I am currently in Thailand on an O-A visa which expires on 29 Aug 20. I am stamped in until 14 Jan 21. I plan to leave the country on 13 Apr 20 and return before the visa expiry date in Aug 20 and get stamped in for a further year (less 2 days). However, due to uncertainties with covid-19 restrictions, I may well not be allowed into Thailand before my visa expires. To mitigate that eventuality, I am considering obtaining a single entry re-entry permit before I leave to keep alive my stamped in date of 14 Jan 21. My question is this: If I do actually manage to enter before my visa expiry date of 29 Aug 20, what will happen? Will I get stamped in until 27 Aug 21, or will I only get stamped in until the current exit date of 14 Jan 21. Which takes precedence, the re-entry permit, or the visa?
TLDR : Answer Summary
If you obtain a single entry re-entry permit and manage to re-enter Thailand before your O-A visa expires on 29 August 2020, you will be stamped in for a new year on that visa, as it is a multiple entry visa. However, if you are unable to re-enter before the visa expires, you would then be stamped in until the previous entry stamp's expiry on 14 January 2021, due to the re-entry permit.
