Reports: Thai-Cambo border check points closed to visa runners with immediate effect

[ozyjon]

Also remember how many people go to Laos

through Nong Kai, the money it generates,

the amount of money Laos makes at the border

just for the visa, we all pay US $30-50 per visa,

it seems to me there's a lot of small shops all

depending on the tourists and visa runners,

the tuk tuk guys would have to pawn their gold

to make ends meet.

[ubonjoe]

Update on the crossing today. From an email I got from a visa run company.

Kanchanaburi, Ban Pakard and Aran did not stamp anyone n/out, even Farangs with valid visa they turned away.
Ban Laem stamp people with valid visa, but they would not allow companies with normal destinations of Aran, Kanchanaburi or Ban Pakard to go to Ban Laem.

[Prbkk]

I read about a public statement by the Police chief 'threatening' to focus on corruption in Immigration. This was a very bold move for Thailand, where such things are usually handled on a face to face (to save public face) basis.

Certainly, that move was caused by irregularities regarding the bombing in Bangkok - my bet would be the bomber had been living in TH for longer time, doing exactly such visa runs, and they couldn't find any documents that would be of help reproducing his tracks. Looking at that, the police couldn't but notice the mess immigration is in, despite all the nice cameras on the airports taking our mugshots when we move in or out, and the millions of surveillance cameras installed all over Thailand.

Basically I think it's a good (and overdue) move to require correct visas for longterm stays - what I strongly dislike, however, are those blitz 'over night' changes and surprises in policies, which are highly unprofessional and 3rd world like. No foreigner (be it a backpacker or a business visitor) can deal with such things in appropriate manner, and it's things like these which are turning down tourist and expat numbers much more than I'm sure anyone at TAT or the government in general can be happy about.

Quite right. No one would deny that Thailand has every right to make changes to visa requirements but it is the knee-jerk , ad hoc nature of the changes ( if there are to be changes) that get on the goat.

Personally I can't imagine anything worse that needing to go to some God forsaken place in the middle of the jungle just to cross the border to get a new stamp. However, if that has been ok then an appropriate period of notice needs to be given if it is to change.

It is not the fault of the TEFLERs (and others in similar circumstances) that Thailand has had a policy of letting in every ratbag known to man (either by policy or by immigration officers on the take).

A considered review is in order, followed by notification of any changes and THEN implementation

[nidieunimaitre]

Also remember how many people go to Laos

through Nong Kai, the money it generates,

the amount of money Laos makes at the border

just for the visa, we all pay US $30-50 per visa,

it seems to me there's a lot of small shops all

depending on the tourists and visa runners,

the tuk tuk guys would have to pawn their gold

to make ends meet.

Very true, many working people in Thailand & neighbouring countries depend on the visa runs for their living,

but so what?

Do you seriously believe that the hiso at the top of immigration or any other government department care about the impact of their actions on the working people?

[ikke]

Why don't Immigration ever put out official news or statements?

It isn't just Immigration: Thais generally seem to have a lot of trouble providing succinct and accurate information in any language. I dont know why.

"Thais generally seem to have a lot of trouble providing succinct and accurate information in any language"

You mean The Thai General , I assume ?

[cumgranosalum]

Time and again all I see is farangs complaining about Thailand. Things like my country is better in this and that, Thailand should do this and not that, etc etc... Really? Keyboard warriors, keep complaining all you want. No country is perfect in administration and free of shit, not your home country too. You can't change things here nor can fighting on your keyboard change anything, if you wanna stay in this country, provide positive feedback and not crap. Oh you gonna argue on freedom of speech and all this, sure go ahead. Since this forum is where you feel big for at least once in your fking life.

And the award for the most clichéd post on this thread goes to......

[JAG]

No more illegal tourists doing back to back border runs.

If you intend to stay in Thailand for an extended period you must apply for the correct visa.

why do you care?

I should imagine he rather relishes the results of the admittedly rather ramshackle arrangements, of those shafted by these changes, falling apart.

It's a tremendous opportunity to feel very superior to some unfortunate people, (and no, I am not on a 30 day exempt or a tourist visa).

Edited September 13, 2015 by JAG

[CLW]

To all abusers of tourist visa here is the definition from Oxford dictionary:

Tourist: a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure

Immigrant: a person who has come to live permanently in a country that is not their own

[elviajero]

Basically I think it's a good (and overdue) move to require correct visas for longterm stays - what I strongly dislike, however, are those blitz 'over night' changes and surprises in policies, which are highly unprofessional and 3rd world like. No foreigner (be it a backpacker or a business visitor) can deal with such things in appropriate manner, and it's things like these which are turning down tourist and expat numbers much more than I'm sure anyone at TAT or the government in general can be happy about.

Quite right. No one would deny that Thailand has every right to make changes to visa requirements but it is the knee-jerk , ad hoc nature of the changes ( if there are to be changes) that get on the goat.

Personally I can't imagine anything worse that needing to go to some God forsaken place in the middle of the jungle just to cross the border to get a new stamp. However, if that has been ok then an appropriate period of notice needs to be given if it is to change.

It is not the fault of the TEFLERs (and others in similar circumstances) that Thailand has had a policy of letting in every ratbag known to man (either by policy or by immigration officers on the take).

A considered review is in order, followed by notification of any changes and THEN implementation

I don't think the existing visa options need changing much for "longstayers" or anyone else. And I doubt well see to many changes other than perhaps tightening up of existing laws/regulations. The problem with immigration lies with the corruption, inconsistent application of the rules and abuse of authority.

Prbkk. Loved you in the Sopranos BTW.

[sjaak327]

Laos nationals have also been told the border is closed for in-out runs unless they have a visa.

Despite the fact that those Laotians are Mutual visa exempt. I hope the Lao require all Thais crossing at Nong Khai to have a valid Lao tourist visa obtained in BKK or KK as well. Ridiculous.

Also people that have genuine tourist visas paid for the privilige and are using the system as it was intended, if it is true that these people are also denied entry, that would be a breach of contract and a very bad business practice on the part of the Thai authorities. And as Always without any prior warning.

[Kitsune]

To all abusers of tourist visa here is the definition from Oxford dictionary:

Tourist: a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure

Immigrant: a person who has come to live permanently in a country that is not their own

Thank you

What's your point ?

[lkv]

As someone or a few people commented before, it's not the rules that bother me personally. Tell us what the rules are, leave loopholes in or take them out (totally up to you), but be fair in giving an advance notification. Although i understand that any immigration officer has the right to deny entry, we've been told by the powers above about a year ago that there is not a limit to the number of consecutive tourist visas a person can have, since you already instructed your overseas consulates how to issue them, how frequently, with what documentation etc. And every consulate/embassy is different.

After doing that, people can assess the situation and take further decisions regarding the viablility of long term tourism in Thailand.

[elviajero]

To all abusers of tourist visa here is the definition from Oxford dictionary:

Tourist: a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure

Immigrant: a person who has come to live permanently in a country that is not their own

Tourist: where does it say in that, non legal, definition that there is a time limit for the person visiting a place for pleasure.

Immigrant: So how would you define everyone staying in Thailand with a NON-immigrant visa.

Thailand doesn't have a problem with people living here on Tourist visas so why should you. They exercise control of this group of foreigners by making them exit every 60/90 days so that an IO can re-consider them for re-entry or an Embassy/Consulate can decide whether or not to issue a new visa.

[Spleen]

Great timing for me , my Spousal Non Imm expires on 22/9. I will try and get one in Singapore embassy this week as im in and out for a few days every couple of weeks.Had no troubles before i had a visa, when they started turning people away I started carrying proof on onward flight and kids birth cert. They probably wouldn't turn me around but its always on your mind if they are doing one of their crack downs

[AGareth2]

think of all the money that will be made in overstay

[JAG]

He is not referring to tourists. He is referring to the loads of people abusing the system and working illegally in Thailand or trying to live here for extended periods without valid long stay visas (i.e. retirement visas, marriage visas, work permits).

1. i'm in my 40s so no retirement visa available

2. i don't need to work. i'm self-sufficient and if i ever were to work again it would be in the west (ie. western salary) and not thailand.

3. i'm not interested to engage with/marry a thai woman

so according to you people like me have no right to stay longterm in this country? i speak the language better than most clowns who married here or "work" here, i have genuine friends here (and not a bunch of parasites eating my cash). i've never been illegal in the country, i do things by the book (although i have been offered all kinds of solutions by the always friendly $mm$gration p€ople), but i deliberately am a longterm tourist which seems to annoy a certain type of people on TVF. is it jealousy? or plain bitterness... please enlight me. cheers.

Jealousy, with more than a dash of bitterness, with a topping of good old fashioned smug self righteousness.

[StevieDee]

No more illegal tourists doing back to back border runs.

If you intend to stay in Thailand for an extended period you must apply for the correct visa.

This does apply to those with the correct visa too. My son, with valid a 6 month tourist visa, expiry December 15th, got refused re-entry today at the border. "You can go across but we won't let you back in". Off to S'pore tomorrow on a flight, job done, just hate to think of those now on over-stay because of this.

[lkv]

No more illegal tourists doing back to back border runs.

If you intend to stay in Thailand for an extended period you must apply for the correct visa.

This does apply to those with the correct visa too. My son, with valid a 6 month tourist visa, expiry December 15th, got refused re-entry today at the border. "You can go across but we won't let you back in". Off to S'pore tomorrow on a flight, job done, just hate to think of those now on over-stay because of this.

Do u mind giving a few more details?

1. Was it a double or triple entry?

2. Was the double/triple entry visa your son's only sticker in the passport or did he have more than one?

3. At what border did this happen?

4. What was the reason of refusal (or what did they say the reason was assuming you asked).

Thanks.

Edited September 13, 2015 by lkv

[max72]

No more illegal tourists doing back to back border runs.

If you intend to stay in Thailand for an extended period you must apply for the correct visa.

You could win the prize for the dumbest post ever.

The great majority (99.99%) of people entering Thailand by land are LEGAL tourists.

Moreover, it 's written that people with legal tourist visas are also affected.

I no wonder how people curse this country and vow to never come back and give negative reviews in Trip Advisor and in all websites.

Than Thai people cry because they are starving because a drop in the number of tourists.

This is not the way to act.

Edited September 13, 2015 by max72

[Mudcrab]

Thailand just keeps biting itself in the ass. If these visa exempt crossing are legal why stop them? Always blame the foreigner for Thailand problems. If your immigration people weren't so corrupt you wouldn't have the problem you have. Just wait and see tourist numbers will drop and TAT will say that it will not affect tourism. BS

but we still keep coming back. If los were to be efficient like Singapore would you really want that? Thailand would lose its charm(bargirls).

Au contraire, and I understand I am in the minority on this forum in believing my quality of life would improve considerably if the euphemistically named 'bar girls' were to have charges laid against them of the prostitution they are engaged in and were to be made to find alternative ways of making a living (always amazes me the fact of their illegality flies straight over the heads 'midst the hangers and floggers sanctimonious mongers on here), thus causing a mass exodus of the less savory elements/old farts here.

Cue 'Thailand needs my bar fine/Chang money' or would be rendered a penniless backwater' crew.

BTW Your username suggests Thailand shouldn't have appealed to you anyway ..

Doesn't say a lot for your quality of life.

Maybe do a course in self control then you might have enough fortitude to stay away from the bar girls.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Don't worry if you get denied just go to Genting Casino in poipet and go to the VIP counter and ask for the guy who gets visas. Pay money and give your passport and they will go to phnom penh and get a 30 day Vista. Give your mobile number and get his. In poipet you can use Thai sim. Takes 4-5 days. For accommodation stay at Poipet City Hotel have room 8 dollar fan and 15-18 air. Poipet border has preferred you have visa since March.

[phuketrichard]

Go to www.CNN.COm on the net an d look for the story titled, "Thailand issues warrant for Chinese man in bombing probe"

Read that and you will get some good info on exactly why this "crackdown" is being done now.

Try to remember. not everything revolves around you and your visa.

I read it,

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/12/asia/thailand-bangkok-bombing/index.html

still dont see how this has anything to do with the crackdown,

" who was arrested last week trying to flee across the Thai border into Cambodia...."

Leaving not entering

they are also reporting ( on Phuketnews) a fugitive is in Malaysia but there not closing their borders to visa exempt nor is Laos.

http://www.thephuketnews.com/malaysian-police-arrest-2-suspects-54079.php

Edited September 13, 2015 by phuketrichard

[chickenrunCM]

3 months is more than enough to see Thailand maybe 6 months max. I firmly believe that anyone who has back to back tourist visas longer than 12 months (4 entries/visa runs) is not a tourist. People get your shit together and get the correct visa.

there is no VISA for people under 50 years age than Tourist Visa, they not do anything illegal when they have a tourist Visa or 30 days Visa stamp, so how you can accuse them,

[phuketrichard]

3 months is more than enough to see Thailand maybe 6 months max. I firmly believe that anyone who has back to back tourist visas longer than 12 months (4 entries/visa runs) is not a tourist. People get your shit together and get the correct visa.

there is no VISA for people under 50 years age than Tourist Visa, they not do anything illegal when they have a tourist Visa or 30 days Visa stamp, so how you can accuse them,

you can go to school and get an ed visa or apply for the 5 year visa for 500,000 baht

[chickenrunCM]

To all abusers of tourist visa here is the definition from Oxford dictionary:

Tourist: a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure

Immigrant: a person who has come to live permanently in a country that is not their own

funny, because all the people who stay here permanently have only a non immigrant Visa so they are the real abusers?

[elviajero]

3 months is more than enough to see Thailand maybe 6 months max. I firmly believe that anyone who has back to back tourist visas longer than 12 months (4 entries/visa runs) is not a tourist. People get your shit together and get the correct visa.

there is no VISA for people under 50 years age than Tourist Visa, they not do anything illegal when they have a tourist Visa or 30 days Visa stamp, so how you can accuse them,

you can go to school and get an ed visa or apply for the 5 year visa for 500,000 baht

You can go to school with a tourist visa too. And an Elite visa is nothing more than equivalent to a long stay tourist visa. Someone under 50 doesn't need either if they are prepared to exit every 60/90 days.

[aslimversgwm]

Because you are over staying. Border runs are and always will be 'work arounds' at best or simply bucking the system at worst. Get a proper non immigrants visa be4 you get here if you're going to stay longer than that permitted for a tourist visa on arrival.

[brewsterbudgen]

Laos nationals have also been told the border is closed for in-out runs unless they have a visa.

Where did you get this information, source please.

My girlfriend is Lao and is having to make the trip to Vientiene for a visa rather than her usual monthly border run. She's been told the border at Cambodia is closed for all non-visa entries for the time being. Most of the Laos I know will go underground until it gets sorted but I want her to stay legal as we have a child.

[Gulfsailor]

To all abusers of tourist visa here is the definition from Oxford dictionary:

Tourist: a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure

Immigrant: a person who has come to live permanently in a country that is not their own

funny, because all the people who stay here permanently have only a non immigrant Visa so they are the real abusers?

No they don't. People who stay here permantly according to the intent of the immigration rules do not have a visa. They are on an extension of stay from immigration within the country. People on a Non resident visa permantly residing in Thailand are not following the intent of the visa. The only long term visa I am aware of is the Elite visa. Even that one was never introduced with the intent to stay years on end inside the country. The intent was flying in and out whenever one wants without getting B, O or tourist visas multiple times.

They should just reintroduce the 180 day stay per year max for all visa types. For anything longer or more, go to immigration and apply for an extension. It's the same in nearly every Western country.

Edited September 13, 2015 by Gulfsailor

[h90]

Just one more example of how much Thailand v as lies its visitor industry.

Imagration laws are making foreigners stop investing in Thailand

The laws always change

It makes even visiting Thai l and stressful.

Some how dont see the average visa runner investing anything in Thailand

The laws are not always changing, the enforcement might, but the laws dont

But he helps the industry...the beer Chang industry