New SETV, or visa on arrival?

[Dexlowe]

Background: Have a new NZ passport with only one immigration stamp in it. Was away from Thailand for 2 years, returned this year on SETV. 

 

I'm about to finish my SETV - 3 months. My flight (from Bangkok) back to NZ is booked for beginning of October - 2 months after SETV ends (give or take a week, which I'll make up outside Thailand).

 

So, for that 2 months, should I get a new SETV, or just come back to Thailand on a visa-on-arrival (30 days) through a land border and later apply for an extension?

 

If SETV, is Penang recommended?

 

Appreciate any advice, and thanks in advance.

 

(PS: In a previous thread, someone mentioned they did a 5 month visit like me and did SETV, followed by visa-on-arrival.)

[ubonjoe]

You can get a 30 day visa exempt entry (not a 15 day VOA) at a land border crossing that can be extended for 30 days.

Avoid the Poi Pet crossing to Cambodia or you could have problems doing it.

You can only do 2 visa exempt entries at a land border crossing this year.

[Dexlowe]

Sorry Joe, I meant visa exempt - damnn pills ain't working.

 

Another quick question if I may - get the 30 day VE, then a 30-day extension at the Jomtien office, or do I have to do another border run?

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, Dexlowe said:

Another quick question if I may - get the 30 day VE, then a 30-day extension at the Jomtien office, or do I have to do another border run?

You do the 30 day extension at immigration for a fee of 1900 baht.

[DrJack54]

OP, any ideas on location for border run? Reason I ask is I sometimes get asked this from guys not to familiar with options from Pattaya/Jomtien. I once suggested to a friend to fly U-tapao to udon and minibus nong kai. Mainly cause he wanted stay couple nights and likes bars. Can any members recommend crossing near koh Chang. Trat? 

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Can any members recommend crossing near koh Chang. Trad? 

There is a crossing at Hat Lek in Trat. It is also a crossing where the Cambodia e visa can be used.

https://goo.gl/maps/LqmE2UU4vfte2o2p7

[GBK]

22 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can get a 30 day visa exempt entry (not a 15 day VOA) at a land border crossing that can be extended for 30 days.

Avoid the Poi Pet crossing to Cambodia or you could have problems doing it.

You can only do 2 visa exempt entries at a land border crossing this year.

Do you get 30, or 15 days at the airport Joe?

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, GBK said:

Do you get 30, or 15 days at the airport Joe?

It is 30 days by air. land or sea when entering visa exempt.

A visa on arrival is only 15 days.

[GBK]

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is 30 days by air. land or sea when entering visa exempt.

A visa on arrival is only 15 days.

Great, thanks again.

 

So for a Brit (me) turning up at the airport with no "applied-for" visa, it will be 30 days?

 

(just being cautious after 20+ years on various Non-Imm visas)

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, GBK said:

So for a Brit (me) turning up at the airport with no "applied-for" visa, it will be 30 days?

Yes you will get 30 days that can be extended at immigration for 30 days.

[Dexlowe]

I had planned on returning to Thailand via Poipet, but the bad raps this crossing gets plus the effects of a long journey on my tired old body are putting me off.

 

Should I risk flying back and going thru imm at Suvarnabhumi or Don Meuang?

 

(FYI, I'm just about to end an SETV, will stay in Cambodia for 10 days, then return to Thailand on a visa exempt.)