Can I apply for a 60-day visa and not activate it on my first entry to Thailand?

Question

Is there a way to apply for a 60 day visa, then travel to Thailand and not use it for your first entry? 
Situation is: Australian heading to Thailand for 28 days then flying to Singapore for 3 days then back to Thailand where I want to then activate a 60 day visa so I don’t have to get an extension (as will be in a rural area)

Ask Thailand · Answer

An Australian traveler plans to enter Thailand for 28 days, then fly to Singapore for 3 days, and return to Thailand to activate a 60-day visa. Several responses discuss the challenges of using a traditional visa, suggesting that if it's visible in the passport, it will likely be activated upon entry. Alternatives include applying for a visa exemption and considering e-visas, which do not get stamped in the passport, allowing for a different entry stamp. Some suggest a multi-entry tourist visa as a viable option, but it may involve complex compliance. Overall, the consensus leans towards caution regarding the visibility of the visa and potential activation upon re-entry.

Matt ******* · Answer

No, if you have an unused visa in your passport they will activate it.

Brett ********** · Answer

Wouldn't a multi entry tourist visa work? 60.days allowed on each entry over a 6 month period

Chris ******* · Answer

Yes that would work only if you have an e-visa which doesn't get posted in your passport, you have to print and present it.

So you enter visa exempt, leave and use your e-visa to return.

You have 90 days to activate the e-visa from issue date.

Wayne ********* · Answer

If you hide the page the glue tr60 visa  on so they don't see it maybe you get the 30 day exempt stamp but if they see the visa they will stamp to suit it. They searched mine as I have a lot glued in until they found my new 5 year visa. You could try showing them the flight details to Singapore and ask them for exempt stamp explaining why.

Brandon ************ · Answer

If you had an evisa I would say it's very easy. But with traditional visa which is still in use in Australia, you'll have a big sticker in your passport and they will see it when they go through your passport. I'm not sure that you can ask them not to use it, but you can certainly try.

You can apply for extension when you have 45 days or less left at Bangkok, so you could enter Thailand and go straight to Laksi immigration and ask for your 30 day extension on visa exempt. Then you'll have 60 days in your passport. They could potentially ask for TM30 though which would mean you'd want to register at a hotel when you arrived and ask for copy of TM30.

Can I apply for a 60-day visa and not activate it on my first entry to Thailand?

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