Hi John. I pretty much do the same as you.

Just curious as to why you dont get a multiple entry visa from your own country?

yes mate, im not certain but i think the delivery time on certified/express post is the same all over Aus.

But of course it depends on how long it takes the consulate to process it and

send it back.

in my experience they are quick and will proccess and send back to you overnight.

i posted mine on a thursday, got it back the following wednesday.

no need to go to Hobart in person. with certified mail the turnover is usually 4 business days

@Glen ********

, i use them also. i thought the old guys handwriting on the visa would raise eyebrows but never had a problem.

I went to the the house at Invercargill once..felt a bit wierd about it, but maybe thats the way to go, save $20 on the certified mail and no stressing over waiting for it to turn up in the mailbox!

ok. is a relief to have it confirmed. thanks

@Tod ********

great thanks

if you have a mulitiple entry visa its just a matter going out and back in for another 2 month entry.

thanks muchly

@St***

Greir.

so, the border points never close?

m8, whatever they call you, bottom line is..

you are spending your own free time giving good visa advice, AND for free!

In that regard, i dont think anyone can blame you for "not suffering fools to kindly"

And hey im sure you will agree

there is no shortage of fools here that are to lazy to do the research themselves, who will then bag you out when you give it to them straight!

Just my opinion, but someone more cluey will probably chip in soon also.

1. They obviously have your history on file, so (if) they look back, unfortunately, they seem to be equating travellers with many V exempt entries as people getting up to nefarious behaviour.

ie. working illegally.

If you dont have any more VE's for at least 12 months i think you will be ok, but who knows.

2. Maybe they were hinting about METV, which is a longer term visa you can only get from your home country.

Visiting other S.E.Asian countries is ideal if you intend coming back to Thailand intermittently, as you can get single entry visas from each of the countries you visit.

At least that will make you look like more of a legit tourist ( in their eyes).

I wouldnt be trying any more visa exempts tho!

3. As a general rule they say 2 per year, but with your history and the low cost of visas, i wouldnt risk it.

IMO, i dont think its the land entries so much, but if you get flagged at an airport, or if some stroppy IMM officer is having a bad day sees your history, they might give you grief.

IMO again, i guess they have various reasons to consider people who get many VE's as dodgy.

- it may look as though you are avoiding the scrutiny of getting a proper visa.

-they suspect you might not be able to comply with the visa conditions.

-could be a criminal or up to no good.

-havent got the money for a visa, therefor cant support yourself..

-which then they will suspect you are working illegally.

Myself, i have a LONG history of tourist visas but never even 1 exempt, which i think is a factor in never being asked any questions