30-day border runs now only 15 days

[margaretcarnes]

Yes sorry Lomu of course - 4 stamps per trip - even worse! I can't remember now where I heard the new passport/embassy story, maybe Buksi could comment?
I know its a tad off topic but Roel and Spitfires comments on teachers, and 15 day runs, are appropriate in terms of the potential impact on English teaching in rural areas in particular.
I don't think the degree issue is particularly important. As pointed out 'illegal' teachers have got away with that for years. At one time (maybe still) fake degrees were readily available in LOS anyway.
Tightening up on work permits is fine, but driving 'teachers' into rural areas, then driving them out altogether, would surely hurt the kids most.
Many of the illegal teachers have done the work for years, are dedicated, and can at the least provide kids with English conversation. Some are probably doing a better job than people with obscure degrees and no TEFAL.
The sensible way around the problem would be for the Government to provide all schools with enough cash to provide work pemits.
(Hey - theres that flying pig again!)
Backpackers - yes. Still plenty around. We just don't see so many in HH as before. So how many I wonder were over in Cambodia/Laos for a few days, and returned expecting a 30 day stamp which would cover them until their next flight? Things like that DO put people off a country.
And before any flack flies - some of us who comment on these things don't do so for the sake of moaning. We do it out of concern for the welfare of a country which we love, and for it's people.

[Takiap]

I agree with you 100% MC

It would appear that the past governments were more than happy to put the kids out of the picture so long as they could gloat over being able to chase a few more farang out of the country. I don't depend on visa exempt stamps so that is certainly not why I disagree with the new laws. As Sandman pointed out, backpackers pump the most revenue into the tourist sector and that is simply a proven FACT!!!!!!!!!............so WHY chase them away when the tourist industry is heading for disaster as it is?

Will the new PM be able to change things around? Not sure if the PM will be allowed to interfere in immigration matters because surely such authority only belongs to one of those immigration officers with 25,000 different medals hanging off his coat.

About the passports (UK)

I'm not from the UK but a mate of mine was just over here getting married and of course his entire family were here as well. His Dad lost his passport and was issued a new passport through the embassy in Bangkok. That was about one month ago.

As far as a 60 ext. is concerned:-

When my last one year visa expired (Non O thai wife issued in KL) I was simply not in the mood to go back to KL for a new one so did a visa run through Ranong. My plan now is to go to KL just after Xmas but if its possible to get a 60 ext. here in HH then I may just do that and then go to KL after all the holidays have come and gone. So, can anyone in the know tell me if this is possible?

Thanks
S

[lomuamart]

Takiap,
Your 60 day extension should be possible. It's a one-off thing on the back of your visa/visa exempt status as you're married to a Thai lady.
I must admit that I havn't done it, but I bet it's possible. If I were you, I'd go to Imm and ask them. I'd reckon you might need some of the same documents as you would for an annual extension on the basis of marriage:
Marriage certificate
Copy of wife's ID card
Copy of wife's tabien bahn
Maybe some proof of overseas income?
And your wife in attendance would also be appreciated, I'm sure
Let us know how you get on.

[Takiap]

Okay thanks for the reply. I nip along to immigration on Mon or Tuesday and see if it's possible. I'm really looking forward to my KL trip as it gives me a break from the wife and kid (lol) and of course I love the food there but with all the holidays at this time of year, a 60 day extension may just be a good option.

Will keep you posted
S

[Name Taken]

I don't understand the sudden change in visa on arrival(VOA) rules when people living in Thailand were doing unlimited 30 day border visa runs for over 10 years! during the 1990's and early 2000. Why make the visa rules stricter now? It doesn't make sense and defies logic.

[lomuamart]

I don't understand the sudden change in visa on arrival(VOA) rules when people living in Thailand were doing unlimited 30 day border visa runs for over 10 years! during the 1990's and early 2000. Why make the visa rules stricter now? It doesn't make sense and defies logic.

Agred, but the authorities here want "quality" long-term foreigners. They have done for a while. Their thinking is that long-stayers who were on 30 day border run status (myself included for years) were likely to be working illegally - dive masters, teaching etc. They wanted to stamp that out. I wasn't working.
Unfortunately, everyone got caught up in the same mess when the 90 days in 6 month rule was brought in in 2006. People who had no need to work illegally, but who weren't married to a Thai or over 50 had no option but to get back-to-back tourist visas and after a while some neighbouring Thai Embassies and consulates weren't too happy with giving them out.
In some ways, the rules have been relaxed in as much as the 90 day limit has been abolished. However, you've got to do a run every 15 days now (if using a land crossing) and that can't be easy unless you live in Ranong or elsewhere close to a border.
Certainly this new regulation and the one that predated it in 2006 takes no account of a person's financial status. Thailand will be missing out on those visitors who actually quite often support the local Thai economies more than the well heeled tourists.
That's my take on things. BTW, I don't make the rules up.
PS: Just a matter of terminology, the 30/15 day stamp is not a visa on arrival. It's a visa exempt stamp. The VOA is a separate thing available for usually 15 days to those nationalities who don't qualify for the visa exempt stamp.

[Name Taken]

I don't understand the sudden change in visa on arrival(VOA) rules when people living in Thailand were doing unlimited 30 day border visa runs for over 10 years! during the 1990's and early 2000. Why make the visa rules stricter now? It doesn't make sense and defies logic.

Agred, but the authorities here want "quality" long-term foreigners. They have done for a while. Their thinking is that long-stayers who were on 30 day border run status (myself included for years) were likely to be working illegally - dive masters, teaching etc. They wanted to stamp that out. I wasn't working.
Unfortunately, everyone got caught up in the same mess when the 90 days in 6 month rule was brought in in 2006. People who had no need to work illegally, but who weren't married to a Thai or over 50 had no option but to get back-to-back tourist visas and after a while some neighbouring Thai Embassies and consulates weren't too happy with giving them out.
In some ways, the rules have been relaxed in as much as the 90 day limit has been abolished. However, you've got to do a run every 15 days now (if using a land crossing) and that can't be easy unless you live in Ranong or elsewhere close to a border.
Certainly this new regulation and the one that predated it in 2006 takes no account of a person's financial status. Thailand will be missing out on those visitors who actually quite often support the local Thai economies more than the well heeled tourists.
That's my take on things. BTW, I don't make the rules up.
PS: Just a matter of terminology, the 30/15 day stamp is not a visa on arrival. It's a visa exempt stamp. The VOA is a separate thing available for usually 15 days to those nationalities who don't qualify for the visa exempt stamp.

You are right lomuamart, I just got my terminology wrong and mixed up. I meant to say visa exempt not visa on arrival.

[yellowking]

I can't see a major problem, Just get an 'O' visa and then you only have to have 90 day stamps.

It seems from the UK consulate website these are pretty straightforward and most people can have them

£100 per year for an annual Multi entrance visa is fair. It will also mean i have to visit family in the UK at least once a year.