Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 39
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    Bogon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 08:33 AM
    Posts
    5,781

    No more border runs for a new 15/30 day entry.

    Thai Immigration have enforced a new regulation where those without a visa have to fly out of the country instead of doing a border run to obtain another 15/30 days entry (depending on your nationality).

    It's in Thai (where are you toddaniels?).

    Get the missus to translate/explain because Google Translate is shite.

    แนวทางปฏิบัติของ สตม.ในการตรวจคนเข้าเมืองของบุคคลสัญชาติเป้าหม าย เช่น เกาหลี ฯลฯ มีดังนี้

    1.ห้ามมิให้ด่านชายแดนมีการอนุญาต Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run เพื่อให้ได้รับสิทธิในการอยู่ในราชอาณาจักรต่อเนื่อง ที่มิใช่เหตุผลเพื่อการ ท่องเที่ยว

    2.กรณีเดินทางโดยอากาศยานหากตรวจพบว่าอาจเป็นการ Out-In ในลักษณะของ Visa run ให้ว่ากล่าวและแนะนำให้ผู้นั้นดำเนินการขอ Visa ให้ถูกต้องตามวัตถุประสงค์ของการเข้ามาในราชอาณ าจักร แล้วอนุโลมให้เข้า ตั้งแต่บัดนี้จนถึงวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 โดยทำเครื่องหมาย O-I ไว้บริเวณรอยตราประทับ และหลังจากวันที่ 12 ส.ค.57 เป็นต้นไป หากเจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจพบเป็นการ Out-In ให้ปฏิเสธการเข้าเมืองผู้นั้น

    หมายเหตุ หากผู้ปฏิบัติมีข้อสงสัยหรือพบปัญหาติดต่อ พล.ต.ต.ชิษณุพงศ์ ยุกตะทัต หรือ พล.ต.ต.ณัฐธร เพราะสุนทร รอง ผบช.สตม. แล้วแต่กรณี


    posted on8 May 2014


    Here's a Google Translate...

    Practices Notice . , In the immigration of national goals , such as Korea , etc., are as follows.

    One . Prohibits border with the permission of the Visa run in the Out-In order to get the right to stay in the Kingdom for tourism reasons for non continuous .

    Two . Cases traveling by aircraft, if found to be in the nature of an Out-In Visa run to admonish and advise him process the Visa valid for the purposes of entering into the Kingdom. Then applied to From now until 12 Aug 57 by marking the boundary OI seal. After Day 12 Aug 57 onwards if officials detected an Out-In to deny immigration him.

    If practitioners have questions or problems contact. Maj. Gen. Ta Phongchanok applied gravitational or vice Maj. Gen. Nat beautiful natural because ผbch . Notice . Depending on the case .

    posted on8 May 2014



    Link...http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=readmore&id=1895§io

    Reports of people stranded at borders if you search the interweb.

    Just a heads up for those that do these runs.
    Last edited by Bogon; 10-05-2014 at 10:13 PM.
    Black diamonds? I shit 'em.

  2. #2
    Lord of Swine
    Necron99's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Nahkon Sawon
    Posts
    13,021
    That's gonna rain on a few parades.......

    Going to ruin their tourist numbers for the year.....

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
    Bogon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Last Online
    Today @ 08:33 AM
    Posts
    5,781
    I really don't want to say this or promote the site, but TV has some indepth and first hand experiences posted up.

    Please don't ban me for typing this mods. Only trying to help.

  4. #4
    Lord of Swine
    Necron99's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Nahkon Sawon
    Posts
    13,021
    it was good of them to post it so prominently in English......

  5. #5
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Last Online
    02-11-2014 @ 11:06 PM
    Posts
    2,799
    These visa runs must be a pain in the ass anyway!

    If a person is planning on staying in Thailand surely just getting an appropriate Visa is far more convenient.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
    toddaniels's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Last Online
    06-09-2020 @ 10:42 AM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    1,904
    I stated earlier that this change was in the wind, yet I was ridiculed by the "arm chair experts", "bar-stool lawyers" and people who allegedly "knew someone who knew something".. All I can say is; in your face(s)!

    "david44" (despite your barely understandable command of engrish) I think you're more than a little off base with your broad brushing..

    FWIW: I know many, many Cambodian and Burmese workers here. Surprisingly, to a person they have not only valid visas, but work permits too. What sucks for them is that they have to go extend their permission to stay every 90 days and their work permit too..

    Now are there illegals from Cambodia, Burma, Lao working here? Of course there are; just like there are possibly more illegal foreigners working as teachers here than there are ones with valid visas/work permits. Circumventing the system happens by all nationalities.

    They just are crackin' down on "runners" of EVERY nationality equally! There's no discrimination on where your passport comes from. For instance; ever though Koreans get 90 days for each visa exempt entry into thailand due to a reciprocal agreement, they are crackin' down on them border bouncing too! I think it's long over-due.

    I mean IF you're a bona fide tourist; come here, do touristy things, and then leave.

    However, if you're living here masquerading as a tourist by "running-4-the-border" every 30 or 15 days (depending on nationality); well, either get tourist visas from a thai embassy / consulate in a neighboring country or find another visa which lets you stay..

    It is not rocket science for a foreigner to further one's stay in the glorious "Land 'O Thaiz"..

    Any half-wit can figure out a viable option for "long stay". Many law firms, and/or companies in thailand will "sponsor" a foreigner to secure a Non-B multi-entry visa which lets you stay 15 months in kingdom with 90 day border runs. Which BTW; thai immigrations are NOT cracking down on, seeing as it says if you are activating another entry on a valid visa you are not being targeted!

    Oh the injustice of it all, oh the humanity.

    I think it's gonna result in a LOT more people who purposely over-stay, but be forewarned! They are gonna make some changes to the archaic over-stay rules here soon too. It's gonna become a lot more convoluted than how it is now where you just pony up your 20K baht overstay fine, walk outta here, turn around and walk back in.

    Good Luck
    "Whoever said `Money can`t buy you love or joy` obviously was not making enough money." <- quote by Gene $immon$ of the rock group KISS

  7. #7
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Last Online
    Today @ 01:25 PM
    Posts
    24,744
    Quote Originally Posted by toddaniels
    I stated earlier that this change was in the wind
    anybody with any nouse believed you - you have provided in depth accurate information in the past , and long may you continue

    Quote Originally Posted by toddaniels
    (despite your barely understandable command of engrish)
    it is because english english is not your native tongue

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    38,456
    The way Thailand is going, they will be begging for this 'scum' to return and throw a few shekels. Hardly an optimal time to be cracking down on visas, when I happen to know high salaried expats are trickling out in increasing numbers. TIT though, it would not surprise me if this latest irritation (for some) is a product of 'words behind closed doors' with their pals in the bureaucracy, from the Thai aviation industry- which is hurting badly.

  9. #9
    Tax Consultant
    Thormaturge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    9,890
    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    I happen to know high salaried expats are trickling out in increasing numbers.
    I am seeing both this and absolutely no new people coming.

    I know people talk about Myanmmar but Vietnam is where I am seeing business heading.

  10. #10
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    30,531
    What we are seeing in Thailand at the moment is the best example of "Shoot yourself in the foot" in it's history.

    They are out to hurt farang but the real people who will hurt are the tour operators that run this visa run industry.

    The farangs will of course take their business to other more welcoming places with Cambodia benefiting most.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Last Online
    07-12-2022 @ 03:12 PM
    Posts
    26,746
    ^
    Nah, I don't recon It will make one goats shit worth of difference LT.

    Round eyes cannot stay away from Thailand regards what happens and what rules are changed.

    The Visa runners will just adapt to the situation and up their game. Not hard innit.

    Once these protests blow over it will business as usual and all the Whities will flood back in just as they have done before after many numerous coups in Thailand.

    The Visa runners are only scum Backpackers so no lose there EH.

    Nice here in Bali LT, don't tell any bastard will ya.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
    Phuketrichard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    01-03-2024 @ 05:38 PM
    Location
    Phuket
    Posts
    1,341
    many of the exempt visa runners are Russians ( living in Phuket and Pattaya and working) and english teachers that the schools will not get a true wp for.

    NOTE:
    your still allowed ONE visa exempt entry (but there is no clarification how long you need be out of the country before you can get another one but for sure it wont be one day.

    and you can still fly in and out until August an get 30 days

    I doubt this will effect more than .0001% of people ( out of the 24 million tourist that visited Thailand last year) that visit Thailand
    "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol or insanity, but they've always worked for me" HST

    View my pics

  13. #13
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    30,531
    ^^ I hope you are right Terry.

    And yes the people who use such visa run services mostly do not contribute greatly to this country but they still spend money here.

    I was sitting in a bar yesterday and overheard a few talking about this issue and it will create a hell of a lot more overstays which is impossible to monitor let alone prevent.

    And enjoy yourself in Bali mate.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
    9999's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Last Online
    31-05-2018 @ 07:54 PM
    Location
    Hating but living in the 3rd world
    Posts
    5,511
    Quote Originally Posted by toddaniels
    However, if you're living here masquerading as a tourist by "running-4-the-border" every 30 or 15 days (depending on nationality); well, either get tourist visas from a thai embassy / consulate in a neighboring country or find another visa which lets you stay..
    Your info is appreciated, TD, but I don't like this holier-than-thou attitude every time the issue of visas come up. In the past, the Thais had no problem with visa runs, so we did them. When I did about 50 consecutive land crossings I only got shit from falangs. Sure, there are a lot of crustys doing these visa runs but its not for falangs to judge. The Thais have spoken so I will listen now.

    But for a falang who is a visitor himself, to stand on a pedastal and judge who is 'genuine', 'masquerading as a tourist' etc, it's a little bit rich. How about we cast judgement and say people who get visas, retirement, non-O, whatever, are really just long term tourist gaming the system getting visas under false pretences? At least the visa runners aren't hiding their purpose, they don't apply for visas on false grounds, they will come and return as they please.

    As for visa runners not contributing to the Thai economy, I'm not so sure. People on working visas are taking from the Thai economy. Like TEFLes and such. Personally I contribute more to Thailand GDP then probably 95% of people on visas, like penniless retirees who pull their funds and pass it around to circumvent the bank balance requirements.

    As an ex serial visa runner, I never cast judgement on these holders of dubious visas, no matter how much they preach about how everyone should be here on a visa like them or they are not worthy.

    Anyway, there are easy ways around it. A non-O costs like $200 bucks. You can fly direct from CM to HK for $90 return these days. And if the Thais make it too hard then I might just take all the jobs here I created and all the foreign income that flows in and take it elsewhere.

    All I can say is those dodgy 'ed visa' schools must be licking their chops right now. They have also cracked down on the vientiane back to back tourist visas, so your best bet for now might be to spawn some offspring and get hooked up with a non-O

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat
    toddaniels's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Last Online
    06-09-2020 @ 10:42 AM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    1,904
    Do any of you bother to read the real tourist statistics posted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand every year?

    Here's a off the top of my head re-cap; REAL tourists come from predominantly Asia, they come in groups, they stay an average of 14-20 days, they spend on average 3800 baht a day, NOT including lodging and after that they LEAVE thailand.

    Sorry to piss in your iced Chang beer, but; foreigners living here by "runnin'-4-the-border" every 15-30 days are NOT spending near that kinda money!!

    Factor in that as a rule, I've found thai immigrations is unimpressed that despite the fact a foreigner married a dumb hill-billy thai from Nakhon Nowhere, managed to breed with her, they still haven't figured out a suitable visa to stay long term in thailand. That is what flummoxes Immigrations the most, believe me.

    The foreigners who say "30 day visa runners" contribute to this country are either so deluded that they'd never hear reason or are one of those oh-so self important foreigners I see parading around here in their Chang beer singlet, cargo shorts and cheap flip-flopz bragging about the incredible "support they give the thai economy".

    Contrary to the conspiracy theorists who think otherwise; thai immigrations did not single out nor are they out to "hurt white people"!! This visa rule applies to every nationality equally. Christ Koreans get a 90 day visa exempt stamp EVERY TIME they cross the border, and yet they were used in the official announcement by immigrations!!

    If you don't think the visa run companies didn't get a heads up about this last week, you're high! I heard about it first from a couple visa run companies I send people to and then I vetted it at thai immigrations when I was out there.

    All you're going to see is a decrease in the number of "border bouncers" and a proportional INCREASE in the number of visa run services which lug people to the thai embassies in other countries to get valid tourist visas. In fact, those services are far more expensive so at the end of the day I think it's a wash..

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
    toddaniels's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Last Online
    06-09-2020 @ 10:42 AM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    1,904
    Gotta give you credit 9999 for cutting my posts up so you could bullet point retorts..

    I am NOT cussing out the "runners", and by that I mean the people who try to live here on visa exempt stamps. I mean it's worked for them almost since hector was a pup, right? Now I do hafta question the sanity of anyone who furthered their stay by continually slogging to the border to secure another 15 day visa exempt stamp. Last time I checked the only border white people get into for free is Malaysia, NOT Burma, Cambodia or Lao. Granted Burma is 10bucks to get into the border town on a day pass..

    Now hoppin' out/in to activate another entry on a valid visa to thailand is most definitely NOT hopping out/in to secure another 15/30 day visa exempt stamp. Even you might notice that the name of that stamp says it all; "visa exempt" or entry sans a valid visa.

    There are no changes to how the land borders handles double/triple entry tourist visas or multi-entry Non-O's, B's, ED's, etc. It's just visa exempt entries. So those people who you say are filling the visa run buses are gonna be just fine IF they're bouncin' out/in to activate another stay on their visa!

    Remember a few years back the powers that be said you could bounce out/in for 3 visa exempt entries in a 6 month period? After that they went to 15 day land border visa exempt stamps, although flyin' in still secured you 30 days. Then they changed it so that G7 countries got 30 days again, and now it's the way they say it is.

    Sorry but you're tryin' to compare apples to durian here. I honestly think you're just not getting it.

    We must just run with different crowds, because I don't see that many people working here, retired here or foreigners married to thaiz who appear to be living that close to the edge financially. However I do see the "visa exempt stamp runners" that way! Those dregs you see drinkin' beer at 8:30AM are probably on over-stay anyway. The over-stayers are a non-issue concerning this topic. although as I said, I believe there're gonna be some real changes to the way it's being handled in the future versus now (but that's a whore from a different go-go bar, err horse of a different color).

    I am not tryin' to come off better than anyone else who wants to be here. I pretty much look down on everyone equally. In that regard I'm an equal opportunity disparager. I denigrate, deride and put people down without regard to race, creed or color. I've met stupid people in every country I've ever been to. It makes me think stupidity doesn't know any borders!

    Honestly, I'm not tryin' to talk down to you; I'm tryin' to talk to you on your level.. Here, gimme your hand, I'll pull you up here with me!

    It would appear in the past you have "run-4-the-border" to activate another stay on your visa. If so this new rule doesn't even apply to you!

    I'm just saying there are ways to "use the rules as tools" to further your stay here and it's most definitely not by border-bounces to secure 15 day visa exempt stamps, especially after yesterday!

    I offered out almost every option that I could think of as possible alternatives.

    Good Luck

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Last Online
    07-12-2022 @ 03:12 PM
    Posts
    26,746
    Just a quick question to 9999.

    Is it not cheaper to get a real visa " Say a triple entry visa " than to be doing never ending 15 day Visa runs. ?

    Just a question like and not arguing.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    9999's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Last Online
    31-05-2018 @ 07:54 PM
    Location
    Hating but living in the 3rd world
    Posts
    5,511
    Quote Originally Posted by terry57
    Is it not cheaper to get a real visa " Say a triple entry visa " than to be doing never ending 15 day Visa runs. ?
    It depends on where you live, and also if you had a purpose going to border. If you're like me and pick up big bags of yaba and smuggle them in then its way better off you come out a few million ahead. Ban that mods


  19. #19
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Last Online
    07-12-2022 @ 03:12 PM
    Posts
    26,746
    ^

    Fair enough reason that one and who could possibly argue.

    So based on 9999's top inside information being a Yaba dealer is good if one loves doing visa runs.

    Brilliant info and this is why me and 9999 get on so well.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat
    hooter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Last Online
    23-08-2023 @ 12:45 PM
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    1,766
    Quote Originally Posted by terry57 View Post
    Is it not cheaper to get a real visa " Say a triple entry visa " than to be doing never ending 15 day Visa runs. ?

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    9999's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Last Online
    31-05-2018 @ 07:54 PM
    Location
    Hating but living in the 3rd world
    Posts
    5,511
    Quote Originally Posted by toddaniels
    Now hoppin' out/in to activate another entry on a valid visa to thailand is most definitely NOT hopping out/in to secure another 15/30 day visa exempt stamp. Even you might notice that the name of that stamp says it all; "visa exempt" or entry sans a valid visa.
    I'll try keep this nice and clean so it doesn't get deleted...

    How is a visa exemption 'definetely not' the same as a visa in terms of border runs?

    Both allow you to enter Thailand for a period of time, before you exit and re-enter.

    If exiting on re-entering immediately after a bridge crossing is taking the piss, how is doing the same to activate your visa entry not?

    Do you think that visa runs on multi-entry visas is in the spirit of immigration policy? Did the authorities dish out multiple entries so people could walk over the bridge at Mae Sai and turn around again? This is no less gaming the system than doing the multi-entries.

    The Thais get nothing off the exemption running fellas. It makes sense that they squeeze it for a bit. After all, it's still easy enough to stay here for an extended period masquerading as a tourist via 'legitimate' visas, right? Hey, you can even pay some school to dodgy up some paper work for an ed visa. You dont even have to attend any classes.

    But you should not for a second think the the Thais differentiate. No matter how much Thais will flatter you in their native language, don't let it go to your head. They are not making this move to keep the riff raff out, its just a bad proposition for them. In their eyes we are all just chang singlet, flip flop wearing, dark skin loving, bald, fat, sweaty etc etc ... They are not like "oh, this dude is heaps better than that dude coz he has a visa and speaks pidgin Thai" so I have no idea why so many falangs are so hung up on, and get on their pedastal about the visa / exemption status of others.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    59,983
    sore point innit 9999?

  23. #23
    Member

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Last Online
    15-12-2016 @ 11:45 AM
    Location
    halo paradise
    Posts
    281
    I don't live in Thailand but go there often when my visa for Cambodia or Laos, etc run out.I like Thailand for a break but I don't want to stay there for more than 15 days.
    Seems undemocratic.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    22,620
    Quote Originally Posted by mikem
    I don't live in Thailand but go there often when my visa for Cambodia or Laos, etc run out.I like Thailand for a break but I don't want to stay there for more than 15 days. Seems undemocratic.
    Yup Laos and Cambodia are much better.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
    toddaniels's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Last Online
    06-09-2020 @ 10:42 AM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    1,904
    At least Lt Gen Phanu Kerdlaphon (national commander of Thai Immigrations) finally came out and said something about it; instead of this or that official spouting off how it's gonna be in handled in their little fiefdoms.

    Now honestly I believe some of what was written in english is bluster or posture. I mean you gotta come off the proverbial rails pretty here bad to get black-listed and it has a sliding scale of mandatory time outta the country too. I'd bet far more will just be deported to country of passport origin. Dunno it's a little too early in the game to really get an idea of what's what. I think they wanted to "put the fear of God" into people with their menacing tone.

    As you can see in the thai version (or not if you can't read thai); there are several countries which get 90 day visa exempt stamps entering via land or air (because of reciprocal agreements). Those countries are; Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Korea & Argentina. In the thai version of the announcement they mentioned South Korea specifically as the example.

    I know quite a few Koreans who work full time here in Thailand for Korean/Thai companies. They don't hold work permits, they're paid into their bank accounts in Korea and even though they live here, they've been 'border bouncing' for a good while now.

    I called two visa run companies yesterday morning; one's I routinely refer people to. Both said they were takin' foreigners to the border who wanted a visa exempt entry stamp BUT they were gonna see when the last stamp was, warn them this is the last border-bounce they can do via a land crossing and that their passport would get the new O/I stamp.

    They are still takin' foreigners who are tryin' to activate another stay on a valid visa; Tourist, Non-O, Non-B, etc without a problem as this rule change doesn't affect them at all. They also said they're luggin people to the thai embassies in neighboring countries to get valid visas and that they've been swamped with calls about it.

    I think all your going to see is a shift in what area of their business generates the most income. The "border-bouncez" are gonna go down and the runz to a neighboring country's thai embassy are gonna go up.

    Now it would appear, that flying in and out (at least until August 12) still gives you a 30 day visa exempt stamp sans the O/I (out/in notation). A foreigner just did a same day round trip flight to a neighboring country, yet secured a 30 day visa exempt stamp without any hassle or notation in his passport.


    The powers that be here know a lot of people are just gonna stop border-bouncing and because of that, end up on overstay. I did mention in another post somewhere on the forum that I expect enforcement of the overstay rules to change in the near future to a much harder line as far as interpretation/implementation.

    Oh, the immigrations guy also said, that on a case by case basis, IF someone is really here using thailand as a base to tour other S/E Asian countries, they will make allowances for them to secure more than one visa exempt stamp. I guess if they can show their travel plans in/out, in again, out again. Now just what the criteria is to satisfy an immigrations official as far as valid travel plans, well, that's anyone's guess. I'd imagine, booked hotel confirmations here for a couple week, then in neighboring countries for a couple weeks, another booking here, another booking there, etc, but really don't know..

    Despite my condescending attitude towards "border-bouncers" or "runners" who used visa exempt stamps as a way to facilitate their stay here in the glorious "Land 'O Thaiz", I do feel bad about it.

    There was no telegraphing of this information prior to thai immigrations thinkin' it up. I do find it strange that visa run companies knew about it as early as Wednesday last week before the news even broke; yet no one in thai officialdom bothered to tell the people who would be affected that this change was in the pipeline.

    Good luck to all of the people this rule change affects!!

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •