Is the scare over for much stricter visa rules for expats?

[Rick G]

I read about a couple of months ago that visa rules for expats were going to get much stricter as of this month. But I read a few days ago that General Chan-ocha, soon to be Prime Minister, has already recommended allowing expats, like English teachers, to stay long term with visa runs. Is this correct? Thanks in advance.

Rick G

[brianp0803]

Lol. This would mean he is going to make easier for a while to work illegal.

Hopefully change visas or rules for work permit to allow contributing people to work legally

[bigt116]

Hopefully test the English of prospective English teachers. ;-)

[DrTuner]

The NLA has only just been formed. What we have seen was the enforcement of old rules. Nobody knows if there are changes to the Immigration Act or ministerial regulations coming up.

Just prepare to be governed, aliens.

[MacWalen]

Things may get easier with visas.

[SilverBeast]

They should make things easier for foreigners to be there. Less red tape = more money getting spent there.

Somebody should tell them...

[ubonjoe]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

[beechguy]

They should make things easier for foreigners to be there. Less red tape = more money getting spent there.

Somebody should tell them...

Well, considering people already have to pay to enter Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, I don't know how much easier they need to make it.

[useronthenet]

The only change with regards to visas, is the law that exists is now being enforced. Corrupt officials have bent the rules to gain profit, which thankfully is being slowly stamped out by the task force.

[SilverBeast]

Beechguy, Make it easier not the same as the other places...

Show a passport, enter country, done. Nothing else. The freer movement of people is a good thing.

[AGareth2]

they need to help the teachers become legal

and collect tax

[siam2007]

They should make things easier for foreigners to be there. Less red tape = more money getting spent there.

Somebody should tell them...

Well, considering people already have to pay to enter Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, I don't know how much easier they need to make it.

for example, extend the Visa-free stay to 90 days...... as Malaysia does it and obviously does not have the slightest problem with that rule.....

[tonbridgebrit]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

Sorry Ubonjoe, can we just clear this up. If a man comes into Thailand (he's from Europe) at the airport, right, he's got a 30 day stamp. Now, towards the end of his 30 day stay, can he go to Laos/Cambodia (he's going to walk into Laos/Cambodia) for ten minutes, and then come back for another 30 days stamp ? So he can't do it ? Not even ONE in/out visa run ?

[ubonjoe]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

Sorry Ubonjoe, can we just clear this up. If a man comes into Thailand (he's from Europe) at the airport, right, he's got a 30 day stamp. Now, towards the end of his 30 day stay, can he go to Laos/Cambodia (he's going to walk into Laos/Cambodia) for ten minutes, and then come back for another 30 days stamp ? So he can't do it ? Not even ONE in/out visa run ?

Reports for Cambodia are that they will allow one in/out after flying in. Not enough reports for Laos but it should be the same.

But as of tomorrow there would be no need to do a border hop to get another 30 days because a 30 day extension will be possible for a visa exempt entry.

[tonbridgebrit]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

Sorry Ubonjoe, can we just clear this up. If a man comes into Thailand (he's from Europe) at the airport, right, he's got a 30 day stamp. Now, towards the end of his 30 day stay, can he go to Laos/Cambodia (he's going to walk into Laos/Cambodia) for ten minutes, and then come back for another 30 days stamp ? So he can't do it ? Not even ONE in/out visa run ?

Reports for Cambodia are that they will allow one in/out after flying in. Not enough reports for Laos but it should be the same.

But as of tomorrow there would be no need to do a border hop to get another 30 days because a 30 day extension will be possible for a visa exempt entry.

Thanks Ubonjoe !

Yes, but the extension for 30 days is 1900 baht. It costs 35 dollars to go into Laos/Cambodia, so it's a tiny bit cheaper to do a border hop if you live near the border !

One more question please. I take it if the passport has a tourist (single/double) visa, he's at the end of his tourist visa, he's going home in three weeks time. Yes, he can get the 30 day extension, but surely, he can also go to Laos/Cambodia, come back into Thailand straight away, and get a 30 day stamp ?

[ubonjoe]

He should be able to get a visa exempt entry but it would only be for 15 days unless he is from a G7 country.

[tonbridgebrit]

He should be able to get a visa exempt entry but it would only be for 15 days unless he is from a G7 country.

Thanks again !

[jacksam]

Beechguy, Make it easier not the same as the other places...

Show a passport, enter country, done. Nothing else. The freer movement of people is a good thing.

What are you on? Have you noticed whats going on in the world.

[jacksam]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

Sorry Ubonjoe, can we just clear this up. If a man comes into Thailand (he's from Europe) at the airport, right, he's got a 30 day stamp. Now, towards the end of his 30 day stay, can he go to Laos/Cambodia (he's going to walk into Laos/Cambodia) for ten minutes, and then come back for another 30 days stamp ? So he can't do it ? Not even ONE in/out visa run ?

It would appear the person you suggest would do the visa run to obtain a second 30 stamp to stay in Thailand 60 days or more. Your asking if this is still possible. Why didnt he get a tourist visa.

Why do you think thai imm is changing their attitude. Maybe they should do away with the stamps all together. Make it same as Vietnam etc

[anon676545345]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

Sorry Ubonjoe, can we just clear this up. If a man comes into Thailand (he's from Europe) at the airport, right, he's got a 30 day stamp. Now, towards the end of his 30 day stay, can he go to Laos/Cambodia (he's going to walk into Laos/Cambodia) for ten minutes, and then come back for another 30 days stamp ? So he can't do it ? Not even ONE in/out visa run ?

It would appear the person you suggest would do the visa run to obtain a second 30 stamp to stay in Thailand 60 days or more. Your asking if this is still possible. Why didnt he get a tourist visa.

Why do you think thai imm is changing their attitude. Maybe they should do away with the stamps all together. Make it same as Vietnam etc

It's possible to get a visa for Vietnam on line then collect it at the airport on arival, as far as I'm aware it's not possible to get a tourist visa for Thailand without going to an embassy or consulate which would be difficult for guys working off shore for example.

[willyumiii]

Hopefully test the English of prospective English teachers. ;-)

I agree 100%.

Most Thais with university degrees who claim to be English teachers, can only speak English at a level that is maybe comparable to 5 year old native English speaker...if that well.

A teacher will never teach anyone to speak English any better than the teacher can speak!!

These people need to be tested and prevented from teaching their inferior form of English known as Tinglish.

By teaching poor sentence structure and miss pronunciation, they are making the problem worse.

These teachers should be bared from teaching the English language.

My 6 year old daughter from USA speaks better English than these teachers with university degrees will ever speak!

[Timwin]

Well, there is always the next boss. You get your local crackdowns (every new police chief) too. After two months things usually go back to normal.

[tonbridgebrit]

The only thing that has truly changed is the tightening of being able to get multiple visa exempt entries to stay here. You no longer can do an in/out visa runs to get another entry if you have stayed for the full time allowed on your entry and leave to get another one and return immediately.

There were some border crossings that at the beginning of the tightening was turning people away even if they had valid visas. That has now hopefully stopped.

There have been many rumors going around about tourist visas be stopped or restricted which are not true.

Sorry Ubonjoe, can we just clear this up. If a man comes into Thailand (he's from Europe) at the airport, right, he's got a 30 day stamp. Now, towards the end of his 30 day stay, can he go to Laos/Cambodia (he's going to walk into Laos/Cambodia) for ten minutes, and then come back for another 30 days stamp ? So he can't do it ? Not even ONE in/out visa run ?

It would appear the person you suggest would do the visa run to obtain a second 30 stamp to stay in Thailand 60 days or more. Your asking if this is still possible. Why didnt he get a tourist visa.

Why do you think thai imm is changing their attitude. Maybe they should do away with the stamps all together. Make it same as Vietnam etc

Well, we know what some people are like.

Man turns up in Thailand, his intent is to stay for three weeks and then go home to England or Germany. But during his three week stay, he gets a bit friendly with one of the local women, and wants to further his relationship with the lady. So he puts his flight back by four or five weeks, that's going to cost 50 pounds or 80 Aussie dollars admin charge, and he then realises he needs a visa or stamp for the extra four or five weeks !

Or back-packer (there's actually three young men in a group) turns up in Thailand, and his intent is to travel in South East Asia for 58 days. But after 25 days in Thailand, he wants to just stay in Thailand, he's got a bit friendly with one of the local women. He reckons going to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam is now a waste of time. So yes, he just wants to go over to Laos, spend ten minutes in Laos (and those ten minutes are going to be away from the precious girlfriend), and then come back to be with the girlfriend (she'ill be waiting for him at the entrance gate coming into Thailand).

[alocacoc]

At least for Tourist Visa holders nothing has been changed.

Even the dreaded red stamp is not the end.

[brianp0803]

they need to help the teachers become legal

and collect tax

Although collecting taxes might also happen, they need to fix them problem why so many are doing visa runs

I think many visa runners are performing legit work for Thailand

Maybe put pressure on school to give non-immigeant B and work permits

Maybe make it easier for schools to give work permits (or is there too much corruption)

If schools worry about teachers not sticking around then they need to examine their hiring policy or working conditions

[SilverBeast]

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Beechguy, Make it easier not the same as the other places...

Show a passport, enter country, done. Nothing else. The freer movement of people is a good thing.

What are you on? Have you noticed whats going on in the world.

I'm very well aware what is going on in the world. Putting up walls and adding restrictions to how people can move around does not lessen the tension in the world. It furthers the nationality mindset, it isolates people and it creates more of an us vs them mindset. Its arbitrarily unhealthy.

they need to help the teachers become legal
and collect tax

Although collecting taxes might also happen, they need to fix them problem why so many are doing visa runs

I think many visa runners are performing legit work for Thailand

Maybe put pressure on school to give non-immigeant B and work permits

Maybe make it easier for schools to give work permits (or is there too much corruption)

If schools worry about teachers not sticking around then they need to examine their hiring policy or working conditions

Why does the school have to give non-immigrant B or work permits? Wouldn't that be the job of the immigration/border department?

----------------

Most of this visa run stuff sure sounds silly. We are really talking about just making it difficult for mostly wealthy people to go to Thailand and stay for extended periods of time. Yet the people of Thailand should be interested in having these foreigners come and spend their money there over an extended period of time.

Also, when you enter by air they give you 30 days but it you make a "visa run" and enter by land you get 15 days from what I've read.

[paz]

Most of this visa run stuff sure sounds silly. We are really talking about just making it difficult for mostly wealthy people to go to Thailand and stay for extended periods of time. Yet the people of Thailand should be interested in having these foreigners come and spend their money there over an extended period of time.

Wealthy people can invest 10M bath and to receive yearly extensions with no set limit. Or buy Thai Elite card starting at 500K Bt and stay in country 5 years continuously.

Also, when you enter by air they give you 30 days but it you make a "visa run" and enter by land you get 15 days from what I've read.

Actually it is 30 days for citizens of G7 countries, or even 90 for few others.

[SilverBeast]

Most of this visa run stuff sure sounds silly. We are really talking about just making it difficult for mostly wealthy people to go to Thailand and stay for extended periods of time. Yet the people of Thailand should be interested in having these foreigners come and spend their money there over an extended period of time.

Wealthy people can invest 10M bath and to receive yearly extensions with no set limit. Or buy Thai Elite card starting at 500K Bt and stay in country 5 years continuously.

Also, when you enter by air they give you 30 days but it you make a "visa run" and enter by land you get 15 days from what I've read.

Actually it is 30 days for citizens of G7 countries, or even 90 for few others.

Wealthy people invest 10M baht into what exactly? Buy a house? Land? Invest in a Thai company?

Thai Elite Card? 500k Bt? LIke 500,000 to buy a Thai Elite Card? This is the first I've heard of the Elite card...

[paz]

Wealthy people invest 10M baht into what exactly? Buy a house? Land? Invest in a Thai company?

Thai Elite Card? 500k Bt? LIke 500,000 to buy a Thai Elite Card? This is the first I've heard of the Elite card...

There are many, many threads about these. Just browse or search this forum.

[SilverBeast]

*Wanders off to search around*