am leaving (for good) for another country this Saturday May 17^th.

What should I do now?

a- Go to the Visa Run anyway and risk it.

b- Get my money back from the Visa Run company and drive my motorbike to immigration office in Phuket Town this Monday and beg for an extension

Anybody got real official information to suggest?

TKS

c-

Get your money back and pay the fine for overstay.

If you are really nervous about this, you can get a

paper from a doctor saying you have been too sick

to leave the country for a week, but you still have to

pay the fine..

[slipperylobster]

Let us look closely at some of the postings...

Summary of what a back to back border runner is...

1. Trailer Trash (and, by definition, a watcher of Fox News)

2. Job thief (illegally working in Thailand...In spite of having hefty pension with added social security)

3. Abuser/violator of Thai Immigration Rules...In spite of only following advice, freely given on TV, that all was well with 3 or 4 back to backs. (Now, of course, that has changed).

4. Cheap Charlie (Refuses to buy a home or vehicle here (because...OMG, he does not live here all year.)

5. Flaming Idiot (Refuses all advice to move his hard earned, life savings to the wonderful banks of thailand. (Trouble is getting it back home again)

6. Criminal who is running from the Law (Somehow squeaks by all the checks at the border)

7. Undesirable (The richer guys want us out......perhaps we are more handsome and their gals smile at us alot)

I am coming to grips with my shortcomings.....however....and will enroll in some self improvement courses.

Given time, I will be able to stand on my own two feet with the rest of ya.

[charmonman]

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

Someone requested a translation of the Thai text include in the article. My (unofficial) translation follows as a public service.

แนวทางปฏิบัติของ สตม.ในการตรวจคนเข้าเมืองของบุคคลสัญชาติเป้าหมาย เช่น เกาหลี ฯลฯ มีดังนี้

In practice, the Office of Immigration, in checking persons entering the country, for persons nationalities such as Korean, etc., shall be thus:

1.ห้ามมิให้ด่านชายแดนมีการอนุญาต Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run เพื่อให้ได้รับสิทธิในการอยู่ในราชอาณาจักรต่อเนื่องที่มิใช่เหตุผลเพื่อการ ท่องเที่ยว

1. Immigration stations are not allowed to permit Visa run-type Out-Ins that are intended to get the right to live in the Kingdom continuously, that are not for purposes of tourism.

2.กรณีเดินทางโดยอากาศยานหากตรวจพบว่าอาจเป็นการ Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run ให้ว่ากล่าวและแนะนำให้ผู้นั้นดำเนินการขอ Visa ให้ถูกต้องตามวัตถุประสงค์ของการเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักร แล้วอนุโลมให้เข้า ตั้งแต่บัดนี้จนถึงวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 โดยทำเครื่องหมาย O-I ไว้บริเวณรอยตราประทับ และหลังจากวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 เป็นต้นไป หากเจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจพบเป็นการ Out-In ให้ปฏิเสธการเข้าเมืองผู้นั้น

2. In the case of travel through airports, if the agent discovers that it might be a Visa run-type Out-In, the agent shall comment and advise the traveler to request a visa by the proper procedure to enter the Kingdom, then allow the traveler to enter. From the present until 12 Aug 2557, issue seal type O-I in the traveler's passport. After 12 Aug 2557, if the agent discovers Out-In, deny entry to the traveler.

หมายเหตุ หากผู้ปฏิบัติมีข้อสงสัยหรือพบปัญหาติดต่อ พล.ต.ต.ชิษณุพงศ์ ยุกตะทัต หรือ พล.ต.ต.ณัฐธร เพราะสุนทร รอง ผบช.สตม. แล้วแต่กรณี

Comment: If the practicing agent has questions or encounters problems, contact Police General Chisanuphong Yooktatat or Police General Natatorn Phrawsoonthorn, commanders of Immigration, depending on the case.

Sounds pretty vague, and up to the judgement of the immigration agent on duty.

This might make airlines a bit more paranoid as they are responsible for any passenger they allow on a flight without a proper visa. For years I have been flying in from my home country for a two month stay without a visa. After 30 days I would fly to a nearby country, (Vietnam or Nepal usually) and then come back in on another 30 day visa exempt entry for the remainder. Last time i did this, I fortunately had gotten a two month tourist visa because Korean Airlines claimed they could not have permitted me on the flight without the visa as my return date on the ticket was greater than 30 days! Pain in the a$$! I guess I'll just get a visa from now on, which is $50 and time I'd rather spend on something else.

Mind you, I don't blame the Thai authorities, just all the deadbeats that have been swarming into Thailand over the past several years.

[slipperylobster]

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

Someone requested a translation of the Thai text include in the article. My (unofficial) translation follows as a public service.

แนวทางปฏิบัติของ สตม.ในการตรวจคนเข้าเมืองของบุคคลสัญชาติเป้าหมาย เช่น เกาหลี ฯลฯ มีดังนี้

In practice, the Office of Immigration, in checking persons entering the country, for persons nationalities such as Korean, etc., shall be thus:

1.ห้ามมิให้ด่านชายแดนมีการอนุญาต Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run เพื่อให้ได้รับสิทธิในการอยู่ในราชอาณาจักรต่อเนื่องที่มิใช่เหตุผลเพื่อการ ท่องเที่ยว

1. Immigration stations are not allowed to permit Visa run-type Out-Ins that are intended to get the right to live in the Kingdom continuously, that are not for purposes of tourism.

2.กรณีเดินทางโดยอากาศยานหากตรวจพบว่าอาจเป็นการ Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run ให้ว่ากล่าวและแนะนำให้ผู้นั้นดำเนินการขอ Visa ให้ถูกต้องตามวัตถุประสงค์ของการเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักร แล้วอนุโลมให้เข้า ตั้งแต่บัดนี้จนถึงวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 โดยทำเครื่องหมาย O-I ไว้บริเวณรอยตราประทับ และหลังจากวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 เป็นต้นไป หากเจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจพบเป็นการ Out-In ให้ปฏิเสธการเข้าเมืองผู้นั้น

2. In the case of travel through airports, if the agent discovers that it might be a Visa run-type Out-In, the agent shall comment and advise the traveler to request a visa by the proper procedure to enter the Kingdom, then allow the traveler to enter. From the present until 12 Aug 2557, issue seal type O-I in the traveler's passport. After 12 Aug 2557, if the agent discovers Out-In, deny entry to the traveler.

หมายเหตุ หากผู้ปฏิบัติมีข้อสงสัยหรือพบปัญหาติดต่อ พล.ต.ต.ชิษณุพงศ์ ยุกตะทัต หรือ พล.ต.ต.ณัฐธร เพราะสุนทร รอง ผบช.สตม. แล้วแต่กรณี

Comment: If the practicing agent has questions or encounters problems, contact Police General Chisanuphong Yooktatat or Police General Natatorn Phrawsoonthorn, commanders of Immigration, depending on the case.

Sounds pretty vague, and up to the judgement of the immigration agent on duty.

This might make airlines a bit more paranoid as they are responsible for any passenger they allow on a flight without a proper visa. For years I have been flying in from my home country for a two month stay without a visa. After 30 days I would fly to a nearby country, (Vietnam or Nepal usually) and then come back in on another 30 day visa exempt entry for the remainder. Last time i did this, I fortunately had gotten a two month tourist visa because Korean Airlines claimed they could not have permitted me on the flight without the visa as my return date on the ticket was greater than 30 days! Pain in the <deleted>! I guess I'll just get a visa from now on, which is $50 and time I'd rather spend on something else.

Mind you, I don't blame the Thai authorities, just all the deadbeats that have been swarming into Thailand over the past several years.

oh a new label...deadbeat. how wonderful of you.

Affects non deadbeats just as evenly.

Of course, I am a non deadbeat.

[fabianfred]

All the crap about these new tightening of existing regulations, to try and stop criminals ... as we know money can get you anything, rules notwithstanding, so the real criminals are unaffected by these new moves.

Thailand really mystifies as to how it likes to destroy its own tourism.... and I don't believe the majority of Thais hate farangs, as some here like to post. The ones who do are mostly rich Hi-So or those involved in the tourism industry ...who are jealous of our real or supposed wealth.

[istinspring]

Tourists bring money to Thailand, what is the point of limiting their access? With tourism down due to political strife, it is a lousy time for the government to make it harder for visitors to inject their dollars and euros into the Thai economy.

Tourism in Thailand makes up about 6% of their economy. Some regions pretty depend on tourism while rest of country just don't care about it.

It's awesome that Thai laws about owning land and properties is terrible to aliens otherwise developed countries bought everything here.

If Thailand become not comfortable for long stay, there is bunch of countries around: malaysia, laos, cambodia, philippines.

[larsjohnsson]

"From today visitors can only enter into Thailand via a land border once, after that they will be refused entry to the Kingdom"

Can this be right?

If you are a tourist staying in Thailand and you make a trip to Siam Reap pop back, and then go to Laos for a couple of days, you won't be able to come back into the kingdom??????

How difficult is it to get a Tourist visa. And then you have no problem with this trip.

[ukrules]

"From today visitors can only enter into Thailand via a land border once, after that they will be refused entry to the Kingdom"

Can this be right?

If you are a tourist staying in Thailand and you make a trip to Siam Reap pop back, and then go to Laos for a couple of days, you won't be able to come back into the kingdom??????

How difficult is it to get a Tourist visa. And then you have no problem with this trip.

I actively avoid going to countries where I need to send off my passport to get visas. For example China and India, I'm never going to these countries again due to their visa situations.

If they change the rules in the future I'll go, but until then they're off the list. I'm sure they don't care, but neither do I. There's plenty of other places to go.

Edited May 11, 2014 by ukrules

[samran]

Gotta say, I'm more happy about this than yinglick getting shafted the other day.

[Mencken]

I applaud. Proposed a one week buffer between stays on this board years ago.

Now if we can only get a language test for the ED visa like Taiwan and serious health check for retirees and marrieds.

I'm very sympathetic to the mongers, not at all to illegal workers. Mongers at least have the dosh to afford a hovel and their drink.

Bye bye dive "instructor" idiots and illegal teachers (no degree). At your age did you really think this a viable career? Filipino teachers...These folks are headed home sure. Hopefully it will clean up.the teaching agencies as well.

Bye bye <50 "web developers" lol

[Mencken]

If everyone would stop telling these runners to get visas that would be great.

The reason they are running is because that isno longeran option.

Please

Stop.

[pxlgirl]

maybe it's just me, but I have the feeling that this won't be the last "crackdown"...

[arisaje]

For the various contributors to this forum, who are concerned about the increasing crime and ability for wanted criminals, gang members, mafia syndicates, credit card runners, child support dodgers to remain in Thailand…..then this should be welcome news for you!

I notice that many TV posters, say this is "Thailand is trying to destroy its tourism"?? these people who do multiple border runs are not tourists, they are basically illegitimate refugees here in Thailand. If they were genuine…..they would have genuine visas and a genuine reason to stay...

Land border runs for a variety of undesirables who are able to stay on indefinitely here….although you should beware that Thai Immigration are in the process of updating their airport entry systems with global interpol linked database systems…..so all persons with criminal records, unpaid child support, fake passports, unpaid credit cards in their home countries take note.

Systems are being fast tracked throughout asia, paid for by 'a foreign government' following the missing Malaysia airline jet and stolen passport issues that put a spotlight on Thailand yet again

Finally this will weed out all the undesirable characters who consider Thailand a safe haven…i hope they have enough for their flights home when they get pulled and don't have to spend time in immigration detention centers until a family member comes to their rescue, i hear they are pretty rough

[DrTuner]

This also means the already long lines at immigration to get a re-entry will get even longer.

[richard10365]

If anything, this will only get more difficult to come into Thailand for foreigners who are not from ASEAN countries. In 2015, ASEAN nationals will be able to move more freely across the borders of every ASEAN country.

Who told you that nonsense.

No, when the AEC comes into force, ASEAN nationals will NOT be able to move freely across borders of every ASEAN country. They will need the same visas they need now.

ASEAN under the AEC is not like the EU in that capacity.

I never said "freely", I said "more freely." This means they will be able to move easier than they do now. Where before they were kept out, now their visas will come easier.

[notmyself]

For the various contributors to this forum, who are concerned about the increasing crime and ability for wanted criminals, gang members, mafia syndicates, credit card runners, child support dodgers to remain in Thailand..then this should be welcome news for you!

If it is well implemented then I consider it a positive step no question about it.

[newatthis]

So a Nong Kai run to Laos for a 60 day plus the 30 day extension is still viable??

Yes.

Mario2008, do you know how many of these will Immigration allow?

[sonnyt34]

Some one should go through and delete so many troll postings.

In the situation you get the good with the bad.

1. the philippine long stayers will turn to fixers for a while

2. there are some real and then there are fake backpackers

3. The criminals will sadly find away

4. yeah back to back (same day) runs not really a good thing it invites abuse of the system

5. this is for the under 50 crowd, 10 million baht is a steep amount to invest, Thailand is a good country to settle in currently. No I will not debate which area is best. Get in good with some friends get find some long time farangs that can explain the local way for you every town runs differently and you will find the best Visa solution for you all in due time. Ed Visas can extend up to 3 years, I will be getting a 1 year on my next trip.

Be smart stay safe and clean, Respect the Thai non-gov citizen maybe create your own next up and coming district

[moe666]

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

Someone requested a translation of the Thai text include in the article. My (unofficial) translation follows as a public service.

แนวทางปฏิบัติของ สตม.ในการตรวจคนเข้าเมืองของบุคคลสัญชาติเป้าหมาย เช่น เกาหลี ฯลฯ มีดังนี้

In practice, the Office of Immigration, in checking persons entering the country, for persons nationalities such as Korean, etc., shall be thus:

1.ห้ามมิให้ด่านชายแดนมีการอนุญาต Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run เพื่อให้ได้รับสิทธิในการอยู่ในราชอาณาจักรต่อเนื่องที่มิใช่เหตุผลเพื่อการ ท่องเที่ยว

1. Immigration stations are not allowed to permit Visa run-type Out-Ins that are intended to get the right to live in the Kingdom continuously, that are not for purposes of tourism.

2.กรณีเดินทางโดยอากาศยานหากตรวจพบว่าอาจเป็นการ Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run ให้ว่ากล่าวและแนะนำให้ผู้นั้นดำเนินการขอ Visa ให้ถูกต้องตามวัตถุประสงค์ของการเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักร แล้วอนุโลมให้เข้า ตั้งแต่บัดนี้จนถึงวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 โดยทำเครื่องหมาย O-I ไว้บริเวณรอยตราประทับ และหลังจากวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 เป็นต้นไป หากเจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจพบเป็นการ Out-In ให้ปฏิเสธการเข้าเมืองผู้นั้น

2. In the case of travel through airports, if the agent discovers that it might be a Visa run-type Out-In, the agent shall comment and advise the traveler to request a visa by the proper procedure to enter the Kingdom, then allow the traveler to enter. From the present until 12 Aug 2557, issue seal type O-I in the traveler's passport. After 12 Aug 2557, if the agent discovers Out-In, deny entry to the traveler.

หมายเหตุ หากผู้ปฏิบัติมีข้อสงสัยหรือพบปัญหาติดต่อ พล.ต.ต.ชิษณุพงศ์ ยุกตะทัต หรือ พล.ต.ต.ณัฐธร เพราะสุนทร รอง ผบช.สตม. แล้วแต่กรณี

Comment: If the practicing agent has questions or encounters problems, contact Police General Chisanuphong Yooktatat or Police General Natatorn Phrawsoonthorn, commanders of Immigration, depending on the case.

Sounds pretty vague, and up to the judgement of the immigration agent on duty.

This might make airlines a bit more paranoid as they are responsible for any passenger they allow on a flight without a proper visa. For years I have been flying in from my home country for a two month stay without a visa. After 30 days I would fly to a nearby country, (Vietnam or Nepal usually) and then come back in on another 30 day visa exempt entry for the remainder. Last time i did this, I fortunately had gotten a two month tourist visa because Korean Airlines claimed they could not have permitted me on the flight without the visa as my return date on the ticket was greater than 30 days! Pain in the <deleted>! I guess I'll just get a visa from now on, which is $50 and time I'd rather spend on something else.

Mind you, I don't blame the Thai authorities, just all the deadbeats that have been swarming into Thailand over the past several years.

oh a new label...deadbeat. how wonderful of you.

Affects non deadbeats just as evenly.

Of course, I am a non deadbeat.

You should not be taking all these changes so personal

[inthepink]

The funny thing is, I was about to apply for a non-imm visa when they changed the 15-day visa exempt stamp at land borders to 30 days for G7 countries so as I was not in a hurry I thought why not leave it a month or two while I sort some stuff out. Silly me.

[melcoe]

I am an Australian who splits my time between Australia and Thailand. I am not married, but have a child who is half Thai. So I happily fork out $285 AUD per year for my Non-0 immigration visa, with multiple entries valid for 12 months from date of issue. This gives me multiple entries for up to 90 days at a time. If I want to stay in Thailand longer than 90 days, I have to fly in/fly out, but because I already HAVE a visa, this poses no dramas. Yes it's a bit inconvenient at times, but as I always know ahead of time when my visa is due to expire, I book nice cheap air asia flights months in advance, and make it a fun day's shopping or whatever. It's not hard!

There are many many times when I could have simply entered on a the 30 day visa exempt thingy, and then done a border crossing to get an extra 14 days, or a flight to get another 30. I could also have organised the much cheaper 60-day tourist visas and extended those when need be, for a fraction of what I pay for my annual visa... but I don't do it because I know that over time the officials would get peeved. Life is much simpler when you play by the rules... and I've never been given any flack ever at immigration... they are always welcoming and process my entry without fuss, (even if they don't smile much)!

Yes, it's an expense I would rather be without, but you know what... I actually think I'm lucky to be living the dual life that I do, and that Thailand welcomes me with open arms as the mother of one of its babes. It's a far cry from the reverse of this situation, where my daughter's father had a hell time even getting into Australia to witness her being born!!! There is no way in hell he could come and go to Australia as freely as I do to Thailand. What took us three applications, about 80 pages, and stacks of cash to get him into the country just once (for three months, to help me before, during and after the birth of our child as I have serious medical complications), takes me five minutes to prepare in Australia to gain me at least 12 months stay in Thailand. Being unmarried makes things a bit harder, but barely... it just means I cannot report to immigration in Thailand every 90 days, but actually have to leave the country every 90 days. So what? Big deal! It's my choice to raise my daughter in both countries so I do whatever it takes to stay in both.

Why can't everyone realise that it is not their 'right' to live in whatever country they choose? Everyone who stays in Thailand on extended visas should thank their lucky stars they are able to do so and stop the constant whinging and whining about having to do visa runs. If you don't wanna do the runs, then get the right visa, or go live somewhere else where it is legal for you to be there. Why does Thailand have to accommodate your whim to live or work here? It doesn't! Start being a bit more appreciative of your situation, and just harden up and do whatever it is you need to in order to live the life you want.

(Obviously my comments are not intended towards one-off situations where people have a genuine need to stay longer in Thailand at a particular time for whatever reason. You are not the people that immigration is targeting and you will find that there will be a way to achieve the result you need/want as you won't be the repeat offenders that immigration is targeting).

If you want to work in Thailand then get your employer to organise a work permit. If they can't or won't (as is the case in the thousands of illegal farang dive shop workers) then that is the choice you make. If you accept working illegally, knowing your dive shop owner is paying off immigration, and that you'll have to do bazillions of visa runs, then it's your responsibility to find a workable way for you to achieve this.

PS for what it's worth, prior to falling pregnant, I was also living the dual life. While I wasn't eligible for the non-o visa then, I still did things properly. Meaning I arranged 60-day tourist visas prior to leaving Australia, and then extended for 30 if need be. But as I couldn't continue getting repeated tourist visas indefinitely, I would also go back home to Australia for a month or two in between, so as to keep immigration happy. Inconvenient, yes, but I wanted to be in Thailand for as long and as much time as possible, so just did what I needed to do to keep it above board. There were none of the education visa thingies back then either. If you can't afford to keep it all above board, then look at a different solution! I currently cannot afford to stay in Thailand indefinitely as I don't have a work permit, so I do what I have to do in Australia for half the year, and spend the other half in Thailand.

As many have said before me, it's really not rocket science. Rant over, peace out!

[Lite Beer]

10/05/2014 - From today, foreign nationals residing in Thailand via multiple back to back border run will no longer be able to exit and then re-enter the kingdom via a land border crossing in order to gain another 30 or 15 day stay in Thailand. Non-Immigrant Visa or Tourist visa holders with remaining entries on their visa can exit and enter Thailand as before.

http://www.chiangmaivisarun.com/chiang-mai-mae-sai-by-minibus/

[ttthailand]

These new changes may be good to stop some of the low life's who live here but it will also hurt some people who may not be over 50 and have been denied visas. Some have families or are teaching at schools which are too cheap to provide correct visas. My only real question with this is why so short a notice? Why not give a month notice so people can adjust their schedules and plan. It is typical Thai, inconsiderate !!!

[fatdrunkandstupid]

This also means the already long lines at immigration to get a re-entry will get even longer.

It also means more pages burnt up in your passport by these one page stamps.

[khwaibah]

10/05/2014 - From today, foreign nationals residing in Thailand via multiple back to back border run will no longer be able to exit and then re-enter the kingdom via a land border crossing in order to gain another 30 or 15 day stay in Thailand. Non-Immigrant Visa or Tourist visa holders with remaining entries on their visa can exit and enter Thailand as before.

http://www.chiangmaivisarun.com/chiang-mai-mae-sai-by-minibus/

No doubt that this order will affect all land border crossing but which land border crossing has this been confirmed at?

[retell]

nice info my self i have non imigrante O

Me to just going to do a border run in 80 days

[ovenman]

10/05/2014 - From today, foreign nationals residing in Thailand via multiple back to back border run will no longer be able to exit and then re-enter the kingdom via a land border crossing in order to gain another 30 or 15 day stay in Thailand. Non-Immigrant Visa or Tourist visa holders with remaining entries on their visa can exit and enter Thailand as before.

http://www.chiangmaivisarun.com/chiang-mai-mae-sai-by-minibus/

No doubt that this order will affect all land border crossing but which land border crossing has this been confirmed at?

Mae Sai: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725037-mae-sai-not-allowing-visa-runs-as-of-today/

[larsjohnsson]

This also means the already long lines at immigration to get a re-entry will get even longer.

You can get it at the airport

[khwaibah]

10/05/2014 - From today, foreign nationals residing in Thailand via multiple back to back border run will no longer be able to exit and then re-enter the kingdom via a land border crossing in order to gain another 30 or 15 day stay in Thailand. Non-Immigrant Visa or Tourist visa holders with remaining entries on their visa can exit and enter Thailand as before.

http://www.chiangmaivisarun.com/chiang-mai-mae-sai-by-minibus/

No doubt that this order will affect all land border crossing but which land border crossing has this been confirmed at?

Mae Sai: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/725037-mae-sai-not-allowing-visa-runs-as-of-today/

Bad ansewer. As of of yesterday reports of Kanchanaburi and Aranyaprathet on other TV threads reporting no change.

For the MOD's. What land border crossing has this been confirmed for. Thanks.

[Birdman]

10/05/2014 - From today, foreign nationals residing in Thailand via multiple back to back border run will no longer be able to exit and then re-enter the kingdom via a land border crossing in order to gain another 30 or 15 day stay in Thailand. Non-Immigrant Visa or Tourist visa holders with remaining entries on their visa can exit and enter Thailand as before.

http://www.chiangmaivisarun.com/chiang-mai-mae-sai-by-minibus/

how much time until next re-enter? 1 month? 3 months? 1 year? never?