thailand
Ask question

How many days can I stay in Thailand with a 30-day entry stamp?

Thailand visa regulations30-day entry stampoverstay policiesThai immigrationvisa extensionscounting visa days
Jul 4, 2024
5 months ago
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just arrived back to Thailand from KL. In July 4. They stamped me in to Aug 2. Which is fine I will be out on Aug 1. But isn't that 29 days?
1,775
views
3
likes
56
all likes
36
replies
1
images
15
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses confusion over the duration of stay allowed with a 30-day entry stamp received upon returning to Thailand. Users clarify that the day of arrival is counted as day one, thus resulting in 30 days of presence in Thailand—29 nights. There are anecdotes shared about misunderstandings related to exit stamps and overstay experiences.
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
so when folk pay the 1900 baht to immigration for the 30 day extension is it 29 days or 30?
4 months ago
Like
Reply
Jean-Claude *********
so for sure, it is not 29 but 30 right ?

also, do they add it at the date you go to immigration or to the date of your ending visa ? because they do not like to see you on the last day of the visa
4 months ago
Like
Reply
Bart **************
@Philip *********
 an extension is 30. The 30 days are added i.e. your stay is 'extended' by 30 days. The name is accurate.

If you change from one extension to another, it's called 'change of reason of staying'. Then your stay is NOT extended, then instead the day you get the new extension immediately counts in full towards its duration. So if you you are on a 90 day extension of some kind, then switch to the 60 day visiting Thai family extension, even if you do it on the last possible day, you don't get 150 days out of it. The best case scenario is 149. Any day you switch before the last cuts a day off your total stay.
4 months ago
Like
Reply
Jean-Claude *********
@Philip *********
 good question
4 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jean-Claude *********
Reply
Jan **********
No. 30
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Bart **************
Yes, but it's spread over 30 calendar days (dates), which they all count in full. So you always get a little less time than what's advertised.

Not all countries count this way. If two people go to Thailand and Vietnam at the exact same, using a 30 day exemption/e-visa, respectively, the one going to Vietnam gets to stay until one day later.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 Malaysia they give you 90 days. But no end date. You have to work it out yourself. Bit like the constipated mathematician. He worked it out with a pencil. 555
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Bart **************
@Philip *********
 then I'm curious if they use the Thailand or the Vietnamese way of counting. But I suppose not so many are staying that long so would be hard to find examples.

Indonesia also doesn't stamp the exit date, but there I think they purposely keep it vague as part of some obscure business model. The most common visa gives 30 days, but they don't show you which day it ends, and then instead of going for the more generous of the two interpretations, to avoid people from hitting their head, they count the stingier way, like Thailand. And then their overstay fine is insanely high. Better to rob a bank there then go on overstay. So I think they are aiming for that money.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 with everything now digital and could be made available online they could use the stop watch method. The clock starts when you get stamped in
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Bart **************
@Philip *********
 I think it's clearer for travelers to have a specific date, that always ends at midnight. I just don't understand why they need to be stingy and avoid so specifically that an occasional traveler gets a few extra hours every now and then. Who is harmed by that? No one.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bart **************
Reply
Jean-Claude *********
always, arriving day = 1 day, already; like if you were born at 1 yo 555
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Jean-Claude *********
first time I stayed 1 month, I was guilty; no fine at all for 1 day too much but recorded in the computer so I can no more say I was not aware;

my trick is to count leaving day (thai) - starting day (Belgium) = 30 (I always arrive the day after due to flights, stop, jet lag and no plane before 6 AM)
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jean-Claude ********
 that's right. Often if you ask a Thai how old they are they will tell you their age for their next birthday. So you're right. Born on your first birthday.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Philip **********
Reply
Martin *********
Mathematics a problem?
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Bart **************
@Martin ********
 from a mathematical perspective, if you calculate the duration between the two said dates, it's indeed 29 days, at least with proper rounding. But Thailand, apparently concerned about a few occasional extra hours, rounds your qualifying stay time up to full days instead, and then both at the arrival and at the exit. Getting 30 days is now only the best case scenario arriving just after midnight and exiting just before. Worst case (doing the reverse) is only 28 days. Average is 29. So it's debatable how wrong he really is. At least if you involve mathematics.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Ron ******
@Martin ********
 Maybe they need to buy an abacus on Lazada🤣
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ron ******
Reply
Joe **********
They once stamped me as overstayed because my flight back was 1 am and they said my visa ran out at midnight! I tried to tell them that I went through passport control at 10 pm so had officially left the country at that time, they wouldn't have that but very graciously let me off the overstay fine!
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Bart **************
@Joe *********
 unfortunately it seems to work like you said, or at least part of the time. It makes absolutely no sense at all, to give so little value to the time you're passing immigrations, but it happens more often. But not always.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Frank **********
@Joe *********
 impossible if you already passed through Immigration before midnight.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Joe **********
@Frank *********
 Look I posted this as a matter of interest so who the hell are you to say it's impossible and imply that I am a liar! You sir are a fool and obviously don't understand how Thais do things sometimes.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Frank **********
@Joe *********
 whatever dude.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
Andreas *********
@Joe *********
 WHO would have stopped you after you had already exited through Immigration at the airport at 10 pm? Once you exited through passport control and Immigration, before midnight, you weren't in any overstay. WHO spoke to you in the International Gates area?
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Joe **********
@Andreas ********
 They pulled me and other people to one side and informed us we had overstayed because our flight out didn't leave until 1am as I said I pointed out that I had gone through passport control at 10 pm so had officially left the country, this was at about 10. 15 pm so it wasn't even past midnight but they wouldn't listen and the stamped 'overstay' in my passport! You cannot win with them no matter what you say.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Andreas *********
@Joe *********
 There can only be ONE explanation: I guess you had miscalculated your stay by one day (like the threadstarter!) and you were already in overstay, since they pulled you aside after you already stamped out, which is the usual routine on overstayers. And for overstays less than 24 hours the 500.- THB fine normally gets waived
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Joe **********
@Andreas ********
 My visa ended at midnight on the 12th and my return flight was 1am on the 13th it's that simple, don't try and disect it because I'm telling you that's what happend! They were on a mission because it wasn't just me they pulled there were lots of us all complaining but to no avail, if you have lived here for any length of time you will know that they have no logic to their decisions at times!
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@Joe *********
 post a photo of your exit stamp plus the Overstay stamp for all to understand
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Joe **********
@Graham *****
 I would gladly do that if I still had that passport but it was quite a while ago and I don't have it now.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Andreas *********
@Joe *********
 I meant it to be a suggestion to what might have actually happened. The threadstarter miscalculated his own entry stamp by one day. I am just proposing that something similar could have happened to you as well. You would not be the first person who is misinterpreting the entry stamp. The duration of a visa validity never is the same as the duration of the stay permit granted.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Andreas *********
Reply
John **********
Nope it's 30 days. The day you enter Thailand is day one, and you also have to count the day you are stamped in until.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@John *********
 Correct, a 30 day entry stamp gets you 29 nights in Thailand
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Alma ***************
Same here..we came back from KL July 3 and stamped tlfor Aug 1 only..anyways we are travelling again in 2 weeks so not an issue for us.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Stephan ***********
5 months ago
Like
Reply
paul****
Yes
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
The day you arrive is day 1
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Philip **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 yes it was the same with the 60 days. In May 1 until June 29. 59 days.
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Andreas *********
@Philip *********
 May 1st thru June 29th, that's exactly 60 days. The day of entry counts as number one, and the last day counts until midnight. Just repeat the count on your calendar - it's exactly 60 days
5 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Andreas *********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Will I be fined for overstaying my visa exempt stamp in Thailand by 1 day?
3 comments
6 months ago
What are the rules for the 30-day entry into Thailand and re-entering for another 30-day exemption?
20 comments
10 months ago
What is the duration of stay in Thailand under a visa exemption for Australian citizens?
14 comments
10 months ago
How many days do I get upon arrival in Thailand as a visa exempt traveler?
13 comments
a year ago
Has the visa duration changed for re-entering Thailand after a border crossing?
17 comments
a year ago
Do I need to leave Thailand on the day of my visa stamp or the day after?
13 comments
a year ago
What is the actual duration of stay under Thailand's visa exempt policy for US citizens arriving in January 2024?
17 comments
a year ago
What type of visa do I have with a 30-day entry stamp in Bangkok?
4 comments
a year ago
How do the immigration stamps work for a USA passport holder in Thailand regarding days allowed in the country?
14 comments
2 years ago
Do I need to worry about my return ticket when entering Thailand under visa exemption for 30 days?
14 comments
2 years ago
What should I do if my Thai visa states 90 days but my entry stamp is only for 58 days?
23 comments
3 years ago
Does a 30-day visa exempt duration in Thailand mean exactly 30 days?
4 comments
3 years ago
What does a 30-day visa mean in terms of arrival and departure dates in Thailand?
5 comments
3 years ago
How Long Can I Stay in Thailand with a 30-Day Entry Stamp?
2 comments
5 years ago
Can I get a 30-day stamp on return after leaving Thailand for 1 day?
18 comments
5 years ago
What does a red stamp with 30 mean for my visa status in Thailand?
24 comments
5 years ago
When do I get my stamp and how long is it valid for if I fly back on 26th October?
0 comments
5 years ago
Is it possible to extend my stay in Thailand after receiving a 30-day visa-exempt entry stamp?
10 comments
5 years ago
Can I extend my 30-day stamp in Thailand without leaving the country?
28 comments
6 years ago
Does a 30-day visa to Thailand include the day of arrival, and what are the consequences of overstaying by one day?
4 comments
6 years ago
Can I fly out of Thailand on January 16 if I arrived on December 18 with a visa exemption?
0 comments
6 years ago
If I do a border crossing on October 14th for a 30-day visa exemption stamp, will it be valid until November 12th or 13th?
3 comments
6 years ago
How is the visa duration calculated for a 90-day visa in Thailand?
6 comments
6 years ago
How many times can I apply for a 30-day extension if I'm on a 30-day stamp in Thailand?
0 comments
7 years ago
Is it true that a 30-day visa stamp in Thailand will cover my stay from November 2 to December 1?
4 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.