Phillip9

When arriving in a new country, I find its much easier to just buy an esim online instead of purchasing a physical sim locally. I'm sure it costs a bit more, but it's so much easier. You will find lots of different options if you google Laos esim.

No need for an SRRV if they are married. In Phillipines, if you are married to a filipina, you automatically get one year permission to stay each time you enter the country. Just leave the country once per year, and there is no need to ever do anything else immigration related.

If it's your first time in Laos, I would definitely recommend Luang Prabang instead of Vientiane. It's much more interesting.

I will agree with that recommendation. There is also a new, very comfortable, Chinese built high speed train from Luang Prabang to Vientiane that takes about 2 hours. So for anyone with an extensive history in Thailand who prefers to enter by land, it's very easy to fly to Luang Prabang and then cross back into Thailand by Land over the friendship bridge near Vientiane.

Your second post used very uncommon abbreviations. I've read thousands of posts here, and I still can't figure out what you meant by "IMM / DOE"

With your history, I definitely wouldn't try to enter visa exempt by air without spending significant time outside of Thailand. You would very like face serious questioning when you arrived. You can enter visa exempt by land twice per year. Land entries are usually hassle free, and I would use those.

My overstay was a mistake I made during covid times. I thought I could get another extension, but was refused and had stupidly waited to the last minute to get the extension. I left as soon as I possibly could which took some time in those days because I had to arrange a covid test first. I would agree overstay is generally a bad idea, but there is no possible way any immigration officer from another country will ever decipher that Thai overstay stamp.

The stamp isn't even red. I've been to more than 15 countries since I got my overstay stamp, including Japan. No one even noticed the stamp, let alone faxed it somewhere.

The overstay stamp is written entirely in Thai. Do you think any of those immigration officers from other countries can read Thai, and will be able to decipher what a random stamp in your passport written in Thai means?

Thanks for the information. Do you know what documents they ask for? Bank statement, employment proof, etc?

Phillipines does not need visa on arrival. They are visa exempt. Otherwise your plan is fine. She can arrive visa exempt 30 days and extend that 30 days. Then do a border bounce by land twice per year. My gf is filipina and we have done that many times. Make sure she has an onward flight and 20,000 baht cash. My gf is frequently asked for both when entering by land or air. Last time I checked, filipinos can't get e-visas.

That BS questioning is not unique to Europeans. I'm American and I get it too when I enter my own country.

You were in Thailand 5 months, and then tried to enter visa exempt by air without significant time out of the country. That's the problem. If you have spent more than 3 of the last 6 months in Thailand, and you want more time, always enter by land. You are very lucky they let you in. Stop whining and be thankful.

The property owner is required to file a TM30 any time a foreigner is staying at their property. No exception for the METV. In practice many condo owners renting on airbnb and similar sites never file TM30s, and many people are staying in these with few if any problems. I have extended visa exempt entries many times in Phuket at the main office in Phuket town, and they never asked me for a TM30, and I am sure a TM30 was never filed for me. I would recommend trying to extend without the TM30 a couple of weeks early, and then worrying about filing it if they ask for it.

He shouldn't have any problem with that plan as long as he hasn't spent a lot more time in Thailand recently than you mentioned. He will get another 30 days and that can be extended 30. There is some form you have to fill out online before entering Singapore, but it's quick and easy.