Songkran closures.
As advised earlier immigration offices will be closed Monday 7th and then from close of business on Friday 11th until open again on Thursday 17th.
Many offices around the country will be absolutely chaotic on the 17th because people who aren’t in this forum (who now know) or just plainly forget about office closures during Songkran and need to go the next open day after the holiday to get an extension or re-entry permit or do a 90 day report or whatever.
If you’re in Phuket (probably lots of other offices too) and go on the 17th expect it to be absolutely crazy. It’s not the staffs fault. It’s the time of year.
If you really don’t need to go on the 17th then avoid it like the plague. To be fair Friday the 18th will probably be manic too because of the fallout from the holiday.
As much as I like meeting you guys on a Thursday and Friday please don’t come if you can possibly help it. Depending on how chaotic they may well just deny anything other than essential extensions (already expired or expiring that day) and it will be a wasted trip anyways.
TLDR : Answer Summary
During the Songkran holiday, immigration offices in Thailand will be closed on Monday, April 7th, and from the end of business on Friday, April 11th, until reopening on Thursday, April 17th. Expect chaos at these offices due to many people needing to process extensions, re-entry permits, or reports after the holiday. It’s advisable to avoid visiting on the 17th and possibly on the 18th as well to prevent long wait times and potential service disruptions.
