I'm currently in Penang to obtain a new tourist visa so I thought I'd share my experiences here. I went to Penang because it's considered to be one of the easiest places to get a Thai visa. In my experience it's not really that easy.

I have 2 double entry tourist visa's in my passport already which have all been extended. They were both obtained in 2015, one in Bali and the other one in Vientiane Laos. In between I have also used one visa exemption and only left Thailand briefly in between entries.

Because I wasn't sure about the situation at Penang's consulate, I thought going through an agency is the best option for me. I asked around at about 5 visa agencies and they all told me that it will be difficult for me to get a new tourist visa. The 2 double entry visa's count as 4 visa's and the consulate only gives out TR to people with 1 or 2 visa's in their passport. This is what I've been told by almost all agencies.

The rate I was charged was 150 RM + 40 RM agency fee and then some under the table money to give to the consulate officer. This amount varied from one agency to another but I was charged as much as 3000 Baht. This amount will come on top of the 190 RM.

The cheapest agency I found charged me 240 RM total and they assured me this would be sufficient and there would be no problem. After picking up my passport however, I was told that I had to pay an extra 50 RM of under the table money. I don't think I would have been able to get the visa had I gone there by myself. I would have been interviewed at least but probably denied.

If you already had 2 or more entries into Thailand on a TR visa, I would say it's unlikely you'll get a new one without bribing. If you can continue to get TR visa's on a new passport is something all agencies had different answers to. I personally don't think I will be applying for a Thai visa at Penang's 'easy' consulate again.

Did they put any red warning stamp in your passport or on the visa?

No they didn't. They just put it in normally.

Agent told me the same, my passport is full of tourist visas mixed with a few one year visas, I went on my own, had Triple entry from the U.S. They just want you to go in person so they can question you, but nothing was said to me. I was not ask anything, got single entry no questions ask, and uber made the trip to and from the Embassy cheap

I think the OP was shafted but ohh well nothing new Agent told me same line, they count doubles and triples as seperate Visas. I had 2 years of tourist visas, plus a few one year visas before that. Anyway next year I will get the retirement visa if I stick around but in the mean time I am one of those big bad evil forginers staying in Thailand on tourist Visas, next month back to the U.S, get the METV then I am good untill I get the retirement visa

Edited June 24, 201610 yr by genobkk

Agent told me the same, my passport is full of tourist visas mixed with a few one year visas, I went on my own, had Triple entry from the U.S. They just want you to go in person so they can question you, but nothing was said to me. I was not ask anything, got single entry no questions ask, and uber made the trip to and from the Embassy cheap

How long ago was this?

Agent told me the same, my passport is full of tourist visas mixed with a few one year visas, I went on my own, had Triple entry from the U.S. They just want you to go in person so they can question you, but nothing was said to me. I was not ask anything, got single entry no questions ask, and uber made the trip to and from the Embassy cheap

How long ago was this?

3 months ago, as I said I called to Penaang agent and was fed the same line. Untill we.read several people getting denied I will assume all is good, as I pointed out they just want to be able to question those with many, I met this one young guy bragging about being a property broker in Phuvket while applying for his tourist visa. That is what they want stopped.

Edited June 24, 201610 yr by genobkk

Agent told me the same, my passport is full of tourist visas mixed with a few one year visas, I went on my own, had Triple entry from the U.S. They just want you to go in person so they can question you, but nothing was said to me. I was not ask anything, got single entry no questions ask, and uber made the trip to and from the Embassy cheap

I think the OP was shafted but ohh well nothing new Agent told me same line, they count doubles and triples as seperate Visas. I had 2 years of tourist visas, plus a few one year visas before that. Anyway next year I will get the retirement visa if I stick around but in the mean time I am one of those big bad evil forginers staying in Thailand on tourist Visas, next month back to the U.S, get the METV then I am good untill I get the retirement visa

Thanks for the tip on using Uber to get around Penang. Cheap as chips.