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What are my options for obtaining a longer visa for Thailand if I want to stay in Pattaya for a few months?

Thai VisaVisa ExtensioneVisaTourist VisaVisa RequirementsImmigrationPattayaVisa ExemptionsBorder Runs
Oct 21, 2023
a year ago
Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey,

I am hoping to visit Pattaya in the next couple of weeks for a few months, I may bounce between islands or other locations, I was looking at applying for an evisa for 90 days, but it seems as though you need to have everything booked before applying for the visa? Is there any other way to obtain more than 45 days?

If not, does everyone still just travel outside of Thailand for a couple of days and reenter to get a further 45 days?

Thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is considering options for staying in Pattaya for several months, looking into an eVisa which offers 90 days but requires pre-booked accommodations. Responses indicate that for many, the best route starts upon arrival, using the visa exemption (30 days) plus a possible 30-day extension. Alternatives include applying for a 60-day visa with a possible extension or doing a 'border run' to countries like Cambodia or Laos for additional days in Thailand. Overall, there are various strategies around visa types, extensions, and re-entries to allow for longer stays.
John *********
I have got my 60 day visa for £30 im going in November for 6 months 🌞
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 can I ask, how do you plan on going for 6 months if you only have a 60 day visa?
a year ago
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John *********
@Craig ******
 Yes no problem i usually do 30 day jomtien immigration get 30 days then a same day Cambodia run for 30 days then repeat both again what covers 6 months but i will look in to getting a retirement visa this time where your first one will last for 15 months then everyone after that is a 12 months one with been age 50 or above
a year ago
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John *********
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Greg *********
45 day visa on arrival finished April1
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg ********
 oh bummer. Thanks mate
a year ago
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Craig *******
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Mitchell *******
Have you thought about visiting a nearby country for a few days? If you get the 60 day visa, then extension, that gives you 90 days in country. Then go visit Singapore or Malaysia, or anywhere for a few days, then come back to Thailand on exemption.

You SHOULD be fine to do that. Might get dodgy if you try more without actually moving around Thailand as well.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mitchell ******
 yeah I was thinking Vietnam of Laos. Probably just over thinking 💪
a year ago
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Craig *******
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Jon **********
You could just enter on 30 days then extend for 30 days at Pattaya immigration. It’s easy but you could make it easier by using an agent.

If your still in Pattaya at that point you could do an organised border bounce and repeat 30 and extend 30. Or do visa trip to Laos giving you 60+30

But this would take a few days. Most people can do this process for at least 6 months without any issue.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon *********
 thanks mate. I'll keep this in mind ☺️
a year ago
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Craig *******
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Aaron *******
In USA the evisa is for 60 days, than you can get an extension for 30 more days. Idk about UK. Yes, you need a flight booked out of Thailand within the 60 days. Can be to Cambodia. A side trip to Cambodia/Vietnam is an ez way to get the 30 days extension or Visa Exempt. The 45 days Visa Exempt has been reduced back to 30 days. As for hotel, it used to be the first hotel booking was sufficient. Maybe someone else can comment about this and UK requirements.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Aaron ******
 yeah I was thinking of spending some time in Vietnam. Heard good things about it 😊
a year ago
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Craig *******
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Giorgio ******
why choose Pattaya ?????
a year ago
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Brown ********
@Giorgio *****
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Giorgio *****
 More Prostitutes than anywhere else on earth?🤷
a year ago
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Giorgio ******
@Dan *******
 of course , and the guy says great beaches and lot of cafés. who does he want yo fool !
a year ago
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Giorgio ******
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Martin *********
@Giorgio *****
 why not
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Giorgio *****
 great cafes, nice beaches, a lot of things to do and see, easily accessible, easy to get around... It's a nice little place. There was many things I didn't get to do last time I went so I'd like to do them this time round
a year ago
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Jared **********
@Craig ******
 pattaya has many things, nice beaches isn’t one of them 😂
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jared *********
 in comparison to the UK it's paradise 😂
a year ago
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Craig *******
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Brandon ************
Not sure why you're saying 45 days.

Yes you need a plane ticket and a hotel booked to apply for a visa. Why would you want a visa if you're not going to Thailand?

If you arrive without a visa and you're from an eligible country, you can be stamped in for 30 days visa exempt and can apply one time for a 30 day extension. After that you'd need to leave Thailand.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm flying in from the UK, it was extended late last year - I received 45 days back in March and was hoping it had been extended? The tourist visa exemption scheme. Any searches on Google are turning up results from earlier in the year... So I'm just looking to check it's still running.

I'm not sure what you mean by "...not going to Thailand" - Pattaya is in Thailand? I normally book my flights a few days prior to leaving.

Can you share advice on how to apply for the further extension? Is it a case of only being able to get the extension by visiting the Embassy in Bangkok?

Not to mention the fact of booking everything and paying for everything, to then have a visa rejected? Seems a bit silly
a year ago
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Martin *********
@Craig ******
 the 45 days ended i think April. Apply on line for a 60 day visa or extend after 30 days after arrival then do a boarder run thats 90 days
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Martin ********
 or an in country extension to get the extra 30 days for 1900B
a year ago
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Martin *********
@Graham *****
 yes as I stated .
a year ago
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Martin *********
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Brandon ************
@Craig ******
 visa Exempt is 30 days and eligible for one 30 day extension. Every office has their own requirements. Jomtien immigration in Pattaya only lets you apply during the last week of your entry stamp. These are general guidelines but as I said each office is different.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Awesome, thanks
@Brandon ***********
.

In which case would you suggest just booking a cheap flight out of Thailand prior to arrival, given my intentions to extend. Assuming that would tick the initial requirement for the entry
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Craig ******
 Google onward travel ticket to "rent" a ticket
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 awesome, thanks mate. Have you used that method before?
a year ago
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Graham ******
@Craig ******
 Yes
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Craig ******
 I've used it twice. Once for a visa application and once when immigration asked to see my ticket.

But the people that will usually ask is your airline.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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