Post: #26

Assuming you are location independent, is it not feasible to simply spend 3 months somewhere else in SEA? That seems like the obvious solution to me.

Post: #27

for what it's worth, I just got a double entry tourist visa from Laos a few days ago with no issues.

I already had 2 double entry tourist visas before that and a few visa exemptions in my passport.


A few good here telling you what will be happening:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PrAVbWu7rE

Post: #28

(07-20-2014 11:18 AM)Afarang Wrote:  for what it's worth, I just got a double entry tourist visa from Laos a few days ago with no issues.

I already had 2 double entry tourist visas before that and a few visa exemptions in my passport.


A few good here telling you what will be happening:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PrAVbWu7rE

What I read somewhere online is that even if the Embassy issues you the visa it does not mean Thai immigration has to actually let you in at the border. Apparently they are going to start asking you to show X amount of money. I read on some other forum that at the Thai-Malaysian border they are asking foreigners for something like 9,000 bhat in cash to show the immigration officer to prove they have some money. That is not a lot of money, but I guess the whole point is that they are tired of all these piss poor westerners abusing the immigration policy (and to be fair, a lot of these guys don't spend much money in Thailand so the country would not lose much by excluding them).

Anyway, this whole thing will last for two months tops then they'll come out with some other immigration policies but in the time being I would not mess around as it looks like the govt is taking things seriously.

Post: #29

New thing is that you will now be able to extend a visa exempt stamp 30 days at 1900 thb instead of the 7 days for 1000 thb. Useful if you've been traveling in the region and want to stay a month or two, but yet another case of patchwork legislation. It could also be seen as giving backpackers easier access to extend their trips without going to Laos as they usually do.

Post: #30

Oh damn...

Hope that doesn't push everyone to come live here in the Philippines. Visas here are a breeze.

Post: #31

This is from a third party site, seems to dovetail on recent reports of the Military cracking down on the immigration admin in Thailand.
****
There’s apparently a mini-scandal in the resort city of Phuket, Thailand where immigration queues can back up but where such petty annoyances can be circumvented for a fee. It sounds as though the issue is that immigration wasn’t fully staffing its booths, backing up, and then officers would directly solicit (rather than work with a third party to sell to) tourists.

“We have heard that many immigration counters are not open when tourists arrive on international flights, so officers are supposedly soliciting money from them to use a ‘VIP’ lane to avoid the long queues,” said Capt Somphong Narkthong of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command.

“A total of 19 counters are supposed to be open during international arrivals to support incoming tourists. From now on, every time a counter is closed during this time, immigration will have to explain the reason to Army officers.”

…Col Watcharapol told the national media, including television reporters, “In the past, we have had problems with our computer systems and a lack of staff on hand. But right now we are fully prepared to serve all incoming tourists.”

Post: #32

lol this whole thing is such a fucking mess
incompetent and corrupt bureacuracy at its best

and instead of giving out some clear information on government websites or passing it on to the consulates and embassies, they drink tea with some guy from youtube

it used to piss me off that they do this right as I have a longer stay in thailand planned but Im really starting to see the hilarious side of it all

Post: #33

(07-21-2014 11:37 AM)G_global Wrote:  This is from a third party site, seems to dovetail on recent reports of the Military cracking down on the immigration admin in Thailand.
****
There’s apparently a mini-scandal in the resort city of Phuket, Thailand where immigration queues can back up but where such petty annoyances can be circumvented for a fee. It sounds as though the issue is that immigration wasn’t fully staffing its booths, backing up, and then officers would directly solicit (rather than work with a third party to sell to) tourists.

“We have heard that many immigration counters are not open when tourists arrive on international flights, so officers are supposedly soliciting money from them to use a ‘VIP’ lane to avoid the long queues,” said Capt Somphong Narkthong of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command.

“A total of 19 counters are supposed to be open during international arrivals to support incoming tourists. From now on, every time a counter is closed during this time, immigration will have to explain the reason to Army officers.”

…Col Watcharapol told the national media, including television reporters, “In the past, we have had problems with our computer systems and a lack of staff on hand. But right now we are fully prepared to serve all incoming tourists.”

Phuket is incredibly corrupt, maybe even more than Pattaya. I also read in the news that the local authorities had asked the army to help implement metered taxis like the Bangkok model and to end the extortionate and illegal (400 fixed fee) way they currently operate.

What that is basically saying is that the Phuket public workers don't trust the police to do their job, but has to ask the army to step in.

As strange as it seems, I actually think the army junta could be a positive to the country by implementing laws that are rational and untainted by having to line the pockets of some rich politicians.

Post: #34

As there was an advice to simply overstay to avoid all the visa hassle.

The latest on this on thaivisa:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/7449...paign=News


BANGKOK: The website of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok has today (22nd July 2014) posted a new announcement regarding its rules for overstay.



Today’s announcement is further confirmation on the proposed crackdown on foreigners overstaying in Thailand, which Thaivisa.com published earlier this month.



The announcement which is written in both English and Thai details the penalties for overstay as follows:



Warning !

The aliens who violate The Immigration Act, B.E.2522 by overstaying more than 90 days in the Kingdom of Thailand will be forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for a certain period of time as follow ;



Overstay more than 90 days forbidden 1 year

Overstay more than 1 year forbidden 3 years

Overstay more than 3 years forbidden 5 years

Overstay more than 5 years forbidden 10 years



In the case that alien is being apprehended

Overstay less than 1 year forbidden 5 years

Overstay more than 1 years forbidden 10 years


It should also be noted that today’s new rules as detailed above confirms the removal of the proposed lifetime ban for overstaying 10 years or more, which Thaivisa.com informed its members of on Sunday 20th July 2014, following the announcement of longer visa exemptions from next month.

Post: #35

I actually think the new overstay rules are fair. There's no valid reason to be a chronic overstayer unless you have no money to begin with and are barely making ends meet. In which case they have every right to give a person the boot.

Post: #36

(07-22-2014 08:38 AM)Thailand_Veteran Wrote:  As there was an advice to simply overstay to avoid all the visa hassle.

The latest on this on thaivisa:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/7449...paign=News


BANGKOK: The website of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok has today (22nd July 2014) posted a new announcement regarding its rules for overstay.



Today’s announcement is further confirmation on the proposed crackdown on foreigners overstaying in Thailand, which Thaivisa.com published earlier this month.



The announcement which is written in both English and Thai details the penalties for overstay as follows:



Warning !

The aliens who violate The Immigration Act, B.E.2522 by overstaying more than 90 days in the Kingdom of Thailand will be forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for a certain period of time as follow ;



Overstay more than 90 days forbidden 1 year

Overstay more than 1 year forbidden 3 years

Overstay more than 3 years forbidden 5 years

Overstay more than 5 years forbidden 10 years



In the case that alien is being apprehended

Overstay less than 1 year forbidden 5 years

Overstay more than 1 years forbidden 10 years


It should also be noted that today’s new rules as detailed above confirms the removal of the proposed lifetime ban for overstaying 10 years or more, which Thaivisa.com informed its members of on Sunday 20th July 2014, following the announcement of longer visa exemptions from next month.

All things considered, the ed visa is the best way to go for young guys wanting to stay there long-term. But...even with these new penalties I find it hard to believe Thai police are going to start rounding up over-stayers.
And random documents checks in the street would hurt tourism.

Post: #37

Thai Visa forum is really the worst. Constant bickering and trolling of old men, with threads that should be 2 pages turning into 30. But they do have good info on this country.

New thread of a guy who just got back from a Vientiane visa run. His third or fourth tourist visa in a row and he had no troubles. They just marked his passport with letters saying next time he will need proof of funds and residence.
Here's the thread here, not too much trolling in it yet.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/7451...n=featured

Post: #38

Anyone know if they're asking to show funds and return ticket when you arrive at the airport? Or same ole', same ole'?

And how much is the 2-month visa at out-of-country embassies costing these days?

EDIT: Looks like $40 for the 2-month in Phnom Penh.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #39

The more I read this thread the more I am confused about this; is it not possible to get longer term visas for purpose like education, sports or business? Why is it necessary to rely on border runs for these temporary tourist visas? That seems very stressful, not to mention expensive.

Post: #40

^ That has always been the way things are done in Thailand. Well, maybe not always, but as long as Thailand has been on my radar.

It is annoying if you stay for a long time. One of the reasons I keep staying in Cambodia. Here you just give them more money and can stay as long as you like.

But to answer your question, yes, you can get other visas for longer stays. Most people just don't like being tied to one location for a class, etc, though.

Honestly, none of this is all that big of a deal if you're not set on making Thailand a permanent home. Even if they do start enforcing the no back-to-back tourist visas rule, which they still don't seem to be doing, you can just stay your 3 months and then head to another Southeast Asian country, as another poster suggested.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #41

(07-19-2014 05:19 AM)libertad1312 Wrote:  Send you a PM with the name of the school Paul B.

Could you please PM me too, or post it here in the thread.
Cheers.

Post: #42

BB I flew back from Singapore 2 weeks ago with no flight out of th country. Somchai didn't say anything. But my passport is pretty clean with not many 30 day stamps just a few tourist visas.

Post: #43

When I flew from Sweden to Thailand with Norwegian in early June they started to scream my name in the speakers at the airport. They would'nt have let me onboard without a return ticket or a continuing ticket. Luckily I had prepared for this with a fake ticket to Japan.

I will probably sometime in the autumn fly back to Thailand from Indonesia and will do the same thing again (just in case)

In Penang,Malaysia people are getting Thai visas in every corner of the street. I met a Russian guy who made a education visa for training Muay Thai.

Post: #44

(07-23-2014 05:37 AM)Chaos Wrote:  When I flew from Sweden to Thailand with Norwegian in early June they started to scream my name in the speakers at the airport. They would'nt have let me onboard without a return ticket or a continuing ticket. Luckily I had prepared for this with a fake ticket to Japan.

I will probably sometime in the autumn fly back to Thailand from Indonesia and will do the same thing again (just in case)

In Penang,Malaysia people are getting Thai visas in every corner of the street. I met a Russian guy who made a education visa for training Muay Thai.

They did this to me too earlier this year (before coup). I was actually flying out of Canada. If you do some Google searching, you'll find that it's actually the airlines who are worried about your ticket onwards from Thailand. Apparently they've been stuck with a few passengers in the past who basically cashed in ALL of their chips for a one-way ticket and then were refused entry into Thailand for lack of income or reasonable amount of savings. Good on you for having the "fake ticket" (was it just a sample itinerary?) to save yourself from all the ticketing agent drama I experienced.

A few thoughts of all this "onward journey" bullshit:

1) What if I planned to take a bus from Thailand to Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia? Will they make me show a bus ticket at the airport customs? Seems absurd.

2) What's the purpose of airlines enforcing these rules when the customs agents don't seem to care (in the case of North Americans)?

I was questioned by an airline agent and the Canadian Border Patrol but didn't get a second glance from the Thai immigration officials.

3) I wonder how much money they lose/make annually on farang who book onward journey tickets only to cancel them after clearing customs.

Post: #45

Re: the onward ticket. I think there is some law that if the airline does not check for a return ticket and then the person gets denied entry at the landing airport then the airline has to pay for the person's ticket back to their home country so that is why they check. It is stupid and basically absurd nowadays given that a person can create a fake exit booking on Expedia in less than 3 minutes. In all my travels I can only remember a couple times where immigration has actually asked for the return ticket booking, but it is pretty common for the airline to ask for it at check in (especially when going to certain countries like the Philippines)

Post: #46

(07-23-2014 03:39 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  But to answer your question, yes, you can get other visas for longer stays. Most people just don't like being tied to one location for a class, etc, though.

There are language schools now offering online classes. You get a 1-year ed visa for that.

Post: #47

This is ultimately going to be about money. We are talking about Thailand here; the land of money grabbing cunts.

I spent three months training MT in Phuket last year and spent about £20k on the Island in that time; there's no way on earth a country so corrupt is gonna jeopardise the $$$.

I expect there to be some sort of financial way around this involving something that involves the money flowing straight to a well connected company or something.

Post: #48

(07-28-2014 10:31 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  This is ultimately going to be about money. We are talking about Thailand here; the land of money grabbing cunts.

I spent three months training MT in Phuket last year and spent about £20k on the Island in that time; there's no way on earth a country so corrupt is gonna jeopardise the $$$.

I expect there to be some sort of financial way around this involving something that involves the money flowing straight to a well connected company or something.

I know Phuket is one of the more expensive areas of Thailand. But how on earth did you manage to spend £20k in 3 months? Did you rent a Lamborghini for your stay? Fly-in escorts from Russia? Details my man, details.

Post: #49

(07-28-2014 10:51 AM)Exiled Princeling Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 10:31 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  This is ultimately going to be about money. We are talking about Thailand here; the land of money grabbing cunts.

I spent three months training MT in Phuket last year and spent about £20k on the Island in that time; there's no way on earth a country so corrupt is gonna jeopardise the $$$.

I expect there to be some sort of financial way around this involving something that involves the money flowing straight to a well connected company or something.

I know Phuket is one of the more expensive areas of Thailand. But how on earth did you manage to spend £20k in 3 months? Did you rent a Lamborghini for your stay? Fly-in escorts from Russia? Details my man, details.

It's a good question; here goes.

Accommodation @ approx £70 per night x 90 days = £6300
Car hire @£20 per day x 90 days = £1800
MT 1-on-1s 3 per day @ £20 x 75 days = approx £5000

That's £13k right there.

£7k/3 months for food, going out etc is only £80 per day, or 4000bht.

Easily done.

Post: #50

(07-28-2014 11:28 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  It's a good question; here goes.

Accommodation @ approx £70 per night x 90 days = £6300
Car hire @£20 per day x 90 days = £1800
MT 1-on-1s 3 per day @ £20 x 75 days = approx £5000

That's £13k right there.

£7k/3 months for food, going out etc is only £80 per day, or 4000bht.

Easily done.

You overpaid big time.

A good condo can be rented for around $1k U.S. a month through airbnb

There's no reason to rent a car on Phuket it's still a fairly small island. For the amount you spent on daily car rental i'm pretty sure you could have found a private part time driver willing to shuttle you around for far cheaper.

4,000 baht a day for just food is pretty steep unless you mean to say that included misc expenses too. Even with drinks and stuff that's still a lot per day.