Do I need a visa to visit Thailand if I have a UK passport and am re-entering after Cambodia?

Oct 9, 2018
6 years ago
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello,

I’m sorry if this has been asked before but I can’t find the same scenario in questions being asked!

I will be visiting Thailand in November for a 6 week holiday but will begin my holiday with two weeks volunteering in Cambodia. In early November, I fly from London into Bangkok and will then fly straight onto Cambodia. This would mean that I would need to go through immigration so that I can check into my flight to Cambodia. I will then be re-entering Thailand mid-November for the main part of my holiday, leaving in mid-December.

I was originally planning on visiting the Embassy in London to arrange a visa

but I’m not sure if I would need a visa at all as I believe that I am exempt due to having a British passport. Is this correct? I don’t want to turn up without a visa if indeed I need one!

Thank you for your advice,

Louise
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, Louise, inquires about visa requirements for visiting Thailand with a UK passport. She plans a 6-week holiday, starting with two weeks of volunteering in Cambodia, and is concerned about needing a visa for her entry into Thailand. Responses confirm that UK passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days in Thailand, receiving a visa exemption stamp instead. It is also pointed out that she should check immigration procedures upon re-entering Thailand.
Paul *******
Regardless of which airlines you use you would be in transit at BKK and would not need to go through Immigration. Even if you did, then they would give you a 30 day exempt stamp in your passport. No visa required. When you return in November you will get a 30 day exempt stamp. Check the "remain until date" on the stamp that they put in your passport. If you need to stay longer you can always get a 30 day extension to this date from Immigration for (I think) 1,900 thb or you can do a land border crossing and get a new 30 day exempt stamp.
Biff *******
It’s not. Transit without collecting baggage and going through immigration requires one through ticket. In this instance the OP will officially enter Thailand and receive a 30 day stamp. Then collect baggage and check in for the flight to Cambodia and go through immigration again and get a departure stamp. If asked about the short time in the country the answer would be “I’m just changing planes”.

On return to Thailand she will get another 30 day visa exempt stamp which this time she will actually use while staying in the country.
Malcolm ********
I’m not sure I understand how it is possible to collect baggage without going through immigration as transit passenger. My memory may be faulty.
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for your help!
Liam *****
You do not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days on a UK passport. So will the main part of your trip to Thailand be less than 30 days?
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for your help!
Liam *****
@Louise *********
Then you do not need a visa at all for Thailand, you will get a 30-day visa exempt stamp when you arrive.
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, it is 25 days.
Bob **********
You get 30 days stamp not a visa
Bob **********
You won’t need a visa for Thailand but I believe you will in Cambodia which you can get an E Visa online or at the airport when you arrive then when you fly back to Thailand you’ll get 30 days exempt which you can extend-for another 30 days.If you plan to extend make sure you do TM 30 report at Immigration unless your staying in Bangkok
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. Yes, I have an E-visa for Cambodia all sorted.
Michael ******
This would be a continuous flight to Cambodia and you’ll go through international departures. Unless you’ve purchased to separate trips. First into Thai then BKK to Cambodia.
Ali ******
Just to clarify, you will get a 30 day visa exempt stamp (not a visa on arrival), so just join the normal foreign immigration queue and NOT the visa on arrival queue!
Michael ******
agreed the problem is the luggage. It will come out on the arrivals carousel. If there is a way to pass back into intl departures with the bags. If it where carryon it would be a different story.
Ellie *******
Sometimes they let you through-check in for all itinerary with different airlines even they are from different alliances, with separate tickets. try to ask at the first check in. Or try to check in advance..
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your help! I’ll keep all my documents so can explain why I was in Thailand for such a short time on the way out!
Michael ******
You’ll get a 30day visa at Thai immigration collect your bags. Then being in Thai at passenger pick up. Then you’ll need to navigate the airport just like Any passenger departing. Intl departure check in, and up stairs to security, immigration. They might raise a brow here but since your leaving just stamp your exit from Thai. When you get to Cambodia they required me a US citizen to have a visa stamp. At entry double check your U.K. requirements. After your stay in Cambodia you’ll return to BKK and get a new 30 day upon arrival visa stamp. Have your past and forward travel proof to explain the quick in out of Thai to Cambodia and Thai immigration.

I went from Thai to Cambodia only staying in Cambodia the day a few hours. (Drove to boarder then walked across for the day. ) The return to Thai they held me for three hours trying to understand why I was only there a short time. Was I carrying something back? For me it was just a way to quickly visit ‘another’ country.
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, it is separate tickets with different airlines, so when I contacted the airline for the flight to Cambodia, they said I would need to go through immigration to check in to my flight as there is not a check in desk on the arrivals side of the airport. I hope that makes sense!
Squid ****
Are you changing airports in Bangkok?
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, I have nearly 6hours in between flights so hopefully that should be enough!
Squid ****
Better hope you have a long layover, immigration in and out to transfer could take a while.
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Greg Lewis Changing airlines - fly in with Qatar and fly onto Cambodia with Thai Smile.
Stephen *******
Greg Lewis BKK and DMK
Stephen *******
Greg Lewis BKK is the airport code!
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I arrive and depart from BKK Suvarnabhumi, so at least changing airports won't be an issue!
Louise **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No, staying within BKK.
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