Hi, welcome back. I love my city of Chiang Mai but absolutely cannot recommend a visit in late March or the month of April at all. The smoke and pollution is just plain horrific. It was improving the previous 2 year but last year was really bad. Many of full time locals if we can we leave for March and April to the south. You didn’t mention the islands but that might be worth looking into. Chiang Rai and basically the region around Chiang Mai every which direction gets the smoke. Just being honest, not negative, it is what it is and better to know ahead time.

click call

I found my first account at Bangkok was super easy. One weird nuance to banks here is the branch you open your account with becomes your lifetime main account there. Some things afterwards can only be done there with ease. E.g. getting a letter from the bank for immigration can only be obtained at my original location. I relocated from Chiang Mai to Phuket for a year and needed a letter. Phuket branches were happy and efficient, but they had to order the letter from Chiang Mai. Took 3 business days to arrive (no emailing a pdf) and maybe an extra 100 baht fee. So choose a location that overall be convenient for you.

@Steve *******

thanks guys, my mistake. The number got into my head somehow lol

@Richard ********

yes and yes. I believe the multiple entry is 8 times in a years period. I’m going to get one next month.

@Kool ******

thank you. This is great information.

Might want to hold out making a decision until the new Elite Rules roll out. Rumored to be details being released this week. Cheers

@Joe *************

very good idea 👍🏼. I’ve not paid much attention to this in the last 5 years. Case in point got my attention. Thanks all for sharing

@Brandon ***********

I stand corrected by the US and Canadian Embassy sites updated 22 November 2022 forward. It’s 30 days upon arrival, plus can buy an extra 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht. These same requirements are on the Ottawa Thai Embassy site. Links below for both

** Thai Visas for Americans

Home | U.S. Citizen Services | Thai Visas for Americans

From November 1, 2022 onwards, Thailand will make the e-Visa system available at 38 diplomatic and consular posts worldwide.

For more information on how to apply for e-Visas, please consult the e-Visa website at

Visa Exempt Entry

U.S. citizens carrying a tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand. The passport must have at least six months validity remaining to be allowed entry. Upon entry, Thai immigration officials will place an immigration stamp in the passport permitting a 30-day stay in Thailand if arriving by air or land. This time limit may subsequently be extended for an additional 30 days by paying a 1,900 baht fee to the Thai Immigration Bureau office. The headquarters of the Thai Immigration Bureau is located at Government Center Chaengwattana Building B, No. 120, Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Tungsonghong Sub-District, Laksi District, Bangkok , 02-141-9889. For more information or additional Thai Immigration Bureau locations, please consult the Thai Immigration Bureau website.

NOTE: The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens carrying a diplomatic or official passport obtain a visa prior to arriving in Thailand. It is sometimes possible for diplomatic or official passport holders to enter without a visa, but it is up to the discretion of the airline and/or immigration personnel and you may be denied entry.

Tourist Visas

If an individual wishes to remain in Thailand for more than 30 days, he/she may wish to obtain a tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in the United States, prior to arriving in Thailand. The tourist visa must generally be used within 90 days from the date of issue and allows an initial stay of 60 days. After arrival in Thailand, a tourist visa may be extended at the discretion of an immigration officer once for an additional 30 days with the total period of stay no longer than 90 days. There is a 1,900 Baht fee for the extension. Interested Americans should contact the Thai Immigration Bureau located at Government Center Chaengwattana Building B, No. 120, Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Tungsonghong Sub-District, Laksi District, Bangkok , 02-141-9889. For more information or additional Thai Immigration Bureau locations, please consult the Thai Immigration Bureau website.

American citizens who wish to remain in Thailand for longer than 90 days during any six-month period will be required to obtain a valid Thai visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate that is authorized to issue visas. The U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens who wish to obtain a Thai visa to contact the Thai Immigration Bureau for exact visa requirements and regulations. Persons who do not comply with visa regulations risk being denied entry to Thailand at the border.

For more information, please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. websites.

Visa Overstays

If an individual does not depart Thailand prior to expiration of his/her airport permit or visa, the individual is in the country illegally. In order to depart Thailand, it will be necessary to pay an overstay fine. The fine for overstaying a visa is 500 Baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht. The fine is payable to the Immigration Bureau, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Immigration office, or other departure point.

Those who overstay their visas for more than 200 days may be required to serve time in the Immigration Detention Center before they are deported. It is highly advisable to avoid visa overstays.

Expired short-term visas can be extended after paying a fine, but the number of days elapsed since expiration is subtracted from the extension period. Application for extension must be made by the next working day after visa expiration to avoid a fine.

Please note: applications for extension cannot be made on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thai holidays.

Thailand’s entry/exit information is subject to change without notice. For further information on Thailand’s entry/exit requirements, contact the Royal Thai Embassy, 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., , telephone 202-944-3600, or contact the Thai consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York City. Visit the Royal Thai Embassy website for the most current visa information.

**Source: %20Visas&text=The%20tourist%20visa%20must%20generally,initial%20stay%20of%2060%20days.

**Source: 958aa0d5b82

@Brandon ***********

Visiting Thailand as Tourist

Visiting Thailand is easy. Many nationalities can visit the Land of Smiles without a visa under the Visa on Arrivalrule or Visa Exemption scheme. These options allow visitors to stay for up to 30 or 45 days.

Tourists are travelers who visit the country for leisure. It is important to note that a tourist cannot work or conduct business while in the country. If a visitor is traveling for a purpose other than leisure, they will need to look at other visa options.

For holiday makers who know 30 days is never long enough, they can apply for a Tourist Visa at a local Thai Embassy or Consulate in their country.What is a Thailand Tourist Visa?A Thailand Tourist Visa is a stamp or document placed in your passport. It is needed to enter Thailand for tourism. It is issued by a Thai embassy or Consulate in your country and stamped on your passport upon arrival at the airport in Thailand. A tourist visa can be extended while in Thailand if you want to stay longer. The tourist visa should not be confused with the Visa Exemption stamp issued at the airport.Requirements for a Tourist Visa to Thailand

When applying for a tourist visa, there are certain documents needed, and a fee is paid on application. The documents and fee can change anytime and without prior notice, so contact your local embassy before organizing your applicationDocuments Required

Passport or travel document with an expiry date of no less than 6 months

Visa application form (filled out)

One(1) recent 4 x 6cm. photograph of the applicant

Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full)

Proof of financial means (10,000 baht per person/20,000 baht per family)

Proof of Hotel or private accommodation booking

Consular Officers reserve the right to request additional documents if deemed necessary. It is advisable to allow enough time before traveling to lodge your application as there is an influx of travelers applying now that Covid is less of a priority.

Visa Fee

US $30.00 (or equivalent) per entry. The Tourist Visa fee is subject to change, so it is recommended to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or consulate in your area before lodging your paperwork.

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