Can I stay in Thailand for 4 months by using a tourist visa and border run?

Apr 30, 2024
7 months ago
Tammy **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Canadian here

We are looking to stay in Thailand for 4 months this year

Last year we got a 60 day tourist visa and then got a 30 day extension so we could stay for 3 months.

Can we do this then go to Langkawi and come back and have 30 more days to make it 4 months? Or is there a better way
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Canadian user inquired about staying in Thailand for four months, considering options after previously using a 60-day tourist visa followed by a 30-day extension. Comments suggested a land border run to Malaysia (Langkawi) for a new 30-day visa-exempt entry, which can also be extended further. One user mentioned the availability of a 6-month, 60-day multiple entry visa at the Thai embassy as a potential cost-effective alternative.
Neil *********
Do they still do the 6 month 60 day multi entry at your thai embassy? That might be a cost effective option
Ellie *******
@Neil ****
, wondering how to be "cost effective" for four months... METV is 5000 baht equivalent, SETV is 1000 baht (and extension is 1900 baht). either way, they need to leave Thailand at least once.
Graham ******
@Ellie ******
and get one extension so the METV gives no benefits over a SETV for a 4 month stay
James ********
Yes you can do a simple LAND BORDER BOUNCE to get a NEW 30 day stamp as Visa Exempt Entry into Thailand.

And that can be extended for 30 ADDED days at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

FYI you can do a maximum of 2 LAND BORDER BOUNCE entries into Thailand EACH CALENDAR YEAR. And Each one can be extended for 30 ADDED days.
James ********
@GC ****
*************************************************
Kevin ******
@James *******
appreciate the information, thanks ๐Ÿ™
Kevin ******
@Stuart ********
many thanks ๐Ÿ™
GC *****
@Stuart ********
how much does the 60 day tourist visa cost ? Iโ€™m in Australia but would like 60 visa ?
Stuart *********
@Kevin *****
210 days if my maths is correct - so 7 months-ish

1. Get a 60 day tourist via in your home country

2. Extend in Thailand for 30 days

3. Border bounce to get another 30 days visa exempt (if applicable)

4. Extend in Thailand for 30 days

5. Second border bounce to get another 30 days visa exempt (if applicable)

6. Extend in Thailand for another 30 days
James ********
@Kevin *****
if you enter Thailand with a Thai tourist visa you bought before you fly to Thailand from a Thai Embassy or Consulate, you are STAMPED in for 60 days. And that can be extended for 30 ADDED days at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht. = 3 months.

Plus you can do a maximum of 2 LAND BORDER BOUNCE entries into Thailand EACH CALENDAR YEAR. AND Each one can be extended for 30 ADDED days at your local Thai Immigration office.

That's an extra 2+2 MONTHS

+ 3 with tourist visa = 7 MONTHS maximum stay in Thailand.

To stay longer... suggest you get the METV multiple entry tourist visa in your home country. With planning it can get you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with a few simple land border crossing entries into Thailand.
James ********
James ********
We recommend you use an experienced border run service company to take you to the Thai border, cross and re-enter the same day to get a NEW 30 day STAMP as VISA EXEMPT ENTRY.
James ********
James ********
These are the common found requirements for the 30 days extension of stay at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht. Be sure to have a TM30 address registration on file with Thai Immigration.
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