Thailand
#21
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
Likes: 0
Have you got a link for that info Kathie as it appears to come from www.thaiembassy.com which I do not believe is the official site. The UK Thai embassy site still seems to indicate that 30 days is available for overland entry for citizens of G7 countries
http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/188
http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/188
#22
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
crells - see my link above from the Thai Immigration Bureau and read the remarks at the bottom of the "Period of stay 30 days" window - "Via land border, period of stay 15 days".
As mentioned earlier this change is quite recent.
As mentioned earlier this change is quite recent.
#23
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
You are right, crellston, it is not the official site. But I believe it is accurate. As you know, there have been numerous changes in the last year or so - they went to 15 days overland visa back to the month visa and now back to 15 days.
I read an article about this recently (maybe the NYT?) and how the current military government is cracking down on people basically living in Thailand, but without a long-term visa.
I read an article about this recently (maybe the NYT?) and how the current military government is cracking down on people basically living in Thailand, but without a long-term visa.
#25
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies Hanuman and Kathie.
Hanuman, thanks for posting the wording. I did try to look at the Immigration service link but unfortunately it won't open for me. Maybe they are innundated with worried expats!
Having looked at some other forums it seems that different rules are being applied at different border points. Still if that is official stance then I may have to change our plans.
I am in the process of planning a long trip around Asia starting in November. The original plan was to enter Thailand overland from Malaysia, spend 20-30 days inThailand before crossing into Lao in the north. We would then spend the next couple of months in Lao and Cambodia.
The next stage of the trip was to return to BKK to meet my in laws what are coming out for a couple of weeks. During those weeks we would do a 4 day side trip to Cambodia returning with them to Thailand to see them off before heading off to Malaysia ourselves.
It seems that we would now have to enter by air to gain the first 30 days visa exemption. But I am now getting a little concerned about re entering Thailand twice. Once after a couple of month and once after a few days as, it seems form other sites I have looked at that Thai immigration are tightening up on "in-out" border crossings.
The thaiembassy.com site refers to "visa on arrival" whereas the official UK Thai Embassy site refer to "visa exemption" are they one and the same?
Normally, I would just go with the flow but would not like to leave my in laws stranded at the airport. I may never hear the last of it!
Hanuman, thanks for posting the wording. I did try to look at the Immigration service link but unfortunately it won't open for me. Maybe they are innundated with worried expats!
Having looked at some other forums it seems that different rules are being applied at different border points. Still if that is official stance then I may have to change our plans.
I am in the process of planning a long trip around Asia starting in November. The original plan was to enter Thailand overland from Malaysia, spend 20-30 days inThailand before crossing into Lao in the north. We would then spend the next couple of months in Lao and Cambodia.
The next stage of the trip was to return to BKK to meet my in laws what are coming out for a couple of weeks. During those weeks we would do a 4 day side trip to Cambodia returning with them to Thailand to see them off before heading off to Malaysia ourselves.
It seems that we would now have to enter by air to gain the first 30 days visa exemption. But I am now getting a little concerned about re entering Thailand twice. Once after a couple of month and once after a few days as, it seems form other sites I have looked at that Thai immigration are tightening up on "in-out" border crossings.
The thaiembassy.com site refers to "visa on arrival" whereas the official UK Thai Embassy site refer to "visa exemption" are they one and the same?
Normally, I would just go with the flow but would not like to leave my in laws stranded at the airport. I may never hear the last of it!
#26
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Apologies IF I got it wrong. But for stuff on visaS I usually use TA, which has got excellent Destination Experts, and the FAQs are always pretty much up to date.
Here's the latest thread on the subject on TA...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...-Thailand.html
And as someone wrote in one of the replies in the link, "But again, this is Thailand, and sometimes it seems, that every official here in Thailand, works by their own rules".
Here's the latest thread on the subject on TA...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...-Thailand.html
And as someone wrote in one of the replies in the link, "But again, this is Thailand, and sometimes it seems, that every official here in Thailand, works by their own rules".
#27
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
crells,
To be safe I would suggest you get a visa before you arrive, through the embassy. Lots local support for the crack-down on visa-runs and illegal foreigners living and residing in Thailand, especially Westerners.
This cartoon from today's newspaper (The Nation) pretty much sums it up:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/spec...d=30&pid=17548
To be safe I would suggest you get a visa before you arrive, through the embassy. Lots local support for the crack-down on visa-runs and illegal foreigners living and residing in Thailand, especially Westerners.
This cartoon from today's newspaper (The Nation) pretty much sums it up:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/spec...d=30&pid=17548
#29
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
Likes: 0
Thanks Hanuman . I think you are probably right, the safest thing to do would be to get a visa. I will probably wait a while just to see whether things change again and maybe even get one from the Thai Embassy when we arrive in KL . Having looked at the Thai UK embassy site it seems that I can get a multiple entry tourist visa which will give 60 days in a 6 month period which will be plenty.
Interesting cartoon! Very apt.
Interesting cartoon! Very apt.
#31
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
@Hanuman<<<To be safe I would suggest you get a visa before you arrive, through the embassy. Lots local support for the crack-down on visa-runs and illegal foreigners living and residing in Thailand, especially Westerners.>>>
With respect, that's a very third-worldy reply!
With respect, that's a very third-worldy reply!
#33
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Hi Hanuman. Quite off-topic, but Why is the water buffalo disparaged by being synonymous with stupidity in Thai culture? A great deal of respect is owed to the Kwai as they have significantly labored to put food in the mouth of every Thai person throughout history. They also are beautiful and majestic animals.. I was quite moved the first time I ever came face to face with one. Thanks if u can explain to me
#34
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
LL - I am from a third world country! The reply is for crellston who is travelling here via land borders. He's a regular visitor to the Kingdom and under the current crack down on visa violators it is wise to do IMO.
PP - You stated that you know a lot Thais so why not ask them? I use the idiom now and then sort of like Westerners using the idiom "pigs", "swine" etc, etc...
PP - You stated that you know a lot Thais so why not ask them? I use the idiom now and then sort of like Westerners using the idiom "pigs", "swine" etc, etc...

