What are the best options for French citizens unable to obtain a tourist visa for Thailand?

And it appears that helpful posters gave

@Step*****

as much good advice as she's likely to get for their friends pending trip here.

Good Luck, (y)

Keep in mind depending on their airline they might be required to show proof of onward travel (within the 30 days they'll be stamped in for) to board the plane. That's 100% airline specific for people flying in without any thai visa in their passport SO they should check their air carrier BEFORE they show up to check in.

They can certainly make the vacation work, BUT they would have been way further ahead to have applied for a single entry tourist visa from a thai consulate in France BEFORE they wash up here..

edited :P

Good luck to them

okay, despite the errant terminology (French people showing up without a visa in their passport get in FREE for 30 days on what's called a 30 day visa exempt entry) the advice from Joseph Graham is about the best you'll get.

Have your friends come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry, have the go to the immigration office and extend that entry by 30 more days for 1900baht. Then have them go back to the immigration office and get a 7 day "extension application denied stamp for another 1900baht that gives the a week to get out of the country

OR

after that 30 day extension have them exit/re-enter the country to get a NEW 30 day visa exempt entry

As French National you can be in Thailand for 30 with the arrival stamp. Just need to make sure you schedule a trip and get an extension locally when when you arrive.