What are the current Thai visa rules for Australian and UK passport holders entering Thailand?

Question

THAI VISAS FOR AUSTRALIAN AND UK PASSPORT HOLDERS – HELP!

Help! My partner, our kids and I heading to SE Asia in a month's time and will be travelling for several months. I'm very confused about whether we're eligible for a visa on arrival or need to get a visa in advance of travel for Thailand as there's conflicting information on the Thai Embassy's website vs what's on the Australian Government's website. I tried calling the Thai Embassy earlier and the woman I spoke with seemed a bit unsure as well...

We're planning to enter Thailand from Penang, Malaysia at our first stop, Ko Lipe. I've read in some places that you can only get a visa for 15 days if you enter Thailand by sea or land, so we're planning to fly out of Bangkok to Myanmar on day 15. We then want to come back to Thailand in April and would hope to stay then for 7-10 days.

My kids and I are travelling on Australian passports and my partner is travelling on a UK passport.

Can anyone who's been in Thailand recently advise me what the current visa situation is (when I was there this time last year, I just got a visa on arrival, but it sounds like things may have changed...)?

Thank you! ￼:)

Ask Thailand · Answer

The discussion involves a family traveling to Thailand from Penang, Malaysia, seeking clarification on visa eligibility. Australian passport holders can enter Thailand for 30 days on a visa exempt entry when arriving by land or air, while there is no longer a 15-day limit for entries by land. They can have two 30-day entries by land in a calendar year, with no limit for entry by air. The family must prepare proof of funds, onward travel, and accommodation for immigration. Comments clarify the current rules and reassure the traveler regarding their plans.

Robert ******* · Answer

There is a small booth from Immigration on Koh Lipe and to help you:

Siobhán ********** · Answer

Thanks so much, [mention redacted] – this is a huge relief! When I called the Thai Embassy in Australia today though, the woman I spoke with said that we could only stay for 15 days if entering by land... I'm just nervous about booking our onward flights, as I'd like to stay for 20 days or so, but am worried about discovering when we get there that we're only allowed to stay for 15 days. Are you 100% sure that we'll be able to get a visa exempt entry for 30 days if arriving by sea? And will there be an immigration entry office on Ko Lipe and if not, how do we go through Thai immigration?

Tod ********* · Answer

You can have TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31) and that's it. There is no official limit to the number of visa exempt entries you can get by air.

You should have no problem entering the country on 30 day visa exempt entries BUT you could be asked to show proof of funds (20K baht or 40K baht per family in CASH) proof of onward travel (within the time you'll be stamped in for <- in your case 30 days) and proof of a hotel booking or confirmed lodging.

Tod ********* · Answer

okay you read wrong and there are NO 15 day visa exempt entries by land anymore.

Holding the passports you hold you will get in to the country without buying a visa from a thai consulate before hand for 30 days on what's known as a visa exempt entry (NOT A visa on arrival).

What are the current Thai visa rules for Australian and UK passport holders entering Thailand?

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