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Thailand To Issue New Immigration CardSpecial card for those who travel in 3-5 times a year


114 replies to this topic

#26 pattaya_girl

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Posted 2008-10-02 15:30:20

wonder how much each card will cost - more expense no doubt !!!

#27 monkfish

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Posted 2008-10-02 15:30:47

Great! I think? won't they lose a lot of money though?
I Have a better idea to attract Foreign investors and tourists.
How about this?
1. Foreign owned companies pay the same Tax as Thai owned companies :o
2. Get rid of the double pricing system i.e. tourist pay the same price as Thai :D

Just 2 small ideas which could work I think?

#28 cosmont

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Posted 2008-10-02 15:32:05

I am very interest in this new card, the immigration process take sometimes 30 mn when you don't fly in business class :o

Need to be clarify as soon as possible :D

#29 TEFLMike

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Posted 2008-10-02 15:34:51

Brilliant idea, if it works

#30 AndyWeysham

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Posted 2008-10-02 15:40:05

View Postthaibkk, on 2008-10-02 15:17:01, said:

do not see really the use... last time comming from singapore was almost a walk trough :o

and thaivisa server soaring ? took like 1 min or more to show the page

I don't really see the need either, I come through 4-5 times year and not much of a wait and if I'm with my wife (sometimes) I go through the Thai lane with her. :D

#31 DegenFarang

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Posted 2008-10-02 15:48:39

So the only benefit is not having to wait in line at immigration?

Big deal.

I want to not have to leave teh country every three months!!

#32 LongThaimer

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:16:52

immigration cards, eh?
sounds like the ghost ASEAN lane.....

immigration cards in other countries is for people living and working long term in host countries....card holders can bypass the normal immigration procedures eg. filling out time wasting immigration forms and so on...

on the contrary, this one appears it is designed to attract tourists by giving impression that if you are frequenter to thailand you will have express ways in and out regardless of your background.....tax paying work permit holders need not apply... :o

#33 wimster

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:27:45

What's the 3-5 times a year. I go out 20+ times a year on business... Need a new card every 5 times?
Otherwise.....IF it works, it COULD be a great improvement.

#34 dotcom

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:38:48

View PostChiangMaiMike, on 2008-10-02 14:25:03, said:

The purpose of this is to accomodate farang?

Personally I would like having a card issued by the Immigration Police to carry as a form of ID.

I never carry a passport - I use my Thai drivers lisence & rarely leave the Kingdom.

Let's hope they follow through.

#35 Chaimai

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:39:12

I applaud the concept and I will withold my scepticism until I can see that it will not happen by 31/12/08.

#36 Guderian

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:42:41

I reckon that somebody in Immigration read the joke thread about "New Thailand Visa Rules" (which I thought was very humorous, but which now seems to have been removed?). They got a bit miffed, and so started this story about a new Immigration card just to wind up a bunch of farang kwais. And look, it's worked! I'll bet the guy and his mates are rolling in the aisles. :o

#37 goatfarmer

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:49:12

Perhaps the motive is simply "efficiency".

#38 monkfish

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:51:15

Desperate attempt to attract Foreign investment and Tourists.

Will be good for someone doing business in China, India or somewhere else in Asia and living in Thailand.

#39 hagler

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Posted 2008-10-02 16:56:05

Think I'll just stick to using my APEC card. Sounds like an information gathering exercise to me.

#40 DaiHard

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Posted 2008-10-02 17:09:16

Now if only they'd allow us to complete the 3 monthly address registration online!

#41 basjke

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Posted 2008-10-02 17:18:18

Only problem with it is that those that will be issued the card(those who go in and out of the country 5 times)have no use of it as they are not allowed into the country again after 3 times.(ninety day rule)

#42 loiner100

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Posted 2008-10-02 17:51:49

View Postbasjke, on 2008-10-02 17:18:18, said:

Only problem with it is that those that will be issued the card(those who go in and out of the country 5 times)have no use of it as they are not allowed into the country again after 3 times.(ninety day rule)

Wrong. For those with mulitple entry O visas (ninety day rule doesn't apply) it will be great if it works, although if you are like me and are married to a Thai, I just go through the Thai Nationals channel with her like a breeze, never more than five minutes ever.

#43 ubonjoe

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Posted 2008-10-02 18:36:21

Well theres something like 600 hundread on here now. Must of been the email that was sent out.
If its a card that shows my immigration status here it would be good but if its only for the airport. No good for me I havn't been to the airport in over a year this time.

#44 skooldaze

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:22:49

View Postmisterme, on 2008-10-02 14:16:52, said:

I'll believe it when I see it... or should I say... when I don't.

Just another public relations stunt that will be fillibuster'd.

How about instead relieving us longtimers that are married to Thais of the annual nightmare to renew our visas? People with families who are obviously holding down jobs should be exempt from that insulting procedure that makes us all feel like criminals and terrorists.

#45 Trichiliocosm

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:30:12

View PostFatherF, on 2008-10-02 14:34:15, said:

View PostChiangMaiMike, on 2008-10-02 08:25:03, said:

hmmm..

The purpose of this is to accomodate farang?

I don't recall spending a lot of time at Thai Immigrations...

This doesn't make sense to me... I think missing some imformation.

It normally takes me about 1 - 2 Hours to get through immigration! I would be really interested in this card! but would like alot more info about it.

:o
1 to 2 hours? Wow, that's an absurd amount of time...do they take you to a seperate room for interrogation? I have gone through those borders from several different points about 100 or so times and never waited that long. I'd estimate the average time to be around 20 minutes (and most of that waiting in line), with the longest I've ever waited being about 45 minutes.

#46 Soutpeel

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:32:20

View PostTrichiliocosm, on 2008-10-02 20:30:12, said:

1 to 2 hours? Wow, that's an absurd amount of time...do they take you to a seperate room for interrogation? I have gone through those borders from several different points about 100 or so times and never waited that long. I'd estimate the average time to be around 20 minutes (and most of that waiting in line), with the longest I've ever waited being about 45 minutes.

Same here..

#47 ubonjoe

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:36:58

View Postskooldaze, on 2008-10-02 19:22:49, said:

How about instead relieving us longtimers that are married to Thais of the annual nightmare to renew our visas? People with families who are obviously holding down jobs should be exempt from that insulting procedure that makes us all feel like criminals and terrorists.
I agree with with you.
I have been thinking about checking into setting up a "Mia Farangs" oranization.
There are thousands of mia farangs if we could get them all together to do a petition drive or something to get the rules changed. Or at least equal to the rules that apply to a farang woman married to a Thai.

#48 Soutpeel

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:40:33

View Postubonjoe, on 2008-10-02 20:36:58, said:

View Postskooldaze, on 2008-10-02 19:22:49, said:

How about instead relieving us longtimers that are married to Thais of the annual nightmare to renew our visas? People with families who are obviously holding down jobs should be exempt from that insulting procedure that makes us all feel like criminals and terrorists.
I agree with with you.
I have been thinking about checking into setting up a "Mia Farangs" oranization.
There are thousands of mia farangs if we could get them all together to do a petition drive or something to get the rules changed. Or at least equal to the rules that apply to a farang woman married to a Thai.

Nice sentiment and great idea but wouldnt hold your breath...

#49 harrymand

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:41:41

View Postpattaya_girl, on 2008-10-02 16:30:20, said:

wonder how much each card will cost - more expense no doubt !!!


:D Hope its not for free!! Just paid 12000 baht for another year with Thailongstay Silver Card.

I come and go every 4 weeks, so saving 40min. every trip will be a few hours at the end of the year.
Can it be something else behind this "service" :o

#50 McFarang

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Posted 2008-10-02 19:45:26

I am in and out of Bangkok and Phuket all the time 8-10 times a year and never have a long wait at Immigration always very smooth maybe I have just been lucky.
Travelling Biz Class helps because you are first off the plane but even stopping of for a much need cigerette or 2 I still dont have much waiting 10-15mins at most.
I come in and out on 2 passports does this mean that if the card is for tourists? and will be linked to only 1 passport if thats the case shall not be asking for one as that will be a great way of adding up consecutive days.



 


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