Change V.o.a. To Tourist

[kevc]

Sorry it's probably been answered 100's of times but I've never taken notice because I use a Non O, but a friend has arrived on a 30 v.o.a. can he change it at immigration for a 60 day tourist.

[lopburi3]

No.

[kevc]

No.

Stop beating about the bush and just tell me!. no really thanks for the swift reply I'll let him know it's a 30 visa run

[lopburi3]

Nothing to prevent him from going to a Consulate and obtaining a tourist visa if he may want more than the 30 days of a non visa entry however.

[johnnymoretti]

Sorry it's probably been answered 100's of times but I've never taken notice because I use a Non O, but a friend has arrived on a 30 v.o.a. can he change it at immigration for a 60 day tourist.

Hey, I can sympathize with your frustration. Here is what I did recently:

I had been one of those people that was doing visa runs on the 30-day VOA. I then took the trip from Phuket to Penang, Malaysia to try to get the 60-day tourist visa. I filled out their simple form at their immigration (no interview, just fill it out and give it to them) and the next day I went to pick it up and hope for the best. They granted me a 60-day tourist visa without any hassles. I presented them with information on my visa form that I was in Thailand doing tsunami work (which I am here in Khao Lak) and that seemed to be fine. Its not difficult and I heard that Penang is one of the most liberal in granting such visas. But remember, its a gamble and you should not expect the best to happen, but I think you could be relatively confident that you will get the visa.

Good luck!

Oh, and I did this in December 2006 last year.

Cheers.