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Is it better to apply for a Thai visa in Hanoi or South Africa?

DTV Visa Thai Visa Application Visa Process Travel Advice Immigration Concerns Thailand Re-entry Issues

Dec 11, 2025

a day ago

Is there anyone who can help with some solid advice please. 

I’m going back to SA from Thailand in Feb, already have my ticket. Im working on all my documents and funding etc now and should be done in a few days. Is it worth flying to Hanoi now to do an application or should I do it when I’m back in SA at the Thai embassy in Pta.

I’m asking because when I came back from SA (I returned from Thailand to SA on 26 Nov and arrived in Thailand again on 8 Dec) they didn’t seem too happy and insisted on seeing my onward ticket which I had. 

I’m just worried if I leave to Vietnam for 10 days or so and come back I might not be allowed in because of too many visits even tho I have a return to SA ticket.

I hope this makes sense, appreciate any legit suggestions or advice

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The question discusses whether to apply for a Thai visa (DTV) in Hanoi, Vietnam, or wait to apply at the Thai embassy in South Africa. The poster is worried about their travel history impacting their re-entry into Thailand after spending time in Vietnam. Comments suggest that applying in South Africa may be safer due to recent immigration questioning upon returning to Thailand. Some advise the predictability of applying in Hanoi while highlighting potential risks related to frequent travels.

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Cale *******

It’s safer and more predictable to do your Thai visa application in South Africa (Pretoria) rather than flying to Hanoi now.

Given your recent travel pattern and the immigration questioning you received, another quick exit and reentry could raise more red flags at Thai immigration.

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Biff *******

Wherever you apply for your DTV you should stay there till you get it. Therefore your next entry to Thailand would be on the DTV so the fact that you’ve had previous entries visa exempt should not be an issue as you have the correct visa for your entry

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

makes perfect sense, Thank you

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Chris *********

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Wannikea *********

I'd go for Hanoi, it's probably more predictable. Having the ticket out of Thailand most certainly in your favor if the DTV isn't approved. What is too many visits, and in what timeline? If denied you could also use a fast track service returning from Vietnam to Thailand.

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wannikea ********

I’ve never done a border run because I never needed to, all my trips out and in were for work but I have so many stamps which could confuse anyone

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Chris *********

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Khun ******

Get it in South Africa next year.

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Khun ******

@Chris ********

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve searched this group and no one has responded about applying in South Africa which makes me wonder

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Chris *********

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Greg ********

If you get your DTV in Hanoi and return you will have no issues. If rejected and trying to enter again on Visa Exempt you might have issues as they have already pulled you.

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

the rules say per year so I’m thinking if I return after Jan 1 I might be ok, I’ve never been pulled before but because of the strict rules I think I might have just got an over zealous officer. I did 2 trips to Laos this year but that was for plants to a supplier and 2 trips back to South Africa, I’ve never done a “border run”

I used to work with a Non-B and work permit up until June this year then started my own business and cancelled everything legally through my Dubai company when I resigned so my passport has so many stamps in it which could look confusing and dodgy.

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Greg ********

@Chris ********

You should be fine. Could always get a Single Entry Tourist Visa failing the DTV but you should get that anyway. I would not worry too much! PS: I am picking up a new passport tomorrow. I go a new one as I only had 2 pages left but was full of stamps and full page visa's. Even I could not find the correct page sometimes lol

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m thinking of getting a clean one when I’m back home , much faster and even tho they have everything on the system it won’t look like a scrap book

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Chris *********

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Kurt *************

Not sure if i understand the question here. SA ?

If your doing a DTV application having a solid, easy to read and understand application helps.

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kurt ************

I will have that because I’ve been following all the advice in this group but maybe I’m just a little nervous even tho it will be a clean application, just overly cautious that’s all

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Kurt *************

@Chris ********

send me a message and we can take that nervousness away

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Kurt *************

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Winston ************

@Kurt ************

Seems he's referring to "South Africa". Chris here doesn't realize that outside of his country "SA" more commonly refers to Saudi Arabia. I work in a large IT company and for us SA = Saudi Arabia as that's where some of our data centres are located.

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Chris *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Winston ***********

I work with Saudi clients and always refer to that as KSA but I get what yr saying 😊

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Chris *********

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