Phillip9

If you were married, she could could get a Non O visa based on being your dependent. But since she is only your gf, that is not an option. Her other possible options are the very expensive elite visa, or to study Thai and get an Education Visa.

That's quite a diverse group. Do you realize that men from these countries have nothing at all in common with each other?

I drove that route recently and found it to be boring, busy, winding, without many great views, and nothing interesting to stop at. I think you are best off stopping at a restaurant in Pai. The route from Pai to Mae Hong Son is much more scenic and has a lot less traffic.

Seems like an ED visa is your best / only option to stay long term unless you get married. I would contact a school or two in Phuket and ask them if they think you can get an ED visa. The school should be able to advise you. If you haven't used your visa exempt entries by land yet this year, you can safely do that twice, and then extend 30 days each time. That will give you 4 months to start with.

They certainly grow mangos and other tropical fruit, but it's a bit harder to find than in Thailand. You usually have to go to the one central market in each town. There are not lots of roadside vendors or night markets like in Thailand.

There is fresh fruit available, but not much other food that is edible. I spent 2 months there and the best meal I had was fried chicken at McDonald's.

Phuket

I think whether or not she will need a copy of the TM30 depends of the Immigration office she extends at. I've never been asked for it in the 10+ times I've extended a visa exempt entry.

Thanks for the info. I assume I wouldn't get an overstay stamp for one day late then? I think I can depart just one day late, but still not sure if that flight will be cancelled also.

Correct, I was notified in advance before I went to the airport.

I currently have my departure flight cancelled due to a typhoon in Hong Kong. All flights to Hong Kong are cancelled today. Does anyone know if I will still get an overstay fine / stamp on my passport if I leave a day or two late due to this. I arrived visa exempt and have already used my one extension. I would really prefer not to get an overstay stamp on my passport. I could fly to an alternate country if I have to, but that would obviously be at significant extra expense. I am considering just waiting for the next available flight.

When I checked Thai a couple of months ago they didn't offer any fully refundable fares. Flex usually means you can change the date with no fee but refunds still have a fee.

Keep in mind that it currently takes 2 - 4 months to renew a US passport if you are living in the USA. Based on posts by others here it seems to be much easier and quicker to renew your US passport if you are living in Thailand. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html

When entering Thailand on a one way ticket, I usually book a fully refundable onward ticket to KL with Malaysian airlines and then refund it once I arrive. They offer fully refundable fares, have easy booking and super easy refunds. Just make sure to book on their website and make sure to choose a refundable fare. Other airlines with fully refundable tickets I am aware of are qatar, emirates, ethiopian and delta. Just again always make sure to book on the airlines website and choose a refundable fare. There is absolutely no reason to book a renta ticket or throw away ticket that are frequently recommended here.

True, refundable tickets cost a bit more, but they are not ridiculously expensive. When entering Thailand on a one way ticket, I can usually find a fully refundable onward ticket to a nearby destination for about 4000 baht. But I just put that on my credit card and refund it as soon as I arrive (which takes a few clicks and less than a minute of my time). The whole thing costs nothing, takes about the same effort as buying a rent a flight, and you get the added benefit of having a real usable ticket incase questioned by an immigration officer upon arrival.

I can never understand why people don't buy a fully refundable onward ticket and then just refund it when you get to Thailand. I've done this many times when traveling on one way tickets to various countries. It ends up costing nothing, you get a real onward ticket, and you can buy it as far in advance as you want.

In Singapore he would normally be allowed to leave, at least pre-covid he would be. I've done it a couple of times there when I had a 18+ hour layover. They even used to advertise city tours at the airport for people with long layovers.

With an ED visa at a non formal school (language school for example), you can stay a maximum of one year from your original date of entry into the country. That limit doesn't apply if you attend a university.

It wouldn't be required if they are a dual citizen with a valid passport from their country of residence as many Thais living overseas are.

I just got a Thailand pass approved yesterday using only a photo of my US CDC card as evidence of vaccination. None of the fancy QR codes are necessary.

Philippines is definitely the easiest option in the region right now. You only need a vaccine certificate, pre-departure PCR , and insurance. There is no test on arrival, or any of the Thailand Pass type ridiculousness.

It's extremely unlikely the covid extension will actually end in January. They have been saying those are going to end for a year now. They will likely continue indefinitely until the borders are more or less open as normal.

There is a hotel airside In Doha, so you don't need to leave the airport or pass through immigration to use it. Its expensive, but I find its worth it for a long lay over, especially during these covid times.

Not only flexible, but fully refundable. Many airlines (including emirates) are allowing full refunds of any ticket purchased. I've purchased and refunded a couple of emirates tickets this year-- it's super easy with just a couple of clicks online.

Actually not tough at all anymore. Due to covid, many airlines are issuing fully refundable tickets. Emirates and Qatar are examples that I am familiar with that will refund in full any ticket no questions asked. Many airlines are also doing the same. Its very handy for those of us that routinely travel on one way tickets.