Need For A Visa Extension?

[looshy]

gday all,

iv read extensivley through the forums in search for an answer to my question and i think i have it, but just to be safe i want to ask anyway.

im visiting thailand for 5 weeks (35 days) and i know i can obtain a 30 day visa exeption on arrival, im also going overland into laos for a week or so (and plan to get a new 30 days stamp when i retun to thailand). My question is: do i need proof of onward travel into laos at immigration when i initially arrive in thailand?

Will my plan work or would it b better for me to simply pay to get 5 days extension?

cheers in advance

[lopburi3]

You don't say where you are coming from but if by air you may not be allowed on the plane without a visa. If you are not ticketed out of Thailand within 30 days both airline and Immigration can say no entry as it is a requirement for visa exempt entry. There is no option to buy an extension in that case. Your second entry from Laos should not be a problem as you will have a departure ticket to show if asked.

[looshy]

sorry my bad, flying from australia to thailand, crossing into laos overland (and back). do i need to prove im crossing into laos in thailand, or can immigration just check my passport for the second visa exempt stamp when i leave from thailand to fly home?

-still i think to b safe i mite get the extension. can i do this once i arrive in thailand or better while im still in aus?

thanx

[lopburi3]

1. You require onward tickets from Thailand within 30 days to be allowed entry into Thailand without a visa (30 day visa exempt stamp). You need to obtain a tourist visa or a ticket out of Thailand before you start your travel or you risk being turned back at both airline check-in and immigration control in Thailand.

2. You can not obtain an extension of something you do not have - until you enter Thailand on a visa exempt stamp you do not have it. And believe on such an entry any extension (7 days max) may be from day you apply rather than from last day of permitted stay.