dpinger

On 2/14/2024 at 12:55 PM, fgmr said:

Have you tried the Thai Embassy in London? I found it a nightmare applying online. Gave up and entered Visa Exempt. Then with a local agency obtained a retirement one year visa.

Seems like slight overkill in my case, e.g. it's not likely to be more than 3-4 months in a year. Applying online doesn't seem to be an option. London is ridiculously inconvenient.

On 2/13/2024 at 5:43 PM, Phillip9 said:

I doubt you will have any problem.  I've been in Thailand about 3x as many days as you have during the last couple of years, and I was here one full year during covid.  I have yet to have any problem entering visa exempt.  Although I do always wait a few months before entering by air.

Right, normally I wouldn't worry as I basically left Jan 3rd and was planning to come back in November for another 60 days. But now for various reasons may head back late Feb for 30-45 days. Always by air.

On 2/13/2024 at 4:25 PM, DrJack54 said:

Don't follow the "visa bit of hassle where I live" eVisa? 

Not available online for me, need to travel to embassy. 

Looking for feedback about using visa exempt entries vs pre-applying for a visa.

Last few years' patterns of coming to Thailand:

Dec 19 30 days

Feb-April 22 45 days, Thailand pass/Covid thing

Jan 23-March 23 45 days (1 extension)

Nov 23-Jan 24 60 days (1 extension)

Planning 60 days in Nov 24, but I may also stay 30-60 in late February...

All of these entries are visa-exempt, by air (UK passport).

I'd like to avoid pre-applying for a visa as it's a bit of a hassle where I live, but at what point do the number of visa exempt entries start to look dodgy?

Thanks a lot for the replies, @DrJack54 and @JackThompson. I was really quite ignorant of this distinction between land and air borders (or imagined the latter more favourable if anything). And didn’t realise that coming back after a few months for another tourist exemption could potentially be dodgy. The fact that the second extension was only allowed for 7 days tipped me off.

If I get a tourist visa in future, what are some convenient ways of getting in by land e.g. to Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That's why I asked about pp. Being UK you are visa exempt to Vietnam. Saigon chilled joint and consulate fair for setv. Might want to consider it next trip. As for now, depends where you are. You could fly to udon thani, try a bounce at non khai and back VE. If that didn't work obtain setv at Vientiane. Note you need make appointment at that consulate now. Others will give you better advised based on where you are currently.

Chiang Mai right now. Considering going to Singapore/KL/Cambodia, would any of those work?

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Op what passport. As visa exempt countries for setv might be useful next trip. BTW, your 30 day extension expires tomorrow? Yeah sure people often say in very chilled way....oh I will just cop fine for few days overstay". That plan doesn't work so well when picked up for something minor. Yes granted chance is low. Personally I would never do it unless there was circumstances.

Definitely no plans to overstay, I was going to go for the 7 days but more inclined to fly out (have a contingency). 

Passport that land of peace and harmony the UK.

My 30-day extension to my tourist exemption expires tomorrow. 

Reading a few threads on here, it seems like a 7-day 'extension' is more like time to pack and get out. Seems to carry some negative connotations, i.e. not much better than paying for a few days' overstay?

In the last 26 months I've had about five tourist exemptions and one extension. 

If I want to be able to come back for 30 days in the next month or so, and not have hassles coming again later in the year (after October), what are the solidest options?

I could easily head off to Singapore, KL, Cambodia for a few days right now. Or I could do an agency-style border run. And/or I could try and get a proper tourist visa in a neighbouring country (although that might be more appropriate for later in the year). 

Any advice appreciated.

Got a visa exemption when I arrived at Suvarnabhumi on the 7th Jan. UK citizen. 

Any possible issues or gotchas extending at Chaeng Wattana on the last day (which I calculate as Monday the 5th Feb)?

Or are there any done-for-you services that would save a trip out to the immigration office? 

Thanks

Are there any circumstances under which I would be refused entry or not given another 30 days? Just to recap, entered with no particular visa, was given a 30-day exemption, extended this another 30 days, and then went travelling for two weeks. Should I bring cash with me just in case?

You got the 30 day extension at immigration in Bangkok there is no Thai embassy in the country only outside the country are there embassies..

If you leave the country for a few days and fly back in you will get another 30 day visa exempt entry.

Yeah, thanks for the correction. I meant the one on Chaengwattana Road Laksi.

Should have updated this thread to mention I had no problem getting another 30-day stay at the embassy in Bangkok, so am good till Feb 19th.

Is there any reason to suppose that if I go for a long weekend to Siem Reap (maybe even a whole week and go to Ho Chi Minh as well), that I shouldn't get another 30-day stamp upon return to Bangkok?

Presumably at a certain point they might well ask why I didn't get a longer VISA in the first place. Or is this unreasonable paranoia.

Flew into Bangkok 22nd Dec, no particular visa. Visa exemption runs out 20th Jan.

Summarising various threads I've read, getting another 30-day exemption in Bangkok should be relatively straightforward. Whereas any kind of visa run, even a more ambitious flight for a long weekend or week to Siem Reap and back, is more likely to fail or at least is very subject to the whim/mood of whichever customs official I encounter on my return.

Is this a fair summary, am I missing anything?

Thanks for the replies. Bad Kitty, that first APC power strip looks particularly decent.

Ideally wanted to pick something up in the UK so I could arrive and plug in my kit straight away without any concerns, as there probably won't be much time for shopping for the first few days.

So perhaps I will grab that Travel Ready adaptor off Amazon, and try to get the APC strip later on.

Will be in Thailand for a few weeks.

Wondering if it's worth picking up something like this beforehand

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00348HAKS/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1SYSR4XTQG70L

or even

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-THAILAND-Extension-Earthed-Certified/dp/B005EGKFDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418762239&sr=8-1&keywords=adaptor+thailand

Or if I can easily find something suitable once I'm on the ground. Some kind of surge protection would be nice.

Not carrying a vast amount of gear. Macbook (I have EU and UK plugs for this), and one EU portapow thing that charges four devices simultaneously.

Anyone know where I might be able to buy Lavazza Qualita Rossa in Thailand, esp. Bangkok? It's the fairly iconic one, with silver and red packaging -- i.e.

http://www.lavazza.com/en/at-home/coffee-blends/qualita-rossa.html