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What are the current rules for visa exemptions and tourist visas in Thailand, specifically at Padang Besar?

Visa ExemptionTourist VisaPadang BesarVisa RunThailand ImmigrationVisa RulesExpat Guide
May 3, 2023
2 years ago
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi!

I did a « visa run for visa exemption » in 30 minutes at Padang Besar 75 days ago.

Tomorrow I plan to go there again.

Questions:

- does the visa exemption is changing from 45 + 30 to 30 days + 0 renewals with the new regulations? If not, is the status staying similar?

- if I was to request this time for a real tourist visa 60 + 30, is it a longer process which would not allow me to do a visa run on the same day? What would be the process to get this tourist visa at Padang Besar? Do I need to do something in advance?

Is there a better place to do a visa run (exemption or tourist) than pedant Besar from Koh Samui?

Thanks for the help 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The current regulations for visa exemptions in Thailand allow for a 30-day entry stamp, which can be extended for another 30 days at immigration. There has been no change to a '30 + 0 renewals' system; the existing limits remain in place with a maximum of two visa exemptions allowed at land borders per calendar year. For obtaining a tourist visa, this typically requires visiting a Thai embassy and cannot usually be completed in a single day at land border points. Those looking for a more efficient visa run may consider other locations, but detailed options were not specified.
Frank-Steven ***********
Visa exemptions can (same as tourist visa) be extended for another 30 days once per entry. There is no „new“ 30 + 0.

If in your home country the Thai consulate does electronic visa - try to get one of those while still in Thailand / fully remotely.
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
 do you mean that I can get a tourist visa by making an online application like this one:

*********************************************


This is what I read: “Thai Visa is for entering Thailand. It is therefore issued to those who are outside of Thailand and will visit Thailand. Therefore, your visa application will be rejected if you are already in Thailand during the visa process.”

I’m in Thailand.

Let me know if I’m misunderstanding.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Vincent **********
 Possible, that the Thai consulate in France handles it that way. Like with everything Thai (immigration or consulate) every office tends to have deviating rules.

So, if that is a requirement, you could only go the e-visa route there, if you have an exit stamp out of Thailand at the time of submitting an application, it seems.
2 years ago
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Ni**
@Frank-Steven **********
does they allow e-visas at land border?
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank-Steven **********
 thanks. For tomorrow what would be the best place to go to apply for a tourist visa.

Do I need to stay at least one night or more in Malaysia?

Do I need to do anything in preparation of my going to the consulate?
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
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John **********
To get a tourist visa you need to visit a Thai embassy, they generally take more than a day to obtain. Visa exempt is now 30 days which can be extended by a further 30 days at immigration. The big question is what does your history inside Thailand look like?
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 up to you. Air Asia employees will know nothing about what happens at the border you are going to.
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 ok.

She just told me I need a bank statement that show at least
*****
tbh. Online it say
*****
or
*****
tbh. Do you have the correct answer? Does it vary depending on the consulate/agent?

I hope she is informed enough…
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 you need 20k baht in cash when entering Thailand, a bank statement doesn't count. You also need accommodation booked and a ticket out. You might not get asked for them but those are the requirements. Not having the cash is the most common reason for refusing entry. Applying for a tourist visa in Penang will have different requirements one of which is a bank book but you will still need cash when entering
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 A bank book is similar to one’s last bank statement? How much I need minimum in bank balance on this statement?
*****
tbh?

For the cash I need to show
*****
baht to the agent when giving the application?

Thanks so much for those precisions 🙏
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 no idea how much you need to show in the bank at Penang, you would need to ask them and how many months statements they require. For the cash you show it to the immigration officer when entering Thailand if they ask to see it.
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 having a visa exemption at Padang Besar may be a simpler/better idea then.
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 thanks!
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I’m not understanding my history issue.

To clarify: I got in November 45 days, the went to India. Back from India I got 30 days, went to Malaysia after 25 days. Got 45 days, renewed 30 days in Samui. Today it’s my last day so I’m on my way to Malaysia.

Does it change your feelings about my situation? Any advice on Getting an exemption or tourist visa due to this history?
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I asked an employee at air Asia in Koh Samui. She told me I should be able to do up to 3 visa exemption without an issue.

Currently, I am not paying the agency. She just gave me free advices.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 not really. You'd be better off asking the agency that's taking you to the border, show them your passport and ask if they will get you back in. That's going to be the most reliable advice
2 years ago
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John **********
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I’m still pondering if it’s best that I do a visa exemption at Padang Besar or if I do a tourist visa (for the first time) in Penang.

Is there more advantage to the tourist visa than the greater length of stay 60 + 30?

The longer version: special tourist visa is no longer available?

Let me know if it’s best to ask those questions as a new discussion.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 really I don't see any difference other than the length of stay. If your history causes an issue it will do so on both
2 years ago
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John **********
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 someone in Koh Samui told me the renewal is only +7 yet online they say + 30. Is she wrong or could it be true in a place like Samui?
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 don't listen to "someone". All extensions are for 30 days, visa exempt entries are 30 days, not sure what you mean by renewal
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 ok. I mean extension. She must have made a mistake then. Thanks for clarifying.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 there's no such thing as a 7 day extension, that's an extension denied stamp which gives you 7 days to get out of the country, no other options
2 years ago
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John **********
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 thanks so much for the help!
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Graham Seal Thanks so much for sharing. I already got 2 visa exemption so the only option is the tourist visa? Do I have to stay minimum 1 night then in Malaysia? What would be the best destination from Samui?

I cannot do Padang Besar I think as I need a consulate?

Do I need to prepare a document to get the visa?
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 good luck
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I did get the extension on this one. It finishes tomorrow. I know an agency. So tomorrow I booked to go to Padang Besar and if I need to get a tourist visa rather than exemption I’ll go to Penang.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 so this would be your fourth entry on the trot. Won't make that much difference if you are visa exempt or on a tourist visa you stand a very good chance of getting pulled up by immigration. I'd really suggest talking to a company in your vicinity that does border runs, there's bound to be a few so ask on a local group. Tell them your history and see if they can get you back into the country.

As an aside it looks like you've not been getting extensions on your entries? Every entry can be extended for 30 days at your local immigration office
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I came in November 2022 for the first time for 45 days to do a yoga teacher training.
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it better that I go to a place with a consulate like Penang or Padang Besar is as good?

It may be easier to get a new visa exempt rather than a tourist visa tomorrow.

I arrived in February by flight to Hat Yai. Then 45 days later I went to Padang Besar for a visa run. So I’m not fully undeserving if I have one more time the possibility for the visa exemption I have reached the limit.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 what was your history in Thailand before flying in to Hat Yai
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 if I cannot have the exemption anymore then Isn’t it best to go to Penang and apply for a tourist visa at the consulate?
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
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John **********
@Vincent **********
 you can try for a visa exemption and see how you go. I'd suggest talking to a border run agency and let them know your history, if they won't take you you have no chance of coming back by yourself
2 years ago
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John **********
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Graham ******
I don't think you can do a Tourist Visa in a single day at any of the Consulates at the land border countries. For a Visa Exempt entry you'll get a 30 day entry stamp which can be extended for a further 30 days. You are allowed just 2 Visa Exempt entries at land borders in a calendar year.
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks so much for the help!
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 Thanks so much for sharing. I already got 2 visa exemption so the only option is the tourist visa? Do I have to stay minimum 1 night then in Malaysia? What would be the best destination from Samui?

I cannot do Padang Besar I think as I need a consulate?
2 years ago
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Vincent ***********
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