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What are the visa rules for a US citizen returning to Thailand after traveling to Cambodia, and what are the options for extending a stay or marrying a Thai citizen?

Thai Visa Rules US Citizen Visa Requirements Visa Extension Tourist Visa Re-Entry to Thailand Marriage Visa Immigration Process

Feb 22, 2023

2 years ago

Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m a US citizen. I believe we have 45 days allowed to visit on passport (it could be 30 days, I have read both). I just had a visa for 60 days which ran out. I’m currently visiting Cambodia. I would like to return to Thailand but I don’t know any of the rules. Can I return after my 30 day trip to Cambodia? And what is the best way to do this? Passport or another Visa? And if I want to stay longer, I see people on here writing about extending their visa (is this a tourist visa?). And what if I marry a Thai woman (currently have girlfriend there)? Can someone please enlighten me? Thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

As a US citizen who has been in Thailand and is now visiting Cambodia, you can return to Thailand with a visa-free entry allowing for either a 30-day or 45-day stay depending on when you enter. You can extend your stay at a local immigration office, with the possibility of a one-time extension of 30 days. If you wish to stay longer or are considering marrying a Thai citizen, you may want to explore specific visa options that cater to those scenarios.

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Rob ********

Landed yesterday , long queue at immigration , gave me 45 days stamp , and I’ve got multiple from few months , no problem at all , border bounce can be done in hours , let alone 30 days , usual advice , just have cash ready , outward trip , insurance , and covid 19 stuff just in case things change , I was kinda shocked when io looked at me , took my photo , stamped my passport and sent me on my way , I did however miss my flight to Khon Kaen as took hours to get through immigration , my fault , just me aware immigration can and does get busy

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does it matter what airport I fly into? And what is fast track I hear people talking about?

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Rob ********

@Ronald ********

only ever used Survanabhumi for international and others for internal flights so no immigration , never used fast track have seen it , you just pay extra think it’s AOT that organise it , sorry can’t really help

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Rob ********

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Brandon ************

If you enter Thailand before April 1st without a visa you will receive a 45 day stamp. You can extend this one time for 30 days at the local immigration office.

If you enter on April 1st or later, then you'll receive a 30 day stamp which you can extend one time for 30 days.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I have a question I’m hoping you can help me with. I noticed on site people writing about being denied airline boarding and/or Thailand entry without return ticket. If I’m using passport entry for 45 days, and intend to extend 30 days why would I buy a return ticket if I don’t know the return date yet? I’m assuming that extension needs to be approved, but can be denied. Also, if I buy a return ticket to reflect 45 days it’s a waste of money if extension is approved (as would be a return ticket projected out 75 days if extension denied). Please advise. Thank you.

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

because the law says you must be able to show proof of leaving Thailand within the days you'll be stamped in for. Extensions are not guaranteed.

Immigration rarely asks only if they're looking for a reason to deny entry.

Much more often airlines require you to show the proof sinde they can get in trouble if you're denied entry.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

oh, I had another question. Does it matter what airport in Bangkok I fly into?

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

both Bangkok airports are about the same when it comes to immigration.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I’m not suggesting that you’re suggesting anything but I feel you might be saying it’s a good idea to have a return ticket corresponding with the 45 day and count the loss (price of ticket) if/when I get an extension? Is this what most people do?

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

Google "onward travel ticket" and you can get proof of flight out of Thailand for $10-$15.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

you have been very helpful. I really appreciate it. Questions keep popping up. When I return to Thailand on the 45 day passport, when is it reasonable to apply for the extension?

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

most offices allow you to apply when you have 30 days left on your stamp. Some bigger offices like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket allow you to apply when you have 45 days left, so if there you can go right away.

A couple of offices (Koh Samui, Jomtien) want you to come in when you're on the last week of your stay.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I knew more questions would arise. I’m flying into DM airport Bangkok. Is the immigration service center the place I go to? Do I need anything besides my passport? And what kind of reason/justification do I give? (Thinking about retiring there, etc?) thanks for your help

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

are you asking about your extension? I'm not quite sure what you're asking about because you mention your airport which has nothing to do with an extension.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

yea, the extension

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

it doesn't matter where you fly into, it matters where you're staying. If you're staying in Bangkok then you'd go to IT Square Laksi for an extension of visa exempt.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks. I just mentioned the airport in case there was someplace there. I know nothing. Thanks again for clarifying and all your helpful information.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thank you for the tip

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Ronald *********

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Roberto *********

@Luc ***********

Irrespective, you're giving out incorrect information by saying a decision hasn't been made yet, but it has. The 45 day concession ends on March 31. That decision has been made and it is what it is

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Bob *******

@Roberto ********

apparently the Tourist Dept has asked for it to be extended until the end of the year.

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Roberto *********

That was the TAT. They don't have much influence over the Royal Thai Police who don't want it extended. The point I was making is that at this stage it finishes on March 31, and there's been no further reports of any extension, so any advice must be based on what is known, not what is rumour

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Roberto *********

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thank you for your help. How many times can I do this? Let’s say I stay for 45 days, extend for 30. How long do I have to leave for before coming back?

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Jo **********

@Ronald ********

last year I did visa exempt runs 7 times over a 8 month period. Never once did they as me any questions. Each time I was out of the country for about 2 weeks

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have a question I’m hoping you can help me with. I noticed on site people writing about being denied airline boarding and/or Thailand entry without return ticket. If I’m using passport entry for 45 days, and intend to extend 30 days why would I buy a return ticket if I don’t know the return date yet? I’m assuming that extension needs to be approved, but can be denied. Also, if I buy a return ticket to reflect 45 days it’s a waste of money if extension is approved (as would be a return ticket projected out 75 days if extension denied). Please advise. Thank you.

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Jo **********

@Ronald ********

i can tell you that in 20 years I have never been asked. my first question is what airline are you flying on

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

have you done the 45 day thing and extended? And I’m assuming you never had a exit ticket?

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Jo **********

@Ronald ********

yes on several occasions. never been asked. about 50% i have an exit ticket and the other 50% of the time not. Just explain to them that you don’t know when you will return

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

does that work? I have seen posts where people claim they won’t be allowed to board the plane

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I haven’t decided . Most likely air Asia or one of their affiliates

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Ronald *********

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Brandon ************

@Ronald ********

you can enter Thailand using visa exempt at a land border 2 times per calendar year. There is no official limit by air. After 2-3 times you'll likely start being pulled aside at passport control and asked a lot of questions about what you're doing in Thailand and why you're trying to live here on a tourist visa. Eventually you'll be denied entry and sent packing.

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Ronald *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you

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Ronald *********

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Luc ************

@Brandon ***********

where did you hear or read that the 45 day exemption will change in 30 days after the 1st of April? Nothing decided yet and rumours say the 45 day will be extended until the end of the year.

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Frank **********

@Luc ***********

exactly; just rumors.

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Roberto *********

@Luc ***********

The 45 day concession ends on March 31. There was a rumour that TAT wanted to extend until end of the year, but Royal Thai Police don't want it. So at this stage it's March 31

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Brandon ************

@Luc ***********

the law that temporarily increased it to 45 days ends March 31st. Therefore it will go back to 30 days. We don't give advice based on newspaper articles about proposals.

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Luc ************

@Brandon ***********

owkay but still nothing confirmed so dont tell people it will change again to 30 days. Tell them they have to wait until further notice.

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John ********

@Luc ***********

go away with your rubbish attitude

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Roberto *********

@Luc ***********

It's officially March 31. Check any embassy website. If people are looking for advice now, they should be given the advice which is correct at this time.

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Luc ************

@Roberto ********

that is not my point 🤷‍♂️

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Jeff ********

@Luc ***********

the "rumors" are that it will be extended to the end of the year. The LAW says it ends March 31. This is the reality.

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Luc ************

Jeff Schott 🤡

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Jeff ********

@Luc ***********

are you offended by the truth? Grow up.

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Brandon ************

@Luc ***********

I'm telling the reality. The law ends on March 31st. As of today, it will revert to 30 days on April 1st. That is a FACT. It's much better to have people prepared for that than for them to make plans based on something that likely will not happen.

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Brandon ************

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