Hello all. I thought I'd share my visa & extension experience in case anyone might find it helpful. I'm a USA citizen and have not travelled to Thailand prior to this trip.
I arrived in Bangkok via Suvarnabhumi Airport in early Jan. 2023 from the USA.
Going through Immigration at the airport, I was granted a Visa on Arrival for 45 days. All I needed was my passport and boarding pass, no e-visas or anything like that. I was not given a TM 6 arrival card.
*Note: The 45 day visa on arrival is set to terminate in March 2023. Check the Thai Immigration website if you're reading this later.
**Location: We stopped at Immigration Division 1 Building B first, but we're promptly redirected to IT Plaza Laksi. They gave us this small slip of paper with the info; see photo.
26 days after arriving, early (9am) on a Monday morning, I went to IT Plaza Laksi, a mall where immigration has an office for processing visas.
Here it is on the map:
[members only]
The doors to the mall were locked but a kind Thai person told us to enter through the 7-eleven on the ground floor, or G4 entrance.
Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Go to Counter K.
I went with the following:
Passport
Visa Photos (4x6cm, though you can get this done next to the counter)
Copy of passport (ID page, and page with Thai visa on arrival. You can also get this done at the copy shop next to the counter)
TM 30 form (I got this from my hotel)
Pens
Step 1
Fill out application. There are 3 pages. Reference examples are posted on the wall. We took photos then sat at one of the several tables to complete our forms.
Upon completing our forms, officials checked our forms, helped us to correct any issues and then gave us a card with a number.
Step 2
Proceed into the office behind the glass windows. Go in. Don't sit outside the office. You'll see numbers on a red led screen posted in front of each window/counter. I waited 2 minutes before my number was called. (There were about 5 people waiting ahead of us) The official took my passport, paperwork and 1900 baht cash. I was then told to wait just outside the office.
Step 3
15 minutes later another official came out of the office with my passport. It was stamped with the 30 day extension (+30 after the 45 days so I get a total of 75 days). I received a receipt for the 1900 baht.
That's it.
This office closes for lunch between 12-13h
Dress appropriately. It helps.
And there's a food court on the ground floor.
I hope this helps someone. Reading all the posts here has helped me. Thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The author, a first-time traveler from the USA, shares their experience of obtaining a Visa on Arrival in Thailand, which allowed them a stay of 45 days upon arrival. They provide detailed steps for visiting the immigration office at IT Plaza Laksi to apply for a 30-day extension, including required documents, fees, and the overall process of filling out forms and receiving the extension. A helpful tip for accessing the immigration office and a note about the office hours are also included.
