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Should I fly to Laos to get a visa or go straight to Thailand for my medical procedure?

Jul 7, 2025
8 days ago
Peter ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys

Got a question.

I got medical procedure planned for this year, and since that will put me out of business for at least 3 to four months, I will do it in Thailand, so I can get nurtured back to health by my wife .

No I'm thinking about flying to Laos first

Get a two months visa at immigration there, and after surgery, go to immigration in my town to get extension (with a letter from my doctor )

Or

Go straight to Thailand

Get visa exempt, and than go immigration, with a letter from the doctor.

What is the best option.

Going to the embassy in my home country is kinda complicated, since I work offshore, and need to have my passport with me at all times.

What you think

Any information is welcome
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question posits whether to obtain a 2-month visa in Laos before undergoing surgery in Thailand or to fly directly to Thailand and utilize the visa exemption. Comments suggest that online visas can be processed through Thai consulates, and further state that a 60-day visa exempt could be extended by 30 days, with the possibility of applying for a marriage-related extension if applicable. Some concerns are raised about the uncertainty of medical extensions.
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Vin *********
I don't have a clue why going to Laos is creating a different scenario....
Brandon ************
I wouldn't make any plans that revolve around getting a medical extension. The only assured time you can get will be the 60 days + 30 day extension. Medical extensions are not for recovery, they are for people that cannot fly. (As in you are admitted to the hospital and cannot even go to immigration to apply for the extension so the hospital has to do it for you)
Rob *******
@Brandon ***********
... Some medical procedures prohibit flying/travel so the OP could certainly get a medical extension for recovery, until such time the doctor cleared him to fly.
Brandon ************
@Rob ******
you say that, but I'm telling you that medical extensions are so rare you might as well not even consider it. A letter from a doctor saying you're not advised to travel will not cut it. It must be a letter saying you CANNOT travel. And that means by car, train or plane. Because if you can travel by any of those, then you can leave Thailand. If you can go to the immigration office to apply for the extension yourself, immigration will be dubious about your claim of being unable to leave Thailand. Is the doctor willing to put themselves on the line to make such a claim?
Rob *******
@Brandon ***********
... you can tell me whatever you like but a medical extension is possible but, as you mention, it would not be a great idea to actually plan around getting one.
Tod *********
๐—š๐—ผ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐˜๐—ผ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐˜€๐˜† ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—บ๐˜† ๐—ต๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ป๐˜๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฎ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฑ,

you're a bit mixed up about visa issuing ๐Ÿ˜•

ALL thai consulates in the world are online eVisa thru the web-portal, there is no 'go to an embassy', You apply online, you upload your documents, pay, they email you the visa if it's approved in a PDF file that you print and show with your passport when you stamp in

********************


If it's only 3-4 months, you could certainly fly in free stamp for 60 days (visa exempt) take the one 30 day extension for 1900baht, then check with your immigration office if you can do the "visit thai family 60 day extension (if you're married to a thai) OR get the documents from the hospital and apply for a medical extension (which can be granted from 30-90 days depending on immigrations)

Another option is;

If you're married to a thai you could apply online for a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage thru the thai consulate in your country before you come here, that would get you stamped in for 90 days when you arrive and then you could take the 60 day visit thai family extension after that
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