tygerstar

Thanks, Greenwich Boy. I got my 30-day extension from the Central Festival immigration office this afternoon. I arrived at 3.00 pm and was out by 3.50 pm. I would have left sooner had the girl at the front desk not quibbled over my photograph saying I no longer looked the same and insisted that I take a new one. The photograph that I had provided was the same as the one used in my passport, taken about 6 months ago. My hair has grown by about 6 cm since then but I look pretty much the same. She insisted that "your hair now long, you take new photo." So I quickly pulled up my hair and tied it in a bun, showing my face without any obstruction whatsoever. She wasn't convinced and repeated, "Your hair now long, you take new photo." I gave up and went across the corridor to have new passport pics taken. Four pics for 150 Baht. The girl at the front desk was happy with the new photograph. I don't know what I'm going to do with the other three pics. They won't be accepted in my home country as I was wearing a white blouse and standing against a white background but apparently a head without a torso is perfectly acceptable in Thailand. 😅 Anyway, all's well that ends well. Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions. By the way, the documents required were exactly as DrJack54 described. The TM7 form can be obtained there.

Just to confirm, is it possible to apply for a 30-day extension to a 60-day visa exemption at Central Festival? When were you last there, Greenwich Boy? I'm headed that way this afternoon.

Sounds like they're running a scam. I wonder what they will do to tourists who don't really need a new visa exemption and only want to hop over for a few hours and check out what's on the other side.

It would be helpful if someone who's done this border bounce in the last fortnight could share with us their experience.🙏

Thank you. Is one passport photo enough and one copy of everything else?

Hi there. My 60-day visa exemption pass runs out on Jan 16 and I'm hoping to extend it by another 30 days in Chiang Mai as I'm planning to stay until 13 Feb. May I know what are the documents that I need to bring? I was thinking of doing a border bounce at Chiang Saen and making a trip of it but not too keen now if I have to stay over in Laos. Thank you.

Hello. I understand that we may need to stay a night or two if we cross the border into Huay Xai, Laos before we can come back into Chiang Saen, Thailand. Is this rule still in force and, if so, how many nights do we have to stay in Huay Xai, Laos? Thank you.