More bad news for Visa runners

[alocacoc]

If i t may not post this, sorry and please delete.

It appears, it will affect also Tourists with Single or METV.

Thai Immigration authorities will not let visa runners return after August 12

FOREIGNERS WHO do regular visa runs in order to extend their stay in Thailand have less than a month before a crackdown by the authorities to enforce immigration laws more strictly.

From August 13, people will not be able to re-enter the country, regardless of their choice of transport.

The Immigration Bureau has already instructed officials to deny entry to foreigners doing visa runs as a measure to stop the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions to live or work here.

Visa runs have been common among foreigners in Thailand recently, given that a simple search on the Net turns up several companies offering “visa trips” for expatriates staying or working here.

Visa runners are those who leave Thailand and return immediately for the purpose of extending their stay. By exploiting 60-day tourist visas and 30-day visa exemptions, many foreigners can work illegally in language schools, or restaurants and other businesses. It is easier for some to get jobs this way, as some employers do not want to go through the complicated process of seeking work permits and like to avoid the expense if they can.

“I have done visa runs several times before, because my employers would not agree to seek a work permit until I passed their probation period. So, when you stop allowing visa runs, the lives of many foreigners in Thailand will be affected,” a 46-year-old American said.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau website says: “Leniency will be granted until August 12, but only for passengers arriving by air. Foreigners who come to Thailand must seek a proper visa in line with the purpose of their intended stay here.”

Now, those on a visa run who are allowed back in will find an “O-I” (Out-In) mark next to their latest stamp marking entry. From August 13, nobody with an O-I sign on their passport will be allowed to re-enter Thailand if they cannot produce a proper visa.

The Immigration Bureau has instructed checkpoints on shared borders to stop visa runners from entering the Kingdom effective immediately.

Immigration Division 6 chief Pol Maj-General Tatchai Pitaneelabut, who oversees immigration affairs in the South, said visa runners come from several countries, including Vietnam, South Korea and Russia.

“They come here to work as tour guides, waiters, waitresses, etc,” he said, pointing out that these visa-runners are often based in tourist centres such as Phuket and Songkhla.

However, he said the presence of the so-called “out-in” migrants in the South had been significantly reduced because immigration officials were already enforcing stricter laws.

Pol Lt-Colonel Weerawat Nilwat, an inspector at the Sungai Kolok border checkpoint in Narathiwat province, disclosed that immigration officials at his workplace had already barred more than 100 visa-runners from re-entering the Kingdom.

“We have to be strict because we have to uphold laws and properly control immigrants. Efficiency on this front will also reduce crime,” he said.

Pol Colonel Thirachai Dedkhad, the superintendent at the Sa Kaew checkpoint, said officials under his supervision were not stopping visa runners from re-entering yet. “But we have been warning them to acquire a proper visa before they come to Thailand the next time.”

He said immigration officials had also warned people departing that they must obtain a proper visa if they want to come back.

“We have made it clear that if they want to work in Thailand, they must seek a work permit and get the right type of visa,” Thirachai said.

http://pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/227771/august-13-marks-end-visa-runners/

[vento]

As I read it this does not affect multi entry non o, even if such visa holder are making re-entry every 3 months. Am I correct?

[alocacoc]

Could i apply after 13 August for a SETV in Vientiane and just come back to Thailand? In my current passport is only one METV.

I guess, a lot of more confusion is coming up.

[Upnotover]

The story is 2 years old.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742834-no-more-thai-visa-runs-immigration-will-not-let-visa-runners-return-after-aug-12/

[alocacoc]

As I read it this does not affect multi entry non o, even if such visa holder are making re-entry every 3 months. Am I correct?

I guess so. They mention only Tourist Visa. But in the past, they did even visa-exempt entries mention as Tourist Visa. Since there is only Single Entry Tourist Visa and Multiple Entry Visa available, it wouldn't affect SETV anyway, because of the only one Entry. But it could affect METV. If so, how long would someone mus stay out of the Kingdom to enter again? 2 Days? 1 Week? This again will rise many questions up.

[alocacoc]

The story is 2 years old.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742834-no-more-thai-visa-runs-immigration-will-not-let-visa-runners-return-after-aug-12/

wow, the link i posted is suddenly not reachable. May be member vento can agree that the report was there. Obviously Pattayaone did a mistake. I got this "news" by their rss-feed.

[Crossy]

It appears that P.One has realised their error, I get a 404 "Page Not Found" from the link in the OP.

I'm going to close this now to avoid further speculation. If anyone has anything new please PM myself or any online Mod and we will re-open / start a new thread.

EDIT Yes alocacoc, I saw the link working, it wasn't something you ate/drank/smoked

Edit: The page has this now on it. Oops!

I think somebody read the story from two years ago.