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Are land border crossings to Thailand open on Christmas Day, and can I apply for a 60-day visa-exempt entry back-to-back?

Visa Exempt Entry Thailand Visa Rules Land Border Crossings NON-O Visa Immigration Policy Family Visit Extension Expats in Thailand

Nov 5, 2024

2 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all, apologies if this doesn't meet the group rules and guidelines. Admin please feel free to delete if not relevant. Firstly, are land border crossings open on Wednesday 25th of December (Christmas day)? Secondly, am I able to apply for a 60 day visa exempt entry back to back? 

It is only the 2nd time I'm applying for a visa exempt entry this year. My current visa exempt entry expires on Wednesday the 25th of December and I'd like to return to Thailand on the same day and request a 2nd visa exempt entry. Does this sound feasible? 

Previously (for the past 7 and a half years, I've been living in Thailand) on an initial 12 month non immigrant O visa based on being married to a Thai national and after that, I've been living here on 12 month non immigrant O visa extensions based on being married to a Thai national. 

Thanks all for any current information and a special shout out to the Admin team for keeping this group accurate and concise. I've been living here continuously for 8 years thanks to the support from this group.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The community confirms that land border crossings in Thailand are open on Christmas Day, as it's not a Thai holiday. It is feasible to apply for a second 60-day visa-exempt entry back-to-back, as there are currently no restrictions on multiple entries through land borders. Some suggestions include applying for a family visit extension at immigration instead of doing a border run. However, confirm the exact regulations with your local immigration office, especially regarding the timing and documentation required.

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Gregor **********

as being married to a Thai wife, you could apply on Immigration for the 60-days "family visit" extension. Then do the border bounce and another 60-days visa exempt entry after that

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thanks again. I've already used the visit 'Thai family' extension when my non immi O extension expired. I'll follow up with my local immigration office whether I can use it more than once. I'm currently on a 60 day visa exempt stamp expiring Christmas day.

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Brad ********

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Dave ***********

Just a simple question. Why didn't you extend your Non Imm O visa again ? Even if you needed to leave Thailand for a while, it's still valid so long as it hasn't expired.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, it was due to expire and I didn't have the required funds in my Thai bank account at the time. It's the 1st visa blunder I've made in 8 years of living here and I hope to never repeat the same mistake!

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Dave ***********

Ah, I understand.

Just as a suggestion, you could go to The Royal Thai embassy in Savannakhet, Laos, and apply for Non Imm Type O based on Marriage. You get a 90 day visa, with no requirement for proof of funds.

Thus would give you time to get the funds back in place, and then extend the 90 day visa for 1 year again.

Now by appointment only at the Royal Thai embassy in Savannakhet, book online,

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Dave ***********

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Andrew *********

They don't shut for Christmas or at all. Christmas is just a normal working day here except for international schools and some foreign companies.

Yes you can do 2 visa exempts in a row, believed it maybe unlimited now under this government.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thanks. I appreciate the info.

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Brad ********

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James ********

WHY wait until the last day of your current STAMP in your passport ?

Suggest you go a few days earlier. In the event of whatever problem could occur.

The question on whether or not you must stay out of Thailand one or two days is one which you need to research. Suggest you use an experienced border run service company to take you...they know what you need to do and most are the same day return with the New 60 day STAMP.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

no it's not a non O. It's an extension to visit Thai family (documentation is required, marriage certificate, a child's birth certificate if you are named as the father, etc). I've been made aware that it is per entry. It's 1900 baht and can be applied for in country at your local immigration office.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thanks for the advice. I was waiting until the final day so that I will have seasoned funds to apply for another non immi O visa based on being married to my Thai wife, once the 2nd visa exempt stamp expires.

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James ********

THESE are the common found requirements for the 60 day family visit extension. It can be granted one time per entry into Thailand... until Thai Immigration Officers questions you about it and the need to get the One year extension of stay..

BUT you are going to get the one year extension of stay as Married to Thai...so not a problem.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, that's great advice. If it's available per entry, I should be eligible for it as I bounced in and out of Cambodia (Chong Chom/O'Smach land border) on the same day to get my 60 day visa exempt stamp. The previous ('visit Thai family") extension was granted when my non immi O extension expired. I'll double check with immigration, but, you've always been correct in the past .

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Gregor **********

yes, "per entry", like

pointed out. And seeing that you haven't gotten a 60-days family visit extension, yet, on top of your last entry, and you are aiming at the 12-months Extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai wife, yes, it should be accepted

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, that's great news. I'll be able to spend Christmas with my family and not have to drive 11 hrs return to bounce at the nearest border. Your advice and that of others has been invaluable. Thanks heaps for taking the time to help.

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James ********

let's hope I am right again this time 🤞🤞🤞

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James ********

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James ********

being so married to Thai you can Apply for the 60 day family visit extension of stay at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht

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Jon ******

Not sure if this helps, but I'm pretty sure if your current 60 day visa exempt entry expires on Dec25, that you can go to the immigration office and apply for a 30day extension. Maybe that could give you the time you need, without having to border bounce. Just something to consider.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, excellent advice and you're correct, I can extend my current visa exempt stamp for 30 days at the local immigration office, unfortunately I still fall short on required days.

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Gregor **********

as being married to a Thai wife, you could apply on Immigration for the 60-days "family visit" extension before your current stay permit expires. Then you don't need to do the border bounce

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thanks. I've already used that when my non immi O visa extension expired and as far as I'm aware, you can only use the 'Thai family' once per visa/visa extension. I then applied for my 1st 60 day visa exempt stamp.

I may be wrong and I'm happy to be told so. Rules and regulations change so often it's hard to keep up with the latest information.

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Gregor **********

yes, you are right, you can only use the 60-days family visit once per entry. So maybe you will be allowed to get another one on Immigration if it is really "per entry" and not per "calendar year". As it would be the only one upon your current 60-days stay permit out of a visa-exempt entry. Visit Immigration and ask. You would not need to exit, and meet the deposit seasoning requirement during these extra 60 days

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thanks for all the advice. I'd much prefer to be home on Xmas day. I'll follow up with immigration. 👍

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Gregor **********

well. X-mas is not a Thai holiday, the borders and Immigration offices are open, as long as it doesn't fall onto a saturday, sunday or a Thai holiday

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thankfully none of the above. 😁

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Ellie *******

, if you mean you are applying for an initial Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai at the local immigration office, as a rule, most offices don't require you to have funds seasoned for 2 months. That is the requirements for following 1-year extension, not for initial visa. But of course you need to check with the local office.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

, thanks again, something else I wasn't aware of. I'll follow it up with my local immigration office.

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Brad ********

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Ellie *******

Land borders don't have holidays. They are open as usual even on New Year's Day. More importantly, Christmas is not a Thai holiday anyway.

You will be stamped in as regulations say at the borders.

The second visa-exempt entry wouldn't be a problem at the land borders. Currently, the "two entry through land borders" limit has been lifted.

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Brad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you. Your information, as always, is great news for me and my Thai family.

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Brad ********

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