Newbie help

[vonnegutreader]

Hi All,

Sorry if some of these questions have been asked but looked all over this forum and the internet and cannot find the exact answers I need in one place. I would appreciate some help on this. Here's my situation. American citizen currently living in HCM with a Vn visa exemption. I am ready to move on and wanted to try Bangkok for a bit(3-9 months) before I head back to the states. I wanted to know how long I could actually stay for and how many times I could re-enter Thailand for border runs be it land or air. From what I understand, I would get 60 day visa from the Thai embassy here in HCM for $60 for a 60 day stay and get a 30 day extension($60) in Bkk for a total of 90 days. I cannot tell if I need to purchase a flight out ticket within 59 days to show to airport when entering...there has been mixed info on this. Also confused about showing sufficient funds as they want to see I have enough money? Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you all!

[sunnyjim5]

It would seem you only qualify for a Tourist visa. The Thai Embassy /consulate in HCM will tell you what their requirements are for issuing the visa.

You can obtain Thai tourist visas, easily , from Vientiane, Laos or Penang, Malaysia. There is no restriction on the number you can have although some Embassy's/Consulates do/will limit the number of back to back visas they will issue.

If you enter Thailand with a visa the immigration officers will not be looking for evidence of a ticket out of the country it is also unlikely they will ask about funds but the equivalent of 10,000Bht in cash would be adequate if they ask.

Using "visa exempt" (30 day) entry's on an ongoing or back to back basis will attract the attention of the immigration officers who may challenge your purpose for being in Thailand and your source of finance.

[vonnegutreader]

[it would seem you only qualify for a Tourist visa. The Thai Embassy /consulate in HCM will tell you what their requirements are for issuing the visa.

You can obtain Thai tourist visas, easily , from Vientiane, Laos or Penang, Malaysia. There is no restriction on the number you can have although some Embassy's/Consulates do/will limit the number of back to back visas they will issue.

If you enter Thailand with a visa the immigration officers will not be looking for evidence of a ticket out of the country it is also unlikely they will ask about funds but the equivalent of 10,000Bht in cash would be adequate if they ask.

Using "visa exempt" (30 day) entry's on an ongoing or back to back basis will attract the attention of the immigration officers who may challenge your purpose for being in Thailand and your source of finance.]

Thanks so much for the reply! I guess my plan is to do the first initial 90 days (60 day + extension) then if all goes well and I enjoy being there, maybe head to Hanoi by air or any of the following countries you mentioned by bus and obtain another 60 day and then extend again and wash rinse repeat until I'm ready to leave So, realistically..how long could I do this for? A year or two?

Also, I have seen new restriction articles on border runs to convenient locales by bus. Will this be an issue?

Thanks again!

[BritTim]

As I recall, the tourist visa from the consulate in HCMC costs $40. As stated, a 30-day extension for 1,900 baht (around $53) is available

You do not need an onward ticket out of Thailand for Thai immigration. However, I do not think the consulate will issue you a visa without evidence of onward travel. I have been told that, in lieu of this, the consulate will accept a bank statement (unsure of how much money they want to see in there) instead. You could confirm this.

If you have not visited Thailand on visa exempt entries before, you should be able to get several (both by air and through most land borders) before encountering problems. 30-day extensions are available also.

[sunnyjim5]

[it would seem you only qualify for a Tourist visa. The Thai Embassy /consulate in HCM will tell you what their requirements are for issuing the visa.

You can obtain Thai tourist visas, easily , from Vientiane, Laos or Penang, Malaysia. There is no restriction on the number you can have although some Embassy's/Consulates do/will limit the number of back to back visas they will issue.

If you enter Thailand with a visa the immigration officers will not be looking for evidence of a ticket out of the country it is also unlikely they will ask about funds but the equivalent of 10,000Bht in cash would be adequate if they ask.

Using "visa exempt" (30 day) entry's on an ongoing or back to back basis will attract the attention of the immigration officers who may challenge your purpose for being in Thailand and your source of finance.]

Thanks so much for the reply! I guess my plan is to do the first initial 90 days (60 day + extension) then if all goes well and I enjoy being there, maybe head to Hanoi by air or any of the following countries you mentioned by bus and obtain another 60 day and then extend again and wash rinse repeat until I'm ready to leave So, realistically..how long could I do this for? A year or two?

You could do as you suggest for as long as you can obtain a tourist visas !

Be aware that Immigration may also ask what you are doing and how it is being funded if you have a significant number of back to back visas in your passport.

[vonnegutreader]

[it would seem you only qualify for a Tourist visa. The Thai Embassy /consulate in HCM will tell you what their requirements are for issuing the visa.

You can obtain Thai tourist visas, easily , from Vientiane, Laos or Penang, Malaysia. There is no restriction on the number you can have although some Embassy's/Consulates do/will limit the number of back to back visas they will issue.

If you enter Thailand with a visa the immigration officers will not be looking for evidence of a ticket out of the country it is also unlikely they will ask about funds but the equivalent of 10,000Bht in cash would be adequate if they ask.

Using "visa exempt" (30 day) entry's on an ongoing or back to back basis will attract the attention of the immigration officers who may challenge your purpose for being in Thailand and your source of finance.]

Thanks so much for the reply! I guess my plan is to do the first initial 90 days (60 day + extension) then if all goes well and I enjoy being there, maybe head to Hanoi by air or any of the following countries you mentioned by bus and obtain another 60 day and then extend again and wash rinse repeat until I'm ready to leave So, realistically..how long could I do this for? A year or two?

You could do as you suggest for as long as you can obtain a tourist visas !

Be aware that Immigration may also ask what you are doing and how it is being funded if you have a significant number of back to back visas in your passport.

Is obtaining tourist visas consecutively an issue for most people?! I also mentioned this in my original reply after your reply. Also, I have seen new restriction articles on border runs to convenient locales by bus. Will this be an issue? Thanks again guys, you guys are the best!

[BritTim]

Is obtaining tourist visas consecutively an issue for most people?! I also mentioned this in my original reply after your reply. Also, I have seen new restriction articles on border runs to convenient locales by bus. Will this be an issue? Thanks again guys, you guys are the best!

In Vientiane/Savannakhet and Penang, at least, there is no problem with a couple of consecutive visas. Border runs by land can be an issue. This thread, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856730-border-run-alternatives/, is a reliable source for where runs are possible, where they are restricted, and where they are fairly safe. In summary, to Myanmar they are normally not possible, to Cambodia you can do them if you have few prior visa exempt entries, to Laos they tend to be OK.

[vonnegutreader]

Is obtaining tourist visas consecutively an issue for most people?! I also mentioned this in my original reply after your reply. Also, I have seen new restriction articles on border runs to convenient locales by bus. Will this be an issue? Thanks again guys, you guys are the best!

In Vientiane/Savannakhet and Penang, at least, there is no problem with a couple of consecutive visas. Border runs by land can be an issue. This thread, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856730-border-run-alternatives/, is a reliable source for where runs are possible, where they are restricted, and where they are fairly safe. In summary, to Myanmar they are normally not possible, to Cambodia you can do them if you have few prior visa exempt entries, to Laos they tend to be OK.

Thanks BritTim!

[sunnyjim5]

vonnegutreader

How many TV's a person obtains is not an issue that concerns me. I just attempted to set out fact for you.

Some of the Thai/Cambodian borders have restricted visa exempt entries to 3 in any 12 month period.

A few borders posts will not permit visa runs for visa exempt entries.

The "visa run" companies, which many people use, are aware of where these restrictions are in place.

[vonnegutreader]

vonnegutreader

How many TV's a person obtains is not an issue that concerns me. I just attempted to set out fact for you.

Some of the Thai/Cambodian borders have restricted visa exempt entries to 3 in any 12 month period.

A few borders posts will not permit visa runs for visa exempt entries.

The "visa run" companies, which many people use, are aware of where these restrictions are in place.

Thanks sunnyjim5 for all the helpful info. I guess my plan was to always leave once I got my 90 days in, hopefully not have an issue purchasing and obtaining another 60 day tourist visa from the bordering countries Thai embassies. So technically, I wouldn't be entering on my visa exempt status so hopefully that should help everything go more smoothly?

[vonnegutreader]

Update: I went to the Thai embassy in HCMC today and was told I would need a onward travel ticket leaving Thailand before my 90 days would be up. If I only had a bus ticket to show onward travel, I would need to show a bank statement. Just wanted to pass along this info if anyone else was wondering. My situation is, not sure yet where I will be heading once my 3 months are up, should I buy a refundable ticket?! If so, anyone have experience with doing this...best airline, no fees, no hassles, can do it consecutively every three months and they won't question why you always ask for your refund back?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[sunnyjim5]

Update: I went to the Thai embassy in HCMC today and was told I would need a onward travel ticket leaving Thailand before my 90 days would be up. If I only had a bus ticket to show onward travel, I would need to show a bank statement. Just wanted to pass along this info if anyone else was wondering. My situation is, not sure yet where I will be heading once my 3 months are up, should I buy a refundable ticket?! If so, anyone have experience with doing this...best airline, no fees, no hassles, can do it consecutively every three months and they won't question why you always ask for your refund back?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Air Asia offers low cost fares to many destinations outside Thailand. Just search and buy the cheapest ticket. Some tickets are so cheap that if you did not want to use the ticket nothing much would be lost

[vonnegutreader]

Update: I went to the Thai embassy in HCMC today and was told I would need a onward travel ticket leaving Thailand before my 90 days would be up. If I only had a bus ticket to show onward travel, I would need to show a bank statement. Just wanted to pass along this info if anyone else was wondering. My situation is, not sure yet where I will be heading once my 3 months are up, should I buy a refundable ticket?! If so, anyone have experience with doing this...best airline, no fees, no hassles, can do it consecutively every three months and they won't question why you always ask for your refund back?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Air Asia offers low cost fares to many destinations outside Thailand. Just search and buy the cheapest ticket. Some tickets are so cheap that if you did not want to use the ticket nothing much would be lost

Thanks but I'm really not looking to lose any money at all. I just googled and could not find what airlines do refunds. Anyone know about this?

[sunnyjim5]

Update: I went to the Thai embassy in HCMC today and was told I would need a onward travel ticket leaving Thailand before my 90 days would be up. If I only had a bus ticket to show onward travel, I would need to show a bank statement. Just wanted to pass along this info if anyone else was wondering. My situation is, not sure yet where I will be heading once my 3 months are up, should I buy a refundable ticket?! If so, anyone have experience with doing this...best airline, no fees, no hassles, can do it consecutively every three months and they won't question why you always ask for your refund back?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Air Asia offers low cost fares to many destinations outside Thailand. Just search and buy the cheapest ticket. Some tickets are so cheap that if you did not want to use the ticket nothing much would be lost

Thanks but I'm really not looking to lose any money at all. I just googled and could not find what airlines do refunds. Anyone know about this?

Refunds cost (lose) money and are associated with expensive tickets. Try Thai Airways.

[lkv]

If you want to go the route that was suggested by sunnyjim5, bear in mind that even Thai Airways has cheaper less flexible tickets where there is a cancellation fee (Economy Restricted).

What you need is a fully flexible ticket if you don't want to have a cancellation cost.

[lkv]

Can you not print them a foreign bank statement or they will not take that?

[BritTim]

Thanks but I'm really not looking to lose any money at all. I just googled and could not find what airlines do refunds. Anyone know about this?

These days, even for refundable tickets, there is generally (always?) a cancellation fee that tends to cost more than the cheapest flights on Air Asia. Looking well ahead, a cheap flight out of Thailand costs, usually, less than $30.

[vonnegutreader]

Can you not print them a foreign bank statement or they will not take that?

No. They seem to be pretty set with the rules as what the woman told me was also posted on a sheet on the wall. I had asked before and others people seem to think that I would not have an issue without an onward ticket. Maybe it just changed? The fact that I may have to deal with this every three months is a bummer. I assume others have to go through this also?

And what is a 'fully flexible ticket' and which airlines offer this out of Thailand?

[lkv]

Can you not print them a foreign bank statement or they will not take that?

No. They seem to be pretty set with the rules as what the woman told me was also posted on a sheet on the wall. I had asked before and others people seem to think that I would not have an issue without an onward ticket. Maybe it just changed? The fact that I may have to deal with this every three months is a bummer. I assume others have to go through this also?

And what is a 'fully flexible ticket' and which airlines offer this out of Thailand?

1. So what statement do they take. Thai bank? And if so can you find out if a bank book is sufficient or they want one from the bank.

2. You won't have to go through this every time, some places don't ask you for the ticket, but some do. HCMN does.

3. Just checked Thai Airways, it seems that Restricted Economy is 2,000 baht to cancel, even Business has a 50 dollar cancellation fee. Same for Malaysia Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Singapore Airlines, etc.

Your best option is Air Asia. The other best option you have I cannot describe over here in the forum but involves a computer also.

[vonnegutreader]

Can you not print them a foreign bank statement or they will not take that?

No. They seem to be pretty set with the rules as what the woman told me was also posted on a sheet on the wall. I had asked before and others people seem to think that I would not have an issue without an onward ticket. Maybe it just changed? The fact that I may have to deal with this every three months is a bummer. I assume others have to go through this also?

And what is a 'fully flexible ticket' and which airlines offer this out of Thailand?

1. So what statement do they take. Thai bank? And if so can you find out if a bank book is sufficient or they want one from the bank.

2. You won't have to go through this every time, some places don't ask you for the ticket, but some do. HCMN does.

3. Just checked Thai Airways, it seems that Restricted Economy is 2,000 baht to cancel, even Business has a 50 dollar cancellation fee. Same for Malaysia Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Singapore Airlines, etc.

Your best option is Air Asia. The other best option you have I cannot describe over here in the forum but involves a computer also.

Hi, thanks for the info and good to know I may not have to go through this all the time. As far as bank statements are concerned, I told them a US bank statement is fine? They said yes because I obviously have no Thai bank account.

I think I know what you're referring to...if you don't mind, maybe I can message you and you can get me some info. Thanks!