New 2 border run limit rule

[ryanhull]

Hi all,

 

Sorry if this has already been covered but I am seeing conflicting both on facebook to whats on here,

 

I am aware of the new rule enforced in which you can only do two border runs in any one calander year, normally I would drive to poi pet, go in and come straight back into cambodia with my 30 day tourist stamp then obviously extend it in bangkok for the 1900 bhat/30days.

 

I have done that twice now in 2017 and both times extended. My extended tourist stamp runs out on the 21st, I am told that if I do it again they will flat out refuse me entry becuase it would be the third time which makes sense, however I am told by others if I drive to the laos border instead this time I would not have a problem coming in and out, I cannot really agree with that info or feel confident in that as I know its still the Thai immagration regardless of if its laos or cambodia? also the limit is still 2, but a friend of mine said Laos has a limit of 3? he did not seem too sure though so I am struggling to get that. I have also been told, if I fly this rule does not apply, for example I could fly to laos and back and come in fine, my question on that is can I fly and fly back in on the same day and they will allow me entry despite my land limit of 2? also another question is my friend right in saying I am ok to do one more land crossing aslong as its via Laos and not cambodia where I did my 2 already this year? any help much appreciated, id really want to avoid flying if possible as I have a car so much prefer just a drive but if I am going to be denied entry back in that would not be good,

 

In summary my question is,

1. can I fly in and out and get a tourist stamp and the limit will not count on flying?

2. is it true Laos will allow me in and out 3 times and not 2 in one year?

3. Do I have any other options but to fly if not?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies

[ubonjoe]

1. The 2 entry per calendar year for visa exempt entries only applies to land border crossings. If doing it by air their is no written limit.

2. No The rule applies at all land border crossings.

3. Go to a nearby embassy or consulate and get a single entry tourist visa that will allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

   You could depart by land at the bridge in Nong Khai to Vientiane Laos and get the visa at the Thai embassy's consular section there. Then reverse the trip back to Thailand across the bridge to Nong Khai.

[ryanhull]

Thanks Joe, this is not the first time you have given me a helpful reply putting me straight, appreciated!

 

I think getting the 60 day entry in Nong Khai will be my best bet, probably work out cheaper too given the prices of flights, parking in DM etc.

 

Quick question, for the 60 day visa I get from the thai Embassy in Nong Khai, do you know how long this takes plus how much this costs? I assume it will not be a 1 day job and I will have to stay over night or maybe longer?

 

Thanks again mate

[ubonjoe]

You apply by 11:30 am at the consular section on one day and pick up your visa the next afternoon at 2:00.

If you can be in Nong Khai to cross the bridge and do your application on the same day you arrive you would only to need to stay one night in Vientiane.

The fee for the single entry tourist visa is 1000 baht.

It will cost $30 to $42 US for the Lao visa on arrival or $1500 baht. Info here: http://www.laos-guide-999.com/visa-on-arrival.html

 

[rott]

1 hour ago, ryanhull said:

Thanks Joe, this is not the first time you have given me a helpful reply putting me straight, appreciated!

 

I think getting the 60 day entry in Nong Khai will be my best bet, probably work out cheaper too given the prices of flights, parking in DM etc.

 

Quick question, for the 60 day visa I get from the thai Embassy in Nong Khai, do you know how long this takes plus how much this costs? I assume it will not be a 1 day job and I will have to stay over night or maybe longer?

 

Thanks again mate

The Thai Embassy in Nong Khai? Slip of the tongue or whatever?

[Brunolem]

Ryanhull, note that there are also some restrictions regarding tourist visas...I don't know about Vientiane, but in Savannaket they now ask applicants proof of money.

 

Also, it may be more prudent to sleep in Vientiane the night before going to the embassy, considering the crowds usually waiting there, unless you travel with a group, which might be the best choice if you come from Bangkok or Pattaya...

[thairookie]

15 hours ago, ryanhull said:

 

I think getting the 60 day entry in Nong Khai will be my best bet, probably work out cheaper too given the prices of flights, parking in DM etc.

 

There is no Thai embassy in NongKhai or anywhere in Thailand that you can get a 60-day entry.

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, Brunolem said:

Ryanhull, note that there are also some restrictions regarding tourist visas...I don't know about Vientiane, but in Savannaket they now ask applicants proof of money.

Vientiane does not ask for financial proof or tickets out of the country.

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, thairookie said:

There is no Thai embassy in NongKhai or anywhere in Thailand that you can get a 60-day entry.

Nong Khai would be where he gets the 60 day entry from his tourist visa obtained in Vientiane if he enters the country there.

[thaisabai]

21 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

1. The 2 entry per calendar year for visa exempt entries only applies to land border crossings. If doing it by air their is no written limit.

2. No The rule applies at all land border crossings.

3. Go to a nearby embassy or consulate and get a single entry tourist visa that will allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

   You could depart by land at the bridge in Nong Khai to Vientiane Laos and get the visa at the Thai embassy's consular section there. Then reverse the trip back to Thailand across the bridge to Nong Khai.

hello Ubonjoe

you seem most knowledgeable about visa issues.

does this discussion about number of entries apply to a 1 year Non O (multiple) visa as well?

planning to go for my 3rd border run (Cambodia) next week.

 

thanks, Thaisabai

[ubonjoe]

23 minutes ago, thaisabai said:

does this discussion about number of entries apply to a 1 year Non O (multiple) visa as well?

No is it does not.

It is only for visa exempt entries at land border crossings.

[ryanhull]

Guys, just so you know... all went smoothly and thanks for the info, keep away from the scammers at the gates at the embassy, they try to charge you 500 bhat to fill in a form for you, or even more if they think your a mug, even the locals at the shop next to it was warning me to keep away... anyway we went really late in the day, we got a number and was told to come back the next day with our number to wait in line. As we went late our que number was one of the last. People was sat around in the heat for hours, waiting, we opted to sit accross the road in the pizza company and occasionally pop over the road to see what the que number was, when it hit close to ours we simply joined the que? why wait in the heat? you could even go off shopping as the que number gives you a rough idea of time it will take but probably best chilling in a cafe near by like we did. Anyway got the visa for the 1000 bhat, no messing about really so nothing to report on, was a very easy process. My car did get clamped however on the Thai side by some fat angry chicken seller, although the police border guards told me to park outside 711 clearly I was taking up her spot, anyway 500 bhat and some random guy came to remove it. I did get that down from a 1000 as I informed them they are not police so not able to set fines or laws so they took it off.

 

Anyway it was stupid of us as we could have parked in the car park next to it, when we arrived however it was very dark and we just followed the guards advise which was a bad move, so do remember to park in the car park.

 

All in all we left on a sunday, stayed over 2 nights and we was back in thailand Tuesday afternoon visas in hand. You could do it staying just the one night but it would be a bit more of a rush.

 

Cheers all for your help

[IMA_FARANG]

I don"t want to be critical, but as we all know, a 60 day tourist visa can be extended for 30 days at most immigration offices in Thailand.

It requires a fee of 1900 Baht for a 30 day extension.

Thus  with the extension you get 60 days plus 30 a day extension or a 90 day total stay.

I have done it myself.

 

 

[YetAnother]

13 hours ago, ryanhull said:

clearly I was taking up her spot, anyway 500 bhat and some random guy came to remove it.

sounds like a scam

[MyFriend You]

7 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

sounds like a scam

Off-Topic  -  But a Chicken Seller clamping your car???  <deleted> is that, do they sell Tire Clamps in the Home Pro up there  (haha)  happy to se you didn;t go 'postal' on them - a good post with valuable information, glad it worked out. 

[YetAnother]

as has been mentioned here more than  a few times, changing the rules generates confusion and hardship;

imagine if you live abroad and visit thailand for longer term stays, example, 'winter' in the home country;

and you used to do these border runs all the time;

then the rule changes and you dont know it and the thai imm official doesnt mention anything when doing your 2nd run; then at the 3rd attempt, you are barred unexpectedly;

big problem

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

as has been mentioned here more than  a few times, changing the rules generates confusion and hardship;

imagine if you live abroad and visit thailand for longer term stays, example, 'winter' in the home country;

and you used to do these border runs all the time;

then the rule changes and you dont know it and the thai imm official doesnt mention anything when doing your 2nd run; then at the 3rd attempt, you are barred unexpectedly;

big problem

As a general principle, I agree with you. However, with this particular rule, the officials do seem to be consistently warning people getting visa exempts on land entry about the two-by-land per calendar year limit. I think (a cynic would say unusually) the authorities have anticipated the issue in this case.

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

as has been mentioned here more than  a few times, changing the rules generates confusion and hardship;

imagine if you live abroad and visit thailand for longer term stays, example, 'winter' in the home country;

and you used to do these border runs all the time;

then the rule changes and you dont know it and the thai imm official doesnt mention anything when doing your 2nd run; then at the 3rd attempt, you are barred unexpectedly;

big problem

In my experience crossing the Friendship Bridge, they hand you a pamphlet explaining the rule when you get a Visa-Exempt.  I am not sure if this is done everywhere, but it should be.

[peergin]

The long winters in our home country are cold. Thailand, with its good weather (and other advantages), would be an ideal place for my parents to spend that time here. Regrettably, we won't do that because it is far too much hassle for these elderly folks. There are other countries that are more accommodating. 

[JustTheGuyInLove]

Hey guys! Polish citizen here reading this topic with extreme excitement.
Just wanted to confirm what I've gathered. If I'll fly to Thailand on 60 day visa and extend it to 90. After this period it should be easy to fly out of the border get a visa in Cambodia or Laos and come back  by air with 20000 baht in my pocket (for safety), I should be alright to re-enter the country without too much of a problem?
I can even apply for another 60-day visa in Laos mentioned above?

I've been in Thailand once for a month this year in January.

[ericthai]

2 hours ago, peergin said:

The long winters in our home country are cold. Thailand, with its good weather (and other advantages), would be an ideal place for my parents to spend that time here. Regrettably, we won't do that because it is far too much hassle for these elderly folks. There are other countries that are more accommodating. 

They just need to get a visa before they leave. 

[ericthai]

13 minutes ago, JustTheGuyInLove said:

Hey guys! Polish citizen here reading this topic with extreme excitement.
Just wanted to confirm what I've gathered. If I'll fly to Thailand on 60 day visa and extend it to 90. After this period it should be easy to fly out of the border get a visa in Cambodia or Laos and come back  by air with 20000 baht in my pocket (for safety), I should be alright to re-enter the country without too much of a problem?
I can even apply for another 60-day visa in Laos mentioned above?

I've been in Thailand once for a month this year in January.

 You said you were in Thailand once this year, was that your first time? If so, then for sure no problems.

However, if you have been in and out of Thailand many times then it's very possible they will ask to see the 20K along with a series of questions. 

[JustTheGuyInLove]

1 hour ago, ericthai said:

 You said you were in Thailand once this year, was that your first time? If so, then for sure no problems.

However, if you have been in and out of Thailand many times then it's very possible they will ask to see the 20K along with a series of questions. 

Yeah I've been in Thailand for a first time in life in January only for 30 days and came back to UK for 5 months. I've gathered up some money and quit my job with an intend to visit my fiancee (4 years together).
I have a plan to travel and learn programming online during the period for about a year before we decide to move somewhere else with her.
Do you think I would be able to leave and come back once or twice during this period?
 

[steven100]

22 hours ago, YetAnother said:

sounds like a scam

 he parked in the wrong place,  whats the scam .... ?  his fault.

he should have parked in a car park and paid the attendant 300 baht.

Any other country would have towed it away and charged 10,000 baht to get it.

[YetAnother]

4 hours ago, peergin said:

There are other countries that are more accommodating. 

and it doesnt seem to be getting better here; splitting off the larger immigration offices to the smaller areas seems, on the face of it, to be a good idea; in my two such office experiences it rather results in inexperienced 'immigration officers' who either dont know their own laws or have a curious interpretation of them

[ericthai]

3 hours ago, JustTheGuyInLove said:

Yeah I've been in Thailand for a first time in life in January only for 30 days and came back to UK for 5 months. I've gathered up some money and quit my job with an intend to visit my fiancee (4 years together).
I have a plan to travel and learn programming online during the period for about a year before we decide to move somewhere else with her.
Do you think I would be able to leave and come back once or twice during this period?
 

as long as nothing changes with immigration rules in the future I dont see any issues with your plan.

[KhaoYai]

On 5/8/2017 at 1:27 PM, ubonjoe said:

1. The 2 entry per calendar year for visa exempt entries only applies to land border crossings. If doing it by air their is no written limit.

Joe, I realise that I am quoting you on an old post but wondered if you are aware of any changes to that situation?  I entered through Suvarnabhumi on 30 October 2016 having entered approximately every 2 months the same way during the previous year.  Nothing was said but the immigration officer spent some time counting my entries before stamping me in. I then entered again on 31 December 2016 and was told in no uncertain terms that although they were allowing entry on that day, I would not be allowed in again without a visa and typed something into his computer.  I therefore returned to yearly O Visas but clearly there is some conflict between what I was told and what you have stated above.  They must have some form of limit as they were clearly counting my entries although I accept that you may be right in as much as it may not be a written limit.  Unlimited air entries are clearly something that cannot be relied upon but I suppose the fact that they warned me should give some hope that people will at least be advised before being refused.

[ubonjoe]

The is still no written limit on visa exempt entries by air. There is only a restriction on doing back to back out/in visa runs to stay here long term. Perhaps you appeared to be doing that.

Since early 2015 immigration has a alert when you reach a total 6 visa exempt entries. The alert is meant to advise the officer he should check to see if a person is trying to live here on visa exempt entries.

Since you have been using a non-o visa for your entries you should be able to a few before you have problems again.

[jackdd]

5 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

I then entered again on 31 December 2016 and was told in no uncertain terms that although they were allowing entry on that day, I would not be allowed in again without a visa and typed something into his computer.

Was this DMK or BKK?

For DMK there were quite a few reports by people who had problems. It seems that some IOs there don't like foreigners and like to give us trouble

[KhaoYai]

11 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Was this DMK or BKK?

You obviously missed it in my post but as I stated there - Suvarnabhumi.