Yearly winter visits of 4-6 months on tourist visa still possible?

[ultramarine]

Like many people who want to escape the cold weather, I have been coming to Thailand for the past few years to spend the winter. My stays usually range from 4 to 6 months. Each time, I have got a double or triple entry tourist visa from my home country. As I understand the new rules now, this should still be OK. Is this correct? Some posters here seem to suggest that there must now be significant time spent outside Thailand even for these double and triple entry visas rather than the one hour turnaround time at Poipet or wherever. Maybe we will only know after August 12.

However, two years ago, I did stay for 8 consecutive months and did the ill-fated I/0 visa run to Laos to get another double entry tourist visa. This is the only back-to-back tourist visa in my passport. I can't undo this obviously and yet I have been reading online that this alone may be grounds for denial of entry.

I'm not in the same category as some people who have done this continually in order to live in Thailand full time and yet I wonder how much of a risk I would be running by getting a double or triple entry tourist visa in future. Could I be refused?

As always, I'm sure some of this may depend on the mood of the immigration officer on any given day.

[AYJAYDEE]

dont think anyone can answer that definitely but i expect youre okay.youve been home at least twice since the back to back right?

[ultramarine]

Yes, I have been back home twice since the back to back visa issuance -- summer 2013 and summer 2014. Both stays in the home country were 6+ months in duration. I was thinking of coming again this November but now wonder what kind hassles I may face.

What is the deal with the exit-entry rule now if you are using the second entry of a double entry tourist visa? Can this still take place on the border?

[AYJAYDEE]

Yes, I have been back home twice since the back to back visa issuance -- summer 2013 and summer 2014. Both stays in the home country were 6+ months in duration. I was thinking of coming again this November but now wonder what kind hassles I may face.

What is the deal with the exit-entry rule now if you are using the second entry of a double entry tourist visa? Can this still take place on the border?

it cannot it is part of a back to back visa but yours is not. i have seen no indication that you will be hassled but ubon joe suggests you plan on spending a few nights outside instead of just coming right back in. vientiane is supposed to be nice. luang prabang? sihanoukville? ankhor? also have a hotel res, ticket home copy, and 20,000 baht with you.

[ultramarine]

My hassle-meter is rising. So I have to stay outside Thailand for several days before activating the second or third entries of my tourist visa. And carry a wad of cash and that additional paperwork? I have to think that this may be relaxed after Aug 12th as it seems too stringent.

But it seems border runs even for the stamp out/stamp in are a thing of the past. The visa run service I used in the past appears to be out of business now.

It's Thailand 2.0 folks.

[AYJAYDEE]

My hassle-meter is rising. So I have to stay outside Thailand for several days before activating the second or third entries of my tourist visa. And carry a wad of cash and that additional paperwork? I have to think that this may be relaxed after Aug 12th as it seems too stringent.

But it seems border runs even for the stamp out/stamp in are a thing of the past. The visa run service I used in the past appears to be out of business now.

It's Thailand 2.0 folks.

i said it may be SMART to . and $1000 in travellers cheques and a copy of a ticket and reservation is not much hassle

[ultramarine]

My hassle-meter is rising. So I have to stay outside Thailand for several days before activating the second or third entries of my tourist visa. And carry a wad of cash and that additional paperwork? I have to think that this may be relaxed after Aug 12th as it seems too stringent.

But it seems border runs even for the stamp out/stamp in are a thing of the past. The visa run service I used in the past appears to be out of business now.

It's Thailand 2.0 folks.

i said it may be SMART to . and $1000 in travellers cheques and a copy of a ticket and reservation is not much hassle

And the cost of several nights at a hotel in some other country. It all starts to add up is all I'm saying. While I am fond of Thailand and the friends I've made there, I can go elsewhere, at least for part of my winter stay. And if this visa nonsense keeps up, I probably will.

[WhamBam]

Reading Bald Eagle's topic on him (an offshore worker) being refused entry - though not in the same circumstances - I would hold off until the scenario regarding visas is clarified. My reasoning is this :- 6 months stay is not being a tourist unless you go to other countries in the area as if you are travelling about.

whatever the real reasoning behind this current situation we can only surmise.

I too am wanting to come back to Thailand for the winter but am re-evaluating my options. It is a hassle and extra expense not to be allowed in for the second part of the Tourist visa.

If this was me, I would avail myself of other options and destinations in case of refusal on the second part of the visa.

[ultramarine]

Yes indeed WB. That was my thinking also. The Bald Eagle saga has me wondering that the hassles and uncertainty just aren't worth it. If Thailand doesn't want repeat snowbird visitors for the winter, then so be it. Yes, we're not tourists in the typical sense but there is no other visa option that fits us better. And that is why we snowbirds use the tourist visa. Bald Eagle didn't have ANY back to back visa. He just came to Thailand a lot.

The situation sucks. It's going to be bad for the Thai economy but it's their country. My guess is they will relax it somewhat after Aug 12 but I will wait until probably September before buying an air ticket for November and any wintering plans.

Out of curiosity, what other destinations are you considering? I like a decent internet connection, so I would gravitate towards Vietnam over say, Cambo. I may choose something closer to home in the Americas however.

[wayned]

I don't think that anybody really knows. There have been recent reports that people with valid tourists visas, double or triple entry, that have exited and turned around to activate the next entry have been turned away. Most I think are in the south but who knows. The Bald Eagle report is very disturbing.

[ultramarine]

I don't think that anybody really knows. There have been recent reports that people with valid tourists visas, double or triple entry, that have exited and turned around to activate the next entry have been turned away. Most I think are in the south but who knows. The Bald Eagle report is very disturbing.

Yes, it is very disturbing. I can't imagine renting a condo for 6 months for the winter and putting with all my luggage and stuff in it and then be refused entry on the second or third entry of a triple entry tourist visa because some immigration officer thinks I have too many stamps to be called a tourist. At the moment, this scenario seems quite possible. Just bonkers.

If we see more of those Bald Eagle type incidents, then I will have to form an alternative plan. In any event, I will wait until after Aug 12th and see how the dust settles.

[WhamBam]

Yes indeed WB. That was my thinking also. The Bald Eagle saga has me wondering that the hassles and uncertainty just aren't worth it. If Thailand doesn't want repeat snowbird visitors for the winter, then so be it. Yes, we're not tourists in the typical sense but there is no other visa option that fits us better. And that is why we snowbirds use the tourist visa. Bald Eagle didn't have ANY back to back visa. He just came to Thailand a lot.

The situation sucks. It's going to be bad for the Thai economy but it's their country. My guess is they will relax it somewhat after Aug 12 but I will wait until probably September before buying an air ticket for November and any wintering plans.

Out of curiosity, what other destinations are you considering? I like a decent internet connection, so I would gravitate towards Vietnam over say, Cambo. I may choose something closer to home in the Americas however.

Right at this moment I am unsure of where to go if I am honest.

It takes time to get to know a country and places within a country. For example, knowing where to get a condo or house to rent for 5 / 6 months at a good price, where to have the nights out, the local customs, prices and oodles of other tidbits of information you get after visiting somewhere on a regular basis.

Yes, there are places on thai visa to ask these questions but it is never the same as doing it yourself. It took me years to learn about various places in thailand but I know I can make a phone call or two to people I know and get some help / information.

Starting all over again is not a prospect I relish at the moment and I am currently happy to wait until September or October to see if the current problems in Thailand are ironed out.

If the situation remains the same as it does now, I will consider Cambodia / Philipines. Possibly somewhere like Bulgaria even.

Currently I have £2,500 set aside for my winter break + my monthly pension month on month + the savings on my gas, water and electric too

Added to that, I have a lady I have known for 2 years waiting for my return, so I am led to believe

The hassles I can forsee are once we have back to back tourist visas, book the return flight, pay a deposit on a condo (and in my case, move my stuff from my friends place to where I am going to stay), IF refused entry, the condo deposit could be lost, bills for electric and water left outstanding, personal belongings lost too. Also the wasted cost of the double tourist visa.

On top of that would be the hassle and cost of changing the flight and deciding where to go for the next 3 months - home or another country.

Crazy days!!

[AYJAYDEE]

Yes indeed WB. That was my thinking also. The Bald Eagle saga has me wondering that the hassles and uncertainty just aren't worth it. If Thailand doesn't want repeat snowbird visitors for the winter, then so be it. Yes, we're not tourists in the typical sense but there is no other visa option that fits us better. And that is why we snowbirds use the tourist visa. Bald Eagle didn't have ANY back to back visa. He just came to Thailand a lot.

The situation sucks. It's going to be bad for the Thai economy but it's their country. My guess is they will relax it somewhat after Aug 12 but I will wait until probably September before buying an air ticket for November and any wintering plans.

Out of curiosity, what other destinations are you considering? I like a decent internet connection, so I would gravitate towards Vietnam over say, Cambo. I may choose something closer to home in the Americas however.

Right at this moment I am unsure of where to go if I am honest.

It takes time to get to know a country and places within a country. For example, knowing where to get a condo or house to rent for 5 / 6 months at a good price, where to have the nights out, the local customs, prices and oodles of other tidbits of information you get after visiting somewhere on a regular basis.

Yes, there are places on thai visa to ask these questions but it is never the same as doing it yourself. It took me years to learn about various places in thailand but I know I can make a phone call or two to people I know and get some help / information.

Starting all over again is not a prospect I relish at the moment and I am currently happy to wait until September or October to see if the current problems in Thailand are ironed out.

If the situation remains the same as it does now, I will consider Cambodia / Philipines. Possibly somewhere like Bulgaria even.

Currently I have £2,500 set aside for my winter break + my monthly pension month on month + the savings on my gas, water and electric too

Added to that, I have a lady I have known for 2 years waiting for my return, so I am led to believe

The hassles I can forsee are once we have back to back tourist visas, book the return flight, pay a deposit on a condo (and in my case, move my stuff from my friends place to where I am going to stay), IF refused entry, the condo deposit could be lost, bills for electric and water left outstanding, personal belongings lost too. Also the wasted cost of the double tourist visa.

On top of that would be the hassle and cost of changing the flight and deciding where to go for the next 3 months - home or another country.

Crazy days!!

a double or triple entry tourist visa is not a back to back visa. no reason to think u cant continue

[ubonjoe]

I would plan your trip and just wait and see what is going on when it comes time to make your 2nd entry but I don't think you will have a problem. At the moment nobody knows what things will be like in few months. My crystal ball is little foggy on this.

[notmyself]

I was talking to someone earlier regarding the 6 month winter holiday people who come to Thailand. I can think of 12 people who could well go somewhere else immediately.

[ultramarine]

I would plan your trip and just wait and see what is going on when it comes time to make your 2nd entry but I don't think you will have a problem. At the moment nobody knows what things will be like in few months. My crystal ball is little foggy on this.

Thanks for weighing in, UJ. My guess is it won't be a problem but I am taking a wait and see approach until it shakes out in August and beyond. No way am I buying an air ticket to BKK until then. If things stay this uncertain, I probably will search for other places or stay home.

Maybe it will take some serious damage to the tourism industry to force the government to clarify the situation. They shouldn't be allowed to pull stunts like this without notice or without clarity. This is lame even by Thai standards.

[ultramarine]

Yes indeed WB. That was my thinking also. The Bald Eagle saga has me wondering that the hassles and uncertainty just aren't worth it. If Thailand doesn't want repeat snowbird visitors for the winter, then so be it. Yes, we're not tourists in the typical sense but there is no other visa option that fits us better. And that is why we snowbirds use the tourist visa. Bald Eagle didn't have ANY back to back visa. He just came to Thailand a lot.

The situation sucks. It's going to be bad for the Thai economy but it's their country. My guess is they will relax it somewhat after Aug 12 but I will wait until probably September before buying an air ticket for November and any wintering plans.

Out of curiosity, what other destinations are you considering? I like a decent internet connection, so I would gravitate towards Vietnam over say, Cambo. I may choose something closer to home in the Americas however.

Right at this moment I am unsure of where to go if I am honest.

It takes time to get to know a country and places within a country. For example, knowing where to get a condo or house to rent for 5 / 6 months at a good price, where to have the nights out, the local customs, prices and oodles of other tidbits of information you get after visiting somewhere on a regular basis.

Yes, there are places on thai visa to ask these questions but it is never the same as doing it yourself. It took me years to learn about various places in thailand but I know I can make a phone call or two to people I know and get some help / information.

Starting all over again is not a prospect I relish at the moment and I am currently happy to wait until September or October to see if the current problems in Thailand are ironed out.

If the situation remains the same as it does now, I will consider Cambodia / Philipines. Possibly somewhere like Bulgaria even.

Currently I have £2,500 set aside for my winter break + my monthly pension month on month + the savings on my gas, water and electric too

Added to that, I have a lady I have known for 2 years waiting for my return, so I am led to believe

The hassles I can forsee are once we have back to back tourist visas, book the return flight, pay a deposit on a condo (and in my case, move my stuff from my friends place to where I am going to stay), IF refused entry, the condo deposit could be lost, bills for electric and water left outstanding, personal belongings lost too. Also the wasted cost of the double tourist visa.

On top of that would be the hassle and cost of changing the flight and deciding where to go for the next 3 months - home or another country.

Crazy days!!

Wow -- Bulgaria. That proves this is serious.

I tend to agree with your thinking. It's not easy to just find a new place to live for half the year. I've done all the leg work in Thailand (no double entendre, please), speak some of the language, have some friends, etc. Not easy to just plunk myself down in Saigon or PP and see what happens. As you say, there are extra costs to not knowing the lay of the land and where to find services and provisions, etc.

It's just insane when you think about what Immigration could do if this current policy is interpreted literally ("you are not a tourist"). You leave all your stuff in the condo/apt for the quick trip out to PP, SVK or wherever for 2nd or 3rd entry stamp. Then you could be refused entry and lose all your stuff back in Bangkok. Are they serious? You can't expect people to tolerate this sh*t. Come on!

Why would anybody come to Thailand for the winter when there was a plausible chance they could be refused re-entry 60 days after they arrive?

.