One year on tourist visa

[Thaidream]

If Thailand is content with the increase in Chinese visitors who buy everything in a package and spend virtually nothing to help local vendors- t they have got it. The big spending offshore workers and those from America and Canada will give Thailand a miss. Actually, the value for money spent is low compared to other Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and Vietnam. The Chinese bring nothing to Thailand except bad manners and increasing numbers. Talk to hoteliers and they will tell you who they prefer as customers and then talk to the restaurants and nightlife establishments which are going broke due to lack of business. If this is what the government wants then they are on the right track. However, if I was a business person that depended on the tourist trade, I wouldn't be too happy right now.

[jacksam]

I am sure you are correct but it is too bad because people under 50 also have families and children and want to live like the rest of us- in peace. Thailand is becoming too much like the West - an that is a shame because the West is what those of us who are long term residents have escaped from.

I hope you remain in los, seriously. If not have a look elsewhere. I'm currently in sihanoukville after some time in Vietnam. Great places. As you state the deal breaker is if you have a tgh. They won't be happy outside los. You could get married. (Don't)

Good luck. I'm thinking you will be fine after Nov 13

[louse1953]

I was thinking of retiring to Thailand But the Visa System they have is just to complicated if I apply for a retirement Visa and get it then the Visa should be for Life not for 1 year only at a time,Iam now thinking of Retiring to South of France as UK Citizen it far easier and the weather is great.

Enjoy the frogs and snails.If you can't handle a bit of paperwork like the rest of us rocket scientists don't both coming,enough whingers here already.

[Thaidream]

Already married with children and committed to Thailand but I will be honest with you after 50 years in this place if I was not committed to it I would be looking at other locations. There is too much turmoil and moving the goal posts. Immigration needs to get its act together and make rules that are fair and easy to understand and are applied the same everywhere. There needs to be co-ordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who establishes Visa rules and the Immigration department that applies immigration law. People are starting to vote with their feet. If that is what Thailand wants so be it. However, they need to remember this as more and more people start to explore other areas where there is less hassle they will not return to Thailand. I see tourism on a decline in Thailand due to bad press, increased prices and a government who can't seem to get the Immigration department straightened out. I still have my retirement extension but I feel sorry for those who were lead to believe that they could enjoy life in Thailand while under the age of 50 and are now in danger of being forced out.

[oncearugge]

South Africa !

http://www.thaiembassy.org/pretoria/contents/files/services-20151030-163850-212491.pdf

NB

ZAR = South African Rand

[elviajero]

South Africa !

http://www.thaiembassy.org/pretoria/contents/files/services-20151030-163850-212491.pdf

NB

ZAR = South African Rand

Another one only offering it to nationals or permanent residents.

[oncearugge]

South Africa !

http://www.thaiembassy.org/pretoria/contents/files/services-20151030-163850-212491.pdf

NB

ZAR = South African Rand

Another one only offering it to nationals or permanent residents.

Did you note how similar the wording is to other countries who have posted METV requirements?

Centrally mandated ?

[elviajero]

South Africa !

http://www.thaiembassy.org/pretoria/contents/files/services-20151030-163850-212491.pdf

NB

ZAR = South African Rand

Another one only offering it to nationals or permanent residents.

Did you note how similar the wording is to other countries who have posted METV requirements?

Centrally mandated ?

Yes, it looks very much like it is.

[kanook]

Can you tell me why Thailand have retirement Visa but it has to be renewed every Year i dont want any hassle to renew the retirement Visa every year,what happens if you go up to renew the Visa and you get someone having a bad day and refuses to renew it,as i want to Buy a Condo in the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Bangkok as my Idea was to live there permanently and it is not cheap.for i of there Condos.

I agree with oncearugge, take a look at the Thailand Elite program. You seem to be exactly the type of person they had in mind for this program.

[louse1953]

You will go to consulates that previously issued double and triple tv and obtain METV. Easy peasy.

Why do you post that "information" in many topics about "long stay Tourist" visa ?

when in reality nobody knows yet if METV will be available outside the country of residence...

Probability is high that you are just giving false information...

Could n't someone head for another nearby country. Rent an Apartment/condo/whatever use the rental contract to open a bank account. Get letter from bank to proof address and use such documents to prove residence it that nearby country? If necessary take a driving test to obtain driving licence to further prove residency in said country and then obtain METV that way all while enjoying a few months away from LOS?

Just asking...

At a wild guess i would say your passport would determine your home country.

[oncearugge]

You will go to consulates that previously issued double and triple tv and obtain METV. Easy peasy.

Why do you post that "information" in many topics about "long stay Tourist" visa ?

when in reality nobody knows yet if METV will be available outside the country of residence...

Probability is high that you are just giving false information...

Could n't someone head for another nearby country. Rent an Apartment/condo/whatever use the rental contract to open a bank account. Get letter from bank to proof address and use such documents to prove residence it that nearby country? If necessary take a driving test to obtain driving licence to further prove residency in said country and then obtain METV that way all while enjoying a few months away from LOS?

Just asking...

At a wild guess i would say your passport would determine your home country.

Correct.

Sneaking into a country and renting somewhere to live does not establish a "right of residence".........

[louse1953]

Already married with children and committed to Thailand but I will be honest with you after 50 years in this place if I was not committed to it I would be looking at other locations. There is too much turmoil and moving the goal posts. Immigration needs to get its act together and make rules that are fair and easy to understand and are applied the same everywhere. There needs to be co-ordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who establishes Visa rules and the Immigration department that applies immigration law. People are starting to vote with their feet. If that is what Thailand wants so be it. However, they need to remember this as more and more people start to explore other areas where there is less hassle they will not return to Thailand. I see tourism on a decline in Thailand due to bad press, increased prices and a government who can't seem to get the Immigration department straightened out. I still have my retirement extension but I feel sorry for those who were lead to believe that they could enjoy life in Thailand while under the age of 50 and are now in danger of being forced out.

That last sentence is bunkum.Under 50's that were not married were living here on tourist visa's,dodgy Ed visas and other rorts.They abused the system and now they have made it harder for everybody.They should have your contempt,not your pity.

[JackThompson]

...I still have my retirement extension but I feel sorry for those who were lead to believe that they could enjoy life in Thailand while under the age of 50 and are now in danger of being forced out.

That last sentence is bunkum.Under 50's that were not married were living here on tourist visa's,dodgy Ed visas and other rorts.They abused the system and now they have made it harder for everybody.They should have your contempt,not your pity.

Most on those visas followed the rules, "abused" nothing, and "made it harder" on no one. I have yet to find a victim of visa "abuse," unless you count the illegal-hiring, but that is a different issue.

The lawless types will have no problem obtaining visas and working illegally. How much does a loveless-marriage cost such people? Only obtaining visas by those following the rules has been made harder - but still not out of the realm for those with a few grand in a bank to show plus airfare.

[paz]

The lawless types will have no problem obtaining visas and working illegally. How much does a loveless-marriage cost such people?

It would cost them a good effort because Immigration checks throughtlly all and any extension of stay for marriage.

[elviajero]

...I still have my retirement extension but I feel sorry for those who were lead to believe that they could enjoy life in Thailand while under the age of 50 and are now in danger of being forced out.

That last sentence is bunkum.Under 50's that were not married were living here on tourist visa's,dodgy Ed visas and other rorts.They abused the system and now they have made it harder for everybody.They should have your contempt,not your pity.

Most on those visas followed the rules, "abused" nothing, and "made it harder" on no one. I have yet to find a victim of visa "abuse," unless you count the illegal-hiring, but that is a different issue.

The lawless types will have no problem obtaining visas and working illegally. How much does a loveless-marriage cost such people? Only obtaining visas by those following the rules has been made harder - but still not out of the realm for those with a few grand in a bank to show plus airfare.

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows little about what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

[oncearugge]

...I still have my retirement extension but I feel sorry for those who were lead to believe that they could enjoy life in Thailand while under the age of 50 and are now in danger of being forced out.

That last sentence is bunkum.Under 50's that were not married were living here on tourist visa's,dodgy Ed visas and other rorts.They abused the system and now they have made it harder for everybody.They should have your contempt,not your pity.

Most on those visas followed the rules, "abused" nothing, and "made it harder" on no one. I have yet to find a victim of visa "abuse," unless you count the illegal-hiring, but that is a different issue.

The lawless types will have no problem obtaining visas and working illegally. How much does a loveless-marriage cost such people? Only obtaining visas by those following the rules has been made harder - but still not out of the realm for those with a few grand in a bank to show plus airfare.

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows little about what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

Most visa/extension of stay categories have been affect by various "creative" scams indulged in by those who cannot afford or who do not qualify to remain in Thailand "legally".

[jspill]

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows little about what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

Well I've been here the best part of a decade and can't see any way genuine tourists have been affected, in any fashion.

[elviajero]

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows little about what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

Well I've been here the best part of a decade and can't see any way genuine tourists have been affected, in any fashion.

A few examples

• O&G workers that come here on their time off.
• People with funds to support their stay that are under 50 and not working.
• Those here to do study courses.
• Between 2006 and 2008 visa exempt entries limited to 90 days within 180 days.

I could go on but if you have been here 10 years and can't see how the abuse of visas has affected genuine tourists then there's little point in a discussion.

[jacksam]

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

Well I've been here the best part of a decade and can't see any way genuine tourists have been affected, in any fashion.

A few examples

• O&G workers that come here on their time off.
• People with funds to support their stay that are under 50 and not working.
• Those here to do study courses.
• Between 2006 and 2008 visa exempt entries limited to 90 days within 180 days.

I could go on but if you have been here 10 years and can't see how the abuse of visas has affected genuine tourists then there's little point in a discussion.

You have gone on maybe. First of all why include visa exempt in your post. They are not visas. Also can you quote a limit on the number of back to back tv. What's wrong with just following the rules. Rule for tv is exactly what in your book. Please dont play the "genuine tourist " card. I live here on yearly extensions. Guess what. News flash. I'm a tourist

[jacksam]

Please define genuine tourist??

[jspill]

O&G workers are still fine.

Students aren't tourists.

Yeah so after 2 years they realised that visa waiver thing was a bad idea, so what. Since then we've seen G7 countries having 30 days at land borders instead of 15, the ability to extend to 60 days instead of 37, and free tourist visas at some points for certain nationalities.

[elviajero]

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

Well I've been here the best part of a decade and can't see any way genuine tourists have been affected, in any fashion.

A few examples

• O&G workers that come here on their time off.
• People with funds to support their stay that are under 50 and not working.
• Those here to do study courses.
• Between 2006 and 2008 visa exempt entries limited to 90 days within 180 days.

I could go on but if you have been here 10 years and can't see how the abuse of visas has affected genuine tourists then there's little point in a discussion.

You have gone on maybe. First of all why include visa exempt in your post. They are not visas. Also can you quote a limit on the number of back to back tv. What's wrong with just following the rules. Rule for tv is exactly what in your book. Please dont play the "genuine tourist " card. I live here on yearly extensions. Guess what. News flash. I'm a tourist

Because visa exempt entry is for tourists.

I could have included TR restrictions but four examples were enough.

If you're on yearly extensions you are not entering with a TR or VEE.

[elviajero]

O&G workers are still fine.

Students aren't tourists.

Yeah so after 2 years they realised that visa waiver thing was a bad idea, so what. Since then we've seen G7 countries having 30 days at land borders instead of 15, the ability to extend to 60 days instead of 37, and free tourist visas at some points for certain nationalities.

No they are not. We've seen many reports of the hassle some have had at passport control. One denied entry. And others told to get tourist visas or be denied entry.

A tourist is entitled to study whatever they want.

It was the enforcing of the 90/180 rule that caused it to be changed. After all nationalities were limited to 15 days (affected by) they did increase G7 back to 30 but everyone else is still affected.

[jacksam]

That's clearly a naive view of someone that knows what's been going on for the past 10 years and the resulting restrictions that genuine tourists are victims of.

Well I've been here the best part of a decade and can't see any way genuine tourists have been affected, in any fashion.

A few examples

• O&G workers that come here on their time off.
• People with funds to support their stay that are under 50 and not working.
• Those here to do study courses.
• Between 2006 and 2008 visa exempt entries limited to 90 days within 180 days.

I could go on but if you have been here 10 years and can't see how the abuse of visas has affected genuine tourists then there's little point in a discussion.

You have gone on maybe. First of all why include visa exempt in your post. They are not visas. Also can you quote a limit on the number of back to back tv. What's wrong with just following the rules. Rule for tv is exactly what in your book. Please dont play the "genuine tourist " card. I live here on yearly extensions. Guess what. News flash. I'm a tourist

Because visa exempt entry is for tourists.

I could have included TR restrictions but four examples were enough.

If you're on yearly extensions you are not entering with a TR or VEE.

Obviously I'm not entering on tv as I stated.

I have only been here for 4 years. Newbie. I know.

However can you direct me to a post where someone has a tv back to back and has been refused entry. Excluding those without funds or suspicion of working in los. Get back to me after your search

[jacksam]

Prey tell what is a genuine tourist. Can someone provide a definition. Not from interruption, but from what the law regards a tourist as here in thailand

[elviajero]

Please define genuine tourist??

A person travelling to Thailand for tourism and leisure activities.

[elviajero]

A few examples

• O&G workers that come here on their time off.
• People with funds to support their stay that are under 50 and not working.
• Those here to do study courses.
• Between 2006 and 2008 visa exempt entries limited to 90 days within 180 days.

I could go on but if you have been here 10 years and can't see how the abuse of visas has affected genuine tourists then there's little point in a discussion.

You have gone on maybe. First of all why include visa exempt in your post. They are not visas. Also can you quote a limit on the number of back to back tv. What's wrong with just following the rules. Rule for tv is exactly what in your book. Please dont play the "genuine tourist " card. I live here on yearly extensions. Guess what. News flash. I'm a tourist

Because visa exempt entry is for tourists.

I could have included TR restrictions but four examples were enough.

If you're on yearly extensions you are not entering with a TR or VEE.

Obviously I'm not entering on tv as I stated.

I have only been here for 4 years. Newbie. I know.

However can you direct me to a post where someone has a tv back to back and has been refused entry. Excluding those without funds or suspicion of working in los. Get back to me after your search

No because I didn't say anything about people with back to back visas being denied entry!!!

[jspill]

Well the average stay is 10 days, right, for a tourist. I recall from an old thread, where the TAT released data. How has that person been affected. Or anyone staying up to 180 days in a year, really.

[elviajero]

Well the average stay is 10 days, right, for a tourist. I recall from an old thread, where the TAT released data. How has that person been affected. Or anyone staying up to 180 days in a year, really.

I don't believe the average tourist has been affected.

Why should a tourist be limited to 180 days?

[jacksam]

A few examples

• O&G workers that come here on their time off.
• People with funds to support their stay that are under 50 and not working.
• Those here to do study courses.
• Between 2006 and 2008 visa exempt entries limited to 90 days within 180 days.

I could go on but if you have been here 10 years and can't see how the abuse of visas has affected genuine tourists then there's little point in a discussion.

You have gone on maybe. First of all why include visa exempt in your post. They are not visas. Also can you quote a limit on the number of back to back tv. What's wrong with just following the rules. Rule for tv is exactly what in your book. Please dont play the "genuine tourist " card. I live here on yearly extensions. Guess what. News flash. I'm a tourist

Because visa exempt entry is for tourists.

I could have included TR restrictions but four examples were enough.

If you're on yearly extensions you are not entering with a TR or VEE.

Obviously I'm not entering on tv as I stated.

I have only been here for 4 years. Newbie. I know.

However can you direct me to a post where someone has a tv back to back and has been refused entry. Excluding those without funds or suspicion of working in los. Get back to me after your search

No because I didn't say anything about people with back to back visas being denied entry!!!

So that means anyone can remain in Thailand on an ongoing basis based on using tourist visas. I see you finally understand the RULES.