Visa Runs

Post by **Cowtown Comedy** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:24 am

Many moons ago it was a novelty to go on a visa run, almost like an adventure...then they slowly became an inconvenience. I'm glad those days are behind me, and a bumpy ride to soi 102 is much cheaper alternative. thoughts?

Post by **STEVE G** » Thu May 08, 2008 12:14 pm

Wait until the monsoons get into full flood and a trip down soi 102 might seem an adventure again.

Post by **Cowtown Comedy** » Thu May 08, 2008 12:56 pm

..haha..last year I wached 2 thai blokes fishing in the middle of soi 112...You could never explain that humour to the folks back home...too funny

Post by **buksida** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:05 pm

Personally I preferred the trip to Singkhon in Prachuab, they were nice folk in there, always friendly and efficient.

This 102 lot seem to spend most of their time thinking up obscure ways of milking more money from the burgeoning populace of aliens in this fine town.

Post by **Cowtown Comedy** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:46 pm

I think they either love you or hate you on soi 102...My tray of pomelo seems to get me to the front of the line.....

Post by **Ellinas2008** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:19 pm

Cowtown Comedy wrote:Many moons ago it was a novelty to go on a visa run, almost like an adventure...then they slowly became an inconvenience. I'm glad those days are behind me, and a bumpy ride to soi 102 is much cheaper alternative. thoughts?

For me visa runs have been painful since the start. I could never understand how people could go on with visa runs for years. A complete waste of time and money to do this every month.

Post by **Pagey** » Sat May 10, 2008 12:12 pm

Every month ? I thought it was every 90 days (3 months) ?

What is Pomelo ?

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat May 10, 2008 1:05 pm

I was doing the visa runs every month for years until the law changed. Agreed, it was a right pain, but as I didn't fit into any convenient Imm category, I had no choice. I wasn't married to a Thai (at that stage), wasn't over 50 and wasn't working. Could have met the income requirements for both marriage and retirement extensions, but money by itself is no good.
90 day visa runs are for those with Non Immigrant visas. They're pretty impossible to obtain now in neighbouring countries unless you have a valid reason - marriage, retirement etc. The 30 day runs are for visa exemption entry stamps.
A pomelo (som O) is a cross between an orange and a grapefruit.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Sat May 10, 2008 2:00 pm

Agree with original post, they are a hassle mostly, depends where you go, some places are worse than others.

The main thing I don't like is lining up like cattle in the sun at a lot of places.

Post by **Ellinas2008** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:11 pm

Pagey wrote:Every month ? I thought it was every 90 days (3 months) ?

What is Pomelo ?

Every 90 days if on continuous tourists visas (60 days with the visa + 30 days with the extension). Many people did not even bother with a new tourist visa, there were just doing continuous border runs (30 days for most western passports)

Post by **sandman67** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:31 pm

Many people did not even bother with a new tourist visa, there were just doing continuous border runs (30 days for most western passports)

there are restrictions on this.....3 of em in a row then 180 days till you get another....so most people dont use em any more....the multiple entry visa is the norm now from what I gather. That means a visa run every 90 days...much better.

Post by **Ellinas2008** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:07 am

sandman67 wrote: there are restrictions on this.....3 of em in a row then 180 days till you get another....so most people dont use em any more....the multiple entry visa is the norm now from what I gather. That means a visa run every 90 days...much better.

Yes you are right, but I think the OP was about the border runs long before the rules changed (October 1, 2006). Before that date I believe that continuous monthly border runs were the norm. Even now the reports are conflicting. Some people have said that they managed to do more than 3 visa runs in 180 days. It's more a hit and miss thing I think with more chances on the miss part though!

. Hardly the ideal way for someone to stay permanently in LOS.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:45 am

I'd agree with the above. The only reports I've ever come across of anybody getting over 90 days on visa exempt stamps in a 6 month period (and note that it's 6 months which does make a difference) are those who may have genuinely been caught out by the changes a while ago. After much pleading with Imm, they might get lucky and be given 7 days to sort their affairs out here and exit to get a proper visa. I'm sure there will have been mistakes as well, but don't count on them!!
I'm going to possibly be stuck in this situation soon. Going to Ranong next week for my final 30 day stamp (it'll be marked as the third) and then to Penang for another single entry Non O (my wife is Thai, so I shouldn't have a problem). However, if there is trouble, then I'll have to stay on in Penang for another 4-5 days to get past the 6 month period and be allowed in on a 30 day stamp. The Non O visa will get me past 50 and roll on a retirement extension to it!! It's only taken 10 years

Post by **splitlid** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:51 am

the best way to get an extension of stay is to have serious accidents every couple of months.
a doctors note to immigration will ensure extension of stay due to medically unfit to travel.

try it. it works.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:29 am

splitlid wrote:the best way to get an extension of stay is to have serious accidents every couple of months.
a doctors note to immigration will ensure extension of stay due to medically unfit to travel.

try it. it works.

Gonna have to disagree with you on this one - although I may have gone about things the wrong way.
4 years ago, I nearly lost my leg in a motorcycle accident and was hospitalised for 11 days. This was before HH Imm had opened. During this time, my 30 day stamp expired, so I got a doctor's note at discharge explaining the injuries and confirming that I was still not fit to travel until a certain date.
Knowing, through a friend, that I wouldn't get away with the overstay at Ranong, I went up to Soi Suan Plu on the exact date the doctor said. Was examined by an Imm doctor who gave me another month before I would be fit to travel. Paid 1,900 Baht for a 14 day extension and then was told to go to Room whatever on the 1st floor where I had to pay a further 5,000 Baht for the overstay (it was 200 a day then). I tried to negotiate jokingly to 100 a day - no chance.
As I'm writing this, I realise that I'm probably taking at cross purposes. I did get the extension, but couldn't get away with the overstay.
Still a painful way to remain here

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