News On The New Regulation

[vedanta]

a few have mentioned that we just have to it the legal way. SO what is the legal way or possible way for a farang who is under 50, and wants to have a business or some king of residency?

ANy answers? cheers.

[asiaworld]

I recently got a new passport so no stamps in it now. When going for a Tourist Visa, will they check in computer for previous stamps, or not? Been doing the Visa runs for quite a few months now.

Wheres best for a Tourist Visa , Penang or Laos?

he he .. i travel weekly , & live here & they still want 2 take my pic every time i go ! so surely no such system is in place > it IS in Malaysia, S'pore, HK <Korea , where just by typing in name & DOB they get the fulllist of ALl visits 4 the last few good years

[Coolname]

I recently came back from a business trip to Phnom Penh to find that my Non B multi visa had expired. The immigration officer in the airport instead gave me a tourist visa 30 day.

Now first thing was to go to check about the work permit and they said they could extend it until 26 September and wait for the renewal of my visa.

My questions:

I need to extend or get a new multi-entry Non B visa. Can I obtain this at the Immigration Bureau Office at Suan Plu when providing all the necessary documents?

I have a lot of stamps 90 days from regular business trips in the region and since i am now on a turist visa stamp 30 days will any of this new stuff effect my stay, if i have to go to Singapore or KL for a new NON B multi entry?

[HDRIDER]

Thanks a lot sunbelt

[jdinasia]

a few have mentioned that we just have to it the legal way. SO what is the legal way or possible way for a farang who is under 50, and wants to have a business or some king of residency?

ANy answers? cheers.

Sure .... go to the main site and have a read .... and take a look at the sponsor's link and have a read there too

[dragonx]

Sunbelt? Or any helpful, experienced souls out there... As it happens I've been with my g/f now for over a year and we're both ready for marriage. I'm 42, she's 31. Regarding the O Visa option which requires 400k baht remitted from overseas to a Thai bank account. My question is does IMM want to see an additional 400k in the bank every year upon appliying for extension? In other words 400k the first year, 800k balance for approval on second year etc.?

And if not, what's to stop people from simply rotating the same 400k in and out of the account every year? ie, can I do that??

[pattaya_girl]

i have been living in pattaya for over 5 years with no problems up to now, several visas and generally keeping legal. i do not work, i am not married. i own a house here and opened up a company to put my hosue into. i pay the thai government company tax every year but still, i can only get a tourist visa. looks like i am going to have to go back to beautiful penang for a tourist visa again, i am so excited !!!!!!!!! a tourist paying tax... AMAZING THAILAND.....

[vedanta]

A few people have mentioned that we need to just do things the legal way. I ve no problem with that.

SO what are the legal ways to get a visa/residency for a 26 year old who maybe wants to have a business in Thailand?

What are the legal ways now?

All I need to make money is an internet connection and laptop so techically speaking I can leave to other Asian countries for 90 days at at time, but thats not ideal.

Any suggestions? Cheers

[Meg_2003]

I recently got a new passport so no stamps in it now. When going for a Tourist Visa, will they check in computer for previous stamps, or not? Been doing the Visa runs for quite a few months now.

Wheres best for a Tourist Visa , Penang or Laos?

he he .. i travel weekly , & live here & they still want 2 take my pic every time i go ! so surely no such system is in place >

Are you referring to Laos?

[asiaworld]

i'm referring to the fact, that most likely thai immigration system doesn't keep record on entries & exits of foreigners, at least NOT that close @ hand !

[jdinasia]

i'm referring to the fact, that most likely thai immigration system doesn't keep record on entries & exits of foreigners, at least NOT that close @ hand !

Notat ALL of their posts .... but they are fully automated at at least 15 locations ....

the other locations will require LOOKING

[neilmc]

This will cause problems for me as a tourist.

I arrive in Bangkok for 1 month in November and while I am there I am going to take 2 seperate trips out of the country returning to Bangkok after each one and then return to the UK before Christmas. In total I will be in Thailand for about 20 days but will have three entry stamps on my passport when I leave.

I also planned to Come on holiday to Thailand for a couple of weeks next April but under these new regulations I will have three entry stamps on my passport even though I am only staying for a few days and effectively using Thailand as a travel hub for my extended travels while I am away.

I tend to avoid going to countries that require advance purchases of visas becuase it's a hassle - I dont live near any embassies and I don't want to pay the often exphensive fees to some stupid embassy official to rubber stamp my passport.

So I won't come over in April - I'll just go somewhere else - when I am away I spend thousands of pounds in hotels, bars and restaurants and normally I travel in a group of like minded people !

Where else in Asia is a pretty cool place to go for a couple of weeks break ?

[wildpikey]

hi guys..

so why do people want multiple tourist visa's anyway?

surely 30 or 60 days is enough for a holiday - and thats what these tourist visa's are for.

if you are working or staying in thailand why dont you get a work or retirement or dependants visa?

i dont think that there is anything wrong here with the new visa requirements - just people trying to get around the law - for whatever reason - probably tax or insurance or just simply black employment ....

so what do such people ( multiple tourist visa ) do for a living? how do they get money? one assumes its all illigal?

so i guess thats why the thai authorities are trying to tighten up on them?

amarka

Some people need these visas because they are retired, under 50 and don't trust investing money in the country which seems to make since taking all of this into account. They need a retired visa for the young people. You don't have to be old to retire.

[Meg_2003]

It still seems unclear to me, Will I be ok getting a Tourist Visa since ive got a new passport, or will they check it all on com? Ive been to Cambodia 6 times after my last Tourist Visa finished, soon to be 7 ... :\

[kevinsan]

In the old days, all foreigners living in Thailand more than 180 days had to have a tax clearance before being allowed to leave the country.

Probably similar ideas on the horizon.

[jdinasia]

This will cause problems for me as a tourist.

I arrive in Bangkok for 1 month in November and while I am there I am going to take 2 seperate trips out of the country returning to Bangkok after each one and then return to the UK before Christmas. In total I will be in Thailand for about 20 days but will have three entry stamps on my passport when I leave.

I also planned to Come on holiday to Thailand for a couple of weeks next April but under these new regulations I will have three entry stamps on my passport even though I am only staying for a few days and effectively using Thailand as a travel hub for my extended travels while I am away.

I tend to avoid going to countries that require advance purchases of visas becuase it's a hassle - I dont live near any embassies and I don't want to pay the often exphensive fees to some stupid embassy official to rubber stamp my passport.

So I won't come over in April - I'll just go somewhere else - when I am away I spend thousands of pounds in hotels, bars and restaurants and normally I travel in a group of like minded people !

Where else in Asia is a pretty cool place to go for a couple of weeks break ?

There will be a 90 day gap between when you leave Thailand and when you come back in April right? No problem then.

[wildpikey]

hi guys..

so why do people want multiple tourist visa's anyway?

surely 30 or 60 days is enough for a holiday - and thats what these tourist visa's are for.

if you are working or staying in thailand why dont you get a work or retirement or dependants visa?

i dont think that there is anything wrong here with the new visa requirements - just people trying to get around the law - for whatever reason - probably tax or insurance or just simply black employment ....

so what do such people ( multiple tourist visa ) do for a living? how do they get money? one assumes its all illigal?

so i guess thats why the thai authorities are trying to tighten up on them?

amarka

Some people need these visas because they are retired, under 50 and don't trust investing money in the country which seems to make since taking all of this into account. They need a retired visa for the young people. You don't have to be old to retire.

[wpcoe]

neilmc: You can return for a holiday in April. Just get a tourist visa in the UK -- others have said the consulate in Hull is very accomodating and efficient. Folks with visas will have no problem entering Thailand.

[Oishi]

The reason is to force people who are supposed to have work permits to do so and pay tax.

Oh yes! Paying tax...Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has really set an example for everyone on that issue.

[libya 115]

This will cause problems for me as a tourist.

I arrive in Bangkok for 1 month in November and while I am there I am going to take 2 seperate trips out of the country returning to Bangkok after each one and then return to the UK before Christmas. In total I will be in Thailand for about 20 days but will have three entry stamps on my passport when I leave.

I also planned to Come on holiday to Thailand for a couple of weeks next April but under these new regulations I will have three entry stamps on my passport even though I am only staying for a few days and effectively using Thailand as a travel hub for my extended travels while I am away.

I tend to avoid going to countries that require advance purchases of visas becuase it's a hassle - I dont live near any embassies and I don't want to pay the often exphensive fees to some stupid embassy official to rubber stamp my passport.

So I won't come over in April - I'll just go somewhere else - when I am away I spend thousands of pounds in hotels, bars and restaurants and normally I travel in a group of like minded people !

Where else in Asia is a pretty cool place to go for a couple of weeks break ?

Why not apply for a triple entry tourist visa in your home country, you have time!

A couple of weeks break in Japan is good. It is not expensive, except for nightlife beers and entertainment. If you are sight-seeing tourist it is inexpensive, apply for Japan Rail pass in your home country.

[Meg_2003]

Where can one get Tourist Visa ... Laos, Malaysia... where else?? (In asia)

[asiaworld]

i'm referring to the fact, that most likely thai immigration system doesn't keep record on entries & exits of foreigners, at least NOT that close @ hand !

Notat ALL of their posts .... but they are fully automated at at least 15 locations ....

the other locations will require LOOKING

Sorry i only use BKK airport, & they dont seem 2 have it

as i've said earlier, this will probably limit annual visits to 90 days , but No way on earth would they count a short visit , as 30 days ! otherwise they will lose enormous amount of visiting Malaysians, S'poreans etc. & They are not as 'unintelligent' as many people here try to imagine them !

[Arkady]

Unless I am missing something, the airlines don't care if you are allowed in or not. All they care about is that you have an onward ticket so it is not at their expense to get should one be refused entry.

Normally airlines get fined for bringing in a passenger who is refused entry because of a visa problem that check in staff should have spotted. Some countries (including possibly Thailand) force foreign airlines to take the passenger away on the same aircraft wherever it's going to next with or without a ticket. So it can be a big headache for airlines. However, this a scatterbrained regulation that is not easy for check in staff (or immigration officials) to spot). It could potentially cause chaos at check in and/or immigration counters, if it is ever implemented. It seems that legit tourists who come here once a twice a month for a w/e will be blocked. Businessmen who also come once or twice a month to visit customers will also be in trouble. Many do not have offices in Thailand and therefore have no way to apply for a work permit or pay tax even if they wanted to. They may end up having to apply for tourist visas at consulates, which would help the tax issue and would prevent business visits planned at short notice. It is so insanely against tourism and business, while leaving loopholes for the illegals and tax dodgers, that it will hopefully never see the light of day.

Yet another example of an unthought through Toxin inspired folly designed for short term political spin value and no one senior dares point out the shortcomings. Unfortunately these people are unlikely to stop at just making it harder for foreigners to come here. Travel restrictions usually go hand in hand with efforts to made the destination unappealing for visitors e.g. perhaps another social order campaign in the offing with even shorter bar opening hours, free urine tests for farangs, free nights in the rong pak for those not carrying their passports around etc etc. The drinking age is already going up to 25, stricter even than nanny America, which will kill off night spots like RCA. The guy is unhappy over his sudden loss of popularity and wants to make sure everyone else is unhappy too.

[opalhort]

Just wondering , over the last 5 years Ive been applying for a one year extension under ..support , Married to a Thai

and when I applied at Bangkok it was ...First visit with the wife and paper work, ..then . given a 1 Month under consideration

stamp in my passport, when I returned One Month later , ive all way's been then given the Extension no problems,

So am I reading this now right... next time I apply for my One year extension ....it will be this as quoated ..... ( 6.On extension of stay based support of a Thai national (Marriage visa), before if you applied for this extension of stay, you would get a 30 day consideration stamp. Once you return in 30 days you would get the one year extension. Now it will be the same as an extension of stay based on business with the norm of three 30 day consideration stamps. Immigration will go out and check to see if it’s a real marriage or a sham before issuing the one year.

Or is the new Item 6 , only for first time applications ...?

After applying for 5 years and taking the same wife every time , how can they think its a sham marriage ...? all they need to do is look back on your records and see its the same wife , address Etc...?

Thanks................. Mumbo

Same here. I've been married for over 13 years, have 12yo son and am here on the same Non-O visa for the past 8.5 years (extended annually based on marriage and work permit).

Always got a 45 days under consideration stamp and after that the one year extension.

Since the work permit is tied to the visa extension a triple 30 day consideration stamp would also triple the cost of WP endorsements.

Do they really plan to visit each and every married foreigner every year? I have no problem with that but it sounds very impossible.

opalhort

[PPG]

Here's my questions...

1. based on the above info what visa would I legally be entitled to.... Non Imm 'B' or 'O' ?

Non O If your name is on the birth certificate of the child. In order to do a extension of stay based on support of a Thai national. You will need to go to court to win custody. Hence it’s best to get a one year multi entry at the Consulate by showing the birth certificate. It’s up to the embassy.

I think this is most likley a dumb question, but I'd need to apply for a non O back in the UK right? Not possible in Singapore?

Cheers,

PPG

[wildpikey]

hi guys..

so why do people want multiple tourist visa's anyway?

surely 30 or 60 days is enough for a holiday - and thats what these tourist visa's are for.

if you are working or staying in thailand why dont you get a work or retirement or dependants visa?

i dont think that there is anything wrong here with the new visa requirements - just people trying to get around the law - for whatever reason - probably tax or insurance or just simply black employment ....

so what do such people ( multiple tourist visa ) do for a living? how do they get money? one assumes its all illigal?

so i guess thats why the thai authorities are trying to tighten up on them?

amarka

Some people need these visas because they are retired, under 50 and don't trust investing money in the country which seems to make since taking all of this into account. They need a retired visa for the young people. You don't have to be old to retire.

exactly.... what about all the expats that work overseas, and over the years have come to call Thailand their home. There are thousands of these people living all over Thailand who come for maybe a month or 6 weeks at a time and then leave to work for a rotation.

I fly straight from work to Thailand and spend all my time their with my missis. Im already over the quota for the visa stamps which means that from now on i will have to stop and wait in another country just to pick up a visa??? Oh yeah, and what about when i just have a spare week and i fly back to thailand???? hmmmm.

Will i have to marry my girl friend... just to get by the rule and then wait to see when they change this visa requirement too..... dont think so.

Think ill just have to start looking for a new country to take my life too, and this goes for every single expat overseas worker that i have spoken too so far!!!!!

[Arkady]

In the old days, all foreigners living in Thailand more than 180 days had to have a tax clearance before being allowed to leave the country.

Probably similar ideas on the horizon.

This is correct. It was discontinued in the late 80s to encourage foreign investment and tourism. It would not be at all surprising to see it come back again just like the silly 90 day reporting rule which had been allowed to lapse for many years before being dusted off by the current regime - not to mention the old law banning from women from going out without male escorts which lasted about two weeks when the Thaksin 1 government re-introduced it.

[wildpikey]

hi guys..

so why do people want multiple tourist visa's anyway?

surely 30 or 60 days is enough for a holiday - and thats what these tourist visa's are for.

if you are working or staying in thailand why dont you get a work or retirement or dependants visa?

i dont think that there is anything wrong here with the new visa requirements - just people trying to get around the law - for whatever reason - probably tax or insurance or just simply black employment ....

so what do such people ( multiple tourist visa ) do for a living? how do they get money? one assumes its all illigal?

so i guess thats why the thai authorities are trying to tighten up on them?

amarka

Some people need these visas because they are retired, under 50 and don't trust investing money in the country which seems to make since taking all of this into account. They need a retired visa for the young people. You don't have to be old to retire.

exactly.... what about all the expats that work overseas, and over the years have come to call Thailand their home. There are thousands of these people living all over Thailand who come for maybe a month or 6 weeks at a time and then leave to work for a rotation.

I fly straight from work to Thailand and spend all my time their with my missis. Im already over the quota for the visa stamps which means that from now on i will have to stop and wait in another country just to pick up a visa??? Oh yeah, and what about when i just have a spare week and i fly back to thailand???? hmmmm.

Will i have to marry my girl friend... just to get by the rule and then wait to see when they change this visa requirement too..... dont think so.

Think ill just have to start looking for a new country to take my life too, and this goes for every single expat overseas worker that i have spoken too so far!!!!!

Oh yeah by the way, im 35 and will not qualify for any other visa, and do not want to work there anyway.... the overseas workers made Thailand what it is today...

[libya 115]

Surely a more sensible idea would have been to scrap all 30 day entry/exit visas at land borders and intoduce an ad infinitum 30 day extension to visas at Thai immigration offices for 1900 baht. That way applications can be scrutinised and the Thai government makes money.

Arrival by air: 30 day visa stamps unaffected and none of all this confusion.

[Maestro]

I don't want to pay the often exphensive fees to some stupid embassy official to rubber stamp my passport.

How do you know that the embassy official is stupid?

---------------

Maestro