What Do You Reckon My Chances Are?

[TheSpade]

I was in Thailand for a year until June of this year.

6 months on a double entry visa.

Then 6 border runs.

Had to come home and sort out some family stuff.

Was planning on heading back to Thailand mid-late October.

Didn't realize at the time those border runs could come back to haunt me.

Was perfectly allowed at the time now apparently I would be suspect #1 and was breaking all the rules.

I wasn't working in Thailand, neither legally or illegally, and don't plan to ever.

Have funds from abroad which I can show proof of if needed.

About a month ago I was thinking there was no point trying due to all the rule changes and confusion.

But seems like there's hardly any reports of anyone actually being refused.

Based on what we currently know about the confusion situation....

What do you reckon my chances are of getting in if I obtain a triple entry visa in the UK before coming?

Anyone in a similar circumstance (i.e. a few border runs in passport) leave Thailand and come back without issue?

Thanks!

[paz]

Some people are refused.

If you need to stay in Thailand more than 30 days, get a tourist visa.

[TheSpade]

Yeah but that's not the point.

I clearly stated I would get a visa in the UK.

The point is about being refused for having a history of 'long term' stay in Thailand over the past year.

Of which 6 months of those were border runs.

Border runs are apparently the route of all evil now (exaggerating I know) and anyone who does them or has done in the past will be scrutinized.

So I'm wondering if anyone else out there was in a similar situation and had no problems returning to the kingdom on a tourist visa after lots of back to back border runs.

[paz]

Past history is not important.

One should avoid visa exempt out/in , that's all.

[ubonjoe]

If you get a tourist visa you will not have a problem entering the country and using your 2 entry.

[bapoboy]

If you get a tourist visa you will not have a problem entering the country and using your 2 entry.

I have a same story with several visa runs, I plan to go to Thailand in September from September 9 to 25, do I need a visa to be where the small period of his I've done many visa runs before? or have no previous history matter?

[ubonjoe]

If you get a tourist visa you will not have a problem entering the country and using your 2 entry.

I have a same story with several visa runs, I plan to go to Thailand in September from September 9 to 25, do I need a visa to be where the small period of his I've done many visa runs before? or have no previous history matter?

You will not have a problem. Just be prepared to show your ticket out of the country and 10k baht or the equivalent of it if asked for it.

Your previous entries are not counted,

[TheSpade]

I was also considering getting an education visa and talked to a few language schools via email.

I explained my situation and they had said they believed I may have problems getting the visa in the first place or that I might get it then not be allowed in to the country (or at least a serious grilling which is not the end of the world but I'd prefer not to deal with it)

That makes me think they have had recent experiences of people who signed up for their courses not getting in.

But I haven't really seen many stories of this posted here.

The only issue I have with getting the tourist visa is that when you go to do a border run to reactivate your new entry you could run into problems and not be allowed back in.

It's surely a real possibility no?

There's talk of only allowing 'X' amount of runs but if they see all those previous runs from a different trip would they discount them as they were some time ago?

[paz]

I was also considering getting an education visa and talked to a few language schools via email.

I explained my situation and they had said they believed I may have problems getting the visa in the first place or that I might get it then not be allowed in to the country (or at least a serious grilling which is not the end of the world but I'd prefer not to deal with it)

That makes me think they have had recent experiences of people who signed up for their courses not getting in.

But I haven't really seen many stories of this posted here.

Correct, if you have a vaid ED visa you can enter with no problem. Some country even issue multi-entry ED visa. You cannot be even be grilled about speaking Thai, because is precisely first time ED visa and you have not started school yet.

The only issue I have with getting the tourist visa is that when you go to do a border run to reactivate your new entry you could run into problems and not be allowed back in.

It's surely a real possibility no?

There is also no problem activating further entries of Tourist visa.

remember, for one person that report of problems, there is thousands every day that come to Thailand, have no problems, and of course do not report about.

[TheSpade]

So why are various different language schools saying otherwise?

It would make sense for them just to say "mai pen rai...you can come no problem" so you send them money (you have to pay for the course up front to get the visa) and then afterwards if you didn't get in saying "oh well not our fault"

There would be little you could do and it wouldn't be their fault.

Yet they are actually telling people they have a good chance of NOT being allowed back into the country.

That suggests to me they know something the vast majority do not - that people ARE being refused regularly.

remember, for one person that report of problems, there is thousands every day that come to Thailand, have no problems, and of course do not report about.

Yes but for ever 1,000 people that visit Thailand every day 999 of them do NOT have 6 months of back to back border runs (apparently now a BIG problem) in their passport,

I'm looking for specific advice from people in a similar situation if possible.

[paz]

Yes but for ever 1,000 people that visit Thailand every day 999 of them do NOT have 6 months of back to back border runs (apparently now a BIG problem) in their passport,

Not a problem. Let the schools do their job - teaching Thai and doing the visa/extensions paperwork.

Otherwise if you don't want to come to Thailand, that is fine too.