Answered7 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption, extend my stay, and travel to Vietnam before returning to Bangkok without issues?

Thailand visa rules Visa exemption 30-day visa exemption Immigration advice Travel itinerary SETV visa

Luke **********

asked Aug 16, 2019

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Can someone give me some advice please

I wish to come to Thailand as a tourist in the first week of September on a return flight returning the middle of January. 

I am planning to stay for two months in Thailand and then one month or two in Vietnam as I have never been there. 

the last time I was on holiday in Thailand was last September but that was just on a three week holiday on a 30 day visa-exempt. I have a total of three visa exempts over the last 3 years.

Can I fly in on my 30 day UK visa Exemption then extend for 30 more days then fly to Vietnam before returning back to Bangkok to catch my flight back home to London? 

I want to purchase my ticket to Vietnam nearer the time as I'm not sure of the exact day I want to travel yet and I also will be getting a three-month visa letter. I will have a flexible return from Thai airways so I can move my return date forward or backwards depending on my plans.

Will I have any issues boarding the plane at Heathrow or at immigration in Bangkok or will they just see I have a return flight and not have an issue with the return date being January?

or 

do I need to have my return flight for the beginning of December to keep it in 90 days and get myself a SETV from London? 

I'm not sure how long it takes to send your passport to London and receive the SETV inside back in the post with the new online application system.

Answer summary

The user wants advice on traveling to Thailand as a tourist with a 30-day visa exemption, extending for an additional 30 days, then visiting Vietnam before returning to Bangkok. They are unsure about immigration and airline boarding regulations regarding their return ticket's date and whether they need a SETV visa.

11 repliesnewest first

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James ********

Why not fly to Bangkok with return from Vietnam?

7 years ago

Dominic *****

@Luke *********

An SETV and exit ticket to Vietnam within 60 days would be the most hassle-free for you. No visit to Immigration for extension and no hoops to jump with airline and passport control.

7 years ago

Luke **********

@Dominic ****

so what would be the best way to do it. I want to stay 2 months to see Thailand then fly to Vietnam for a month or two before flying back home to London in January.

7 years ago

Dominic *****

@Luke *********

If you have a visa, the airline may not even care about your return flight since you are less likely to be denied entry at passport. It then falls on passport control to decide if your return flight is reasonable, if asked to show.

7 years ago

Luke **********

@Dominic ****

so if I have a SETV and a return ticket outside of 60 days that will be fine?

7 years ago

Dominic *****

@Luke *********

Return ticket outside of 60 days with no visa isn’t much better than a one way ticket. The airline is making a determination if Thai Immigration will reject your entry and they have to carry you back.

7 years ago

Luke **********

@James *******

because a return flight to and from Bangkok is much cheaper from London and it makes sense because I won't know which city I will be flying from back to Bangkok for my international flight. also the flight times are better from Bangkok and I have miles for Thai airways. If k return from Vietnam that wont mean I will be any less likely to have issues entering Thailand. I guess it's the airline that checks in London if they see you with a one way ticket and no visa. If you have a return then I guess no issue and Thai immigration just stamps you in with the visa exempt as normal. It is then up to the individual to check he doesn't overstay. My concern is only not having issues entering Thailand due to my return being a few months away due to being insure of my plans yet.

7 years ago

James ********

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7 years ago

Steve *********

I'd suggest getting a flexible ticket to Vietnam and change it later.

7 years ago

Bobby ********

@Luke *********

. A flexible ticket will cost more but may allow a full refund, in which case when you know your firm dates, you can cancel that ticket, get a full refund and then purchase a cheaper flight

7 years ago

Luke **********

@Steve ********

I would do this but the price for a flexible ticket seems very expensive. A normal ticket is like £60.

7 years ago