Confirmed: New multiple entry tourist visa for Thailand available from November

[stoneyboy]

The Thai government aren't concerned about the cost of foreigners having to leave the kingdom to activate new entries on any visa,they aren't about to make it easier are they.

It's all about the money.

[whaleboneman]

How many tourists get multiple holidays or holidays that last more that 2 or 3 weeks?

Retired ones.

[jaywalker]

Thanks but that mean every 60 days need to make border run ?

So your 10 year UK passport will last 3 years1 page and half used every 60 days. FANTASTIC NOT

Not quite,,, A dbl entry tourist visa, takes a single page,, then the exit/entries/extension stamps during that 6 months,, maybe another,, so pretty much 2, or the 1.5 you mentioned,,,, I don't know about UK passports,,, but USA passports come in "normal" amount of pages,, and double amount of pages,, And then pages can be added,, My old US passport, from 2002,, was a, "normal" one,,, back in about 08,, I had the US embassy here,, add pages,, actually DOUBLE,, you fill out a single form for each multi-page additions, and pay a seperate fee for each,,,, I asked at the time, "Can I add 3 sets?'' they said, "yes,, but it's a bit, "frowned" upon,,, So I had double added,,, It expired in 2012,,, so got a new one at US embassy here,, and got the "larger" one,, Which,,, if there's enough time left on it, prior to expiration,, can also have pages added to,,,,

Can you believe that used to be free (getting pages added)?

No appointment, just walk in & say "Add some pages please?"

I did it a couple times in BKK & it took all of 5 minutes each time.

Last time it was make an appointment, wait 30 minutes, get a ticket, go to another window, pay the (Thai) cashier $85 bucks, go back to the other window & then wait another hour.

[juice777]

I thought I read somewhere this visa is designed 4 tourist from Asia, so they can come at the last minute and don't have 2 worry about a visa, spend the weekend in bkk then go home, the same way a lot of people In Europe might travel 2 some other city in Europe at the last minute , they apply once then can come back as many times as they want in 6 months

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Edited September 22, 2015 by juice777

[Maestro]

Wonder why they are not releasing info on where to apply for it, November is just around the corner. If its from your home country then it truly will be just for tourists.

In the absence of any other information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we have to assume that this visa "truly will be for tourists"

[oncearugge]

Wonder why they are not releasing info on where to apply for it, November is just around the corner. If its from your home country then it truly will be just for tourists.

In the absence of any other information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we have to assume that this visa "truly will be for tourists"

It will be interesting to note if this new visa will only be available from a person's own country and whether there will be any restriction on the number of the new visas which can be obtained "back to back".

[Maestro]

Removed some more off-topic posts and the replies to them.

This topic is about a new type of tourist visa to travel to Thailand. It is not about the visa policies of the other over 200 countries in this world.

[Maestro]

You can stay 90 days with one 30 days extensions costing Bt 1,900, that has always been possible.

It is not possible to issue a tourist visa allowing more than 90 days stay, because that would be against Thai immigration act sec 34(3). The act would need to be changed by Parliament.

This is the English translation of Section 34 of the Immigration Act:

Section 34 : aliens entering into the kingdom for a temporary stay may enter for the below listed activities

;

1. Diplomatic or Consular Missions.

2. Performance of official duties.

3. Touring

4. Sporting

5. Business

6. Investing under the concurrence of the Ministries and Departments concerned.

7. Investing or other activities relating to investing subject to the provisions of the law on

investment promotion.

8. Transit journey.

9. Being the person in charge of the crew of a conveyance coming to port, station , or area in

the Kingdom.

10. Study or observation.

11. Mass media.

12. Missionary work under the concurrence of the Ministries and departments concerned.

13. Scientific research or training or teach in a Research Institute in the Kingdom.

14. The practice of skilled handicraft or as a specialist

15. Other activities as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.

What, exactly, are you talking about?

[paz]

What, exactly, are you talking about?

Sorry, 34(3) defines tourism and 35(2) the related limit per entry.

2. Not exceeding 90 days for a case under Section 34 (3)

Edited September 22, 2015 by paz

[lkv]

Ok, so finally it seems that some of the things I previously speculated about on the previous Multiple Entry thread are becoming a reality.

What is known so far: 60 days per entry, unlimited entries.

What remains to be confirmed, although I don't see why they would impose a maximum number of extensions in a certain timeframe, at the end of the day the more extensions the more money one pays (1900 baht), any entry can be extended for another 30 days.

The most interesting thing that I want to see confirmation on is: will we have single, double, triple and multiple....Or are we going to have single and multiple.

Single and multiple makes more sense, non B, non O, non whatever you either get single and multiple. You don't get double entry NonB.

So 1000 baht (30 euro in Europe, 35-40 dollars in other places) or 5,000 baht (150 euro)

You can stretch this for 9 months, or at least close to 270 days.

So what's really happening here?

- People abusing visa exempt: Before: Free of Charge. Now: 5k+1,900x3= THB 10,700 per 9 months. From zero to almost 11K. Good job.

- People on double entries: Before: 2K plus occasional reentry permits (1k each) per 6 months. Now: 5K per 9 months. Not counting the extensions, those would still apply in both before and after. Good good!

- People on triple entries: very few, very hard to get the triples even in Europe, but those were 3k (or say 90 euros) now 5k or probably 150 euros. But if you really do travel around it saves on the reentry permits.

Really good money making business, it was about time.

In a previous post on another thread, based on "confidential information from Chaengwatthana" (joking, just looking at the extension number in my passport), I stated that in 2014 the number of Tourist visa extensions was 20,000 and now until September 2015 it has hit 20,000 already. And bearing in mind that after the Erawan events where before if you arrived late PM you'd be number 220 something, now you'd be number 100. Even so, the revenue has shown a 20% increase on that line of business, surely on the ED line of business substantially more (with these 1 month ED extensions some people get).

Now with these latest actions the revenue will just explode. So yea all in all it's good well done. Congratulations.

I'm all good with it, as long as you want my money again after those 270 days. Which I have a feeling you will

Edited September 22, 2015 by lkv

[paz]

I thought I read somewhere this visa is designed 4 tourist from Asia, so they can come at the last minute and don't have 2 worry about a visa, spend the weekend in bkk then go home, the same way a lot of people In Europe might travel 2 some other city in Europe at the last minute , they apply once then can come back as many times as they want in 6 months

I'm not so sure about that because there are very few countries in Asia requiring a visa for Thailand, e.g Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal.

All the others nationalities in Asia are visa exempt or visa on arrival (1,000 Bt).

[Maestro]

Am wondering if my retired parents can now come and spend the very cold Scandinavian winter months in Thailand. It would be very nice to have them in this warm climate for 6 months every year. The only problem is that they would have to leave the country every 60 days. That is not convenient for the old folks! Need to think about that.

Depending on the type of your own permission to stay, there are other options for your parents. Please start a new topic about it, so as not to be off topic here.

[lkv]

I thought I read somewhere this visa is designed 4 tourist from Asia, so they can come at the last minute and don't have 2 worry about a visa, spend the weekend in bkk then go home, the same way a lot of people In Europe might travel 2 some other city in Europe at the last minute , they apply once then can come back as many times as they want in 6 months

I'm not so sure about that because there are very few countries in Asia requiring a visa for Thailand, e.g Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal.

All the others nationalities in Asia are visa exempt or visa on arrival (1,000 Bt).

Exactly. So the major demographics (Chinese, Indian) had to pay regardless. They either paid 1,000 baht visa on arrival 14 days or they paid 1,000 baht for a single entry valid for 60 days. So unless they travel more than 6 times in 6 months, multiple doesn't pay off, it just saves them the hassle of going to the embassy every time. But the weekend tourist would pay on arrival anyway I guess.

Cambodia and Myanmar get visa exempt 14 days free.

The other ones, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc, they get 30 days free anyway. I actually do have friends flying frequently just for the weekend, don't see why all of the sudden they would start paying. They won't anyway. It's not back to back in-out. Even if they have over 6 or whatever visa exempt entries, no IO will ever ask: "Why are you travelling so much as a tourist to Thailand every weekend". "So that I spend money in your country....Hello?"

Let's not forget that in 2014 they had a visa waiver programme for Chinese. In other words, come into Thailand for free to encourage tourism, not "come into Thailand for 150 euro / 5,000 baht per 6 months.". That thing went dead, never heard about it since then. According to Wikipedia at least, I believe that Chinese are paying at the moment.

So yes, making a statement such as: "we are doing it to promote tourism and "help" weekend travelers" is let's call it misleading to be nice. And totally untrue to be real.

Edited September 22, 2015 by lkv

[hawker9000]

Cool, and about time.

Thanks for the update!

Up until now, you could get a double-entry tourist visa with a 180-day validity, 60d per entry (extendable by 30d), for $40/~B1400 per entry (so $80 total). Now, you get an ME, also valid for 180d, but for $138. I realize this new visa provides for unlimited entries, and I also realize that triple-entry approvals were becoming rare, but how many entries were most people going to do in just 6mos anyway? A re-entry permit costs B1000/~$30. So you could have a double-entry TV plus either one extension or two re-entry permits for roughly the same price as this new ME tourist visa. I don't see how this is such a big deal for anyone except the frequent comers & goers - for them, nice, yes. Is it possible this is really a huge fee increase in disguise, and really means that double-entry TVs are going away ('course no one's saying that ... yet ... it's not November), and you'll have to get this 70% more expensive ME TV instead?

Now, if they wanted to give this a longer validity (like India's 5yr, for example), then that'd be huge.

[samsensam]

rip off.

i currently get six months with a triple entry visa for £75.

[Maestro]

What, exactly, are you talking about?

Sorry, 34(3) defines tourism and 35(2) the related limit per entry.

2. Not exceeding 90 days for a case under Section 34 (3)

Thanks, got it. This new tourist visa falls within the limits of the Immigration Act, but those asking for a tourist visa resulting in a permission to stay for six months are indirectly asking for a change of the Immigration Act.

[stoneyboy]

rip off.

i currently get six months with a triple entry visa for £75.

Not for the stagnating Thai economy though,very clever business move.

SHREWD.

Edited September 22, 2015 by stoneyboy

[Maestro]

I am getting the impression that many members posting in this topic are looking at the multiple-entry tourist visa from the point of view of a foreigner living in Thailand. This is wrong. A tourist visa -- in fact, any visa -- is for visiting Thailand, not for living in Thailand. With one or two exceptions, is is the extension of stay that is for living in Thailand, not the visa.

[stoneyboy]

I am getting the impression that many members posting in this topic are looking at the multiple-entry tourist visa from the point of view of a foreigner living in Thailand. This is wrong. A tourist visa -- in fact, any visa -- is for visiting Thailand, not for living in Thailand. With one or two exceptions, is is the extension of stay that is for living in Thailand, not the visa.

Of course they are people were hoping this was going to be the Holly Grail for border hoppers after the recent clampdown on visa exemptions.

A large number of expats have and continue to live long term in the kingdom by circumnavigating the visa rules.

That said the whole visa process IMO is draconian and open to misinterpretation and abuse any way.

So there is nothing new with the advent of this multi entry tourist visa,just another way of charging tourists for entering the Kingdom which they are rightfully entitled to do,whilst offering certain people the option to stay here long term if you don't mind all the border hopping,it saves lots of paper work and more often than not as a tourist no proof of funds is needed.

Also for some reason people feel they have a right to reside in the Kingdom because the current visa options don't cover certain ages and categories although people have the financial back up to stay here for extended periods.

Which is nothing you don't already know I'm guessing.

Edited September 22, 2015 by stoneyboy

[lkv]

I am getting the impression that many members posting in this topic are looking at the multiple-entry tourist visa from the point of view of a foreigner living in Thailand. This is wrong. A tourist visa -- in fact, any visa -- is for visiting Thailand, not for living in Thailand. With one or two exceptions, is is the extension of stay that is for living in Thailand, not the visa.

Yes, Maestro, the impression you are getting is correct.

Many members (if not all) posting in this topic have for some reason spent extended periods of time in Thailand. The weekend tourists hardly comment on ThaiVisa.

To be fair, I wanted to look at this from every point of view, not only my personal point.

That's why I wondered who would benefit from this? Chinese, Indians, Malaysians, Indonesians, people that travel multiple times in a limited timeframe etc.

The conclusion I have reached is that the number of people that would realistically benefit from this is limited. Because the weekend tourists will not pay. I'm telling you. They go on visa exempt. Even if they have 6 visa exempt over 6 weekends, it would be ridiculous that on the 7th weekend, the immigration officer tells them: "Hey you need to pay for the visa". One friend of a friend (incredibly well off - Asian), managed to spend 40,000 USD in 4 days. I am not joking. And that person came in on a visa exempt.

So those type of people will not "take advantage" of the "new ME visa" that "creates flexibility" It's simply squeeze more money from the ones residing long term.

It translates into: "You can stay, we will pretend that we haven't seen that your last exit out of Thailand was 5 minutes ago to Poipet, as long as you pay 5k. Cos you're not getting that luxury for free anymore I'm afraid.

Again, the genuine visa exempt short term travelers will never ever pay money to come for a weekend and spend money in Thailand. Why would they and why should they?

Edited September 22, 2015 by lkv

[lkv]

The only major potential demographic that is treated unfairly at the moment in my opinion is China. Chinese people always have to pay and they don't get visa exempt. What they should do is let the Chinese in on visa exempt, if not 30 days then at least 14 days. And that will correlate with their media statements of tourism boost. Or maybe they just came to the conclusion that they have reached the level where everyone should pay and will pay to travel to Thailand, a statement that may be true and it may pay off who knows. Thailand is really a nice place they want to charge a premium now, they are pushing the prices up, it will probably stick.

150 euro for a 6 month multiple is not that cheap, compared to neighboring countries. But then again, neighboring countries are worse to spend extended periods of time in in my opinion. The ones thinking differently probably moved already.

As a final thought:

"Maldives grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival status to all nations of the world for 30 days, and an extension of further 60 days is available for a fee."

Yes, everybody come in. Free.

Edited September 22, 2015 by lkv

[ukrules]

What, exactly, are you talking about?

Sorry, 34(3) defines tourism and 35(2) the related limit per entry.

2. Not exceeding 90 days for a case under Section 34 (3)

This is the part that in my opinion needs changing.

[lkv]

Maestro, can you explain to me logically from a tourism point of view the following concept:

If you want to be a long term tourist in Thailand (5 years) -no employment allowed - it will cost you 500,000 baht?

Thank you.

[lkv]

What, exactly, are you talking about?

Sorry, 34(3) defines tourism and 35(2) the related limit per entry.

2. Not exceeding 90 days for a case under Section 34 (3)

This is the part that in my opinion needs changing.

Well isn't that exceeded by a one year extension for tourism purposes for Elite visa? Or are they referring to visas and does not apply for extensions? So that would be the only category of tourists that would technically have to do a 90 day reporting. So technically other tourists could get extensions lets say of 180 days without having to change too many laws. Or what am i not understanding here?

[Kitsune]

does this mean the end of the current tourist visa?

[lkv]

does this mean the end of the current tourist visa?

No, it's a new beginning ☺

[easybullet3]

And this is supposed to be groundbreaking change? It is the same as the current triple entry visa, just more expensive because of the multiple entries that almost none needs. I doubt many will do it differently from the current triple entry visas (stay 2 months, do one extension for 1900, and then make a visa run).

Thanks but that mean every 60 days need to make border run ?

Probably be able to do a 30 day extension for 1900 b at immigration, therefore a border run after 90 days. Sounds pretty similar to the existing one but it more flexible for people toing and froing.

how is this any different to a DOUBLE ENTRY tourist Visa ?

double entry = 60 days + 30 days extension,

then BORDER RUN,,,

and then another 60 days + 30 days extension.

Total = 180 days = 6 momths !! COST = 2000 baht !!! (+ 2x Visa extensions costs)

Do I take it this new 6 month Visa INCLUDES the extension cost ?

if not, then its WORSE than the current Double Entry Method.

Edited September 22, 2015 by easybullet3

[gopis108]

This so-called change is basically irrevalent.We are looking for some genuine thought out changes on par with international rules.America has ten year visas with no re-entry permit etc,ie.come and go as you please.Canada and UK ,Austrailia, have 6 month visas with no re-entry non-sense scam for extra milking of the Farangs money.What to speak of Perm.resident.The Thai perm.residence system is a joke,we still cannot own even a little bit of land,we still need work permits and we are still completely vulnerable to being ripped off by cunning women.Come on Immigration get back to the drawing board and make some meaningful changes if you want your country to progress and not just to fill up your coffers to support your overly inflated employee numbers ,many of which who do nothing but fill up a desk for a few hours per day..as far as I can see.Surely after all this time someone in immigration could see the light.The Farang community would really appreciate someone like that.

[Don Mega]

And this is supposed to be groundbreaking change? It is the same as the current triple entry visa, just more expensive because of the multiple entries that almost none needs. I doubt many will do it differently from the current triple entry visas (stay 2 months, do one extension for 1900, and then make a visa run).

Thanks but that mean every 60 days need to make border run ?

Probably be able to do a 30 day extension for 1900 b at immigration, therefore a border run after 90 days. Sounds pretty similar to the existing one but it more flexible for people toing and froing.

how is this any different to a DOUBLE ENTRY tourist Visa ?

double entry = 60 days + 30 days extension,

then BORDER RUN,,,

and then another 60 days + 30 days extension.

Total = 180 days = 6 momths !! COST = 2000 baht !!! (+ 2x Visa extensions costs)

Do I take it this new 6 month Visa INCLUDES the extension cost ?

if not, then its WORSE than the current Double Entry Method.

This visa is not about maximizing your stay in Thailand. It is a bout giving you the freedom to come and go in and out of Thailand as many times as you like in a 6 month period.

[cumgranosalum]

And this is supposed to be groundbreaking change? It is the same as the current triple entry visa, just more expensive because of the multiple entries that almost none needs. I doubt many will do it differently from the current triple entry visas (stay 2 months, do one extension for 1900, and then make a visa run).

Thanks but that mean every 60 days need to make border run ?

Probably be able to do a 30 day extension for 1900 b at immigration, therefore a border run after 90 days. Sounds pretty similar to the existing one but it more flexible for people toing and froing.

how is this any different to a DOUBLE ENTRY tourist Visa ?

double entry = 60 days + 30 days extension,

then BORDER RUN,,,

and then another 60 days + 30 days extension.

Total = 180 days = 6 momths !! COST = 2000 baht !!! (+ 2x Visa extensions costs)

Do I take it this new 6 month Visa INCLUDES the extension cost ?

if not, then its WORSE than the current Double Entry Method.

It allows UNLIMITED RE-ENTRY.

2 tourist visas are 2000 baht but you can't leave Thailand without your visa expiring. If you want to make Thailand the "hub" of your stay in S.E. Asia then the new visa is ideal.

2 extensions on a standard tourist visa would cost 3800 more.

I don't know if the new tourist visa can be extended or like an "O" or "B" visa get an "extra" period of 60 days on final re-entry?