lennois Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lujanit Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 It is up to the officer when you enter the country. It is at his discretion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennois Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 Ok thanks guys. Will print out my flights and hope for the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FritsSikkink Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobsworth Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobwolf Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerbalEd Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 5 hours ago, jobwolf said: Not possible as far as I know Trouble is, we don't know how far you know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul944 Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericthai Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecyclist Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles45 Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 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" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennois Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Update: Chose a friendly looking immigration lady and explained the situation. She said no problem and gave me a 30 day stamp. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now