Arrived in Bangkok 11 December

This is not something I dreamed up.

Previous retirement visa but COVID and a death in the family screwed that up. So in

November 2024 Visa exempt with 30 day extention. Left the country for a week and back from Vientiane to get another Visa exempt and left before the 60 days in April 2025. That entry did raise a few eyebrows and required input of a senior IO but nothing was said. That was the only visa run done.

For the record, no over stays or any other issues in 35 odd years. A clean slate as far as I am aware.

On arrival got taken out the queue to the immigration office. Had to fill out a Passenger Information Form and was told I needed a Wife visa. The IO supervisor, firm but polite, wanted to see Baht 20,000 CASH, marriage certificate 35 years married to a Thai, wife ID card and a ticket out of Thailand. I had a genuine reservation to Ho Chi Ming city, thought that might be helpful.

I was given a 60 day visa exempt and TOLD in no uncertain terms to get the correct visa. I doubt if a 30 day extension will be given

On a side note there was another Brit who seemed to have been stopped for visa "irregularities" and told to return to the UK. When he asked if he could buy a ticket to Loas he was told no, go back to the UK.

There were at least 6 others in the office, the one where seniors over 70 can fast track, being interviewed.

So there will be two types people that will read this.

1. Those who think this will not happen to them and continue to think visa exempt is the way to long term stays. Your entitlement will be your undoing.

2. Those that will take on my experience and be prepared. I honestly believed that the ticket to Vietnam saved me from being sent back to the UK.

So why did not get the correct visa before coming. I have been trying to get funds out of a fund run by STM Malta, useless company, for 4 months. They keep changing the goal posts.

Far too many posts thinking this is a joke it is not. Long term stays require a visa.

I need a visitor visa for my girlfriend. I will be there beginning of November for 6 months and want to bring her back to Canada at the end of April for 6 months. Is it possible? Is there someone who can help me with this?

For the DTV soft power does attending Thai language school qualify for this? I attended a Thai language school and had an education visa back in 2020, attended about two months then covid hit and the school closed due to restrictions. I would like to re-enroll to study, the course is 9 months, after it’s finished I wish to attend their higher advanced course. Would this qualify for Thai dtv soft power?

Since the DTV was launched I have been hearing of more people staying in the country indefinitely on tourist visas facing issues coming back in.

Have any of you noticed this?

Was just accepted for medical visa non immigrant -O 90 day!

Hello. on the website of the Thai consulate in Vientiane it is written that visas are issued after two business days, not counting the day on which the application is submitted. An example is given, submitting the application on Monday morning, receiving it on Wednesday afternoon. Apply on Friday morning, pick up on Tuesday afternoon. My question is, does it ever happen that the visa is ready earlier? I'm asking about this because someone wrote in another thread that the visa can be collected the next afternoon.

I’ve heard people say that the volunteer visa causes problems getting other visas later is this correct ?

Has anyone with a history of ED visa in the last 3 years been accepted for the Thailand Elite program?

Is the Special Tourist Visa (90 + 90 renewal) still available nowadays to apply for a Thai consulate like the one of Penang?

If yes, is there a major difference in the application process?

On the official website, I’m not confident that it’s up to date as they speak of covid and they refer to older dates.

Thank you!

So I came in on a 60 TR Evisa extended it by 30 with extension, did Mae sot border bounce for another 45 on re entry, got another 30 day extension on that today at Kamphaengphet Immigration, plan on doing another border bounce when this is due to expire, a couple of questions,. Is Mae sot open on a Saturday, and assuming I can get it done can I extend it by another 30 days at Kamphaeng Phet ? ( I know I will have to go back to uk after this) and finally, would I have a problem returning back to thailand in November this year (2023)