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What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand from Koh Tao after using my first extension?
Visa ExtensionThailand Entry RequirementsKoh TaoVisa RunBorder BounceRanong BorderThailand ImmigrationVisitor VisaTravel Advice
Oct 9, 2023
3 years ago
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am on Koh Tao right now and I have used my 1st 30 day extension, I am thinking of staying for another month, if I do a land crossing what would be my best option from here and what do in need to achieve this please? Any advice greatly appreciated 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user on Koh Tao has utilized their first 30-day visa extension and is seeking advice on how to stay longer, considering doing a land border crossing. Respondents clarify that a border bounce is a common method to get a new 30-day visa exemption but warn that it's limited to twice per year. Suggestions include traveling to Ranong for a border bounce, using local travel agents for arrangements, or securing a new visa in another country. Additional context on visa rules and potential opportunities to extend stay is provided.
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Milan ********
Ranong is easy, even with loads of covid stamps and years of history
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Milan *******
is it just a passport i need or any adjoing paperwork and photos etc?Milan ********
@Ian *********
passport and money, boatman will care of rest, make copies, take you to myanmar and backIan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Milan *******
excellent thanks so muchReply to
Ian **********
Reply
Klaus ******
You can go out.. It does not guarantee anyone if you can return to the kingdom, it depends on the officer but after covid the rules are less rigid origin.
However, I advise you not to go out for a single day, but to stay outside the border for a few days
However, I advise you not to go out for a single day, but to stay outside the border for a few days
Michael ********
Ranong
Klaus ***********
Find a „special agent“ you might even don’t need to leave the island.
Klaus ******
@Klaus **********
Never...Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Klaus *****
yes but that includes the ferry both ways, van or car ride to and from the border and the boat across the river also 😀Reply to
Ian **********
Reply
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Klaus **********
the local one wants 4000bhat for the trip and then its the border fee on top but all done in one day so not too bad really 😆Reply to
Ian **********
Reply
Daniel ***********
I’d get the boat to Samui and then fly to Singapore (direct flights available) and back. But if on a budget there are organised trips to land borders.
Daniel ***********
Also if you need to, you can extend your exemption stamp for another 7 days (1900 THB again) at the Koh Tao immigration office. Let them know you’ve got a border trip arranged for a few days later and they should approve.
Daniel ***********
That said, I've never been to a land border. I always fly for border runs – I believe land borders are typically stricter.
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel **********
i have the time it doesn't run out untill the 23rd, thanks for the advice thoughReply to
Ian **********
Reply
Daniel ***********
That's why I said "if you need to" – it's supposed to be a last resort. I've done it over 10 times and had no issues. My friends and family have done it lots too. Up to you OP!
Lisa ********************
@Daniel **********
not good advice. The 7 day stamp is a " you must leave Thailand, within 7 days!" Not a stamp I would want in my passport.Reply to
Lisa ********************
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Lisa ********************
Go to Island Travel and ask about booking a border bounce. Some people also call this a visa run.
Todd *********
@Lisa *******************
although, they would be wrong. Border bounce is exit the country, stamp out, turn around and come back in to get stamped in on a new 30 day visa exemption. Visa run means exiting the country to a city that has a Royal Thai Embassy. Applying for and receiving a new 60 day tourist visa (or other visa) and then returning to Thailand. Two very different things, but often confused.Lisa ********************
@To**
indeedReply to
Lisa ********************
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Paul *************
Land border bounce is easy enough, not sure your nearest border from Tao but I’m sure others will be able to tell you.
Unless you have extensive stay history on tourist visa or visa exempt you shouldnt have problems doing that and as already mentioned you can do the land border twice in a calendar year.
Unless you have extensive stay history on tourist visa or visa exempt you shouldnt have problems doing that and as already mentioned you can do the land border twice in a calendar year.
Paul *************
Derek Lode re read my comment as I’ve already corrected one know it it all that couldn’t read properly.
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ************
i was here 20 years ago so thats not a problem really, thanks Paul for all the help you have given me , I really appreciate it 🤙🤙Reply to
Ian **********
Reply
Paul *************
Again you could extend that another 30 days.
Todd *********
@Paul ************
Cannot. Already used his one extensionPaul *************
@Todd ********
if he enters on a fresh waiver that will be entitled to a 30 day extension.Todd *********
@Paul ************
yes- for sure.Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Nigel *********
I think Ranong would be the closest border bounce.
Todd *********
@Nigel ********
ferry to Chumphon and drive across to Ranong, and boat to the border. I think you are right.Nigel *********
@Todd ********
I used to fly to Kul from Surathani but I don't think that's an option anymore.Todd *********
you sure can. However Hat Yai is over 500km south of Chumphon for Koh Tao peeps
Todd *********
@Nigel ********
I think no more international flights from Surat. Can fly Samui direct to Singapore. Not cheap, but good option. Or Krabi to KL.Nongnuch ********
@Todd ********
you can fly from Hat Yai to KL with Air Asia for 32 US$ one wayReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Andreas *********
you can get a 30 days extension on a 30 days visa-exempt entry ONCE on Immigration for 1900.- THB.
Paul *************
@Andreas ********
which he’s already made clear he has done.Andreas *********
@Paul ************
ah, sorry I missed that. Well yes then he needs to do a border run, preferably to Malaysia, as the borders to Myanmar are closed. I suggest using a "visa run company" that will get him from Surat Thani to any Southern border with Malaysia and backRogerio ******
@Andreas ********
flying from bkk to kl round trip same day is an option too.Nongnuch ********
@Rogerio *****
it could be easier to fly to KL from Hat Yai than from Bangkok, as he starts out of Koh Tao. The one-way trip is 32 USD, don't know about the both-ways tripStuart *********
@Andreas ********
Ranong border open for bounces.Nongnuch ********
@Stuart ********
ARE you sure? Can You supply any link for this?Stuart *********
@Nongnuch *******
Yes.Nongnuch ********
**************************
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you all for the reeplies that has cleared it all up for me
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
thank you so much, so I have to pay a fee on the Myanmar side of 1500baht plus the travel company I use fees from here?Nongnuch ********
@Ian *********
sorry I do not know the total costsIan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
looks like it differs but all in and around the 1500baht areaNongnuch ********
well seems to be back operating
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Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Brian *********
Need some context, what visa? If it’s an exempt stamp there technically isn’t an additional extension. But people have managed to border bounce and start again. You can do that 2x a year, technically.
Andreas *********
I would however NOT trust the word "unlimited", because if you try that a THIRD consecutive time, you might face being pulled aside and being told "Last time, next time you need a proper visa"
Andreas *********
@Brian ********
you an border bounce two times at a land border, per calendar year. you can border bounce unlimited times by airBrian *********
@Andreas ********
…and where is that officially documented? 🤔Brian *********
@Andreas ********
not meaning to be difficult but that’s not ‘official’ and I was referring to infinite by air exempt stamps. Never seen that ‘officially’ documented.Andreas *********
@Brian ********
Now I found it. (new!) rule says "no more than three times in a 6 month period by flights" . . . . . . . . .Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption category may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6 month period by flight and 2 times a year for overland crossing.******************************************************************************************************************************
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-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd*****
dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b*****
2c562Andreas *********
@Brian ********
it is officially documented, however I cannot find it 😃😎😃Brian *********
@Andreas ********
gotcha!Reply to
Brian *********
Reply
Rogerio ******
@Andreas ********
ehhh in DMK they can get iffy about it and tell you (tell me) I needed a proper tourist visa ‘next time’ - so yeah I did that these days. Plus with US you can apply online for e-visa, only $40 so cheaper than going visa waiver and extending it at immigration.Reply to
Rogerio ******
Reply
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