Phuket

Goong · #1 15-08-2007, 19:11

My mate has just been to LOS and before he went, he went to the Thai headquarters in Brisbane and asked what the requirement was with regards to visas. The reason he was enquiring was that him and i went over in April, he went back in June and he was leaving again in August and just wanted to be sure he wouldn't get turned away at BKK.
The chick in Brisbane told him he had been to Thailand twice already in the last 6 months so he would need to get a tourist visa as he would not be given a stamp on arrival.....so that's what he did.
The rules seem to change constantly and i have NFI what the current process is and i have just realised that i could be in the same situation later in the year. Seeing as though i was there late last April and i am going back in early October, that will be twice for me in 6 months, which is fine. The problem is, i will be crossing into Laos for a couple of days not long after i get there and then crossing back into LOS....that will be 3 times in 6 months. So if the chick in Brisbane is correct, they won't let me back in.
Does anyone have any current knowledge on the process as it stands at present?

Nicke · #2 15-08-2007, 19:24

3 entry stamps (3 months) every 6 months should be fine, but if you want to be safe maybe better to apply for a torist visa.

S1MON · #3 15-08-2007, 19:40

I have 6 stamps in the last 6 months, i was worried aswell that it would be a problem but they have signs up in the new airport now stating that it is 90 days out of 180, 3 of my stamps i have only been in the country for less than 5 days.
But they are looking at the amount of days a lot closer now.

as long as your days are OK you have nothing to worry about.

MajorTom · #4 15-08-2007, 19:50

They came with a clarification in April: http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ge...ification.html

"The number of consecutive visa exemptions allowed is no longer limited to three"

Apparently this info havent got very far yet..

Goong · #5 15-08-2007, 20:12

Major Tom, I love this bit.

As for foreigners who complain about discrepancies in the counting of days, K. Krissarat reminded those who choose to enter on multiple visa exemptions that it is up to the discretion of the Immigration officer on duty how many days to grant the new arrival, provided it is 30 days or fewer.

Anyway, thanks for the info guys. It looks like i will be ok and that the new rules haven't reached Brisbane just yet.
At least they got 45 bucks out of my tight ar$e mate!