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Can you extend a tourist visa at the Lamphun immigration office after staying one night there?

Jun 5, 2025
2 days ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Background: Anyone who has spent time in the ‘Rose of the North’ probably knows Chiang Mai immigration is notorious for being extremely busy with hundreds of people queuing per day starting before sunrise.

Lamphun office is tiny and barely sees anyone.

Question: if someone stays one night in Lamphun and gets the property to file a TM30, can you use the Lamphun office for an extension on a tourist visa or visa exempt entry?

It’s a 30 minute drive and rooms from 300฿. Why not have an overnight holiday to save spending 8-12 hours at immigration?

I’ve convinced my friends to try this so they don’t lose a day of their holiday.

Am I wrong? If so, the group will tell me quickly.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses whether it is feasible to stay overnight in Lamphun and use the local immigration office for a tourist visa extension, aiming to avoid the long queues at Chiang Mai immigration. Comments suggest trying this approach, mention alternative offices, and share experiences of quicker service at other locations.
Joseph ********
Make sure to check their schedule of holidays before going
Fabio ****
I went to Central immigration on a wednesday at end of april after lunch for 30 day extension. Took me around 1 hour.
Jimmy **********
@Fabio ***
I went to Central Immigration the day after a holiday at 1000. Didn't get seen til 1930
Fabio ****
@Jimmy *********
only for a 30 day extension?😲 for me it was low season that could be the reason
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fa***
immigration is swamped after a holiday especially a 4-day weekend.

Too many people fail to plan. Too many think it has to be done on the last day or the one before.

There’s basically a bunch of uninformed and entitled people trying to do something without having a clue of how to do it.
Jimmy **********
@John ********
yep that me!
Jeremy ********
Try it and see
Brandon ************
Yes. Or you could go to the office at Central Festival. Or you could make an appointment.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is Central Festival a much smaller crowd with faster processing times?
Brandon ************
@John ********
I'm not sure. I've never actually been there. I just know it exists
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Whats this appointment option?
Brandon ************
@John ********
you go to this link. But oddly it doesn't appear that Chiang Mai allows appointments for tourism extensions? Very weird.

********************************************
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No mention for tourism in Chiang Mai Division 5 and next appointment for extension based on volunteering is August 29th at 2:30pm. I didn’t look at other categories. Was only looking to see if there were slots available.
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