235 replies to this topic
Posted 2007-10-02 19:01:44
 CyberViking, on 2007-10-02 18:58:17, said:
Addendum to my last:
I am perhaps the eternal optimist, but it strikes me that the information presented in the newspaper article is simply a rehash of threads that appeared on this forum back in late June and early July, addressing both the issuing of "warning stamps" and one-year non-immigrant "O"s by the Penang consulate.
I'm not packing just yet. I think this is another instance of somebody pulling on our chains.
Pattaya Today has been totally wrong before on visa issues. Just recently, they really got a big one wrong, about the 3 month money seasoning rule.
Posted 2007-10-02 21:42:48
Perhaps Pattaya Today read this forum and got excited and hopeful.
Posted 2007-10-02 23:05:58
Jingthing, on 2007-10-02 19:01:44, said: CyberViking, on 2007-10-02 18:58:17, said: Addendum to my last:
I am perhaps the eternal optimist, but it strikes me that the information presented in the newspaper article is simply a rehash of threads that appeared on this forum back in late June and early July, addressing both the issuing of "warning stamps" and one-year non-immigrant "O"s by the Penang consulate.
I'm not packing just yet. I think this is another instance of somebody pulling on our chains.
Pattaya Today has been totally wrong before on visa issues. Just recently, they really got a big one wrong, about the 3 month money seasoning rule.
Sorry that I have put my reply on this, but what a load of CRAP!!! There is no 3 time t.v. rule at Penang or at Laos. I have 3 from Penang in the last 8 months and know people on 3 from Vientiane in the last 8-9. Stop scaremongering -it really does'nt help any credibility this site may have!
Posted 2007-10-03 04:50:37
Quote Reason for edit: Off-topic reference to animals deleted - Maestro  wtf Bob???
It is good to see you back posting on the board... missed that Whopper with Cheese.
Edited by sriracha john, 2007-10-03 04:52:35.
Posted 2007-10-03 06:24:58
sriracha john, on 2007-10-03 06:50:37, said: Quote Reason for edit: Off-topic reference to animals deleted - Maestro wtf Bob???
It is good to see you back posting on the board... missed that Whopper with Cheese.
hmm, that is interesting.
Hungry Jack's Whopper with Cheese, haven't had one in years.
Well, all I can say about the above is that it perhaps time to make things a little more permanent. Sometimes we just need a gentle shove.
Posted 2007-10-03 10:23:55
bangkokgas, on 2007-10-02 23:05:58, said: Sorry that I have put my reply on this, but what a load of CRAP!!! There is no 3 time t.v. rule at Penang or at Laos. I have 3 from Penang in the last 8 months and know people on 3 from Vientiane in the last 8-9. Stop scaremongering -it really does'nt help any credibility this site may have!
Just to help you out here as you've obviously miscontrued the purpose of this thread.
The OP posted this thread to bring to our attention an article written in the Pattaya Today on October 1 relating to the limitation of TVs being issued from Penang.
Nobody knows yet if it is fact or fiction. The fact that you've had no problems obtaining back-to-back TV in the past is irrelevant as Thailand's visa rules and policies are continually changing.
Discussions such as these are necessary and very useful. Nobody wants to be caught with their pants down. 
Posted 2007-10-03 10:51:21
tropo, on 2007-10-03 10:23:55, said: bangkokgas, on 2007-10-02 23:05:58, said: Sorry that I have put my reply on this, but what a load of CRAP!!! There is no 3 time t.v. rule at Penang or at Laos. I have 3 from Penang in the last 8 months and know people on 3 from Vientiane in the last 8-9. Stop scaremongering -it really does'nt help any credibility this site may have!
Just to help you out here as you've obviously miscontrued the purpose of this thread.
The OP posted this thread to bring to our attention an article written in the Pattaya Today on October 1 relating to the limitation of TVs being issued from Penang.
Nobody knows yet if it is fact or fiction. The fact that you've had no problems obtaining back-to-back TV in the past is irrelevant as Thailand's visa rules and policies are continually changing.
Discussions such as these are necessary and very useful. Nobody wants to be caught with their pants down.
Hear hear, Who is scaremongering here????????????????? As said the fact you and lots of mates have had several is irrelevent. Many people want to know if things change, I would say that having this discusion adds to the credibility of this forum.
Posted 2007-10-03 11:49:28
sriracha john, on 2007-10-03 04:50:37, said: Quote Reason for edit: Off-topic reference to animals deleted - Maestro wtf Bob???
It is good to see you back posting on the board... missed that Whopper with Cheese.
Hey Johnny, that's a Royale with Cheese.
Posted 2007-10-03 12:10:38
In the end .. they change the rules and we figure another way round them. Nothing earth shaking at a certain level.
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But I am really souring on the place, spending far too much for the privilage of spending my money here. Cambodia and Philippines visas are half the price. For the life of me I do not see why anyone would bother with the O visas the way they sit now. The perpetual changing requirments are one thing but the arbitrary and capricious nature of what/who is accepted/rejected based on who accepts the app, their mood, potential baksheesh and of course their in/ability to understand the laws they are paid to enforce.
I also love the fact that somehow married couples can get by on 400k but singles men need double the amount.
Go ahead, put your money in Thailand - I dare you :-)
Edited by h5n1, 2007-10-03 12:12:09.
Posted 2007-10-03 12:30:29
unbiasbob, on 2007-10-02 17:31:00, said: LivinLOS, on 2007-10-02 17:16:23, said: To be honest I only ever use my UK passports..
But I have never had them ever give any indication of being aware of multiple uses.. Tho I dont get short term visa's.. Just use em for 1 years..
I am sure hey CAN check through.. What I am saying is they dont seem to without a reason.
When someone drops off a passport at an embassy or consulate for a visa, the passport history is checked as a part of the routine for visa issuance. This will be amplified after these visa limits go into effect
The passport history ??
Or the persons history ??
Because if a person has multiple passports it has to the latter..
Posted 2007-10-03 15:03:05
Cambodia and Philippines visas are half the price.
To clarify this... this is inclusive of fees, visa run costs independantly or otherwise vs simply fronting up for an extention or buying a LT visa.
Posted 2007-10-04 05:53:57
h5n1, on 2007-10-03 15:03:05, said: Cambodia and Philippines visas are half the price.
To clarify this... this is inclusive of fees, visa run costs independantly or otherwise vs simply fronting up for an extention or buying a LT visa.
For a one year stay in the Philippines it would cost about 7,000 - 9,000 baht depending on whether you pay express fees or not. The only travelling required would be a trip to any local Immigration Office every 2 months.
That's 20 - 25% the cost of visa runs in Thailand (for a year), not to mention saving at least 10 days of your life by not travelling to the borders on visa runs.
They've just recently increased the stay allowed to 16 months on 2 month renewals, and 24 months by completing a special new application form. As this is brand new, I can't give exact details on how much it costs.
I will be heading to Penang in 3 weeks to apply for another tourist visa. I have 2 in my passport already (over a period or 14 months), so let's see what happens. I shall be asking a lot of questions and will report back here.
Posted 2007-10-04 09:14:08
h5n1, on 2007-10-03 05:10:38, said: In the end .. they change the rules and we figure another way round them. Nothing earth shaking at a certain level.
==========================================================================
But I am really souring on the place, spending far too much for the privilage of spending my money here. Cambodia and Philippines visas are half the price. For the life of me I do not see why anyone would bother with the O visas the way they sit now. The perpetual changing requirments are one thing but the arbitrary and capricious nature of what/who is accepted/rejected based on who accepts the app, their mood, potential baksheesh and of course their in/ability to understand the laws they are paid to enforce.
I also love the fact that somehow married couples can get by on 400k but singles men need double the amount.
I feel pretty much the same way but the fact is you get what you pay for. If you want to live long-term in this part of the world with a modicum of Western creature comforts and some semblemce of safety and quality standards, then Thailand still stacks up very well (when you factor out the visa hassles for staying if younger than 50). Cambo...give me a break...good place to veg for a few days or weeks but any sane person would go stir-crazy there after that . Phils present an interesting alternative for many already discussed reasons but you do give up quite a bit in general comfort, safety, and standards/quality departments.
I think for these reasons, that's why so many of still make the effort to stay in Thailand. Especially those of us who have been here long-term and know that no place is perfect, have traveled around here alot, and maybe even have friends who actually reside in these alternative countries and heard the unvarnished truth about them also. Malaysia just doesn't have the sanook factor of Thailand or the Philippines. Indo is too undeveloped, however, Bali presents an interesting destination (but still very undeveloped vs. Thailand.
For me, if push came time to shove off...I would likely choose the Phils but not happily.
Edited by JonnieB, 2007-10-04 09:19:04.
Posted 2007-10-05 12:13:36
The flip side of this is the growing number of people that I know that are just living here without any visa, they believe if they get caught they will simply pay a small fine and get deported, in the long run they may even be saving money
Posted 2007-10-05 15:26:57
gharknes, on 2007-10-05 12:13:36, said: The flip side of this is the growing number of people that I know that are just living here without any visa, they believe if they get caught they will simply pay a small fine and get deported, in the long run they may even be saving money
Someone I know just cleaned up 973 days overstay !!!
Couldnt he have waited for the round 1000 !!
Posted 2007-10-05 15:53:05
Amazing how those well off enough to not worry about such things or retired or grandfathered in under less onerous rules or if fact people not wanting to live in Thailand pontificate about it being good for Thailand to get rit of the poor foreigners. What crap.
What is wrong with a guy who does not get Bt65k per month living here ? No consideration is given to whether he rents in Bangkok or owns his house or condo in some cheap backwater village.
My other half's family come from Non Suawan in Buriram, not far from Nang Rong. You cannot spend Bt1000 a day if you tried. Foo dlike a king, pay all your bills, have money for medical and a large booze allocation thrown in. You sure as hel_l could not spend Bt65k or more.
As for those does some work "illegally". Why not make it possible for them to work legally without a gazillion forms, having to have so much working capital in the company, employing so many Thais, ridiculous costs for those on near minimum WP money etc. Small businesses would gladly pay some taxes if they could get the visa situation sorted out. A bar manager with free food, free room, free beer and perhaps a free bike does not need Bt50k per month. He might work for 25k etc and getting tax on 25k is better than nothing.
What about well off but not mega rich people under 50 and not married ? Why are they forced to the border every 90 days and until recently, forced back to their own countries for non immigrant visas ?
I don't buy that rag where this story originated and just as Toxin, I would not give the owner the steam off my poo poo.
That said, if penang is only doing 3 TVs now then Thailand is going to have to take a step back and think where it goes from here. It is confusing enough for us that live here visa wise but for tourists and travel agents it is a nightmare and they need little inducement to forget Thailand and promote another SE Asia place. I always liked Vietnam by the way.
Posted 2007-10-05 16:54:20
Interestingly enough, I got another T-visa from Penang...but i did get the stamp with the visa saying:
"The holder has travelled to Thailand with Tourist Visa '3' times. The Consulate - General may not accept the application next time"
Infact, the T-visa count in my passport is now = 4 (dating back to the first one issued at the beginning of 2007 & all from Penang!! Furthermore, the above statement was stamped with T-visa #3!! ....Now, excuse my ignorance (& count my lucky stars!!) but honestly, i don't remember if it was there when i got my 3rd T-visa or if they put it there after issuing my 4th???...but like i said, it's stamped above the 3rd T-visa in my passport. Also, the authorized signature of #3 & #4 visa are both the same!
I was told that i need to go back to my home country b4 i can get another T-visa from the Consulate this time.
Curious how others would fare......
Posted 2007-10-05 17:56:04
i have somtebody 7 years 6 month overstay - and he go clear out next month.
woowwww ........how much money he save ,even the fine would be 50000 or more
but pesople with property ,car and other asssets in thaialnd could not do so, if could do, i would do it already too,, since i not have 1 yr visa more,thx to taxsin, immigration and stupid grantfathering ( for those who belive.............my 1 yr visa was granted in 2000 , just come you have fo ever, than txsin come, and 2004 you can have but on diffrent requierments ( they changed investemntvisa, 2004 you have to put to govermentbank on 0% remember taxsins foreign 0%polic. for foreign acs)
so far everything is grandfatherd ...as long you can keep on with changes in moneyrequirment an d other. your visa maybe is grandfatherd but not the conditions
Posted 2007-10-05 19:10:57
lapamita, on 2007-10-05 17:56:04, said: i have somtebody 7 years 6 month overstay - and he go clear out next month.
woowwww ........how much money he save ,even the fine would be 50000 or more
but pesople with property ,car and other asssets in thaialnd could not do so, if could do, i would do it already too,, since i not have 1 yr visa more,thx to taxsin, immigration and stupid grantfathering ( for those who belive.............my 1 yr visa was granted in 2000 , just come you have fo ever, than txsin come, and 2004 you can have but on diffrent requierments ( they changed investemntvisa, 2004 you have to put to govermentbank on 0% remember taxsins foreign 0%polic. for foreign acs)
so far everything is grandfatherd ...as long you can keep on with changes in moneyrequirment an d other. your visa maybe is grandfatherd but not the conditions
any chance you could repeat that in English please?
Posted 2007-10-05 19:14:04
wrazoru, on 2007-10-05 16:54:20, said: Interestingly enough, I got another T-visa from Penang...but i did get the stamp with the visa saying:
"The holder has travelled to Thailand with Tourist Visa '3' times. The Consulate - General may not accept the application next time"
Infact, the T-visa count in my passport is now = 4 (dating back to the first one issued at the beginning of 2007 & all from Penang!! Furthermore, the above statement was stamped with T-visa #3!! ....Now, excuse my ignorance (& count my lucky stars!!) but honestly, i don't remember if it was there when i got my 3rd T-visa or if they put it there after issuing my 4th???...but like i said, it's stamped above the 3rd T-visa in my passport. Also, the authorized signature of #3 & #4 visa are both the same!
I was told that i need to go back to my home country b4 i can get another T-visa from the Consulate this time.
Curious how others would fare......
Hi Newbie, Perhaps you can scan that for all forumers to see. Everyone has been waiting to see these Penang numbered stamps but no one has produced one for the forum as yet
Edited by Jim Abbott, 2007-10-05 19:14:23.
Posted 2007-10-05 20:04:46
Sure....
hi JA, not sure what you mean by tell tale, but yes, i photoshopped out my own details...But i posted it for all since we are all here for the same cause....
Edited by wrazoru, 2007-10-05 20:16:53.
Posted 2007-10-05 20:07:55
Thank you 4 that wraz
Posted 2007-10-05 20:09:54
That scan looks pretty tell tale
Posted 2007-10-05 20:15:54
wrazoru, on 2007-10-05 16:54:20, said: Interestingly enough, I got another T-visa from Penang...but i did get the stamp with the visa saying:
"The holder has travelled to Thailand with Tourist Visa '3' times. The Consulate - General may not accept the application next time"
Infact, the T-visa count in my passport is now = 4 (dating back to the first one issued at the beginning of 2007 & all from Penang!! Furthermore, the above statement was stamped with T-visa #3!! ....Now, excuse my ignorance (& count my lucky stars!!) but honestly, i don't remember if it was there when i got my 3rd T-visa or if they put it there after issuing my 4th???...but like i said, it's stamped above the 3rd T-visa in my passport. Also, the authorized signature of #3 & #4 visa are both the same!
I was told that i need to go back to my home country b4 i can get another T-visa from the Consulate this time.
Curious how others would fare......
OK, so there's nothing similar stamped above your 4th visa?
Posted 2007-10-05 22:00:13
No...but i got a verbal warning....otherwise they would have written "4" under the dotted line.
I'm also very curious if the stamp applies to other Consulates not in Penang...or if this is the end of my return to Thailand......
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