Can I enter Thailand from the UK without a visa, extend my stay, and travel unvaccinated?

Jun 14, 2023
a year ago
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I arrive from UK with no visa will I get 30 days? And can I extend that at all when I'm there?

When will I be able to return to Thailand after leaving to another country?

Can anybody please clarify for certain that I can arrive unvaccinated without any documents regarding covid? No more hotel quarentine or any of that bother?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, if you arrive from the UK without a visa, you will receive a 30-day visa exemption. This can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office. You may also do border runs, although for land entry, you are limited to two times per calendar year; there is no limit for air travel, though excessive entries may raise questions. For unvaccinated travelers, there is no requirement for Covid documentation or hotel quarantine currently.
Brandon ************
If you arrive without a visa you'll be stamped in for 30 days visa exempt and you can apply one time for a 30 day extension.

There's no requirement to be out of the country any amount of time to be able to enter again, you just need to actually enter another country by passing their passport control before returning to Thailand.

If you need more time there's really no reason not to apply for a tourist e-visa before you come. With a tourist visa you'll be stamped in for 60 days and you can apply one time for a 30 day extension.

The evisa application fee is cheaper than the extension from immigration and from London it takes about 3 days after your submit your application to receive it.

You're limited to entering Thailand 2 times at a land border without a visa per calendar year. But there's no limit written in law for entries by air. That being said you also cannot enter an unlimited amount of times as you'll eventually be pulled aside and asked why you're spending so much time in Thailand on short term visas.
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
unfortunately I've run out of time, the flight prices increase drastically in just under 2 weeks so I've left it too late to apply for the e-visa.
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
if i was for example to arrive and do a 30 day visa exepmtion, extend for 30 days, travel to vietnam or a neighbouring country for a short period, arrive again on a visa exemption and again extend for 30 days and then leave... when would I be able to come back to thailand with an e-visa or other visa by plane? Thanks
Brandon ************
Jake Pickering there's nothing that says you have to wait at all. You just need to be aware that you're going to be questioned by immigration about why you're in Thailand for 4+ months as a "tourist" and be expected to answer some questions and possibly be told this your last time without a long term visa.
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks for your advice, regarding proof of onward travel, does it need to be a flight ticket? Would I be allowed in with booked onward travel for say a bus to vietnam / cambodia etc?
Henrik ****
@Jake **********
, to be very accurate, the tickets from onward dot com are not valid either as being reservations. But in real life, they work.
Henrik ****
@Jake **********
, onwardticket.com
Brandon ************
@Jake **********
airplane ticket is the safe bet.
Thomas *********
Yes get 30 days. Then the easiest way go to an agent to extend for another. Saves you filling all the forms in. The border runs are a nightmare. This agent is excellent at getting extensions fast.
*****************************************
Steve ********
@Thomas ********
The agents must be having a rough time! Touting for business every time someone asks a visa question. One form to fill in. 45 minutes at immigration. 1900 baht. Can do it blindfolded. 🤣🤣🤣
Thomas *********
@Steve *******
not everyone is as confident as you in all due respect. For me it's about time and hassle. One of my friends needed an extension last week. He went down to the Immigration in Jomtien. The wait was for over four hours. He popped into the local agent and paid his money dropped off his passport. Came back the following morning. All done without stepping foot in immigration. For some of us time and hassle is one thing. But for others they have the time to waste.

I only posted the agent because they did a good job. All positive vibes.
Steve ********
@Thomas ********
I've heard Jomtien is the worst immigration office in Thailand. Takes 40 minutes in Bangkok, and I believe less in Chiang Mai. Of course, it's best to make an appointment, but some people prefer to just turn up and take their chances, I can't understand that. Each to their own.
Dan ********
@Steve *******
Yep,in and out in 20 mins with no appointment in Chiang Mai…no stress or hassle
Thomas *********
@Steve *******
in Rayong my yearly extension is done in under 20 minutes no appointment and 90 days in under 5. Really depends where you live. As you say each to their own. Horses for courses
Steve ********
@Thomas ********
I've heard Rayong is one of the better immigration offices.
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
hey Steve, I've noticed most places I have read information say only say you 'may' be approved for 30 day extension, is it at all likely they would not approve?
Steve ********
@Jake **********
No chance. Never heard of someone being denied a simple 30-day extension.
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
thanks for clarifying much appreciated
Henrik ****
Yes, you will get 30 days visa exemption on arrival, which may be extended by 30 days at the Immigration without leaving Thailand. After that, you can do border runs 2 times in a calendar year by land borders and repeat the process. And at least in theory unlimited number of times by air. On a border run, you do not have to stay in the new country for more than 10 minutes, but you need to stamp into the new country, i.e. you will need a visa for that country.
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