Seeking a forth SETV

[SteveSamui6262]

Hello to all well traveled and most astute travelers.

I am seeking advice regarding my next visa run.

I entered the LOS from the U.S. just over one year ago with a SETV. With the extension, I was good for 90 days.

Then I made 3 consecrtive visa runs to the Thai Consulate in Vientiane, Laos, obtaining 1-Double Entry and 2- Sincle Entry Tourist Visas.

In two monthis I will have to make another visa run. Since I have already received three consecutive tourist visas in Vientiane, I am under the impression if I where to travel to Vientiane again in September, that the Thai Consulate very likely would give me a red stamp in my passport, advising they will not issue me a (fifth) TV in the future. Of the 20 pages in my U.S. Passport, I only have 6 blank pages left for stamps and visas.

I will soon need to obtain a new passport from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.

My questions are;

Do you recommend I should obtain a brand new passport before my next visa run, and if so, what border should I head for (I live in Bangkok)?

And

Might it be likely that an IO at Don Muang International Airport make it difficult in regards to facilitating my passage back into Thailand when arriving on a direct flight, from let's say Penang, Malaysia? (I've read that Immigration Officers at land borders are less likely to give a person holding a TV the thrid degree than the IO(s) at Bangkok's International Airports).

FYI: I am older with a very good/professional demeanor.

Your kind advice is very much welcomed and appreciated. Thank you very much.

[elviajero]

• If you have a new passport you should be able to apply in Vientiane or any of the other Thai Embassies/Consulates.

If you apply with the old passport there is a good chance you'll get the 'red stamp' or even be denied if applying at Vientiane. It would probably be better to go to Penang, Malaysia.

If you have a valid tourist visa you should have no problem entering at DM airport. The worst that is likely to happen is brief questioning about what you do in Thailand.

There is more chance of being denied at a land border, but even then it is highly unlikely if holding a valid visa.

[darrendsd]

If you don't have a warning stamp from Vientiane then you will be able to get a fourth there

Do not renew your PP before you go, do it after, you will then be able to start the whole process at Vientiane again, getting between 3-5 TV's if indeed you need them, they don't count visas issued in previous PP's only the one you are using

[elviajero]

If you don't have a warning stamp from Vientiane then you will be able to get a fourth there

Do not renew your PP before you go, do it after, you will then be able to start the whole process at Vientiane again, getting between 3-5 TV's if indeed you need them, they don't count visas issued in previous PP's only the one you are using

I don't think that we can say someone "will be able to get a fourth". I think without a warning stamp there is a good chance, but it's not guaranteed.

[darrendsd]

If you don't have a warning stamp from Vientiane then you will be able to get a fourth there

Do not renew your PP before you go, do it after, you will then be able to start the whole process at Vientiane again, getting between 3-5 TV's if indeed you need them, they don't count visas issued in previous PP's only the one you are using

I don't think that we can say someone "will be able to get a fourth". I think without a warning stamp there is a good chance, but it's not guaranteed.

I have never seen a report of someone being refused there unless they have had the warning stamp

We all know how lenient Vientiane is

[elviajero]

If you don't have a warning stamp from Vientiane then you will be able to get a fourth there

Do not renew your PP before you go, do it after, you will then be able to start the whole process at Vientiane again, getting between 3-5 TV's if indeed you need them, they don't count visas issued in previous PP's only the one you are using

I don't think that we can say someone "will be able to get a fourth". I think without a warning stamp there is a good chance, but it's not guaranteed.

I have never seen a report of someone being refused there unless they have had the warning stamp

We all know how lenient Vientiane is

Have there been any reports of people getting a fourth since the changes last November?

All I am saying is that because Vientiane has never published their limits it's unwise to say that a fourth consecutive visa "will be" issued. None of us know for sure so it's better to err on the side of caution.

[darrendsd]

A well known visa agent who runs trips to there said on this board 2 weeks ago that the limit is currently 3-5 TV's from Vientiane

That's good enough for me

[elviajero]

A well known visa agent who runs trips to there said on this board 2 weeks ago that the limit is currently 3-5 TV's from Vientiane

That's good enough for me

Which confirms my point. 3-5 means you're good for 3, but you might (not will) get 4 or 5. It's unknown. I think someone is pushing their luck going for a fourth back to back.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[darrendsd]

A well known visa agent who runs trips to there said on this board 2 weeks ago that the limit is currently 3-5 TV's from Vientiane

That's good enough for me

Which confirms my point. 3-5 means you're good for 3, but you might (not will) get 4 or 5. It's unknown. I think someone is pushing their luck going for a fourth back to back.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Not without a warning stamp, anyway let's agree to disagree

[stoicccc]

A well known visa agent who runs trips to there said on this board 2 weeks ago that the limit is currently 3-5 TV's from Vientiane

That's good enough for me

consecutive or total in one passport? or total altogether?

[JackThompson]

A well known visa agent who runs trips to there said on this board 2 weeks ago that the limit is currently 3-5 TV's from Vientiane

That's good enough for me

consecutive or total in one passport? or total altogether?

With nearby consulates, the count is always 'in the current passport'. Non-consecutive might make a little difference, but I got red-stamped at #5, to spite two multiple-month breaks outside Thailand.

As regards the OP's situation, Might as well max-out that passport before resetting. Phnom Penh would be another visa-option, with it's own limit of 3. According to recent reports, they are not looking at "time in country" or visas from other consulates.

Also note Penang's recently enforced "extra fee" for "over 6-mo in Thailand already" - reported at about 3000 Baht to the agent, above the "usual fee." I don't think we've heard back from a long-stayer reporting that this new fee has been stopped.

[owenm]

Aren't the new immigration changes, effective 13 Aug 2016, to prevent back to back SETV and border runs. No more 3-4-5 visas in the future.

[ubonjoe]

Aren't the new immigration changes, effective 13 Aug 2016, to prevent back to back SETV and border runs. No more 3-4-5 visas in the future.

No changes next month. I think you heard about or read a two year old misleading news story somebody dug up.