Crack down on visa-runners

[joseph44 0]

BREAKING NEWS:

Immigration crackdown on border runners

 

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com) -- Thai Immigration Bureau has issued a new regulation to be enforced from today, June 1, 2009.

 

In a crackdown on foreigners who regularly abuse the tourist exemption rule of getting 15 days stay at border entry points, the Immigration Bureau has confirmed and informed thaivisa.com of the following new regulation:

 

A foreigner who has entered the kingdom four (4) consecutive times on 15 days tourist exemption stamps, will not be allowed to leave the country and reenter Thailand. The only option is to exit Thailand and re-enter via an international airport, which will allow a further 30 day stay.

 

Thaivisa.com has today confirmed the new regulations with the Immigration checkpoints in Pong Nam Ron and Aranyaprathet at the Cambodian border. We have also got confirmation from bus visa run companies that the new regulations are enforced from today June 1, 2009. Immigration checkpoints bordering Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia are expected to enforce the regulation shortly.

 

The new rules does not affect holders of visas issued abroad. Foreigners are advised to apply for a Tourist visas or Non-Immigrant visas at a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate outside Thailand instead of abusing the 15 day exemption rule.

 

As usual, holders of Tourist visas will be given 60 days stay while Non-Immigrant visa holders will be allowed 90 days stay.

 

-- thaivisa.com 2009-06-01

[Mr.Dream Transport 0]

I don't know too many people who wouldn't just get their tourist visa renewed instead of having to run out of the country every 15 days.

[joekicker 53]

Yes. I don't understand this wear and tear. If you live in Thailand, there is ALWAYS a way to not do border runs, but every 15 or 30 days over and over again is ridiculous. If you have to do that, get out. Really.

[Idefix 2,275]

... but every 15 or 30 days over and over again is ridiculous.

Ridiculous ? Not always.

 

Think about guys living just near a border entry point ?

There was a guy on ThaiVisa reporting that it take him

less than 1 hour go-back with his motorbike to make this "visarun"

 

Think about resident of neighboring countries.

This regulation is mainly for them, not for "real tourists".

[joekicker 53]

Think about resident of neighboring countries.

This regulation is mainly for them, not for "real tourists".

 

Not following you here. Most residents of neighbouring countries don't even need a passport to go back and forth to Thailand as often as they wish. Thais, of course, don't need visas or permits for Thailand. Almost all Thai traffic is for the casinos anyhow.

 

I agree that this regulation is not for "real tourists" who are very very VERY seldom going to need five 15-day permits in a row. It's for "unreal tourists" who live in Thailand and exist by going back and forth every 15 days (formerly 30), piling up paperwork unnecessarily and, eventually, futilely. The Immigration Department really is going to wipe almost all of this out, probably sooner than later. Visas really aren't that hard to get, and if you refuse to even try, you're almost certainly going to be SOL pretty soon.

[Obsession 571]

I was thinking of staying in Cambo and going to los a lot. Would save that ridiculous flight home for renewing a visa. Would be difficult for others thinking of doing the same. I would have flown though, so it wouldnt affect me. But as the other BM said, its a pisser for people staying near the border.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I was thinking of staying in Cambo and going to los a lot. Would save that ridiculous flight home for renewing a visa. Would be difficult for others thinking of doing the same. I would have flown though, so it wouldnt affect me. But as the other BM said, its a pisser for people staying near the border.

 

I'm of the same opinion. Move over the border to Malaysia and do away with the home ownership and visa issues. A 15-20 minute drive from Alor Star and you're in Thailand whenever it takes your fancy.

[jacko 8,766]

It's for "unreal tourists" who live in Thailand and exist by going back and forth every 15 days (formerly 30), piling up paperwork unnecessarily and, eventually, futilely. The Immigration Department really is going to wipe almost all of this out, probably sooner than later.

This is the 3rd change of rules (in modern times) in an attempt to get this under control isn't it?

 

I'm of the same opinion. Move over the border to Malaysia and do away with the home ownership and visa issues. A 15-20 minute drive from Alor Star and you're in Thailand whenever it takes your fancy.

Well this rule change makes that hard doesn't it? You will have to drive to the airport and leave the car there?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

This is the 3rd change of rules (in modern times) in an attempt to get this under control isn't it?

 

Well this rule change makes that hard doesn't it? You will have to drive to the airport and leave the car there?

 

No. If you live on the Malaysian side of the border it's a 10 year multi-entry visa and no problem owning a house. A 15-20 minute drive takes you to the Thai border from Alor Star. It only becomes an issue if you want to visit Thailand for more than 15 days at a stretch and then you just pick up a tourist visa in Penang. Or, until the Thais change the rules again.

[jacko 8,766]

No. If you live on the Malaysian side of the border it's a 10 year multi-entry visa and no problem owning a house. A 15-20 minute drive takes you to the Thai border from Alor Star. It only becomes an issue if you want to visit Thailand for more than 15 days at a stretch and then you just pick up a tourist visa in Penang. Or, until the Thais change the rules again.

As I read the OP, you do 4 trips to LOS, without a visa, and they don't let you out and tell you to go to the airport.

There isn't no 10 year Multi-Entry visa for LOS!

[joekicker 53]

This is the 3rd change of rules (in modern times) in an attempt to get this under control isn't it?

 

I'm not keeping track of the changes, but I'm a little harsher than you. I don't think it's "under control" that they want. I believe they are trying pretty much to wipe out "residency without visas". Still trying to find the right combination. Of course they'll never get everybody, because they have to leave room for REAL tourists, and some people will always attach themselves to that like fungus. But I think they'll get 95 per cent, and sooner rather than later.

 

I don't really care, or I guess I should say I have no vested interest in it apart from being a vicarious spectator, which is why I'm not counting. I think people who live here and don't get a visa are dumb, and there's a certain Darwinian flavour to all of it. Adapt or die, really.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

As I read the OP, you do 4 trips to LOS, without a visa, and they don't let you out and tell you to go to the airport.

There isn't no 10 year Multi-Entry visa for LOS!

 

Jacko,

 

We've got crossed wires here. If you live on the Malaysian side of the border, you don't need a Thai visa, the Malaysians give you a 10-year multi-entry and you can nip over into LOS at your heart's content, either by road or by rail. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Malaysians do it every day.

Edited June 3, 2009 by CheshireTom

[js007 795]

Jacko,

 

We've got crossed wires here. If you live on the Malaysian side of the border, you don't need a Thai visa, the Malaysians give you a 10-year multi-entry and you can nip over into LOS at your heart's content, either by road or by rail. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Malaysians do it every day.

 

Yes, but they're Malaysians. A falang living in Malaysia with one of their visas would be a different story, perhaps. Isn't there some sort of treaty or agreement between all the Southeast Asian countries as to their citizens and travel between countries?

 

J

[bigdelta 46]

Just another way to keep that all-important foreign income out.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Yes, but they're Malaysians. A falang living in Malaysia with one of their visas would be a different story, perhaps. Isn't there some sort of treaty or agreement between all the Southeast Asian countries as to their citizens and travel between countries?

 

J

 

The 15 day stamp doesn't differentiate between Malaysians and anyone else. There is an agreement within ASEAN that they don't need a visa. But, in respect of Malaysia/Thailand neither do you, if you're a Brit. Both countries belong to the list of 57 countries whose citizens are given a 30 (by air) or 15 day (by land) visa exception. I've already checked at Dannok and their interpretation is 4 consecutive 15 day stays. If you want over 60 days, get a tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in Penang. You don't even have to go to Penang, plenty of agencies at the border will do the leg-work for you.

[papillon 695]

Tom, are you saying that the best way to live in Thailand is to live in Malaysia?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Tom, are you saying that the best way to live in Thailand is to live in Malaysia?

 

If your priorities are to own a house, have zero visa hassles, have access to cheap booze and cheap Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese women - it's a good choice, particularly for those who are linguistically challenged.

[jacko 8,766]

Tom, I am in fear of belabouring this and boring all the BMs to death. But I like to understand these 'rules'.

Let's forget the Malaysian visa you have, it's irrelevant for coming into Thailand. OK you can come and go freely for Malaysia.

Let's forget Malaysians.... you aren't one, most readers here probably aren't also.

 

When you come into LOS at Dannok you get a 15 day stamp.....

You can now only do this 4 times can't you? Even if you are just nipping into Thailand for a few days each trip.

 

The rule change is obviously aimed to restrict those persisting in LOS without a visa, who just pop over a land border every 15 days.

 

You, living on the other side, would get caught up in these new restrictions.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Tom, I am in fear of belabouring this and boring all the BMs to death. But I like to understand these 'rules'.

Let's forget the Malaysian visa you have, it's irrelevant for coming into Thailand. OK you can come and go freely for Malaysia.

Let's forget Malaysians.... you aren't one, most readers here probably aren't also.

 

When you come into LOS at Dannok you get a 15 day stamp.....

You can now only do this 4 times can't you? Even if you are just nipping into Thailand for a few days each trip.

 

The rule change is obviously aimed to restrict those persisting in LOS without a visa, who just pop over a land border every 15 days.

 

You, living on the other side, would get caught up in these new restrictions.

 

Jacko,

 

No, the critical wording is "A foreigner who has entered the kingdom four (4) consecutive times on 15 days tourist exemption stamps ... "

 

What I understand from Immigration at Dannok is that consecutive means it applies to "back to back" exits/entries. I will be going down to KL during the next week or so and I'll get a copy of whatever notice they are actually displaying at the border. If the push came to the shove, I'd simply get a 1 year multi-entry from Penang to visit friends.

Edited June 4, 2009 by CheshireTom

[shamasdog 1]

Did I get this right, the Thai Immigration is not wanting to mess with paperwork for the 15 day visa runners so they are wanting to cut them down ?

 

The Thai's initiated the 15 day rule when tourism sank. It appeared to be an effort to boost visa fees

 

BUT now it's looking like a grand effort to screw up parts of the Thai Economy. I don't know how many people do visa runs but I do see many advertisments for Thai's who provide visa run services.

 

If the runners are forced out of LOS, there are plenty of other places in SEA where they can go and spend their $$$.

 

Shamas

[Idefix 2,275]

Not following you here. Most residents of neighbouring countries don't even need a passport to go back and forth to Thailand as often as they wish.

Hi joekicker,

 

No no. Not so easy.

 

There is a rule that allow them to "cross the border for local business"

and most local people you see in border places use this easy way

 

But if a Cambodian want to go Bangkok, or a Thai want to go Phnom Phen,

they both need a Passport (and visa ? ).

[jacko 8,766]

Did I get this right, the Thai Immigration is not wanting to mess with paperwork for the 15 day visa runners so they are wanting to cut them down ?

 

The Thai's initiated the 15 day rule when tourism sank. It appeared to be an effort to boost visa fees

 

BUT now it's looking like a grand effort to screw up parts of the Thai Economy. I don't know how many people do visa runs but I do see many advertisments for Thai's who provide visa run services.

 

If the runners are forced out of LOS, there are plenty of other places in SEA where they can go and spend their $$.

 

Shamas

No I don't think you are seeing this right. Joekicker's view makes a lot more sense.

They don't like farangs living in LOS without a visa.

Boosting visa fees seems like small potatoes in the scheme of things... having a bit of control over who resides in Thailand is likely more important.

They still want tourists, Mr and Mrs Smith from Farangland spending 2 weeks on a Phuket beach, Mr Chin and his 200 friends being herded through Mike's, and Joe who works on the rigs spending his 30 day vacation with his chin on a GO-Go bar! But if you live here, you should have a visa, then you are on record, documented and have paid money!

 

The border runner's $$$ is quite minimal, and hardly likely to screw the Thai economy up if lost.

Let's face it, they want to do a cheapo bus trip to Poipet..... if they had any $$$ they'd fly down to Singapore and get 30 days rather than 15, or get a visa.

Edited June 4, 2009 by jacko

[sponio 0]

If you guys are in Isaan there is a better alternative to make the visarun in vientiene Laos.

Mukdahan, Savannakhet(Laos Site), immigration less crowded, and the TOURIST VISA Multientry you will receive for free as well, sometimes the same day! refering to a lady at the immigration office in phibun mangsahan..

[JohnnyK 28]

Its not aimed at legit tourists.

Its aimed at washed-up guys with no dough who may be dodging who-knows-what back home. Losing their few baht won't set Thailand back and may improve the scenery.

[chacha 0]

Its not aimed at legit tourists.

Its aimed at washed-up guys with no dough who may be dodging who-knows-what back home. Losing their few baht won't set Thailand back and may improve the scenery.

they must have doh to pay for visa runs every 15 days . I find that when the doe runs out so do the visa runs . crazy that they are not trying to drag people in with the state of the tourist industry . I really don't understand why anybody even considers coming here on holiday at the moment . Seems like it is more of a drive to get people to use the airport than solve anything . Because they can come in and out as many times as they want through the airport