I was just rejected for non O at Savannakhet. Had all necessary paperwork for non O (and retirement but wasn't asking for that) including an affidavit from the US embassy stating 3500 USD income per month. I did not have a bank statement. They said a) I needed a bank statement and I need to apply for the first time in my home country. I have a rented house in pattaya with all my stuff and I was warned last entry I could not come back on tourist visa. HELP I'm stuck out of thailand. Should I try Vientiane? Any other suggestions?

They will do it in Vientiane. Just attach copy of your affidavit to the application and show them the original so you can use it when you apply for an extension.

I have been warning people not to go to Savannakhet for a non-o for being 50 or over. They will make every excuse possible not to do them.

I don't think you will have any problem re-entering the country on a 30 day visa exempt entry. I suspect an immigration officer told you something that was not factual when you entered the country the last time.

If you want to you can get a bus or a flight on Lao Airways to Vientiane from Savannakhet. You still have time to do it this week.

Thanks Joe. Don't look forward to overnight bus but think I will leave tonight. I will keep you posted.

Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?

Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

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Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?
Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

Immigration does not "set the parameters" for issuing visas .!

If you wish to complain then direct the concerns to the MFA who do "set the rules" for issuing Visas !

Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?

Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

Immigration does not "set the parameters" for issuing visas .!

If you wish to complain then direct the concerns to the MFA who do "set the rules" for issuing Visas !

And after all that complaining, you can front up to a Thai Immigration Policeman at the border who can overrule both the Embassy and the MFA and do whatever he likes..

Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?

Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

"Immigration set the parameters ..."

The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do not set parameters for each other. Immigrations decides on who will or will not be permitted to enter Thailand or remain here. Being in possession of a properly issued visa makes admission highly likely, but an immigrations officer is not forced to admit someone if there are extenuating circumstances.

Do you really think the US or UK or Australian embassies or High commissions in the Sudan or Bangladesh issue visas using the same criteria and without any hassle compared to the embassies of those same countries in Japan or Canada? Embassies located in certain countries are notoriously difficult about such things but in others it's little more than filling in a form and paying some money. Is it fair or always justifiable? No. But everyone in the world is not entitled to a Thai visa on demand.

The "Bozos" in every embassy or consulate have to deal with local conditions as they see fit, whether or not some people feel their decision are fair in their minds. That's what they're paid to do (for better or worse). And in some cases the embassies restrict what their satellite consulates in the same country can or cannot do.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by Suradit69

"Immigration set the parameters ..."

I understand the lengthy apologetic piece you worte. Now, case in question is that the "main" consulate in Vientane does something that the "dependent" in Savannakhet, doesn't, and vice-versa, which is absurd.

So, the comments about the non-sense are perfectly valid and justified in my opinion.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by paz

. I have a rented house in pattaya with all my stuff and I was warned last entry I could not come back on tourist visa. HELP I'm stuck out of thailand.

You aren't stuck and you can always re-enter with a tourist visa or exempt. A next time before throwing yourself in visa run please check this forum, because the denial you have met is well known. Alos, it was reported that Jomtiem office now accepts again visa conversion application, without you going to Bangkok, that would not have been difficult anyway.

Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?

Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

I have been saying this all the time but TiT. These IMOs just love the power they have, and it's all wrong.

And after all that complaining, you can front up to a Thai Immigration Policeman at the border who can overrule both the Embassy and the MFA and do whatever he likes..

Not really. If you have a valid visa you enter Thailand.

OP - From Mukdahan - you can get to the Sakon Nakhon Bus station -- take a Bus to Udon Thani ... then to Nong Khai ... bridge to cross over to Laos is there. Vientiane is less than 30 kilometers from Nong Khai ... You time at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane may cause an over night ... Vientiane is not noted for the best hotels ...

If you spend any time in Nong Khai Thailand ... I know some good Farang places to eat there and some affordable Guest Houses... with other Farangs around who can be of assistance.

Can you still get a Non O Multi visa in Savannakhet based on marriage without financials?

OP - From Mukdahan - you can get to the Sakon Nakhon Bus station -- take a Bus to Udon Thani ... then to Nong Khai ... bridge to cross over to Laos is there.

OP is in Laos not Thailand. He may chose to travel to Vientane staying in Laos to avoid other visa fees and border expereinces. He might even fly direct there.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by paz

Can you still get a Non O Multi visa in Savannakhet based on marriage without financials?

Yes

Just scroll down the first couple of pages of this forum for info on those..

just turn up at the pattaya immigration office and tell them you want a retirement visa and someone there will sort one out for you in 2 days or we not allowed to say things like that here?

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by asean

just turn up at the pattaya immigration office and tell them you want a retirement visa and someone there will sort one out for you in 2 days or we not allowed to say things like that here?

You mean a visa conversion, and retirement extension. Since the OP is in Laos already it's probably easier to get the required visa there.

I was told the same think there last year and went back home Australia and did my visa .

Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?

Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

I have been saying this all the time but TiT. These IMOs just love the power they have, and it's all wrong.

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

You don't seem to realize that in Thailand you are in the same situation regarding immigration and visas to Thailand as:

• A Mexican "Wetback" in Arizona
• A "Paki" in the U.K.
• Or an "Eastern European" worker in France or almost any Eurozone country
• In other words YOU are the outsider in their country

Learn to deal with it.

This is not a rant just trying to have you learn to deal with the reality of your situation.

.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by IMA_FARANG

You don't seem to realize that in Thailand you are in the situation regarding immigration and visas to Thailand as"

• A Mexican "Wetback" in Arizona
• A "Paki" in the U.K.
• Or an "Eastern European" worker in France or almost any Eurozone country
• In other words YOU are the outsider in their country

Learn to deal with it.

This is not a rant just trying to have you learn to deal with the reality of your situation.

Not really, can't compare to these situations. The social and economic differences are profound. One one hand, the immigrants above have full rights in the countries where they have moved, except voting perhaps that come with nationality, which is not precluded as practically is in Thailand. If

On the other, many if not most of the Westerners in Thailand do not work anymore or do not need to work, plus they don't need integrating much.

If you want to compare the status of Western expats in Thailand to other countries, including immigration issues, that would be a more meaningful discussion.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I did take the overnight bus because I didn't want to leave Lao. My suggestion request lower berth and spend the extra 500 Baht and buy 2 tickets. I shared an upper bunk. Got to the consulate number 17. Paperwork was accepted after a quick correction. I'll get back as to if it was approved. BTW lots of marrieds in line at Savannakhet with no problems. Not sure if they had affidavit or not.

Wow...

I did mine just six months ago, there in Savannaket. No problem at all...but I had bank statements...as well as the affidavit. That might of been it.

They looked long and hard at the bank statements. That was based on retirement..not marriage.

Edited April 8, 201511 yr by slipperylobster

"Immigration set the parameters ..."

I understand the lengthy apologetic piece you worte. Now, case in question is that the "main" consulate in Vientane does something that the "dependent" in Savannakhet, doesn't, and vice-versa, which is absurd.

So, the comments about the non-sense are perfectly valid and justified in my opinion.

what you may find is that Savannakhet are doing things by the book and Vientane are being a bit more relaxed when it comes to showing evidence, quite frankly I find it amazing that people from both USA and Australia can basically declare their own income without producing any evidence to their embassy

And after all that complaining, you can front up to a Thai Immigration Policeman at the border who can overrule both the Embassy and the MFA and do whatever he likes..

Not really. If you have a valid visa you enter Thailand.

Glad that you said 'not really' as it indicates that you may be aware that being granted any visa including a Thai one, is absolutely no guarantee of entering any country, including Thailand. Granted that we haven't heard recently of any member being denied entry with a valid visa in the passport but I think I recall a thread with someone posting from 'air-side' that claimed that he had. Or another thread where a couple of oil-patch, 28/28 day guys were intercepted and one was sent away because the Immigration officer at Suvarnabhumi 'didn't believe' both the foreign work contract or the foreign work permit that the poor guy showed as evidence. If they think you're camping here, they occasionally get bolshy and send you back but even if it is on bogus grounds, it is in their basic remit and they have the authority to do so.

But let's not derail this thread.

And after all that complaining, you can front up to a Thai Immigration Policeman at the border who can overrule both the Embassy and the MFA and do whatever he likes..

Not really. If you have a valid visa you enter Thailand.

Sorry..not true. NanLaew is correct.

In almost every country I know, the immigration officer at the counter is responsible for scrutiny of arriving passengers, and has the authority, ultimately with the approval of her/his supervisor, to permit or deny entry, regardless of visa issued, if he/she has reason to believe that the passenger may somehow deviate from the terms of the visa. In such cases the visa can/will be cancelled on the spot.

Why on earth are the Thai embassies allowed to make up their own rules?

Immigration set the parameters and then some local bozo can just overule them. you shouldn't need to know which embassy will provide a visa.....they all should

I agree with you, but on the bright side, at least you see the region chasin your tail

Sorry..not true. NanLaew is correct.

In almost every country I know, the immigration officer at the counter is responsible for scrutiny of arriving passengers, and has the authority, ultimately with the approval of her/his supervisor, to permit or deny entry, regardless of visa issued, if he/she has reason to believe that the passenger may somehow deviate from the terms of the visa. In such cases the visa can/will be cancelled on the spot.

That rubbish is often mentioned, but not true. Let's talk facts not "every country right". Read this forum and point us a single case about Thailand where someone with a valid visa was refused entry. Also, immigration cannot cancel visa.

Glad that you said 'not really' as it indicates that you may be aware that being granted any visa including a Thai one, is absolutely no guarantee of entering any country, including Thailand. Granted that we haven't heard recently of any member being denied entry with a valid visa in the passport but I think I recall a thread with someone posting from 'air-side' that claimed that he had. Or another thread where a couple of oil-patch, 28/28 day guys were intercepted and one was sent away because the Immigration officer at Suvarnabhumi 'didn't believe' both the foreign work contract or the foreign work permit that the poor guy showed as evidence. If they think you're camping here, they occasionally get bolshy and send you back but even if it is on bogus grounds, it is in their basic remit and they have the authority to do so.

The purpose of the forum is provide, factual information about Thailand visa and immigration. When you say that having a visa still does not guarantee entry to Thailand, you are in practice are stating incorrect information, and I will get you corrected.

Good that you noted yourself that there are no cases, but you should also not tried to make you point with the O&G workers being hassled, because they come visa exempt, not with a visa.,

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Sorry..not true. NanLaew is correct.

In almost every country I know, the immigration officer at the counter is responsible for scrutiny of arriving passengers, and has the authority, ultimately with the approval of her/his supervisor, to permit or deny entry, regardless of visa issued, if he/she has reason to believe that the passenger may somehow deviate from the terms of the visa. In such cases the visa can/will be cancelled on the spot.

That rubbish is often mentioned, but not true. Let's talk facts not "every country right". Read this forum and point us a single case about Thailand where someone with a valid visa was refused entry. Also, immigration cannot cancel visa.

I will not do the work for you but look up the case of the Russian Woman denied entry in Phuket !

Every country "has the right" to prevent an individual from entering if that individual is thought to be "undesirable" !

Edited April 8, 201511 yr by nzexpat

penang with bank statements, overnight service, you dont even set foot in embassy easy. 1 year multiple non-o based on supporting a thai child.