Should I leave Thailand for a week or obtain a 60-day tourist visa for my trip?

Thailand travel Visa rules Tourist visa Visa exemption Immigration advice Border hopping Thailand itinerary

July 13, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

An "everything else" question - I'm coming to Thailand in August (from NZ), meeting the family from the UK - 7 days Bangkok, 3 days Chiang Mai, 2 weeks Phuket for the nephews and then they return to the UK. I have another 9 days before I return to NZ. The advice you might be to help me with is - do I go to another country for a week (so am in Thailand less than 30 days visa exempt, come back 2nd visa exempt to get flight back to NZ) or ideas what to do/where to go in Thailand for 9 days (I'd get a visitors visa as over 30 days).  Thanks in advance. Mike. :)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is traveling to Thailand from New Zealand and plans to visit several cities, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, with family. They seek advice on whether to exit Thailand to reset their visa exemption for a week or to stay within Thailand for the additional 9 days using a tourist visa. Community responses suggest obtaining a 60-day tourist visa in advance, as it may be cheaper and more convenient than border hopping or extending a current visa.

Nicholas ****

If on visa exempt Just get an extension from Immigration. Relatively easy process and if you go early doesn't take long at all. That will give you 60 days. Or get a tourist visa before you leave for 60 days.

2 years ago

Nicholas ****

Prices are the same

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Nicholas ********

not quite. $60NZ for tourist visa versus $85 for an extension and depending on the office used perhaps a half day wasted.

2 years ago

Mike ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Stuart. My office is opposite the Thai Embassy in Wellington so easy for me to pop in - and their website says 2 to 3 days to process a visa. Very helpful though to know the prices.

2 years ago

Reply to

Mike ******

Garrett ***********

If you just want to stay in Thailand, will be cheaper to buy a 60 day tourist visa before you come compared to going to another country or doing an in country extension.

If you want to force yourself to travel a bit, cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are all open and easy to travel too

2 years ago

Jill ***********

A 60 day visa from Thai Embassy in Wgtn NZ is cheaper to buy (NZ$60) than extending ( 1900 Thb) or leaving to reenter

2 years ago

Stuart *********

Relatively easy to border hop these days to get a second exempt entry. Probably easier to get a tourist visa to give you 60 days and chill out in Thailand.

2 years ago

Mike ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Stuart. Any thoughts or ideas where to go/what to do? (I've been to Chiang Rai and Sukhothai before - loved both!)

2 years ago

Nigel *********

@Mike *****

Scuba diving is fun apparently,,, says so on the back of my t-shirt.. PM me I'll tell you all about it.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Mike *****

Krabi is close to Phuket. Much chiller. Maybe good for some R&R