What should I prepare for my SETV to Thailand and what are my options if I can't get it in time?

Oct 1, 2019
5 years ago
Suzan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all,

Next Monday my partner and I will be traveling from Amsterdam to Bangkok. We have a return ticket BKK-AMS early June 2020. We were hoping to arrange a SETV from the embassy in NL and stay for 60+30 days in Thailand. Afterward, we will probably travel to another country and only come back at the end of our trip (either just to fly out, or to spend the final 2 or so weeks, not sure yet).

Because I was abroad for work and only arrived back yesterday, we are very late with the visa application and are not sure we can still arrange it before Monday. Therefore I was hoping to get some advice to streamline the process and arrange a Plan B if needed:

-I expect our return ticket from BKK in June will not be sufficient and we have to show proof of onward travel for when the visa expires. Should we book onward travel at/around 60 days, or 90 days? I.e., is the 30 days extension always granted, or should we just be safe and book something after 60 days?

-Is proof of leaving the country by bus/air when the visa expires enough, or should we provide a global plan for the entire 8 months? We have been asked to do this when we applied for a Vietnam visa for a previous trip, and it was a pain so I would like to know beforehand.

-Any other documents I should prepare, or prints I should bring?

-If we cannot get the SETV on time, what would be our best option? Visa exemption + 30 days extension, and then try for either another exemption or a SETV from Vietnam/Laos/elsewhere, or is there a better option?

For context, I have been to Thailand almost every year, but always on visa exemption and never extended before. Last trip was October 2018.

Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is traveling to Thailand and intends to apply for a Single-Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) but is uncertain about the timing and necessary documentation. They are looking for advice on proof of onward travel, required documents for entry, and alternatives if the SETV cannot be obtained before departure. Comments provide insights on proof of onward travel duration, required funds for entry, and options for visa exemptions and extensions.
Suzan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, very helpful
Benjamin ******
1. Proof of onward travel is usually 90 days. Note that your airline company may not let you on without proof of onward travel - ask them.

2. Proof of onward travel can be any method, as long as you end up in another country. It can be by bus, or plane.

3. You may be asked to show 20K Thai Baht (or equivalent), hotel booking, and your flight out at immigration in Bangkok.

4. If you can not get an SETV on time, here are your options:

a. Visa exempt. You'll get 30 days in Thailand, which can be extended by another 30 days at immigration. You can get 2 of these visa exempts by land each calendar year. If you want to stay longer then 60 days, do a border hop and cross back into Thailand the same day (the border between Kanchanburi and Myanmar is popular for people close to Bangkok).

b. Tourist visa elsewhere. Enter Thailand on a 30 day visa exemption, and then go to Laos for a tourist visa.
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