Just got back from a day trip to Laos. I had a Tourist Visa for Thailand already.

There was no comment by the immigration official other than to tell me I had 60 days.

The Borsder was busy, whilst waiting to get to the desk I watched over 50 others go through immigration. One Farang was told about doing to many back to back runs, from what I could tell. Otherwise busiess as usual and everyone processed quickly.

The separate queue for Laos people with a border pass just automatically got a stamp. The Immigration Officer didn't even look at the photo page.

Thanks for the update GW, it is always good to have actual first hand experiences.

From what I have read it is just the Southern land crossings that appear to be enacting the changes with zeal.
I believe that the rules do not actually come into force until 12th. August.
Then, apparently, it will be the same for all, including airports.

It will be interesting to see what happens at the Bridge from 12th. onward, if anyone is brave enough to give it a go...

Just came back from Lao last Sunday.. We went up to get our grandson's 30 day Visa flipped. He'd been here for the normal 30 day stamp-in and needed another to cover him until his return to the States at the end of July. We visited friends in Vientiane for 2 1/2 days then came back.. No problem getting another 30 day stamp-in for him at the border. The crowds of Lao coming over in their vehicles Sunday morning were huge.. The traffic was backed up all the way to the Bridge Fee/Bird flu spraying station which blocked the bridge bus.. We had to get off the bus and walk the last 200 meters to the immigration queue.

Places like Index and Homepro are saturated on the weekends with Yellow Plates from Lao.

Then u have challenge of reverse parking in Central, which should be at least demonstration sport for the next ASEAN Games .

So they are targeting the Aliens in Phuket, but no news on the Pattaya runs to Cambodia, Im sure more retirees etc doing that run, but don't qualify for retirement visas with 40 K per month.

I really wonder how much the GFC and FX rates have affected these guys ability to qualify for a retirement visa.

Thai Visa has been in touch with senior officials at the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates in Sweden,the UK and Australia to see if they are aware of the current visa crackdown.
But visas are still being issued to those who have a history of back to back Tourist visas or several visa exempt entries.
From the point of view of the Embassies and Consulates it seems to be very much a case of business as normal !

But heres one for our visa "experts"
What about the case of Herbert,a 70 year old British man,who lives in Thailand with his 19 year old Thai girlfriend,Porn,and her 3 young children.Herbert has generously bought a house for Porn and provided a Toyota Camry for her which is,quite possibly,the minimum requirement for many long term relationships over here.
For several years Herbert has obtained a Multi Entry Non Immigrant O visa from the UK,getting up to 15 months use out of it each time with 90 day border runs.....no need to report to the local Immigration office.
On the last occassion,Herbert had to provide proof of 1400 GBP income per month but this visa works for him as he can exit Thailand as often as he wants and return to the UK for his favourite passion,morris dancing,later in the year.
But by useing this visa his passport has many stamps in it.Is it not possible after August 12th,after his next 90 day border run to Laos,that Herbert may find himself being refused entry back into Thailand by Immigration because of this ?

No Zid.
You only have a problem if you are trying to enter the country on No Visa or a Tourist visa. The fact that he is entering on a Non O gives him a pass.

However if all of the above was true except that he was below the age of 65 then he would not be able to get a non O from the UK.
The London Embassy would advise him that he had to come to Thailand on a triple entry Tourist Visa..

Now he does have a problem....

Nice creative journalism, I think, but yes , this guy needs to sort a retirement visa and 40 K per month minimum income confirmed with multiple exit application.

The 12 month Multi Entry Non Imm O is only now issued in many countries associated with marriage certs .

I can see an increase in applications for Yellow Books and having aliens names added to the tabian baan , to assist with immigration visa applications in the future ??

Zidane wrote: What about the case of Herbert,a 70 year old British man,who lives in Thailand with his 19 year old Thai girlfriend,Porn,and her 3 young children.Herbert has generously bought a house for Porn and provided a Toyota Camry for her ..........

............But by useing this visa his passport has many stamps in it.Is it not possible after August 12th,after his next 90 day border run to Laos,that Herbert may find himself being refused entry back into Thailand by Immigration because of this ?

That would be exceedingly kind of Thai Immigration if they were to refuse him.

If one looks at the situation is calm and educated manner, one could see that the Immigration dept, is doing what it should have been doing years ago. it is only the lax attitude of officials and the jai yen yen approach that has allowed the situation to be as it is now. I for one could not agree more that the situation is for some dire , but and it is a BIG BUT, those with a modicum of intelligence instead of crowing about how they slid through the cracks should have been making sure that they could meet the requirements. Each case is taken on its own , not a carte blanche refusal but if history shows an abuse then you will be treated with a refusal, expect it and plan to meet the rules, for some that may never happen in that case, you have enjoyed your time here ,find ways to return, othjers who have jobs here on the back to back trip;s, well guess what unless your employer is willing to apply for a business visa, your out of a job. No point moaning just get it sorted, speak to the Immigration officers they are there to help, but no longer will they be bendy rules compliant rather , follow them or go attitude.
Sorry to say this but the clock is ticking and it has been for a couple of years now, the alarm is about to go off. Take care and beware, incarceration is not pretty for those that transgress.

Herbert will be mightily relieved,his 19 year old girlfriend maybe not so much !
I just wondered about this scenario because these Laos stamps can take up a page of your passport and will,presumably,be the same stamp for whatever type of visa you may have.
But the Thai Immigration will be able to differentiate,so thats good.

Having said that I will never forget the day the Thai Consulate guy in Vietianne years ago threw my passport , application and money out the window, screaming at me, "We don't want single men in Thailand -too Many Stamps !

I was actually applying for a 90 Day Non Imm O with yellow book

PS Im not Herbert

wazza wrote:Having said that I will never forget the day the Thai Consulate guy in Vietianne years ago threw my passport , application and money out the window, screaming at me, "We don't want single men in Thailand -too Many Stamps !

I was actually applying for a 90 Day Non Imm O with yellow book

PS Im not Herbert

Definately not a herbert

someone have news about new rules ?
Visarun....turist visa....

Only recent news is about giving extra 30 days for tourists if needed and future clampdown on education visas
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/4 ... nded-visas

Any other updates best go to your local immigration office

As I understand it, Visa runs are becoming a thing of the past, if you need to stay longer you can at leastnow get 30 days plus 30 days on a tourist Visa but that will not be repeated at the border.
People will just have to plan , unlike before. Whatever you do speak to immigration they are there to help .

Tourist visa single entry gives you 60 days Khun Paul which can then be extended 30 days at immigration 1900 bht.