I would let them activate the 60-day tourist visa on first entry, then get a re-entry permit at the airport on your departure to Cambodia. That allows you to come back into Thailand on the visa, but does not extend the original departure date. To make the full two months in Thailand, you’ll then need to get a 30-day extension at an Immigration office.

If you decide in the end not to get a tourist visa, just book a flight within the 30-day period of stay to anywhere outside Thailand on one of the low-cost carriers. Could be Cambodia, Malaysia etc. And show that at check-in as Proof of Onward Travel, so you don’t get denied boarding. Thai Immigration usually won’t check. It’s a regulation enforced by airlines.

There’s a section in the online application for “other supporting documents.” You could write a brief declaration explaining that you’re in the middle of a year-long trip and not resident in France, and sign it, then scan that and upload it. If you want, you could even provide your itinerary. That would explain any inconsistencies in your application re residence, employment etc.

When I apply for a Thai visa in Germany, the online application is directed to the embassy in Berlin, and I usually get the visa within 48 hours — one time I got it 6 hours after submission.

@Su**

, is there another country you’ll be staying in longer?

Did you get a visa on entering France? Are you living in an apartment?

@Dave **********

in France as in many countries in Europe, you must apply online. No personal visits to the embassy are possible.

In France, you cannot apply for a visa personally at the Thai embassy or consulate. You must try again online at

You will have to submit a number of scans. For the proof of legal residence in France, send a scan of your Schengen visa ie the visa you’re staying in France on. If you’re renting a house or apartment, send the rental agreement. You’ll need to send a copy of a bank statement and show some means of income. If you’re living off a pension or investment income, some statement to that effect, even one you write yourself and scan. They’re trying to prevent global nomads making a living on the internet from living in Thailand on tourist visas.

The visa will come as an emailed pdf document that you should print out and bring with you to Thailand for a 60-day stay.

My understanding is, the embassy just wants to see a return (or onward) ticket. They know you can extend by an additional 30 days in-country. The airline check-in just needs to see a visa OR onward travel within 45 days. If you have a visa, they don’t have any obligation to check for proof of onward travel.

@Ellie ******

has that now become absolutely official ie posted in the Royal Gazette?