If you go to Vientiane Laos and apply for a 60 day tourist visa you will NOT need any proof for your stay or flights at all. HOWEVER, always carry more than 20k baht or other currency on your person on arrival back at the border for entry into Thailand. Need an overnight stay in Laos to get the visa. Take a western country currency when getting the Laos visa or they will charge you in THB, which is more than the fee. You can use THB for expenses in Laos or USD.

Yes on all of the above. But a 30 day exemption and also a 60 day tourist visa can both be extended for 30 days at immigration. so with an exemption and extension, border cross, Tourist visa and extension....you would be able to stay for 5 months (2 and then 3) in Thailand total.

@Gregor *********

I think they are actually trying to reduce the complication. Yes OK sometimes the terms are wrong (visa vs extension of stay, admitted till date, etc), but if they told people to follow the validity of their original visa, people would think they can stay longer than they can. They would get confused and NOT check the stamp. This happens all the time. So focussing on the stamp (as they mention and call it a visa) is a good strategy. Sometimes the perfectly correct terms don't really matter, as it is as clear as day on the stamp when you have to leave. If I am on an extension of a visa, I still say I have a visa, and so does everyone else.

Unlikely to be asked for, but it is possible when checking in for the flight. Usually is never asked for on arrival to Thailand.

Fair play. I was fairly sure that coming from abroad needs a new TM30. But then I don't live in CM and am basing this on Jomtien....so many offices are different. I know if you want an extension of a visa you need a new one there (Jomtien)..

@Barry *****

He has been put of the country. He needs a new TM30 I would think.

It is unlikely you will be asked, but if they do, you should have 20k baht or equivalent in cash.

Yes but she called the authorities and pretty much invited them into her home to check on her immigration status.......LOL :) In general if not extending, there is no need to do the TM30.

What visa do you have...? If just on a tourist or VE, then there is pretty much no reason unless you will be extending later.

Very few people...??? Everyone tips them