Answered4 years ago

What should I do when my visa-exempt entry is about to expire in Thailand?

Visa Exempt Immigration Issues Pattaya Visa Extensions Travel to Cambodia Entry Denial

Dan ******

asked Aug 25, 2022

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Recently was questioned by immigration at Suvarnabhumi airport after returning from a short 5 day trip to Phnom Penh. Was allowed entry (visa exempt) after booking an exit flight within 30 days, but it seemed as if they were considering denial.

When my visa exempt 30 days + extension is due to expire, what would be my best course of action? Are land borders less likely to be as strict on previous stamps? I'm in Pattaya.

Answer summary

The user, recently questioned by immigration after re-entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis, seeks advice on actions to take once their visa-exempt stay of 30 days plus extension is nearing expiration. They inquire whether land border crossings might be less strict regarding previous immigration stamps.

13 repliesnewest first

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James ********

Similar situation posted today

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4 years ago

Tod *********

and before you came back from Phnom Penh had you been living here on visa exempt, tourist visa and or covid extensions for a period of time?

As a rule the only people they pull aside and question OR make book onward travel on the spot are people they think are trying to live here on the wrong stamp.

4 years ago

Dan ******

@Tod ********

Likely to convert to an Education visa begining of next year, but haven't yet decided to stay in Pattaya or move to Phuket. So before enrolling in a school I'm looking for an interim solution for the next few months.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Dan *****

and 2 land border bounces along with the 30 day extensions you can get on each of those would buy you 4 months Not to mention you just came in on a 30 day visa exempt and can extend that for 30 days too

So you got about 6 months to figure it out 🙂

4 years ago

Alf ***********

@Dan *****

, from Pattaya I would recommend using one of the the many "visa run companies".

For a border bounce they will take you to Cambodia. Depending on the company you use, you might not even enter Cambodia. You'll be sitting in "no man's land" while the two countries Immigration exchange stamps.

You'll be leaving in the morning and return late afternoon on the same day.

Total cost is around 2000 baht.

At least that's how it worked before Covid-19

4 years ago

Dan ******

Okay thanks. Are there better land borders to go than others? Which would be reccomended from Pattaya?

4 years ago

Dan ******

@Tod ********

Left Thailand August 2021 and returned 16 June 2022 on visa exempt. Was here for ~6 weeks and went to Phnom Penh 2 weeks prior to my extension stamp expiring. Stayed there for 5 days then returned.

Prior to leaving Thailand Aug 2021 though I had been on a Volunteer visa. Was a Visa Exempt + 30 day ext then converted to a 3 months Non-B + 12 month volunteer visa. Stayed the majority of this time, with a 3 month trip out to the US, re-entering Thailand on the Volunteer visa with a re-entry permit.

It's the volunteer visa stamp that they don't like seeing it would appear.

4 years ago

Alf ***********

@Dan *****

, there's your answer.

The fake volunteer visa and extension is the reason.

Dan ******

Okay thank you

Tod *********

, people from pattaya use a visa run company that takes them to Ban Pakard. GO talk to some visa run companies down there. If you go with one of them it won't matter the border you bounce at because they "grease the wheel"

4 years ago

Alf ***********

@Dan *****

, I will let others answer who is the least strict.

4 years ago

Dan ******

@Alf **********

Yes I understand that is the stamp that they don't like, but my question is are land borders likely to be less strict on my previous stamps than Suvarnabhumi immigration? And if so which land border would be best?

4 years ago

Tod *********

you are allowed to enter by land TWO times a year on 30 day visa exempt entries SO that's not a long term viable thing for you (although it could buy you another 4 months year (two 30 day visa exempt entries and a 30 day extension on each of those entries)

4 years ago