"That way we can dispel with all the ifs, buts and maybes. "
No, we can not. Immigration department may give you the official rules, but even if they do, that does not mean that the immigration officer stamping the passports will have the same point of view.
If you refer to the discussion you started a few posts ago I agree with you, pointless. If you refer to this thread, I strongly disagree with you.
I can tell you the real life experiences of many people in this regard: ask politely, and more often than not they can enter visa exempt and save the visa for a later entry.
Well if thats your line then this whole conversation is pointless. Anyway, regardless of what the provincial immigration officer may or may not think it would be useful to know the official stance on this as it would be safe to say that this would be followed more often than not.
I see your point, although I'm still going to ask the immigration dept for their official stance on this, as if they tighten the rules and enforcement this is the way things will be headed regardless of how politely people ask for the rules to be broken. Also as you said 'more often than not' then it doesnt always work and cannot be relied on. So it would be advantageous to know the official stance and then you can just try your luck with no guarantees if you need to break the rules.
Some info on the Sydney consulate web site -
Under 'visa Information' --
PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU PROCEEED
■Possession of a visa alone does not guarantee entry into Thailand.
■The permission to enter the country depends on the discretion of immigration officers at any immigration checkpoints.
■Period of stay to be granted are determined by the immigration authorities upon arrival.
■Every application for a visa will be considered on its own merits. The Royal Thai Consulate-General reserves the rights to reject an application without having to provide a reason.
Under 'Validity of Visa' it gives
A single-entry or double Entry Visa must be utilized before 3 months from the date of issue
This seems to apply for both single and double entry visas which is different from what other have been saying on TT. No mention of triple entry visa.
elsewhere it says under - 'Tourist exemption 30 Days' --
Please note that Tourist Visa Exemption does not apply to Travel Document holders. If you intend to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days, please apply for a Tourist Visa (TR).
Important note for TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION
(Not must; just recommended!!)
It also says --
- However, RE-ENTRY and stay in Thailand for cumulative duration of stay not exceeding 90 days within any 6 month period from the date of first entry.
Elsewhere it gives the Laksi address for the BKK immigration office but after that it says --
ONE-STOP SERVICE CENTRE FOR VISAS AND WORK PERMITS
The center is located on the 18th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building,
Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
(662) 209 1100 ext. 1016
which looks like the old office.
Under 'double entry tourist visa' it also says (which I have not seen before) --
■A copy of airline ticket confirming the date of your second entry into Thailand within 3 months of lodging visa application
I had hoped to add some definitive information for TTers but the more I use this website the less I understand.
Paul
Edited by: LungPaul
ONE-STOP SERVICE CENTRE FOR VISAS AND WORK PERMITS
The center is located on the 18th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building,
Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
This is the correct address for the One Stop Service Centre. I'm sending one of my staff there tomorrow to get a definitive answer.
"I had hoped to add some definitive information for TTers but the more I use this website the less I understand."
Yes, unfortunately consulates and embassies often give outdated and sometimes simply incorrect information. The Sydney consulate website is no exception, with the 'max 90 days within 180 days period' the easiest to recognize example.