Answered3 years ago

What are the December immigration office closure dates in Thailand and how do they affect visa extensions?

Thailand Immigration Visa Extensions Immigration Office Holidays December Holidays Overstay Rules

Stuart *********

asked Nov 25, 2023

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Ok. Further to my post about December immigration office closures it appears Friday 29th they will be closed too. 

So holidays for December are:-

December 5th

December 11th

December 29th

Also Monday 1st Jan 2024 is a holiday too. That means that Tuesday 2nd January will be manic in many offices around the country. Avoid going if you can help it. 

If your entry stamp or extension expires on a day where the immigration office is closed, and you go the next day that they are open you can still get an extension and you won’t be charged 500 baht per day overstay, but you will get a stamp in your passport saying something like “overstay xx number of days - fine waived due to closure”. 

Land borders are open as usual during the holiday period. 

Plan accordingly.

Answer summary

In December, the following dates are when immigration offices in Thailand will be closed: December 5th, December 11th, and December 29th, with an additional closure on January 1st, 2024. If your entry stamp or visa extension expires on a closed day, you can still receive an extension the next day without a fine, though a stamp indicating an overstay will be placed in your passport, stating 'fine waived due to closure'. It's advisable to avoid visiting immigration offices on January 2nd, as they are likely to be crowded.

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Brown ********

I'm going back to Oz for the high season. It's gunna be off the charts in Pattaya and I'll be glad to miss it

3 years ago

Joseph *********

Sadly, despite sharing this information, there will be one.

3 years ago

Nongnuch ********

the "Constitution Day" holiday is December 10th, 2023 and NOT on the 11th. The 10th, btw, is a Sunday. Immigration will be open on Monday Dec 11th

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Nongnuch *******

no they won’t. It’s a substitution holiday as the 10th is a Sunday

3 years ago

Nongnuch ********

@Stuart ********

I am willing to believe you 🙂 Thank you! Because on 11th, my 90 days report is due. And the renewal of my yearly Extension of Stay is due on January 4th. Will need the bank letter and try to avoid bank days after a weekend or a holiday

3 years ago

Stuart *********

@Richard ********

In Phuket extensions can be done 45 days prior. Most offices are 30. Bangkok, Chiang Mai Buri Ram and Phuket allow 45. There may be others.

3 years ago

Nongnuch ********

@Richard ********

thank you very much, I appreciate it. I am doing my yearly extension of stay based on retirement, with the 800K proof on the Thai bank account, since I turned 50 years old 17 years ago. It takes 25 minutes on the Immigration Sisaket: 90-days report, new 1-year EOS, and a single re-entry permit. Everything in just one swoop. My EOS expires every year on January 4th. I use to visit Immigration around Christmas. . . . . . this year I might go earlier, because there are rumours that Immigrations are not satisfied with the bank letter of guarantee, confirming the 800K have been in the account for 2 months prior to application - I am reading accounts that state that they now want to see a 12 month statement, along with the 3 month statement and the bank book pages copied. . . . .So this year I will go earlier, just in case. I suspect my SCB bank might need TWO (!!) weeks to supply a 12-month certificate. In my case, this would mean a certification of TWO completely filled out bankbboks., because I use this account for everydays expenses and bills. It means i MIGHT need time. Just in case. I am born and lived to always expect the unexpected 😄

3 years ago