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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
a year ago
Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I 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 šŸ™
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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.
Milan ********
Ranong is easy, even with loads of covid stamps and years of history
a year ago
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Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Milan *******
 is it just a passport i need or any adjoing paperwork and photos etc?
a year ago
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Milan ********
@Ian *********
 passport and money, boatman will care of rest, make copies, take you to myanmar and back
a year ago
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Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Milan *******
 excellent thanks so much
a year ago
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Ian **********
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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
a year ago
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Michael ********
Ranong
a year ago
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Klaus ***********
Find a ā€žspecial agentā€œ you might even donā€™t need to leave the island.
a year ago
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Klaus ******
@Klaus **********
 Never...
a year ago
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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 šŸ˜€
a year ago
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Ian **********
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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 šŸ˜†
a year ago
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Ian **********
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Daniel ***********
Iā€™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.
a year ago
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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 youā€™ve got a border trip arranged for a few days later and they should approve.
a year ago
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Daniel ***********
That said, I've never been to a land border. I always fly for border runs ā€“ I believe land borders are typically stricter.
a year ago
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Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel **********
 i have the time it doesn't run out untill the 23rd, thanks for the advice though
a year ago
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Ian **********
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Daniel ***********
That's why I said "if you need to" ā€“ 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!
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Lisa ********************
@To**
 indeed
a year ago
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Lisa ********************
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Paul *************
Land border bounce is easy enough, not sure your nearest border from Tao but Iā€™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.
a year ago
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Paul *************
Derek Lode re read my comment as Iā€™ve already corrected one know it it all that couldnā€™t read properly.
a year ago
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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 šŸ¤™šŸ¤™
a year ago
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Ian **********
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Paul *************
Again you could extend that another 30 days.
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Paul ************
 Cannot. Already used his one extension
a year ago
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Paul *************
@Todd ********
 if he enters on a fresh waiver that will be entitled to a 30 day extension.
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Paul ************
 yes- for sure.
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Nigel *********
I think Ranong would be the closest border bounce.
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Nigel ********
 ferry to Chumphon and drive across to Ranong, and boat to the border. I think you are right.
a year ago
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Nigel *********
@Todd ********
 I used to fly to Kul from Surathani but I don't think that's an option anymore.
a year ago
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Todd *********
you sure can. However Hat Yai is over 500km south of Chumphon for Koh Tao peeps
a year ago
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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.
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Todd ********
 you can fly from Hat Yai to KL with Air Asia for 32 US$ one way
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Andreas *********
you can get a 30 days extension on a 30 days visa-exempt entry ONCE on Immigration for 1900.- THB.
a year ago
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Paul *************
@Andreas ********
 which heā€™s already made clear he has done.
a year ago
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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 back
a year ago
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Rogerio ******
@Andreas ********
 flying from bkk to kl round trip same day is an option too.
a year ago
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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 trip
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Andreas ********
 Ranong border open for bounces.
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Stuart ********
 ARE you sure? Can You supply any link for this?
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Nongnuch *******
 Yes.
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
**************************
a year ago
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Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for the reeplies that has cleared it all up for me
a year ago
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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?
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Ian *********
 sorry I do not know the total costs
a year ago
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Ian **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
 looks like it differs but all in and around the 1500baht area
a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
well seems to be back operating
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a year ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Brian *********
Need some context, what visa? If itā€™s an exempt stamp there technically isnā€™t an additional extension. But people have managed to border bounce and start again. You can do that 2x a year, technically.
a year ago
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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"
a year ago
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Andreas *********
@Brian ********
 Thai Embassy London:
a year ago
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Andreas *********
@Brian ********
 you an border bounce two times at a land border, per calendar year. you can border bounce unlimited times by air
a year ago
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Brian *********
@Andreas ********
 ā€¦and where is that officially documented? šŸ¤”
a year ago
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Brian *********
@Andreas ********
 not meaning to be difficult but thatā€™s not ā€˜officialā€™ and I was referring to infinite by air exempt stamps. Never seen that ā€˜officiallyā€™ documented.
a year ago
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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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a year ago
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Andreas *********
@Brian ********
 it is officially documented, however I cannot find it šŸ˜ƒšŸ˜ŽšŸ˜ƒ
a year ago
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Brian *********
@Andreas ********
 gotcha!
a year ago
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Brian *********
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Rogerio ******
@Andreas ********
 ehhh in DMK they can get iffy about it and tell you (tell me) I needed a proper tourist visa ā€˜next timeā€™ - 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.
a year ago
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Rogerio ******
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