News Forum - Border officials, tour operators carve up latest visa run bounty

[Thaiger]

Thai and Cambodian border police at Aranyaprathet and Pong Nam Ron have detailed the rules for those who wish to extend their stay in Thailand by 45 days. The new stamp can be extended for a further month at immigration offices for 1,900 baht (US$50). The scheme is popular with Brits, EU citizens, Americans and Australians. Borey San, Cambodian clearance officer, said applicants must register with a Pattaya tour and minibus operator in advance of heading for the border, seemingly giving Pattaya’s numerous cowboy operators even more opportunities to rip off visitors. The tour company must then send a copy […]

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[BJoe]

Thailand…..Rip-off capital of the world.  Long stay foreigners who don’t otherwise qualify for work or retirement visas, still contribute to the economy.  As long as they are able to support themselves and not participate in illegal activities, they are contributors.  So WHY make it more difficult for them to extend their stay.

[Poolie]

Because they dont add anything positive?

[Fanta]

Immigration services should be provided on a first come first served basis. Preferential treatment in return for money is borderline corruption. 

[Marc26]

2 hours ago, BJoe said:

Thailand…..Rip-off capital of the world.  Long stay foreigners who don’t otherwise qualify for work or retirement visas, still contribute to the economy.  As long as they are able to support themselves and not participate in illegal activities, they are contributors.  So WHY make it more difficult for them to extend their stay.

I guarantee your country has the same exact or similar visa requirements 

 

There aren't many countries where yiu can stay an extended time without qualifying as a work visa or some other landed immigrant visa 

[palooka]

What do you do if you are visiting/ staying with relatives in a border town like Aranyapathet?

Do a return trip to BKK to qualify.

Another poorly thought out plan, a sieve. Like most, under mild criticism.

I see nothing but the "cowboys" drag racing to the border, more deaths on the already deadly roads, but tourist deaths and questions being levelled at an interbational level at Thailand.

Then a new policy of crackdown of the cowboys, which is a waste of time and only increases the level of poo the Govt will have got itself into for a few baht. 

[Maverick]

Visa requirements tend to be reciprocal, example Singapore which is visa free for arrivals from most of the world, except Thailand - consequently there is an opportunity for Thailand to impose visa restrictions on singaporeans - likewise there is no logic for UK and EU visitors to require visas, but because they demand visas from Thais its duly reciprocated. Thailand does at least permit visa on arrival to facilitate tourism, those who want to spend more time in the country need to pay accordingly. Pretty standard around the world, try visiting Africa for example……

 

[Soidog]

15 minutes ago, Maverick said:

Visa requirements tend to be reciprocal, example Singapore which is visa free for arrivals from most of the world, except Thailand - consequently there is an opportunity for Thailand to impose visa restrictions on singaporeans - likewise there is no logic for UK and EU visitors to require visas, but because they demand visas from Thais its duly reciprocated. Thailand does at least permit visa on arrival to facilitate tourism, those who want to spend more time in the country need to pay accordingly. Pretty standard around the world, try visiting Africa for example……

I know visa terminology often causes confusion, so forgive me if I’ve misunderstood. But U.K. and many European citizens don’t necessarily require a visa to enter Thailand. They currently get 45 days visa exemption on arrival which can be extended for a further 30 days at immigration. So you can stay in Thailand for 75 days visa exempt should you choose to do so.