905 replies to this topic
Posted 2008-12-04 12:54:11
 grantbkk, on 2008-12-04 12:43:41, said:
ubonjoe, on 2008-12-04 12:33:32, said: grantbkk, on 2008-12-04 12:20:21, said: Could it be that they are in some way trying to benefit the crippled airline industry? This is Thailand you know.
How is it going to help the airlines?
How many people that are now doing border runs will be switching to flights out and back. There might be some going to places that have a consulate and getting tourist visas.
I think most will be making visa runs to Vientiane by ground transport.
Others will make the trip to Penang or Kota Bharu the same way.
As I do read the original post if you use the donkey vans to the border you get a 15 day stamp. If you re-enter Thailand at an airport you get 30 days.
People that are now doing border runs for 30 day entries are not going to pay at least 5000 baht for a round trip flight just to get 30 days. Better to use that money and get a visa.
Posted 2008-12-04 12:55:48
CockneyGit, on 2008-12-04 12:26:05, said: mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Well said Sir!
This is a particular beef with me the "border runners" working here illegally.
I'm a border runner like you say, I spend as much time here with my family (wife and daughter)that I can.
Due to my work I sometimes don't have enough time to get 2 month visas from the embassy abroad as I travel on a last minute base. Does this make me riff raff????
Some professions just can't get a wp here. Sometimes understandable, sometimes not.
In 2 months time I'm getting married so I could get 1 year multiple entries, but looking at the way it goes, this might soon end aswell.
If they really wanted us here, they could simply ask bankbooks and let us go to the immigration office every 2 weeks with 2000 thb to get a stamp. The gouverment would get the money from the border runs straight in their pocket and it would be easy to check who stays here.
But that's IF they wanted us here.
Phil Conners, on 2008-12-04 12:27:40, said: I don't think it's a great loss for Thailand - big spenders generally don't do visa runs but get proper long term multiple-reentry tourist or non-o visas in their home countries.
There's big spenders from all kinds, short time tourists AND border runners
Posted 2008-12-04 12:59:39
CHAIYES, on 2008-12-04 13:44:40, said: Crack down on perpetual tourists..... name one country that will tolerate misfits that abuse immigration procedures.. Who needs them anyway.
The UK, expect they call them refugee's, hey they even give them cash and houses... 
Isnt the simplest solution just to do away with visa waiver system all together and require everyone to get a visa
This appears to work in India for backpackers where there is no visa waiver system.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:00:01
wildpikey, on 2008-12-04 12:27:45, said: Ok so the on thing i don't get yet is. If you are on a Non immigrant visa, or a proper tourist visa obtained from a Thai embassy abroad, are u still only entitled to a 15 day stamp when doing your 90 day border run? or is the fact that you have a proper visa mean you are still entitled to a 90 day pass when doing overland border stamps? Will non immigrant and multi entry tourist visa holders now have to fly for every visa stamp ?
is the 15 day stamp only relevent to Visa on arrival?
Anyone know this yet?
Not "visa on arrival"...visa exempt stamp is what has changed from 30 to 15 days
Posted 2008-12-04 13:01:04
I just came back from Mae Sai yesterday and I can confirm this. Only 15 days.
This new rule makes sense to get some riff raff and leechers out of Thailand. But its also gonna hurt those who have good cash but not a proper visa, like me. But Im leaving Thailand pretty soon anyway, so it doesnt affect me much.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:01:23
ubonjoe, on 2008-12-04 12:54:11, said: grantbkk, on 2008-12-04 12:43:41, said: ubonjoe, on 2008-12-04 12:33:32, said: grantbkk, on 2008-12-04 12:20:21, said: Could it be that they are in some way trying to benefit the crippled airline industry? This is Thailand you know.
How is it going to help the airlines?
How many people that are now doing border runs will be switching to flights out and back. There might be some going to places that have a consulate and getting tourist visas.
I think most will be making visa runs to Vientiane by ground transport.
Others will make the trip to Penang or Kota Bharu the same way.
As I do read the original post if you use the donkey vans to the border you get a 15 day stamp. If you re-enter Thailand at an airport you get 30 days.
People that are now doing border runs for 30 day entries are not going to pay at least 5000 baht for a round trip flight just to get 30 days. Better to use that money and get a visa.
I totally agree with you. The concept of boarder runs is a loophole many have abused for years. What I find more interesting is the timing of this rule. Immigration officials ran from their posts like a bunch of French soldiers just a week or so ago and now they want to get all aggressive. Very funny, at least for those of us use alternate methods to live here in Thailand.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:03:10
If Thais book a package holiday to the UK they have no problem getting a visa, one of the main reasons that the UK is so strict on Thais is people traficking and prostitution.
But they let ervey other f***er in to work and let them do every job no matter what.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:03:12
likewise, on 2008-12-04 13:50:18, said: mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Really?  Then tell me how a 37 year old who's been here for 12 years with enough money to live on, most cash is in in a thai bank can get the right visa, not married, no intention of doing so either and no business???
Please elaborate.
Well you are not really entitled to a permanent visa under Thai rules.
As with many countries in the world you may not be able to stay infinitum if you don't fit into their visa rules.
However seeing as you have plenty of money you definitely have plenty of options to stay by using the current rules and getting visas but there will be some inconvenience and it will cost you some money but what do you really expect?
Posted 2008-12-04 13:03:15
likewise, on 2008-12-04 13:50:18, said: mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Really? Then tell me how a 37 year old who's been here for 12 years with enough money to live on, most cash is in in a thai bank can get the right visa, not married, no intention of doing so either and no business???
Please elaborate.
Thai Elite card...
Posted 2008-12-04 13:04:24
wildpikey, on 2008-12-04 12:49:26, said: goski, on 2008-12-04 12:33:16, said: Yes, this regards the 30 day visa exemption. Which is not the same as Visa on arrival. If you have a proper tourist Visa etc, things seems to be the same. Extending your tourist visa for one month would be the same. And going across the border to trigger the second part of your tourist visa would be the same. After that, 15 days.
Reason. is. Ive just run out of my NON O. Im trying to go ahead and get a tourist visa from Lao because i dont weant to return home to get another NON O till march.
If i go overland and come back and they give me a 15 day stamp, i will fly instead to get a 60 day stamp.
If anyone can confirm for sure please get back ASAP as i need to book my route today.
No change for any visa. Non immigrant visas will get the 90 days. Tourist visas will get 60 days.
This change only applies to visa exempt entries.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:04:55
likewise, on 2008-12-04 12:50:18, said: mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Really? Then tell me how a 37 year old who's been here for 12 years with enough money to live on, most cash is in in a thai bank can get the right visa, not married, no intention of doing so either and no business???
Please elaborate.
Thai officials are a bunch of xenophobic retards.
Hi. I understand some people's anger as rules keep changing in Thailand, but it's not the end of the world. Not every country in the world can get a visa on arrival in Thailand. In fact, I was never able to do so. I arrived in Thailand as a tourist, enjoyed it, tried it out on tourist visas before I committed. I think tourist visas give you long enough to test the country out. Once I knew I wanted to be here I changed to Non-Immigrant. It's not perfect (especially as there are a few laws when you are starting out (if you don't want to start hiring a bunch of people right away) and I still have to do a border run every three months. It's a bit bothersome, but overall it hasn't been that difficult to stay in Thailand.
My advise if you truly want to stay in Thailand is to hire an immigration lawyer (like you would in almost any other country if you wanted to immigrate. You'll be glad you did in the long run.
Cheers and good luck to all 
Posted 2008-12-04 13:06:37
bernie66, on 2008-12-04 12:46:45, said: Wow, I am married but still get a feeling of impending doom from this. How long until they choke me out too? I understand why they do it but we never see a better deal for those of us who stay with legitimate reasons. Married or with children... ect, ect. I only see a shrinking gap between their legitimate and illegitimate children. I hope I will see some grey area that I will be able to fall into someday. As I will never have a pension I am sure I am running on borrowed time.
Actually they made it easier for us married this time.
We got back the 400.000 baht in bank option again.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:06:44
This wont stop any of the mafia in the ghetto`s, i also know a few guys who have been here for years and dont even bother with visa runs, if your wanted in your country, a change in rules like this is not really going to matter much.
this is likely to have more impact on the land tourist that is country hopping, and travelling through thailand, bit of a pain to travel in and out every 30 days via a airport, but i guess if you live near one, simply hopping on a flight to KL or singapore, will be like taking a bus
if you still have the means to stay ie the funds, people will find a way, the only real way to force visa`s is to make them compulsory, and anyone found without one is banned for life and deported, etc, certainly would shake up the system, that will be the next step
Edited by Nouf, 2008-12-04 13:07:34.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:07:21
McLovin, on 2008-12-04 12:35:24, said: Phil Conners, on 2008-12-04 12:27:40, said: I don't think it's a great loss for Thailand - big spenders generally don't do visa runs but get proper long term multiple-reentry tourist or non-o visas in their home countries.
How wrong you are. Big Spenders usually only come here for a couple of weeks and spend up big in 5 star hotels. A lot of which filters off overseas. Visa runners spend their money at local hole in the walls and support the local economy at grass roots levels.
Even if some of the money filters off overseas, what is left is still much more than the amount most visa runners have to spend. You are also missing the fact that big 5 star hotels employ a lot of Thai staff, they also attract people who will be more likely to purchase expensive tours etc.. Much more beneficial to the economy than visa runners.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:07:24
Interestingly, I have some friends who are coming to stay with me on Koh Phan Ngan for a month who, becuase they cannot fly into Suvannbhum, have decided to fly to KL and take the train for a bit of a change.
I now have to contact them and tell them that they cant, because visa regs changed. lets just hope i can get a hold of them in time.
This is going to be the case with quite a few people this season. People who have made alternate plans to enter the kingdom by land but have nonetheless decided to come despite the insanity. These are people who plan to spend bout 3 weeks on the islands (mostly international school teachers from cambodia, china, singapore etc) on their christmas break who cannot fly into the capital, nor can they travel overland without prearranging their visa
truly excellent timing
Posted 2008-12-04 13:08:04
When I pressed an immigration officer in Ranong yesterday for the reason in reducing the 30 to a 15 day entry he told me it was to keep out the "bad farangs".
I don't have a problem with getting a proper visa, but, and this is a bit off topic, I actually went to Andaman Club yesterday to get what I thought was a 30 day entry because my Air Asia flight from Phuket to Singapore was cancelled last Sunday because the plane was stuck in Bangkok. Unable to get an alternative flight I decided to re-schedule my Sing trip and drove to Ranong armed with my cancelled ticket with the assurance in the press that travellers on an overstay would be exempted from a fine as this was beyond my control. I just wanted to do the right thing and get legal. NO WAY. I was fined 1,500 baht for a 3 day overstay because, according to the immigration officer, the exemption only applies from an airport. I got the, "I understand but I cannot help you" line. A bit of flexibility on their part would have been appreciated.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:08:19
Why do Malaysians get 30 days but Laos or any other ASEAN members are not mentioned? My wife is Laos she travels with my half Lao son backward and forward from Thailand to Laos regularly. I am a legitimate teacher working in Thailand and we live here together. To go backwards and forwards every 15 days would be the final straw (or be compelled to get a tourist visa).
If this new rule applies to members of ASEAN countries except Malaysians then it is complete BS! Can someone please clarify?
Posted 2008-12-04 13:08:22
likewise, on 2008-12-04 12:50:18, said: mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Really? Then tell me how a 37 year old who's been here for 12 years with enough money to live on, most cash is in in a thai bank can get the right visa, not married, no intention of doing so either and no business???
Please elaborate.
If the visa rules of Thailand do not allow a long-stay visa for that set of circumstances, then that person cannot get a long-stay visa..end of story.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:08:36
SnareBear, on 2008-12-04 13:01:04, said: But its also gonna hurt those who have good cash but not a proper visa, like me. But Im leaving Thailand pretty soon anyway, so it doesnt affect me much.
I think you won't be the only one, both cheap charlies AND money spenders.
Doubt many will still buy condos if they're not sure about visaregulations because they can change them anytime when they want. What visas will get changed after this? All those who applaud the new rule, might soon be next.
Guess the gouverment has enough money and doesn't need tourists. 
rabidrabbit
Newbie
-
-
Members
-
-
5 posts
Posted 2008-12-04 13:12:04
i think anyone who has spent a fair bit of time in thailand understands the move. 15 days is an awfully short window. i work in thailand and i often use the tourist visa to get around in between jobs - both to job hunt and move (and work as the schools generally cant get all the paper work done before they want you to start-- you neednt comment on that).
who is this aimed at? under-the-table teachers, vagabounds, non-thais? it sounds like the people this will adversly affet the most is the folks who tour multiple countries. living in the norht i meet many folks who are just coming in from a trip through vietnam and laos. if i understand the sit. correctly then they would only get 15 days coming in from laos or cambodia. seems classist to me. one has to start their trips in thailand i guess. also there is the new visa coming out in 2010 (i think) for all of southeast asia (or the greater mekong area, something like that). still it seems a bit harsh and at an inoportune time (tourism is down all around - big and small spenders). any bets how long it will stick?
Posted 2008-12-04 13:12:24
magisterludi, on 2008-12-04 13:04:55, said: Once I knew I wanted to be here I changed to Non-Immigrant.
Not so easy.
Not everybody can get a Non-Imm, especially if you are not 50 yo, not married, not working... 
Posted 2008-12-04 13:12:45
Tolley, on 2008-12-04 13:03:12, said: likewise, on 2008-12-04 13:50:18, said: mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Really? Then tell me how a 37 year old who's been here for 12 years with enough money to live on, most cash is in in a thai bank can get the right visa, not married, no intention of doing so either and no business???
Please elaborate.
Well you are not really entitled to a permanent visa under Thai rules.
As with many countries in the world you may not be able to stay infinitum if you don't fit into their visa rules.
However seeing as you have plenty of money you definitely have plenty of options to stay by using the current rules and getting visas but there will be some inconvenience and it will cost you some money but what do you really expect?
Well, I'd expect them to be a bit more accomodating, I was allowed to buy (30 year lease) house for over 5 million baht, bought a car in my name but still am not allowed to live here legally!
Sounds a bit rascist to me.
So I guess I'll have to get married out of conveniece soon, really a step in teh right direction ofr Thailand this is. 
Posted 2008-12-04 13:13:07
NHJ, on 2008-12-04 12:45:27, said: i don't see any trouble in this rule, who was stupid enough to go out every month instead of buying the appropriate visa?
US...that we spend 200.000 bath a month but:
We are not married(better than most marry ladybar and spend all money for the sick cow in issan)
We dont work in Thailand( you are stupid pay tax in one country were the 90% of people dont pay tax and at the end how much you spend for one company in thailand?)
We are not over 50(so sorry if im more young and then whit the bath the go down and up your money for retirement dont give to you the right things)
YES WE ARE STUPID but we give the same money like you....
OOOPPPSS so sorry you have milions of bath....we are poor..
ManSTUPID say to your friends not to us.
PS: how many we are.....sign in this post..
bye
Posted 2008-12-04 13:13:17
mjcl, on 2008-12-04 12:23:25, said: I think that Thailand wants to get rid of what it sees as the riff raff falangs. Those who cannot be bothered or just cannot get the right visa. If you have a legitimate visa there is no problem in staying here.
Almost agree totally. Only thing is that I do not understand why those under 50 who can prove they have enough income or capital to support themselves here without working should get an equivalent of a retirement visa. Maybe to support their anticipated longer life the figure should be much higher than 800K Baht (say 2 million Baht) for under 50's but it should be an option and has to be good for the Thai economy. BTW this is not said to suit me as I am over 60 with a UK pension (yes I worked hard in the UK for 40 years and waited to retire until I could afford it) and have a proper OA retirement visa.
A very sensible ruling this and surely completely fair, if you stay here permanently then you are frankly NOT a tourist so why should you get a permanently renewable tourist visa ?? No other civilised country would normally allow this so why should Thailand ?? Wont affect tourism as 99% arrive by air anyway. So either get a spouse visa, retirement visa or work permit based visa or go back home work hard to earn enough to justify your return here in the future, most of us have done just that and NO I am not gloating in any way and feel sorry for those genuine cases who have no valid and fair option like an under 50 retirement visa which would be sensible.
Posted 2008-12-04 13:13:56
So let me think about this. I can drive to the Malaysia border, get an automatic 90 day entry visa in order to return and get a 15 day visa or I can go to Penang and buy a 60 day Thai visa for 1500 baht.
Hmmm... My plan is to move to Penang and buy a house there and then drive to the Thai border to get a 15 day visa so that I can return to Malaysia with a 90 day entry visa if I don't otherwise apply for a 6 month visa or even a 10 year MM2H visa. I figure they are more interested in having me than the Thais are.
|
|
0
