Answered9 days ago
Should I get a tourist visa for a 33-day trip to Thailand or can I extend my stay while I'm there?
Hello Thailand travelers!!
I certainly don't regret it, but I accidentally booked my trip to Thailand ( 6th time ❤️ ), a total of 33 days. Should I get a tourist visa before I go, or I understand I get an extension while I'm there? How does that work?
Thx!!
I certainly don't regret it, but I accidentally booked my trip to Thailand ( 6th time ❤️ ), a total of 33 days. Should I get a tourist visa before I go, or I understand I get an extension while I'm there? How does that work?
Thx!!
Answer summary
The post discusses whether to obtain a tourist visa prior to traveling to Thailand for 33 days or to apply for a visa extension after arrival. Comments suggest getting a tourist visa for convenience and ease, highlighting that it avoids potential immigration issues and saves time. Alternative options like visiting nearby countries for a short trip to reset visa status or applying for an extension in Thailand are also mentioned.
40 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Andrew **********
Change your ticket for 3 days less would probably be the best option
Rollslu ************
as you can see from all the comments why the Thai immigration is clamping down foreigner's don't follow the rules and then complain when they get sent home or denied entry.
Rollslu ************
as you can see from all the comments why the Thai immigration is clamping down foreigner's don't follow the rules and then complain when they get sent home or denied entry.
Dorsey ******************
You A really seen to love Thailand❤️ Message me for details on your next vacation. I have many destinations with 5 star accommodations
Ben ********
Where are you going in Thailand? Applying for the extension is pretty simple, if you prepare everything before you arrive to the immigration centre.
Ralph *******
Get a tourist visa. Covers you for your flight and saves hours spent at an immigration office.
Mark *******
Personally i would just fly out for a few days to Laos,  Vietnam or Cambodia .
Flights are cheap enough and be a nice adventure exploring other regional countries 😎
Flights are cheap enough and be a nice adventure exploring other regional countries 😎
Peter ******************
Best solution : apply for tourist visa
Alternative solution 1: buy a round trip ticket and visit another country.
Alternative solution 2: buy a cheap one way ticket and in Thailand apply for an extension
Alternative solution 1: buy a round trip ticket and visit another country.
Alternative solution 2: buy a cheap one way ticket and in Thailand apply for an extension
Lynette *********
I'm in the us and it will only allow 28 days anything after won't let me book as a complete trip
Luke ********
Go to Vietnam and then you will cancel the return to Thailand
John ********
Get a tourist visa. A lot less aggro than getting an extension and cheaper
Nigel ********
You could change your return date on your return flight, saves a lot of messing about!
Graham ******
Nigel Seddon or get the £30 tourist visa
Dave *******
Nigel Seddon which can cost a lot if money some airlines charge £200-300 .just get cheap throw away ticket less than £10
Ralph *******
Dave Flago Still needs to cover the time.
Blake *******
OPNigel Seddon looked into that.
100.00 booking fee
415.00 flight difference charge.
100.00 booking fee
415.00 flight difference charge.
Nigel ********
Blake Pilch Your airline will probably deny you boarding. Best bet is to get a throwaway bus ticket or plane ticket out of Thailand within the 30 days or get a 60 day tourist visa prior to departure
John ******
2 weeks ago they didn’t ask me for outbound ticket. I had one purchased but fully refunded it after I arrived. If I stay longer than 30 days, I’ll just get an extension at the immigration office in Jomtien Beach. It’s cheaper than a bar tab
Henrik ****
John Winn, it is all about which airline?
Peter ********
Just get a tourist visa before your trip. Here is the official website.
****************************
David ***********
Technically you can get a 30 day extension but you wont be allowed to board a flight to thailand without a ticket out within 30 days
Paul **********
David Warburton not true, stop spreading misinformation
Ronnie ********
David Warburton maybe it has happened to someone but ive always gone for long than 30 says and always used extention and never had trouble boarding plane
Ronny *********
Ronnie Jasper Some airline carrier rules were getting stricter from 15 september on
David ***********
Ronnie Jasper sure. Youve been lucky but either the airline or thai immigration at the border will want to see it before boarding or entering. Ive always been asked if i didnt have a visa
Collywobble **********
David Warburton i dont think that is true
Rollslu ************
Collywobble Thomason actually it is up to airlines so it is true if you are rejected at immigration the airline is responsible for your flight back since they let you board with out proper credentials. I have heard of people contacting airlines to see if they would let them board but you still need to deal with Thai immigration who have become more strict. Easy to just get tourist visa.
Jim *********
David Warburton cheaper to get a Single Entry Tourist Visa.
David ***********
Rollslu Hillpeople or buy a cheap throw away ticket out before 30 days
David ***********
Collywobble Thomason which bit ?
Ronny *********
Paul Franklin Recently some airline carriers (15 september) are getting stricter about it and indeed refuse person who got not an onward ticket or that the Visa period is not corresponding with the time your actual stay You legally need proof of onward or return travel within your permitted stay to enter Thailand on a visa-exempt or tourist entry so your up to IO that you can get in or not, it is thru that a lot of times they do not ask for it (I think because they see you a got a regular tourist history), but a few times I was asked for an onward ticket Do not come with the non experienced tourist history because I fly on regular base to Thailand and be informed over the changing emigration rules and changes in airline carriers requests and changing national rules for Visa requirements
Paul **********
David Warburton you're right, it isn't true, unfortunately these guys keep writing it without any experience. Every flight I ever took here was a 1 way ticket. Wasn't asked once for onward travel..
Kimberley *******
I have the same issue , booked it back in February and going in November for 33 days , i did apply for the e-visa since they might deny boarding if you can't show it. Make sure to apply on time because they might need extra documents so it can take a bit longer before it gets approved. I applied somewhere end of september and its still on pending approval.
Ian ********
Get a visa its much easier, dont use the e-gates when you arrive, they dont work with long term visas ie. you get 30 days and not what the visa allows. Iḿ not sure about tourist visas check it out or just go to a manned imigtation booth.
Brandon ************
@Ian *******
any visa at all must use manned counters
Gordon ************
You like the temples 😂😂😂
Brandon ************
It's always better to get a tourist visa if possible. It's cheaper than an extension, saves you from ever needing to deal with immigration and spending possibly an entire day trying to get an extension. It also protects you from your airline refusing to let you board until you show them proof of a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days since that's all you would receive on arrival.
Ben Kallon
Mark Hynes
Peter Benjamin Parker
Activity
28 joined
Related
25Can I extend a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand to stay for 85 days?
269131mo
What is the best visa option for a 62-year-old expat traveling to Thailand for 1-2 months twice a year?
4.6k101234mo
Do I need to provide hotel bookings for the entire 90-day stay on a Thai e-visa?
2.5k11485mo
Can I get two 30-day extensions for my stays in Thailand within a year?
7.2k221678mo
Should I get a tourist visa for Thailand or try to extend upon arrival while planning for a long-term marriage visa?
1.6k13131y
Is my plan to extend my stay in Thailand with a tourist visa still workable?
3.7k34242y
Can I extend my stay in Thailand if the tourist visa reverts to 30 days?
1.8k15102y
Can I get a tourist visa or a free 60-day visa upon returning to Thailand after a short trip to Laos?
2.7k22182y
What are the options to extend a tourist visa in Thailand for 3-6 months?
1k552y
Can I travel to Thailand with just a one-way flight and extend my stay without an onward ticket?
16.8k1312022y
Should I take the 30-day stamp and extend it or apply for a tourist visa for my trip to Thailand?
3.1k12593y
Can I get another 30-day extension after my first tourist visa extension in Thailand?
768363y
Should I apply for a 30-day extension in Thailand or get a 60-day visa from Australia before my trip?
2.8k25153y
Can I extend my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand and what is the maximum extension time?
2.4k18213y
Can I extend my 45-day tourist visa in Thailand for an additional 30 days the day after I arrive?
3.8k31344y
Can I travel to Thailand for 6 months as an American tourist?
3k19404y
Can I get a second extension on my tourist visa in Thailand or do I need to do a visa run?
830384y
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after my STV visa expires in December, and are there any related visa requirements?
959574y
Should I choose visa exemption or a tourist visa for my trip to Phuket?
3.5k29304y
Can I extend my stay in Thailand beyond the 30 days if I have a tourist visa valid for 60 days?
981645y
Can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand with a one-night hotel booking if I plan to stay with friends?
652256y
Can I extend a tourist visa for 60 days if I entered Thailand before the amnesty?
847556y
How can my mother extend her two-month Tourist visa by one month to stay in Thailand?
32917y
What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand after a tourist visa and border run?
1.2k798y
What are the options for extending a 60-day single-entry tourist visa in Thailand after a trip to Malaysia?
1.5k11109y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served