Can I use my 60-day tourist visa after entering Thailand with a 30-day visa exemption?

Jan 23, 2024
a year ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
When I entered Thaialnd I enter with the 30 visa excempt . Two days later I food the approval letter for my tourist visa 60 days valid until April . Can I now still use the 60 days tourist visa by going to the immigration office and ask for the stamp ? Or should I take a flight out to Singapore or so come back and can I then use the 60 days ? Advise would be appreciated .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
After entering Thailand with a 30-day visa exemption, you cannot activate your 60-day tourist visa by simply going to the immigration office. To use your 60-day tourist visa, you must leave Thailand and then re-enter the country, presenting your visa upon arrival. Alternatively, you can apply for an extension of your 30-day stamp at the immigration office before eventually exiting and re-entering with your printed visa.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the info.
Ling *****
One time I had a tourist visa in my passport but I did not mention it or put it on my TM6 card. (TM6 not currently in use). Anyhow I was going out after 3 weeks and new my TV would be wasted, however the immigration guy didn't pay attention to my available visa and just stamped me in for 30 days. I did my trip and came back to Thailand and this time I used my visa and got my 60 days, I was very lucky as they usually utilise the visa first.
Aaron *******
I had the same thing happen to me. I saved the 60 day visa for a future trip. And did a weekend trip to Cambodia and re-entered Thailand 30 day Visa Exempt.
Steve *******
You need to leave and re-enter Thailand to activate your visa.
Michael *******
As usual
@Brandon ***********
has the answers. Hope you appreciate his knowledge. Its valuable information to all of us. And its free. Thank you Brandon, 🙏🏻👍
Ruth *******
@Michael ******
without a doubt, Brandon is awesome.
Brandon ************
No you cannot use it by going to immigration. You already entered the country and can only use your tourist visa at the time of entry. If you need more than 60 days in Thailand, either wait until your 30 day stamp is up and then leave and return, or apply for your 30 day extension at the immigration office. When that's up leave and return. When you return hand your printed visa along with your passport and get your 60 days.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
เฟร็ด **********
@Brandon ***********
that’s what I did because the bloke on the immigration desk was too lazy to change the stamp date and banged us in for a VOA,
Simon *********
Leave the country come back in to use your visa
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