ATTENTION MEMBERS:
People are asking what is the difference between a "visa on arrival" and a "visa exempt" entry.
People from 18 countries BUY a visa on arrival when they land here, it costs 2000baht and it is good for 15 days and it cannot be extended (other than the 7 day extension denied stamp) and they do NOT qualify for a covid extension under this new program.
These are the 18 visa on arrival countries; Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu
People from 51 countries can show up here without having bought a visa from a thai consulate in their country before they came here and get stamped in for FREE for 30 days on what's called a "visa exempt entry". This entry can be extended ONCE for 30 days and this entry does qualify for the covid extension under the new program;
These are the 51 visa exempt countries; Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom & United States
There is also a 'visa waiver' entry really reciprocal visa entry. It gets people from certain countries stamped in for 14, 30 or 90 days depending on how long thaiz get stamped in when they go to those countries, This is them;
90 day entry countries; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea (*temporarily, suspended), Peru <- these countries cannot get a 30 day extension BUT do qualify for the covid extension
30 day entry countries; Hong Kong, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam <- these countries cannot get a 30 day extension BUT do qualify for the covid extension (or it would seem that they do because they are not mentioned in the order as prohibited)
14 day entry countries; Cambodia, Myanmar (for air arrivals only) <- these countries cannot get a 30 day extension BUT do qualify for covid extensions (or it would seem that they do because they are not mentioned in the order as prohibited)
Correct terminology is CRITICAL to you understanding the stamp you're on and whether you qualify for covid extensions (or any extension).
Hope that was helpful
