A Complete Tourist Visa Episode: BKK-NONGKHAI-VIENTIANE-NONGKHAI

[Bangkok45]

I had just completed my reentry into Thailand (Nongkhai) from Laos. I was actually quite nervous before I did it as I had been guilty of many visa border runs via almost all accessible borders for as many as 11 in a row. And several with a single Tourist Visa followed by at least 4 in-out border visa runs by various visa run companies.

Based on the number of stamps of in-out border runs in my passport I would certainly be those scrutinized thus I was nervous.

I had infact almost been denied entry during the last border run prior to this one at Cambodia (Poi Pet).

The immigration officer had questioned me repeatedly what had I been doing in Thailand during these times. I told him for the purpose of holiday and researching the feasibility of retiring here. He don't seem to like my answer and called upon a female officer who speaks better English to look at my passport and she then began to asked the same questions repeatedly. Finally, the male officer speaking in Thai to the female officer said let's count the number of border runs he has done. My bank account passbook doesn't add any weight.

He then began marking all my entry with an asterisk and proceeded to number each border runs that follows. It was a colourful sight and with the numbers on almost every page, my passport looks like a small mathematical formula notebook....hahaha.

I was really jittery...then he said, the lowest in-out border runs stamped I made was 4 and 11 is the highest. The last one is 4.

I was told that this was the last time they would allow me entry and advised me to apply for the appropriate visa. This was just 4 days before the visa crackdown started.

I had normally engaged a run via visa company, on my own and had it done through casino trips albiet worried of getting the dreaded Red Stamp but was always reassured by visa run operators that I do not belong to the nationality they considered undesirable, whatever that means!

During the recent crackdown on the in-out visa runs, I had been closely following threads that were related to these issues. A few days before I did it, I sought advice from Ubonjoe who is almost accurate and up to date on these issues. He assured me it will be fine except for 1 thing that I would be able to get a multiple entry visa ( Singapore passport holder are only allowed a single entry tourist visa). Other than this Ubonjoe was spot on!

By the number of stamps of in-out border runs in my passport I would certainly be those scrutinized thus I was nervous.

I had been more nervous after the crackdown news as it's not really transparent. As I had almost ran out of the 14 days extension I became more and more nervous. Though Ubonjoe had gave me reassurance it still wasn't enough for me to sit back and relax.

On the day of my extension is due to expire, I exited Nongkhai at 6.00am and entered Laos. As soon as I arrived at the bus station near Talad Sao (6000kip from the border) at 6.50am, I walk to the Thai Consulate and arrived at 7.30am. There's already quite a long queue. I could have joined the queue and get my single entry Tourist Visa for free but it was so hot that I simply paid the agent outside Baht 1000, 2 photograph, my passport and will collect it the day after at 1.30pm.

I did my visa through an agent because I had been driving from Bangkok to Nongkhai non stop and arrived at 5.30am before I exit as soon the border open thus I needed sleep.

I then took a tuk-tuk (25000kip)to the hotel facing the Mekong so I still have my Thai sim mobile coverage and internet. As it was only 8.15am when I arrived I had to wait till 11.30 to check in.

As it was, those who left were here for the same reason. Converting their extension to Tourist Visa and were just as nervous. There were also others for their Non-B or Non-O.

Funnily, there were more than a handful that's totally oblivious of the crackdown. Some were just obstinate and stupid enough not to worry by saying 'I have done this many many times before, no problem' and laughed off those of us who were nervous. Well, to each his own!

Those who were ready to pick up their passports and exit Laos via Nongkhai left. Others and myself, checked in.

Took a shower and napped. At about 4pm I left the comfort of my room to go downstairs and saw the same faces that were supposed to have left. Many were rejected for different reasons such as no flight ticket out of Bangkok, no travel itinerary or hotel booking to proof and insufficient funds (20000baht) at hand. Money in the ATM doesn't count. Non-O and Non-B all cleared without a hitch.

The oblivious, the obstinate and the stupid ones were without surprised, rejected. No smiles or laughter this time, just confused and frustrated. I can't help but laughed...hahaha.

The reason the immigration gave them were, the consulate have the right to issue a visa but that does not guarantee the immigration must let them through. They are 2 separate entity with their own vested power and priveleges.

This gave me reason to further prepare myself and I did. On top of having 20,000baht with me on person, I also include 2 more pieces of documents to support it. The travel itinerary and the flight ticket out (I don't need either) but done to facilitate my reentry, all done in 5 minutes (0$).

The next day, left at 1.15pm to the consulate, collect my passport, head to the Laos border, got my stamp out, head to the Thai border, filled the arrival card, stand in line, submit my passport with the 2 documents tucked in my passport.

I made this crossing during the military coup and curfew in place. The military guys were smiles all around...I just greeted Sawadeekap to each and every one I saw. Respect was returned and even got a salute from one.

The immigration officer went through my passport and obviously noticed all the markings and with a smile he asked: "You have been in and out of Thailand many times." I answered, "Yes, I love it so much that I wanted to see and experience it all."

Another female officer came, took a look at my documents without scrutiny while the officer gave me the stamped in. She tucked my documents into my passport, advised me to carry my passport with me at all times, be safe, and have a nice holiday. All with a genuine smile.

Service excellence! I'm kinda liking the military coup now. I'm still in Nongkhai, drove past a few military roadblocks all with smiling military personnels getting their job done swiftly and professionally.

Unlike the police roadblocks that wasted time and with the corrupted police always looking for any irregularities and ways to get 200 baht out of you.

I love Thailand!

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[doremifasol]

Enjoyed reading it.

[yabbra]

"This gave me reason to further prepare myself and I did. On top of having 20,000baht with me on person, I also include 2 more pieces of documents to support it. The travel itinerary and the flight ticket out (I don't need either) but done to facilitate my reentry, all done in 5 minutes (0$)."

Thanks for the informative post. I'm just curious how you managed to organize a travel itinerary and flight ticket out that cost you nothing? Could you elaborate?

Cheers

[riclag]

OP wrote "Funnily, there were more than a handful that's totally oblivious of the crackdown. Some were just obstinate and stupid enough not to worry by saying 'I have done this many many times before, no problem' and laughed off those of us who were nervous. Well, to each his own"

Exactly, These are the same kind of people that didn't have to study for tests while in school.

Very informative,Thanks for taking the time! Now you must be thinking, what to do for future proceedings in Thailand

[riclag]

"This gave me reason to further prepare myself and I did. On top of having 20,000baht with me on person, I also include 2 more pieces of documents to support it. The travel itinerary and the flight ticket out (I don't need either) but done to facilitate my reentry, all done in 5 minutes (0$)."

Thanks for the informative post. I'm just curious how you managed to organize a travel itinerary and flight ticket out that cost you nothing? Could you elaborate?

Cheers

Its a possibility that the OP bought a cheap ticket out and you can book hotels in advance and cancel several days in advance.

[KonaRain]

Great stuff..I'm home in Hawaii..could read anything..but I choose. this!

Laos does fine with Military.. Aloha, Lovers of Thailand..

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[Bangkok45]

Here's how I did it. I made a flight booking with Vietjet air from BKK to Hanoi and continued till I reach the payment section. I chose pay later! A confirmed flight ticket and itinerary was immediately sent to my email within 2 minutes. It's an e-ticket. Just like all e-tickets but with a line stating not valid until payment is made before a certain date.

Next, I proceeded to bookings.com choose one of the many hotels in Thailand that offers book now FREE and pay only when you stay. But this can only be done if you have a credit or debit card. Once completed, again I'm sent an itinerary via email.

I then print both the itinerary and all set. Once I crossed, I simply cancelled both online. No charge! Hope it helps.

Btw, with both papers tucked in my passport I was not even asked to show the 20000baht. Goodluck guys!

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[Tomtomtom69]

"This gave me reason to further prepare myself and I did. On top of having 20,000baht with me on person, I also include 2 more pieces of documents to support it. The travel itinerary and the flight ticket out (I don't need either) but done to facilitate my reentry, all done in 5 minutes (0$)."

Thanks for the informative post. I'm just curious how you managed to organize a travel itinerary and flight ticket out that cost you nothing? Could you elaborate?

Cheers

Its a possibility that the OP bought a cheap ticket out and you can book hotels in advance and cancel several days in advance.

Hello! Thai Airways website! You can book a flight without paying as long as the flight booking is more than 1 week in advance and you select the "pay later at office" option. Thai Airways is the main air carrier in Thailand. Surprised not many people know that THAI gives you this option.

[yabbra]

"This gave me reason to further prepare myself and I did. On top of having 20,000baht with me on person, I also include 2 more pieces of documents to support it. The travel itinerary and the flight ticket out (I don't need either) but done to facilitate my reentry, all done in 5 minutes (0$)."

Thanks for the informative post. I'm just curious how you managed to organize a travel itinerary and flight ticket out that cost you nothing? Could you elaborate?

Cheers

Its a possibility that the OP bought a cheap ticket out and you can book hotels in advance and cancel several days in advance.

Hello! Thai Airways website! You can book a flight without paying as long as the flight booking is more than 1 week in advance and you select the "pay later at office" option. Thai Airways is the main air carrier in Thailand. Surprised not many people know that THAI gives you this option.

No, I wasnt aware of that as I haven't flown Thai for a while.Thanks for the heads up!

[yabbra]

Here's how I did it. I made a flight booking with Vietjet air from BKK to Hanoi and continued till I reach the payment section. I chose pay later! A confirmed flight ticket and itinerary was immediately sent to my email within 2 minutes. It's an e-ticket. Just like all e-tickets but with a line stating not valid until payment is made before a certain date.

Next, I proceeded to bookings.com choose one of the many hotels in Thailand that offers book now FREE and pay only when you stay. But this can only be done if you have a credit or debit card. Once completed, again I'm sent an itinerary via email.

I then print both the itinerary and all set. Once I crossed, I simply cancelled both online. No charge! Hope it helps.

Btw, with both papers tucked in my passport I was not even asked to show the 20000baht. Goodluck guys!

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Sorry, and Bangkok45 - thanks for your reply also. Seems quick an easy enough without being out of pocket.

Cheers

[tanamnon]

Thanks from me, too. It was a great story and couldn't have been better-timed as I'm about to do it.

On the airline ticket, I just booked full-fare, fully-refundable with my credit card, and later cancelled. When my credit card statement was issued, both the debit and the credit were on there and it didn't cost me a satang.

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[TerryLH]

Lots of info, but the gem I liked,

"... I sought advice from Ubonjoe who is almost accurate and up to date on these issues. "

[KonaRain]

All Most Accurate..

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[riclag]

This without a doubt should be pinned as the How to do a visa run or what ever . very good tips

Here's how I did it. I made a flight booking with Vietjet air from BKK to Hanoi and continued till I reach the payment section. I chose pay later! A confirmed flight ticket and itinerary was immediately sent to my email within 2 minutes. It's an e-ticket. Just like all e-tickets but with a line stating not valid until payment is made before a certain date.

Next, I proceeded to bookings.com choose one of the many hotels in Thailand that offers book now FREE and pay only when you stay. But this can only be done if you have a credit or debit card. Once completed, again I'm sent an itinerary via email.

I then print both the itinerary and all set. Once I crossed, I simply cancelled both online. No charge! Hope it helps.

Btw, with both papers tucked in my passport I was not even asked to show the 20000baht. Goodluck guys!



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[ubonjoe]

Lots of info, but the gem I liked,

"... I sought advice from Ubonjoe who is almost accurate and up to date on these issues. "

You should of included this.

"He assured me it will be fine except for 1 thing that I would be able to get a multiple entry visa ( Singapore passport holder are only allowed a single entry tourist visa). Other than this Ubonjoe was spot on!"

I forgot one thing. The reason he was only able the get a single entry was because those from Singapore get free visas.

See:http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15382-List-of-countries-which-have-concluded-bilateral-a.html

[Paul888]

Lots of info, but the gem I liked,

"... I sought advice from Ubonjoe who is almost accurate and up to date on these issues. "

I think he just accidentally missed the "always"...... who is "almost always accurate"

Was funny though. Good spot.

[zianlim]

@Bangkok45 - I just wanna know if your booking flights bkk-hanoi and hotels are made for how many days/months you stay in thailand? I wanna help my friend shes in the same case like you. We just need an advice, before she will apply for a tourist visa. many thanks

Example: booking before she apply for a tourist visa:

shes going to apply a tourist visa on 28 of may her booking flight is june 9,2014 BKK-SIN

and hotel booking is like june 1,2014 - june 9,2014 is this correct?

help

[TerryLH]

"You should of included this."

It wouldn't have been such a gem. A man has to take simple pleasures where he finds them.

And yes, I understood what the poster meant to say. No dispute about that.

Terry

[Bangkok45]

Could do with a refresher course in grammar ....hahaha Anyway, whenever I needed advice or tips pertaining to any issues I had always count upon Ubonjoe's, always given factually. Never from a moral or authoritarian highhorse.

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[Bangkok45]

@Bangkok45 - I just wanna know if your booking flights bkk-hanoi and hotels are made for how many days/months you stay in thailand? I wanna help my friend shes in the same case like you. We just need an advice, before she will apply for a tourist visa. many thanks

Example: booking before she apply for a tourist visa:

shes going to apply a tourist visa on 28 of may her booking flight is june 9,2014 BKK-SIN

and hotel booking is like june 1,2014 - june 9,2014 is this correct?

help

What I did was randomly booked the flight date on day 58, 2 days before the visa first 60 days is due to expire.

However, the hotel booking was dated to 1 day after my entry. I entered on the 23rd and my hotel was booked for the 24th. I only booked the hotel for a week.

I did this taking into account that I entered Nongkhai and should be in Bangkok by that time.

Hope it helps

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[slipperylobster]

Thanks from me, too. It was a great story and couldn't have been better-timed as I'm about to do it.

On the airline ticket, I just booked full-fare, fully-refundable with my credit card, and later cancelled. When my credit card statement was issued, both the debit and the credit were on there and it didn't cost me a satang.

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Good thinking.

[zianlim]

@Bangkok45 -

OK many thanks... SO she have to book a flights and hotels before she apply for a tourist visa.

[ubonjoe]

@Bangkok45 -

OK many thanks... SO she have to book a flights and hotels before she apply for a tourist visa.

It is not needed for the visa application.

The OP was more worried about needing them on entry to the country because of all his other entries.

He was overly concerned about it because of all confusion between tourist visas and visa exempt entries. At the moment if you have a tourist visa you should not have a problem entering the country,

[Bangkok45]

@Bangkok45 -

OK many thanks... SO she have to book a flights and hotels before she apply for a tourist visa.

I only booked everything after getting my visa. Having booked everything before applying for the visa would be ideal but your friend would be issued a visa with or without the itinerary.

The itinerary is to facilitate the process at immigration.

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[zianlim]

I was thought you book everything before you apply for a visa. If you havent book any of these maybe the immigration finds it or ask for flights and hotels. Is this the additional requirements for getting a tourist visa right?

[Bangkok45]

I was thought you book everything before you apply for a visa. If you havent book any of these maybe the immigration finds it or ask for flights and hotels. Is this the additional requirements for getting a tourist visa right?

The immigration and the consulate works independently. Your friend will not have an issue getting a visa from the consulate. And if she's not a seasoned border runner like myself, she will not have a problem getting cleared by immigration.

The target of the visa crackdownLn at immigration are for people like myself and those that have had abused the system. Since I can show proofs and already issued a visa, I was cleared. It's just a formality and in my case, I checked all the right boxes.

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[FrisoP]

Beautiful post!

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[hawker9000]

There's a fly in the ointment with respect to this idea of making hotel reservations (to show to thai immigration), and then cancelling them. Under the crackdown as announced, you'd show immigration your hotel reservations and be allowed in, yes, but immigration supposedly checks on you later and if you're not checked-in at that hotel you get flagged, and awarded an OI stamp (or somesuch) on your next exit from Thailand. Then you have a problem the next time you try & enter.

Do I know the details - No.

Where did I see this - One of the many & overlengthy threads on this subject here on TV.

When does this start - In August if memory serves.

Will/can Thai Immigration actually DO this? - Your guess is as good as mine.

Does this apply to t-visa holders as well as visa-exempt entries - I don't think so, but then again there's always the question of immigration officer "discretion", which trumps everything...

Am I talking about what's on the Arrival Card, or a seperate hotel resevation document, or written travel itinerary or what - ask again around September or so...

[Bangkok45]

There's a fly in the ointment with respect to this idea of making hotel reservations (to show to thai immigration), and then cancelling them. Under the crackdown as announced, you'd show immigration your hotel reservations and be allowed in, yes, but immigration supposedly checks on you later and if you're not checked-in at that hotel you get flagged, and awarded an OI stamp (or somesuch) on your next exit from Thailand. Then you have a problem the next time you try & enter.

Do I know the details - No.

Where did I see this - One of the many & overlengthy threads on this subject here on TV.

When does this start - In August if memory serves.

Will Thai Immigration actually DO this? - Your guess is as good as mine.

Does this apply to t-visa holders as well as visa-exempt entries - I don't think so, but then again there's always the question of immigration officer "discretion", which trumps everything...

Agreed! What I did cannot be justifiable in a subjective way. It was a means to an end.

During my previous applications and entries I had always entered the address of my rented townhouse, paid for in full for 2 years (I still have 10 months on the lease). The lease is under my name and I never have a problem with it before.

But with the visa crackdown, it works against me to show them my lease and say I'm a tourist.

I am here in Thailand simply because I am seriously considering retiring here. I truly love Thailand! I'm 4 years short of the retirement age and do not intend to work nor start a business here. I do not engaged in any illegal activities, do not do drugs, do not infringe the law and never a destitute.

I did what I had to and get it done. I do not propagate but posted my experience for others reading pleasure. I answered only when questioned as there are others in a similar situation who needs help.

I do not make judgement on a person's motives or inclinations for wanting to circumvent the recent crackdown any ways they can. It is what it is, the end justifies the means!

A forum member maxisrael calledme an a$$hole and wanted to report me to bookings.com and have them blacklist me for what I did and hope I got kicked out of Thailand soon.

I am so sorry that I hurt his feelings, or his vested interest in bookings.com or whatever that would have caused his anger towards me (sarcasm intended).

Truth be told, I don't give a s*** what he thinks. I am who I am and got here on my own accord and terms. Don't owe nobody anything.

All in all, it's about perspectives.

However, I do appreciate your input and it's duly noted Thank you.

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[tanamnon]

Wow, BKK45, great response. And thanks for all your help in these threads.

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