How many is too many?

[ryanhull]

Hello,

I usually have to pop back to the UK for work reasons and to see family/friends plus becuase I like to fresh weather.... anyhow besides the point.

Last year I would get a 30 day entry stamp, when it ran out go to Siem Reap for 1 night, then back into Thailand for my new 30 day stamp.

My passport became full of those full page Cambodian visas.... after around 7 times in a row, the officer at DM airport looked at me a bit funny and said 'what you do here' I responded, 'I just holiday' and off I went....

I do not work in Thailand, but I want to ask a general question, what is the number of back to back entries you can do as I did... is there a number? or is it down to the officer? for example if he/she thinks your abusing it you would then I assume be taken into a room for questioning?

So in my case I run a UK company which has UK staff running it without my inputt needed, and that is exactly what I would say (I would be honest). I appreciate even so much as responding to an email could be classed as work but no I do not work here.

What is the amount?

I am actually going to phnom penh at the weekend to the Thai Embassy to get a 60 day tripple entry, as my passport is 80% full of stamps in and out I hope this will not be a problem but cannot see why it should be?

Thanks

[ukrules]

I am actually going to phnom penh at the weekend to the Thai Embassy to get a 60 day tripple entry, as my passport is 80% full of stamps in and out I hope this will not be a problem but cannot see why it should be?

Good luck with that, last I heard they would only issue single entry visas in Phnom Penh.

In Phnom Penh make sure you use an agent or you might need to wait several days for your single entry visa.

[redandyellow]

I hope you find out what you need, as it will also help others.

Incidentally, I know from another thread some time back that you have a good attitude, and I wanted you to know that it was duly noted.

To wit: you showed empathy for a stranger ( not me).

All the Best

[BritTim]

There is no definite limit on visa exempt entries. However, any back-to-back visa exempt entries raise a big red flag and will these days at least make it likely you will be quizzed. After six visa exempt entries (within some unclear time period) the immigration official receives an alert on his screen that your history of entries should be scrutinized. What happens after that seems to depend on the IO and his superiors. In general, I would advise against trying for a visa exempt entry shortly after a prior one.

If you want a triple entry visa, my understanding is that the nearest place to get one is Bali. You can quickly and conveniently get double entry ones in Vientiane or Savannakhet Laos.

Edited June 14, 2015 by BritTim

[coulson]

BritTim pretty much covered it.

Despite the number of back to back tourist exempt visa, changing the order with a 60 day tourist visa and getting a 30 day extension buys you a decent slab of time. It will also save visa pages on your passport as you pointed out, doing exempt runs to Cambodia is costing you 2 pages a month.

[ubonjoe]

You could get a 30 day extension of your 30 day visa exempt entry instead of doing another entry.

Back to back means going out an returning immediately for another entry.

Immigration now get an alert when you have a total of 6 or more visa exempt entries. It is then up the officer to look at what type of entries they are and to refer you for further screening.

Getting a tourist visa would help to break the chain of visa entries you have,

If going to Cambodia you could get a e-visa that would save a a page that is needed for a visa sticker if you don't get one see: https://www.evisa.gov.kh ,

You could also go to Malaysia where no visa is needed. You could get a single entry tourist visa in Penang.

[flyingdoc]

Why should there be an objection to 6 separate Visa exempt entries as long as the person is not working and they are not back to back?

[jacksam]

Why should there be an objection to 6 separate Visa exempt entries as long as the person is not working and they are not back to back?

Think we are missing the point. The visa exempt stamps have been abused. By myself included. There are other options for people wishing to stay much longer. It is easy to obtain a triple entry tourist visa in own country or double entries in many neighbouring countries.

[ubonjoe]

Why should there be an objection to 6 separate Visa exempt entries as long as the person is not working and they are not back to back?

I don't think their is an objection to doing 6 visa exempt entries unless their is a clear abuse of the privilege. As I wrote it is only an alert.

For example staying for the entire 30 days, leaving for a few days and returning for a new entry and staying another 30 days several times would indicate you are attempting to live here on them.

[Guest]

It seem s like you are in a great position and can work remotely with little trouble (by the way, that is ok, you are not "working" in Thailand)

I have lived in the Kingdom a long time on a non immigrant "O" retirement visa, so have no real idea what you are going through with all this back and forth to keep a valid stamp.

(I am assuming you are under 50 years old, so not eligible for a retirement visa.)

It sounds like a monumental pain in the arse, and not cheap either...if you place any value on your time.

Here is my best advice.

If you see yourself in Thailand for 5 years, and you have the money ...

Just get a Thailand Elite 5 year stamp for 500,000 THB

On a per day basis, it is about the same as your trip to Starbucks (274 Baht)

500,000 / (5 x 365)

500,000 / 1,825 = 273.97

Edited June 15, 2015 by Guest

[Shiver]

I have a friend that did 7 Visa Exempt entries, and was quizzed only on the last entry but still allowed in (flying into BKK). After that he decided that a Retirement would be better, and fortunately was in position to do that.

[Wazoo]

How many... friend just came in last week. He was told that the new limit is 6 per year and that next time he will not be let in unless he obtains a visa prior to arrival.

[Brer Fox]

For what it is worth I make about 8 visa exempt trips in and out of BKK by plane every year from Hanoi and have been doing that for about ten years. No questions have ever been asked. I am an old fart with an Australian passport.

[jacksam]

For what it is worth I make about 8 visa exempt trips in and out of BKK by plane every year from Hanoi and have been doing that for about ten years. No questions have ever been asked. I am an old fart with an Australian passport.

Hey Beer can you give more detail. Re how long between entries to thailand etc. Many post trouble after 6 entries within certain period. I also travel a lot and stay outside Thailand at least a week. Sounds like you are outside way more. Your secret?

[ryanhull]

First of all, thank you all for the replies and the time given, it is appreciated... I will now respond to each post as much I can (I have been awake 24 hours to bare with me heh)

Good luck with that, last I heard they would only issue single entry visas in Phnom Penh.

In Phnom Penh make sure you use an agent or you might need to wait several days for your single entry visa.

I was told you could get a 60 day tripple entry at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh... if you are correct, even just the single 60 day entry is better than a 30 day tourist stamp right? i.e I wont get quizzed with that as opposed to another 30 day tourist stamp? and also are you 100% on the no more triple entry 60 day in PP as I have been told you can so now you have me confused! as I say 60 days will do me and a nice chill out in PP I cannot grumble, by the way, do you know roughly how long it takes without an agent etc? I was told 5 days but someone else said 3 days?

A friend also mentioned an agent, or as he put it a security guard outside the embassy (you literally do not even have to go in the embassy apparently) will do it for you slipping a ten dollar in his pocket, however I am quite happy to wait the 4-5 days and treat it as a bit of a holiday... plus I guess it looks better the longer I am out of Thailand?

I hope you find out what you need, as it will also help others.

Incidentally, I know from another thread some time back that you have a good attitude, and I wanted you to know that it was duly noted.

To wit: you showed empathy for a stranger ( not me).

All the Best

Thank you for the compliment, very rare on here lol I do not know which post you are referring too? but thanks anyway

You could get a 30 day extension of your 30 day visa exempt entry instead of doing another entry.

Back to back means going out an returning immediately for another entry.

Immigration now get an alert when you have a total of 6 or more visa exempt entries. It is then up the officer to look at what type of entries they are and to refer you for further screening.

Getting a tourist visa would help to break the chain of visa entries you have,

If going to Cambodia you could get a e-visa that would save a a page that is needed for a visa sticker if you don't get one see: https://www.evisa.gov.kh ,

You could also go to Malaysia where no visa is needed. You could get a single entry tourist visa in Penang.

Very good point and good info, especially on the extension however flights/hotels already booked now but definitely useful for the future.

It seem s like you are in a great position and can work remotely with little trouble (by the way, that is ok, you are not "working" in Thailand)

I have lived in the Kingdom a long time on a non immigrant "O" retirement visa, so have no real idea what you are going through with all this back and forth to keep a valid stamp.

(I am assuming you are under 50 years old, so not eligible for a retirement visa.)

It sounds like a monumental pain in the arse, and not cheap either...if you place any value on your time.

Here is my best advice.

If you see yourself in Thailand for 5 years, and you have the money ...

Just get a Thailand Elite 5 year stamp for 500,000 THB

On a per day basis, it is about the same as your trip to Starbucks (274 Baht)

500,000 / (5 x 365)

500,000 / 1,825 = 273.97

Thank you... I am actually being very careful, I must disagree with your online working comment, from what I have heard and read even replying to an email is considered work so I would be warey of that or even mentioning remote working to said officer. I guess remote working is a hazey subject in itself which I believe no one quite knows the true facts of and alot of variables come into play. I am actually married to a Thai and have a 5 month old son so soon it will be the time so get more serious, marriage visas and what not... but for the time being I am a little lazy with it all if I am honest and to not mind popping off to Cambodia, its quite a nice relaxing place although I usually go to Siem Reap for the night. Currently I am in the process of building a house for my Wife/Son and have various other outgoings i.e my parents in the uk and in-laws / new car and what not, plus I like to keep a stash aside in-case my son became ill or something so for now I would not like to put the 500,000 into that just yet but again sound advice appreciated.

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

So all in all what I am getting from this post is you can no longer get a triple 60 day entry visa in PP, and just the single 60 day, plus you are taking the p1ss if you back to back tourist stamp more than 6 times in a row and to expect a grilling? I usually pick the immigration que with the happiest looking person... lol not that it makes any difference I suppose.

Legends the lot of you, cheers for the advice.

[JLCrab]

Per the above: Maybe now is the time to buy some Thai-based health Insurance for you and your family. The best time to buy insurance is when you don't need it.

[ryanhull]

I have another question, sorry for all the questions, I have just read an article on the tinterweb which I am a little unsure about, I am going to PP to get a 60 day thai visa from the thai embassy there.

You’ll need to have your passport, two photographs (here’s where you can get passport photographs in Phnom Penh) your proposed address in Thailand, your date of arrival, your means of arrival and proof of onward travel. The visa takes four days and costs $60. If you do not have the above information, particularly proof of onward travel, they will not issue you a visa.

When they say proof of onward travel, do they mean proof of onward travel after your 60 days in Thailand? for me that would be kind of unknown at this point, I might choose to go to the UK, or I might choose to go back to Cambodia? or does that mean proof of travel out of PP as in my flight back to Thailand? Also date of arrival where?

Thanks again

p.s good info here http://www.movetocambodia.com/practicalities/how-to-get-a-visa-for-thailand-in-phnom-penh-cambodia/

Edited June 15, 2015 by ryanhull

[coulson]

I have another question, sorry for all the questions, I have just read an article on the tinterweb which I am a little unsure about, I am going to PP to get a 60 day thai visa from the thai embassy there.

You’ll need to have your passport, two photographs (here’s where you can get passport photographs in Phnom Penh) your proposed address in Thailand, your date of arrival, your means of arrival and proof of onward travel. The visa takes four days and costs $60. If you do not have the above information, particularly proof of onward travel, they will not issue you a visa.

When they say proof of onward travel, do they mean proof of onward travel after your 60 days in Thailand? for me that would be kind of unknown at this point, I might choose to go to the UK, or I might choose to go back to Cambodia? or does that mean proof of travel out of PP as in my flight back to Thailand? Also date of arrival where?

Thanks again

p.s good info here http://www.movetocambodia.com/practicalities/how-to-get-a-visa-for-thailand-in-phnom-penh-cambodia/

Any onward flight outbound from Thailand will keep them happy, if it came to that.

Carry on.....

[ryanhull]

Any onward flight outbound from Thailand will keep them happy, if it came to that.

Carry on.....

OK I see... well as I say I am not sure of that yet, I guess I will just book a flight to Cambodia which will be a kind of funny one if you see what I mean.... but I will not book it until they ask me for this info in-case I can get away with not.. I will then flip out my mobile and do it hehe, cheers mate.

[ALFREDO]

Any onward flight outbound from Thailand will keep them happy, if it came to that.

Carry on.....

OK I see... well as I say I am not sure of that yet, I guess I will just book a flight to Cambodia which will be a kind of funny one if you see what I mean.... but I will not book it until they ask me for this info in-case I can get away with not.. I will then flip out my mobile and do it hehe, cheers mate.

In many Hotels and Travel agencies you will get a contact to a Visa agent, use his service and spare yourself unnecessary time and problems, I never needed a onward ticket or address in TH.

I had not even to sign the applications. Only a small sum for the agent.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647029-tourist-visa-in-phnom-penh-easy-done/