Visa Dilemma

[waiolas]

So 180 days from Oct 1st is March 29th-I think, and I will have used up my 90 days of visa exempt stamps on March 28th(If I stay in Thailand the whole period). Do I really need to exit the country for a day and return? Or can I overstay 1 day and cross the border on the 29th/get a 7 day extension and cross the border after the 29th?

Also for future planning, I was wondering how they would start the second 180 day block. Everyone knows that the first block started Oct 1st 06, but does the second start March 29th? For example, say I leave Thailand and return on March 29th on a Tourist visa. I stay on the visa for 90 days and then use up my 90 days of visa exempt stamps. After 90 days of visa exempt stamps, it would be 180 days since March 29th. Do you think they will reset my visa exempt stamps? So actually I could stay on visa exempt stamps for 180 days straight? Or do they only start a 180 day block when you get a visa exempt stamp?

[lopburi3]

We assume the rule is 90 days in any six month period as written so that means it goes day to day.

I would not advise overstay of even one day if you plan to cross a land border - or you face serious risk of not being allowed into other country and being subject to arrest and deportation by Thailand if you take the chance and fail.

[jeebusjones]

Also for future planning, I was wondering how they would start the second 180 day block. Everyone knows that the first block started Oct 1st 06, but does the second start March 29th? For example, say I leave Thailand and return on March 29th on a Tourist visa. I stay on the visa for 90 days and then use up my 90 days of visa exempt stamps. After 90 days of visa exempt stamps, it would be 180 days since March 29th. Do you think they will reset my visa exempt stamps? So actually I could stay on visa exempt stamps for 180 days straight? Or do they only start a 180 day block when you get a visa exempt stamp?

There is some disagreement about this. Some people say it is a "rolling period," meaning that they will always look at the previous 6 months. In this case, you would NEVER be entitled to more than 90 days of visa exemption in a row.

However, I disagree with this interpretation. The rule states that the total stay "should not exceed 90 days in a six month period, starting from the date of first entry." I would interpret this to mean that the 6 month period starts from your first entry. So, if you entered on October 1, the six month period would reset around April 1. If you entered on, say, October 26, the period would reset on April 26.

At any rate, don't count on getting your next stamp. The rule is not clear and the implimentation of it is purely up to the immigration officer on duty.

[engrin]

In the last 6 months, I've done 3 * 30 days visa exemption at the Cambodian boarder with the farang vip bus with the farang movies. I am a farang after all.

The first time I went was before Oct 1 (but within 6 months from now)

Then I spent a month out of the country.

I got a tourist visa. Extended it.

Went to Cambodia 2 more times.

Now they say I've done my 90 days and I have a red stamp in my passport.

It doesn't matter if they are in a row. Its 90 days withing 6 months. So start now and count backwards.

I'll be leaving for a proper visa even though I've only gone 2 times in a row since Oct 1.

I'm sure there are variations depending on which boarder, which agent, and which Hawaiian shirt you may be wearing.