Basic Question

[Wizzard of Oz]

I'm 30, Australian, and don't work in Thailand. I just want to exist here for an extended period (a year or more).

I'm on my 3rd visa-on-arrival and don't want to stay out for 3 months when it ends.

Can I go to Penang or KL and get some visa that will let me come straight back without waiting for 3 months?

If so:

- Which visa is it (the longer I can stay for with that visa the better, no need to exit the kingdom for any reason either)?

- Do I need to get it before my current VOA runs out for any reason, or can i leave on the last day and get a new visa a few days later when the VOA has expired?

- How long would it be for?

- Would I be able to continue getting this over and over without having to stay out for 3 months at any time?

Also, does anyone know where I can call to confirm this? I'm concerned that I might be stuck out of Thailand.

Cheers.

[lopburi3]

Nobody knows what the situation will be in the new year for new visa issue but as of now you should be able to obtain at least a single entry tourist visa from most Consulates - but be advised that is by no means guaranteed, even today, as a few have found out.

The max stay on any visa is 90 days. On a tourist visa it is 60 days but can be extended 30.

You leave country before you overstay your permitted to stay stamp if that is what you are asking. Once out of the country that stamp has no meaning (except as a clue to Consulate of your past travel - or lack thereof).

[Wizzard of Oz]

Ah ok. Thanks for the reply, lopburi3.

Do you know if it matters whether I go to Penang or KL to get it?

I've heard some problems with Penang, but I really have no idea what the problem actually was. Maybe something about multiple entry visa's or something.

[sparkymark]

A friend of mine recentley had a problem in Penang, not sure what exactly. He claims it was because he had no proof of flight back to his home country. I reckon it was because he had so many 30 day stamps!

either way he did also say it was more difficult to obtain but he got it eventually.

Im going to Vientiane next week for a 60 day Visa,if anyones had recent problem there please let know.

regards

[sceadugenga]

I'm 30, Australian, and don't work in Thailand. I just want to exist here for an extended period (a year or more).

I'm on my 3rd visa-on-arrival and don't want to stay out for 3 months when it ends.

Can I go to Penang or KL and get some visa that will let me come straight back without waiting for 3 months?

If so:

- Which visa is it (the longer I can stay for with that visa the better, no need to exit the kingdom for any reason either)?

- Do I need to get it before my current VOA runs out for any reason, or can i leave on the last day and get a new visa a few days later when the VOA has expired?

- How long would it be for?

- Would I be able to continue getting this over and over without having to stay out for 3 months at any time?

Also, does anyone know where I can call to confirm this? I'm concerned that I might be stuck out of Thailand.

Cheers.

I just got back from the Mai Sae/Tachilek border crossing on my second Visa run since October 1st. I was told "You cannot come here next time".

I asked if I could get a 90 day tourist visa in Vientiane and was told,"I think it's only 60 days"

That sums up the conversation.

Anyone been to Vientiane for a visa recently? It's 3 years since my last trip. I assume the Royal Thai embassy will be open between Xmas and New year. Any idea what time it opens?

[PREM-R]

sceadugenga I just got back from the Mai Sae/Tachilek border crossing on my second Visa run since October 1st. I was told "You cannot come here next time".

This is a new development, if you are only just on your second visa run since Oct 1st then you have only had '30 odd' days in Thailand and the immigration are saying "no more" after 60 days. Surely this is not right

[sceadugenga]

sceadugenga I just got back from the Mai Sae/Tachilek border crossing on my second Visa run since October 1st. I was told "You cannot come here next time".

This is a new development, if you are only just on your second visa run since Oct 1st then you have only had '30 odd' days in Thailand and the immigration are saying "no more" after 60 days. Surely this is not right

My passport reads thus:

Arrival BKK 2nd October....admitted until 31st Oct.

Arrival Mae Sai 30th Oct...admitted until 28th Nov.

Arrival Mae Sai 28th Nov...Admitted until 27th Dec.

[lopburi3]

In other words his second visa run to that location but in fact his third 30 day stamp since October 1 and a total of 90 days.

[sceadugenga]

In other words his second visa run to that location but in fact his third 30 day stamp since October 1 and a total of 90 days.

It's irrelevant now but would you suggest that if I'd arrived the first time three days earlier they wouldn't have dropped tha axe for another four weeks?

[lopburi3]

That would have been the case.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

In other words his second visa run to that location but in fact his third 30 day stamp since October 1 and a total of 90 days.

It's irrelevant now but would you suggest that if I'd arrived the first time three days earlier they wouldn't have dropped tha axe for another four weeks?

Absolutely.

[Wizzard of Oz]

I came in on 27 September before the October rules came in, so my first visa run after a month was end of October , and second was early this week. So at the end of December, i will have been here 90 days, but because the first stamp was before the rules, the first visa run has a (1) next to it, and the second run from last week has a (2) on it. The guy checked with some official in the back room at immigration and said I can go on a third run and stay another month, which makes it 4 months for me.

Does anyone know if my last visa stamp has a (2) if it means i should be ok for another visa run to mai sai?