Will I Have To Leave Thailand For 90 Days?

[bungalowbill]

Greetings...I'm a single 43 year old US citizen, I understand that the new rule is after three border stamps I will have to leave Thailand for 90 days. After the third stamp I plan to travel to Laos or another country and return with a visa, and when that expires start with the stamp runs again. I really need to know if I will have to leave Thailand for 90 days at some point or can I stay here indefinately by combining Stamp runs and Visa runs to other countries in SE Asia? I hope my question is clear, any replies will be appreciated, thanks..

newbie

Edited November 1, 2006 by bungalowbill

[lopburi3]

Only time will tell. As of now it appears you can do as you outline. But not all cards are on the table yet and we don't know how hard it may be to obtain a tourist visa after a history of non visa entries or continuous tourist visa stays.

[toptuan]

What kind of visa is a "proper" visa?

Edited November 1, 2006 by toptuan

[bungalowbill]

What kind of visa is a "proper" visa?

I'm reffering to a visa obtained at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of thailand, in my case a tourist visa obtained in Laos or another country in SE Asia. Sorry I thought that was understood

thanks

[tropo]

Greetings...I'm a single 43 year old US citizen, I understand that the new rule is after three border stamps I will have to leave Thailand for 90 days. After the third stamp I plan to travel to Laos or another country and return with a visa, and when that expires start with the stamp runs again. I really need to know if I will have to leave Thailand for 90 days at some point or can I stay here indefinately by combining Stamp runs and Visa runs to other countries in SE Asia? I hope my question is clear, any replies will be appreciated, thanks..

newbie

You're asking something we wish we could answer.

If you need a tourist visa outisde of your home country, I'd try Malaysia first as Laos is not looking good as an option, and forget about Cambodia.

[visarunner]

If you need a tourist visa outisde of your home country, I'd try Malaysia first as Laos is not looking good as an option, and forget about Cambodia.

Agree with Tropo.

Suggest also that you fly back in to avoid a possible problem at landborder.

[Maestro]

...can I stay here indefinately by combining Stamp runs and Visa runs to other countries in SE Asia?

At some point, Thai immigration authorities may ask you how you earn your living. Will you have an answer to that question?

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Maestro

[bungalowbill]

...can I stay here indefinately by combining Stamp runs and Visa runs to other countries in SE Asia?

At some point, Thai immigration authorities may ask you how you earn your living. Will you have an answer to that question?

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Maestro

Earned it already!!!!....I have a monthly retirement income from 20 years military service

[LoveDaBlues]

First, congrats on being retired at 43

You have a ways to go to reach 50 and get a retirement visa. Can you afford a trip back to the US each year to get a new 1 year non-imm 'o' multi-entry visa? This would be one solution; a pain to fly back each year but..........

[Maestro]

At some point, Thai immigration authorities may ask you how you earn your living. Will you have an answer to that question?

Earned it already!!!!....I have a monthly retirement income from 20 years military service

You will be OK then with a combination of visa-exempt entries and tourist visas, but you won’t have to do it indefinitely. At a certain age – currently 50 – you will qualify for annual extensions of stay based on retirement, but you probably know that already.

In your situation, with a bit of luck a Thai consulate in the US might even have given you a multiple-entry non-O visa for “extensive travel in Thailand and study of Thai culture”, but it seems you are already in Thailand and consulates in the region are not that customer-friendly.

Best wishes for an enjoyable life in Thailand!

---------------

Maestro

[Boatabike]

What kind of visa is a "proper" visa?

I'm reffering to a visa obtained at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of thailand, in my case a tourist visa obtained in Laos or another country in SE Asia. Sorry I thought that was understood

thanks

I used to use Laos for my 'proper' 60 day visa runs before i starting working and qualified for a work permit. The last time i went to Laos for a 60 day tourist visa i was told i would get no more as i had 3 previous 60 day visa's already back to back. No 30 day walking border runs in my passport at all, all legit tourist visas, yet they still told me don't come back and that was 2 years ago now, so with the new laws you may find you have trouble with anything back to back especially if you have the now frowned upon 30 day freeby visas in any quantity. They did give me the fourth but i have not been back since as i now don't need to. This was my personal experience, you may or may not have trouble to many unknowns to be sure, but i feel it would be more likely to be difficult than easy. Luck to you.

[bungalowbill]

First, congrats on being retired at 43

You have a ways to go to reach 50 and get a retirement visa. Can you afford a trip back to the US each year to get a new 1 year non-imm 'o' multi-entry visa? This would be one solution; a pain to fly back each year but..........

Thanks, and yes I can afford it but I didn't know I was eligible for a one year "O"...Is there a specific City where I can get one?

[Pakboong]

The spirit of the law as well as the letter is that you cannot reside in Thailand as a tourist. That is nothing new. Simply put, the immigration department intends to enforce this particular law starting 1 October 2006. Many will try to beat this law with a hodge podge of tourist and on arrival 30 day transactions which may give some relief but in certain combinations are technically not lawful. It is probable that at such time as a persons passport suggests to an immigration official that the holder is attempting to reside full time in Thailand using tourist type transactions, the holder is subject to refused entry. You may beat it but it think it would be very difficult to do long term planning.

[Maestro]

...I can afford it but I didn't know I was eligible for a one year "O"...Is there a specific City where I can get one?

The spirit of the new regulations is to discourage people on visa-exempt or tourist-visa stay to work illegally in Thailand, without paying taxes. The bureaucrats in government-staffed consulates often do not look beyond the letter of the regulations, but an honorary consul will more likely take the time and trouble to understand your situation. With proof of your pension you can easily dispel any possible suspicion that you might need to work in Thailand to support yourself. Houston has frequently been mentioned as being customer-oriented and looking at each application based on its merits.

Call the consul first and see what he says.

---------------

Maestro

[LoveDaBlues]

First, congrats on being retired at 43

You have a ways to go to reach 50 and get a retirement visa. Can you afford a trip back to the US each year to get a new 1 year non-imm 'o' multi-entry visa? This would be one solution; a pain to fly back each year but..........

Thanks, and yes I can afford it but I didn't know I was eligible for a one year "O"...Is there a specific City where I can get one?

The following info was valid in September 2005. I suggest sending an email first regarding your specific situation. It's my understanding they are liberal in giving the visa you seek. I had no problem getting mine and I wasn't 50 yet.

Contact person:

Jennifer Gauthiere [email protected]

Consul Assistant

Royal Thai Consulate General

1123 Auraria Parkway, Suite 200

Denver, CO 80204

(303) 892-0118 Tel

(303) 892-0119 Fax

What you need:

Passport

Passport Photo (1)

Visa Application (download at www.thaiembdc.org)

Money Order for $125 made payable to D.W. Ringsby

Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (US Postal Service)

Mail to:

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL

1123 AURARIA PKWY, SUITE 200

DENVER, CO 80204

[bungalowbill]

First, congrats on being retired at 43

You have a ways to go to reach 50 and get a retirement visa. Can you afford a trip back to the US each year to get a new 1 year non-imm 'o' multi-entry visa? This would be one solution; a pain to fly back each year but..........

Thanks, and yes I can afford it but I didn't know I was eligible for a one year "O"...Is there a specific City where I can get one?

The following info was valid in September 2005. I suggest sending an email first regarding your specific situation. It's my understanding they are liberal in giving the visa you seek. I had no problem getting mine and I wasn't 50 yet.

Contact person:

Jennifer Gauthiere [email protected]

Consul Assistant

Royal Thai Consulate General

1123 Auraria Parkway, Suite 200

Denver, CO 80204

(303) 892-0118 Tel

(303) 892-0119 Fax

What you need:

Passport

Passport Photo (1)

Visa Application (download at www.thaiembdc.org)

Money Order for $125 made payable to D.W. Ringsby

Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (US Postal Service)

Mail to:

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL

1123 AURARIA PKWY, SUITE 200

DENVER, CO 80204

Excellent information thanks...and thanks to all who replied