thailand
Ask question

Is it better to apply for a visa before traveling to Thailand or use the visa on arrival option?

Thailand Visa ProcessVisa on ArrivalTourist VisaIndian Passport HolderThai PassCOVID-19 Health InsuranceVisa RequirementsSuvarnabhumi Airport Entry
Apr 21, 2022
3 years ago
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I am traveling to Thailand on 1st May 2022 with my wife.

Wanted to understand the visa application process, is tourist visa on arrival easy and without complications? Or should I prefer getting a visa before my travel?

We have our passports, hotel booking, return tickets, and other things required for a visa.

Please advice.

Thanks in Advance 🙏
2,195
views
2
likes
106
all likes
71
replies
1
images
9
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the visa application process for traveling to Thailand, with a specific focus on whether to apply for a visa before travel or to opt for a visa on arrival. The author, an Indian passport holder, is traveling with a wife in May 2022 and is uncertain about the complexities of the visa on arrival process versus obtaining a tourist visa in advance. Comments provide insights on the cost and validity of the visa on arrival, the required documentation such as the Thai pass and health insurance, and experiences with entry procedures at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone for valuable guidance and information.

I got my visa and Thai pass...

You guys are awesome...
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 well done. Now kick back and enjoy
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Maxim ***********
Since you are an Indian passport holder, you should avoid entering from Suvarnabhumi, or make sure that you can call an agent to bribe your way in if you are denied entry. Some Indians and Pakistanis get quizzed heavily in Suvarhabhumi upon entry, they get ask documents after documents, and again, its at the discretion of IO which in BKK airport will give you hell a lot of the time. They are "afraid" that you might become illegal immigrant... or wtv, you know, its some kind of discrimination.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 hopefully I'll pass through the checks..
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Karan ********
Reply
Tony *****
probably should have looked into this before booking and asking one week before your flight??? Maybe im just paranoid and like to plan but personally i wouldn't have booked a hotel or flight until I knew about the visa details. But everyone makes their own decisions and choices. To each their own. Also you may need to look into Covid and health insurance. Its also said to be required for entry but i've read that they don't check
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Lee ******
@Tony ****
 they definitely check. Thais are All About The Paperwork. Contact AXA for insurance. $90 for a 2 month $250,000 policy with no deductible, all inclusive coverage that also covers trip cancelation, late flight costs and more. So worth it. Contact your airline about other requirements. Have a great trip!
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Tony ****
 You have to attach a copy of the policy to your thai pass application so maybe they do check
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Tony *****
@Wayne ********
 good to know. Im going to be planning a trip soon too once prices drop alittle more on flights
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tony *****
Reply
Garrett ***********
Based on your profile I'll assume you're an Indian passport holder. If you choose a visa on arrival, the cost is 2000 baht and only valid for 15 days, and you cannot extend that in Thailand.

If the Thai embassy in ND is up and running, I'd try and get a single entry tourist visa (good for 60 days) before you come.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 yes.. I have an Indian passport.

How much time does the Thai embassy take to issue the visa? I have to travel in 1 week and will it be provided to me before that that?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 you be lucky to travel as you not even done the thai pass yet, suggest you hurry up and apply
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 in progress..
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Karan ********
Reply
Jessica *****
@Garrett **********
 sorry for intruding but have they started on arrival visa ?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
David ****************
@Jessica ****
 no, still need the Thai passport. In advance
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David ****************
Reply
Rolf ********
when you go on the webside you find all what you have to send- scan your papers- drop and finish
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
Do you have thai pass ? You didn't mention it
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 I last question, the normal visa fees is 2500 bhat / person. Who much time does it usually take for approval of visa?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 no idea I not need visa. But when I did Tr60 last year it take a week in Australia as we must send passport to thai embassy for visa
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The test & Go pass suggest 1 day of quarantine. Is it mandatory?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
On it..
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hotel is also SHA+
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I have hotel booking and insurance.

Now I need to check for the PCR test.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 where are you flying to
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 BKK, suvarnabhumi Airport
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 flying into bkk you do not book pcr separate it must be part of the hotel booking same as pickup is done by the hotel
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 damn... so many rules... 😅😅🥺
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 3 days ago I told you was compulsory and yet you selected no to pcr
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 very simple if you research and read properly and do what's required. Booking ticket and visa before you knew what was required to travel is poor research
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 thanks for the advice.. will get mote deep into it. And if required, will edit my booking.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 you need to mate if you don't want to miss your flight
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 so you have booked the wrong hotel then. Because when you book the correct hotel the pcr test is included and should show that on your booking to attach to thai pass application
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 I had an option mentioned there to choose if I need PCR. I choose no.

But I have an option to amend my booking.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 so that's why it was rejected your own fault for not picking yes
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have received my e-visa as of today morning.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
Thai pass site blocked for May until 29th April your option is to try for 30th April with current rules and fly in on the 1st as can use pass for up to 7 days after
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 applied again according to this.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 if you applied again without pcr booking you will be rejected again probably
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 ooopps... will check into it immediately
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 and you have proper hotel with pcr bookings and insurance?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 visa is useless if you don't have thai pass
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So is the Thai pass mandatory or not?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 if your still sorting this out you be lucky to fly on the first.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 I applied for the pass but it got rejected due to some hotel booking.

Now that I am trying to apply, 1st May is not an option at all to apply.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 maybe rejected because you didn't pick proper hotel sha plus plus with pcr tests
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 PCR test mandatory even If double dose vaccinated?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 if you apply before 1st of May yes it is
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 of course it is you will not be allowed on the plane with out it
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hopefully the new rule will be passed before we arrive there.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 if approved it will be 1st of May
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hopefully they will not be rejected.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 if you have everything they require insurance vaccination certificate etc should be no issue
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 thanks. I have applied for the Thai pass and visa as well
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Karan ********
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 bit of an update for May 1st but obviously not offical until posted in royal gazette and also not until 1st of May which means you either do pass before and do hotel or you wait until 1st May and apply for pass which gives you time to get insurance that’s required to apply
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 hotel booking is part of the Thai pass. Look into it I believe you can book the hotel in Pattaya but it must be sha plus plus hotel and approved transport is my understanding. The site gives you a list of the hotels you MUST use
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 yep. You don't book it you don't get thai pass approved
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I wanted to travel straight to pattaya from Bangkok airport
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 is there any way to skip the quarantine?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
David ****************
@Karan *******
 The quarantine is no longer in effect effective May 1, you just need to have proof that you had Covid vaccinations, or if you don’t then you have to go to a hotel or have a negative test before you come in 72 hours
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 NO you can not skip the one night hotel, and you must stay in the hotel until your negative results from pcr comes back and your positive test you are not going anywhere
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 no. What is a Thai pass ?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Damn... I had no idea about it...

Thank you so much 😊
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 its why people should do more research these days as so many changes around the world
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 that too my first international travel.. so many things need to be planned ahead..
3 years ago
Like
Reply
David ****************
@Karan *******
 yes and Thailand has been changing their rules and regulations almost every month for the last year, hard to keep up with them
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 correct mate, you not the first to not know and will not be the last. Hopefully it will all be discontinued in the future
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How do I obtain it?
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
Can take 7 days to get approval once you submit everything thats required
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
**************************
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
 well you will not get on your plane with out it. It gives you permission to enter Thailand
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Stuart *********
What country is your passport from? Visa on arrival and a visa exempt entry are different beasts altogether.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Karan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 I have an Indian passport.
3 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Karan ********
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
What do I need to know about obtaining a visa before traveling to Thailand?
53 comments
5 months ago
Should we obtain a visa before moving to Thailand for retirement, or is it better to get one upon arrival?
53 comments
5 months ago
Should I apply for an electronic visitor visa or use visa exemption for my trip to Thailand?
12 comments
8 months ago
Should I apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa for my travel to Thailand and transit options?
4 comments
a year ago
Is it better to apply for an eVisa or get a visa on arrival for Indian passport holders traveling from Australia to Thailand?
5 comments
a year ago
Should I get a visa for Thailand at the embassy or a visa on arrival?
7 comments
a year ago
Can I apply for a 60-day tourist visa online while I'm in India?
26 comments
a year ago
What should I do if my tourist visa for Thailand doesn't arrive before my departure date?
5 comments
a year ago
What should I do about my visa situation for traveling to Thailand with my family if I'm facing a change from 45 days to 30 days on arrival?
44 comments
2 years ago
Should I get a tourist visa on arrival or apply for it online before traveling to Thailand?
16 comments
2 years ago
Where should I apply for a Thailand tourist visa as an Indian passport holder living in Spain?
8 comments
2 years ago
How far in advance should we apply for an e-visa to Thailand and what are the requirements?
5 comments
2 years ago
Is there a time difference in processing between getting a visa in India and using a visa on arrival in Thailand?
6 comments
2 years ago
What are the best tourist visa options for an elderly visitor from India to Thailand, and what is the application process?
25 comments
2 years ago
Should I apply for a Thai e-visa online or extend my stay at immigration after arrival?
28 comments
3 years ago
Should I get a 30-day visa on arrival or apply for a 60-day e-visa for my trip to Thailand?
16 comments
3 years ago
Should I apply for a 60-day tourist visa or enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and extend it later?
3 comments
3 years ago
What are the current visa requirements for a 35-day trip to Thailand in November 2021?
7 comments
3 years ago
Can Indian passport holders apply for a visa to stay longer than 14 days in Thailand?
13 comments
3 years ago
Is a tourist visa easily obtainable for families returning to Thailand with quarantine requirements?
9 comments
4 years ago
Should I apply for a TR Visa or rely on a visa on arrival for my trip to Thailand in February?
43 comments
4 years ago
Can my wife extend her Visa on Arrival in Thailand, or can we exit and re-enter to obtain another one?
10 comments
5 years ago
What are the options for obtaining a cheaper visa for Thailand while traveling from India to Bali and back?
4 comments
6 years ago
What are the procedures and requirements for obtaining a Visa on Arrival in Thailand?
15 comments
6 years ago
Is it too early to apply for a Thai visa for travel in May, and can I extend it upon arrival?
18 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.