On 04/01/2017 at 6:26 PM, farang1979 said:

Thanks for confirming ubonjoe. ?️


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

As you mentioned a gruelling 9 hour van ride for a visa run; you don't have to do this - the van or bus rides are horrendous, and you can get a flight from bangkok with nokair or airasia for around 25 quid each way to Mukdahan (actually no airport there - its a fly and ride deal, including a van shuttle from the nearest airport) so why suffer?!

 

Mukdahan is across the river from savannaket in Laos where you can apply for a new tourist visa.

 
 
As you mentioned a gruelling 9 hour van ride for a visa run; you don't have to do this - the van or bus rides are horrendous, and you can get a flight from bangkok with nokair or airasia for around 25 quid each way to Mukdahan (actually no airport there - its a fly and ride deal, including a van shuttle from the nearest airport) so why suffer?!
 
Mukdahan is across the river from savannaket in Laos where you can apply for a new tourist visa.

That sounds much better thanks for recommendation! I take it you've done this yourself? One thing I have found using agencies is that they can take care of everything for you and deal with the bureaucracy and language barrier and a surly unwillingness to help. Did you use an agency or did you do it yourself?


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

9 hours ago, Craig krup said:

Brexit is narrowing my retirement options, and turning a load of dough into Baht isn't attractive.

You do have the option of apply for a OA long stay visa at the embassy in London. No need to change your funds to baht. A OA visa would allow unlimited one year entries for a year from the date of issue. Then by doing an entry just before the visa expires you would get a new one year entry that you can get a re-entry permit for that would allow another one year stay. Requirements here: http://new.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/types-of-visa#section8

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You do have the option of apply for a OA long stay visa at the embassy in London. No need to change your funds to baht. A OA visa would allow unlimited one year entries for a year from the date of issue. Then by doing an entry just before the visa expires you would get a new one year entry that you can get a re-entry permit for that would allow another one year stay. Requirements here: http://new.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/types-of-visa#section8

 

Thanks. Yup, that's the route to the thick end of two years. I do have a tendency to make a drama out of things. Any hassle - any passports in envelopes, involvement of notary publics or strangers looking at my financial records - makes me run for the hills. I suspect I'm not alone, and as you get older this tendency becomes stronger. I'm not sure the Thai government appreciates the impact a knitted pattern of rules has on people. Why, for example, they won't let you pay the equivalent of 1,900 baht for the extra 30 days when you buy a tourist visa is beyond me. I suppose they'd argue that if they force you to touch base after 60 they could make an arrest if you've done something during the first two months, but that has to be a pretty minor consideration given the number of people who must be put off by the entire palaver. 

3 hours ago, Craig krup said:

Why, for example, they won't let you pay the equivalent of 1,900 baht for the extra 30 days when you buy a tourist visa is beyond me.

 

It does seem odd, but I think I understand the "logic". Originally, an extension of stay was considered an exceptional process, used only when a traveler's plans unexpectedly changed. The immigration officials were meant to use their judgment a to whether to grant the extension on a case-by-case basis. It turned out that refusing extensions caused all kinds of ructions, and it became the norm to grant the extensions routinely in all cases. Meanwhile, there was a time when, in most countries, you could pretty easily get 90-day visas (Non Imm O to visit family and friends) for extra cost. Some places would even issue multiple entry one-year versions. Those "social" visas were later withdrawn.

 

What you have now is a system that has evolved, rather than being the result of intelligent design.

Just been to pick it up. There are forms there in case you can't print out a form. A very easy process, took about 10 minutes in total, that said I was the only person there. Paid £20.00. [emoji1303]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

1 hour ago, farang1979 said:

Just been to pick it up. There are forms there in case you can't print out a form. A very easy process, took about 10 minutes in total, that said I was the only person there. Paid £20.00.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

I printed my form out in advance and had all filled out. However, it seems I used the form for the London office and it's very slightly different to the Hull office. That's why I was a few minutes longer but still only about 15 minutes. 

why did you have to pay £20 I thought they was FREE till 28th Feb 

why did you have to pay £20 I thought they was FREE till 28th Feb 

It is "free" the £20 is just the Hull Consulate's admin charge. [emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

admin charge hehehehe 

28 minutes ago, paul18620 said:

admin charge hehehehe 

 

Some kind of charge is fair enough. The honorary consulates' main income is from issuing visas. With no visa fee, they must cover their costs somehow. The admin charge varies from consulate to consulate.  I think Cardiff is only charging £10. All the honorary consulates will have to charge something.. Anyone wanting a completely free visa will have to attend the London Embassy.