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Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 3:21 pm
by phuketrichard
Am sure it will affect more than a few here but its been a long time coming. so far ONLY affect sland crossings.
No more monthly weekend shopping trips to LOS
Land Borders Set To Limit Visa Exempt Entries To Two Per Year
From December 31st immigration checkpoints at land border crossings into Thailand will only allow visitors to enter the Kingdom on a visa exemption stamp twice in a calendar year, bringing an end to the much used loophole of staying in the country by doing back to back border hops.
Citizens of certain countries, including Malaysia, are exempt from the new rules that have been rubber-stamped to prevent foreigners using and abusing the system intended for use by genuine tourists.
....After an unspecified number of entries into Thailand using visa exemptions the system would alert the immigration official to issue nothing more then a warning to the passport holder this would be their last entry on a visa exemption and they should obtain a visa issued at an embassy or consulate in future.
The new rules will have zero impact on tourism and affect only those living here long term without the means to obtain a suitable visa solution – and there are plenty of options.
https://www.stickboybangkok.com/news/th ... -per-year/
NOTE till Feb 28th, 60day thai visas are FREE
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 3:34 pm
by lurcio
Bit of a bitch if you live in Koh Kong and like to do your shopping at Trat Tesco Lotus.
Citizens of certain countries, including Malaysia, are exempt from the new rules
I wonder if being a resident in Cambodia will qualify for an exemption?
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 3:42 pm
by phuketrichard
Cambodia/Laos Nationals get visa free entry exempt stamps for 15 day stay, unlmited
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 4:04 pm
by lurcio
^ Yeah, but I'm thinking about the barang who have a 1-year Cambodian visa and are officially residents of Cambodia. Sounds from the article that the border guards will have some leeway as to when they warn you that it is your last visa-free entry so if they see you regularly visit 10 times a year but only for a day or so they might exercise some discretion.
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 4:31 pm
by Jamie_Lambo
lurcio wrote:^ Yeah, but I'm thinking about the barang who have a 1-year Cambodian visa and are officially residents of Cambodia. Sounds from the article that the border guards will have some leeway as to when they warn you that it is your last visa-free entry so if they see you regularly visit 10 times a year but only for a day or so they might exercise some discretion.
yeah thats an interesting point im guessing there could be some foreigners that require require regular business trips to Thailand as well
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 4:43 pm
by phuketrichard
lurcio wrote:^ Yeah, but I'm thinking about the barang who have a 1-year Cambodian visa and are officially residents of Cambodia. Sounds from the article that the border guards will have some leeway as to when they warn you that it is your last visa-free entry so if they see you regularly visit 10 times a year but only for a day or so they might exercise some discretion.
having a one year visa does not make u a resident; (officially lol )
If ur holding a western passport.... expect to get 2 visa exempt entries by land, no more, no less/year
want visit more?? fly in or get a visa
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 4:56 pm
by lurcio
phuketrichard wrote:lurcio wrote:^ Yeah, but I'm thinking about the barang who have a 1-year Cambodian visa and are officially residents of Cambodia. Sounds from the article that the border guards will have some leeway as to when they warn you that it is your last visa-free entry so if they see you regularly visit 10 times a year but only for a day or so they might exercise some discretion.
having a one year visa does not make u a resident; (officially lol )
Yes it does as far as the Cambodian taxman and banks are concerned anyway. I pay tax at the Resident rate (6%) not the Non-Resident rate (15%).
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 5:15 pm
by OKW
nothing to get spooled up about, it will change to something new, or previous anytime. With Thailand you got to make do with what it is today. Twenty years in and out of Saudi Arabia for instance and I never saw a change. Appears to work.
phuketrichard wrote:lurcio wrote:^ Yeah, but I'm thinking about the barang who have a 1-year Cambodian visa and are officially residents of Cambodia. Sounds from the article that the border guards will have some leeway as to when they warn you that it is your last visa-free entry so if they see you regularly visit 10 times a year but only for a day or so they might exercise some discretion.
having a one year visa does not make u a resident; (officially lol )
If ur holding a western passport.... expect to get 2 visa exempt entries by land, no more, no less/year
want visit more?? fly in or get a visa
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 8:11 pm
by Barang_doa_slae
Since I couldn't care less about Thailand expats visa runners, all I can say is that it sounds like a very bad news for Koh Kong residents and for Jamie
BTW Richard, the 6 months old law on foreign private cars entrance restrictions you informed us about is yet to be enforced at all (for Cambodia at least).
Re: Important info on Thai visa exempt entries
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 8:33 pm
by phuketrichard
are u saying u have driven a Cambodian tagged car into Thailand recently? Which border?
I just posted what i read, it has stopped the Chinese driving down so thats a good thing