[Telling Immigration officers you work online, if questioned at border]

I think its important to make a distinction between those online workers where their work is actually back in the UK or wherever home is (ie they manage a website for a UK business) and are able to show payments into a UK bank account. They simply are on extended holiday travel but are working for boss back home/even if boss is oneself...

The second category is an online worker who is making money from advertising marketing or click throughs from anything related to Thailand. And I'd suggest a travel blog might fall into this category.

I base this on dealings with my accountant and lawyer in bangkok where I get my tax and legal affairs managed as I have a business here self employed with all the little details to comply with.

They were very clear about defining where business was based and what based on.

When I enquired if I arranged all payments into foreign account would I simply be able to use my home country business and I was told as long as I could show my work was unrelated to being in Thailand (and blogging about Thailand is related to Thailand) and it was present existing ie I didn't start doing it whilst already in Thailand then OK.

For my situation I'm not totally online so had to register a business here etc - - still cheaper than home.

So when saying you work online to immigration I'd sttgly suggest you have proof of salary or payments ihtova foreign account and ability ticshownthem the type of online work you do to be very clear and make it easier for immigration officer as we know their attitude and knowledge vary from officer to officer and location to location.

[Caught by the new Tourist Visa rules]

As you have a clear itinerary and can supply flight exit details I would suggest using the visa exempt method as you qualify and will have all the relevant details should they enquire.

It is not uncommon with tours to cross cross Thailand as bangkok is a hub for south east Asia travel.

Clear exit plans and proof of exit flight is what the focus is normally on.

Enjoy your trip.

[Can i make visa extension in immigration on the last day?]

Regarding going to Laos to get a new double entry visa check the forum posts on here as they arent tn being issued anymore. If you leave and go to Laos you will only get a single entry visa.

[Should I Go Before Nov,13th for a Tourist Visa in Penang ?]

To the Brazilian gentleman

As you need to apply for a visa and don't seem to be able to get another 90 day visa exempt entry with a Brazilian passport (based on what you were told the last time you entered Thailand).

The tourist visa is for 60 days only and you can extend for a further 30 days at immigration offered in phuket.

You cannot get a 6 month visa as you will need to return to Brazil to apply for one of these, not Penang.

If you wish to stay 6 months you will need to exit Thailand at 90 days and apply for a new tourist visa.

Be aware that the requirements for a tourist visa include proof of outbound flight, funds for travelling, accommodation etc. Some consulates and embassies do not ask, others do. Last week in Penang a neighbours friend was asked to provide all of this, in the same week another guest at his penang hotel was not asked for all of this. Just be aware that a tourist visa does require more than a fee to be paid. You've not had to worry about this before but should read up about the requirements in case you are asked to provide them.

[Helping out the in-laws local shop to improve trade]

My partner family run a similar set up. Main things I've observed in their successful defence from competitors:

Ice sells well but ice cream is a waste with intermittent power failures it goes to waste being dairy etc

Cold drinks and a blender super popular foskajes using ice and canned milk/coffee/soft drink they just sell the soft drink and charge 3 baht to make a shake - they don't do takeaway as plastic cups too dear

Kids get sent there to pick up stuff for folks and they keep small range of cheap candy in bags they can buy with the change type of candy kids like bought in bulk and sold in smaller quantities

Older kids and adults will buy snacks if they can smell and see them without going in. Maybe consider simply rearranging front.

These cheap ideas seem to be most of their trade as we'll as diplaying the winning lotto numbers locals come by to check them.

[I want facts and experience, not opinions. Thanks.]

I have a double entry TV. Obtained in Laos one month ago. Friend went same consulate in Laos two weeks ago and was issued single entry despite applying for double entry.

Next door neighbour was declined any TV as could not show exit flight and all requirements . spoke with other applicants and even if they met all criteria listed were issued single entry TV. One person was refused in their visa run group any TV despite having exit flight as he had several TVs back to back and this was deemed enough to decline. The neighbour with similar but with a month here and there break to othercountries had no issue.

So basically don't expect to get double entry TV and if applying fr single TV make sure you meet all he criteria and expect possible refusal if you have several (more than 1 or 2) back to back TVs without rbreaks of time in other countries.

This only refers t direct experience in Laos Malaysia kl and Penang and Singapore.

[Wife refused entry to US at airport]

My family has been through this in USA last year (2014). I'm afraid your only option is for her to leave and apply from overseas. I do not suggest she try to reenter on another tourist visa as they will have noted her issue this time.

You may however apply for her current tourist visa to be extended for compassionate reasons if you are unwell and unable to travel. But this must be clearly unable to travel and must be something worse than when you entered as clearly you were able to travel to USA. Its a small distinction but a such significant one to be aware of.

Speak to an immigration lawyer as a fiance visa next time might be more appropriate if you all intend to stay and reside in USA.

[border officer counting numbers of visas and taking notes]

I passed through Laos border nong khai earlier this week and same thing the guy wrote on each visa I'd previously had. Weird. Especially as my tourist visas are not back to back. I've been feeling weird about it as I'm worried now using my double entry visa in two months to go to Vietnam for a wedding. Nong khai border crossing no longer so great. I heard on the train two guys who were detained for an hour and asked a lot of questions. They are just backpacking through and crisscrossing Thailand to do so. Not working not long term...

The consulate is lovely to deal with the immigration post not so much. Who know what these numbers and marks are especially when I next go out and reenter Thailand?

[Refused tourist visa in Penang - Can I just fly into BKK?]

Re: Indonesia not needing visa. You mean tourist visa issued on arrival no need to apply and have in your passport prior to arriving.

ALL tourist visas for Thailand Indonesia Cambodia Laos etc require proof of outbound travel ticket. Even if its a visa waiver program you're eligible for its still remains a condition.

Dressing appropriately (flip flops, old singlets and ratty t-shirts do not assist your case dress respectfully and amazingly it helps a lot. Also to be clean shaven, use some shampoo and be polite. I see many backpackers dressing cool in rstty singlet unwashed hair and three day beard with dirty feet and flip flops wondering why they got knocked back in Penang or Vientiane before.

Use common sense and maybe read up the visa section of this forum to learn more.

Many consulates and immigration checkpoints don't ask this but they legally.have a right to see proof.

For tourist visa it is a valid request as they assume you buy ticket 15-30 days ahead.

So if entering Indonesia they can ask same question but are unlikely in most instances.

Thailand is getting stricter on repeat tourist visas so its always a good idea to read the requirements and have your replies.

Proof of adequate money this is always helpful.

Proof on onward travel 15/30/60/90 days from entry depending on how you are arriving if you applied for a 60 day visa and intend on applying for 30 day extension inside Thailand etc.

Travel booking documents/tickets etc.

The more often you get a visa the more careful and thorough you need to be or should be in any case.

And be prepared to get knocked back if you can't show all the above or if you can and have a red stamp you need to maybe consider leaving Thailand for a month or two or more go elsewhere and then come back- remembering the requirements will still apply but you will have had other visas from other counties in your passport which helps.

[getting a non-immigrant ED visa without a Work Permit]

No.

You require a visa- without the wp form your visa will not be issued.

If you travel to Thailand without this visa then you will get a visa on arrival if you are eligible as a tourist only.

To chanfe to a working visa OR ED visa you will need to exit Thailand applymfornthe visa at the appropriate consulate or embassy and then re-enter Thailand.

Your options are to delay your flight or to enter Thailand as a tourist noting you shoulfnnkt be working or doing unpaid internship but hey who cares but as the tourist visa is short term you will need tkcleave.

You cannot apply.for the visa inside Thailand. You.must be physically outside so your options are limited to the above.

Changing your flight to after you have applied for and received visa would be recommended as easiest and most simple. The cost of entering exiting waiting several days for your application to be assessed in Penang or Vientiane for example and travelling back should be more expensive.

[Entering Thailand with less than 6 months validity on visa but resident in Thailand on Non-O visa]

It is highly likely she won't be able to board flight any flight internationally with the six month date so close.

I have seen at bangkok airport a gentleman turned away who had just over six months left on his passport because he had a visa which could be active during the less than six month period.

I'd suggest your wife start now contacting her embassy whatever you are and get a new passport.

I am unsure how or ofnypu need tkx transfer the visa she obtained onto the new passport. You may posoboy be allowed to enter and then transfer it over but someone here may have experience with moving the visa to. a new passport. I would imagine its a similar process to losing a passport and getting your visa placed in new passport.

[Type O Marriage Visa Foreign man vs Foreign Women]

Then law is clear for applying for a spouse visa if female there are rules that apply for my husband to qualify to support me.

Totally different consideration to proving income to support Thai female if you are a farang male.

As the case of Thai man marrying farang female is not many there's a lot of differing opinion.

They were very suspicious about it all did I just want a visa etc.

It was annoying I couldn't use my income to show support of my Thai husband but that's just the way it is.

We originally applied where we live in Surat Thai but ended up finalising in nakhon si thammarat astthat's where his family is, house is etc. But job is in Surat thani.

Main thing if anyone applying as a farang female is your Thai husband needs income showing in bank account unless has own business then business accounts OK from what we were told.

If your future husband is more cash than salary you can find them being a bit difficult.

I do know from talking with the officials that theu do view different nationalities differently - no surprises there. Western farang females is UK USA Australia Canada no issues too hard, they seem to look at Chinese Indian differently.

It helped we are both professionals in corporate type work. And we had a temple wedding both families attending. My husband had already come to ausralia for 6 months to live before we got married so whem we were asked questions they seemed happy.

Main thing was the money support issue.

[Type O Marriage Visa Foreign man vs Foreign Women]

I married three years ago I'm Australian and my husband is Thai.

Whilst I didn't have to show financial records my husband did. And the threshold was the same - 40,000 per month. They also seemed to be a lot more interested in where we lived, his employer etc than friends (male) who married Thai females.

The main thing is in Thailand the husband of foreign or Thai nationality must show ability to support spouse for you to qualify for spouse visa.

We had issue that my husband receives most of his income as cash and as such doesn't bank it all - we had issues getting approved.