Can I extend my stay in Thailand after my tourist visa expires and how?

Question

Hi all, bit of a complicated scenario.

I  am an Australian currently in Thailand, on a tourist visa. That visa expires on June 21, and has already had its 30 day extension.

Bottom line - I'd like to stay in Thailand for longer. Is it possible to;

1. Fly out of Thailand on the 21st and fly back in a week later. Coming back a week later, I hope to get a Visa Exemption at the airport.

2. If I can do the above, can I extend a visa exemption to stay longer than 30 days?

3. Is there any penalties in coming back to Thailand, in the future if I do this process?

Thank you for your help!!

Ask Thailand · Answer

An Australian currently in Thailand on a tourist visa wishes to know if they can leave Thailand on the visa's expiration day, return a week later to obtain a Visa Exemption, and extend their stay. Experts suggest several options: 1) Applying for a COVID extension before departure for an additional 60 days. 2) If the Visa Exemption is secured, it can be extended for an additional 30 days. 3) While returning isn't penalized, repeated instances may draw scrutiny from immigration.

Steve ******* · Answer

The steps you describe ate the best long term.

If you get s covid extension, you won't be able to leave and come back within a certain, unknown, amount of time.

But leaving for a week and coming back makes you look like a normal tourist and those 120 days in total won't matter to immigration if and when you come back later.

Spencer ******* · Answer

Covid extension bro. No need to leave the country. You'll get another 60 days for 1900 baht. Easy lol 🤪

Zane ******** · Answer

Try contacting TVC to sort out your visa  [url redacted]

Joe ********* · Answer

Go again for the COVID extension.

Steve ******* · Answer

You could apply for the 'covid extention' or border bounce, ie leave and re-enter for a 30 day visa exemption on which you can apply for a further 30 days extention of stay.

Stuart ********* · Answer

1. You can do, but why not apply for a Covid extension first. Available up until July 25th. Although not guaranteed. Will give you a further 60 days.

2.  You can extend a visa exempt entry for 30 days.

3. No penalty, but if you try it too often at some point they’re going to pull you up and grill you as to why.

Can I extend my stay in Thailand after my tourist visa expires and how?

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