Vientiane crossing affected by new visa run attitude

[hgma]

About 30 minutes ago my wife, LAO national, and Non O dependend holder, came back from Vientiane.

She was warned in Laos by Lao immigration to be sure to have a 'proper' visa or else being refused in Thailand/NongKhai border

Coming into Thailand scores of Laotians without a border cross pass valid 3 days were send back while trying to enter Thailand on the old 30 day entry.

Not allowed.@ 14.30 hr 15-09-2015 @ NongKhai

HGMA

[ubonjoe]

It seems Lao immigration was wrong and was overstepping their authority a bit in your wife's case if she has a valid visa.

They are only trying to restrict people from making an excess number of back to back visa exempt entries. In the past they had been lenient on Laotians. If Laos starts doing a tit for tat and stops Thai's from entering it may not last long.

I suspect those that were turned away had previous entries.

[hgma]

It seems Lao immigration was wrong and was overstepping their authority a bit in your wife's case if she has a valid visa.

They are only trying to restrict people from making an excess number of back to back visa exempt entries. In the past they had been lenient on Laotians. If Laos starts doing a tit for tat and stops Thai's from entering it may not last long.

I suspect those that were turned away had previous entries.

Spot on and same analysis.

[sgtsabai]

Many cross from Lao on the 3 day border pass to shop in Nong Khai/Udon. There has been a problem with single ladies crossing on the 3 day pass for some time at the NK crossing. Often money under the table to continue. Those with passport haven't had too much problem, although many do pretty much "back to back" to stay with the boyfriends. I heard from a friend a couple of days ago that had just gotten his visa extension here in Udon that there is a new national head of immigration coming in, if so and this "crackdown" is just a prelude to him, expect more. I don't know how accurate his info his, so take with a grain of salt.

[khwaibah]

There are Local reports of over 500 Laos in the Que. at Savannahket and this past Monday the Thai consulate is requesting that you call and make an appointment two weeks in advance,

[Tomtomtom69]

It seems Lao immigration was wrong and was overstepping their authority a bit in your wife's case if she has a valid visa.

They are only trying to restrict people from making an excess number of back to back visa exempt entries. In the past they had been lenient on Laotians. If Laos starts doing a tit for tat and stops Thai's from entering it may not last long.

I suspect those that were turned away had previous entries.

The Thai authorities have the right to decide who comes to their country and under what circumstances.

Thailand is also a far richer country than Laos and is thus much more desirable for Laotians to come to, than for Thais heading in the opposite direction.

Of course Thais would not want to be inconvenienced heading there, but very, very few would be visa runners staying there on 30-day visa exemptions and doing one day runs into Thailand or say Vietnam. Which is exactly what a lot of Laotians do. Virtually every time I'm at the Cambodian border I even see Lao citizens doing quick in-out visa runs.

After a certain point the Thai authorities should say, enough is enough. It seems like that time has now come.

However, legitimate Lao traders and tourists, even those crossing virtually everyday should continue to be allowed in. It's the visa abusers who stay exactly 30 days and then do a border run and continue to do so again and again, who the Thai authorities are targeting I believe and also those they SHOULD be targeting. Just like with any other nationality.

Similarly, as you say, the Lao citizens entering on legitimate visas have every right to enter. But given the news that we've been reading about even Phu Nam Ron refusing in-outs to tourist visa holders, what's happening now at Nong Khai should not be a surprise to us.

[brewsterbudgen]

My Lao family were all stamped back into Thailand for another 30 days this morning at Chong Mek. Normally they'd have made a Cambodian border run from Pattaya but were advised to make a one night visit "home" instead. Hopefully the border run will be back on next month.

[mo3s]

Might be me...but I went to vientienne a couple of times to get a new (double entry) visa at thai ambassey there. So when you go there, apply for a real visa...I guess...you will have to stay a day..and that is great. Vientiennne has a lot to offer. Back then you could do that 3 times, before you had to go back home country, they told me. I went home after a year...so not really sure.

Yes, real visa is real visa. That's an international agreement. Can't refuse real visa. So I think (maybe) they (the staff you met) were not aware if they give you trouble.

[Tomtomtom69]

My Lao family were all stamped back into Thailand for another 30 days this morning at Chong Mek. Normally they'd have made a Cambodian border run from Pattaya but were advised to make a one night visit "home" instead. Hopefully the border run will be back on next month.

Maybe, but maybe not either. The Thai authorities have been trying to stamp out this practice for a while now.

Might be time for your Lao family to get a proper Thai visa. If they're living here that is.

It can't possibly be that difficult.

[brewsterbudgen]

My Lao family were all stamped back into Thailand for another 30 days this morning at Chong Mek. Normally they'd have made a Cambodian border run from Pattaya but were advised to make a one night visit "home" instead. Hopefully the border run will be back on next month.

Maybe, but maybe not either. The Thai authorities have been trying to stamp out this practice for a while now.

Might be time for your Lao family to get a proper Thai visa. If they're living here that is.

It can't possibly be that difficult.

Unfortunately not that easy, but any advice welcome.

[visarunner]

All Laotian have been advised to take a overnight stay before coming back via Nong Khai.

So far their is nothing in writing about new changes, so until we have it in writing everything is just speculation.

For the people who condemn people staying here on visa exempt stamp, Thailand need them, but the current Labor

Law does not cover all.

May be a good start to start looking at that instead of penalizing, innocent people trying to support themselves with hard labor.

This people Laotian, Vietnamese, Filipinos and Foreigners are required to help Thailand, but in many cases not fullfil the rigid Labor law requirements,

now you just cut them out of semi legal stay and force them to become real illegal, clever move.

Many of these people ask their friends to come to Thailand for a holiday, spend money here, etc.

I guess Thailand will loose again billions of possible revenue

[hglenn2000]

I've been following this blog for a little over 2 years now and frankly most (not all) of the people on here really should find a hobby other than rejoicing in the demise of other's. It seems as if the more difficult the constant rule changes (for less than obvious reasons) in immigration policy makes it for the majority of people (at least the people I run into at immigration, be it here in BKK or Cambodia) living here, the more certain people here rejoice in other people's misery. Just like everywhere I've traveled in the world there are good people and bad; however mostly good, and what we all have in common,(foreigners and native's alike whether your abroad or in your home country), most just want to enjoy life have a few laughs and provide for family and friends.

What I've seen going on here over the last two years (by some) is honestly, either immature old men or old men whose cup of misery run-ith over and they just can't wait to share a drink or two of it with some unsuspecting soul who mistakenly post a question on here, asking how they might resolve some mess they find themselves in (sometimes due to no one's fault but their own) only to be needlessly attack and or defamed. Is that really necessary, do we need to add to their suffering with insults and "Oh I'm better than you" B.S. Really is this best you have to offer someone in need is attempting to humiliate them in a public forum. That includes the racist Thai's that comment here as well, believe me I've called out my own friends at home for insulting your country men and woman living in our country for the same small minded racist crap that I hear from some Thai's here.

At the end of the day this isn't their country, your country, or our country (whether your at home, or living abroad) it belongs to the universal power, some call it God or whatever and in 100 years or two hundred years who knows who it's going to "belong" to. I do know this, when I'm at home and I see a foreigner having difficulties I try to stop and help, to be kind and patient when I'm having difficulties understanding his or her broken English. I do this not because I'm an especially kind person, no I do it because I want them to feel welcomed in "Our" home. We are all ambassador's of "Our" country; again whether your at home or abroad, if your visiting you should conduct yourself as a guest. If your at home you should conduct yourself as any gracious host would with kind words, patients and understanding.

I realize I've gone on a little bit of a rant here; however I just wanted to say I don't get all the meanness and hatefulness that goes on in this blog, when it should be a place that Farang's in particular should be able to find some level of compassion and support.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Have an Inspired Day!!

[Tomtomtom69]

My Lao family were all stamped back into Thailand for another 30 days this morning at Chong Mek. Normally they'd have made a Cambodian border run from Pattaya but were advised to make a one night visit "home" instead. Hopefully the border run will be back on next month.

Maybe, but maybe not either. The Thai authorities have been trying to stamp out this practice for a while now.

Might be time for your Lao family to get a proper Thai visa. If they're living here that is.

It can't possibly be that difficult.

Unfortunately not that easy, but any advice welcome.

Well, if you're married I would think the most obvious one would be a marriage visa. Very easy to get in Laos.

Or for on and off stays, just a simple tourist visa, double entry perhaps.

[Tomtomtom69]

All Laotian have been advised to take a overnight stay before coming back via Nong Khai.

So far their is nothing in writing about new changes, so until we have it in writing everything is just speculation.

For the people who condemn people staying here on visa exempt stamp, Thailand need them, but the current Labor

Law does not cover all.

May be a good start to start looking at that instead of penalizing, innocent people trying to support themselves with hard labor.

This people Laotian, Vietnamese, Filipinos and Foreigners are required to help Thailand, but in many cases not fullfil the rigid Labor law requirements,

now you just cut them out of semi legal stay and force them to become real illegal, clever move.

Many of these people ask their friends to come to Thailand for a holiday, spend money here, etc.

I guess Thailand will loose again billions of possible revenue

Lao, Vietnamese and Filipinos are just as much foreigners as the rest of us. Only difference is they are ASEAN citizens and Asians, but that doesn't make them less foreign. They still need visas, work permits etc. as everyone else does.

While I feel for those people impacted by the strengthening of Thailand's visa laws, if it's really only affecting visa exempt people, especially visa runners then I have no sympathy.

The hordes of Lao workers, not to mention various other nationalities from all across the world are the reason for these kinds of crackdowns in the first place as their actions have made living in or travelling in/out of Thailand more difficult for legitimate tourists, who, unfortunately occasionally find themselves caught out.

I don't see any reason why someone staying here a long time can't get themselves a proper visa. I don't care if you're from Laos, Vietnam, Australia, somewhere in Africa - get your paperwork in order.

[brewsterbudgen]

My Lao family were all stamped back into Thailand for another 30 days this morning at Chong Mek. Normally they'd have made a Cambodian border run from Pattaya but were advised to make a one night visit "home" instead. Hopefully the border run will be back on next month.

Maybe, but maybe not either. The Thai authorities have been trying to stamp out this practice for a while now.

Might be time for your Lao family to get a proper Thai visa. If they're living here that is.

It can't possibly be that difficult.

Unfortunately not that easy, but any advice welcome.

Well, if you're married I would think the most obvious one would be a marriage visa. Very easy to get in Laos.

Or for on and off stays, just a simple tourist visa, double entry perhaps.

No, not married. Not easy to marry someone from Laos in Thailand or Laos. Her extended family have all lived here for years although most do so illegally. We have a house and a 6 month old. Tourist visas are not a permanent solution.

Might have to marry somewhere else, or just wait for things to get back to normal.

[Tomtomtom69]

I've been following this blog for a little over 2 years now and frankly most (not all) of the people on here really should find a hobby other than rejoicing in the demise of other's. It seems as if the more difficult the constant rule changes (for less than obvious reasons) in immigration policy makes it for the majority of people (at least the people I run into at immigration, be it here in BKK or Cambodia) living here, the more certain people here rejoice in other people's misery. Just like everywhere I've traveled in the world there are good people and bad; however mostly good, and what we all have in common,(foreigners and native's alike whether your abroad or in your home country), most just want to enjoy life have a few laughs and provide for family and friends.

What I've seen going on here over the last two years (by some) is honestly, either immature old men or old men whose cup of misery run-ith over and they just can't wait to share a drink or two of it with some unsuspecting soul who mistakenly post a question on here, asking how they might resolve some mess they find themselves in (sometimes due to no one's fault but their own) only to be needlessly attack and or defamed. Is that really necessary, do we need to add to their suffering with insults and "Oh I'm better than you" B.S. Really is this best you have to offer someone in need is attempting to humiliate them in a public forum. That includes the racist Thai's that comment here as well, believe me I've called out my own friends at home for insulting your country men and woman living in our country for the same small minded racist crap that I hear from some Thai's here.

At the end of the day this isn't their country, your country, or our country (whether your at home, or living abroad) it belongs to the universal power, some call it God or whatever and in 100 years or two hundred years who knows who it's going to "belong" to. I do know this, when I'm at home and I see a foreigner having difficulties I try to stop and help, to be kind and patient when I'm having difficulties understanding his or her broken English. I do this not because I'm an especially kind person, no I do it because I want them to feel welcomed in "Our" home. We are all ambassador's of "Our" country; again whether your at home or abroad, if your visiting you should conduct yourself as a guest. If your at home you should conduct yourself as any gracious host would with kind words, patients and understanding.

I realize I've gone on a little bit of a rant here; however I just wanted to say I don't get all the meanness and hatefulness that goes on in this blog, when it should be a place that Farang's in particular should be able to find some level of compassion and support.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Have an Inspired Day!!

Great post.

No, you are not wrong at all. We should all help each other and not be spiteful or rejoice in other's misery as you say. We should offer solutions or at the very least, offer some solidarity.

Anyway, who are these Thais you speak of on this forum? How do you even know they are Thais? There are plenty of losers on here who have nothing better to do than troll and try and impersonate Thais. It's quite easy to tell from their writing style they are not Thais.

[tookwan cottage]

I've been following this blog for a little over 2 years now and frankly most (not all) of the people on here really should find a hobby other than rejoicing in the demise of other's. It seems as if the more difficult the constant rule changes (for less than obvious reasons) in immigration policy makes it for the majority of people (at least the people I run into at immigration, be it here in BKK or Cambodia) living here, the more certain people here rejoice in other people's misery. Just like everywhere I've traveled in the world there are good people and bad; however mostly good, and what we all have in common,(foreigners and native's alike whether your abroad or in your home country), most just want to enjoy life have a few laughs and provide for family and friends.

What I've seen going on here over the last two years (by some) is honestly, either immature old men or old men whose cup of misery run-ith over and they just can't wait to share a drink or two of it with some unsuspecting soul who mistakenly post a question on here, asking how they might resolve some mess they find themselves in (sometimes due to no one's fault but their own) only to be needlessly attack and or defamed. Is that really necessary, do we need to add to their suffering with insults and "Oh I'm better than you" B.S. Really is this best you have to offer someone in need is attempting to humiliate them in a public forum. That includes the racist Thai's that comment here as well, believe me I've called out my own friends at home for insulting your country men and woman living in our country for the same small minded racist crap that I hear from some Thai's here.

At the end of the day this isn't their country, your country, or our country (whether your at home, or living abroad) it belongs to the universal power, some call it God or whatever and in 100 years or two hundred years who knows who it's going to "belong" to. I do know this, when I'm at home and I see a foreigner having difficulties I try to stop and help, to be kind and patient when I'm having difficulties understanding his or her broken English. I do this not because I'm an especially kind person, no I do it because I want them to feel welcomed in "Our" home. We are all ambassador's of "Our" country; again whether your at home or abroad, if your visiting you should conduct yourself as a guest. If your at home you should conduct yourself as any gracious host would with kind words, patients and understanding.

I realize I've gone on a little bit of a rant here; however I just wanted to say I don't get all the meanness and hatefulness that goes on in this blog, when it should be a place that Farang's in particular should be able to find some level of compassion and support.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Have an Inspired Day!!

Great post.

No, you are not wrong at all. We should all help each other and not be spiteful or rejoice in other's misery as you say. We should offer solutions or at the very least, offer some solidarity.

Anyway, who are these Thais you speak of on this forum? How do you even know they are Thais? There are plenty of losers on here who have nothing better to do than troll and try and impersonate Thais. It's quite easy to tell from their writing style they are not Thais.

I usually do not use the term, but Tomtomtom69 is accurate: these people are "losers" and they have "nothing better to do." Well put!