Am based in northern Thailand, so Vientiane is closest Thai embassy. Years ago I got double (two times 60 days) but everything changes from week to week. Have they yet become sticklers about 'showing exit plane ticket' - as has happened at the Poipet border crossing? Just trying to stay abreast of things. Too bad Thai authorities can't find a way to be reasonable, fair, consistant, and uncomplicated about visa renewals.

Am based in northern Thailand, so Vientiane is closest Thai embassy. Years ago I got double (two times 60 days) but everything changes from week to week. Have they yet become sticklers about 'showing exit plane ticket' - as has happened at the Poipet border crossing? Just trying to stay abreast of things. Too bad Thai authorities can't find a way to be reasonable, fair, consistant, and uncomplicated about visa renewals.

Going on reports so far on this forum, Vientiane is restricting tourist visas to single-entries and even restricting how many can be obtained from there in one year. People are getting notes in their passports not to come back.

If you do a search you'll find many reports from people who have been to Vientiane over the last 6 months.

Edited May 6, 200719 yr by tropo

I have not seen any reports of those notes not to return to Vientiane in many months - they have been most accommodating to all requests for single entry tourist visas from accounts. Do not believe there is any chance of multi entry of any type however. As for plane tickets believe that is just being enforced at the Cambodian border check points; although various Consulates can and do require a ticket to issue visas (but have not heard of Vientiane asking).

Single Entry Entry Visa only.

In Vientane I'm not sure if they limit the Visa issued per year.

mucho appreciarlo for helpful responses - however, the follow-up question is:

Does an over-49 farang have much hope for getting a 1-year type O non-imm retirement visa there in Vientiane? ...or are they stick-in-the-muds?

Am based in northern Thailand, so Vientiane is closest Thai embassy. Years ago I got double (two times 60 days) but everything changes from week to week. Have they yet become sticklers about 'showing exit plane ticket' - as has happened at the Poipet border crossing? Just trying to stay abreast of things. Too bad Thai authorities can't find a way to be reasonable, fair, consistant, and uncomplicated about visa renewals.

Over 49? Are we talking over 50?

If you are of retirement age (over 50) you can enter Thailand on any visa or even a visa exempt stamp and convert to a non immigrant visa for extension of stay at Immigration. Cost is only 2,000 baht for conversion.

If you are asking will Vientiane provide non immigrant visas to those that can not qualify for extensions of stay I would suspect the answer is no - but have not seen any reports.

Over 49? Are we talking over 50?

If you are of retirement age (over 50) you can enter Thailand on any visa or even a visa exempt stamp and convert to a non immigrant visa for extension of stay at Immigration. Cost is only 2,000 baht for conversion.

If you are asking will Vientiane provide non immigrant visas to those that can not qualify for extensions of stay I would suspect the answer is no - but have not seen any reports.

It may be just semantics, but I say 'over-49' because I thought the age to qualify for retirement visa is 50 or more. When I hear the term 'over 50' I think ages 51 or more. I'm 55, so it's not a big deal for me personally, though there may be guys who might be concerned - if they turn 50 and are ready to comply, and then find out the qualifying age might be 51 - depending on who's interpreting the numbers.

It's a bit like trying to figure the ratings for reading glasses in Thai outlets. According to the accepted rating system; 1X = twice the magnification ....though to a mathematician, 1X would indicate the same as what you started with. In other words, 1 X 38 = 38 or 1 X 555 = 555.

It may be just semantics, but I say 'over-49' because I thought the age to qualify for retirement visa is 50 or more. When I hear the term 'over 50' I think ages 51 or more. I'm 55, so it's not a big deal for me personally, though there may be guys who might be concerned - if they turn 50 and are ready to comply, and then find out the qualifying age might be 51 - depending on who's interpreting the numbers.

You're actually starting your 50th year when you turn 49.

Sorry, I'm just bored.

It may be just semantics, but I say 'over-49' because I thought the age to qualify for retirement visa is 50 or more. When I hear the term 'over 50' I think ages 51 or more. I'm 55, so it's not a big deal for me personally, though there may be guys who might be concerned - if they turn 50 and are ready to comply, and then find out the qualifying age might be 51 - depending on who's interpreting the numbers.

You're actually starting your 50th year when you turn 49.

Sorry, I'm just bored.

Actually I wanted to go on my 50th birthday and get my extension for support of Thai child visa but they said to me you have to be 50 years old and one day to make application for this visa!

Badbanker