Newbie in Udon - Need help with Visa

Post by **haggis087** » April 15, 2013, 4:45 pm

Hello All
I am a very new member here, so please forgive me if you've heard my question many times already!
I am coming to Udon Thani late next week for my first ever visit to Thailand at the suggestion of a work mate. I will not have the time to obtain a 60 day visa before my departure from London (Long story.. just that is a 'Now or Never' opportunity to visit there which has arisen due to redundancy)
I have heard that I will be issued with a stamp on my passport when I arrive in Bangkok, which will allow me to stay for a maximum of 30 days in Thailand. I would appreciate clarification on the possibilities of staying for a little while longer, if I so choose, depending of course on staying completely with Thai laws/regulations. Can I get an extension at Udon Immigration? Or is it best to visit Laos for the day and obtain a further entitlement at border?
As there are so many people here with a wealth of experience am hoping you will be kind enough to give me some advice.
I am a 55 year old Scot who has always dreamt of visiting so am so looking forward to my visit and am sure will be a tremendous trip.

Many thanks in anticipation

Post by **newtovillagelife** » April 15, 2013, 5:50 pm

Udon immigration will not give you an extension, you will have to travel to Loas, for the day and then get a 15 day extension. If you want longer you will have to go to the Thai Embassy and apply for a tourist visa and so it will be an overnight stay.

Post by **merchant seaman** » April 15, 2013, 6:05 pm

It all depends on how long of an extension you will need. Where in Scotland are you from? I lived in Brechin City for 3 years.

Post by **WBU ALUM** » April 15, 2013, 6:26 pm

I've requested and received extensions before. In fact, I asked for 7 days, and they gave me 15. On another occasion, I asked for and received 30 days. Both times it was a Tourist Visa.

If they refuse, you can always do as newtovillagelife suggested and make a border run.

It's not impossible, but the experiences of one of us does not guarantee that yours will be the same. Sometimes it's just a crapshoot.

Post by **udonthani** » April 15, 2013, 6:44 pm

Following is a clip from bangkok Post to day, and I am still rolling

:

Hitting the roof, rolling on the floor laughing

Published: 15 Apr 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Life
I love Thailand. It's truly the Land of Smiles. This was especially true of the front-page news last week describing the bungled casino raid by detectives and policemen from Tao Pun Police Station on the infamous Tao Pun casino.

Reading the front page was funnier than watching Mr Bean. It was a case of ROTFL (rolling on the floor laughing), to use internet-speak.

Just in case you woke up late last Monday and didn't have a chance to read the front page of the Bangkok Post before your maid used it as doggy litter, it was all about the raid by 50 detectives on the well-fortified casino. After a week in planning, they climbed rooftops of neighbouring houses to get in through the roof vent. The entire clientele were caught red-handed, but no arrests could be made since the back-up team of 150 police, in full riot gear, never made it to the premises, having been pelted by the locals with the sticks and stones.

A number of police were wounded in action, either by flying projectiles or from falling off the roof.

These are 200 of the city's finest, following a carefully devised plan.

ROTFL.

To add insult to injury, the casino had been raided two years ago and its ownership was frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Not that it means very much, but it has taken two years for Tao Pun police to realise that there were at least 100 cars visiting the casino a day, and deduce that something fishy must be going on.

According to our favourite casino whistle-blower, Chuwit Kamolvisit, Tao Pun casino is arguably one of the most highly fortified casinos in Bangkok, and pictures taken of the interior and exterior indicate just so. Barbed wire strewn all over neighbouring houses, metal doors and iron spikes probably make it more difficult to enter than Khlong Prem prison.

That, and the fact that they operate in a sympathetic neighbourhood. I'm pretty sure the casino owners must have gone around with a basket of home-baked muffins every now and then to gain such loyalty. Anyway, this lightning raid took all of 10 minutes, but yielded absolutely nothing except a lesson in what-not-to-do-when-raiding-a-casino that police cadets will have to study for many years hence to pass their mid-term exams.

The next day, the local community threatened to sue the police for destroying their property: broken roof tiles, even a compressor that was dislodged by some misplaced footing. It somehow brings to mind the rooftop chases in all those 007 films.

I'm sure that more than a few roof tiles were broken each time. They must have provided a bit of inspiration for this sting operation, but the police probably forgot to take into consideration that 007 had a production crew behind him, and a significantly larger budget than a year's worth of roadblocks could ever yield.

It does make you wonder though. Being the second raid within a couple of years, could the Thai police force be so naive as to underestimate the strength of the fortress-like casino, and the loyalty of the surrounding community?

Could a squad of riot police be repelled so easily by some vendors in vests and shorts swinging sticks and throwing stones and hot water or whatever they could grab hold of? I would really like to say I have more faith in the Royal Thai Police than that. Really.

So back to Mr Chuwit. He suggested that this raid targeted this toughest of casinos because of its political affiliations. He has tipped the police off on many a city casino, and each time no arrests have been made. Often the police couldn't find the location, and by the time they did there was nothing left but an empty hall and a still dripping air conditioner. We must sympathise with the police, I say. Bangkok is not exactly a well-planned city and addresses aren't always logical. Just last week a friend was looking for a house number 70-plus in a Thong Lor sub-soi. A local security guard wasn't much help since he didn't have a clue about directions. So my friend continued on his way, feeling more and more desperate and lost as the house numbers increased rapidly to 200-plus-plus.

Then, out of the blue, was the house he was looking for, a 70-plus among all those 200 pluses. Now, how do you logically explain that series of house numbers? No wonder the police couldn't find the casino even after the hints given by Mr Chuwit that were just short of "checking in" on Facebook or providing the link for Google Maps.

So there are three conclusions. The police don't have a clue what they're doing. There is too much at stake to make any arrests, and raids are just for show. It's politically motivated. Whatever the reason, it hasn't shown our city's finest in the finest light.

It might have inspired Mr Bean though.

Personally I think all three conclusions is right, no one is really interested to close the casino, too many high ranked people would be set on display

Post by **Svein66** » April 15, 2013, 6:44 pm

WBU ALUM wrote:I've requested and received extensions before. In fact, I asked for 7 days, and they gave me 15. On another occasion, I asked for and received 30 days. Both times it was a Tourist Visa.

As he says, he don`t have a visa, so why are you answering as he has a visa?

Post by **haggis087** » April 15, 2013, 8:04 pm

newtovillagelife wrote:Udon immigration will not give you an extension, you will have to travel to Loas, for the day and then get a 15 day extension. If you want longer you will have to go to the Thai Embassy and apply for a tourist visa and so it will be an overnight stay.

Very useful thanks. I do not expect will require any more than the 15 days so think a border run will be the best option
Many thanks

Post by **haggis087** » April 15, 2013, 8:07 pm

merchant seaman wrote:It all depends on how long of an extension you will need. Where in Scotland are you from? I lived in Brechin City for 3 years.

Think I have now opted for a trip to Laos if I decide to stay longer than the 30 days. 15 additional days will be plenty.
I am originally from Paisley but have lived in Aldershot for many years..one of the few scots here with no connection to military!
many thanks

Post by **haggis087** » April 15, 2013, 8:10 pm

WBU ALUM wrote:I've requested and received extensions before. In fact, I asked for 7 days, and they gave me 15. On another occasion, I asked for and received 30 days. Both times it was a Tourist Visa.

If they refuse, you can always do as newtovillagelife suggested and make a border run.

It's not impossible, but the experiences of one of us does not guarantee that yours will be the same. Sometimes it's just a crapshoot.

Thanks for your reply. Yes,am aware of the crapshoot element. In an ideal world,and time permitting, I would have applied for 60 day visa here but is not possible. Will take a trip to Laos to secure a few days more if all goes well
Many thanks

Post by **WBU ALUM** » April 15, 2013, 8:18 pm

Svein66 wrote:
WBU ALUM wrote:I've requested and received extensions before. In fact, I asked for 7 days, and they gave me 15. On another occasion, I asked for and received 30 days. Both times it was a Tourist Visa.

As he says, he don`t have a visa, so why are you answering as he has a visa?

I don't think I'm answering as HE has a visa. I was answering that I HAD a visa. I'm just relating my experience. Next time I'll check with you before I post.

I didn't think I'd get an extension until I walked in the door and asked. All they can say is no. They speak English.

Post by **haggis087** » April 15, 2013, 9:06 pm

Much appreciated

Post by **jackspratt** » April 15, 2013, 9:06 pm

udonthani wrote:Following is a clip from bangkok Post to day, and I am still rolling :

Hitting the roof, rolling on the floor laughing

How does this relate to the OP's visa query?

Post by **Svein66** » April 15, 2013, 9:10 pm

WBU ALUM wrote:
Svein66 wrote:
WBU ALUM wrote:I've requested and received extensions before. In fact, I asked for 7 days, and they gave me 15. On another occasion, I asked for and received 30 days. Both times it was a Tourist Visa.

As he says, he don`t have a visa, so why are you answering as he has a visa?
I don't think I'm answering as HE has a visa. I was answering that I HAD a visa. I'm just relating my experience. Next time I'll check with you before I post.

Maybe next time you answer what someone ask, and not your experience on another matter...

Post by **ting_tong** » April 15, 2013, 9:13 pm

I believe a land border crossing will give you 15 days, and an air flight to a airport will give you another 30 days? maybe plan a cambodia trip?

Post by **WBU ALUM** » April 15, 2013, 9:31 pm

Svein66 wrote:Maybe next time you answer what someone ask, and not your experience on another matter...

He asked about extensions at immigration. I answered.

Anyone who has been here for awhile and gone through the gyrations at immigration knows that anything is possible on any given day. I offered advice to him. You, on the other hand, have decided to appoint yourself as a moderator of this thread. I ain't buying.

If you want to jaw back and forth, send me a PM and stop ruining this thread.

Post by **Svein66** » April 15, 2013, 9:44 pm

WBU ALUM wrote:
Svein66 wrote:Maybe next time you answer what someone ask, and not your experience on another matter...
He asked about extensions at immigration. I answered.

Anyone who has been here for awhile and gone through the gyrations at immigration knows that anything is possible on any given day. I offered advice to him. You, on the other hand, have decided to appoint yourself as a moderator of this thread. I ain't buying.

If you want to jaw back and forth, send me a PM and stop ruining this thread.

He asked about an extension to his 30-days visafree stay, not an extension to a tourist visa. If I was a moderator I would have deleted your post, not comented on it...

Post by **udonmarc** » April 16, 2013, 1:34 am

Now, now. Everyone play nicely in the sandbox, please....

Post by **udonthani** » April 16, 2013, 2:24 am

jackspratt wrote:
udonthani wrote:Following is a clip from bangkok Post to day, and I am still rolling :

Hitting the roof, rolling on the floor laughing
How does this relate to the OP's visa query?

It does not, but I thought the moderator would place it right, sorry guys

Post by **tamada** » April 16, 2013, 11:47 am

Svein66 wrote:
WBU ALUM wrote:
Svein66 wrote:Maybe next time you answer what someone ask, and not your experience on another matter...
He asked about extensions at immigration. I answered.

Anyone who has been here for awhile and gone through the gyrations at immigration knows that anything is possible on any given day. I offered advice to him. You, on the other hand, have decided to appoint yourself as a moderator of this thread. I ain't buying.

If you want to jaw back and forth, send me a PM and stop ruining this thread.
He asked about an extension to his 30-days visafree stay, not an extension to a tourist visa. If I was a moderator I would have deleted your post, not comented on it...

And here you witness the keyboard jousting of a couple of old UM worthies, normally quite decent chaps but obviously suffering from SAS (Songkran Aversion Syndrome) and their self-imposed 3-day confinement. A sort of self-inflicted Isaan Cabin Fever brought on by fear of having a bit of fun, having one too many from the emergency stockpile of tinnies last night and internet burn-out. I mean what's left to google after 3 days of surfing?

Good news chaps... IT IS OVER!!

Now turn off the 'puter and go out and have a (dry) beer.