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What is the best visa option for a 6-week trip to Bangkok?
May 10, 2024
2 years ago
Andrew *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi folks. I’m planning a trip to Bangkok for 6 weeks next February. The plan is to buy my return air ticket (UK) soon and then, once in Thailand, extend my tourist visa. Is this how you would do it ? Thanks for your help.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the best visa options for a 6-week trip to Bangkok. It notes that tourists can either apply for a 60-day tourist visa through the evisa website or arrive on a 30-day visa exemption, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at local immigration. Participants clarify that for a 6-week stay, a tourist visa would typically suffice without the need for an extension.
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Bart **************
Largely, except that I wouldn't extend the visa. It's good for 60 days.
Paul *****
30 days on arrival and then extend whilst in Bangkok. 1900 THB I think?
Henrik *****
No, best way is 60 day Touristvisa, applied for at
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Pascal ********
@Paul ****
Think? Why answer if you don't know?Paul *****
@Pascal *******
Pardon me for breathing Pascal! Just trying to be helpful.Reply to
Paul *****
Reply
Jan ******************
You have two options;
-apply for a 60 days tourist visa online before you leave.
-arrive without any visa on a 30 days visa exemption and extend it with 30 days at your local immigration. Formally you’ll need an onward ticket out of Thailand within 30 days if you arrive on visa exemption, even though you are entitled to an extension.
-apply for a 60 days tourist visa online before you leave.
-arrive without any visa on a 30 days visa exemption and extend it with 30 days at your local immigration. Formally you’ll need an onward ticket out of Thailand within 30 days if you arrive on visa exemption, even though you are entitled to an extension.
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Andrew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
oh I see. If I arrive on a 30 day exemption - how strick are they about that ?Jan ******************
@Andrew ********
It’s rarely checked at the immigration, but you can risk your airline will ask for it and potentially deny you check-in as they can be fined and responsible for your return if formal requirements aren’t fulfilled. I would advise you to call your airline and ask or/and buy a cheap onward ticket out (£ 30 -40). If you apply for a tourist visa before you leave you’ll cover all your stay in once and you don’t need to spend time and money at the immigration in Thailand for an extension either.Andrew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
thanks again.Chris *******
@Andrew ********
just take a flexible return ticket or bus/flight ticket to neigbouroud country .. then extend 30 days to your local immigration officeHenrik *****
Flexibel Tickets are more expensive.
Visa excempt + extension is more expensive, than traveling on a 60 day touristvisa, and there is no need to waste money on a onward ticket, and you have to reserve holiday time to go to Immigration (twice).
Visa excempt + extension is more expensive, than traveling on a 60 day touristvisa, and there is no need to waste money on a onward ticket, and you have to reserve holiday time to go to Immigration (twice).
Brandon ************
@Chris ******
it makes no sense to do that. The extension costs more than a tourist visa and you have to waste a day of your vacation going to get the extension. Applying for a tourist visa takes 10-15 minutes from the comfort of your own home.Chris *******
@Brandon ***********
you right.. the only thing to enter in exemption.. you don't have to apply and justify anything ..Brandon ************
@Chris ******
you might have to justify to your airline that you're leaving Thailand in 30 days even if you want to stay longerReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
A tourist visa gives you 60 days. Why would you need to extend anything if you're planning on going for 6 weeks?
Just apply for tourist visa through the evisa website after you book your flight. About 1 month before you trip is when you would want to apply as the visa is valid for 90 days after it's issued.
Just apply for tourist visa through the evisa website after you book your flight. About 1 month before you trip is when you would want to apply as the visa is valid for 90 days after it's issued.
Andrew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
ok thanks. I thought a tourist visa, upon arrival, was 30 days ??John ********
@Andrew ********
You should of worded it arriving visa exempt, which is thirty days, which as the experts say you can extend to give you sixty days. The moderator that replied to your initial query thought you were getting a visa before you travel.Andrew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
for myself who is new to this it’s a bit of a minefield. It’s great that you guys are around to help.Reply to
John ********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Andrew ********
there's no such thing as a tourist visa on arrival. If you arrive without a visa you can receive a 30 day visa exempt stamp. It's NOT visa. It's in the name visa exempt, meaning exempt from needing a visa.
Why would you waste a day at immigration applying for an extension and pay more than the price of the visa for that extension when you can just get it all online before your trip?
It's also possible if you fly without a visa that your airline will not let you board your flight without proof of leaving Thailand within 30 days.
Andrew *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
ok - thanks again. Sounds like the 60 day visa is the way to go.Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
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