The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

chitown

So if you land in BKK, want to tour around Thailand, then travel by bus to Nong Khai and go to Vientiane across the border and on to Vietnam by bus, then you can't??

What about people that buy package tours???

Sir Burr

Yes, you can. then you use the visa exemption stamp. You will still be holding a ticket back to your home country (or, out of the region).
Back when Brits needed a visa to go to the USA, you had to show a return ticket.
Thailand is just bringing their immigration policies in line with many other countries.

__________________
Phuket - Veni Vidi Veni

zorin

Cambodian yearly business visa $260 multiple entry.

John

So this seems to be pretty hard for all those below 50. I just got 50 and can go for the 1 year retirement extension - it is not more than this - an extension. But I do not expect an improvement of visa rules in the future. So my visa problem might follow soon.

The basic questions is WHY Thailand? There might be some who found the love of their dreams here and even have kids. But the rest... There are (even more) beautiful beaches and bitches everywhere around Thailand. So why worry??? You moved from your country to Asia and there to Thailand - perhaps it was a big step. Just take a tiny step to move to a different country here in this region. They all have endless interesting things to explore. You might be less bored than here - at least for some time. So in the end you might win more than you can lose.

peterpan

For a normal tourist 30 day stamp I presume you need to show a onward ticket? They didn't ask for one last month, but I suppose an "e ticket" would suffice. The border use is Nong Kai.

Thetyim

This new regulation is about showing a flight ticket at the embassy/consulate when you apply for a visa. It is shown to the MFA and not immigration when you enter

colourful-era

well this is a right royal pain in the arse.

I'm off to Singapore in a few days and was hoping to get Tourist Visa there but since realising it is Chinese New Year and it's a holiday on Weds,Thurs I've bought a one way ticket to Cambodia(Air Asia) in case.

So will I be able to get a 30 day VOE on my return to Bangkok or even a TV from the embassy in Singapore. What happens if I can do neither as Cambodia is in the region.

Will they leave me to rot in Singapore or just lock me up when I arrive back in Bangkok and then deport me to the UK?

EmperorTud

As predicted the rules continue to tighten.

There's too many foreigners living in Thailand. That's not my opinion; that's the opinion of the Thais, and so they are doing something about it. Problem is, that number of foreigners is increasing all the time and so the rules will continue to tighten until the number of foreigners starts decreasing.

It stands to reason, as tourist arrivals increase (if we are to believe the TAT) on a yearly basis so will the amount of foreigners that just don't want to leave.

Now we have a scenario where there are more Western foreigners living here than ever the Thais are slowly removing the loopholes we once enjoyed so the least desirable foreigners are slowly being eliminated from staying in Thailand permanently.

I would think it won't be long before we see the nail in the coffin for the longstayer and the dreaded '90 days and you're out' applying to anyone who doesn't report to Immigration.

peterpan

Says who? is this the official opinion ? around here the women say no enough farang, no choice for me.

BUCKEYE

What's the work permit route?

EmperorTud

It is the opinion of the majority and it is also the official opinion, i.e. it is government policy.

Gerbil

Care to point out the 'policy document' where they state this?

Reaper

I think that you can read that off from the passing of the laws. Laws are a reflection of a countries wants. Look at the FBA as an example. No longer do they want a 50/50 company based on holding but rather on voting rights. That means foreigners are out.

The problem with many Westerns in Thailand is that they think fluck everyone else I have a better piece of paper and so I am safe. Nobody is safe. I recall the attitude of Dr Pisspong on Thaivisa that Thailand wants all the poor Westerns out. Well looking at the FBA clearly money is not the issue - never has been!

EmperorTud

100% Correct.

Gerbil

So, where's the policy document that says there are too many foreigners living in Thailand then? You might 'believe' it's the policy, but you can't quote an official source can you?

You sound like another TV 'the sky is falling' reject.

EmperorTud

My official source is an official in the higher echelons of Immigration.

As for policy documents for your perusal look no further than the official documents illustrating new and effective visa restrictions and the draft of the FBA.

The sky isn't falling for me, yet, as the visa regulations or new FBA won't affect me for the time being or for the foreseeable future.

If you cannot see what is happening in front of your nose don't be angry and frustrated at other members for pointing it out to you.

PattyFlipper

Absolutely not. Some landlords may ask you to sign a registration form (once), which they then submit to the police, but most don't even bother (mine never has). No police registration, no visa or border runs, no work permits, multiple entry and exit visas, no bureaucratic hassles.


The Thais have a looong tradition of making it very difficult for foreigners to establish any kind of permanent or long-term foothold on sacred Thai soil. It goes back centuries, when the first European traders were even forbidden from living on dry land (they basically had to live on their ships). The mentality is not going to change much this side of Armageddon, either.

PattyFlipper

What about those who live in say Cambodia or Vietnam, but who use Bangkok as a transit stop or even for medical services? Can't leave the airport? Can't even get on the plane to Thailand in the first place?

If there is any truth to this, and it is not just the rumour mill working overtime, that settles it for me. I've been itching for a valid excuse never to set foot in Thailand again. In future, I shall use KL or Singapore if I can't get a direct flight from Phnom Penh.

colourful-era

^ too true - Thailand is just a doss hole for cheap whores and little else.

Gerbil

So, not official at all in other words. I'll just file this under 'bollocks' then.