What is the best visa option for a 6-month stay in Thailand, considering travel to Vietnam and Malaysia?

Thailand visa options Multiple Entry Tourist Visa visa extensions Hua Hin border runs travel in Thailand expat advice visa recommendations

May 7, 2024

6 months ago

David ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

What would be your VISA recommendation for visiting Thailand for a period 6 months. During that time we plan to be based in Hua Hin but also travel around other parts of Thailand and likely a couple of weeks in Vietnam & Malayasia. (so border runs may already be "built-in" to our schedule).

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TLDR : Answer Summary

For a 6-month stay in Thailand with travel plans in and out of the country, a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is recommended. This visa is valid for 6 months and grants 60 days of stay per entry, with the option to extend for an additional 30 days. Travelers can plan border runs to maximize their time in Thailand, potentially allowing for nearly 9 months of stay if managed correctly.

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

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from the day it's issued by the embassy. Every time you enter Thailand within the validity date of the visa you'll be stamped in for 60 days, and can apply once each entry for a 30 day extension. That's 90 days per entry. And if you leave and return just before the visa expires you can get nearly 9 months in Thailand.

6 months ago

David ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thx Brandon. Is this type of visa applied for at the airport or once we arrive or before we arrive?

6 months ago

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

@David ***********

There's NO visa you can apply for at the airport or upon arrival.

6 months ago

David ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

would you possibly know if it’s possible to apply for this type of visa twice in a 12 month period?

6 months ago

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

@David ***********

that depends on your embassy. As Kool mentioned you can only get it at the Thai embassy in your home country.

But you're probably not going to be let into the country after you try entering again as a tourist after 6-9 months already in the country as a tourist. You can't live in Thailand without a long term visa.

6 months ago

David ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

my plan is to first be in Thailand for 3 months, then away for 3month, then back in Thailand for 6 months.

Just trying to see if this is possible on tourist visas only.

6 months ago

Henrik *****

Then you are taking about 2 seperate visa periods, and at least the first one can be done with a 60 days touristvisa + 30 day extension at the Immigration.

Depending on you passport, you can apply for the touristvisa online from your homecountry through the thaievisa.go.th. website.

For the 2. visit, you may be able to apply for that directly at the Thai embassy in the country, you visit between the 2 Thailand visits, or you could choose to “only” stay 60 days, with a 30 day visa excempt + 30 days extension.

It make a huge difference, that it is 2 seperate stays in Thailand, instead of 1.

But it is also depending on which passport you have.

6 months ago

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

@David ***********

it's possible until it's not. All depends on the immigration officer you're standing in front of.

6 months ago

David ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

yes that’s the answer I’ve been struggling with when trying to plan. It’s the great unknown

6 months ago

Reply to

David ************