I have a tourist 3-entry visa on my US passport. It says "This Visa must be utilised before March 14, 2007."

I went to Vientiane, laos returning to Thailand Jan 28. So immigration stamped a small rectangular box with TR at the top, saying Admitted UNTIL 28 march, 2007. So far so good. theyve given me the sixty days entry.

So my visa expires March 14. My stay in thailand expires March 28.

Now when I go to immigration to apply for an extension, do i need to apply for an extension of my "visa"? (in which case I assume i will have to go before March 14) or extension of my "stay"? (before March 28).

I've seen these terms being used - are they different procedures?

And how many days in advance of these expirations should i go? should i wait until the day before (i.e. does the 30 day extension start from the day you apply or the day your visa/stay expires?)

My flight out of thailand isnt until April 21, so I need an extension that would cover this. (I know i could always do a border run before March 28 but i want to avoid this if i can).

Any help and wisdom on this much appreciated.

thanks alot

Bill

It is true that even the website of the Immigration Bureau says “visa extension” when they mean “extension of stay”.

You want to avoid a border run. Therefore, before March 28, i.e. before your current permission to stay expires, go to the Immigration office and apply for a 30-day extension of stay. These 30 days will be added to the current period and thus extend your permission to stay until April 27. At the Immigration office, you will be given form TM.7 to fill out.

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Maestro

Any border runs will have to be made before your visa expiration date of March 14th to receive another 60 day permitted to stay stamp if you have not used all three entries. If you have you could make the border run later and receive the normal 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

You prefer to extend your stay at immigration for 30 days so it will cost you 1,900 baht for the form TM.7 application. You will put 30 days on the application/reason tourist and it should be routinely approved.

Thanks alot guys -- appreciate the quick response. Completely answers my questions.

Rgds

Bill