The End of VisaRuns...

[Gary 4,100]

I'll tell you a little story. Years ago I used an agency called Thai Visa in Bangkok. This is not to be confused with the forum. They would easily get me a one year visa for a reasonable sum of baht. The one year visas came out of Australia. The last time I went to that agency, it was boarded up and had a big padlock on the door. I then had to go to a Thai immigration office. The officer looked carefully at my passport stamps. He asked me where I had been getting my visas. I didn't lie to him. He told me that my stamps were valid, BUT, they were not legal because I didn't get them myself. I was lucky he let me off. As I was leaving he told me that if my passport goes anywhere that I had better be going with it. Any other sort of one year visa is illegal.

[js007 795]

It would sure be easier for everyone concerned if Thailand would just stamp people in for three months on arrival. Malaysia does that and that place seems to still be functioning.

 

In any event, if Thailand wants to crack down on people working illegally, that's what it should do. Crack down on the illegal workers. Playing games with people making visa runs just seems to be too much off the mark.

[BigDUSA 71]

OK Pattaya may be fun, but if I was young, have time and money, there are other places in the world I would like (or prefer) to stay...

Where and why? Edited July 16, 2014 by MM
fixed the quote so it doesn't look like BigD is talking to himself

[Idefix 2,275]

Some good clarifications from Immigration. :)

 

And some new facilities for tourists, like 30 days extension on visa exemption (and not 7 only)

 

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PrAVbWu7rE#t=355

 

or/and have a look on ThaiVisa: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744440-longer-visa-exemption-extensions-begin-august-29-2014/

[Big_Brian 179]

That seems to prove that they aren't targeting genuine tourists, but those on tourist visas who aren't actually tourists. Makes sense to me.

 

The more I read, the more I like this Junta. If they can make all that they're doing stick, Thailand will certainly change - though I think they're up against too many vested interests and the basic mindset of Thai's not to "rock the boat" for the changes to last.

[InternationalTraveler 282]

My expat weekly news included this info.

 

News... It has been announced on 1 July to Key Visa's visa run Agents that from the 1st July 2014 all Nationalities who enter Thailand on a free visa exemption e.g. 30 days standard if they wish to travel to the Thai border and return by land you will only be stamped 7 days, not 15 or 30 days like they did previously 7 DAYS AND THAT IS IT.

It has also been announced once you have been to the Thai border by land and had one lot of 7 days you cannot cross the border again if you wish to stay longer then you have to travel outside of Thailand to a Thai Consulate to obtain a Thai tourist visa or something similar and the you can return to Thailand on a visa type.

The only exceptions at the Thai border are people with Non-Immigrant visas multiple entry and double or triple entry tourist visas obtained overseas or from a Thai consulate around Thailand.

So it's getting harder guys, if your stay is going to be over 30 days then I suggest you consider obtaining a visa from a Thai Consulate in your home Country before arriving in Thailand. No visa, if you cross a border expect only 7 days!!!

[Idefix 2,275]

So it's getting harder guys, if your stay is going to be over 30 days then I suggest you consider obtaining a visa from a Thai Consulate in your home Country before arriving in Thailand. No visa, if you cross a border expect only 7 days!!!

It's *not* getting harder . You should read my post #29 just above yours. From the end of next month there will be no more reason to make this kind of visarun as you will get 30 days doing a simple extension at the Immigration Office.

This info can be useful for those who chose to make a visarun in the 6 next weeks though.

[InternationalTraveler 282]

This latest news from thaivisa for a 30-day extension almost contradicts the original plans by immigration to crackdown on foreigners on short stay visas. I guess if the Thai authorities ever did get their act together it would surely be based on money.

Yes, for many it would be a great idea to nip down to Jomtien and pay to extend any type of visa instead of the 5am race to the border...but will it ever happen?

BTW a good report on this subject by Stickman this week.

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/StickmanWeeklyColumn2013/Thailand-visa-run-crackdown.htm

[cbrib 354]

It seems as if the Junta has wised up and decided to collect the money themselves instead of letting the visa run companies get it.