All Thailand TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread.

[TonyCheong2]

Originally Posted by beerlao

In light of the Ratchaprasong Incident, the police are interested to see your passport and visa stamp. While there is no official statement on this, if one is caught in a situation during a check that you do not have a passport with you or the officer insist on your original passport and not photocopies, you can request to go back to the police station with him and get someone to bring your original passport to the station. Or if he decides to fine you, pay the fine on the spot.

As I've mentioned many times before.
No matter what carry your original passport with you at all times.

The useless Thai police have a good track record of coming out all kinds of ideas to milk you!

[beerlao]

Originally Posted by Soi6

I heard by October Thailand may introduce a new 6 month tourist visa. Cost is reportedly 5000 baht with multiple reentries. No more the rubbish 90 days within 6 mths.

If that is true..then sinkies with visa exempts can just keep going in and out on a tourist visa..as long as via air.

All too complicated for me..

I reported earlier also in this forum that a new 6 month Mutiple Entries Tourist Visa would be rolled out. However, there have been no further news on this visa and it remains uncertain whether the proposal would be submitted to cabinet for endorsement. In light of the Ratchaprasong Incident, there have been much scrutiny on Tourist Visas and Tourist Exempt Stamps. I have got word things would be much clearer in October.

The 90 days in 6 months rule is bullcrap. Under Immigration Act, there is no limit as to how many one can get for visa exempt but discretion falls within IO to refused entry on basis if he thinks you are not a genuine tourist and many IOs now are very careful in stamping especially for passport holders with a long history of Tourist Visas and Visa Exempt.

If you are looking towards Tourist Visa for a year stay and no longer than that, follow this;

Come via air - 30 days visa exempt FOC
Extend at Immigration for another 30 days
Then visit Vientiane for 60 days Single Entry TR
Extend at Immigration again for 30 days
This gives you about 5 months.

Go to Vientiane again for 2nd 60 days Single Entry TR
Extend at Immigration for 30 days
Then Vientiane for 3rd and last 60 days Single Entry TR
Extend at Immigration for 30 days
This gves you another 6 months.
Effectively this pattern would give you 11 months.

Note, at your 3rd Single Entry TR, Vientiane would issue a red stamp so to avoid the red stamp, go to Savannakhet instead like I advised vbkk.

You can pm me to check the current situation at the time when you are about to renew your current visa or call any visa agency to enquire. Cheers.

[beerlao]

Latest Visa News!

Thai-Cambodia border will stamp 15/30 days visa exempt stamp only if you have stayed on Visa exempt for less than 90days in a calendar year. If you do not meet the requirement, land border is effectively out. Get a Tourist Visa or do a visa run via air ( 50-50 chances)

[naemlo]

Just came back to BKK... airport custom smooth as silk.

[TonyCheong2]

Originally Posted by naemlo

Just came back to BKK... airport custom smooth as silk.

Tourist arrivals confirm plunge after Bangkok bombings.

[beerlao]

Visa Update!

This evening, was informed by Thai Immigration that borders at Cambodia will revert back and stick to the initial rule. No 15/30 days visa exempt stamp at Thai-Cambodia border. They will only allow those with valid Tourist visas or Multiple Entries Non Immigrant Visa to do their second, third activation stamp.

Effectively, this also affects those who wish to travel to Thailand from Cambodia via land border. Either you get a Thai Tourist visa before hand or fly into Thailand from Cambodia via air.

My many years dealing with Thai Immigration, this time round they seems to be real serious and more crackdowns to expect on Tourists working in Thailand, "Bogus" students etc.

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by TonyCheong2

Tourist arrivals confirm plunge after Bangkok bombings.

I using fast track. MILF officer just asked, how long am I going to be in BKK. My answer dunno. She asked me look into the cam then stamped my passport.

Still a lot of prc shouting around.

[TonyCheong2]

Originally Posted by naemlo

Still a lot of prc shouting around.

You mean PRCs kpkb amongst themselves while waiting at the normal lanes?
5555 normal lah.

[beerlao]

It's official on mainstream media.
See below article.


Source and Credit to Bangkok Post

Immigration police at land border crossings have now stopped giving entry stamps to foreigners who exit and immediately return to Thailand to extend their stay for 15-30 days on visa runs.

"The order is not new. Originally, officers were authorised to consider giving permits. But in this current situation of heightened security, all officers have to step up restrictions," said an official at the Immigration Bureau.

Many foreigners regularly go on visa runs to Cambodia and return through the Sa Kaeo immigration checkpoint, he said.

"Some foreigners do not even go themselves, but get illegal networks to obtain the entry stamp for them," the source said, adding the government has cracked down on the border-run syndicates, prompting them to change tactics.

Now the networks provide a one-day tour for foreigners to the Cambodian town of Poi Pet, so they can re-enter Thailand afterwards with permission to stay for another 15-30 days.

Law enforcement on these types of activities will intensify, said the source. From now on, foreigners who are re-entering Thailand will be screened rigorously.

They will need to provide information about their accommodation, tour company or other details to confirm they are in the country to travel as tourists.

The measure is likely to block scores of foreigners from re-entering Thailand through Sa Kaeo. Those wishing to enter Thailand from Cambodia will have to go to Phnom Penh to apply for a visa at the Thai embassy.

The police investigation into the bomb blasts at Erawan shrine on Aug 17 and the Sathon pier on Aug 18 discovered immigration police were bribed by an illegal network linked to the perpetrators.

The issue prompted national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang to call a meeting with the heads of immigration checkpoints on Sept 7, and was followed by a reshuffle in immigration police staff.

"The immigration police are coming under intense scrutiny," said another high-ranking official at the bureau.

Some army-backed officers were moved to head up the checkpoints in the recent reshuffle.

Pol Gen Somyot is now wrestling to oust bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sakda Chuenpakdee, who allegedly failed to follow the government order to transfer officers linked to Rohingya traffickers out of his jurisdiction.

Pol Gen Somyot also handed out a report exposing the unlawful practices of immigration police under the command of Pol Gen Sakda, such as allegedly accepting 300-500 baht bribes from foreigners cutting the queue to apply for visas at Suvarnabhumi airport, the source said.

The practice is said to make about two million baht in profit for the immigration police every day.

"Pol Gen Somyot aims to destroy the treasure trove plundered by the bureau," the source said.

[NarakMakMak]

bros, any outings in the next few days?

[youmifen]

Hi bros

I'm going Bangkok in late October for 5 days 4 nights, 2nd timer. Any good suggestion on where to go? Like praying in temple (maybe getting a tattoo there as well), night markets, shop (other than Chatuchak, Platinum Mall), makan and clubs/disco.

Thanks in advance

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by youmifen

I'm going Bangkok in late October for 5 days 4 nights, 2nd timer. Any good suggestion on where to go? Like praying in temple (maybe getting a tattoo there as well), night markets, shop (other than Chatuchak, Platinum Mall), makan and clubs/disco.

If u are the person in your avatar, I will provide free service and drive u around.

[oshkosh]

Originally Posted by youmifen

Hi bros

I'm going Bangkok in late October for 5 days 4 nights, 2nd timer. Any good suggestion on where to go? Like praying in temple (maybe getting a tattoo there as well), night markets, shop (other than Chatuchak, Platinum Mall), makan and clubs/disco.

Thanks in advance

go railway night market. at srinakarin.

[beerlao]

Those who are wish to activate their second or third entry of their valid visas, strongly advised to do so via air. Many confusion at land borders. Some allow some refuse. They will stamp you out but when you come in, they will say sorry cannot. You find yourself stuck at a land border in Cambodia even if you stayed one or two nights in Cambodia. Many visa agencies have withdrawn their daily trip to Cambodia because of this but we expect more clarification after end September.

Those who want to do a Tourist Visa or Non Immigrant Visa, do note queues will be longer than expected. Both at Vientiane and Savannakhet because many Laotians rushing to do their visas to Thailand too. Note embassy/ consulate stop accepting visa application once they are over limit. And the issue of visa is at discretion of the embassy/consulate. For Non Immigrant Visa application, please get your paperwork right. It is ok to have more than less. For Tourist Visa application, if you are applying for 4th TR, please bring your proof of financials, and ticket out of Thailand via air. You will be asked for it either at embassy and or border.

[Naka_Timo]

Originally Posted by youmifen

Hi bros

I'm going Bangkok in late October for 5 days 4 nights, 2nd timer. Any good suggestion on where to go? Like praying in temple (maybe getting a tattoo there as well), night markets, shop (other than Chatuchak, Platinum Mall), makan and clubs/disco.

Thanks in advance

I not sure will this help a not. If tattoo u can go kao shan area. Alot tattoo shop at that area..

Disco, maybe stratch dog, RCA or Oxyn.

That roughly all i know, maybe other bro who frequent there can give u better suggestion.