What are the best visa options for a UK visitor staying in Thailand for 40 days, and what are the consequences of overstaying?

@James *****

your friend has two options

BUY a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in London online before he wings his way here and when he enters he'll get stamped in for 60 days

OR

Come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry and then apply for a 30 day extension at the immigration office for 1900baht

DO NOT OVERSTAY..

We're done, thanx one and all for the advice (y)

Did you ever read what will happem if the police stop you for anything and find out you are overstaying? You might go to a immigration detention facility. This is not a place you want to be.

30 day then extend 30 more

In my opinion any form of overstaying is bad but to actually consider doing one in advance absolute madness a TR60 visa is the best way to proceed

never plan an overstay. do as the other poster proposed - extend the free 30 dys on Immigration for 30 more days. Easy peasy. However the TRUE question is: will the airline allow him to board the flight to Thailand, if his return flight is BEYOND the 30 days he will get stamped in upon entry? Most airlines need proof of onward- or return flight out of Thailand within these initial 30 days. Make sure he buys an "onwardticket", books a "flexi-ticket" or a cheap one way flight out of Thailand, in order comply with the airline's requirements

A planed overstay, you are way of your head.

Do a extension at immigration office 1900 THB

Come in on free tourist visa then extend visa for 1900 baht. Simple process if you have the correct documents.

Never overstay. Its a serious offence.

10days overstay fine will be 5000thb. Much more expensive than the SETV application fee (eq 2000thb as embassy set in local currency) in his home country or an extension fee (1900thb) in Thailand, and the possibility is not zero to getting caught by police and banned during that 10days overstay. Get a Single Entry Tourist visa which gives him 60days upon entry.

Best choice (easiest, cheapest) is to get SETV before he flies to Bangkok.

Second (next cheapest, chance of trouble) is; to arrive on visa-exempt and apply for a 30days tourism extension once he is in Thailand. But he will need to solve the trouble with airlines upon check-in without a return ticket within 30days (which airline would know he is allowed to stay)

30 days visa free then extend at immigration for 30 days more 1900thb