(07-26-2016 10:23 PM)Rawmeo Wrote:  Especially visa waivers, but it also happens with tourist visas. Immigration officers start saying that you're not a real tourist. Even if you have a valid tourist visa in your passport, after 4 times, you can start to get questioned. A friend had to argue a bit to be able to enter, and how he's afraid of his next visa run.

Why don't he have the elit visa? Problem solved.

That elite visa is a great deal. The concierge services alone would probably be worth 1k a year, nevermind the actual visa.

Makes sense from Thailand's point of view too since they get a decent bit of cash, and it no doubt helps attract/keep wealthy western expats there.

First I've heard of the elite visa... granted it's a pretty big up-front cost, but compared to a lot of other countries that require 6 figure US bank balances 500k baht isn't totally unreasonable. I'm likely going to try and get in on an education visa at first, but this might be a great way to lock in something solid. Good looking out as usual, Rawmeo.

I plan on getting the Hiso Royal Visa. It's only $250,000 USD for 5 years, it's super good value though as there are no visa runs. They pick you up from the airport in an H2 Hummer, and even have an ass wiping service included. You also get 3 Go Go Bar fuck vouchers per year!

(07-28-2016 04:16 AM)Kdog Wrote:  I plan on getting the Hiso Royal Visa

(07-28-2016 04:16 AM)Kdog Wrote:  I plan on getting the Hiso Royal Visa. It's only $250,000 USD for 5 years, it's super good value though as there are no visa runs. They pick you up from the airport in an H2 Hummer, and even have an ass wiping service included. You also get 3 Go Go Bar fuck vouchers per year!

Like getting your ass bungunned wasn't enough! Would you share a vouchers bro?

Absolutely man. I don't need them anyway. I bang Hiso models that drive Lambo's and hangout in Thonglor.

That visa is currently sold out. DVY has bought them all

VIP meet and greet, immigration fast track and golf cart is available to anyone, but it costs ฿2848 one way.

https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.html

The real benefit is you don't need to travel in and out of the country for 5 years, which probably isn't even possible anymore now. Add up 4x5 visa runs, which need to be by plane, and it's expensive. Now they have 6 month tourist visas, but you need to go back to your home country for them, so then it's even worse.

The hassle of having to get out of the country really wears on you after a while. Why live somewhere that throws you out every 3rd month or forces you to go home twice a year? Better to stay somewhere else.

Last time I looked language schools were the best alternative for most longstayers, they give visas as long as you're a student there. If you want to stay in Thailand you should learn Thai anyway.

(07-26-2016 04:00 AM)Rawmeo Wrote:  I've always been a huge fan of the Thailand Elite visa. Pay 500,000 baht (around USD $16,000) and you just bought peace of mind for the next 5 years. No questioning, priority entry. That was one of my best moves here.

I am honestly considering this once I have 16k to spend.

(07-28-2016 10:14 AM)Lechon Wrote:  The real benefit is you don't need to travel in and out of the country for 5 years, which probably isn't even possible anymore now. Add up 4x5 visa runs, which need to be by plane, and it's expensive. Now they have 6 month tourist visas, but you need to go back to your home country for them, so then it's even worse.

The hassle of having to get out of the country really wears on you after a while. Why live somewhere that throws you out every 3rd month or forces you to go home twice a year?

With almost all of the long stay visas, no need to leave the country, so I don't know what you're talking about. Once the 1 yr visa expires, just go to immigration and extend it for another year. I know one married guy who hasn't physicaly left Thailand in 9 years, although why anyone would want to stay in any country that long without leaving, escapes me.

(07-28-2016 07:25 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  With almost all of the long stay visas, no need to leave the country, so I don't know what you're talking about. Once the 1 yr visa expires, just go to immigration and extend it for another year. I know one married guy who hasn't physicaly left Thailand in 9 years, although why anyone would want to stay in any country that long without leaving, escapes me.

So you're suggesting people should get married so they can stay long term? In Thailand, unlike other SEA-countries, you need a good reason to get a long stay visa. And they make it hard to get one to limit the amount of broke-assed farang loitering in Thailand without spending enough money. If you want a long stay visa, you need to

- be over 50 and have a combination of a ฿65k/month pension and ฿800k bank deposits
- be married to a Thai national and have a declared, combined income of ฿40k/month
- study at a university/language school
- work at a Thai sponsored place of employment (usually hard to get and the salary sucks)
- get a Thai Elite card

So unless you're a coffin-dodger or plan to get married, it's usually language school or Thai Elite unless you want to go on visa runs every 3/6 months (or it used to be, when they allowed it). And generally the former is better if you're not too wealthy and busy, and the latter is better if you're a high roller with a busy schedule.

Quick question:

I just got my Non-Immigrant visa in Phnom Penh. Do I have to enter Thailand by air or can I just take a bus?

(07-29-2016 04:28 AM)RagnarLothbrok Wrote:  Quick question:

I just got my Non-Immigrant visa in Phnom Penh. Do I have to enter Thailand by air or can I just take a bus?

The problem with entering by land is if you're entering on visa exemption (you don't have a visa in advance). In that case you won't get the full 30 days. If you already have a visa and just need it stamped, you should be fine.

However, if you're travelling on back-to-back tourist visas (ie. you just made a visa run), who knows, maybe you're more likely to get one of those nasty stamps in your passport if you're going by land. But if not, no problem.

^^ Not true. I got 30 days last time entering on land via Poipet.

(07-29-2016 05:36 PM)Bushido Wrote:  ^^ Not true. I got 30 days last time entering on land via Poipet.

The rule says the 52 countries covered by the visa exemption agreement get 15 days by land, not 30 days like they do by air. However, some countries are exempt from the general rule, and get 30 days both ways. Some even get 90 days on visa exemption both by land and air.

Visa Exemption (Bilateral Agreement)

Passport Holders who can enter Thailand without a Visa

The VISA EXEMPTION RULE allows tourists from 52 countries to enter without a visa. They are granted a stay of maximum 30 days but only if entering Thailand via an international airport. However, persons, entering through a land border checkpoint from neighboring countries will be granted a maximum stay of 15 days.

[...]

UK, USA, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Macau, Hong Kong, Laos, Vietnam will receive 30 days in both airport or land border.

Korea, Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Chile will get 90 days in both airport and land border.

90 days. For fuck sakes.

As a side note, Ukrainians just get 15 days by air - if you go to Thailand with your Ukrainian GF and plan to stay 1 month, you'll have to leave the country once.

(07-29-2016 05:36 PM)Bushido Wrote:  ^^ Not true. I got 30 days last time entering on land via Poipet.

All the G7 nations plus Russia, get 30 days at a land crossing.

(07-29-2016 04:28 AM)RagnarLothbrok Wrote:  Quick question:

I just got my Non-Immigrant visa in Phnom Penh. Do I have to enter Thailand by air or can I just take a bus?

With a Non Immigrant visa,, you can enter by air or land. I got my Non Immigrant visa in Laos and just crossed over by land.

(07-30-2016 12:51 AM)Kdog Wrote:  90 days. For fuck sakes.

Those are bilateral agreements. Thais also get 90 day visa free travel to those countries as well.

(07-28-2016 11:07 PM)Lechon Wrote:  

(07-28-2016 07:25 PM)Kamaki4 Wrote:  With almost all of the long stay visas, no need to leave the country, so I don't know what you're talking about. Once the 1 yr visa expires, just go to immigration and extend it for another year. I know one married guy who hasn't physicaly left Thailand in 9 years, although why anyone would want to stay in any country that long without leaving, escapes me.

In Thailand, unlike other SEA-countries, you need a good reason to get a long stay visa.

From a Thai perspective, having a good reason to stay long term seems logical.

I entered on a 30 day visa exemption last week (been in Thailand for about 8 months now) and was promptly questioned at the airport for 2-3 minutes. Gave them my trusty "girlfriend in Thailand" line which seemed to convince them and they stamped me in.

Nothing was said specifically, but I've been in Asia long enough to read between the lines.

The general aura of the officials was pretty clear: "Don't do this again."

I just saw the following article posted on Facebook and it all made sense. Looks like time is up for people doing visa runs on exemptions.

Quote:The end of the world is nigh
Across Thailand, Facts on Thailand

1 Comment on The end of the world is nigh
13th August 2016; may be seen as the end of the world for many who use Thailand’s easy border run policy to stay in the country for an extended period of time.



The end of the world is nigh End of Border runs in Thailand



Because from this date hence forth, anyone wishing to stay longer must now leave the country in order to apply for a visa at consulates and embassies in other countries.

The one day visa runs to the Kingdoms borders to gain an additional 15 – 30 days has always been a very popular and cheap way for many long term residents in Thailand to extend their stay here without the need of long stay visas, but this is about to change.

The end of the world is nigh

The Immigration Bureau have already told the officials to refuse entry to foreigners on visa runs as a measure to stop the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions to live or work here.

Tourists wishing to extend their stay in Thailand must now need to exit the country and apply for a proper tourist visa or they will need to fly out of the country every thirty days to obtain a new stamp. However, the ‘fly in – fly out’ option will not last for very long as visa runs by air will be prohibited from August 13th.

The end of the world is nigh the death of the border run

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.”

The issuing of visas from nearby countries is down to the discretion of the consulate used and the rules regarding the issue of tourist visas change on a monthly basis. Those who have already had several tourist visas may find their application is refused or they may receive a single rather than a double entry visa.

The end of the world is nigh cambodia-border-crossing

Pol Colonel Thirachai Dedkhad said: “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.”

For those that feel aggrieved by Thailand enforcing the letter of the law (‘border runs” and their ensuing visa’s were only there to enable true holiday makers to stay on in the Kingdom a little longer), they only have to look towards the West and especially Europe, to see the folly in an open borders policy.

For those of us that are here, doing what-ever we do but legally, then nothing has changed, for others who abuse this country, its systems and its people, (many of these people are at the same time its most vocal of critics) then your days are numbered. Its simple get the right Visa and the Kingdom will still welcome you

http://asia-backpackers.com/the-end-of-t...d-is-nigh/

This is actually going to be a good thing motivated individuals. While there are some losers who do maintain a legal existence here in China, from what I hear, the quality of your typical expat dips much lower in Thailand.

The type of people worth meeting will still find a way, but it'll deter those who you'd be best staying away from.

Nevertheless, I hope this doesn't cause too much trouble for forum members who are enjoying all that Thailand has to offer.

Update: My above article seems to be a troll job. It's apparently a copy of a two year old article.