Changes to Tourist Visa?

[lizzy]

Last Friday I went to the Royal Thai Consulate in Brussels to apply for a Tourist visa as will be in Hua Hin for most of July and August. I did my homework and checked their web site about 10 days ago and 2 days before my visit. The requirements listed were the same as they have been for the past 3 years, passport with at least 6 months to run, form, 2 passport photos, fee, proof of finances, copy of flight details.
I arrived at 9:30 opening time, visa window did not open until close to 10:00........
When I got to the desk I handed over all the required documents and was met by the "Thai smile" and a hand pointing to a typed list posted by the window. I checked off the list to the woman, passport, fee, form, proof of finances, photos, flight details but surprise they now want :

1.Proof of hotel accomodation in Thailand - I did not have this as stay in house I own and successfully made that point.

2. A copy of the front and back of my Begian identity card - could they copy it at my cost?-"no", was there somewhere local to copy," yes, near here" can you tell me where, "no" "Bring back when you collect your card ,no copy, no return of passport with visa."

3. I applied for a double entry visa- " where is your proof of travel for the additional entry?" I do not have any, "then you cannot have double entry"
The reason I wanted this was I have very eldery parents and could have to go to them at any time and would want to return to Thailand afterward if I still had holiday time. The reply was, you can apply for a new visa!

I can appreciate the first two "extra" requirements but how many people who apply for any combination of extra entries have flights booked for each or any of them. This is a significant change as I was hoping to apply for an O-A visa here next year but may have to go down a different route. Is this just Brussels/Thai ruling or have people elsewhere hit the same problem?

Happily , after changing the request to single entry, I was able to collect my passport Monday fully stamped with a new visa. However I do have to enter within 3 months, not the 6 months given with my past two visas.

[lomuamart]

I'm not aware of any changes to tourist visas. As far as the Thai authorities are concerned, if you have a valid visa, as opposed to entering on a 30 day visa exempt stamp, there's no need to show proof of a return or onward journey.
I'd reckon this is a "Brussels" thing.

[Huahinian]

Apparently this is a government issued amendment. We had two clients who had the same problem in London.

[dtaai-maai]

If this applies worldwide it is yet another startling example of the Thai authorities...

Thai govt.jpg (5.7 KiB) Viewed 1400 times

Of course, it's possible that Thailand has just noticed an increasing problem with illegal immigrants from Belgium...

[barrys]

Went to Ventiane (Laos) 3 weeks ago with a friend to get him a tourist visa.
Got a double entry with no problem and no proof of travel arrangements required.

[lizzy]

I'm pleased to hear I am not the only one who had experienced this change. I can play the rules like everyone else by buying the cheapest possible flight out and return of Thailand to neigbouring country but it is the way the rules change on a whim and are not published! Also not everyone takes a flight to leave the country. Can you buy bus or train out of Thailand?
If I have to fly back to UK because my parents situation changes I now need to factor in extra days and time to get a second visa when previously I just paid an additional 30 Euros and had the piece of mind that I could return to Thailand as soon as I had a flight.
I just love the way tourism is encouraged!!!

[Jose]

I got a 60 day tourist visa from Penang, last week, no issues dispite it being my 3rd 60 day visa from them in a row.
No proof needed of flight out or income/money, just use a agent that has contacts and knows how to grease palms.

[nanyang]

I'm not aware of any changes to tourist visas. As far as the Thai authorities are concerned, if you have a valid visa, as opposed to entering on a 30 day visa exempt stamp, there's no need to show proof of a return or onward journey.
I'd reckon this is a "Brussels" thing.

I arrived here on Thursday night with no "onward arrangements" and got a 30 (29) days tourist visa - I know it doesn't make sense but!!

[dtaai-maai]

^^No, you got the 30-day entry stamp given to those who have no visa. If you'd had a tourist visa, issued by a Thai Embassy or Consulate before you travelled, you would have got a 60-day entry stamp.

[Mr-Zedd]

When I applied for my tourist visa in Manila (in July) , I asked to get a double entry tourist visa.

I got the same answer as lizzy, "where is your proof of travel for the additional entry?" (I had plane tickets for my first arrival only)

At the time I didn't have plane tickets for my 2nd entry as of course I didn't know the exact date when I'd be returning, I just knew I would be coming back soon so figured why not get a double entry visa to make things easier.

No go. Could only get a single entry.

From reading these various posts it seems to be hit/miss rule depending on the embassy you apply at.

Good to know the embassy in Laos gives double entry, might try that next time.