Can I apply for a Tourist Visa in Phuket after arriving on a Visa on Arrival?

Question

Hi team,

Hopefully a really easy one for you, I have tried to find out the answer but I’m just not seeing it.

I’m heading back to Phuket soon and want to apply for an Education Visa which I understand it’s best to do once I get there. I am from New Zealand, living in Aus and if I want to apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa from here I have to post my passport to Canberra which I’d rather avoid doing again. 
I can get to Phuket on a 30 day visa on arrival, can I apply for a Tourist Visa once in Phuket? I hear it may take over 4 weeks to get an Education Visa once in Phuket so I’m worried my 30 days on arrival won’t be enough time so I need to know if I can get a Tourist Visa in Phuket?

Thanks so much for any help!

Ask Thailand · Answer

The original poster is inquiring whether they can apply for a Tourist Visa after arriving in Phuket on a 30-day visa on arrival. They express concern about the timeline needed for an Education Visa application, which can take over 4 weeks, and mention they would prefer not to send their passport to Canberra for the Tourist Visa application. Comments clarify that a Tourist Visa cannot be obtained within Thailand, although a visa-exempt entry can be extended by 30 days at a cost of 1,900 baht.

Terary ********** · Answer

You didn't ask but I will tell you anyway. An Immigration officer once told me Education Visas aren't the best option for long term stay. As such I never gotten one. I would do visa runs instead. Each visa run was 2 - 3 weeks away.

Of course if you are truly studying, that's another matter entirely.

Of course if you are truly studying, that's another matter entirely.

Wayne ********* · Answer

If you go for tr60 via Sydney apply for pre-approval online it took less than 24 hours for my OX visa then express postage to and from Sydney from Perth all less than a week. Canberra is to slow

Brandon ************ · Answer

A lot of schools in the south charge a 20,000₿ conversion fee to gather the paperwork for you, and this is on top of all other school fees for taking classes.