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What are the best options for extending a 30-day exempt visa in Thailand for Australian and UK passport holders?

30-Day Exempt StampVisa ExtensionTourist VisaBorder CrossingMultiple Entry VisaThailand ImmigrationChiang Mai Living
Nov 12, 2018
6 years ago
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey everyone

My partner and I are living in Chiang Mai at the moment on a 30 day exempt stamp that we automatically got when entering the country through Bangkok International Airport.

We want to stay for at least another 60-90 days if possible, and we were wondering what you would suggest is the best way of going about this? If it's possible :)

We have Australian and UK passports, originally from Australia and our 30 day exempt stamp runs out on 30 November. We plan to head to Europe around February/March 2019, so can book a forwarding flight if needed.

Multiple Entry visa has been mentioned and also border crossing via Laos. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance x
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A couple currently in Chiang Mai on a 30-day exempt stamp is seeking advice on how to extend their stay by another 60-90 days. Options mentioned include acquiring a multiple entry visa or executing a border crossing to Laos. Comments from the community suggest that a border bounce at Mae Sai may be a viable option, and there's a query about the possibility of applying for a 60-day tourist visa while still in Thailand.
Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it possible to apply for a 60 day tourist visa while you are in Thailand? or do I need to leave the country?
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thank you for your help.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Fingal *****
, And let me be the first to welcome you to the group (y) BUT with that being said, we also expect that people will put some effort into their endeavors (after all it a visa IN your passport you're wanting) ;)

I meant no disrespect in my replies to your queries, I am who I am and people have to make the best of it. :)
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thanks for the advice. I’m quite capable of using google and I have done to find out about udon and Vientiane. I was asking a question about whether I had to fly into Laos in order to obtain the visa or do a border crossing.

I applied to be part of this group in order to ask questions, and everyone has been very helpful.

For people to learn, we need to ask questions. Better to ask questions of the people that have the experience than to rely on random google searches.

Maybe you could consider using google to find some manners 😉
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 thanks heaps. Apologies for the small questions.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
From Udon, take the bus or taxi to the border is close by. Than after border taxi or bus to Thai Consulate. You will not be the only one using it
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Fingal *****
 you have to GO to the thai consulate in Lao to get the tourist visa. Udon is an hour from the Nong Khai border with Lao which is 20km from Vientiane <- the city in Lao where the thai consulate is.

I think it's time you used Google and typed in "visa run to Lao" rather than nickel dime people with question after question :O
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 although I have just realised that udon Thani is in Thailand. I will have to fly into Laos in order to get a visa won’t I?
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Yes I have heard flying to Udon Thani is the cheapest way to do it.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Bus or fly to Udon, than follow the crowd.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 That's where I will go then.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Depends on where you like to go. The only Thai Consulate in the area that does not need proof of funds, accommodation and onward travel, just copies of passport and Loas visa stamp and 2 passport pictures is Vientiane in Laos.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Will I need to book an onward flight out of Thailand to apply for the 60 day visa or the 30 day extension?
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Awesome! I will aim for the middle of the week, and check on any holidays coming up. Thank you all so much for your help. This group is invaluable ;)
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Depends on holidays and weekends in your planned days, as said you apply day 1 in the morning and pick up next working day in the afternoon.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you think 3-4 days in Laos would be long enough to wait for a visa?
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 That's great! Thank you so much ;)
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Single Entry Tourist Visa, you get 60 days of stay when you arrive back into Thailand and you can apply for a 30 day extension of stay at local Immigration office.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
So if I leave the country and go to say Laos and apply at the Thai consulate there, what visa can I apply for? 60 days/30 days/multiple entry?
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Yeah I'm loving not having a time restriction :D just wondering for when I have to book somewhere to stay and return flights.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
You're a tourist, you have all the time in the world. But you apply day one in the morning, pick up next working day in the afternoon.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Is it usually a long wait, or just a couple of days?
6 years ago
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Robert *******
You have to leave to neighbor country and apply there at Thai Consulate or Embassy.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
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Barry ******
You can probably get away with doing a border bounce at Mae Sai. Then you can extend that to get you to February/March.

As Long as you don’t have lots of back to back stamps they aren’t gonna even blink an eye.
6 years ago
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Barry ******
you have to fly out to switch passports
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think I may avoid using two passports, might get me into trouble with the Thai authorities and that's the last thing I want.
6 years ago
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Christopher *********
I based my reply on the assumption they wanted to enter/leave on one passport then enter/leave the next time on the other passport. Of course you must stamp out with the same passport you stamped in with.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
You can not use different passports if you leave enter by border.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher ********
 I thought that might be the case. Thanks :)
6 years ago
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Christopher *********
My understanding is that Thailand stores your names and DOBs in their database and they will cross reference you and know you're using two passports.
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you think it would be okay to use different passports each time? Australian once, then Thailand the next time? :)
6 years ago
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Fingal *****
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