Hi Gents,

I have to do a visa run on Feb 3 ( last day of non B after nearly 15 months ) and shall have only five and a half months validity left on my passport at that date ( passport expires 15 July 2007 ).

Will I get any problems because of the amount of validity left if I go for a tourist visa ( 60+30 ) in Laos? Which is the best place to go Vientanne or Savannakhet?

If I have to renew my passport, I can't get to Bangkok until the 24th January and the wait ( I believe it takes 10 days ) would put me on overstay.

Can the Embassy or Immigration Dept do anything or give me anything to avoid any penalty for an overstay?

Thanks and appreciation for your advice

You should mention your nationality, to get response from members who might have experience with the Embassy concerned.

Hi Gents,

I have to do a visa run on Feb 3 ( last day of non B after nearly 15 months ) and shall have only five and a half months validity left on my passport at that date ( passport expires 15 July 2007 ).

Will I get any problems because of the amount of validity left if I go for a tourist visa ( 60+30 ) in Laos? Which is the best place to go Vientanne or Savannakhet?

If I have to renew my passport, I can't get to Bangkok until the 24th January and the wait ( I believe it takes 10 days ) would put me on overstay.

Can the Embassy or Immigration Dept do anything or give me anything to avoid any penalty for an overstay?

Thanks and appreciation for your advice

No Thai Embassy will not give you a new visa in your passport if the passport does not have at least 6 months validity.  I suggest you pay the 1,900 baht for a 2 week visa extension in at immigration. Most times after a long non imm visa they will happily do this.  Then go and get a new passport.  Once you get your passport extended don't forget to go to Thai Immigration again to get the stamps transfered over to your new passport.   This is free and takes 10 mins!

It depends where you are in Thailand as to where you should go Vientiane or Savannakhet?  If in the North then go to Vientiane!   If in Southern Isaan or Central Thailand/Bangkok or Pattaya then Savannakhet is the logical one.   Look at a map!  I think the process time and logistics are about the same!  

I'm in a similar situation.

US passport expires Jan 22 this month. Went to the us embassy Jan 18 and applied for new passport. 14 day delivery time. I asked us embasssy if I should go to Thai immigration to let them know that I would be overstaying. The us embassy would offer no advice except to say, "if questioned show the receipt for the applied passport." Somewhat ambiguos.

I would want to infom imm in advance, but some say don't do it. just get to an airport and fly to a nearby country and get new visa.

Of course having the new passport updated and the overstay fines paid at the airport of departure.

I SURE hope this is correct!!

BR

Given your situation, I'd suggest you call the embassy in one week to check on your passport: turnaround time can be quite quick.

You can check the status of your application here (it does work on overseas applications):

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html

Thank You TaxOut:

I'll do that every day. It's just unfortunate that noone here know if imm should or should no be informed in advance. But Since the us embassy wouldn't comment, I guess stay low and hit the departure zone incognito.

BR

You should mention your nationality, to get response from members who might have experience with the Embassy concerned.

Thank you Axel. It was an oversight on my part. It is a U.K. passport, my nationality is British/English.

Thank you Badbanker for the advice on what to do. I hope my situation and the advice given helps others.

Thanks Guys

I have known people to get an emergency PP from the UK Embassy in half a day so can be done...but dont leave it too late...

I think that the emergency passport can only be used to get you back to your home country on a 1 time only use.