Unanswereda year ago
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand given my visa situation and upcoming passport expiration?
Hi:) question. I flew in with 60 day visa exemption from the states very end of september. Did 30 day extension end of November and now that ends december 28th.
I heard chiang mai (where I am) is still doing border runs to laos, with for someone like me - first border run and flew in with one visa exempt this year - i would do the 3 day 2 night option.
But, I know it can be risky. You think it would be better to just leave the country for like 2 weeks and then come back and use an immigration service which would easily get me past border control at airport?
Idk what the better options would be.
Especially because once january 13th comes along - my passport will be at its 6month mark (it expires july 13 2026).
And once id get back in with 60 days, i would renew my passport here. Stay 60 days and do an extension (clean slate for new year granting 30 days, Ya think?)
Or, better to just fly and renew my passport in another country and then fly in using immigration service Friendly Thai Visa Services ??
Anyones legit opinions can help me make a decision, thank you.
My one friend said to do land border run and if it doesnt work out then go to another country, renew my passport and try to fly back in. But idk.
To note again, i only have one visa exempt when i flew in in september 30 2025.
I heard chiang mai (where I am) is still doing border runs to laos, with for someone like me - first border run and flew in with one visa exempt this year - i would do the 3 day 2 night option.
But, I know it can be risky. You think it would be better to just leave the country for like 2 weeks and then come back and use an immigration service which would easily get me past border control at airport?
Idk what the better options would be.
Especially because once january 13th comes along - my passport will be at its 6month mark (it expires july 13 2026).
And once id get back in with 60 days, i would renew my passport here. Stay 60 days and do an extension (clean slate for new year granting 30 days, Ya think?)
Or, better to just fly and renew my passport in another country and then fly in using immigration service Friendly Thai Visa Services ??
Anyones legit opinions can help me make a decision, thank you.
My one friend said to do land border run and if it doesnt work out then go to another country, renew my passport and try to fly back in. But idk.
To note again, i only have one visa exempt when i flew in in september 30 2025.
Summary so far
The user is seeking advice on extending their stay in Thailand, currently with a 60-day visa exemption and a 30-day extension ending soon. They are considering doing a border run to Laos but are worried about the risks involved, especially as their passport approaches its expiration. They are weighing the options of renewing their passport in Thailand or another country and using an immigration service upon re-entry.
16 repliesnewest first
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Deepak *******
Why do you want to live in Thailand with tourist visas? Why don't you get a proper visa or stay in your own country or other tourist places . What is so great about living in Thailand on tourist visas?
Ashapurna ************
OP@Deepak ******
i have godfamily here i visit. I just wanted to extend my visit longer. I dont plan to live here forever.
James ************
Rules just changed again. 90 days max
Todd *********
To make life easy, border bounce before your extension expires and stay out until the new year. Re-enter visa exempt before the 13th
Bob **********
Just buy a visa and a new passport won’t change anything it’s all in the computer I’d go somewhere that you won’t mind going back too as if your denied that’s where your going they might let you fly home also been hearing there turning people back at the land borders unless you have a visa extension to return on
Farang *********
You are not a tourist. Get the proper visa. Simple.
Todd *********
@Farang ********
he is a tourist. Doesn’t need a visaFarang *********
@Todd ********
forgive me but how many tourists stay in a country for that length of time.Ashapurna ************
OP@Farang ********
FYI i have spent the last 5, almost 6 years of my life living at home with my parents, working part time retail jobs, and then going to live at spiritual ashrams around the world. In different countries. Then go back home and work and then leave again, until i figure out a more long term plan. These communities feel more home than my own. I work retail jobs or nursing home jobs and then leave. The only ashram i have lived at and worked at was in america. Because that's america. Just saying this so you can see a more broad view of things instead of black and whiting things like you are. So i can "self fund" for some time, take time out of the year, and visit one country, and also be poor enough to not apply for an actual visa. The downside of this is that i never had any savings, ever. Due to the nature of saving then spending it on traveling. And when i travel it is never leisurely. I live in ashrams with strict schedules. But this roundtrip ticket to thailand was a gift, and the person who gifted it to me will also get me a ticket back home too since i decided to stay longer than the original 3 weeks as planned. So i came with very little money because i originally planned 3 weeks. So yes i am "poor enough" to not afford a regular visa. I cannot prove bank statements that have enough for an actual visa. Hence, visa exemption works for me.
My spiritual teacher lives here and he is very old and sick. I figured... while I am here, might as well try to stay longer to be near him and try to help. Because once i leave - i do not know when i will come back.
Deff not evading tax or up to no good🙄
Todd *********
@Farang ********
as I said. Because they love it. And can easily afford. And, unlike you, they have the luxury of time and money. It’s not something you need concern yourself with. They have no need whatsoever for a visa. Visa exempt IS the ‘right visa’. And Thailand has no requirement for them to get one. Pointless waste of time
Farang *********
@Todd ********
so why would anyone do affluent holiday in just one country. I would be travelling the world, oh I already have. Would be nice to revisit the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, China again not just one country. So long term, get the right visa. Of course they do not have the required financial support
Todd *********
@Farang ********
You seem a bit unaware of just how affluent the world has becomes 1. Every retiree on earth.
2. Literally anyone. But the year off can also be funded by online work, investment, crypto,
3. They are very often moving about. In and out. Which is precisely why visa exemptions exist.
4. Au contraire. They are so much wealthier than you that they don’t need, or want a visa.
The bottom line is that this issue clearly isn’t in your tax bracket. And tax has NOTHING to do with immigration laws of functions
Farang *********
@Todd ********
so how many tourists would you say are1. Self funding for a year
2. Can take a year off
3. Visit one country when there are several in Asia they could spend time in as a "tourist"
4. But are so cheap they cannot afford the correct visa.
The bottom line is anyone who uses these types of visa are probably up to no good and evading tax.
Todd *********
@Farang ********
any tourists with money and love of Thailand. Why ask such a silly question. The answer is obvious
Ralph *******
@Todd ********
Immigration may think differently.Todd *********
@Ralph ******
they won’tActivity
7 joined7
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