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What are the options for extending a tourist visa in Thailand without overstaying?
Thai VisaTourist VisaVisa ExtensionOverstayBorder RunKoh LantaBangkokVisa RulesImmigration AdviceTraveling in Thailand
Jan 20, 2023
3 years ago
Charlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHey guys!!
I’m currently in Koh Lanta and will be staying south..
My current Tourist Thai Visa, runs out on the 28th of this month January, and I need to be in Bangkok on the 3rd of March as I fly from there back home.
So that would leave me with an overstayed visa by 3/4 days..
Becuase if I was to renew my Visa for another 30days it only works out until the 28th of February.. and I’d need another 3 days of visa..
Just wanted to see if you guys would recommend me paying the 1900thb then pay 2/3 days overstay fee (which all seems crazy prices) or would you recommend to do a Malaysia border run? Something that I can’t find much information about..
Appreciate any help and recommendations
Thanks in advance!
I’m currently in Koh Lanta and will be staying south..
My current Tourist Thai Visa, runs out on the 28th of this month January, and I need to be in Bangkok on the 3rd of March as I fly from there back home.
So that would leave me with an overstayed visa by 3/4 days..
Becuase if I was to renew my Visa for another 30days it only works out until the 28th of February.. and I’d need another 3 days of visa..
Just wanted to see if you guys would recommend me paying the 1900thb then pay 2/3 days overstay fee (which all seems crazy prices) or would you recommend to do a Malaysia border run? Something that I can’t find much information about..
Appreciate any help and recommendations
Thanks in advance!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user currently on a Thai Tourist Visa is facing a potential overstay. With the visa expiring on January 28th and needing to be in Bangkok by March 3rd, they are weighing the options of paying for a short overstay or doing a border run to Malaysia. Community members advise against overstaying due to potential immigration crackdowns and recommend applying for an extension or visiting immigration for a 30-day extension as alternative solutions.
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Vicki ********
Easy to boat out from Lipe and or Lanta to LANGKAWI island Malaysia and then boat back.
Stéfan ********
You can apply for an other extension, which will cost you another 1900 baht. This is a common practice. They will refuse your application but give you 5 extra days to leave the country.
Graham ******
There's currently an Immigration crackdown on people overstaying sometimes just a few days so those saying overstay has never been a problem in the past are not considering this. As mentioned above, avoid overstay and don't take the risk as the consequences if caught are not worth it.
Muzzy *********
I had too many days overstay when you do pay in airport or border land never effected your next travel
Stéfan ********
@Muzzy ********
but your cooked if you get caught at a check point with just one single day of overstay...Reply to
Stéfan ********
Reply
Muzzy *********
If you overstay a few day it never effected your next travel if you pay for your over stay
Brandon ************
You don't really need to find much information on a border run. It's just leaving Thailand, stamping into another country, then returning to Thailand. You can stay there for a few days and make a trip out of it if you want, or you can likely just turn around and come right back the same day.
The only thing that might cause you trouble is if you have any red flags in your past history in Thailand like covid extensions last year or spending a lot of time in Thailand or a volunteer visa or ED visa. But if this is the first time you've been in Thailand for a while then it shouldn't be an issue.
The only thing that might cause you trouble is if you have any red flags in your past history in Thailand like covid extensions last year or spending a lot of time in Thailand or a volunteer visa or ED visa. But if this is the first time you've been in Thailand for a while then it shouldn't be an issue.
Nikki *********
@Brandon ***********
ok! Going to immigration with her today. 😅 you’ve been a huge help.Brandon ************
@Nikki ********
it should be okay as long as the embassy gives the letter when changing from emergency passport to regularNikki *********
@Brandon ***********
Ok! I was afraid the new scrutinty with ed visas required we 'zero it out' despite it expiring by border bouncing and coming back on tourist visa exempt but would LOVE to not have to fly out and just go to Jomtien and get an extension.Brandon ************
@Nikki ********
if her passport expires in October her ED extension should be 90 days and she'll get the full stamp in her passport. Then when the new passport arrives the embassy should give her a letter that she can give to immigration with both passports and they'll move her extension stamp to the new passportNikki *********
@Brandon ***********
oh no. My daughter is on the ed visa which expires before she receives her 'renewed' 10 year passport in the mail. The current passport she has until then is an emergency passport that expires in October. Do you recommend we just go to immigration and ask for an extension while we wait for her 10 year passport to come in 2-3 weeks? Or do you think a border bounce out and back in and then getting tourist visa exempt since we are from USA? I feel that her student visa is just going to be scrutinized given all the hoopla.
Sam ******
@Charlie ******
if you’re on Lanta now., ask any of the many ticket sellers there. I normally stop a day or two at various islands on the way and can’t remember each ticket price so no idea of the full price. You could Google Satun Pakbara speed boats for times and prices.
Charlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sam *****
good idea! any idea of price mate?Sam ******
@Charlie ******
you could get the speed boat to Langkawi from Koh Lanta via Ko Lipe. Not the cheapest or quickest option but a nice way to do a border run.Brandon ************
@Keao ******
yes but Cambodia is not a good option. They often require you to spend at least 1 night if not moreKyong ****
@Brandon ***********
would border crossing suffice? Combodia?Charlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTERGot ya! So really yeah depends on bus prices to get me there and back!
Brandon ************
@Charlie ******
it's going to depend on how much it costs to get to Malaysia and back. You'll be entering visa exempt so there's no charge for that, but you'll need transportation of course.Charlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thanks very much! Just wanted to know really how much it would cost and stuff to go to Malaysia and do a run that way? And would that be a cheaper option to do then paying the 1900thb at immigration office 😀💪🏼
No red flags! Only been here for a month haha..
Reply to
Charlie *******
Reply
Ian ************
Avoid overstaying , could cause you problems for future trips to Thailand.
Brandon ************
You should never go on overstay if you can prevent it. But going all the way to Malaysia makes no sense when it can just go to immigration and get a 30 day extension in a couple of hours.
Charlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTERLegend thanks very much! Appreciate it mate
Alistair **********
@Charlie ******
yep. That 7 day stamp is an extension request denied stamp so is a bit different than normal extensions, it also start the day you apply tho. So apply right when your extension is about to end. The 30 day extension is added on to your current visa so you can apply anytime before it expires.
Charlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alistair *********
that’s no worries mate, ah now that sounds better! I’ve just googled it and says that costs around another 1900thb for a 7 day extension is that right?Brandon ************
@Alistair *********
oh I definitely did that tooAlistair **********
@Charlie ******
my bad mixed up the months. You can get a 7 day denial of extension stamp when your 30 day extension is about to expire. That will get you the extra few days you needCharlie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
appreciate that yeah I understand that but then I’d have another 3 days I’d need to get a visa for? ..Reply to
Charlie *******
Reply
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