South Thailand border crossings reports problems to enter with 60-days tourist visas "TR60"

[DrTuner]

The airport crackdown is due August 12, isn't it ? Would expect the same level of scrutiny there after that date.

[nithisa78]

i went thro Padang Besar last week and the imm guy was the worst i have ever had there ..i have a non o ret visa (hull) he looked at every visa stamp page at least 3 times and refused to give me the immigration card to enter thailand until he finnished this inspection ...i.ve been on Non O for over 10 years so you can tell it took time for this guy to do his intimidation....sadly it failed

Terry, Peace. Maybe he was having bad day. Though that is his job. On TV too many good people, damned if they do, damned if they don't. Sorry you felt intimidated. That sounds like personal problem. You could always move back where you came from. Probably no intimidation there. Just lolipops and roses.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Maybe this whole issue is just a disingenuous way of reviving and propping up the Elite Card, especially for big earners like the oil guys who can easily afford the fees.

The PE visa you get from Elite is not a non-immigrant visa. I believe the original intent was to enable frequent, wealthy visitors to easily come and go. Not to stay for the entire 5y in one go. Although if they start enforcing that, Thailand Elite will probably create a stink with their contacts at immigration.

Not quite accurate. One of the selling points of the Thailand Elite Easy Access visa is that you can stay in Thailand without leaving at all for the entire 5 years.

This is mentioned on the website and pointed out several times in the pre sales emails they send you during the signing up process for the membership.

That's what they say but of course, the TPCC is not a government agency, let alone part of the interior ministry/immigration department. (My understanding is it's basically a private company but majority owned by the government...a government enterprise, like Thai Airways, but not a government department.) in any case, I would just want to confirm that the 5-year visa term and in-country extensions, etc., that they tout have some corresponding implementing legislation or regulations promulgated by duly authorized officials setting out the rights and privileges of the 5-year visa as set forth by TPCC.

[mataleo]

I am about to extend my tourist visa at jomtien for 30 days. I did few times before. I am getti g new passport as well its ready in bangkok. I never had 30 days no visa entries. All visas from uk that for 2 weeks holidays and one from laos. after 30 days i plan to go laos by air get double tourist. Hope that ok. Suvarnabhum should be fine?

[RTH10260]

If I understand correct and some poster was check very hard on Non o visa so Iam worried. I have a couple of Turist visas

and the last 3 years on Ed visa and plan to get retirement visa soon but as I read they can if they feel like it say get lost at the boarder based on my history?

Three years ED visa, you have been studying Thai for so long? You should by now be able to explain your situation in fluent Thai with the immigration officer.

I can,hardly fluent but good enough but explain what? They do what they want and dont give a shit of what you try to explain or not.The issue is I will have a legit Non O visa when I get to the border but I have the history of turist visas and then Ed visa and as I read some post the really check your passport then they can easy say NO.its totally up to them and the individual officer as just becasue I get the visa stamp from the embassy does not mean I get in. So far what I read no one have been denied extension of there retiremet visa but its all new so time will tell.Just the bad feeling that not knowing and have all your stuff here if there is a issue.So can only wait and see if some people will have issue with this also.

I guess I missed the point and you were having another ED prior to the non-O.

Imho with your non-O you should be be sailing thru without problem. You have the kind of visa Thai immigration expects, and the kind you can transfer to legal long stay. You are not a candidate trying to play the system with ED or tourist visa.

[Maestro]

My Thai consulate in Switzerland applies same rule, and iirc from another thread, Paris France same.

Switzerland currently has four Thai consulates (including the consular section of the Thai embassy). Which one is yours?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Tomtomtom69]

I've just got back from a Penang border trip and felt obliged to share my experience of the past few days regarding this topic, so hopefully it'll help people. I've highlighted bits in bold for those who don't want to read the whole thing:

What I thought was going to be a standard border run, ended up being an absolute nightmare, however the story does have a happy ending. I was trying to activate the second half of a double entry visa, however I also have 3 back to back tourist visas from the same embassy in Vientiane, plus the dreaded red stamp. I was working legally in Bangkok from 2010-2013 and have saved my money for time out in Thailand for 2014. Later this year I'll be off to Jakarta & Manila for work. So yes I am a tourist and yes I do also work.

I flew to Hat Yai & took a mini bus to the Pedang Baser border crossing. Once there (over the border and back) the immigration officer said I could not enter the country and I had to spend two nights in Malaysia. I pointed out to him that if I spent two nights in Malaysia I would not be able to activate the visa in time, he then said 'ok one night is ok then'. So after a lot of hassle (with the invaluable help of my Thai girlfriend) we managed to find a minibus that would take us to Penang (minibus takes 4hrs at least - more like 6 in reality). I had to pass back to the Thai side to do this as there was no way to get to Penang on the Malaysia side, unless you wanted to take an old taxi to somewhere in the sticks on the Malaysia side which is probably not that advisable.

Having stayed one night in Penang and taken the minibus back to the border again (another 4 hrs on a bumpy minibus at 200kmph) the driver half way through the journey says he is going to a different border crossing: Pra-Kob, which is a brand new, (which may have a different name I'm not sure) which he said was more strict (oh great, I thought). He said he had to go this way as at the Pedang Baser they were not letting Thai minibus drivers back in as the Malay taxi drivers thought they were taking their money.

Anyway, this border was even worse. The immigration officer was in his early twenties and completely refused me entry, even though I had a vaild double entry visa. He said 'you no tourist' with a big smile. So there we were stuck at the border again, in the baking sun, this time with no where to go as there are no minibuses, only local taxis that want to charge 500 baht even to go to a cashpoint... Again my Thai girlfriend called the minibus company and we arranged to go back to Penang again on the next bus through, and decided to fly back to Bangkok.

Having arrived back again in Penang (another 6 hrs on a bouncy minibus) and booked another hotel, we booked two flights back to Bangkok. On arrival at Bangkok I really thought: sheet, this it man, now I'm going to get a grilling from bkk immigration as to why I've tried to cross the border so many times, why I have so many tourist visas, and maybe even end up being deported with no warning if I cannot show them 20,000 baht in cash etc?? But no, nothing, they gave me a 30 day stamp no questions, not even an eyebrow raised (30 day stamp as by this time I had missed the visa re-entry date).

So now I'm thinking: Is this what you now have to do? Just leave the country by whichever way but always fly back in?? Am I ALWAYS going to get grief each time I enter thailand from now on just because I have so many visas??

A trip that was going to cost me a few thousand baht plus a few days chilling with my girlfriend, ended up costing me nearly 15000 baht all in, plus a huge amount of stress and nearly 4 days of my time. IF I had known it was going to be like this I would have just booked a flight in and out, SO much more simple.

Anyway, this is just to hopefully help a few people that are maybe thinking to do a border run any time soon.

Best of Luck to people!

You should bear in mind that from August 13th they will start the crackdown on 'visa exempt' entries just like they've been doing at the land borders.

I'll stress that this is only affects meant to affect 'visa exempt' extries as this is what's been announced - I don't believe it for one minute but time will tell on that.

Bubblefunk, were you able to reason with the young officer who refused you entry at the land border? Did you have any cash, other proof of funds or a flight itinerary in your possession? It seems strange that you weren't able to state your case.

What was next, did you just turn around and go back to Malaysia, telling them that you decided not to enter Thailand?

[thaibreaker]

Just one question in this matter:

IF you get turned down at the border, let`s say at the airport, for the reason mentioned, that you have too many back-to-back visits, too many border runs, too many tourist visas and so on, THEN what happens, when you stay in front of the immigration officer, who declines any entering to the Kingdom..

Will you get through, and get the regular 7 days to sort things out and leave the country, or will you just be sort of left at the airport?

At the land borders, at least you have standing ground in one of the two countries you are crossing, but it is different at the airports.

Anyone?

[Maestro]

...

I am a bit worried about this police order being revamped. When I came here in 2007, the marriage extension did not have the 400k baht in bank option. If they fiddle with it again, I still have the Thai kid option, should they change that too .. screwed.

...

The extension rules valid in 2007 were superseded by the rules of 2008 and therefore the above comment is off topic.

[Maestro]

A friend of mine comes to Thailand every other month, sometimes every two weeks, doesn't drink, or join the party scene much if at all. Only travels around the various islands, sometimes rents a boat. Technically he now could be hassled for all the exempt and tourist stamps in his passport. Please explain how he is using the visa for any other purpose than for which is was applied and issued?

He is using his tourist visas and/or visa-exempt entries correctly. Travellers who are using multiple visa-exempt entries or tourist visa entries back to back to stay in Thailand long term are being scrutinised on suspicion that they may be working illegally in Thailand.

[Essex Exile]

A friend of mine comes to Thailand every other month, sometimes every two weeks, doesn't drink, or join the party scene much if at all. Only travels around the various islands, sometimes rents a boat. Technically he now could be hassled for all the exempt and tourist stamps in his passport. Please explain how he is using the visa for any other purpose than for which is was applied and issued?

He is using his tourist visas and/or visa-exempt entries correctly. Travellers who are using multiple visa-exempt entries or tourist visa entries back to back to stay in Thailand long term are being scrutinised on suspicion that they may be working illegally in Thailand.

So surely this guy would fit that profile or am I missing something?

[Maestro]

Removed a number of off topic posts and the replies to them.

A reminder: the title of this topic is

South Thailand border crossings reports problems to enter with 60-days tourist visas "TR60"

[RTH10260]

My Thai consulate in Switzerland applies same rule, and iirc from another thread, Paris France same.

Switzerland currently has four Thai consulates (including the consular section of the Thai embassy). Which one is yours?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Mine is Zurich.

I contact them now to see if I can get the legal background from them, since UJ said no such regulation exists.

Personally I would not be surprised to see its existence, and the consulates around Thailand just selling what the customer requests (aka "you do the research") and just leaving it to immigration to "enforce" at the border. And the overseas consulates being much aware of the bad press ought they not advise and warn people (reject applications).

[scottyinthai]

Apologies for the double post of nothing. I can't delete from iPad.

I always fly into krabi from KL so I cannot use the elite escort service through immigration and as I previously posted the head of immigration at krabi doesn't even know about this visa.

What chance have we got of getting in with it. Imagine a ignorant official saying no entry and you say I will ring this hotline for thai elite and they will sort it?? Really do you think an immigration official will stand down to some office person from elite/TAT?

[harrry]

All of these reports come from Immigration Division 6 as do the statements made to newspapers regarding this.

I notice that several times lately the head of that division has made press statements and then there have been reports of stoppages which have shortly after been revised or rescinded by head office. Could it be that Immigration division 6 is being used as a test bed for changes or that the DIvisional Head there uses a stricter interpretation than others.

[happysanook]

What's interesting is that I just read through this entire thread and there wasn't a single person that had actually been denied entry on a tourist visa. Only the one guy who wasn't allowed to get one in Singapore .....

I do truly wonder how much thaivisa has to do with creating their own self fulfilling prophecies. That is, making a hubbub about nothing which ends up becoming something because of all the hubbub.

[Tomtomtom69]

I think that the Ranong crossings could be added to the list. Even those with multiple entry non immgrant visas were turned away there along with tourist visas. They were asking for tickets out of the country.

There have been reports for weeks now of people being turned back all crossings in the South. It seems to me it is something coming out of the region 6 office.

They have been asking for tickets out of the country and/or financial proof (cash in hand in most cases).

Could you explain why people with non-imm visas were turned away at Ranong - was it just because they didn't have tickets? Anyway, I didn't think a non-imm visa holder would be required to show a ticket, that's new. Were they non-imm B or non-imm O visas. I intend on getting a non-imm B multi-entry soon. Not that I normally go to Ranong for a re-entry (haven't been there since 2004 actually - went past in Ranong in May for the first time since then but not to cross the border only passing through town on my way back to Bangkok) but just want to make sure. Normally I cross the Lao, Cambodian or Mae Sot/Myawady (Myanmar) borders for my re-entries (or fly out depending on where I'm heading), but generally I go for business in those countries so I never actually just do a one day turnaround.

[paz]

What's interesting is that I just read through this entire thread and there wasn't a single person that had actually been denied entry on a tourist visa. Only the one guy who wasn't allowed to get one in Singapore .....

There is, in a related thread, browse or someone will post a link here too.

Edited July 10, 2014 by paz

[mataleo]

Do u need return ticket if u got turist visa from laos. Proper visa in pasport not on arrival

[Maestro]

Could you explain why people with non-imm visas were turned away at Ranong - was it just because they didn't have tickets? Anyway, I didn't think a non-imm visa holder would be required to show a ticket, that's new. Were they non-imm B or non-imm O visas. I intend on getting a non-imm B multi-entry soon. Not that I normally go to Ranong for a re-entry (haven't been there since 2004 actually - went past in Ranong in May for the first time since then but not to cross the border only passing through town on my way back to Bangkok) but just want to make sure. Normally I cross the Lao, Cambodian or Mae Sot/Myawady (Myanmar) borders for my re-entries (or fly out depending on where I'm heading), but generally I go for business in those countries so I never actually just do a one day turnaround.

From the above it seems that you are living in Thailand and from Thailand make business trips to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. The multiple-entry non-B visa does not appear to be the correct visa for this purpose.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tropo]

For example, I know a guy near me who has been on tourist visas and in/out stamps for the best part of 5 years!! 5 years!!

How many real 'tourists' do you know who go on holiday for 5 years?

The guy you know who's been doing it for 5 years!! 5 years!! I'm sure he wouldn't be the only one. With the age of Internet based business, more and more "tourists" are trying to stay in Thailand for extended periods of time. I knew a guy who was working for IBM as an online consultant and everyone thought he was in the US including his employers. He was a smooth operator, that's for sure.

[larsjohnsson]

If one has a Non-0 visa based on marriage, does it state on the visa that this is why you qualified for said visa?

Furthermore, what else qualifys a person to apply for a NON-0? We know they are no longer generally available not even in Europe, having children here without being married doesn't qualify you, if you are retired you would be on an extension of stay and then you have the education visa. So what else except for being married allows you to apply for a NON-O?

Marriage to a Thai, having a Thai child, being 50 or over, being the family member of a person living here, working as a volunteer or anything else that an embassy or consulate deems that fits under the non-o category.

Having a Thai child alone doesn't qualify you unless you have custody papers. Being over 50? Not sure about that and why wouldn't you be on a retirement type visa? I know for sure that you cannot get a NON-O from the UK unless you are 65+. So as I suspected, not a lot.

Over 50 not 65. And having either a Thai wife or a child will qualify you. Many other things also

[Deacon Bell]

Sorry, so people with valid non-immigrant multi-entry visas are being refused entry at some entry points now??

[Maestro]

It may be worth remembering that those on a NON-O based on marriage can, I believe, extend your stay at any immigration by 60 das as long as you take the wife with you? This would mean only having to leave the country every 150 days.

Are you talking about living in Thailand long-term with back-to-back entries based on multiple-entry non-O visas? If yes, this is not the real purpose of this visa and while immigration has tolerated it widely in the past, they apparently tend to enforce more strictly the rule that this visa is for people to live outside Thailand and wish to make several trips per year to Thailand to visit a Thai family member. You may want to look at getting one-year extensions of stay so as to avoid potential difficulties in future.

[IronGhost]

Hello everybody i am new here i ve read almost all posts in this topic but i didnt see any response for student visa, i am planning to move in Thailand in January to study Thai language and culture i am not prepared to looking for Thai wife and get visa after marriage, problem is i am not sure if i make my visa in Thailand or before i enter Thailand? Some people say it is better get 2 months tourist visa and than make everything while you in Thailand, while other say it is better to make that visa before i enter Thailand i am not sure about making it everything on internet since there may be some fake websites for schools and i dont want throw money away. Now when i am reading all this crackdowns i am not sure if i will have problems with my visa if i want to stay one year more. I have never do before any trips to Thailand this will be my first, i see this website and forum very useful i hope somebody will take some time for explain me this things.

[Maestro]

Sorry, so people with valid non-immigrant multi-entry visas are being refused entry at some entry points now??

This possibility cannot be excluded, but is does not currently seem to be the focus of the announced stricter enforcement of immigration rules.

[Essex Exile]

If one has a Non-0 visa based on marriage, does it state on the visa that this is why you qualified for said visa?

Furthermore, what else qualifys a person to apply for a NON-0? We know they are no longer generally available not even in Europe, having children here without being married doesn't qualify you, if you are retired you would be on an extension of stay and then you have the education visa. So what else except for being married allows you to apply for a NON-O?

Marriage to a Thai, having a Thai child, being 50 or over, being the family member of a person living here, working as a volunteer or anything else that an embassy or consulate deems that fits under the non-o category.

Having a Thai child alone doesn't qualify you unless you have custody papers. Being over 50? Not sure about that and why wouldn't you be on a retirement type visa? I know for sure that you cannot get a NON-O from the UK unless you are 65+. So as I suspected, not a lot.

Over 50 not 65. And having either a Thai wife or a child will qualify you. Many other things also

You will get a NON-O based on retirement in the UK if you show the funds etc, but if you just want a NON-O for general purposes without showing funds then you have to be 65.

As for having a child, as has been made clear already you will only get a visa based on having a child if you have custody. If you are married to the Mother then you would simply get your visa based on being married, the child wouldn't even come into it.

[Maestro]

Hello everybody i am new here i ve read almost all posts in this topic but i didnt see any response for student visa, i am planning to move in Thailand in January to study Thai language and culture i am not prepared to looking for Thai wife and get visa after marriage, problem is i am not sure if i make my visa in Thailand or before i enter Thailand? Some people say it is better get 2 months tourist visa and than make everything while you in Thailand, while other say it is better to make that visa before i enter Thailand i am not sure about making it everything on internet since there may be some fake websites for schools and i dont want throw money away. Now when i am reading all this crackdowns i am not sure if i will have problems with my visa if i want to stay one year more. I have never do before any trips to Thailand this will be my first, i see this website and forum very useful i hope somebody will take some time for explain me this things.

Arriving on a tourist visa allows to to check out various schools, sit in on free trial lessons, and then decide with what school you want to sign up. After that, you will have to go to a Thai consulate, for example in a neighbouring country, for a single-entry non-ED visa which will subseqeuntly enable you to get successive 90-day extensions of stay for the duration of your studies.

[Essex Exile]

It may be worth remembering that those on a NON-O based on marriage can, I believe, extend your stay at any immigration by 60 das as long as you take the wife with you? This would mean only having to leave the country every 150 days.

Are you talking about living in Thailand long-term with back-to-back entries based on multiple-entry non-O visas? If yes, this is not the real purpose of this visa and while immigration has tolerated it widely in the past, they apparently tend to enforce more strictly the rule that this visa is for people to live outside Thailand and wish to make several trips per year to Thailand to visit a Thai family member. You may want to look at getting one-year extensions of stay so as to avoid potential difficulties in future.

Yes I am, and to be honest I definitely think that you are right. I feel that the NO-O option suits be better as you don't have to show funds, less paperwork is required, the visa is good for 15 months and you can come and go without needing to get a re-entry permit.

Saying that I am sure that there are many here on the NON-O who stay here back to back and you never hear of any problems thus far..

[ukrules]

Apologies for the double post of nothing. I can't delete from iPad.

I always fly into krabi from KL so I cannot use the elite escort service through immigration and as I previously posted the head of immigration at krabi doesn't even know about this visa.

What chance have we got of getting in with it. Imagine a ignorant official saying no entry and you say I will ring this hotline for thai elite and they will sort it?? Really do you think an immigration official will stand down to some office person from elite/TAT?

I suggest you email TE about this and tell them what they said at Krabi.

It's a valid visa so I'm sure once someone turns up with one of them in Krabi they will be forced to either look it up or get on the phone to their superior to confirm what to do.

Edited July 10, 2014 by ukrules