Thailand 30 day tourist visas now allow up to 60 days

[Rockheart]

Travelers from the 49 countries that can enter Thailand on a 30 day visa can now get a 30 day extension for 1800 baht.
I assume that is much cheaper than the fines for staying late.
Never have i actually stayed in Thailand over 30 days but maybe in the future I will.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/429056/tourists-get-extended-visas

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2014/9/2/101332/1241/travel/What+You+Need+to+Know+About+Thailand's+New+Visa+Regulations+

672084.jpg

[rxpharm]

This change was the result of the previous announced visa changes as published in The Nation, July 15, 2014. This was to eliminate visa runs by foreigners who were staying in Thailand well beyond the 30 day initial visit.

No more visa runs

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong,
Somchai Samart
The Nation July 15, 2014 1:00 am

Immigration authorities will not let visa runners return after August 12

FOREIGNERS WHO do regular visa runs in order to extend their stay in Thailand have less than a month before a crackdown by the authorities to enforce immigration laws more strictly.

From August 13, people will not be able to re-enter the country, regardless of their choice of transport.

The Immigration Bureau has already instructed officials to deny entry to foreigners doing visa runs as a measure to stop the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions to live or work here.

Visa runs have been common among foreigners in Thailand recently, given that a simple search on the Net turns up several companies offering "visa trips" for expatriates staying or working here.

Visa runners are those who leave Thailand and return immediately for the purpose of extending their stay. By exploiting 60-day tourist visas and 30-day visa exemptions, many foreigners can work illegally in language schools, or restaurants and other businesses. It is easier for some to get jobs this way, as some employers do not want to go through the complicated process of seeking work permits and like to avoid the expense if they can.

"I have done visa runs several times before, because my employers would not agree to seek a work permit until I passed their probation period. So, when you stop allowing visa runs, the lives of many foreigners in Thailand will be affected," a 46-year-old American said.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau website says: "Leniency will be granted until August 12, but only for passengers arriving by air. Foreigners who come to Thailand must seek a proper visa in line with the purpose of their intended stay here."

Now, those on a visa run who are allowed back in will find an "O-I" (Out-In) mark next to their latest stamp marking entry. From August 13, nobody with an O-I sign on their passport will be allowed to re-enter Thailand if they cannot produce a proper visa.

The Immigration Bureau has instructed checkpoints on shared borders to stop visa runners from entering the Kingdom effective immediately.

Immigration Division 6 chief Pol Maj-General Tatchai Pitaneelabut, who oversees immigration affairs in the South, said visa runners come from several countries, including Vietnam, South Korea and Russia.

"They come here to work as tour guides, waiters, waitresses, etc," he said, pointing out that these visa-runners are often based in tourist centres such as Phuket and Songkhla.

However, he said the presence of the so-called "out-in" migrants in the South had been significantly reduced because immigration officials were already enforcing stricter laws.

Pol Lt-Colonel Weerawat Nilwat, an inspector at the Sungai Kolok border checkpoint in Narathiwat province, disclosed that immigration officials at his workplace had already barred more than 100 visa-runners from re-entering the Kingdom.

"We have to be strict because we have to uphold laws and properly control immigrants. Efficiency on this front will also reduce crime," he said.

Pol Colonel Thirachai Dedkhad, the superintendent at the Sa Kaew checkpoint, said officials under his supervision were not stopping visa runners from re-entering yet. "But we have been warning them to acquire a proper visa before they come to Thailand the next time."

He said immigration officials had also warned people departing that they must obtain a proper visa if they want to come back.

"We have made it clear that if they want to work in Thailand, they must seek a work permit and get the right type of visa," Thirachai said.

However they realized that some foreigners had legitimate reasons to say more than 30 days (ie, married to a Thai wife, but teaching/working overseas, and coming home for holidays of more than 30 days.

[George Pill]

Here in the USA you can pick up a 60-day tourist visa for only US$40.00. A 3-month one is US$60. Better to do it before you go. Cheaper.

[FunIsAnArtForm]

Here in the USA you can pick up a 60-day tourist visa for only US$40.00. A 3-month one is US$60. Better to do it before you go. Cheaper.

Actually, it's usually better to just do the visa exemption on arrival. Yes, you can get a 60 day single entry tourist visa for $40, but that's only if you live in Washington and can go directly to the Thai Embassy. Otherwise, you'll need to pay a courier to handle the visa process for you, which is at least $100. Furthermore, you usually have to present a return ticket from Thailand. I prefer to just buy one way flights, then figure out the rest of my trip once I'm on the ground. (I'm traveling for 1-2 years; if you have a definite entry and return date that's less of an issue.)

Another issue is the date of validity begins the moment the visa is issued. For example, if you get a double entry tourist visa, for two 60 day entries, with a 3 month validity window, the clock starts ticking the moment the visa is issued. If it takes them 2 weeks to courier your passport back to you, plus another 2 weeks before your flight, that's already a month off your validity, leaving you with a 2 month visa validity on a 6 month visa (the double entry visa is good for 60 days per entry, but each can be extended 30 days.)

Anyway - for a whole bunch of reasons, getting your visa before you go to Thailand is unnecessary, more expensive, more hassle and actually works worst than just handling it on the ground when you're there. I would just get the visa exemption on entry, extend for 30 days, if you're staying less than 2 months. And if you need longer, you can just take the bus and do a one day visa run to Laos.

[Rockheart]

Good info FIAAF.
Thailand is just a wait and get there kind of place. No need to plan too much in advance and get to LOS. After that anything is possible.
If you plan too much, in the end you have to wonder why.

[George Pill]

It's August 9, 2016, now. Is everything still the same? Get tourist visa on arrival and pay US$40 for another 30 days for a total of 60 days? BTW exactly where is the place in Jomtien where you can extend your visa? What do I tell the motorcycle taxi driver to get there? Hours?

[George Pill]

I just got off the phone to Thai Consul in Honolulu. They said I cannot get an additional 30-day extension for a total of 60 days at the airport. I have to visit some immigration office or something to get this 30-day extension. This is different from what you have been telling me. So will just visit this Consul and pay the $40 and be done with it like have alway done in the past 4 years. Easy to do here. Come in one day and return in less than a week to pick my passport up. They said I must get the tourist visa within 90 days of landing. I will definitely ask the visa people at Suvarnabhum Airport if you folks are right.

[Easyguy]

Are they now giving 30 days at the Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia borders or is it still 14 days?