Immigration boss confirms the Out-In visa run is dead

[keestha]

going to interesting how they handle the Malays who bounce over the border for bar girl weekends on 30 day stamps...or is that same same BUT different

Not such a pleasant example, but flipping briefly through their passports, the Thai officer will see they are genuine tourists, even if they have been going for Had Yai weekends twice a month for years at an end. Likewise I expect young European tourists who came in at the airport on a 30 day stamp but decide to extend their holiday and do a border run, will not have any problems. A brief look at their visa history will tell the officer they are Germany, France or wherever based, and certainly don't reside in Thailand permanently.

It is quite understandable Thai authorities want to keep track of foreigners residing in the Kingdom permanently.

Edited May 13, 2014 by keestha

[Emster23]

With all the chaos here, it is amazing anyone would want to come back in. Shooting selves in foot once more. And saying it is response to fake passports.... hmmm. Crack down on those people (no, they are probably Thais). Ah, make those folks who want to be here more than 30 days just go stay in some less xenophobic country like Cambodia! Make them spend their money there! That will teach them a lesson!

[paz]

And, if not married, not working, not 50, no family, not in school, "settled" but without enough property or investment to satisfy those rules, what kind of visa is that exactly?

A short time visa to let him/her to sign off property into somebody else name and be screwed later.

[EBlair48]

Hello everyone,been a member of this forum for years read regularly but never post,until now

I flew from swampy to london yesterday after spending 14 days there and am returning to Thailand this Friday for another 14 days, i also spent another 21 days in thailand over the last 3 months and will spend another 14 days in june,I am a tourist always stay in hotels that i book before arrival, Ipick up the 30 day Visa Exemption Rule stamp at airport,have no business interests in thailand.In august when the airport rules take effect is are my pattern of visits likely to fall foul to the new rule change?

Yes, it is likely you will encounter a problem on your third entry, but it really isn't a rule change, just an enforcement of an exisiting and very reasonable rule- you cannot live in Thailand permanently on a tourist visa exempt stamp. Seems you could pick up a tourist visa easily at a consulate as you seem to be a legitimate visitor.

About every 3 years or so they emit this noise, "Thalk Thalk Thalk " however, it soon passes, like all other threats to enforce laws evenly. Once the border run vans stop paying out, the missed income will trickle up and the rule will go lax again.

[christiecent]

Personally im an offshore worker I work 28days on/off rotation. On my off time I live with my gf & child(Thai) in a rented property. I have always been coming in on the 30 non visa entry. As I don't see what I do as a "visa run" because im out of the country every 2nd month. I'm wondering how this will effect me & the many more like me who have been doing this for years... as i dont work in the country ok i dont pay tax but I spend a considerable amount of money in the country(again like many in my situation) thus building the economy. Will I need to get a visa & if so what kind of visa does some1 get in my current situation?? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

[Soutpeel]

It was ever thus.. The immigration officer has always had the exclusive right to determine if you should be let in or not.

Incorrect, immigration decisions can be appealed to court.

An Immigration official declines a "tourist" entry to Thailand... so they are going to retain a lawyer remotely to fight the case ?.....good luck with that..

you might get your day in court 10 years after you lodge the appeal...

[alocacoc]

As more i reading about this "crackdown", i more and more welcome these stricter measures. As next step i would urgently suggest to rise the age for retirement visa to 65 and double the necessary monthly income.

And yes, only a question of time till they start to crackdown the ED visa thing...

Or do someone really think only "visa runners" become criminals?

[wpsvo]

what happens to tourists who want to visit angkor wat, singapore, KL, Vietnam etc?

[louse1953]

That is hard core.

Still pretty easy compared to most countries.

[hanno]

With all the chaos here, it is amazing anyone would want to come back in. Shooting selves in foot once more. And saying it is response to fake passports.... hmmm. Crack down on those people (no, they are probably Thais). Ah, make those folks who want to be here more than 30 days just go stay in some less xenophobic country like Cambodia! Make them spend their money there! That will teach them a lesson!

Don't worry, some of the expats here in Cambodia are just as miserable as some TV posters.

And I am looking forward to my monthly Thailand trip this Friday. Yes, it is a 3rd-world country but I am assuming most people that moved there and now bemoan knew everything about Thailand knew that before they packed their bags?

[zydeco]

Nevermind. Just stay illegally and pay 20k on the way out. Save a ton of dough and wasted effort and time in the end.

I thought I saw recently that they were planning on adjusting the overstay fine, too.

[TheAceFace]

Personally im an offshore worker I work 28days on/off rotation. On my off time I live with my gf & child(Thai) in a rented property. I have always been coming in on the 30 non visa entry. As I don't see what I do as a "visa run" because im out of the country every 2nd month. I'm wondering how this will effect me & the many more like me who have been doing this for years... as i dont work in the country ok i dont pay tax but I spend a considerable amount of money in the country(again like many in my situation) thus building the economy. Will I need to get a visa & if so what kind of visa does some1 get in my current situation?? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

I am also in the same boat and would be interested to know the outcome. I fly back tomorrow and hoping they let me in

Will look into getting the family visa this time around too.

[Bee Chiang Mai]

As much as I agree with the move for immigration reform, is it wise now to do this when the tourist industry is crippled from the months of political instability in Bangkok? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world are canceling their holidays, do they really want to run off the people who are left in this country spending money?

[Soutpeel]

what happens to tourists who want to visit angkor wat, singapore, KL, Vietnam etc?

If they are legitimate tourists there is no problem

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Hello everyone,been a member of this forum for years read regularly but never post,until now

I flew from swampy to london yesterday after spending 14 days there and am returning to Thailand this Friday for another 14 days, i also spent another 21 days in thailand over the last 3 months and will spend another 14 days in june,I am a tourist always stay in hotels that i book before arrival, Ipick up the 30 day Visa Exemption Rule stamp at airport,have no business interests in thailand.In august when the airport rules take effect is are my pattern of visits likely to fall foul to the new rule change?

Yes, it is likely you will encounter a problem on your third entry, but it really isn't a rule change, just an enforcement of an exisiting and very reasonable rule- you cannot live in Thailand permanently on a tourist visa exempt stamp. Seems you could pick up a tourist visa easily at a consulate as you seem to be a legitimate visitor.

About every 3 years or so they emit this noise, "Thalk Thalk Thalk " however, it soon passes, like all other threats to enforce laws evenly. Once the border run vans stop paying out, the missed income will trickle up and the rule will go lax again.

Not likely any problem, as you are not attempting to return immediately after leaving. At worst you may be questioned. As long as you are a tourist, there is no issue.

[Pralaad]

As much as I agree with the move for immigration reform, is it wise now to do this when the tourist industry is crippled from the months of political instability in Bangkok? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world are canceling their holidays, do they really want to run off the people who are left in this country spending money?

Only this does not affect tourists at all. It affects those who reside in Thailand with no funds to "purchase" proper visa

[paz]

As more i reading about this "crackdown", i more and more welcome these stricter measures. As next step i would urgently suggest to rise the age for retirement visa to 65 and double the necessary monthly income.

And yes, only a question of time till they start to crackdown the ED visa thing...

Or do someone really think only "visa runners" become criminals?

There should be some therapy for Alzheimer, at least I hope.

[louse1953]

The black list threat seems pretty horrible if it's just based on their "opinion" about a person. I can see that in case of an arrest and evidence proven. Imagine if it happened to you and it wasn't true especially if you are settled with lots of property here. This kind of hard core tactic should be really troubling to ALL foreigners here, no matter how totally legit you think you are. You might think this isn't about you, but to immigration you're just another SUSPECT, and don't forget that.

This is about rorting the system,that we all know as been going on for yonks.It has always been up to "their"opinion.Why would a tourist have lots of property,sounds suss to me.There are plenty of options open for the legit tourist or long termer.I am not worried in the least.

[wolf5370]

It will be interesting to see Myanmar's reaction to this - a big loss off foreign currency income at Taichilek alone. Add to that all the building etc at Maesai - new mall etc - how much use it will it get now - they think there is another reason to go there? The Chinese casino runs will also be out presumably as they too are out/in. Lot of Thais and Burmese going to be hurt by this at border towns.

[aguy30]

I say this is a step in the right direction. It will clean out the scum bags and criminals that are making a dishonest life here.

Its easy, want to live here or work here do the right thing.

If your flat broke then you have no place here.

So now the "scum bags and criminals that are making a dishonest life here" can just switch to ED visas and MAYBE sit in in a little hole in the wall langauge school for 4 hours a week and be "legal". Absolutely rediculous to be able to get an ED visa for Thai language in those "schools". Why not have ED visas for studying bar beer architecture or perhaps beach chair alignment techniques? There could be advanced courses in motorcycle taxi stand operations. How about courses in Thai street food cooking and selling? A school for sampling local and imported beers would be a winner for profit making and make as much sense.

The ED visa is a legal loophole to evade normal visa requirements and it is making hole in the wall (ED visa mill) Thai language school operators a fortune. Only 4 hours of class required per week is unbelievable. ED visas should be limited to REAL universities with real education and subjects. I hope Immigration has the ED visa in its crackdown plans.

[transam]

As much as I agree with the move for immigration reform, is it wise now to do this when the tourist industry is crippled from the months of political instability in Bangkok? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world are canceling their holidays, do they really want to run off the people who are left in this country spending money?

Do you not think immigration at last wants to clean stuff up ?

Personally I think they are doing it all wrong. They should be using man power to go to businesses with farangs behind bar counters and farang birds doing stuff and look at their permission to be here. If they are go go dancing, serving beer on an ED visa they should be dispatched to an airport. Really easy if the will is there.

[NanLaew]

It does not matter if it is the perpetual Thai visa-runner or the guy with a residence permit for Malaysia or the woman with a green card for the US. Immigration laws are globally getting tightened up to address tax evasion. The basic premise is that everyone, regardless of their nationality, age, work or country of nationality, domicile or residence should be paying, or have paid taxes somewhere in the world.

[louse1953]

Bye Bye tourist Hub of the world

Bye bye scam tourist hub.

[christiecent]

Personally im an offshore worker I work 28days on/off rotation. On my off time I live with my gf & child(Thai) in a rented property. I have always been coming in on the 30 non visa entry. As I don't see what I do as a "visa run" because im out of the country every 2nd month. I'm wondering how this will effect me & the many more like me who have been doing this for years... as i dont work in the country ok i dont pay tax but I spend a considerable amount of money in the country(again like many in my situation) thus building the economy. Will I need to get a visa & if so what kind of visa does some1 get in my current situation?? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

I am also in the same boat and would be interested to know the outcome. I fly back tomorrow and hoping they let me in

Will look into getting the family visa this time around too.

Its actually quite worrying the thought of getting turned away, im not back for another 3 weeks & your probably the same with ticketing as my company will get me a 1 way & i get my return the week before i fly back to the ship. This will probably be my 1st problem on re entry... What is the best option for a visa? is getting married an option to fast track a visa? its not ideal & wouldnt be my 1st choice... how does the family visa work? do i need to be marriede for this? Thanks for any advice.

[PHP87]

As more i reading about this "crackdown", i more and more welcome these stricter measures. As next step i would urgently suggest to rise the age for retirement visa to 65 and double the necessary monthly income.

And yes, only a question of time till they start to crackdown the ED visa thing...

Or do someone really think only "visa runners" become criminals?

Thankfully, you're not in charge of these things.

Who needs 125k BHT per month to live on in Thailand, and what about those that wish to retire early?

Is Thailand "off limits" in your world to them?

But I guess since you already got yours, you don't want any "undesirables" under the age of 65 with a monthly income of less than 125k BHT in "your" country.

[SunsetT]

But what happens if u r respectable, owning property etc., with a triple entry tourist Visa, which I use, to come every Winter? If they now start asking questions on re-entry at the border and u tell the truth about staying at property u own or rent with your 'girlfriend', or even renting a property alone, can they legitimately say: "Well that means u r not a tourist then", and refuse re-entry. Is it legal for a 'tourist' to rent a property in Thailand.? Are we, to be safe, going to have to be dishonest and give a false itinery or hotel address?

AFAIK, this whole debacle is NOT about people with tourist visas. It's about people doing VISA-EXEMPT (no-visa) entries.

It's the VISA-EXEMPT people they're talking about scrutinizing.

If you're holding a legitimate tourist visa, you shouldn't have any problem with Immigration.

However, depending on the Thai Embassy/Consulate on where you obtain your tourist visa, they have varying policies about how many/how often they're willing to issue them, especially at some of the countries bordering Thailand. But if you're getting the tourist visa at your home country outside Asia, I'd say it's unlikely to be a problem there either.

I understand exactly what is happening, and that the changes only apply to visa exempt entries. What u say is logical and rational, BUT what happens in Thailand is very often not logical or rational! A tourist is a tourist, and if an immigration officer decides to ask questions indiscriminately of all or some farang entering as a 'tourist' then we need to have the right answers. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, they might decide to classify owning or renting property, even just for 6mths, as 'living' in Thailand and declare your 'Tourist' visa invalid. Thinking along these lines, and hearing, last year, of random immigration checks in, not Phuket, but the Esaan area, I live/stay in, I made sure I put my house rental agreement in my girlfriend's name. If, on a Tourist visa, I was checked, and found to be renting a house, and this was interpreted as living in Thailand, they might well have grounds to arrest and deport me. This issue needs to be clarified.

[LOWH]

As much as I agree with the move for immigration reform, is it wise now to do this when the tourist industry is crippled from the months of political instability in Bangkok? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world are canceling their holidays, do they really want to run off the people who are left in this country spending money?

Let hear the voice of a native, won't you?

First thing first, please feel free to leave, to cancel holidays, to whatever you would do for your own good.

Personally, I don't care about tourist industry, I don't care about tourists at all. And not just me, but a large amount of Thai people don't care about you people stay or leave.

Not many people, who are native Thai in so-call tourist industry get money.

If you look closely, you'll find out that those workers in the industry are NOT Thai. And they have never paid tax.

So, feel free to leave anytime. Nothing will effect our income.

[aguy30]

TV mods: Thanks for cleaning out the spamvertising posts.

[Flow]

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/05/13/end-road-visa-runs

[Soutpeel]

As much as I agree with the move for immigration reform, is it wise now to do this when the tourist industry is crippled from the months of political instability in Bangkok? Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world are canceling their holidays, do they really want to run off the people who are left in this country spending money?

Do you not think immigration at last wants to clean stuff up ?

Personally I think they are doing it all wrong. They should be using man power to go to businesses with farangs behind bar counters and farang birds doing stuff and look at their permission to be here. If they are go go dancing, serving beer on an ED visa they should be dispatched to an airport. Really easy if the will is there.

but they have got to start somewhere and for a man power efficiency thing and creating the biggest "catch net"... the border is the best place to start, as in all likelihood those people you have mentioned are the ones who also do Out-in visa's as well and you don't need to use man power to check...the people doing this are coming to you

If this is the beginning of a change in that Thailand is getting more serious about who they are letting in/letting live here, this "crack down" is just the beginning...