Do I need a Thailand visa?

ToTheSea:

Going to Thaliand in june for 9 weeks and will most likely visit Laos as well. Will I need a visa?
I read somewhere that I can have up to 90days without a visa, does anyone know if this is correct?
Thanks, TTS:

falan

Pretty sure that you will get a 30 day visa on arrival. If you want more than that you have to apply..

ToTheSea:

you sure? I read that in April they decided to extend the free 45day visa till april next year, and if you leave and come back by land you can get up to 90 days. I read through loads of things but the jargon muddled my mind. SO still quite unsure. Anyone gone for that amount of time before, visa-less?
Also, how long would it take to get a visa? need one asap.

falan

ToTheSea: wrote: »

you sure? I read that in April they decided to extend the free 45day visa till april next year, and if you leave and come back by land you can get up to 90 days. I read through loads of things but the jargon muddled my mind. SO still quite unsure. Anyone gone for that amount of time before, visa-less?
Also, how long would it take to get a visa? need one asap.

I can't say i'm sure, no...

You could try phuket-info.com/forums

Helpful group of guys over there who know their stuff:)

ToTheSea:

Thanks, Will Have a look over there now.

falan

Yeah, great source of info for all things Thailand. Good luck and have a nice trip

spongeman

Another excellent resource is thaivisa.com.

ToTheSea:

Spongeman1 wrote: »

Another excellent resource is thaivisa.com.

Ok, looking on this site it says

"Q. I plan to visit other countries around Thailand and I plan to be in Thailand for less than 30 days. However my airline ticket shows more than 30 days in Thailand. Do I need to apply for a visa[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
....A. Yes. If your airline ticket shows more than 30 days you must apply for a visa before entering Thailand even if you plan to obtain an airline or rail ticket to a third country upon arrival in Thailand.[/FONT] "

Thing is, I leave in a week and it takes 5 working days to do. Is there anything that can be done at this stage? Can one be bought there?

spongeman

No visa needed up to 29 days.

Single entry visa - gives 60 days.

Multiple entry visa - each visa is 60 days. However you must leave the country and then return. Laos is the best option at the moment.
ou are likely to have problems in Penang. Did many visa runs in the 1990's there but its not a friendly option now.

Oh yes and do not overstay.........

spongeman

ToTheSea: wrote: »

Ok, looking on this site it says

"Q. I plan to visit other countries around Thailand and I plan to be in Thailand for less than 30 days. However my airline ticket shows more than 30 days in Thailand. Do I need to apply for a visa
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]....A. Yes. If your airline ticket shows more than 30 days you must apply for a visa before entering Thailand even if you plan to obtain an airline or rail ticket to a third country upon arrival in Thailand.[/FONT] "

Thing is, I leave in a week and it takes 5 working days to do. Is there anything that can be done at this stage? Can one be bought there?

One option is to go there, then just before expiration is go to Laos and get one there. Then come back over the border. Thaivisa will have a run through.Can you get one in Bangkok ? Im not sure but immigration is located at Chaeng Wattana there.

ToTheSea:

Spongeman1 wrote: »

One option is to go there, then just before expiration is go to Laos and get one there. Then come back over the border. Thaivisa will have a run through.Can you get one in Bangkok ? Im not sure but immigration is located at Chaeng Wattana there.

Thats what is probably going to happen. Hopefully we dont get questioned too much at the airport. Then do a visa run somewhere. Really should have thought of this sooner.

Do you think if I rang the Thai embassy the could issue a "fast track" sort of emergency thing? or is that wishfull thinking?

spongeman

I believe the 90 days relates to the 60 days on arrival with visa + 30 you can get with an extension in Bangkok ?

ToTheSea:

Yeah, I was confused earlier about the 90day thing. But now I dont have a visa at all. Only the free 30 day one. My plane ticket is in/out of bangkok with 63 days inbetween. would there be a place in the airport to get a 60 day one?

spongeman

ToTheSea: wrote: »

Thats what is probably going to happen. Hopefully we dont get questioned too much at the airport. Then do a visa run somewhere. Really should have thought of this sooner.

Do you think if I rang the Thai embassy the could issue a "fast track" sort of emergency thing? or is that wishfull thinking?

I believe the passport has to be posted ? Silly I know. Give them a call perhaps. Now its a PO box number.

spongeman

ToTheSea: wrote: »

Yeah, I was confused earlier about the 90day thing. But now I dont have a visa at all. Only the free 30 day one. My plane ticket is in/out of bangkok with 63 days inbetween. would there be a place in the airport to get a 60 day one?

The Airport only issues visas in emergency cases. No chance mate in this case.

spongeman

ToTheSea: wrote: »

Yeah, I was confused earlier about the 90day thing. But now I dont have a visa at all. Only the free 30 day one. My plane ticket is in/out of bangkok with 63 days inbetween. would there be a place in the airport to get a 60 day one?

No chance there mate. Airport only issues visas in extreme cases.

ToTheSea:

Spongeman1 wrote: »

I believe the passport has to be posted ? Silly I know. Give them a call perhaps. Now its a PO box number.

I know, thats why I cant do that. Will have to ring tomorrow so.
Are thai checks thourough in bangkok?

spongeman

No you should be fine. Just be polite, they dont like rudeness, it make them go into their shell.

ToTheSea:

Spongeman1 wrote: »

it make them go into their shell.

Sorry, What?

spongeman

I mean they wont serve you at all. And Thailand is not a good place to get into trouble.

ToTheSea:

Spongeman1 wrote: »

I mean they wont serve you at all. And Thailand is not a good place to get into trouble.

Ah right ok. Thanks for the heads up.

Ok heres my plan. i went onto travelfish.org and it said this:


Thailand

Thailand has a multitude of visa options and requirements -- you're best off going to the horse's mouth at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the full spiel.
IMPORTANT As of early December 2008, Thailand's visa-free-entry rules have changed -- effective immediately. If you're entering Thailand for tourism purposes and you're from one of the following 40 countries, you're eligible for a free 30-day stay in Thailand -- if you arrive by air. If you arrive by an overland crossing you will be granted only 15 days. You can leave Thailand and re-enter Thailand to get another 30 days for a total duration of 90 days within 6 months (assumming each time you arrive is by air). This means, for example, if you're planning a trip to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, which involves four stays in Thailand of ten days each, you DO NOT NEED to get a visa in advance. However if one of the stays is longer than 15 days, and you're arriving by land, you will need a tourist visa. If you're planning on more than 90 days in Thailand though, you will need to look into getting a proper Tourist visa at a Thai consulate or embassy.

that means we can fly somewhere on day 29 and return in a week/ten days with a new 30 visa that would cover us till the end of the trip. problem solved! hopefully:p

EDIT: obviously I'll buy the airline ticket prior to when I depart next week.

spongeman

Party on then !!!!!!

jimmay

I'm after reading this thread and the official Thai consulate information website and I'm still none the wiser only more confused. I was planning on heading over in 10 days for the guts of the summer (2 and a half months). I don't know what visa I need or should do? Anyone know?