Hello.

 

I am 52 years old, from France, and I am studying the best option to stay in Thailand, from 11 Sept. to 4 Dec. (less than 3 months).

 

What would be the easiest and the cost effective solution ?

 

Thank you.

SETV+30 day extension gives 90 day stay.

 

Another option is to enter visa exempt and obtain 30 day extension and a border bounce for another visa exempt entry.

Tourist Visa 60 days plus 30 day extension at Immigration.

Depending on your nationality and current location, you can probably get a single entry tourist visa using the e-visa system (https://www.thaievisa.go.th/). This gives you a 60-day permission to stay that you can extend by a further 30 days at the local immigration office.

For me it's 30-day visa free walk in every 30-days. Quick Vietnam visits between.

That way no any kind of proof of paid hotels, health insurance, etc.

My prepaid return flight is flexible so if needed I can escape sooner.

I rather fly to Vietnam than walk to Jomtien torture chamber...

 

Welcome!

Removed some off-topic posts.

7 hours ago, GypsyT said:

I rather fly to Vietnam than walk to Jomtien torture chamber...

Agree.

What do you do for onward flight for airline flying to Thailand.

eg Saigon to Bangkok

I have the cheapest flight reservation back to Vietnam which I cancel as soon as I get into a plane.

OR; I have a free flight booked on Airline Miles which can be cancelled and points redeposited.

OR; when you buy a ticket in any EU country (works only on the net buys) you always have 14 days to cancel w/o any fees (something good to be EU member...).

 

Hi folks,

Regarding the SETV, how far in advance should one apply?

I've already bought my ticket from North America to BKK, arriving 11 January 2024.

Thank you!

Assuming that rules for USA are the same as the UK, the SETV is valid for entry to Thailand for 90 days (not 3 months) from date of issue.

1 hour ago, London Lowf said:

Assuming that rules for USA are the same as the UK, the SETV is valid for entry to Thailand for 90 days (not 3 months) from date of issue.

So if I count back 90 days from my arrival in BKK, that should be the day to apply for the SETV.  Figuring it might take anywhere from 1-6 weeks to process my application, based on what I've heard.

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

So if I count back 90 days from my arrival in BKK, that should be the day to apply for the SETV.

Yes .

The visa has an issue date and "enter before" date which is 3 months.

Applying 3 months early is overkill but clearly you understand how is works.. 

Couple of months is fine

On 8/22/2023 at 3:34 AM, GypsyT said:

For me it's 30-day visa free walk in every 30-days. Quick Vietnam visits between.

That way no any kind of proof of paid hotels, health insurance, etc.

My prepaid return flight is flexible so if needed I can escape sooner.

I rather fly to Vietnam than walk to Jomtien torture chamber...

 

Welcome!

I get 2-3 Jomtien 30 day extensions a year. Very simple and quick process and at 1900 baht much cheaper than your Vietnam trips 

 

To the OP, I just got a single entry tourist visa for 1350 baht that will give me 60 days + I'll get the 30 day extension for 1900 baht to give me 90 days very easily

 

13 hours ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

So if I count back 90 days from my arrival in BKK, that should be the day to apply for the SETV.  Figuring it might take anywhere from 1-6 weeks to process my application, based on what I've heard.

But bear in mind that the date of issue is Day #1, not Day #0, but no need to cut it that fine as per DrJack54.

 

Likewise, date of arrival is also Day #1 - I got caught out by this recently and inadvertantly over-stayed by one day.

 

 

Thanks for your insights @London Lowf  and @DrJack54