Can I get a tourist visa or a free 60-day visa upon returning to Thailand after a short trip to Laos?

Thailand Visa Rules Tourist Visa Visa Extension Visa Exemption Immigration Regulations

Dec 7, 2024

11 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, 

I entered Thailand in September with the free 60-day visa, then I did the 1-month extension and my extension ends on December 23.

I plan to go to Laos for 2 nights and then return to Thailand and I would like to know when I return to Thailand if it is possible to have a tourist visa or would I have a free 60-day visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user asked about returning to Thailand after a two-night trip to Laos and whether they could obtain a tourist visa or return with a free 60-day visa. The comments clarify that re-entry will likely be under the visa exemption rule rather than a tourist visa, emphasize the importance of having necessary documentation (like accommodation details and proof of funds), and mention that immigration officers have discretion regarding re-entry.

Viola ********

You don’t need a visa, it’s just a stamp on arrival.

Normally, you can just get back again for 60+30( extension ) days .

But officers can inteview you.

They ask:

- where do you go next ( better say you come back home )

- a ticket back home ( can be just a ticket to any country , a ticket OUT of Thailand )

- your stay booking of the hotel or other accommodation

-

*****

thb in cash (!)

- maybe insurance.

- you don’t work in Thailand , PERIOD ( even you work online , you don’t mention this ! )

That’s the most questions officers ask: the right answer should be what I told.

Also, I recommend to use agencies to avoid fucking your brain on the border.

10 days ago

Abhishek *******

@Viola *******

lately they gave been asking people to get longer proper visas

10 days ago

Viola ********

@Abhishek ******

you mean on the border or inside the country when you go to extend ?

I’ve been told that when I was extending

Stuart **********

yes me yesterday

Abhishek *******

oh that's not a pleasant experience 😕. How long have you been in Thailand ?

10 days ago

Stuart **********

@Abhishek ******

I’ve been comming here for 20 yrs and always entered with the correct visa,

10 days ago

Reply to

Stuart **********

Henrik *****

Not one month extension, but 30 days.

Immigration only count days.

11 days ago

Dca *****

@Marius ********

There is no defined "limit" to free visa exemption (60 days) entry into Thailand via any method of travel: land, air, sea, but any and all entry into Thailand is at the discretion of the Thai immigration Officer....

11 days ago

Brandon ************

You cannot get a tourist visa in Laos in 2 days, so you'll be returning visa exempt.

11 days ago

Marius *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

If I leave for 2 days in Laos, when I return to Thailand, what visa will I have?

11 days ago

Marius *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok thanks for your help

11 days ago

Jan ******************

@Marius ********

Same as you have now, no visa and a free 60 days stamp.

11 days ago

Marius *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

If I want to have a tourist visa, what is the procedure?

11 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Marius ********

why do you want a visa if you can enter "visa exempt/ no visa" for 60 days?

11 days ago

Marius *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

I think visa tourist give me more day but no it’s same

11 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Marius ********

60 days with no visa and can extend at immigration office for extra 30.

11 days ago

Jan ******************

@Marius ********

No need to apply for a visa if you’re entitled to visa exemption. If you have a recent previous excessive travelling history in and out of Thailand a tourist visa could slightly raise your odds to get allowed entry, but your safest bet is a border bounce with a professional transport company.

**************************************************************************************

11 days ago

Marius *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

my visa ends on December 23rd I am currently in Udon Thani if I leave for Laos on the 22nd and I return to Thailand on the 24th

This should work you think?

11 days ago

Jan ******************

@Marius ********

Personally I think you should be fine with your plan. You’ve stayed in Thailand for a total of 110 days this year and you’ve also spent some days on a tourist visa last year. Objectively speaking you’re still a tourist and not someone trying to live or misusing tourist solutions for long term stay in Thailand.

11 days ago

Marius *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jan *****************

Hello, I have a question. Will the border agent ask me questions or ask for specific documents?

10 days ago

Jan ******************

@Marius ********

Normally you just show your passport and get stamped in. At the airports they want your boarding card as well.

For all tourist entries you formally are required to show an onward ticket within the days you’ll get stamped in for, at least som nights accommodation or an invitation to stay privately and cash equal to 20K baht. This is rarely checked in the immigration unless they’re looking for a reason to deny you because of excessive travel history. With your still quite clean history my best guess is that you’ll be fine only showing your passport.

10 days ago

Jan ******************

@Marius ********

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*****

11 days ago

Reply to

Jan ******************

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