What is the best method and location to obtain a Thai tourist visa as an expat?

Jan 27, 2020
5 years ago
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello. My wife and I plan to get a Thai tourist visa. Brief history of our visit to Thailand: from 2014 during the summer holidays we visited Thailand for a period of 1 to 2 months until 2017 (sometimes we got a 30-day stamp, sometimes applying for a tourist visa in our home city).

Next, in the winter of 2017, we entered Thailand and living there on two tourist visas, after which we got a student visa (based on English) and really learning it for 1 year.

After that, we left Thailand in the summer of 2019 and returned home for 3+ months. During this time, we prepared a full package of documents for the second student visa (based on Thai), which we were going to get in the fall of 2019 in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, in Ho Chi Minh, we got a canceled student visa with void stamp, without any explanation and money back. At that moment, we decided not to go to Thailand and waiting some time.

Now, we are going to enter Thailand in the middle of spring, making a tourist visa on our own. By the time of entry, about 10 months will pass from the date of the last departure from Thailand. *Also, please note that we have made new passports, due to lack of pages in old ones.*

# Therefore, I had question: tell me where is it most safe to make a tourist visa ourselves now, and through which borders is it better to enter Thailand? Interested in both the method of entry (by air, by land) and the places / countries.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
User seeks advice on obtaining a Thai tourist visa after a series of previous entries and visa applications. They have new passports due to the old ones being full and want to know the safest and most effective way to apply for a tourist visa themselves, including what borders provide the best entry options.
Anna *********
Myanmar or Bali could be your options. What did they say in the Russian-speaking group? I haven't heard any rejection news from those 2 countries recently, as long as you provide all the required documents
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone for the advice! The Russian group recommended Laos or Bali.
Ellie *******
Anywhere other than the consulate where wants to check old passport could be the option right now since OP has new passport and voided visa is NOT in there. Technically getting SETV in SEA is easy choice for OP now.

If IO let them in to the country is different part.
Tod *********
The thai consulate in Yangon WILL look at previous visa entry history when they think about issuing you a tourist visa. AND you need to meet the requirements posted on their website.
Ellie *******
Your voided ED visa from HCMC is in your current (new) passport? or old one?
Ellie *******
Then MAYBE no problem to get SETV around SEA as long as you meet requirements there right now.

Then maybe better to choose northern/north-eastern land border to enter for rather safer than by air.
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Old one.
Robert *******
As you're in Vietnam at the moment. Most relaxed scenario is get yourselves to Savannakhet or Vientiane in Laos, cross the border into Thailand and just get the 30 day stamp. These border check points are very relaxed, so less chance of getting denied. From there go take care your things and leave Thailand for a while or prepare a good visa if you like to return for longer periods.
Robert *******
Border checkpoint as Vientiane Laos to Nong Khai Thailand or Savannakhet Laos to Mukdahan Thailand.
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, any border point, or are there any special ones?
Robert *******
There is no leniency at Immigration for i need to pick up my belongings and motorcycle, you should have taking care that before you left.

First time I hear that you can not get a Visa at the Thai Embassy, what is their reason you got denied?
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
in fact, I got a visa but with a void stamp. As far as I know in the fall, many who were denied a student visa at various consulates.
Robert *******
Best place is in your home country at the Thai Embassy.

Best place to enter is every airport or every border checkpoint if you're a genuine tourist.

If you try to live inside Thailand, get the correct visa and avoid the hassle of trying to find lenient consulates and lenient immigration officers.
James ********
Boitsov Ruslan if all you are wanting to do is come for short time, as as a Russian you get 30 days ...fly to Thailand...get 30 days, gather your things as noted, and leave.

"Thailand Visa Application. Citizens of Russia are permitted to stay up to 30 days under the Bilateral Agreement with Thailand if entering via international airport or through a land border checkpoint from a neighboring country, e.g., Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia."
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And we can't get a visa in our home country. To many moving.
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Now we need to enter Thailand to pick up our belongings and motorcycle. After we planned to make a trip to Thailand.
James ********
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James ********
@Amornrat *********
if OP obtained a Tourist Visa nearby, and upon entry denied by Thai Immigration, will Thai Immigration allow them 30 days due to bilateral agreement instead of the 60 days Tourist Visa?

And is it possible for a Russian to extend the 30 days at Thai Immigration OR do a border run for a new 30 days entry by bilateral agreement?
James ********
As a Russian you do get 30 Days on arrival due to bilateral agreement Russia/Thailand.
James ********
Lets ask
@Amornrat *********
. The OP and wife are Russian. Yet denied Ed Visa in HCMC Vietnam last year.

How many times can a Russian enter and reenter Thailand?
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ruslan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Yes, this is my previous post, and as you can see the visa we got voided.
James ********
Your passports are from ??

And getting new passports may fool Thai Consulate, but will not fool Thai Immigration upon arrival. Your old and new passports will be computer linked.

And facial recognition software and fingerprinting is now used.

I suggest you get a METV in your home country first...before you depart.

That will give you, with planning, 6-9 months in Thailand.
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