What are the application dos and don'ts for a tourist visa to Thailand if traveling in July while living abroad?

May 12, 2021
3 years ago
Francis ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey all looking to go Thailand for start of July on a tourist visa. Any advice on the Dos and Donts on the application. I’m a Uk citizen but have not been in the Uk since October and currently in Mexico. Only positive advice. People who have completed the process.

Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post inquires about advice on the dos and don'ts for applying for a tourist visa to Thailand, especially given the current COVID-19 situation. The user plans to travel in July from Mexico and has not been in the UK since October. Commentary includes recommendations against traveling now due to current restrictions and the low vaccination rate in Thailand, advice on using a visa exemption instead of a tourist visa, and hints regarding vaccination documentation. Several comments also discuss different travelers' experiences and the evolving nature of travel policies.
Steve **********
Stay home. No mean to be negative. But most of LOS is on lockdown. Restr closed, venues closed etc. Unless visiting family, send them the baht
กะลาสี *****
Here's an example of the current situation in Phuket. You said that you weren't planning on visiting TL until July, so hopfully by then the situation will be much better.
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John ********
I’m in process of departing Singapore and will put goods in storage and dog in home boarding. Plan to try to get to Thailand in early July to merge home goods and dog after quarantine. Fully vaccinated.

Pretty discouraging watching the spikes and hoping it doesn’t impact exit and later move. The planning process is a nightmare as is noted and not for the timid.
JD ********
i am also looking at July as well as original was shooting mid april to early may for visa exemption entry from me/ US passport but having been in PH for over yr now

then , the Spike & clusters in exact 2 areas i need to be... bkk & then chiang mai where i will switch to Ed visa in country for 1 yr.

my ? is once i complete quarantine

can i just leave the hotel & travel directly to province of chiang mai by say bus/ train or do i need to fly & if so is the whole process repeated including the quarantine/ testing
Daniel ***********
Hey Francis, I just arrived in Thailand 12 days ago. I'm also British and haven't been in the UK for a while (I travelled here from Albania). I completed my 10-day quarantine two days ago and it was a pretty smooth process. It was a bit stressful travelling with all the required documentation and having to explain myself to multiple members of staff at the airport etc. but other than that everything was fine. As for your visa, I wouldn't even recommend getting one – as a UK citizen, you're given a 45-day visa exemption, which can later be extended for 30 days (two times, so a 105-day stay in total) at the immigration bureau for a cheap price.
Michael ********
@Daniel **********
actually you can only officially extend a visa waiver for one 30 day extension not two.
Daniel ***********
Sounds expensive and boring.
Daniel ***********
Sorry,
@Steve *********
– I don't quite understand?
Steve **********
@Daniel **********
Sarcasm. It appears new hobby is ASQ jumping for travel miles.
Steve **********
@Daniel **********
Have noticed many globetrotters with to much time , accumulating quarantine stays in as many countries as possible.

Like :

.Climbing 30 peaks

. Skiing 40 slopes.

. Etc
Daniel ***********
I think by July things should be more relaxed - we'll see. I started the process like two weeks before I flew.
Daniel ***********
I'd recommend Hotel Icon if you're doing your ASQ in Bangkok btw. Really good food and service.

Be aware that during quarantine you can't actually leave your room full stop at the moment though. Rules have changed recently.
Francis ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel **********
yes I heard but it’s worth it. I want to come July when should I start the whole process?
Daniel ***********
I didn't need an outbound ticket but that'll depend on the airport/airline you use. I did have one booked (a cheap one to Singapore) just in case though.

I travelled from Tirana > Dubai > Bangkok.

As for questions, it was more that some staff members weren't too familiar with the current rules of immigration in Thailand. For instance, one asked me for a reentry permit etc. so I had to inform them you don't actually need one and they had to check it over with their manager and it took a while, so I was a bit worried at that point haha but it was fine in the end.
Francis ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel **********
thanks for the advice bro. With regards to questions? What kind of things did they ask you? Also did you need a return ticket? What route did you use to get there?
Jon ********
Only positive advise? so you wont get your question answered then 🤔
Jim ********
Have you or will you have been fully vaccinated by July 1st?
Terary **********
I almost went to Mexico to wait out Covid.

Currently Thailand is going through a Covid spike. I am hopeful its nearing its end. However, the policies and rules are changing frequently. Making plans at this time maybe wasted time.

One think I *think* you should do, if you can, get vaccinated. Make sure your certificate of vaccination is in English. If you are unable to get certificate in English you might be able to get away with a translation. I am not sure how they do it down in Mexico, but something certified. Anything official look (I am not joking). A stamp, embossed stamp, letter head with official looking stuff.

You may want to consider where in Thailand you want to go. Phuket had lofty plans of no quarantine for vaccinated tourists. The Phuket's plan was vaccinate 70% of their population and allow vaccinated tourist to come without quarantine. I think since that plan there have been a few hiccups and the dates may have changed.
Ken ********
@Terary *********
pretty sure that was after they had 70% of the local population vaccinated to get to herd enmity levels
Terary **********
@Ken *******
Corrected. Thank you.
Gary *********
Think about getting that vaccine....” i would do some research “ first. If you’ve time you can do the quarantine.
Channel **********
@Gary ********
... I read 36 million people in the UK have had the vaccination... that statement is much more creditable than any theory you dream up or read on Facebook. Wish Thailand was so advanced in the vaccination rates.
Terary **********
@Channel *********
I much prefer Thailand's infection rate to the UK's. Just saying.
YeDo ***********
Stay in Mexico I'd say! Would probably have moved there myself if I was single...
Jeffrey ************
Just provide the information requested by RTE.
กะลาสี *****
I recommend you postpone until the late fall. Right now everything is closed and only about 1% of the population is vaccinated. Vaccinations should be ramping up this summer. Maybe by late fall, early winter (high season) Thailand will be coming out of hibernation.
Charles ********
At the moment a TR visa is only 15 days more than visa exempt. You can switch with either to different visa type inside thailand. It's way easier to do exempt over TR, one less hurdle, especially if the embassy isn't close enough to go into.

I am here on the STV and do not recommend that route.
Lex *****
@Charles *******
hey Charles, I’m planning to return to Thailand in June on an STV to get a longer stay. (plan to do 1 extension for a total 6month stay). What are the reasons you don’t recommend it?
Francis ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charles *******
what’s was your process for the STV? I’m changing visas to an ED once I arrive
Jim ********
@Francis *******
if you are changing then the exempt route is best
Lisa ********************
Do you mean visa exempt ?
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