FIFO Visa run to KL

[Dassie]

Just an update regarding a visa run yesterday from Chiang Mai to KL. I had booked a return trip and was back home for dinner the same day. I flew out on the last day of my tourist visa extension (from CM Immigration). It is my practice to dress smart and conservative when dealing with Thai immigration so as to show some respect for the officers, look respectable and like I can afford to travel.

At CM International airport the Immigration officer was openly annoyed and sighed audibly when I went to her open counter. After sighting my visa extension date stamp she declared 'Last day!' I was unsure how to respond to this statement because the Thai immigration visa stamp does clearly state that one can legally stay in the Kingdom up until the date on your visa stamp. She repeated herself twice more, a little louder each time. So I said 'Yes. I'm leaving today'. She was now glaring at me. So I remained calm, quiet and politely smiled at her. Eventually she stamped my passport and threw it back at me on the counter. Thankfully I experienced no problems at KL. It was all swift and painless at that end of the journey. At Chiang Mai airport the Immigration officer asked if I had a visa. I replied no. She asked how long will I be staying. I replied one month. As far as I understand I am eligible for a 30 day exemption tourist visa upon entry through airports in the Kingdom.

I've never experienced such close scrutiny (not to mention such contempt) of my movements in Thailand where I've been enjoying spending time away from work in my home country for over 3 years. I just don't understand why CM immigration insist on treating tourists that follow the rules, as they are set out, like we're doing something wrong. If I choose to stay in Thailand and spend my money here why try to make me feel bad about it? If this is how things are going to continue I will certainly be looking for greener pastures where I feel welcome and happy to spend my hard earned money!?

I also wanted to confirm that the Thai immigration had 2 staff posted at the bottom of the escalator handing out a separate form to all of the male passengers only. Which is creating a hazardous bottleneck effect at the end of the escalator. As most of the travel partners of the men filling out said extra forms stood in wait all over the arrival hall for them to finish.

The fun never stops here!?

[BritTim]

What were the extra forms for?

[Soutpeel]

Answer me this question do you live full time in Thailand or are you a genuine tourist ?

[Dassie]

What were the extra forms for?

Not sure BritTim. But I read a thread on here about these forms last week. If I can find it I'll send you a link

[Dassie]

Answer me this question do you live full time in Thailand or are you a genuine tourist ?

Yes. I'm still a tourist. I am spending most of my time off in Thailand, because I work in my home country in offshore O&G. I thought about getting a long term visa. But I'm too young for a retirement visa, not partnered with a local and can't be certain that I would be in the country to report on scheduled dates for any other visa. However, it is really only an issue when I'm between work assignments. Why do you ask?

[Soutpeel]

Answer me this question do you live full time in Thailand or are you a genuine tourist ?

Yes. I'm still a tourist. I am spending most of my time off in Thailand, because I work in my home country in offshore O&G. I thought about getting a long term visa. But I'm too young for a retirement visa, not partnered with a local and can't be certain that I would be in the country to report on scheduled dates for any other visa. However, it is really only an issue when I'm between work assignments. Why do you ask?

All my thought was you might be getting the 3rd degree off them because you live here full time and border bouncing every 30 days thats all. .but if your convinced you will be staying here on time off all the time, a 500k TE visa would work good for you...and you work offshore so suspect the cash is not an issue...get one of those and your done for 5 years and with the exchange rates as they are a little over USD 14k...not big money

[elviajero]

Your best bet will be to get one of the new 6 month tourist visas available from next month. You can come and go as much as you like with that. The only limit is a maximum of 60 days for each stay but if you're in O&G that shouldn't be a problem.

[Dassie]

Answer me this question do you live full time in Thailand or are you a genuine tourist ?

Yes. I'm still a tourist. I am spending most of my time off in Thailand, because I work in my home country in offshore O&G. I thought about getting a long term visa. But I'm too young for a retirement visa, not partnered with a local and can't be certain that I would be in the country to report on scheduled dates for any other visa. However, it is really only an issue when I'm between work assignments. Why do you ask?

All my thought was you might be getting the 3rd degree off them because you live here full time and border bouncing every 30 days thats all. .but if your convinced you will be staying here on time off all the time, a 500k TE visa would work good for you...and you work offshore so suspect the cash is not an issue...get one of those and your done for 5 years and with the exchange rates as they are a little over USD 14k...not big money

Sorry just one question. What does TE stand for? Not a bad idea that one. So long get as I'm not tied to regular reports it may be suitable. Thanks Soutpeel :-)

[Dassie]

Your best bet will be to get one of the new 6 month tourist visas available from next month. You can come and go as much as you like with that. The only limit is a maximum of 60 days for each stay but if you're in O&G that shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, now we're talking. That 6 month visa sounds ideal for me. Thank you Elviajero!

[Soutpeel]

Answer me this question do you live full time in Thailand or are you a genuine tourist ?

Yes. I'm still a tourist. I am spending most of my time off in Thailand, because I work in my home country in offshore O&G. I thought about getting a long term visa. But I'm too young for a retirement visa, not partnered with a local and can't be certain that I would be in the country to report on scheduled dates for any other visa. However, it is really only an issue when I'm between work assignments. Why do you ask?

All my thought was you might be getting the 3rd degree off them because you live here full time and border bouncing every 30 days thats all. .but if your convinced you will be staying here on time off all the time, a 500k TE visa would work good for you...and you work offshore so suspect the cash is not an issue...get one of those and your done for 5 years and with the exchange rates as they are a little over USD 14k...not big money

Sorry just one question. What does TE stand for? Not a bad idea that one. So long get as I'm not tied to regular reports it may be suitable. Thanks Soutpeel :-)

Thai Elite visa...with you on rotation assuming you will never be in Thailand more than 90 days so you will never have to do a report

[elviajero]

Your best bet will be to get one of the new 6 month tourist visas available from next month. You can come and go as much as you like with that. The only limit is a maximum of 60 days for each stay but if you're in O&G that shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, now we're talking. That 6 month visa sounds ideal for me. Thank you Elviajero!

It's available from mid November

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/confirmed-new-multiple-entry-tourist-visa-for-thailand-available-from-november/115044/

You could keep entering with visa exemption as there is no set limit, but you'll possibly face continued scrutiny. I think the new visa has been brought in, partly, with people like you in mind.

[Dassie]

Answer me this question do you live full time in Thailand or are you a genuine tourist ?

Yes. I'm still a tourist. I am spending most of my time off in Thailand, because I work in my home country in offshore O&G. I thought about getting a long term visa. But I'm too young for a retirement visa, not partnered with a local and can't be certain that I would be in the country to report on scheduled dates for any other visa. However, it is really only an issue when I'm between work assignments. Why do you ask?

All my thought was you might be getting the 3rd degree off them because you live here full time and border bouncing every 30 days thats all. .but if your convinced you will be staying here on time off all the time, a 500k TE visa would work good for you...and you work offshore so suspect the cash is not an issue...get one of those and your done for 5 years and with the exchange rates as they are a little over USD 14k...not big money

Sorry just one question. What does TE stand for? Not a bad idea that one. So long get as I'm not tied to regular reports it may be suitable. Thanks Soutpeel :-)

Thai Elite visa...with you on rotation assuming you will never be in Thailand more than 90 days so you will never have to do a report

Ok. Yes. This could work out well. Thanks again, Soutpeel. A friend based in BKK suggested the TE visa a while back. But I wasn't prepared to drop to much $$ at the time. Still unsure if I would spend that much now?!

[Dassie]

Your best bet will be to get one of the new 6 month tourist visas available from next month. You can come and go as much as you like with that. The only limit is a maximum of 60 days for each stay but if you're in O&G that shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, now we're talking. That 6 month visa sounds ideal for me. Thank you Elviajero!

It's available from mid November

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/confirmed-new-multiple-entry-tourist-visa-for-thailand-available-from-november/115044/

You could keep entering with visa exemption as there is no set limit, but you'll possibly face continued scrutiny. I think the new visa has been brought in, partly, with people like you in mind.

I'll be one of the first in line for that one! :-D