Advice For An Utter Simpleton...

[jaredy]

OK, we're going to have to dumb it down about a thousand percent. I've surfed through some of the posted topics, and I think I have a general idea of what's going on, but all this technical jargon is blowing my <deleted>' mind.

As a foreigner living (illegally, I suppose) in Thailand, I'm wondering what to do. I received a thirty-day stamp upon arriving last month, and was planning on making a Visa run to Poi Pet sometime this week. Unfortunately, the company I usually go with isn't answering their phones (yeah, bad sign, I know).

I'm living here with my girlfriend, also a foreigner, who is teaching at an International School. We aren't married, so her work visa doesn't do anything for me. I guess my question is...do I have to pop the question to stick around? I'm assuming, because of the ninety-day rule, I can come and go at least twice before they ship me off to the jungles of Burma or whatever. Am I right? Is applying for a work visa my only long-term option?

These are pretty general questions, I know. Feel free to berate me in your replies. And use short, easy-to-understand words. I'm obviously semi-retarded...

[geoffphuket]

OK, we're going to have to dumb it down about a thousand percent. I've surfed through some of the posted topics, and I think I have a general idea of what's going on, but all this technical jargon is blowing my <deleted>' mind.

As a foreigner living (illegally, I suppose) in Thailand, I'm wondering what to do. I received a thirty-day stamp upon arriving last month, and was planning on making a Visa run to Poi Pet sometime this week. Unfortunately, the company I usually go with isn't answering their phones (yeah, bad sign, I know).

I'm living here with my girlfriend, also a foreigner, who is teaching at an International School. We aren't married, so her work visa doesn't do anything for me. I guess my question is...do I have to pop the question to stick around? I'm assuming, because of the ninety-day rule, I can come and go at least twice before they ship me off to the jungles of Burma or whatever. Am I right? Is applying for a work visa my only long-term option?

These are pretty general questions, I know. Feel free to berate me in your replies. And use short, easy-to-understand words. I'm obviously semi-retarded...

First of all, if your 30 day stamp is finished then get to a border crossing as quickly as possible - or fly out. Over stay is 500 Baht a day providing you're not caught - if you are, then you'll be deported after a short stay in prison!

Your girl friend isn't Thai, so marrying won't make any difference.

If you're over 50 years old, it's possible to get a 12 month multiple entry non immigrant 'O' visa based on retirement, but you'll need to leave the country to get it.

Or 'Yes' go down the 'B' visa / work permit route

Or ....Tourist visa from KL/Penang.

Plenty of choices if you want to stay long term.

Hope this helps,

Geoffphuket

[jaredy]

...I'm just curious, since some people I've spoken with think that this new "crackdown" is nothing to worry about, and others seem to think it's the F'ing apocalypse. I've been told alternately to "relax, man, don't sweat it," and, "pack your bags, because you're screwed!" Not sure who to believe.

I stayed here for an entire year by crossing the border, either during vacations to Singapore and Malaysia, or by crossing at Poi Pet. Is it safe to go about things as usual, or do I need a new game plan? (And by "game plan" I mean "marry a Thai girl".)

And I heard they're shutting down the extended Tourist Visa out of Penang...and I heard that it's not safe to fly, because immigration might not let you back in...alarmist babble or sage advice?

Moronically Yours,

Simpleton

[terryp]

Looks like the visa problem may be put off for a while….

Just been anounced ALL THAILAND is now under martial Law........

[backflip]

I think getting married to someone I don't love, just to stay in Thailand, is a swell idea. Gosh, it seems only like yesterday, American guys getting married by the thousands - to women they really didn't care for, just so they wouldn't get shipped off to fight in Viet Nam. Too bad that they didn't understand the rules, and they got sent to Viet Nam anyway.