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What is the best way for an American in Vietnam to obtain a tourist visa for Thailand?

Visa Process Tourist Visa Thailand Visa Visa Extension Americans in Thailand E-Visa Visa Exemption Border Run

Sep 29, 2022

2 years ago

Christopher *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, 

I'm an American currently in Vietnam.

I'm flying over to Thailand mid-Oct and wanted to stay for 3-months.

Is best option to go on e-visa website and apply for the 60-day tourist visa, then pay for a 30-day extension at immigration after I land? 

I don't want to mess w/ timely border runs or any of that nonsense.

Thank you for your time.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An American currently in Vietnam is seeking advice on the best way to obtain a tourist visa for Thailand for a 3-month stay. The initial plan was to apply for a 60-day tourist visa online and then extend it by 30 days upon arrival. However, due to the distance from the Thai embassies in Vietnam and the related hassles, the individual decided to utilize the 45-day visa exemption upon arrival, followed by a 30-day extension while in Chiang Mai, and subsequently perform a border run to Myanmar to obtain additional time.

Christopher *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

*Update* Thanks everyone for the input & advice - glad I checked with this group beforehand.

Anyways, I've decided to NOT apply for a 60-day tourist visa ahead of time.

The reason being is I'm based in Hoi An, Vietnam - and the two embassies in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh city are quite far away and would require flights, hotel booking, waiting around a few days to process, etc. It's not worth the time & hassle.

So instead - will do the 45-day visa exemption on arrival - then do a 30-day extension while living in Chiang Mai. This will give me 75-days.

After that, will do a border run to Mai Sai, Burma to get another 45-days [has anyone done this recently?]

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Yogesh *******

@Christopher ********

cheapest and quickest would be a direct return flight to HCM. One night there and back next day. So keep some of those dongs. Oh, and no visa fees for many different passport holders both ways.

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James ********

@Christopher ********

all Land BORDER locations in Myanmar are CLOSED to foreigners.

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James ********

LAOS is open.

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Christopher *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Do you know which Laos route would be easiest from Chaing Mai? Thank you

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Tod *********

@Christopher ********

Chiang Khong /Huay Xia is the Lao border you bounce out and back from Chiang Mai, it's about 5 hours from CM city.

There are companies up there that make that run couple times a week or you can figure it out on your own.

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Tod *********

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Christopher *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

oh man, nothing is easy anymore lol. thanks for heads up on this.

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Christopher *********

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James ********

You need to get the SETV Tourist Visa from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City Thai Embassy/Consulate.

Be sure to read the specific requirements for the tourist visa on their websites.

Ho Chi Minh City requires an appointment to submit your application. At Hanoi you can Walk up to submit your application.

Carefully read the bank statement requirements for the visa.

I have placed the TOPICS of Vietnam on your post...

CLICK on them and all posts about getting a Thai Visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam will Pop up to read.

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Christopher *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi James, thx for the info. I thought I could use the evisa website. it even said this on a pop up about new Sept.26th guidelines stating no longer needed to go physical embassy. Am I missing something? Thx.

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Ellie *******

@Christopher ********

That means you don't have to go to the physical embassy ONLY in the country that joins eVisa system, not all around the world.

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James ********

@Christopher ********

you use the Evisa online application when you are in your home country.

You are not in your home country. Make application for the tourist visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam.

Unless you plan on flying from the USA to Thailand.

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Christopher *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Got it, thx for clarification gentlemen :)

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James ********

@Christopher ********

you are welcome.

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James ********

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Ellie *******

You are supposed to apply for a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General in the country where you are currently staying.

The best and right way is to go to the Thai embassy in HCMC or Consulate in Hanoi to apply for SETV.

You will be stamped for 60 days, Then apply for 30 days tourist visa once you are in Thailand. Your stay would be 90 days consecutively, as arrival date is day 1.

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Dooley ******

I did this exactly after almost 9 months on the 6 month Multiple Entry Visa.

I went to HCMC Thai Embassy and applied for 60 day. Then in Thailand I extended it by 30 days.

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Dooley ******

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