Russian out-in visa runs ‘same as other nationalities’ – Thai Immigration chief

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Russian out-in visa runs 'same as other nationalities' – Immigration chief
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Photo Dmitry Dzhus

PHUKET: -- Pol Lt Gen Sakda Cheupakdee, Acting Commissioner of Thai Immigration, has confirmed that – theoretically – Russians can enter Thailand as often as they like.

He was responding to questions from The Phuket News after the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Thailand and Russia have a specific agreement stating that Russian citizens may enter Thailand visa-free as often as they wish, each time for 30 days.

This would seem to allow Russians to do back-to-back “out-in” visa runs, leaving the country and then coming back in immediately for another 30 days.

However, Gen Sakda told The Phuket News, “Russians can come into Thailand without [getting a visa beforehand] an unlimited [number of times].”

But, he added, “They need to show proof that they are entering for tourism purposes. They are allowed to stay only 30 days [at a time].

“We have found that [many] do not come for tourism purposes. Lots of them are working illegally and are doing out-in visa runs in order to continue working.”

He explained that if they cannot prove that they are re-entering the country for tourism (for example by showing hotel bookings, a ticket out of the country or sufficient funds to support themselves while in Thailand), “They won’t be allowed in.”

So despite the unique agreement between the two countries, Russians will face the same tests when they do an out-in run as do citizens of other “visa on arrival” countries.

Pol Lt Col Somchai Jitsa’ngop, Deputy Commander of Deputy Immigration at Ranong, which until recently saw dozens of foreigners from Phuket doing out-ins every day, confirmed that the Russian announcement changes nothing.

“The normal conditions for tourists who want to travel in Thailand apply. Russia is not a special case. If Russian tourists want to travel in Thailand, they have to ask.

“Tourists can come to Thailand but they have to inform us about their accommodation plans.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/russian-out-in-visa-runs-‘same-as-other-nationalities’-immigration-chief-48826.php


-- Phuket News 2014-09-22

[SoFarAndNear]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

[lee b]

or if they obtain a fake hotel booking and flight schedule? Easy done if you know people in the trade ! If this happens then they can go ahead and do bussiness as usual. I have to say though that i really could not be bothered leaving the country every 30 days..

[Triglav]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

The only real question that seems to matter is whether/how you can support yourself while in Thailand. If the question arises you better hope you can answer it to the IO's satisfaction.

I've always been upfront about the fact that I do work remotely and have a permanent employment back at home, so far it was accepted by both numerous IOs at the airports and Thai consul in Moscow.

[ubonjoe]

A off topic rant along with another off topic post has been removed.

[Ianatlarge]

Why in god's name do the Russkies get unlimited entries? If I had to pick one group prone to illegal work...

What about Australians? Is this entire visa thing just too silly? If they get unlimited why not give them indefinite time. Think of all the green house gas saved. All this gives me dizzy spells.

[Psych01]

Is this not the same treaty that was signed last year for all G8 countries, that they are referring to?

[BlackJack]

thin line between unique and discrimination

eh?

[wilcopops]

Basically it is just another contradiction or obfuscation

[pepi2005]

Then the Russians must clearly be the high-class tourist sector Thailand wants to attract since so many years.

Respect Russki's! Someone of your nationality must have found out the name of the person who defines 'high class' in Thailand!

[Thanet]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

If you own a condo, then you are not really a tourist.

Tourists are people who don't have residence and stay in hotels.

[TechnikaIII]

The entire quagmire of immigration regulations is pathetic. Favoritism for one nation or another, officially or otherwise, then each little border kingdom making it's own rules, according to mood and/or prejudice. ...

I doubt if it will get better in our lifetimes. ..

Ahh well, nice news for the Russians. They or anyone can make hotel bookings and arrive with printouts .. pay when you stay deals. I sense the people making all this stuff up don't travel very much.

[Fairynuff]

Does this now mean that people can "live" here on tourist visas if the allowance of out/ins are unlimited? Many people do out/ins without doing immediate turn arounds but leaving for a few days or weeks. How about people who technically live here but travel frequently, could they not still be considered tourists?it would certainly be easy enough for such people to show a (genuine) ticket out of the country.

Do we now consider the crackdown to be over?

[Iumentum]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

If you own a condo, then you are not really a tourist.

Tourists are people who don't have residence and stay in hotels.

Actually quite a few does own condo or similar for holiday purpose only. However, not all for their own holiday purpose, many does rent out when they do not occupy the place themselves.

[Time Traveller]

deletedpost

Edited September 22, 2014 by Time Traveller

[Time Traveller]

Why in god's name do the Russkies get unlimited entries? If I had to pick one group prone to illegal work...

What about Australians? Is this entire visa thing just too silly? If they get unlimited why not give them indefinite time. Think of all the green house gas saved. All this gives me dizzy spells.

the reason is political. Australia has been critical of Thailand in many areas, on the other hand Russia has assisted many corrupt thai officials to launder money so they enjoy a "special" relationship.

[TechnikaIII]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

If you own a condo, then you are not really a tourist.

Tourists are people who don't have residence and stay in hotels.

Not so. A tourist can rent a place to return to regularly, as I do, which I uses as a base. From there I take my trips around the Kingdom. Sometimes I just stay there and enjoy the village and my friends. Others can use it in my absence. No rules against any of that.

[MobileContent]

Why in god's name do the Russkies get unlimited entries? If I had to pick one group prone to illegal work...

What about Australians? Is this entire visa thing just too silly? If they get unlimited why not give them indefinite time. Think of all the green house gas saved. All this gives me dizzy spells.

The Thai and Russian government have a visa deal. Thai's visiting Russia don't need a visa and so it is for the Russians visiting Thailand.

The Russian government protested last week to the Thai government so the Thai's fixed the problem.

[Fairynuff]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

If you own a condo, then you are not really a tourist.

Tourists are people who don't have residence and stay in hotels

Completely disagree. Lot'sof people own holiday (TOURIST) homes and use them at least a few times a year. They ARE tourists who own their holiday homes.

[MobileContent]

Why in god's name do the Russkies get unlimited entries? If I had to pick one group prone to illegal work...

What about Australians? Is this entire visa thing just too silly? If they get unlimited why not give them indefinite time. Think of all the green house gas saved. All this gives me dizzy spells.

the reason is political. Australia has been critical of Thailand in many areas, on the other hand Russia has assisted many corrupt thai officials to launder money so they enjoy a "special" relationship.

Any proof of that? Australia has tough visa laws against Thai's but the Russian and Thai have a visa waiver. Besides tourism is down in Thailand so a Russian that comes and goes every 4 weeks to Thailand would count as 12 Russian that arrived in Thailand so TAT has a way to spin the numbers over the next 1 year.

[ezzra]

It seems that one class of so called tourist have been left unclassed like, I'm talking about

people who wishes to spend more time in Thailand, be it by them selves or with loved one,

and not necessarily working or engaging in money making in any form, just harmless loafers,

those are the one that are younger than the retired age, what type of visa should they get

that will allow them to in and out at will without being looked at as a villains and cheaters?

[Baerboxer]

What happens if you are a tourist but owning a condo and wnat to live in your own accomodation?

You put that address on the landing card and it's recorded.

They may however, want to make sure you have the proof of funds and outbound ticket.

In this case, wouldn't it be easier to get the appropriate visa?

30 days visa exempts are meant for short stays and not as a substitute for getting the right visa.

[Dublin]

Thailand look to the west, learn very quickly, and cease this immedialtey or pay the price later.

[pasak]

Why in god's name do the Russkies get unlimited entries? If I had to pick one group prone to illegal work...

What about Australians? Is this entire visa thing just too silly? If they get unlimited why not give them indefinite time. Think of all the green house gas saved. All this gives me dizzy spells.

the reason is political. Australia has been critical of Thailand in many areas, on the other hand Russia has assisted many corrupt thai officials to launder money so they enjoy a "special" relationship.

Any proof of that? Australia has tough visa laws against Thai's but the Russian and Thai have a visa waiver. Besides tourism is down in Thailand so a Russian that comes and goes every 4 weeks to Thailand would count as 12 Russian that arrived in Thailand so TAT has a way to spin the numbers over the next 1 year.

Don't forget that Australia has said that the junta leader is persona non grata. So our man in white is probably feeling a little 'noi jai'

[mok199]

AND THIER YOU HAVE IT....

[duanebigsby]

Every country has its' list of preferred nation status.

They make different agreements with different countries, it's not about racism or unfairness.

I pay more for a Laos visa as a Canadian than American does, even though we didn't bomb the <deleted> out of them.

[Baerboxer]

The entire quagmire of immigration regulations is pathetic. Favoritism for one nation or another, officially or otherwise, then each little border kingdom making it's own rules, according to mood and/or prejudice. ...

I doubt if it will get better in our lifetimes. ..

Ahh well, nice news for the Russians. They or anyone can make hotel bookings and arrive with printouts .. pay when you stay deals. I sense the people making all this stuff up don't travel very much.

Immigration don't negotiate treaties with foreign countries - that's what the government do.

The Russian have an agreement which says they can enter for 30 days as often as they want - lovely. However, it's pointed out they must show that they are here for tourists. Anyone doing back to backs over and over is going to get looked at very closely, that's clear.

Seems fair enough based on the agreement of the two governments.

[TheFishman1]

Amazing Thailand

[Tycoon]

360 on that little rule change of 6 weeks ago.

[slipperylobster]

So...

What I am reading is that hotel bookings are the only way you can travel in Thailand. I have several friends who own homes and condos. I stay with them frequently. Also, my girl has made her home available to me. Does that make me a bad tourist ? I think many people are the same...and come here to visit a relative or friend...perhaps a fiancee, for their vacation. What is all the hoopla about hotels, anyways. Also, in many other countries (USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, etc) ...many people buy vacation timeshare condominiums....or even winter bungalos/cabins. Why is this not considered?