Thread: New Thailand Tourist visa run rules

Originally Posted by peterpan

For a normal tourist 30 day stamp I presume you need to show a onward ticket?

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

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?

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.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

There's too many foreigners living in Thailand. That's not my opinion; that's the opinion of the Thais,

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

Originally Posted by dirtydog

It looks like from next month you will have to be able to show a flight out of Thailand if you wish to apply for a Thai tourist visa in any of the local Asian countries, on the notices it states it has to be a flight ticket, yep, you nip off to Penang, Cambodia or Laos to get a new tourist visa to go back into Thailand you will have to show the Thai embassy or consulate your flight ticket out of Thailand, there are no other options listed, ie rail travel or bus or car, in the Thai embassy in Vientiane they are now not issueing multiple Non immigrant O visas for married to Thai national people, yep only a single entry so you have to go the work permit or yearoutrly e if you don't want to piss around with visa runs, I would imagine that quite a few people will be giving up on bothering to stay in Thailand.

What's the work permit route?

Originally Posted by peterpan

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

There's too many foreigners living in Thailand. That's not my opinion; that's the opinion of the Thais,

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

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

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

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

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

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

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

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

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!

Originally Posted by Reaper

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

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

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

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!

100% Correct.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

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

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

Originally Posted by colourful-era

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

Yet you still stay. Muppet.

Originally Posted by PattyFlipper

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.

I beg to differ. It's not the Thais who are running the show.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

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

FACT: It was their stated policy to reduce the amount of foreigners staying in Thailand on 30 day entry stamps. A stated policy written, which you can find online, to reduce the number of foreigners living in Thailand. It was initially effective now they will go after tourist visas and possibly Non-Imms.

FACT: The Labour Dept. have been instructed to reduce the some 1,500 new work permits issued monthly to foreigners in order to keep the numbers down. There are some 150,000 active foreigners with work permits in Thailand.

FACT: Neighbouring Thai Embassies and Consulates have been instructed not to issue certain visas, not to issue visas at all and some to refuse visas to foreigners who appear to be staying permanently in Thailand on tourist visas and entry stamps.

FACT: The FBA, which IMO will come into force soon whether we like it or not, is to discourage foreigners from doing business in Thailand. While you could argue this is not directly aimed at reducing the number of foreigners in Thailand it is certainly conducive.

FACT: The Investment visa was scrapped showing conclusively that money was not a concern and even foreigners with money, willing to invest in Thailand are still not welcome to stay here on a long term basis.

FACT: The TAT's continuing campaign to bring a "better class of tourist" to Thailand. In other words, they want fewer foreigners that stay a short time and spend more money. Again, policy.

I could go on, but to argue that it is not Government policy in the face of irrefutable evidence seems rather foolish.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

FACT: It was their stated policy to reduce the amount of foreigners staying in Thailand on 30 day entry stamps. A stated policy written, which you can find online, to reduce the number of foreigners living in Thailand. It was initially effective now they will go after tourist visas and possibly Non-Imms.

Link please?

You honestly shouldn't need a link to something that was so widely publicised and just introduced in October 2006. It's pretty much well documented here and on other forums. I'm surprised it escaped your attention.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

FACT: Neighbouring Thai Embassies and Consulates have been instructed not to issue certain visas, not to issue visas at all and some to refuse visas to foreigners who appear to be staying permanently in Thailand on tourist visas and entry stamps.

A tourist is not a resident. If someone is foolish enough to believe they are 'living' here on the basis of that or 30 day stamps, then they are in for a long overdue wakeup.

Of course a tourist is not a resident however many people were living on tourist visas and visa-free entry stamps for many years. Government policy was and is to reduce and eventually eradicate that number.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

FACT: The FBA, which IMO will come into force soon whether we like it or not, is to discourage foreigners from doing business in Thailand. While you could argue this is not directly aimed at reducing the number of foreigners in Thailand it is certainly conducive.

The FBA is already in force (since 2000 when it replaced the 1972 Alien Business Law) You're refering to legislation to modify that which was introduced by the last government but was never completed. That's not to say something similar won't be reintroduced.

Nit picking really. The point is valid.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

FACT: The Investment visa was scrapped showing conclusively that money was not a concern and even foreigners with money, willing to invest in Thailand are still not welcome to stay here on a long term basis.

It could be argued that this was scrapped to make room for the 'Elite card' scheme. I wouldnt make that claim as I don't have the facts to back it up.

It could be argued but the bottom line is the same; it serves to reduce the number of ways foreigners can legitimately stay in Thailand.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

FACT: The Labour Dept. have been instructed to reduce the some 1,500 new work permits issued monthly to foreigners in order to keep the numbers down. There are some 150,000 active foreigners with work permits in Thailand.

Link please?

Again, widely publicised and continuing Labour Dept. policy.

You claim it's offical government policy that "there are too many foreigners living in Thailand", yet you are unable to substantiate that claim with a specific verifiable link. Instead you prefer to extrapolate an opinion based on hearsay.

Policy is a sum of the laws being introduced and those laws are irrefutably aimed at reducing and restricting the number of Western foreigners living in Thailand.

I'd stick to doing movie reviews if I were you. You were at least partly amusing there.

Save the wee digs and snide remarks for MKP where they belong pal.

^ So you still can't come up with any actual links? Just vague references to 'other forums' - hardly official mouthpieces are they? No links to any government websites? Immigration department? Labout department? No?

Thought not.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

^ So you still can't come up with any actual links? Just vague references to 'other forums' - hardly official mouthpieces are they? No links to any government websites? Immigration department? Labout department? No?

Thought not.

You're clutching at straws.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Originally Posted by Gerbil

^ So you still can't come up with any actual links? Just vague references to 'other forums' - hardly official mouthpieces are they? No links to any government websites? Immigration department? Labout department? No?

Thought not.

You're clutching at straws.

You're the one who claimed it was official policy, yet can't seem to come up with any links to backup your claim.

When you do, feel free to share.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Originally Posted by Gerbil

^ So you still can't come up with any actual links? Just vague references to 'other forums' - hardly official mouthpieces are they? No links to any government websites? Immigration department? Labout department? No?

Thought not.

You're clutching at straws.

You're the one who claimed it was official policy, yet can't seem to come up with any links to backup your claim.

When you do, feel free to share.

Links to what? The laws are been enacted and some are now being enforced. Evidence enough to assess Government policy.

You seem to completely ignore the solid evidence I have given to support that reducing the number of foreigners in Thailand is Government policy, yet incredulously, have provided absolutely no evidence to the contrary!

Originally Posted by Lars sorensen

The immigration in Denmark wont let my wife stay in Denmark.......
...

Why is that?