Thai Immigration launches 'new' crackdown on visa runners

[Soutpeel]

Another little boost to the economy...

...of Cambodia.

Mamma noodles, cheap alcohol and cheap women ?

[NCC1701A]

What amazes me is that there actually foreigners living in Thailand on visa exempts only.

Who in their right mind could be bothered having to go to a border every 30 days to stamp in and out. That is no life.

Does anyone know anybody who actually does this?

I don't get why anyone would.

A trip to your local immigration office every 90 days VS a visa run every month???

seems like a no brainer to me

ever wondered why so many expats live near the border?

There is absolutely no point allowing foreigners into your country unless they serve some useful purpose. Namely, they work to contribute to the economy, possibly doing jobs that locals can't or won't do or they pay money via taxation or some form of indirect taxation. Visas are an indirect form of taxation. I exclude tourists from this definition because they stay in hotels and use other services and buy goods, all of which contribute to the economy, but they are short stay. Many countries charge these foreign tourists for their visas which in turn contributes to the economy. Isn't this a basic fact of business life? There is no entitlement simply a call to foreigners to contribute to the country they chose to live in or visit. Isn't that fair enough!

Don't forget about expats. As a retired expat, in the local economy I spend four times what a average Thai makes a year. So I am doing the economic "work" of four Thais. I am exactly the person they want in their country. That is why it is so easy to get a non-o retirement "extention of stay".

[Time Traveller]

Wow, another immigration crackdown! And how exactly is this one different from the last 30 crackdowns immigration department have launched?

[yellowboat]

I don't get why anyone would.

A trip to your local immigration office every 90 days VS a visa run every month???

seems like a no brainer to me

Unless, of course, you're one of the many who don't qualify for a legitimate visa and/or other permission to stay in the country long term (like extension of stay). Those guys have no such option, and either have to do visa runs, risk arrest, or leave the country.

Read about a new 6 month, multi-entry for B5000. Has anyone given it a try ? This would be a pretty good option.

[inutil]

What amazes me is that there actually foreigners living in Thailand on visa exempts only.

Who in their right mind could be bothered having to go to a border every 30 days to stamp in and out. That is no life.

Does anyone know anybody who actually does this?

I don't get why anyone would.

A trip to your local immigration office every 90 days VS a visa run every month???

seems like a no brainer to me

I had to do this in my time in Thailand. The reason: pure heel dragging on the part of the people who were supposed to sort out the documents for my visa. I arrived fully armed with all my relevant documents. Got a job almost immediately in a public school with an agency. Figured id get the visa done straight after... nope. After three months they were 'still waiting on signatures from..." After about my sixth visa hop, put my passport in the hands of the Cambodian mafia in Hat laek and 4 days later got a proper visa. Just in time to leave the country for China.

My impression is that its actually cheaper and less of a pain in the ass to keep you on a tourist visa/in-out waiver DESPITE the constant border hops interrupting your schedule. In fact, if i remember right, even my contract had a clause allowing me to take up to three days every two months to do a visa run.

So a couple of issues crop up: The first is the extremely convoluted visa process itself. Having never done it (my documents were not ready by the time i left), i have no direct experience of switching to an official ed visa, but reports suggest it to be a labyrinth (with very few people truly knowing or understanding how to complete it). The second (and arguably bigger issue): no visa requirement = more potential teachers = less pressure on wages.

In a way then, this is a positive. It helps force schools to pull their fingers out their butts and sort out the necessary documents. Its just unfortunate that there will be plenty of people getting hit by it all of a sudden. Heaven forfend that they might actually tell people in advance though.

[Christie Paul]

Another little boost to the economy...

...of Cambodia.

Mamma noodles, cheap alcohol and cheap women ?

Real estate is booming, retail is flourishing, no capital controls, easy visas, easy USD bank accounts, easy company set ups, spectacular internet infrastructure and yes, very cheap (French) booze.

[Now or Never]

The new 90 day reporting online is fantastic.

It takes about 1 hour or less to be approved and it's all done online from the comfort of your home..

Congratulations Thailand for streamlining and simplifying this process.

[coulson]

Thanks to the TVF news team again for reporting on what appears to be official Immigration affairs

[CockneyGit]

The only way to end this madness is for immediate reciprocation from western nations to make the sons and daughters of the Thai elite start visa running - with clear doubts over their re-entry being cast. Once these little darlings have been forced to leave their luxury dwellings to flit off to Calais or other migrant infested hellholes with no real idea when or if they will be allowed to return, there will be an awakening.

Yes, I agree with this 100%. Not just for Thais/Europeans/Amercians but all nationalities all over the world.

For example, if a British national has to leave a certain country after a length of time, then that country's nationals should have to do the same when they visit the UK. This should apply to all nationalities, in all countries. Then there can be no reason to moan about be treated unfairly.

Of course, if you're suspected of working illegally then that's another issue, but if you can abide by the rules and show the correct funds, documents etc. then what's the problem?

[gk10002000]

Now wait. I typically go to thailand once a year. My usa contract work schedule is very unpredictable. I usually have no time to plan in advance and get a 60 day tourist visa. So the 30 day visa exempt on arrival was what attracted me to thailand in the first place. Twice, on two separated trips I extended my stay by 30 days by making a border run to cambodia and back getting another 30 days.

So are they really saying now that nobody can go out and in, not even once and get another 30 days? That makes no sense. If I leave Thailand, how long would I have to wait to re-enter? Say I went to Cambodia for one week, would I then be allowed back to Thailand to stay some more?

Getting a Tourist visa in advance just won't work for me. 1: It is hard for me to plan any trip in advance. 2: I can't take time off to get to a Thai embassy and drop off and pick up a visa. 3: I don't trust mailing my passport around.

This is horrible if they really are blocking even one single 30 day visa exempt border run.

[MrBrilliant]

If its gets rid of the dodgy foreigners i am all for it. Good perhaps thousands will hide elsewhere.

You seem greatly obsessed with 'dodgy foreigners'.

A case of Kettle, Pot, Black here?

[gk10002000]

Simple, If you are too cheap to pay for a proper Visa and Extension, go home. If you are too poor Thailand does not want you, go home. If you are a criminal then Thailand and I do want you around, go home !!

The 30 day visa exempt is a proper visa for many tourists, including me. The option of being able to stay an extra 30 days on some visits, with little effort and reasonable cost fit my unpredictable work schedule just fine and was one of the key reasons I first went to Thailand in 2004. No advance planning, no costs, easy to modify if needed.

[ldiablo]

This is nonsense. I got my 30-day "exemption" visa extended by 30 days just yesterday. Sorry, TV, but you're not where I look for investigative journalism.

What is nonsense is that you think that going to an immigration office and getting a 30 day extension is the same as entering Thailand on a 30 day exempt.

[Nomyai]

What amazes me is that there actually foreigners living in Thailand on visa exempts only.

Who in their right mind could be bothered having to go to a border every 30 days to stamp in and out. That is no life.

Does anyone know anybody who actually does this?

I don't get why anyone would.

A trip to your local immigration office every 90 days VS a visa run every month???

seems like a no brainer to me

ever wondered why so many expats live near the border?

the girls are cheaper? lol.

[NolaK]

WHew! Thank you for the clarity:

"This ‘crackdown’ only applies to those people who stay in Thailand on visa exempt entries, without valid visas, and therefore have to complete a border run every 15 or 30 days."

I have a Tripe Entry Tourist Visa issued in the USA and was going to Ranong to go out/renter for another 60 day on Wnedsday.

As I read this, it can still be done!

Anyone who thinks I am wrong, please speak up and save me a very long drive.

Thanks!

[gk10002000]

I wish to disclose my ignorance.

If you are not a tourist, for what reasons would one need to do visa runs?

There are numerous visas available for long stay. If you do not qualify, you are not welcome!

Enlightenment sought.

Here is my example. I go for tourism, typically once a year. But I never know when my holiday starts. My work contracts often end with one week notice or even no notice about 50% of the time. So I usually head on my vacation with very little notice. On some trips I went one day after work ended. Visa exempt was perfect. no advance planning, no paperwork, no need to visit an embassy to pick anything up, no need to mail my passport around (which I don't trust at all). And my contract work is almost always not in my home state, so mailing things around and risking their loss is really not on my list. On three trips I decided to stay longer and made a simple visa run. Easy and flexible. Twice I did the border run. Once I bought the 7 day extension and that was OK too. I love easy things and the visa exempt was literally the key reason I first visited Thaiand. And the exempt being "free" didn't hurt.

This new crackdown is just nuts. If one is a tourist with maybe none or one exempt stamp that should be OK. But not allowing any is nuts. If I am allowed to pay for the 30 day extension in lieu of making the border run, that would be OK. But I didn't mind the day border run trip and one hour in a cambodian casino.

[Soutpeel]

Simple, If you are too cheap to pay for a proper Visa and Extension, go home. If you are too poor Thailand does not want you, go home. If you are a criminal then Thailand and I do want you around, go home !!

The 30 day visa exempt is a proper visa for many tourists, including me. The option of being able to stay an extra 30 days on some visits, with little effort and reasonable cost fit my unpredictable work schedule just fine and was one of the key reasons I first went to Thailand in 2004. No advance planning, no costs, easy to modify if needed.

A 30 day visa exempt is a proper visa....well theres ya problem a visa waiver aint a visa, the "visa exempt" but might a clue dont you think ?

Given your busy work shedule fly to another country near to Thailand before coming to Thsiland and get a tourist visa simple

[philcobkk]

Boring subject. In which country can you do this kind of stuff, in and out constantly. A Thai person can hardly even get a normal tourist visa to Europe without proving a hundred things. Stop complaining and get your papers in order that's all there is to it.

[Feesbay John]

It's all about MONEY, a 30 day pass (visa) the Thai's do not get paid. Is it not better that someone has a 30 day pass (visa) than nothing. A 30 day pass is still a visa to stop in Thailand for 30 days, call it what you want.

OK now lets say anyone that has one FREE 30 day pass (visa) has to pay a FEE off 300 baht each time there after then the Thai's would be making something, Problem sorted.

[eldragon]

This is nonsense. I got my 30-day "exemption" visa extended by 30 days just yesterday. Sorry, TV, but you're not where I look for investigative journalism.

What is nonsense is that you think that going to an immigration office and getting a 30 day extension is the same as entering Thailand on a 30 day exempt.

Sorry, mate. The OP made mention of "renewed 15/30 day visa-exempt entries". For some reason I took that to mean "extension of an existing visa-exempt entry". Going back and reading the article again, it appears I misunderstood the OP, so my bad.

[NoshowJones]

The only way to end this madness is for immediate reciprocation from western nations to make the sons and daughters of the Thai elite start visa running - with clear doubts over their re-entry being cast. Once these little darlings have been forced to leave their luxury dwellings to flit off to Calais or other migrant infested hellholes with no real idea when or if they will be allowed to return, there will be an awakening.

How does that make any kind of sense?

1.It's not the case that children of wealthy Thais stay overseas without proper documentation and visas.Why should Thai young people be penalised for the mistakes and omissions of usually middle aged foreigners?

2.The Thai Immigration system is a liberal one, far more so than most Western countries.

3.The visa run system is and always was a breach of the spirit of Thai immigration rules.

4.The fact that non qualified foreigners can remain "resident" through visa running is symptomatic of the Thai system's flexibility and generosity.

5.It was always a risk that the authorities would clamp down on visa runners in the event of a major security crisis.

6.I hope that there will be a relaxation but it cannot be guaranteed nor can it be guaranteed that after any relaxation there will not be another clamp down in the future.

7.It is a relatively simple matter for qualified foreigners to obtain proper documentation.The cost is not excessive.

8.The reality is that many thousands fail to understand Thailand is not a suitable retirement destination for those who aren't reasonably well off.

9.The tolerance of the Thai authorities - even now - as regards visa running should be seen as a privilege not as a right.

No 7, the cost may not be excessive, but the documentation and hoop jumping to get the marriage extensions is way over the top.

Also, why can't they allow the combination for marriage extensions as they do for the retirement extensions?

Until they do that, I will always be of the opinion that the Thais do not want to encourage people to come and live here in Thailand

and contribute to the economy.

[Neurath]

As a supporter of Donald Trump, I fully condone this crackdown on those rorting the visa system. Thailand should not tolerate illegal immigration and that is precisely what these in/outs facilitate.

[VINCENT2012]

those visa runners need to eat every day and need to sleep somewhere every night so they do generate a big income and leave quiet a good money in thailand at the end of the mounth...... but it looks like that they are so many a these false tourist, like a plague somehow ................that they need to cut that.

in my opinion thailand is wrong, they should keep those people who want to live cheaper than in their own country, the infrastructure is already there from decades...it does already happen but now will will have thousand more of empty guest house, cheap hotel, empty restaurant, empty shops etc etc.and this is going to create a big hotel and catering busines crisis....i forgot also all the lonely girls waiting for their young and healthy farang for a better life....!

[pinkpanther99]

Give it 6 weeks or so and this will be all back to normal.

If you remember there was the same crackdown about 1 year ago that lasted a few weeks.

This will be the same.

[phil2]

The only way to end this madness is for immediate reciprocation from western nations to make the sons and daughters of the Thai elite start visa running - with clear doubts over their re-entry being cast. Once these little darlings have been forced to leave their luxury dwellings to flit off to Calais or other migrant infested hellholes with no real idea when or if they will be allowed to return, there will be an awakening.

And then perhaps Thailand will require all tourists from say the UK, to have visas, as the UK requires of them.

That would be reciprocation too.

It would, but it wouldn't be smart at all.

People from western countries come to Thailand by hundreds of thousands as tourists and spend money here.

People from Thailand go to western countries to work (if they can), a few go to study, and a few others actually go to travel.

True, but many westerners live and work here illegally. I've worked with hundreds of them.

[WhizBang]

Knee-jerk reactions. Again.

Yes, and such a speedy knee jerk reaction too. Only 3 weeks after the horse has bolted do they decide to close the barn doors.

[Basil B]

The only way to end this madness is for immediate reciprocation from western nations to make the sons and daughters of the Thai elite start visa running - with clear doubts over their re-entry being cast. Once these little darlings have been forced to leave their luxury dwellings to flit off to Calais or other migrant infested hellholes with no real idea when or if they will be allowed to return, there will be an awakening.

And then perhaps Thailand will require all tourists from say the UK, to have visas, as the UK requires of them.

That would be reciprocation too.

As much as I agree in principle...

But the UK will never have many real tourists from Thailand, yet if Thailand were to impose visa only on Brits, and other nations that impose visa requirements it would be the final nail in the coffin of the tourist industry.

I see problems already with package tours which start with a few nights in Bangkok before flying out to another Asian country before returning to a beach resort in Thailand.

[NoshowJones]

I wish to disclose my ignorance.

If you are not a tourist, for what reasons would one need to do visa runs?

There are numerous visas available for long stay. If you do not qualify, you are not welcome!

Enlightenment sought.

You have certainly done that, disclosed your ignorance I mean, your words, not mine. Who are you to say who should be welcome or not welcome in Thailand?

A lot of people don't want to have a lot of money in a Thai bank, and are happy to do visa runs. Why should they not be welcome in Thailand? They are still

contributing to the economy.

[lkv]

I wish to disclose my ignorance.

If you are not a tourist, for what reasons would one need to do visa runs?

There are numerous visas available for long stay. If you do not qualify, you are not welcome!

Enlightenment sought.

Here is my example. I go for tourism, typically once a year. But I never know when my holiday starts. My work contracts often end with one week notice or even no notice about 50% of the time. So I usually head on my vacation with very little notice. On some trips I went one day after work ended. Visa exempt was perfect. no advance planning, no paperwork, no need to visit an embassy to pick anything up, no need to mail my passport around (which I don't trust at all). And my contract work is almost always not in my home state, so mailing things around and risking their loss is really not on my list. On three trips I decided to stay longer and made a simple visa run. Easy and flexible. Twice I did the border run. Once I bought the 7 day extension and that was OK too. I love easy things and the visa exempt was literally the key reason I first visited Thaiand. And the exempt being "free" didn't hurt.

This new crackdown is just nuts. If one is a tourist with maybe none or one exempt stamp that should be OK. But not allowing any is nuts. If I am allowed to pay for the 30 day extension in lieu of making the border run, that would be OK. But I didn't mind the day border run trip and one hour in a cambodian casino.

A 30 day visa exempt entry can be extended for an additional 30 days at local immigration at a cost of 1,900 baht.

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Immigration enforces visa rule at land borders

By Coconuts Bangkok September 15, 2015

BANGKOK:-- In the latest visa run crackdown, foreigners who exit and immediately return to Thailand at land border crossings to extend their stay by 15-30 days will be refused entry stamps.

The move comes after the police investigation into the bomb blasts at Erawan Shrine and Sathorn pier discovered immigration police were bribed by a group linked to the suspects.

The order only applies to foreigners on visa exempt entries who have to complete a border run every 15 or 30 days.

"The order is not new. Originally, officers were authorised to consider giving permits. But in this current situation of heightened security, all officers have to step up restrictions," said an immigration official.

Read more: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/09/15/immigration-enforces-visa-rule-land-borders

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015.09.15