Can I travel around Thailand with a 30-day visa exempt entry and then activate my Non-B visa after going to Cambodia?

Aug 18, 2019
5 years ago
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all, I’ve read through a lot of questions to get a better idea but want to make sure I’m understanding.

I will be arriving in Bangkok Sept1 with a 30-day VISA exempt. I would like to travel (Chiang Mai and perhaps an island) around until I start teaching in Buri Ram Oct. 1.

So my concern is with my 30 day exempt stamp will I be able to go from province to province or exit and renter Thailand? And then once I get my new Visa I planned to just cross over to Cambodia to activate it, is that correct? I do have a plan to go to Singapore also Oct 4. So just wanting to make sure I’m understanding the re-entry process.

And I should find the local immigration office in Bangkok to fill the Form 30 when I return from any adventure or wherever I stay..?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The author is arriving in Bangkok with a 30-day visa exempt entry and wants to travel around Thailand before starting work in Buri Ram. They are unsure if they can travel between provinces and re-enter Thailand without issues, as well as how to handle the TM30 form for their stay. The comments clarify that travel within Thailand is allowed with the 30-day exempt stamp and emphasize the importance of the TM30 form for extending their stay. The author also plans to cross into Cambodia to activate a Non-B visa but seeks recommendations for immigration offices and guidance on the visa application process.
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all very much I believe I understand what I need to do now. I will enter with a 30 day exempt - I can then file for a 60 day tourist VISA once I arrive. The school I will be working for is starting the process for a Non-B VISA so I may need to do a VISA run.. 1. Do you recommend an I/O near BuriRam to file for Non-B? 2. Does it matter if I go to an I/O in Bangkok to apply for a Tourist VISA? I'll be in Old City area- or I could do it in Chiang Mai.. OR in BuriRam.. THANK YOU again for al your insight.
Tod *********
@NaQuela ******
, okay you're comin' in on a 30 day visa exempt entry so it's not gonna matter where you go or what you're doing until you get to where it is you're going to LIVE and you say that's buriram.

I'd just go under the impression that where ever you stay is gonna file a TM30 on you and leave it at that.

You most likely WILL need to provide your most recent proof of someone having done a TM30 on you to get an extension on your 30 day visa exempt entry at what ever immigration office you're going to do that at. AND you're certainly going to need to do a TM30 when you get to Buriram and then get your Non-B visa etc sorted out.

Other than that, I'd just pretend the people you're staying with are doing what they're supposed to and leave it at that.
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you!! Sounds like once I get to Buri Ram I will ensure the place I stay has done a TM30 before i head to the nearest immigration office and then go from there. Do you know where the closest one is to Buri Ram?
Benjamin ******
As for your local immigration office in "Bangkok", where is "Bangkok"? Bangkok can mean Bangkok proper, Nonthaburi, and Sumat Parkan, and other provinces around Bangkok. Those areas blend together, and I understand there are different immigration office in each area.
Benjamin ******
@NaQuela ******
I know exactly where that's at. That's over by Wat Po and the grand palace. I go on the other side all the time to Sirijari hospital. I think I stayed at that guest house before. They'll do the TM30 for you.
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I don’t know lol
Benjamin ******
@NaQuela ******
Where's that at? My wife (from the WongWenYai) part of Bangkok never heard of it
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Phanakorn
Cathy *******
Stay in hotels and you don’t have to worry about ™ 30 as they will do it
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you!
Benjamin ******
@NaQuela ******
Hostels generally have hotel licenses, in my experience. For the TM30, it is *NOT* something I would worry about in your situation.
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, I wasn’t aware of that. So my options are a hotel that’s registered or at an Airbnb I would need to file in the province I’m staying-regardless if the landlord/owner has or not. Thanks. I wonder if a Hostel falls under same category, how can I know if they are registered?
James ********
@NaQuela ******
that will be difficult. But possible. Stay in hotels that are licensed and comply with rules of Thai Immigration.
James ********
NaQuela Marie no...not unless the Airbnb owner files the TM30. Many don't as its illegal in Thailand for Airbnb to rent for less than 30 days. Among other reasons
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok, so then I would need to fill one out every new Airbnb place I stay.
Scott **********
@NaQuela ******
I do not have any personal experience with Airbnb in Thailand but based on what I have read You are unlikely to get a TM30 from your host. Most Airbnb hosts in Thailand seem not to want anything to do with any govt agency so they do not have to pay tax on the income
Cathy *******
@NaQuela ******
not necessarily. You need to check with owner to see if they file the TM30 or not but hotels I general do fill it out
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is that the same form Airbnb?
Benjamin ******
I need more information:

1. With your 30 day exempt stamp, you are free to travel around Thailand. When you stay at a hotel, your TM30 would be filled for you, so I recommend ignoring that problem (for now).

2. You said you will go to Cambodia and activate your Non-B. Will you already have a single entry Non-B when you first enter Thailand? OR will you be leaving Thailand to get a single entry Non-B?

A single entry Non-B is good for 90 days. If you come in to Thailand on a Single Entry Non-B, you can get a reentry permit, which would let you freely leave and re-enter Thailand without voiding your current entry stamp..
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Staying* in Phanakorn Bangkok for a few weeks and then staying in Chiang Mai also a week or two. That’s why I was wondering how will I do the TM 30
Benjamin ******
@NaQuela ******
What do you mean by "dating"?
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you! I’ll be working/living in Buri Ram but dating in Phanakorn before starting!
Tod *********
@NaQuela ******
you will either get a 90 day Non-B visa INSIDE the country from the immigration office where you're going to live/work and you won't need to exit t'o "activate it"

OR

you're going to get documentation from the employer to go OUTSIDE the country to a thai consulate in a nearby country and BUY a 90 day Non-B visa.

That's the only two ways it works..
NaQuela *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will not have a Non b when I enter Thailand. The school I will be working with is going to help me apply for one and I was reading I will need to leave and return to activate that VISA. So when I first enter I will just have exempt stamp. But I may want to leave Thailand within those first 30days-do they have an option for a reentry permit for a 30day exempt stamp?
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