Saturday, September 30, 2006
Thailand Visa Oct 1st New Restrictions on Border Runs
PHUKET: New rules limiting stays in Thailand on “visas on arrival” to 90 days over any six-month period were confirmed at a September 15 meeting of Immigration Department Chiefs in Bangkok.
The new policy will go into effect on October 1. In a related development, the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, Malaysia, has stopped issuing double-entry tourist visas.
Pol Lt Col Pipat Pongpan, an Inspector at Phuket Immigration Office, told the Gazette, “Anyone who has already stayed 90 days on visa-on-arrival permit does not need to worry. We will start counting the days from October 1.
“[Foreigners from countries qualifying for visas on arrival] can come in and out of the country as many times as they like with a visa on arrival, but can stay for a maximum of 90 days in any six month period. If they stay 90 days then they must leave for 90 days before they are entitled to another visa on arrival.
“They can, however, go and request a tourist visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad and come back into the country,” he said.
“Extensions above the 90-day limit may be granted in exceptional cases, such as if the tourist is suffering from an illness or involved in a lawsuit,” he added.
“No new investment visas will be issued after October 1. However, existing visas in this category may be extended if the holder still has funds of 3 million baht and is still doing business in Thailand,” Col Pipat said.
Tourist visas are still available, for a fee, at Thai embassies and consulates in neighboring countries. The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, however, will now issue only single-entry 60-day tourist visas. An official at the consulate said that an order had been sent down from Consul Pramote Pramoonsab to cease issuance of double-entry tourist visas, which allow a total stay of up to 120 days.
However, double-entry tourist visas are at present still available from the Thai Consulate in Kota Bharu and Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
A source in the Visa and Travel Document Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said that the move by the consulate in Penang is not due to any changes in MFA policy.
The decision whether or not to issue double-entry tourist visas rests solely at the discretion of each diplomatic mission, the source explained.
By Natcha Yuttaworawit
The new policy will go into effect on October 1. In a related development, the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, Malaysia, has stopped issuing double-entry tourist visas.
Pol Lt Col Pipat Pongpan, an Inspector at Phuket Immigration Office, told the Gazette, “Anyone who has already stayed 90 days on visa-on-arrival permit does not need to worry. We will start counting the days from October 1.
“[Foreigners from countries qualifying for visas on arrival] can come in and out of the country as many times as they like with a visa on arrival, but can stay for a maximum of 90 days in any six month period. If they stay 90 days then they must leave for 90 days before they are entitled to another visa on arrival.
“They can, however, go and request a tourist visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad and come back into the country,” he said.
“Extensions above the 90-day limit may be granted in exceptional cases, such as if the tourist is suffering from an illness or involved in a lawsuit,” he added.
“No new investment visas will be issued after October 1. However, existing visas in this category may be extended if the holder still has funds of 3 million baht and is still doing business in Thailand,” Col Pipat said.
Tourist visas are still available, for a fee, at Thai embassies and consulates in neighboring countries. The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, however, will now issue only single-entry 60-day tourist visas. An official at the consulate said that an order had been sent down from Consul Pramote Pramoonsab to cease issuance of double-entry tourist visas, which allow a total stay of up to 120 days.
However, double-entry tourist visas are at present still available from the Thai Consulate in Kota Bharu and Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
A source in the Visa and Travel Document Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said that the move by the consulate in Penang is not due to any changes in MFA policy.
The decision whether or not to issue double-entry tourist visas rests solely at the discretion of each diplomatic mission, the source explained.
By Natcha Yuttaworawit
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
EcoSea Dive Holiday Scuba Diving Adventures Asia: Thailand Coup Media Coverage
Monday, September 25, 2006
TDA Thailand Diving Association Update Sept 25th 2006
Hello partners of Phuket's diving industry
The TDA would like to ask all dive centers to attend the extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 27.09.06 at 7:00 p.m. at the Peach Hill Resort during which the new results according to the new diving regulations will be announced.
Furthermore, the TDA advises all dive centers not to register until then, in order not to weaken the negotiations of the TDA.
All dive centers who have filled out the application for "supporting membership" are asked to bring 2.000,-- Baht for the application fee, and annual membership fee of 5.500,-- Baht at that time. This will offer the financial support which is much needed to cover all expenses.
During the meeting it will also be possible for new members to sign up, and the TDA is looking forward to high attendance. Afterwards there will be an election of the TDA Supporting Member Committee for Phukets dive centers, to ensure an constant presence of interest of Phukets dive centers in the TDA committee.
Thank you very much for your confidence in the TDA
TDA Diving Association (Thailand),
52 Moo 5, Thanon Thepkrasattri,
Ampher Thalang, Phuket 83110
Thailand
email: info@cmas-thailand.org
website: www.cmas-thailand.org
Tel: +66 - (0)76 - 206514 - 5
Fax: +66 - (0)76 - 206515
TDA%20met%20Governor%20Udomsak1%20%282%29.pdf
The TDA would like to ask all dive centers to attend the extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 27.09.06 at 7:00 p.m. at the Peach Hill Resort during which the new results according to the new diving regulations will be announced.
Furthermore, the TDA advises all dive centers not to register until then, in order not to weaken the negotiations of the TDA.
All dive centers who have filled out the application for "supporting membership" are asked to bring 2.000,-- Baht for the application fee, and annual membership fee of 5.500,-- Baht at that time. This will offer the financial support which is much needed to cover all expenses.
During the meeting it will also be possible for new members to sign up, and the TDA is looking forward to high attendance. Afterwards there will be an election of the TDA Supporting Member Committee for Phukets dive centers, to ensure an constant presence of interest of Phukets dive centers in the TDA committee.
Thank you very much for your confidence in the TDA
TDA Diving Association (Thailand),
52 Moo 5, Thanon Thepkrasattri,
Ampher Thalang, Phuket 83110
Thailand
email: info@cmas-thailand.org
website: www.cmas-thailand.org
Tel: +66 - (0)76 - 206514 - 5
Fax: +66 - (0)76 - 206515
TDA%20met%20Governor%20Udomsak1%20%282%29.pdf
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Thailand Coup Media Coverage
No one has been hurt Yet! Be assured however that in the rush to cover the story and be the most dramatic and sensational, the news outlets will wreak more damage on the Thai people than the Coup or the ousted Prime Minister. Not only will Thailand suffer but the smaller countries that border Thailand will suffer as well notably Cambodia and Laos that receive a lot of overland tourist traffic from Thailand.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
TDA Thailand Dive Assocation follow up Sept 16 2006
Basiacly says that the govener rejected that the law be postponed for 1 year and that the recomendation for the TDA lawyer was not to register But don't belive this read the PDF for the information straight from the sourse
Project Aware Success Saved a Shark in a net With Photos
We did one of our Project Aware reef cleans today with help from 2 other Cambodia diving centers. Eric from Frogman Scuba and Gustov from DAM, Diving and More. We also had Jason and Terri from Canada helping as well. EcoSea had Fred and Vibol our Khmer Divemaster lead the dives .
We had 2 teams in the water. Fred's team had Terri and Jason. While at 25 meters Freds team spotted a cat shark wrapped in a fishing net. Here are the pictures of Fred freeing the shark and the shark swam away! Yea!
We had 2 teams in the water. Fred's team had Terri and Jason. While at 25 meters Freds team spotted a cat shark wrapped in a fishing net. Here are the pictures of Fred freeing the shark and the shark swam away! Yea!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Scuba Diving Photo Lion Fish Cambodia Gulf of Thailand
A couple of new friends hanging out at Corner Bar dive site
I recieved this in a email. The new US Embassy is located right next to Wat Phnom across from the Sunway Hotel and very close to the Raffles Hotel La Royal.
US Embassy To Restart Immigrant Visa Processing
Thursday, September 14, 2006
By Elizabeth Tomei
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The US Embassy in Phnom Penh will resume processing immigrant visas
for Cambodians seeking to live and work in the US, US Assistant
Secretary for Consular Affairs Maura Harty announced Wednesday.
Since 2002, Cambodians applying for US immigrant visas have had to
travel to the US embassy in Bangkok to have them processed.
Non-immigrant visas, including tourist and student visas, are
currently processed at the Phnom Penh embassy. Officials said
immigrant visa processing will begin soon but would not specify a
date.
Harty announced the change during a press conference at the embassy.
"We intend to resume the processing of immigrant visas...in Phnom Penh
so that Cambodian citizens in the future who would like to immigrate
to the United States will not have to travel to Thailand to process
their visas," Harty said.
Harty said the previous decision to divide services between embassies
in Cambodia and Thailand was largely practical: the old Phnom Penh
embassy lacked the space and capacity to accommodate the volume of
applicants.
Between October 2005 and July 2006, 2,300 immigrant visas were issued
to Cambodians in Bangkok, while 2,500 non-immigrant visas were issued
in Phnom Penh, said embassy spokesman Jeff Daigle.
US Embassy To Restart Immigrant Visa Processing
Thursday, September 14, 2006
By Elizabeth Tomei
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The US Embassy in Phnom Penh will resume processing immigrant visas
for Cambodians seeking to live and work in the US, US Assistant
Secretary for Consular Affairs Maura Harty announced Wednesday.
Since 2002, Cambodians applying for US immigrant visas have had to
travel to the US embassy in Bangkok to have them processed.
Non-immigrant visas, including tourist and student visas, are
currently processed at the Phnom Penh embassy. Officials said
immigrant visa processing will begin soon but would not specify a
date.
Harty announced the change during a press conference at the embassy.
"We intend to resume the processing of immigrant visas...in Phnom Penh
so that Cambodian citizens in the future who would like to immigrate
to the United States will not have to travel to Thailand to process
their visas," Harty said.
Harty said the previous decision to divide services between embassies
in Cambodia and Thailand was largely practical: the old Phnom Penh
embassy lacked the space and capacity to accommodate the volume of
applicants.
Between October 2005 and July 2006, 2,300 immigrant visas were issued
to Cambodians in Bangkok, while 2,500 non-immigrant visas were issued
in Phnom Penh, said embassy spokesman Jeff Daigle.
Great News form the frozen North!
Great news the world renowned Guy and Lucie will return to Cambodia!
Guy suffered some injuries while sleep walking and is very much on the way to recovery and on the way back to EcoSea for another year of diving in Cambodia!
Guy suffered some injuries while sleep walking and is very much on the way to recovery and on the way back to EcoSea for another year of diving in Cambodia!
Visa Information For Cambodia.
For a visa into Cambodia, if you are a tourist, you have a couple of options.
A regular tourist visa will cost you around $25. Something to note is that at the border they may ask for dollars or they might want Baht, but you can bet that they will not want riel. If you have to exchange money at the border they will not offer you a good rate, so it is a good idea to keep a little of both currencies when you are entering Cambodia.
A business visa, you can get on request, and unlike Thailand or other countries in the region, you don't need any documentation on what business you are going to run. The advantage of a business visa, is that they are renewable, for as many times as you like, and you can get them in 1 yr visa, 6 month visa, 3 month and 1 month visa. Getting a 6+ month visa or longer allows you multiple entry and exits. Thailand is set to start enforcing their immigration laws and you will not be able to get do more than 2 visa runs then you will need to leave the Thailand for 6 months. Because of this Cambodia will most likely see a large rise of long term tourists. Cambodia is attractive for its warm weather beautiful beaches and being a cheap holiday vacation spot.
A regular tourist visa will cost you around $25. Something to note is that at the border they may ask for dollars or they might want Baht, but you can bet that they will not want riel. If you have to exchange money at the border they will not offer you a good rate, so it is a good idea to keep a little of both currencies when you are entering Cambodia.
A business visa, you can get on request, and unlike Thailand or other countries in the region, you don't need any documentation on what business you are going to run. The advantage of a business visa, is that they are renewable, for as many times as you like, and you can get them in 1 yr visa, 6 month visa, 3 month and 1 month visa. Getting a 6+ month visa or longer allows you multiple entry and exits. Thailand is set to start enforcing their immigration laws and you will not be able to get do more than 2 visa runs then you will need to leave the Thailand for 6 months. Because of this Cambodia will most likely see a large rise of long term tourists. Cambodia is attractive for its warm weather beautiful beaches and being a cheap holiday vacation spot.
Women Scuba Diving in Cambodia.Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Thailand to Get Tough on Visa Runs 3 max starting Oct 1
Thailand is going to start getting tough on people who stay more that 90 days without a proper visa. Effective Oct 1 2006, people will need to leave the kingdom for a min of 6 months before they will be allowed to return, if they are on a 30 day tourist visa.
The main reason for the Thai immigration to do this is to stop people from working without a work permit. They know that many people that are long stays, will pick up jobs that Thais can do, mostly in the tourism sector. For people with the proper visas, it will be life as usual.
This will affect a large number of expat’s in Pattaya, Chaing Mai and Phuket, that will need to find a new place to stay. High on the list is Cambodia which has a business visa that is available on request, for up to 1 year. This visa will allow you multiple entry and exits.
Other reasons that make Cambodia a good choice is that the living is as cheap or cheaper than in Thailand, once you go local. Housing can be had for $50 a month. Food can be as cheap as Thailand, if you go to the local markets and restaurants. Beer is defiantly cheap, you can get a glass of cold beer for as little as 2000 riel or 20 baht. Fan room hotels from $5 a night or 200 baht.
Learning English is a major priority for many Cambodians, making it easy for those who don’t speak Khmer.
Despite its past reputation Cambodia is as safe place to live as Thailand . Just be real careful on the roads .
Did we mention casinos? Virgin islands? Angkor Wat?
The main reason for the Thai immigration to do this is to stop people from working without a work permit. They know that many people that are long stays, will pick up jobs that Thais can do, mostly in the tourism sector. For people with the proper visas, it will be life as usual.
This will affect a large number of expat’s in Pattaya, Chaing Mai and Phuket, that will need to find a new place to stay. High on the list is Cambodia which has a business visa that is available on request, for up to 1 year. This visa will allow you multiple entry and exits.
Other reasons that make Cambodia a good choice is that the living is as cheap or cheaper than in Thailand, once you go local. Housing can be had for $50 a month. Food can be as cheap as Thailand, if you go to the local markets and restaurants. Beer is defiantly cheap, you can get a glass of cold beer for as little as 2000 riel or 20 baht. Fan room hotels from $5 a night or 200 baht.
Learning English is a major priority for many Cambodians, making it easy for those who don’t speak Khmer.
Despite its past reputation Cambodia is as safe place to live as Thailand . Just be real careful on the roads .
Did we mention casinos? Virgin islands? Angkor Wat?
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
