Was looking to see if anyone knew the rules about this one...

I've been traveling around the region, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand over the past 5 months. First arrived in Thailand on January 25th. On July 2nd I will reach my 90 day in 6 month limit, where I will have to leave Thailand. Then on July 25th, a new 6 months period begins and I'm allowed to return. Although its only 23 days, I'd rather stay in Thailand during this time and I'm trying to figure out how to do this.

I am wondering if I go to Vientiane and apply for a 2 month tourist visa whether I will be able to stay in Thailand during this time. In other words I will be here for more than 90 days in a 6 month period, but I will have a different visa. Would this tourist visa over-ride the 90 day rule?

Anyone have experience or knowledge about this one? Thanks in advance.

Alex

No experience but the common wisdom on this forum is that the 90 in 180 day rule applies to visa exempt entries and any visa, be it tourist or non-imm O, is a separate issue altogether. So you should have no problems with getting the visa or visiting Thailand as planned.

I believe, and I stress I'm no expert, that once you pass the six month date the slate is wiped clean and you can do your 23 days on a visa exempt stamp but I'd stick to your plan as the rules are open to interpretation by the imm officer.

As said the 90 days in six month rule applies only to visa exempt entry. There is no problem staying on visa entry and the days you are on visa entry are not counted towards the six month rule.