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What happens to my 60-day tourist visa if I leave Thailand before it expires?

Thai Visa Rules Tourist Visa Extension 60-Day Tourist Visa Visa Exemption Travel and Immigration Exiting Thailand Re-entry into Thailand

Mar 26, 2025

a month ago

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

If you leave Thailand during the 60-day tourist visa period - say for a week - and the 60 day period ends while you’re out of the country, do you need the 30-day extension before you leave, or when you return? All input appreciated.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

If you leave Thailand during the 60-day tourist visa period, that visa stamp is canceled upon exit. When you return, you will receive a new entry stamp, whether it's a free 60-day stamp or otherwise. Therefore, you do not need the 30-day extension before leaving. The extension is irrelevant once you exit the country.

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Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Many thanks, I didn’t realize it worked this way

a month ago

Nick *******

As soon as you leave the country the visa exemption ends, whether or not you have an extension.

a month ago

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nick ******

thanks, I didn’t realize it worked this way

a month ago

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nick ******

thank you

a month ago

Reply to

Gary **********

Tod *********

With over 90 countries getting stamped in FREE stamp for 60 days on the visa exempt program I am doubtful you're talking about a real 60 day tourist visa entry <- from a visa you buy from a thai consulate before you come here 😕

If you're here on a 60 day free stamp and you leave, that stamp cancels when you exit, and when you come back you'd get stamped in for a NEW 60 day free entry stamp

the 30 day extension has nothing to do with it, when you stamp out of thailand the 60 day stamp you arrived on cancels. Then you get a new one when you come back to thailand

a month ago

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Some people say you can do this indefinitely, others say it’s at the sole discretion of the officer and can be refused at any time, the implication being they may think you are trying to live here under the 60 day tourist visa. Would 2-3 times a year seem reasonable?

a month ago

Tod *********

You'll be able to fly in, and using a service get out and back on another entry, BUT doing it yourself (trying to border bounce) can often end up not working out that well

a month ago

Tod *********

@Gary *********

no one is buying tourist visas because most everyone gets in for 60 days FREE stamp on the visa exempt entry program

you're not gonna live here on free 60 day (soon to be 30 day) entry stamps 🙁

Sooner or later you'll get pulled aside and asked WTH you think you're doing trying to live here on free stamp entries. Then you'll be 'encouraged' to get a visa to stay here OR denied entry outright.

a month ago

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thanks, I am trying to wade through the various visa options to eventually move here full-time. Currently I am expecting to visit multiple times in a year. I want to choose the visa process that is the correct Thai and ‘right’ way but don’t understand my options yet.

a month ago

Graham ******

@Gary *********

The "right" way may be to get a retirement visa now if you qualify as the 12 month extension plus a multi-enrty re-entry permit gets you unlimited entries during that 12 months and a new extension once a year.

a month ago

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

Thank you. As I am reading through the options, a retirement visa seems likely a valid choice.

a month ago

Reply to

Gary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Many thanks, I didn’t realize it worked this way. I guess that’s why friends keep mentioning the border run. I’m still a newbie 🙏

a month ago