Answered6 years ago
What are the recent experiences and challenges faced by expats traveling to Thailand with a Non-Immigration O visa?
Well, after months of preparation, several visits to the RTE in Brussels, getting documents translated and legalised (by no less than 4 separate government departments - Kafka!), getting tested (negative, phew...), booking ASQ, getting a Fit to fly, and sending our dog ahead on its own to Bangkok before we were even sure we could go ourselves (scary), I’m finally sitting at the gate in Brussels airport with my wife, waiting for the flight to Dubai and then on to Bangkok.
Relieved and excited!
Relieved and excited!
Answer summary
The post discusses the author's journey to Thailand after extensive preparations, including document legalization, travel testing, and ASQ arrangements. They express relief and excitement at finally boarding their flight. The comments reflect well-wishes from the community, tips on how to cope during ASQ, and frustrations regarding the complex entry process into Thailand, highlighting the challenges expats face, especially related to visas and quarantine procedures.
29 repliesnewest first
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
To help clarify an ongoing question and help future applicants, I am conducting a survey asking if you were required to obtain a return or onward ticket as a condition for your entry to Thailand, the type of visa you are seeking, and the name of your country of origin and embassy site. You may reply here or personal message me. Thank you in advance.
Patrick ************
OP@Edward *******
PS: I’m married to a Thai, that’s how I got both the visa and the COEPatrick ************
OP@Edward *******
I requested a non-Immigration type O visa. I was not required to obtain any airplane ticket for the visa itself. However, apart from the visa, a Certificate of Entry is required to enter Thailand, and for that I had to upload a booked flight ticket (one way in my case, as I plan to extend my visa after ASQ )Patrick ************
OPThanks all for the supportive comments!
We made it safe and sound to our ASQ hotel, and the first night sleep wiped all of the worries away.
Landing to hotel room was about 2 hours, the hotel van was waiting at the exit.
Process after landing was fine, pretty fast and not stressful, and everyone was friendly and helpful. I’m travelling on a Non-immigration O visa and I'm married to a Thai. My wife was accompanying me on the trip, Thais and farangs are processed separately at immigration. Immigration did ask me where I would be staying after ASQ so I just gave the address of my wife’s home.
It was not an intimidating process, just make sure you’ve got your docs ready and sorted. Be kind and friendly, and it will go smooth!
I’ll post a review of our ASQ hotel (Vertical Suite) later in the ASQ Hotel Review group
We made it safe and sound to our ASQ hotel, and the first night sleep wiped all of the worries away.
Landing to hotel room was about 2 hours, the hotel van was waiting at the exit.
Process after landing was fine, pretty fast and not stressful, and everyone was friendly and helpful. I’m travelling on a Non-immigration O visa and I'm married to a Thai. My wife was accompanying me on the trip, Thais and farangs are processed separately at immigration. Immigration did ask me where I would be staying after ASQ so I just gave the address of my wife’s home.
It was not an intimidating process, just make sure you’ve got your docs ready and sorted. Be kind and friendly, and it will go smooth!
I’ll post a review of our ASQ hotel (Vertical Suite) later in the ASQ Hotel Review group
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Diedy **********
Heel fijn voor je dat het gelukt is!
Wanda ****************
Is it a direct flight Dubai to Bangkok?
Patrick ************
OP@Wanda ***************
yes. Emirates EK384Wanda ****************
@Patrick ***********
lucky not via Hong Kong cos cancelled for 2 weeks . 4 cases on the 2nd dec. Dubai to Hong Kong Wanda ****************
@Patrick ***********
happy to hear that 👍👍Patrick ************
OP@Wanda ***************
that’s too bad. We just made it an hour or two ago to our ASQ. Unpacking 😀Wanda ****************
Same feeling days ago so stressed 😅 wish all smooth and safe 🙏
Edd ********
Happy for you.
But Thailand becoming impossible to find a way to enter.
So many confusing visa options and applications.
Think it will eventually hurt their economy going forward.
Am married to a amazing Thai , and have a home in Central Thailand, but am not prepared to jump through the multiple stages in order to see my Thai family at this point.
Just wish authorities would get their act together.
But Thailand becoming impossible to find a way to enter.
So many confusing visa options and applications.
Think it will eventually hurt their economy going forward.
Am married to a amazing Thai , and have a home in Central Thailand, but am not prepared to jump through the multiple stages in order to see my Thai family at this point.
Just wish authorities would get their act together.
Patrick ************
OP@Edd *******
actually: getting the visa and COE was not so very hard for us. What was the hardest is that we were married in Belgium and never bothered before to register our marriage in Thailand to get what I believe is called a Kor Ror 22. And we need that as I plan to request and extension on my visa. The red tape you have to get to to get those documents in a state that they will be accepted by the Thai govt. crazy process, more stamps than there is room for on the documents 
Andrew **********
I was in the process of getting married when I had to leave Thailand in March. Seems like everything is changing about every two weeks. Let's hope the restrictions ease up soon so the people who want to call Thailand home can get back.
Chris *********************
@Edd *******
I'm the same I live in chainart central thailand came back to uk in February for 2 months still here not jumping through all the hoops 
Stuart *********
Congratulations. So many stories of the hassles that people have to go through to get here. Once you’re in the hotel just relax. It’s 14 nights. Binge watch Netflix and then celebrate once you’ve been let out for good behavior 😀
Patrick ************
OP@Stuart ********
lol, Thai logic works a little different from what we westerners are used too...Michael ********
15 nights and 16 days the day you arrive is day zero and day 1 doesnt start till next day.
I got confused and had to make a chart
I got confused and had to make a chart
Patrick ************
OP@Stuart ********
I’m looking at it as 14 days of relaxation and let go of all the stress that the preparation caused
Nguyen *****************
Congratulations!
Besides all things mentioned, how did you get approved?
Is your wife Thai or do you own property in Thailand?
Besides all things mentioned, how did you get approved?
Is your wife Thai or do you own property in Thailand?
Patrick ************
OP@Nguyen ****************
my wife is Thai. 
Tracy ******
Oh my goodness that must have been so stressful. But the worst is over now. Enjoy your flight and happy reunion with your dog 🐕
Dawn **********
Congratulations and good luck on the additional flights.
How is your dog being handled in Bangkok? Will he/she join you in quarantine?
How is your dog being handled in Bangkok? Will he/she join you in quarantine?
Patrick ************
OP@Dawn *********
no, that’s not allowed. She’s in a pet hotel in bkkDawn **********
@Patrick ***********
Thanks! Is the pet quarantined also or can someone take your pet while you are in quarantine?Dawn **********
@Patrick ***********
Thanks!Patrick ************
OP@Dawn *********
she’s not quarantined. We arranged with the pet hotel that they went to pick her up at the airport. She’s staying there until we are “let loose” 😃Michael ********
First nights sleep in ASQ is brilliant all the stress just goes
Garrett ***********
Safe travels mate! let us know how it goes when you get settled ;)
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