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What are the best options for a border bounce from Phuket to obtain a 45-day visa-exempt entry, and can I extend it?

Thailand Visa Rules Non-O Visa Visa Extension Border Crossing Visa Exempt Entry Marriage Visa Immigration Help Expat Life in Thailand

Mar 10, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello group, if I have been on a non-o for a few years but this time want to do a border bounce for a 45 day visa exempt entry, where is the best/fastest route from Phuket?  It almost seems a flight to Udon and and a quick jump over to Laos may be just as easy/time consuming and cheap as a van to Malaysia.  I don’t have any issues with immigration that would be a red flag, just need a little more time to season money and then switch from Thai child to a marriage visa later this year.  On the 45 day visa exempt can I extend for another 30 days?  Ultimately I’m looking for an easy in/out border crossing I can do in a day.  Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is exploring options for a border bounce from Phuket for a 45-day visa-exempt entry while needing to switch from a Non-O visa to a marriage visa later in the year. Users suggest various border crossing options, including flights to Laos or a ferry to Malaysia, and mention the ability to extend the 45-day visa-exempt entry for an additional 30 days. They also discuss alternative options like applying for a 60-day 'visit family' extension or a 1-year multiple-entry marriage visa without needing proof of funds.

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Paul *******

Get the 60 day "visit family" extension. Or if you need more time, rather than do an "in-out", travel to Savannakhet (Laos) and apply for a 1-year multiple entry marriage visa. No proof of funds required. You'll receive 90 days on each entry, which can be extended by 60 days for the purposes of visiting your wife. Plenty of time to meet any funds seasoning in the meantime.

Anyway, I hear supporting a Thai citizen child is easier, because the funds only need to be in your account for one day. Why not continue to use that option?

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Paul *******

find out how long the money needs to be "seasoned" for, in both the marriage and Thai child cases. For the former, it should be 60 days. Not 100% sure on the latter. Either way, get the appropriate extension or visa to cover you while you wait for this to happen. Don't do the 45 day visa exemption. It won't give you enough time and immigration might ask questions. Get the 60 day visit wife extension or go out for a 12 month multiple entry marriage visa. Either method will give you plenty of time for seasoning money and much less worry with immigration or having to do another border run.

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Paul *******

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Chris *******

It's probably a mute question. But did you use the 60 day visit Thai family extension?

I am assuming yes but just in case....

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Paul *******

Ok. Got it. I'll look it up.

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Chris *******

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Chris *******

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Paul *******

What's an STM2 form?

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Chris *******

its an acknowledgement form.

You have the main form tm7 and 2 acknowledgement forms

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Chris *******

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Chris *******

yes you can apply for 60 day visit thai family, one time per entry. So your current extension would allow for 1 visit family extension.

Giving you in theory enuff time to get you affairs in order and apply the 1yr extension again.

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Chris *******

PM sent.

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Chris *******

go to rm 204 see the volunteers at the counter.

They will explain what you will need.

In essence:

Bring your wife

Three forms tm7, stm2 and acknowledgement

Passport photo

Koror2

Marriage certificate

Tm30

Copy of PP bio page

Copy of PP stamps/extensions

Only 1 set

Should be all you need.

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Chris *******

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Stan ***********

You can also go to Satun for quick in/ out of Malaysia and back to Thailand for 45 days

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Paul *******

@Stan **********

Not a good idea. Better to travel to Savannakhet and get a 12 month multiple entry marriage visa or do a 60 day "visit wife" extension at immigration.

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Paul *******

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David **********

You can take ferry to Langkawi Malaysia

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Paul *******

That sounds like a fun trip, but isn't ideal for a quick in/out. Unlikely you can accomplish this in one day very easily.

However, like I mentioned, in the OPs case it's much better he goes out for a marriage visa or does a 60 day extension than leaving and returning for a 45 day exemption stamp.

After years of Thai residency suddenly breaking it and going back onto exempt status might prompt IOs to ask questions.

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Paul *******

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Steve *******

If you've got 400k seasoned for 2 months before you need to apply for marriage extention there's no need to border bounce, just change the reason for your extention of stay.

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Steve *******

Yes, that's a good plan

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Steve *******

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Brandon ************

You can extend 45 day visa exempt by 30 days.

If you do the border bounce after March 31st it will be back to 30 days on entry instead of 45.

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Richard *********

BUT Penang is worth a night or 2 :-)

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Richard *********

@Brandon ***********

fly to Penang or KL

45 days cages back to 30 day visa exempt March 31st

yes can extend another 30

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John *************

You can turn around and come straight back if there is a flight.

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John *************

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