It is absolutely hilarious how these old miserable gits are in every topic telling people to spend 500b on a Thai Elite visa.

Why the heck would anyone want to pay 500,000 baht just to visit a country and not for any kind of work opportunity?

so last week a visa was a 1000 baht and this week I am going to spend 500,000 baht for the right to come to a country as a tourist and spend money there?

and then they drop lines like

"Oh what, you can't afford it?"...

Like, I am trying to think how much money I would need in the bank before pissing away 500,000 baht on an Elite card would make sense to me... it would be a very large number.

I need to screenshot this, make it into a meme and post it to every reply I get asking me to apply for elite card. Lol!

To be fair

The Elite visa is just an option which suites the needs of some.

It is not for everybody.

It is absolutely hilarious how these old miserable gits are in every topic telling people to spend 500b on a Thai Elite visa.

Why the heck would anyone want to pay 500,000 baht just to visit a country and not for any kind of work opportunity?

so last week a visa was a 1000 baht and this week I am going to spend 500,000 baht for the right to come to a country as a tourist and spend money there?

and then they drop lines like

"Oh what, you can't afford it?"...

Like, I am trying to think how much money I would need in the bank before pissing away 500,000 baht on an Elite card would make sense to me... it would be a very large number.

You don't need to spend a baht on visa.

Arrive at suvarnabhumi, get your 30 days, no questions asked.

Do overtime if you want or not.

Exit, pay overtime fee if applicable.

Reenter same airport.

Repeat until death.

Try for comparison to do overtime in the US and see what happens.

Thailand is generous with possibilities to stay in their country.

Edited October 18, 201510 yr by Lampang2

Did they actually put a red stamp in passport?

I suppose you could get tourist savannakhet, vetinene [sp?], penang, etc. Or a non-b for a thai business. Or a non-o if you marry her or have kid. The visa exempt at an airport might be an option while

TE is an option, but only if you have the 500k to spare.

Agree on APEC card. As a biz owner doing biz in the region you should qualify. Takes a bit of time but well worth it. You get 3 months each entry into Thailand

OB

Nope. No red stamp.

You can bash suggestions to get a Thailand Elite card all you want but at the moment it seems to be the only thing that fits him that doesn't involve headache and questions unless he wants to wait it out in the hope that this new multi entry visa will better suit him but remember that is also supposed to be for tourists.

When you tell Immigration that you are a business owner, their first thought in seeing that you make so many trips to their country is that you are doing business in their country and their second thought is that you are running your business remotely from their country.

Getting a visa issued probably isn't going to stop you being questioned on entry as to why you make so many trips.

Or I could explore the APEC card option, I have a legitimate business, only problem is I am the owner of the company, I can't possibly ask my staff to sign the recommendation letter. Would need to do more research into this APEC card thing. Does anyone owns an APEC card and have prior experience?

PS. If you just fly in and get 30 days visa exempt, you can extend that for 30 days now at immigration in Thailand. Theoretically, you don't need a visa to get 2 months.

Just check that that applies to Singaporeans though.

Exactly, I was rather confused by the op. I have a Singaporean friend who goes bkk monthly, each stay lasting 2-3 weeks. Never had problem with immigration. Obviously for business, 99% buying and 1% selling. Occasionally he had to extend his visa in Thailand, no problem.

PS. If you just fly in and get 30 days visa exempt, you can extend that for 30 days now at immigration in Thailand. Theoretically, you don't need a visa to get 2 months.

Just check that that applies to Singaporeans though.

Exactly, I was rather confused by the op. I have a Singaporean friend who goes bkk monthly, each stay lasting 2-3 weeks. Never had problem with immigration. Obviously for business, 99% buying and 1% selling. Occasionally he had to extend his visa in Thailand, no problem.

CHRISTIAN, read carefully.. I don't have a problem with immigration. My problem is with the singapore thai embassy staff denying me a tourist visa and giving me a lecture on how to run my business. going in and out of thailand since 2012, never had any problems with immigration.

PS. If you just fly in and get 30 days visa exempt, you can extend that for 30 days now at immigration in Thailand. Theoretically, you don't need a visa to get 2 months.

Just check that that applies to Singaporeans though.

Exactly, I was rather confused by the op. I have a Singaporean friend who goes bkk monthly, each stay lasting 2-3 weeks. Never had problem with immigration. Obviously for business, 99% buying and 1% selling. Occasionally he had to extend his visa in Thailand, no problem.

CHRISTIAN, read carefully.. I don't have a problem with immigration. My problem is with the singapore thai embassy staff denying me a tourist visa and giving me a lecture on how to run my business. going in and out of thailand since 2012, never had any problems with immigration.

Precisely, why apply for a tourist visa?

PS. If you just fly in and get 30 days visa exempt, you can extend that for 30 days now at immigration in Thailand. Theoretically, you don't need a visa to get 2 months.

Just check that that applies to Singaporeans though.

Exactly, I was rather confused by the op. I have a Singaporean friend who goes bkk monthly, each stay lasting 2-3 weeks. Never had problem with immigration. Obviously for business, 99% buying and 1% selling. Occasionally he had to extend his visa in Thailand, no problem.

CHRISTIAN, read carefully.. I don't have a problem with immigration. My problem is with the singapore thai embassy staff denying me a tourist visa and giving me a lecture on how to run my business. going in and out of thailand since 2012, never had any problems with immigration.

Precisely, why apply for a tourist visa?

Why not? I save on flight, it's nearing to the end of the year. So why not apply for one?

Try for comparison to do overtime in the US and see what happens.

There are many US cities where you can live forever without a visa, and is against the law for the police to even ask you about your immigration status (because that would be "discrimination"). You can even get a drivers license while technically "illegal" in the country. Whatever it takes to wipe out our former-middle-class is fair-game, under the current (lack of) enforcment policies.

Thailand is generous with possibilities to stay in their country.

By comparison to Bhutan, yes. But try to take a Thai's job, undermining his birthright to strive to support himself and his family in his own country, and they will, rightfully, bust and deport you. I think that is a good thing, btw.

But the question with these and related posts, is not "what do other countries do," it is what should this guy do.

Short term, get a double-entry visa in Laos, before the change comes into effect, and stretch that to 6 months with extentions.

Long term, try the 6 mo visa on a new passport. Hopefully the lady at immigration in Singapore will not remember your details, after that passage of time. She will not be able to "flip through your passport," and see the evidence, anymore - unless and until the consulates get access to the Immigration-Police database.

Try for comparison to do overtime in the US and see what happens.

There are many US cities where you can live forever without a visa, and is against the law for the police to even ask you about your immigration status (because that would be "discrimination"). You can even get a drivers license while technically "illegal" in the country. Whatever it takes to wipe out our former-middle-class is fair-game, under the current (lack of) enforcment policies.

Thailand is generous with possibilities to stay in their country.

By comparison to Bhutan, yes. But try to take a Thai's job, undermining his birthright to strive to support himself and his family in his own country, and they will, rightfully, bust and deport you. I think that is a good thing, btw.

But the question with these and related posts, is not "what do other countries do," it is what should this guy do.

Short term, get a double-entry visa in Laos, before the change comes into effect, and stretch that to 6 months with extentions.

Long term, try the 6 mo visa on a new passport. Hopefully the lady at immigration in Singapore will not remember your details, after that passage of time. She will not be able to "flip through your passport," and see the evidence, anymore - unless and until the consulates get access to the Immigration-Police database.

It's not "Thai" defending their positions.

It's the Chinese that keeps all external competition away.

That's why you cannot run business own land etc.

If you stay in the US illegal you probably do so for the long run.

No enter exit at will.

Or I could explore the APEC card option, I have a legitimate business, only problem is I am the owner of the company, I can't possibly ask my staff to sign the recommendation letter. Would need to do more research into this APEC card thing. Does anyone owns an APEC card and have prior experience?

Here's the link for Singapore

https://eabtc.ica.gov.sg/eabtc/index.xhtml

As the owner of a business I would think you have a better case as Long as you can prove you are doing regional business. I had one from Australia when I was director of a co in Singapore. It takes a it of time as each country have to pre-approve but it's worth it. You can use the priority lanes at all member airports.

OB

It is absolutely hilarious how these old miserable gits are in every topic telling people to spend 500b on a Thai Elite visa.

Why the heck would anyone want to pay 500,000 baht just to visit a country and not for any kind of work opportunity?

so last week a visa was a 1000 baht and this week I am going to spend 500,000 baht for the right to come to a country as a tourist and spend money there?

and then they drop lines like

"Oh what, you can't afford it?"...

Like, I am trying to think how much money I would need in the bank before pissing away 500,000 baht on an Elite card would make sense to me... it would be a very large number.

Probably the same ones that are telling any of us that can't afford expensive condos that we shouldn't be staying in Thailand.

Try for comparison to do overtime in the US and see what happens.

There are many US cities where you can live forever without a visa, and is against the law for the police to even ask you about your immigration status (because that would be "discrimination"). You can even get a drivers license while technically "illegal" in the country. Whatever it takes to wipe out our former-middle-class is fair-game, under the current (lack of) enforcment policies.

Thailand is generous with possibilities to stay in their country.

By comparison to Bhutan, yes. But try to take a Thai's job, undermining his birthright to strive to support himself and his family in his own country, and they will, rightfully, bust and deport you. I think that is a good thing, btw.

But the question with these and related posts, is not "what do other countries do," it is what should this guy do.

Short term, get a double-entry visa in Laos, before the change comes into effect, and stretch that to 6 months with extentions.

Long term, try the 6 mo visa on a new passport. Hopefully the lady at immigration in Singapore will not remember your details, after that passage of time. She will not be able to "flip through your passport," and see the evidence, anymore - unless and until the consulates get access to the Immigration-Police database.

It's not "Thai" defending their positions.

It's the Chinese that keeps all external competition away.

That's why you cannot run business own land etc.

If you stay in the US illegal you probably do so for the long run.

No enter exit at will.

What has China got to do with this? FYI Chinese nationals are getting busted left right and center for running illegal tour guide businesses down in Phuket.

Seems to me that the Thais are paranoid about foreigners getting a foothold in their country because they have an inferiority complex. It's a Thai thing. Nothing to do with China.

There are of course some types of professions more sensitive than others. Since something like 2/3 Thais work for themselves selling noodles on the streets or vegetables at the market etc. they are most sensitive to foreigners working in those types of industries. In reality, unless you can put up with paying bribes to the police or protection money to gangs, you'll only get away with working in these kinds of roles if you're Cambodian or Burmese and can blend into the community.

Can't run other types of businesses, or rather, only with restrictions well that's a totally different ball game there. Same for land.

Sorry for the off topic rant but I just wanted to set things straight.

It is absolutely hilarious how these old miserable gits are in every topic telling people to spend 500b on a Thai Elite visa.

Why the heck would anyone want to pay 500,000 baht just to visit a country and not for any kind of work opportunity?

so last week a visa was a 1000 baht and this week I am going to spend 500,000 baht for the right to come to a country as a tourist and spend money there?

and then they drop lines like

"Oh what, you can't afford it?"...

Like, I am trying to think how much money I would need in the bank before pissing away 500,000 baht on an Elite card would make sense to me... it would be a very large number.

You don't need to spend a baht on visa.

Arrive at suvarnabhumi, get your 30 days, no questions asked.

Do overtime if you want or not.

Exit, pay overtime fee if applicable.

Reenter same airport.

Repeat until death.

Try for comparison to do overtime in the US and see what happens.

Thailand is generous with possibilities to stay in their country.

Unfortunately this does not work.

If you have x visa exempt stamps or more (I think its 4) they will take you aside and question you.

Happened to me twice:

First time was in 2014, they would not allow me entry because I had too many visa exempt stamps (I think I had 4 of those, all within 8-9 months).

Had to bribe some officer to get in (had no choice since all my stuff was in Thailand).

After that "pleasant" experience, I immediately left Thailand, since didn't want to deal with such incidents again.

Came back again this year, after 14 months out of the country, for a three days visit, with an outward ticket and a hotel reservation, and again was taken aside and questioned.

You have more than x visa exempt stamps in your passport - you get questioned.

Their system automatically marks you as a suspect for something (what exactly?), even if you stayed out of the country for over a year.

Anyway this time they allowed me in after I showed the plane ticket + hotel reservation, and showed them I have not been in Thailand for 14 months.

But still it was a very unpleasant experience, and I will not want to go through that again, so probably will not come to Thailand with the same passport again.

And by the way their immigration officers at the airport hardly spoke any English, so that's another obstacle...

Unfortunately this does not work.

If you have x visa exempt stamps or more (I think its 4) they will take you aside and question you.

Happened to me twice:

First time was in 2014, they would not allow me entry because I had too many visa exempt stamps (I think I had 4 of those, all within 8-9 months).

Had to bribe some officer to get in (had no choice since all my stuff was in Thailand).

After that "pleasant" experience, I immediately left Thailand, since didn't want to deal with such incidents again.

Came back again this year, after 14 months out of the country, for a three days visit, with an outward ticket and a hotel reservation, and again was taken aside and questioned.

You have more than x visa exempt stamps in your passport - you get questioned.

Their system automatically marks you as a suspect for something (what exactly?), even if you stayed out of the country for over a year.

Anyway this time they allowed me in after I showed the plane ticket + hotel reservation, and showed them I have not been in Thailand for 14 months.

But still it was a very unpleasant experience, and I will not want to go through that again, so probably will not come to Thailand with the same passport again.

And by the way their immigration officers at the airport hardly spoke any English, so that's another obstacle...

This is weird cos i have like more than 16 visa exempt stamps in my passport in the last 3 years and never had any issues.. only one time i was questioned was during a trip back from Vietnam, the IO asked me, "what you do in Bangkok?" I replied him that my gf is thai and i run my own business in Singapore. He nodded and stamp my passport.

the only reason why i wanted the tourist visa is simply cos it is end of the year and i don't fancy flying to and fro.. (in case anyone questions me again on why do i want a tourist visa, lol) Not to rude but are you non Asian?

Unfortunately this does not work.

If you have x visa exempt stamps or more (I think its 4) they will take you aside and question you.

Happened to me twice:

First time was in 2014, they would not allow me entry because I had too many visa exempt stamps (I think I had 4 of those, all within 8-9 months).

Had to bribe some officer to get in (had no choice since all my stuff was in Thailand).

After that "pleasant" experience, I immediately left Thailand, since didn't want to deal with such incidents again.

Came back again this year, after 14 months out of the country, for a three days visit, with an outward ticket and a hotel reservation, and again was taken aside and questioned.

You have more than x visa exempt stamps in your passport - you get questioned.

Their system automatically marks you as a suspect for something (what exactly?), even if you stayed out of the country for over a year.

Anyway this time they allowed me in after I showed the plane ticket + hotel reservation, and showed them I have not been in Thailand for 14 months.

But still it was a very unpleasant experience, and I will not want to go through that again, so probably will not come to Thailand with the same passport again.

And by the way their immigration officers at the airport hardly spoke any English, so that's another obstacle...

This is weird cos i have like more than 16 visa exempt stamps in my passport in the last 3 years and never had any issues.. only one time i was questioned was during a trip back from Vietnam, the IO asked me, "what you do in Bangkok?" I replied him that my gf is thai and i run my own business in Singapore. He nodded and stamp my passport.

the only reason why i wanted the tourist visa is simply cos it is end of the year and i don't fancy flying to and fro.. (in case anyone questions me again on why do i want a tourist visa, lol) Not to rude but are you non Asian?

Sound like a mono-linguistic English speaking person who believes the World should speak English for his benefit!

Perhaps when he returns he will make an effort to learn some Thai !

Unfortunately this does not work.

If you have x visa exempt stamps or more (I think its 4) they will take you aside and question you.

Happened to me twice:

First time was in 2014, they would not allow me entry because I had too many visa exempt stamps (I think I had 4 of those, all within 8-9 months).

Had to bribe some officer to get in (had no choice since all my stuff was in Thailand).

After that "pleasant" experience, I immediately left Thailand, since didn't want to deal with such incidents again.

Came back again this year, after 14 months out of the country, for a three days visit, with an outward ticket and a hotel reservation, and again was taken aside and questioned.

You have more than x visa exempt stamps in your passport - you get questioned.

Their system automatically marks you as a suspect for something (what exactly?), even if you stayed out of the country for over a year.

Anyway this time they allowed me in after I showed the plane ticket + hotel reservation, and showed them I have not been in Thailand for 14 months.

But still it was a very unpleasant experience, and I will not want to go through that again, so probably will not come to Thailand with the same passport again.

And by the way their immigration officers at the airport hardly spoke any English, so that's another obstacle...

This is weird cos i have like more than 16 visa exempt stamps in my passport in the last 3 years and never had any issues.. only one time i was questioned was during a trip back from Vietnam, the IO asked me, "what you do in Bangkok?" I replied him that my gf is thai and i run my own business in Singapore. He nodded and stamp my passport.

the only reason why i wanted the tourist visa is simply cos it is end of the year and i don't fancy flying to and fro.. (in case anyone questions me again on why do i want a tourist visa, lol) Not to rude but are you non Asian?

Sound like a mono-linguistic English speaking person who believes the World should speak English for his benefit!

Perhaps when he returns he will make an effort to learn some Thai !

You are obviously have some issues, but anyway:

English is the most widely spoken language on planet Earth (not sure about your planet).

Its not by accident that signs in the airport are in English, and so are signs in the highways, malls, BTS, etc, and also restaurant menus etc.

And English is not my mother tongue, but obviously I write well enough

Unfortunately this does not work.

If you have x visa exempt stamps or more (I think its 4) they will take you aside and question you.

Happened to me twice:

First time was in 2014, they would not allow me entry because I had too many visa exempt stamps (I think I had 4 of those, all within 8-9 months).

Had to bribe some officer to get in (had no choice since all my stuff was in Thailand).

After that "pleasant" experience, I immediately left Thailand, since didn't want to deal with such incidents again.

Came back again this year, after 14 months out of the country, for a three days visit, with an outward ticket and a hotel reservation, and again was taken aside and questioned.

You have more than x visa exempt stamps in your passport - you get questioned.

Their system automatically marks you as a suspect for something (what exactly?), even if you stayed out of the country for over a year.

Anyway this time they allowed me in after I showed the plane ticket + hotel reservation, and showed them I have not been in Thailand for 14 months.

But still it was a very unpleasant experience, and I will not want to go through that again, so probably will not come to Thailand with the same passport again.

And by the way their immigration officers at the airport hardly spoke any English, so that's another obstacle...

This is weird cos i have like more than 16 visa exempt stamps in my passport in the last 3 years and never had any issues.. only one time i was questioned was during a trip back from Vietnam, the IO asked me, "what you do in Bangkok?" I replied him that my gf is thai and i run my own business in Singapore. He nodded and stamp my passport.

the only reason why i wanted the tourist visa is simply cos it is end of the year and i don't fancy flying to and fro.. (in case anyone questions me again on why do i want a tourist visa, lol) Not to rude but are you non Asian?

Sound like a mono-linguistic English speaking person who believes the World should speak English for his benefit!

Perhaps when he returns he will make an effort to learn some Thai !

You are obviously have some issues, but anyway:

English is the most widely spoken language on planet Earth (not sure about your planet).

Its not by accident that signs in the airport are in English, and so are signs in the highways, malls, BTS, etc, and also restaurant menus etc.

And English is not my mother tongue, but obviously I write well enough

Wrong !

Mandarin followed by Spanish are the most widely spoken languages on Planet Earth!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_languages_by_number_of_native_speakers

ummm.. i speak Mandarin.

ummm.. i speak Mandarin.

ummm.. i speak Mandarin.

Good !

I have working knowledge of three languages!

I also.never complain about those who do not speak English in countries where English is not commonly used.

Edited October 19, 201510 yr by oncearugge