Job Discussion Forums

[Gusss]

If you arrive in Thailand on a tourist visa (as we have) is it possible to get the the non immigrant visa from within Thailand WITH the backing of a Thai employer (seeing as visa runs are now limited to 4 in most places) ? If not do any of the surrounding countries (Laos,Malaysia,Cambodia,Vietnam) have a more flexible approach to people who wish to work in their countries as English teachers ?

[mickeyrex]

You need at least 21 days left on your Tourist visa in order to transfer to a non-B in-country.

[Gusss]

Apparently you can but its so complicated noone likes to do it. Also remember in Vientienne Laos you can apply for a sixty day touriost visa which is free and is valid for one reentry (so 120 days in total).
A decent company will reimburse your visa run and it can be a little adventure - I suggest Vientiene by train - get the low bunk sleeper train.

Unfortunately they make it hard for us because of all the fake teachers, blaggers , people with false qualifications and people who just run off......

[PattyFlipper]

.. double post

[PattyFlipper]

[Gusss]

[PattyFlipper]

The "never colonized" hype is a moot point. Basically, they were allowed to remain as a buffer between French controlled Indochina and British controlled Burma and Malaya. This was an agreement between the colonial powers at the time upon which the wishes of Siam had little influence. They did lose whole swathes of territory to both Malaya and Indochina, not to mention that the Japanese were invited to occupy the country virtually unopposed during World War II. And which ethnicity do you think is disproportionately represented in both owning and running the country and its businesses and institutions? Hint: it isn't the indigenous Thai, but a certain people to the north whose nationality begins with a C and ends with an E. Colonialism by stealth.

As to wanting 'good English teachers', I don't think they would recognize one if he or she jumped up and bit them in the derri�re. They are certainly never going to offer decent salary and benefit packages, nor relax the inane immigration regulations, in order to get them. They are, after all, extending you an enormous privilige by allowing you to remain in their wonderful country. Som num nah.

[NigerianWhisper]

[MaiPenRai]

[NigerianWhisper]

[quote="MaiPenRai"]

[Cubism]

So I should buy a double entry tourist visa before I come to Th'land, and NOT get a free one at the airport?

Thanks.

[Cubism]

This means a non-working person can stay in Thailand each yearno more than the tourist visa can be extended? (E.g., you can get a 6 mo or even a 10 yr visa in India; Nepal is 120 days +- per year, etc.)

I am deliberating various life-changes and finishing up a book. Thailand's easier than most places for internet and writing. Despite the ethnocentrism, Thailand's OK for awhile and I'd like to spend a few months there. Thanks again.

[Cubism]

I.e., no more visa runs to Mai Sai, month after month after month? You just get 120-180 days a year, period? Thank you.

[NigerianWhisper]

No, I think you misunderstand.

The 'double-entry' tourist visa is just that........two entries.

Each single tourist visa is valid for 60 days max. You can extend that entry at a local Immigration office for a fee of 1900 Baht giving you another 30 days in-country.

You can still do this with a 'double-entry' tourist visa. Class this as just two singles ok?

If you extended your FIRST tourist visa entry by 30 days (giving you a max of 90 days in Thailand) it will still expire at the end of that term.

You MUST now make a border-run, exit Thailand overland (or by air), return the same day (if you wish) and your second tourist visa part of the 'double-entry' now becomes effective.

You can now repeat the whole process again as you did with the first entry. i.e. extend for 30 days at Immigration after your second 60 day visit.

This gives you the max allowed stay of 2 x 90 days (including the 30 day extensions) in Thailand..........hence 180 days.

[Cubism]

Thank you, Nigerian Whispers