If my flight arrives in Bangkok at 11:35 PM, will that affect the start date of my 60-day visa?

Aug 1, 2024
4 months ago
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi.... My flight arrives BKK at 1135pm... if I take my time to collect luggage and do not go through immigration until after midnight... that is the first day of my 60 day visa?? thank you in advance..
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question revolves around whether the arrival time of a flight into Bangkok affects the start date of a 60-day visa, particularly if the traveler's flight arrives shortly before midnight. Many comments clarify that immigration processing typically occurs after luggage collection and that it's unlikely one would process through immigration before midnight due to the timing of flight arrivals and possible queues. Several users suggest strategies such as using the restroom or waiting to minimize the chance of being stamped in on the earlier date, pointing out that the stamp date is crucial for calculating the visa duration.
Frank-Steven ***********
Luggage collection is after immigration … just saying. But yeah … might work if you go through immigration after midnight. Or maybe they are not quick enough to change the stamp at midnight sharp. Wouldn’t bet on it.
Antony **********
Desperate for one more day in paradise! I understand you!
Randy **********
It has to be the date/time the plane lands..

...how confused or angry would a group or family be to have 2 or 3 people get one date...and the other half...who all get stamped in within seconds or minutes of each other...get a totally different date. It would make the immigration dept. look incompetent if the same plane had 2 different dates for the first and last days of their vacation.
Tommy ********
First timer clearly
Joseph *******
yes but i wouldnt go out of my way to do that, you can always extend another 30 days anyway
Craig *******
I did exactly that a couple years ago. My visa didn't come through and I had to enter exempt. Got to front of line at 11:55pm so I let the guy behind me go ahead of me. The extra day saved me from an overstay.
Glyn **********
I've been in the same situation. They didn't give me the day!
Chance ********
Depends when they change the stamps. I wouldn't count on it.
Mikolai ********
If you arrive at Suvarnabhumi, then there's quite a walk from the arrival gate to immigration. You can just take a sit and wait. Plus, there's almost always a line.
Frank *********
Since when can you get off a plane and collect checked bag at Suvarnabhumi in under 25 minutes? 😂😂
Bart **************
Luggage is after immigrations so that's not gonna work, but you can take your time. Only one thing: it's but guaranteed that they stamp you on the new day. Some have reported that they continue stamping the past day until after midnight. So don't cut it at 00:01 but take a little more time to improve your odds.
Sean *********
I’ve simply never even gave this a thought previously 😂. Your flight has a good chance being 15 minutes late anyway and you may not to take your time 😂
Ang *****
Just wait in the toilets - less conspicuous there!
David ***********
No immigration is first. You might get away with hanging around although immigration officers MAY take a view that you landed on the day before. No exact answer when that close to midnight. Try it and let us know as its a good thing to know
Sam **********
You really want to stand at immigration with 400 people ahead of you? Get down there faster than others
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sam *********
no hurry for me... I will be hanging out at the airport until another flight 755am.. anyway... I have a safe place to sleep..
Chris ***********
Risk losing your luggage? Not worth the extra day.
David ********
@Chris **********
I usually go to Thailand from Perth Aus on Scoot $440 this time. return I have a bag which has wheels and when full is within 10 kg. allowance. It has an extendable handle and fits the requirements for cabin luggage. It cost $25 from K-Mart Australia. It holds everything I need including my laptop. I always wear cargo trousers and shirts with plenty of pockets and a lightweight tropical coat. on a plane Usually, I'm through Immigration in 20 mins.
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *******
good plan on your part... my problem... is I need at least 26 minutes delay..
Brian ********
You never know but your flight may arrive late anyway so no need to hang around at your destination
Gregory ********
Immig is before luggage—so starts from whenever they stamp
David ********
My experience with visas in Thailand is that the day you arrive and the day you leave is not counted. If you leave 1 minute after midnight where on your visa it says it is your are current until a certain day, you will then be one day overstayed. It concludes the previous day at midnight at the end of the previous day. In most countries when stating the day until it means 4PM by which time has is then concluded...But TIT. A day can be the 1st 1 min after midnight.
Michael ********
@David *******
was like that with quarantine had to do 16 days in Thailand, but works opposite way with visas
John ***********
@David *******
I can't say that I have had this experience. The day I arrived and left have to the best of my knowledge and calculations always been counted in my 30 now 60 days.
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *******
would your experience with visas... first and last day not counted... be construed to mean that a 60 day visa would actually be 62 days? not being silly here... straight up question..
David ********
@Jack ****
NO if you get a Thai visa for 60 days you need to be gone by 12 midnight the previous day on the last day of 60 days of your visa. a 60-day visa is really only good for 59 days. If you get a visa that expires on a certain day you must depart by 12 midnight the previous day you cannot remain in Thailand for the day expiry and that is 60 days on the day it says or pay an overstay fine Yes a trap for young players, only in Thailand do they expect you to go one second before t midnight on the previous day they say it expired. That is 1 second after midnight...TIT
Carl *********
Landing 11.35pm, by the time you got off the plane walked to immigration got in the queue be gone gone midnight anyways
Janet ********
It's a wonder anyone asks anything on this site. Some replies to posts are not helpful.
Armando **********
You collect luggage after going through immigration. You could always find a bathroom and take a twenty minute poop before going through immigration. Lol
James *********
Consider the flight might be late taking off, also, depending on the path of the flight and the wind condition during the flight, you might land earlier. Enjoy!
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
flying from east to west.. against the wind... 555
James *********
@Jack ****
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Sri ***
You should be fine if you are queue, you can tell officer
Ruth *******
I’m sure you would not be the first to do this. However, an 11:35 arrival time does not mean that’s when you’ll actually arrive. They sometimes pad the times.
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ruth ******
meaning that the flight arrives late?? not usual for airline to actually be early... 555
Ruth *******
@Jack ****
they are often early, because airlines pad their times. Of the seven flights I’ve taken in the last two months, only one has not been early. I don’t know why you think that possibility is funny.
Lisa ********************
You go through immigration first, before luggage. But it's a long walk at Suvarnabhumi. Go to the toilet. Hang about so you pass immigration after midnight
Tim *******
just make sure they change date on stamp, if its just after midnight.
Graham ******
@Tim ******
That would be funny if they didn't 555
Tim *******
@Graham *****
they didnt to me once when i actually needed that extra day, so i looked at it and told him and he corrected it its a manual change and if its a few minutes after 12 they wont realise to be fair
Marty *************
All I know we came in late never was asked anything took my finger prints stamped me in no how long am i visiting no return flight check so welcome to Thailand and WooSah
Martin *********
You go through immigration first 🤣
Karen *************
Just get off plane last (easy as everyone wants to get off first) and then go to the toilet.
Terary **********
You collect your luggage after immigration. But you're not likely to get through immigration within 25 minutes of landing.
William *********
Fuck there are some sad little people in these FB groups who take any question no matter how logical or innocent to be an excuse to shit on others.

I think the question is perfectly valid, and if you’re arriving at 11:35PM then you really should be getting that extra day because you’re entitled to 60 days not 59 days and 25 minutes.

I think you’ll be fine to drag your feet Jack, take your time getting off the plane, stop at the toilet if you need to, and hopefully it just naturally happens that you cross after midnight.

Best of luck to you.
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@William ********
you sir.. are some one to ride the trail with.. thank you for your thoughts..
John *******
Usually the arrival time is when the plane lands. It will take time to taxi to the gate, deplane and head to immigration. Most likely it will already be after midnight. If not, stop at the bathroom, do a little shopping at the pre-immigration duty free shop, etc.
Michael ********
I have had both happen with these late flights and one time dared to point it out IO said its time plane lands in Thailand.
Michael ********
@John ******
closed all duty free in arrivals today was in Bangkok post
Brandon ************
@Michael *******
I think they're going to leave the shops but just remove the duty free aspect.
Michael ********
@Brandon ***********
it all sounds dodgy they are paying compensation to duty free shops
John *******
@Michael *******
Really? Why did they close duty free?
Michael ********
@John ******
*****************************************************************************************************************
*****
84/inbound-duty-free-shops-to-be-closed-to-boost-local-spending
Ralph *******
What date is your ticket for your onward journey (or return ticket)?
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
the 60 day visa ... started after I booked... will have to change itinerary... for return flight..
Максим **********
I don't think you can come to immigration line so fast. Walking from gate to immigration will be longer in most cases. I will wonder if you pass through immigration before 1 am anyway
Kevin ***********
Reeks of desperation there have you not budgeted for that 25 mins
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin **********
sabai sabai
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
why want another day in Thailand?? why not?? I pay for the pleasure to be in Thailand... want as much as I can get... My wife will enjoy the extra day as well... once we are together again... flight to city near our village is not until morning 755am... so why waste a day.. if you can get another day... 555
Jon ******
@Jack ****
let your wife go through before midnight and you go through after. 😂😂😂
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
well... she will not be BKK... 555.... she awaits my arrival airport near our village... at least she says she will be at the airport to pick me up... 555
Jeff *********
@Jack ****
what village?? Somewhere in Issan??
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeff ********
you need to know?? why??? 555... purposely vague..
Jeff *********
@Jack ****
I’m thinking Issan! 😂😂
Braulio *********
Tyler *******
Assuming you aren’t running late. You look rather sus hanging around the arrival hall before immigration. I guess you could hang out in a toilet for 30 minutes.

You’d probably not have to worry and just be the last person off the plane and go through immigration normally.
Carsten ************
You may check through Immigration past midnight to get an extra day, but here comes some even better idea: Stay in arrival area for another 24 hours and you will have even 2 more days in Thailand.
Kieran *******
Why stop at a week, you can just live there and hide in the shadows like Golem from LOTR.
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kieran ******
I do... if there is KFC ??
Damo ***********
Mike *******
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tim *********
@Jack ****
Hell spend your first week there 😉🤣🤣
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
well.. .maybe if I wait to be last off the plane... last in line for immigration/passport control.. then it will be after midnight. 555... we will see... 555
Twiggy ******
@Ja**
, you can use the toilet longer than needed 😁
Dirk **************
@Jack ****
too late my friend. I just got VIP service for you. The AOT person will pick you up at the plane and whisk you through immigration before 11:59 PM 😂😂😂
Jeff *********
@Jack ****
please don’t try and take advantage of our nice immigration system 😆

I sent an email they will be watching for you, so you better hurry along 😂😂
Graham ******
Why are you so desperate to get another 24 hours?
Steve *******
@Graham *****
everyone has their own travel plans, Graham. Be a little open-minded and understanding.
John ********
@Graham *****
Why waste twenty four hours by stamping entry with only half an hour of the day left.
Andy ********
@Graham *****
Why not, he's going to get it anyway as no way will he be through passport control before midnight.
Si *******
@Graham *****
why not ?
Franky ******
@Graham *****
Its not another 24 hours is it ?
Graham ******
@Franky *****
24 hours in a day last time I checked
Franky ******
Yes , but why would you potentially lose 24 hours for the sake of taking your time to passport control ?
Jeffrey *******
@Franky *****
I think you misunderstood. If his flight arrives only 25 minutes before the next day (11:35 PM to midnight is only 25 minutes…and a new date for stamps. The day you stamp in is day 1).

Unless he’s in 1st or biz, coach probably won’t even finish unloading until after midnight.
Gordon *******
@Graham *****
Fully agree 💯 with you
Ryan *******
@Gordon ******
he spent 9 hours strategizing to save 25 minutes. 🤣
Jack *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ryan ******
please to read for context.. not supposition
Ralph *******
@Ryan ******
No he’s gaining an extra day.
Steve *******
You won't get to the immigration desk by midnight, no matter how hard you try. So you're safe 😅
Michael ********
In theory yes in practise not always
Thaimer ******
@Michael *******
what exactly is stopping you to wait in halls before immigration? You can easily spend there 25 minutes
Michael ********
@Thaimer *****
tried that once and then immigration officer snapped at me its time flight lands. I fly all over and one thing i have learnt is dont try and be smart to immigration officers. If go through later and they give extra day good if they dont what the fl@ck does it really matter
Stephen *******
Collect luggage after immigration!
Peter *********
I would say so yes.
Brandon ************
Well you cannot take your time collecting your luggage because baggage collection is after passport control. But there's nothing stopping you from taking your time and not getting stamped in until after midnight. It might be that way already, especially if your flight arrives at the new terminal building and you have to take the train to the main building.
Jeff *********
@Brandon ***********
wow take the train?? When did that start, can’t wait to fly again 😊
Mitchell *******
@Jeff ********
they opened the new terminal a few months ago. You take an underground train to reach it
Jeff *********
Sam **********
@Jeff ********
few months ago I had to take it
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