Entering Thailand with a tourist visa but NOT using it?

[lennois]

Have a valid single entry tourist visa but want to enter Thailand on a 30 day entry stamp initially instead of using it (want to use the tourist visa the next time I enter which is before the visa use by date.)

 

I'm presuming they don't force you to use the visa and it won't become invalid? I won't write the visa number in the arrival card obviously. Anyone have experience of doing this? 

 

Thanks

[lujanit]

I did exactly as you propose about 9 years ago.  I had to come to Thailand to pick up some goods and was only here for three days.

 

I politely asked the IO for a 30 day exempt entry telling him I was only here for three days.  I had a copy of my flight out of Thailand in case he asked for proof.  He never did.  I don't know if anyone has more recent experience as Immigration rules seem to change all the time.

[ubonjoe]

It is up to the officer when you enter the country. It is at his discretion.

[lennois]

Ok thanks guys. Will print out my flights and hope for the best

[buick]

i tried to do this 5+ years ago, around the time they were focused on too many visa exempt entries and telling people to use tourist visas.  i was coming in to thailand for 3 weeks and then out for 2 weeks.  then back in for two months.  i didn't write the visa number on the entry card.  the IO saw my visa and made me use it.  i didn't have any back up stuff to prove my itinerary but i don't recall him asking for anything that might help. 

 

when i returned for my two month stay, i entered on a visa exempt and then got an extension to cover the two month stay.

[FritsSikkink]

I did it with a valid multiple entry non imm O because of marriage. Wanted a 30 day visa exempt, so I could change to a non B inside the country. Immigration officer was not sure, called a superior, I explained why, needed to put my signature next to some writing she did close to the visa, sorted.

[jobsworth]

yes this is all true.

a long time ago there were tourist visas which you applied for in your own country

and then there was a transit visa given on arrival (about 7 days i think it was).

i wanted to visit laos and so on arrival i asked for and was granted a transit visa.

the immigration officer had to consult with the supervisor, a lady.

so after visiting laos i was able to enter thailand on a tourist visa.

i had to cross the mekong river by boat. there was no bridge.

nong kai used to be beautiful in those days.

 

[jobwolf]

3 hours ago, lujanit said:

I did exactly as you propose about 9 years ago.  I had to come to Thailand to pick up some goods and was only here for three days.

 

I politely asked the IO for a 30 day exempt entry telling him I was only here for three days.  I had a copy of my flight out of Thailand in case he asked for proof.  He never did.  I don't know if anyone has more recent experience as Immigration rules seem to change all the time.

Not possible as far as I know

 

[HerbalEd]

5 hours ago, jobwolf said:

Not possible as far as I know

 

Trouble is, we don't know how far you know.

[Paul944]

Let us know the result.

If your passport allows a 30 day visa exempt entry, this should not be a problem. But the immigration officer will automatically stamp a visa so you better explain your request before giving your passport.

 

It is probably highly dependable on the mood of the immigration officer also. 

[ericthai]

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is up to the officer when you enter the country. It is at his discretion.

ubonjoe, if the IO doesn't allow this and makes him use the visa, can he get a re-entry permit so he dont loose the time on the visa? 

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, ericthai said:

ubonjoe, if the IO doesn't allow this and makes him use the visa, can he get a re-entry permit so he dont loose the time on the visa? 

Yes he can get a re-entry permit to keep the remainder of the 60 days valid when he enters the country again.

[thecyclist]

I did it once at Pedang Besar border without any documentation, just explaining to the IO the reasons, and he said mai mee pan ha.

But that was ages ago. In the current climate of clamping down on visa runners , it is probably less likely to succeed. 

[biggles45]

I did this just 3 months ago. Had a TV from Manila but leaving for a side trip to Australia in 10 days. I didn't write a visa number on the arrival card and Politely explained the situation to the IO. he stamped me in for 30 days, smiled and said "What visa, I never saw one"

[lennois]

Update: Chose a friendly looking immigration lady and explained the situation. She said no problem and gave me a 30 day stamp.