My husband and I, US citizens, will be traveling to Chiang Mai on November 29 and hope to stay until March or April. We have been looking through the group posts daily and would like clarification regarding Visas.
We want to travel to neighboring countries during our stay in CM and understand that with an METV we can travel in/out of Thailand multiple times. Our question is, when applying for an METV with the Thai embassy (in US), do we need to show one set of entering/leaving Thailand or multiple proofs of travel in and back into Thailand to ensure they grant us the METV? Do we need to show the same proof of travel to Thai Immigration when initially arriving in Thailand? We understand that the airlines want to see onward travel when departing the US. Does Thai Immigration care?
If we get a SETV do we have to stay in Thailand for 60 days before we can travel out and back into the country? In this case what proof of travel do we need to show the Thai Embassy (in US) when getting our visas? Do we need to show the same proof of travel to Thai Immigration when we arrive in Thailand? We understand that the airlines want to see onward travel when departing the US. Does Thai Immigration care?
We understand we can get extensions on both visas to stay longer in Thailand.
One last question, is there an advantage to going to the Thai Embassy in US to apply for our Visas instead of doing an E-Visa?
We hope we are clear in our questions.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on the requirements for obtaining a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for Thailand, specifically regarding proof of travel when applying at the Thai embassy in the US and upon arrival in Thailand. They inquire about necessary documentation for both METV and Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) and whether Thai Immigration checks onward travel proof. Comments indicate that to apply for an METV, proof of multiple travel itineraries is needed, but Thai Immigration is less likely to verify this upon arrival.
