Can you get a visa to Thailand from Penang and what is the process like?

July 4, 2022
2 years ago
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone! I am wondering if anyone here, by any chance, ever went to Penang to get a visa to go (back?) to Thailand, and if so, how that went. Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Several community members confirm that you can apply for a Thai visa at the consulate in Penang. The process typically takes two days: applications are submitted in the morning and can be picked up in the afternoon of the next day. However, issues may arise for those with an overstay stamp in their passport, as Penang's consulate may refuse to issue a tourist visa in such cases. Additionally, having funds in a Thai bank account may be necessary for the application.
John ******
Yes u can do that at Penang embassy of royal Thailand 🇹🇭
Pascal *****
John Niah yes you can, dont forget to have like 80 k thb in your bank

today 2236 usd or 2150 eur
Ron *******
Good luck applying in Penang if you've not got the money in a Thai bank account
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I still don't need an agent, though. 🙂 Thanks for engaging, Anthony, have a good night.
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anthony ********
yes, 80k on a bank account is a normal requirement and not a problem at all. I just cannot imagine anyone believing that you would have to hold money in a bank account of a country you never visited before, it's just not stopping to think for a minute.
Anthony *********
@Miguel ************
ah i didnt even notice that bit and I never even crossed my mind I know the Thais can be strange but even they know you can't possibly have a Thai acc if you haven't ever been Thailand before so not sure why anyone would assume that, obv it would be a print out your own bank acc in your country.

And yeah, reasonable enough I suppose I assume you don't need the 80k if you're just visa free 30+30, think it's still 20k if you're even asked
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
ah, "any" bank account. That makes sense. What you said to begin with didn't.

If I didn't have 80,000 THB I wouldn't be going to Penang to get a visa, I'd do some border run like people with lesser means.
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anthony ********
I have a lot more than 80,000 THB, but not in a Thai bank account, that's the ludicrous part. Have a good night!

(Having read the post again, it's this guy that made up the part about a Thai bank account, what the agent says is reasonable.)
Anthony *********
@Miguel ************
i don't know just pointing out that he is an actual person I used him for about 7 years now, but anyway I'm married now with a Non O for marriage so if it's true or not really doesn't make any odds to me. If it's true it's a bit shitty but that's the Thais for you, but in a way if you're applying for 60 day visa with 30 day that can be added on then you should have 80,000thb really otherwise can you really afford to come 🤷

Anyway, I'm going to try get some sleep ✌️
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Anthony ********
best based on what? He's popular. I don't need an agent anyway, I'll just go to the consulate and apply, like I always do. In advance, I will ask for the requirements by email. Again, as usual.
Anthony *********
@Miguel ************
I seen this before he is the best one in Penang I use him everytime I go I even screenshotted it myself actually 🤷
Ron *******
Straight from the horse's mouth.

Any bank account BUT they require a bank statement
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
thank you for your help.
Ron *******
@Miguel ************
as I said, take it up with the consulate or the agent who most people use there
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
that doesn’t make sense either, but I guess anyone that believes visiting a foreign country as a tourist could have as a requirement holding a bank account in that country can believe pretty much anything. 🤷🏻
Stuart *********
AFAIK the only consulate that had that “rule”.
Ron *******
@Stuart ********
yes. I'm just finding from Jim if they now expect you to have a Thai bank account
Stuart *********
@Ron ******
They were doing that well before covid.
Ron *******
@Stuart ********
they will also no longer issue a visa to anybody that has a single days overstay in their passport.
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
ironically, “you do realise Jim is the biggest agent in Penang” works as a reason not to take it seriously too.
Stuart *********
@Ron ******
No but just read it again. In their bank. I misread first time thinking had to be a Thai bank. 80k is about £2k or $2.2k More possible to have but can’t see where they pluck that figure from. Perhaps they only want to deal with the rich tourists and not the elephant pants wearing ones that usually go to Penang.
Ron *******
@Stuart ********
you do realise Jim is the biggest agent in Penang?
Ron *******
@Miguel ************
take it up with the Thai consulate.

Here's another thing, Malaysia and all other country's nearby, will soon be changing to Evisa. Once that happens, you won't be allowed to apply at all there
Stuart *********
@Ron ******
Ok we’ll have to wait and see if others have similar issues there. 99.99% of tourists visiting Thailand (and requesting a Thai tourist visa from a consulate) would not have a Thai bank account, let alone 80k in one.
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
no, it’s not, it’s what some random guy said and you automatically took as a fact.
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
that makes absolutely no sense.
Ron *******
@Stuart ********
no idea but that's what they require
Stuart *********
@Ron ******
This is for a tourist visa? How would a tourist visiting Thailand generally have a Thai bank account with 80k?
Stuart *********
There is a Thai consulate in Penang. The operate on a two day turn around. You apply in the morning of day one and pick up in the afternoon of day two.

If you have a previous overstay stamp in your passport Penang won’t issue a tourist visa.
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
how so? I cannot apply for a visa before my first entry this month (no consulate in the country I’m staying).
Graham ******
@Miguel ************
Wouldn't a multi-entry tourist visa be better for your plans?
Miguel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
that’s pretty quick. I plan to come to Thailand on visa exemption in a couple of weeks, get the extension and then leave in late September to get a proper TR visa.

Penang is nearby and I might as well stay there a few weeks to a month to get to know the island, so I wouldn’t be in a hurry. I just wanted to confirm that I would be able to apply for the visa in Penang, as it is the main reason for going there. Thanks.
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