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Will traveling to Vietnam affect my Thai visa extensions and entry status?

Thai Visa RulesVisa ExtensionVisa Exempt EntryVisa RunTravel to VietnamEntry StampVisa on Arrival vs. Visa Exempt
Nov 15, 2023
a year ago
Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi đź‘‹

My husband and I have come to Thailand twice this year - once at the end of May and we did one 30 day extension of our visas then. We came the second time in the middle of October and have extended again. However, we are now going to Vietnam for a week.

Will the visa on arrival over ride our current extension?

If it does, will we be able to get another extension ?

If it doesn’t will we be able to do a visa run to get an extension?

TIA. Cheers Tamar
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the impact of traveling to Vietnam on their Thai visa situation. They have extended their visas twice already and want to know if a visa on arrival will override their current extension, whether they can obtain another extension, and if not, how a visa run could affect their status. Respondents clarify that they likely entered Thailand under visa exemption, receiving a 30-day entry stamp, and upon returning from Vietnam, they would receive a new stamp and could apply for another extension.
Brandon ************
What country passport do you have?

I'm assuming you have been entering Thailand without any visa at all, so you are entering with visa exempt and receiving a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

It's not visa on arrival, it's visa exempt. Visa on arrival is something you apply for and pay for at the airport.

When you return from Vietnam you will receive a new 30 day entry stamp and you are eligible to apply for a 30 day extension on each entry.
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 - thanks. I’m on an Australian passport. So there’s no limitations on how many visa exempts or extensions I could have this year?
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
We’re flying with Thai Air both times and they didn’t ask but then they would’ve seen the bookings.
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Tamar **********
 Thank you Tamar... I am still trying to understand what exactly they would have seen....You or They wouldn't have known for sure that you were guaranteed an extension so how could you name and book the "return" date.

Apologise if I am missing something?
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 - the Thai Air staff didn’t ask to see a visa or our return ticket.

Interestingly, the first time we came the first leg of our flight was a domestic flight in Australia and the desk clerk questioned us about having a return ticket in 2 months time when we didn’t have a 2 month visa. We had to convince her that we knew since we’d done it before, that we could get an extension of 30 days. So that was a bit stressful because she didn’t believe us and spent a lot trying to read the rules!!!!
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Tamar **********
 Thank you Tamar. The reason I was confused was because I thought when one purchases a "return ticket" ...the outbound and return ticket shows both the dates on the one ticket. Therefore when you are checking in they can see at a glance that you will be staying more than the 30 days...But when you explained about the domestic flight episode, that explains it...

For myself, I think I'll just book a return flight within the 30 days and change it again after getting the extension....to save the possible hassle...I had a Retirement Ext. for 23 years and didn't have to care about this aspect of the flight.

Thanks again..Cheers.
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 - where are you flying from? The only issue about changing your flight is that it will cost you!

As I said the Thai Air staff had no issue at all any of the times we flew with them and there have been many!
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Tamar **********
 I will be flying out from Dublin, Ireland.. we don't have a Thai Airways leaving from here.
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A thought- can you get a 2 month visa in Dublin before you go? We can in Australia but you need to do it more than 2 weeks before you go
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 -that’s a shame. I guess it’s best to play it safe.
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
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Bob ********
@Tamar **********
 May I ask...What type of ticket did you have each time you went to Thailand. Was it just a "one way" when entering Thailand or did you need a ticket showing you were leaving again on a certain date. I ask because one is suppose to have a ticket showing you are leaving within 30 days when entering on a "visa exempt"...and you wouldn't be sure that you will get the extension so wouldn't know for sure what date you would be leaving ?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Bob *******
 Thailand doesn't care about your ticket out of the country. It's your airline they might ask and refuse to let you board your flight unless you show them your ticket out within the number of days you'll be stamped in for.
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Brandon ***********
 I was just informed by a friend Brandon that he used to buy an "open return" ticket...I never heard of this type of ticket, have you...I will ask him more about it when I next see him.

P.S. He just informed me it was a ticket with a "flexible" return date. His Travel Agent insisted on a return date within the 30 days...but then it could be changed afterwards.
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Brandon ***********
 Thank you for clearing that up Brandon.
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 - both times
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 - we have return tickets to Australia
a year ago
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Tamar ***********
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Tamar ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cool. Thanks 🙏
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Tamar **********
 Kind of.

You are limited to entering at a land border without a visa to only 2 times per calendar year.

There is no limit written in any law or guideline about how many times you can arrive by air. Until the immigration officers tell you that you can't do it anymore. As long as you're traveling around and seem like a tourist, there shouldn't be any issues.
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Brandon ***********
 As a matter of curiousity Brandon...How would the Immigration Officers know if you have been travelling around or not...(I assume you mean within Thailand).
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Bob *******
 I mean if they see you've been leaving Thailand and traveling to other countries in the region.
a year ago
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Bob ********
@Brandon ***********
 Cheers!
a year ago
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Bob ********
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