No way is it cheaper unless you are in Udon or a similar place so close.

I would have thought they would look at the arrival date of your flight? If not then if you can get stamped in after midnight, good for you. :)

@Dominic ****

Plenty of bad info from you today. Maybe better to not comment rather than confuse the man ;)

Bank Statements have always been required and not cash. Next time be as prepared as you can, research and have as many documents and proofs that you can have to cover all bases.

@Robert ******

I suppose I can see that if aiming for the absolute maximum of 270 days then you would 'lose' days. I wonder how many people actually do this and therefore are cut short by 2 weeks. I also doubt that a tourist visa would take 2 weeks to come back from Perth consulate. Think mine took 5 days or something last time I did it.

It would only affect a multiple entry visa. And in that case you would re enter before the original visa expiry date and be stamped in for a period past that date anyway. I don't see how you lose 2 weeks??

Tourist visas have to be activated by entering Thailand within 3 months of the issue date. So you might just scrape in with the 2 weeks...LOL...you then get the period of stay that starts from the entry date.

True, best option, but he is leaving in 5 days.

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.