Eggmeng Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 For most of the 20 years I lived here I had a work permit. A couple of years ago I went back to the US for a while. No more work permit needed or wanted. I'm back in Thailand spending time with my kid and doing some research for a product I'm launching in the States. I came in last December with a one-year multiple entry visa I got in New York. My US passport was renewed last year and hardly has any stamps in it. I stamped out at Ranong a couple of months ago and when I went to stamp back in, immigration asked me why I didn't have a work permit. I explained I wasn't working. He grumbled but let me through. I'm not quite ready to return to the States, and now it's time to stamp out again and re-enter. My non B stamp is still good until December, but I am a little nervous. Has anyone heard any stories of someone in my situation being denied re-entry for lack of a work permit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 No, they can ask for it there as happend to you. But note that for exemple business people coming to Thailand need a non-B but do not need a work permit to conduct negotiations/business meetings etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 At Ranong normally the problem is leaving the country since there is no where you can go if they deny you entry. There were reports last year of people that were not allowed to leave with a multiple entry non-b and no work permit. I would try the crossing again. If they let you leave they will let you back in the country. Perhaps try the Andaman club crossing. Reports are that they can be a bit more friendly there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggmeng Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) Right, and that would be me in my current situation. I think I just got an overly zealous officer down at the river. Next time I plan to go by way of the Andaman Club. Thanks guys. Edited May 27, 2015 by Eggmeng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deli Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Lately also at Andaman Club they asked for the WP and checked it, me and some friends experienced the same. Talking about the last 4 to 5 months. No idea what happens if you don't have a WP but a Non B multiple entry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublephil Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) I have a multi Non-B visa without Work Permit - did not have any problem last time when I went out and in again at Ranong despite reports that I might. No-one asked anything. Generally, a multiple Non-B visa issued from USA or UK will show that you are in Thailand for genuine business purposes representing an overseas company and that does not require a work permit. If they ask again, I suggest you just tell them that you are a visiting businessman and don't need a work permit. Of course, there's no guarantee they will listen or apply the normal immigration rules Edited May 27, 2015 by doublephil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Lately also at Andaman Club they asked for the WP and checked it, me and some friends experienced the same. Talking about the last 4 to 5 months. No idea what happens if you don't have a WP but a Non B multiple entry. In my experience, it used to be that you had to get a non B outside of Thailand with paperwork from your perspective employer before entering the country, and then your employer would get you the work permit. Don't you need the non B before you can get a work permit anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerpilly Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I don't know where you live, but if you want to be 100% sure not to be hassled, you need to fly in. I am in your exact situation and I was tempted to go to Ranong, but I heard people who got denied, I didn't want to take any chance. I flew out to KL from Phuket twice, first time I spent 2 night in KL, second time only 1. No question asked at immigration. I booked the flight in advance, so in the end the difference in cost was minimal. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csabo Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Right, and that would be me in my current situation. I think I just got an overly zealous officer down at the river. Next time I plan to go by way of the Andaman Club. Thanks guys. There's a few too many zealots these days. I have only encountered one really nice IO. Unfortunately it was when I was leaving not entering. Maybe that's why he was so happy : / Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGX Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Right, and that would be me in my current situation. I think I just got an overly zealous officer down at the river. Next time I plan to go by way of the Andaman Club. Thanks guys. There's a few too many zealots these days. I have only encountered one really nice IO. Unfortunately it was when I was leaving not entering. Maybe that's why he was so happy : / I have found the female customs officers to be quite aggressive now when entering on my own , so i try get the male officers. Arrival at the end of the week they usually a bit more easy going , albeit swampy and DM only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggmeng Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'm back from Ranong, with another 90 day stamp. I have a good (and legitimate) business reason to be here, but I was both lectured and warned by immigration at the Andaman Club, who told me they were bending the law and would not do so again. I don't think I would recommend trying this to anyone who doesn't have considerable powers of persuasion (and charm), and I won't be trying it again with the expectation of being let back in with more than a 30 day tourist stamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsailor35 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Right, and that would be me in my current situation. I think I just got an overly zealous officer down at the river. Next time I plan to go by way of the Andaman Club. Thanks guys. Club Andaman always more friendly and helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FBlue72 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Eggmeng, Did you have to show 20, 000 baht ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggmeng Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Eggmeng, Did you have to show 20, 000 baht ? No, I offered to show them some documents that legitimize my business reasons for being in Thailand so long, and they didn't even want to see that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FBlue72 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Can I ask what was your reason? I may need to borrow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggmeng Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 My reason is specific to my business which is the manufacturing and export of Thai food products. But I think I was given the stamp mainly because I was speaking politely, deferentially and in Thai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FBlue72 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Thank you for that. I can pull off the first two, but the third I'll have to fake !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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