Can I book a hotel in Bangkok during a layover without losing my re-entry permit for my non-immigrant O visa?

Visa Rules Re-Entry Permit Non-Immigrant O Visa Layovers in Thailand Bangkok Hotels Transit Regulations

Feb 25, 2019

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Tomorrow night I plan to fly from Chiang Mai to Amsterdam with a 13 hour layover in BKK. I will exit the country at Chiang Mai with a re-entry permit to keep my non-imm O visa permitted to stay date alive. My question is: If I want to book a hotel in BKK, would I have to re-enter Thailand and forfeit my re-entry permit, or is there some transit arrangement that applies in such circumstances?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user plans to travel from Chiang Mai to Amsterdam with a long layover in Bangkok. They are concerned about maintaining their non-immigrant O visa status while booking a hotel in Bangkok during the layover. Various comments clarify that as long as they fly domestically to Bangkok and are considered domestic passengers due to the long layover, they can book a hotel without losing their re-entry permit.

Bernd ***********

🤗

6 years ago

Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Final comment. I've just answered my own query. Where the layover is more than 6 hours, you are considered a domestic passenger and depart the country in BKK. Therefore, my original question does not arise. I have booked a hotel in BKK. Re-entry permit is not affected, although I understand it will cost 200 baht more than in Chiang Mai.

6 years ago

Bob **********

I believe you can rent a room in the airport

6 years ago

Valère *************************

You can fly trough domestic from cnx to bkk. Then after your hotel visit in bkk city you can check in international in bkk.

If you check in international in cnx you have to stay within the transit zone in bkk. There is a hotel inside the transit zone however but its rather expensive.

6 years ago

Geoff *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sounds as if it's not worth the hassle. Thanks all for your input.

6 years ago

Bernd ***********

If you go thru immigration in CNX and re enter TH during layover in BKK you have to go thru immigration again.....

6 years ago

Ellie *******

You should talk to airline to make your flight as domestic + intentional not international connected flights. Technically you need reentry permit for both at CNX and BKK in case you explained. But at BKK, International transit passengers are not allowed to go thorough to domestic exit area. It might be difficult to clear passport control as arrival passenger as well, I guess since transit passengers are only lead to departure area in BKK..

6 years ago

William **************

Whats the point to get a hotel? You have to go there check in and then check out in 8 hours to be back in time?

6 years ago

Sergey *********

Why do you think that you will "leave the country" during domestic flight?

6 years ago

Sergey *********

@Geoff ******

oh... Never heard of that. Interesting...

6 years ago

Geoff *******