Hello,

Found this forum very helpful the last time I went to Thailand, so I thought I would ask again because I've just read that the rules ARE changing and I'm not entirely sure what I should do, (if anything)

So, I'm from the UK and I've a trip to Thailand in August planned, all booked and paid for, but I at the time of arranging it was on the understanding that I would get 60 day visa free entry but I knew that was temporary and now I know that the entry is going down to 30 days at some point in the future.

I'm arriving August 14th and leaving September 13th.

I'm getting really confused is this 30 or 31 days? I've asked chatGTP and Google Gemini and they say it is 30 days but when I count on the calender I'm getting 31 days.

I booked it because I thought I was being safer for incase the 60 days went to 30.

Can someone offer some advice? I'm getting really confused and a little worried.

Will I still be ok with the 30 day visa free if that reverts by August? Should I book another flight a day earlier while I can or am I fine?

Thank you very much.

It's 31 days. The day you arrive counts as day 1.

You have plenty of time to apply for a tourist visa online before your trip. That will give you 60 days on arrival.

For peace of mind obtain a SETV eVisa as suggested above.

Someone will suggest it's only one day overstay and possibly no fine or 500b max.

Suggest visa is better option as airline at departure t to Thailand may have issue

11 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

It's 31 days. The day you arrive counts as day 1.

You have plenty of time to apply for a tourist visa online before your trip. That will give you 60 days on arrival.

Is a visa extension still going to be a thing? Could I just extend while I'm there?

I am disabled and my income is through disability payments. Would that affect applying for a visa (yes I can support myself, I have savings) and I have family.

I'm also going for surgery too (a follow up from the previous medical appointment I had the first time I went to Thailand)

Would it just be easier to book a flight a day earlier? So that it is 30 days?

I feel trying to apply for a visa would be potentially difficult with no guarantee of getting it after paying significant amounts of money already.

Again, thank you for your help.

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

For peace of mind obtain a SETV eVisa as suggested above.

Someone will suggest it's only one day overstay and possibly no fine or 500b max.

Suggest visa is better option as airline at departure t to Thailand may have issue

I can book a flight back a day earlier? Would that be better rather than messing about with applying for a visa as I'm also having a surgery at the start of my holiday there (it's a follow up to my first holiday I had in Thailand)

5 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

Is a visa extension still going to be a thing? Could I just extend while I'm there?

Yes no problem 1900b

6 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

I am disabled and my income is through disability payments. Would that affect applying for a visa

No.

1 minute ago, IAFYM said:

I can book a flight back a day earlier? Would that be better rather than messing about with applying for a visa

Depends on cost of flight change.

Often flight change is more expensive than another flight.

8 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

feel trying to apply for a visa would be potentially difficult with no guarantee of getting it after paying significant amounts of money already.

You would not have issue in obtaining a SETV eVisa

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes no problem 1900b

Is the process of applying for an extension easy? I know I would need a copy of the tm30 form from the accommodation. This is actually in a hospital annex accommodation (same place as the previous time I went to Thailand) I assume they would be able to give me a cope of this while I'm there?

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Depends on cost of flight change.

Often flight change is more expensive than another flight.

I would just book an entire new flight, it's only 1 day earlier and I feel this would be the most preferred option for me. It's not breaking rules by booking a new flight and just missing the return on my original ticket booking?

I know you are saying that SETV visa won't be an issue but I'm worried in case they did for whatever reason reject me, then I've got no comeback and it is a lot of money I've already spent.

Can I ask what the likelihood of the visa free going to 30 days by August will be?

Edited May 19May 19 by IAFYM
Clarified visa free

8 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

Can I ask what the likelihood of the visa free going to 30 days by August will be?

That's, the big question.

There will be a process and the usual bureaucracy involved. At a guess will take many weeks.

August? Who knows

Applying for an online SETV (single entry tourist visa) takes about 15 minutes and costs £30. As long as you provide all the correct documentation it should not be declined. Either way, you should have a response within 7 days max. The visa is good for 3 months before entering Thailand.

This would seem the best route in your situation. You would still have plenty of time to make alternative arrangements in the unlikely scenario that the application is rejected.

Hope all goes smoothly.

18 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

I know you are saying that SETV visa won't be an issue but I'm worried in case they did for whatever reason reject me, then I've got no comeback and it is a lot of money I've already spent.

Can I ask what the likelihood of the visa free going to 30 days by August will be?

I truly don't understand your logic. A Tourist visa application costs barely anything (unless you're from New Zealand). I can't imagine a single scenario where the tourist visa application costs more than booking a completely new plane ticket. That's ludicrous.

Also, trying to apply for an extension from immigration can be a full day adventure in some offices, and not something I would want to worry about if I'm potentially having health problems and a surgery to worry about.

The tourist visa negates all of that, and it's cheap. If they denied your application (why would they?) then you can just enter visa exempt and apply for the extension from immigration, but it's going to end up costing more than just applying for the visa now when you account for travel to and from the immigration office and the 1900 baht fee for an extension from immigration.

@Keeps good summary

41 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

Is the process of applying for an extension easy? I know I would need a copy of the tm30 form from the accommodation. This is actually in a hospital annex accommodation (same place as the previous time I went to Thailand) I assume they would be able to give me a cope of this while I'm there?

I would just book an entire new flight, it's only 1 day earlier and I feel this would be the most preferred option for me. It's not breaking rules by booking a new flight and just missing the return on my original ticket booking?

I know you are saying that SETV visa won't be an issue but I'm worried in case they did for whatever reason reject me, then I've got no comeback and it is a lot of money I've already spent.

Can I ask what the likelihood of the visa free going to 30 days by August will be?

Getting an extension when disabled is a ball ache, get a visa before you go as everyone is suggesting, it's easy and cheap

25 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Applying for an online SETV (single entry tourist visa) takes about 15 minutes and costs £30. As long as you provide all the correct documentation it should not be declined. Either way, you should have a response within 7 days max. The visa is good for 3 months before entering Thailand.

This would seem the best route in your situation. You would still have plenty of time to make alternative arrangements in the unlikely scenario that the application is rejected.

Hope all goes smoothly.

I would also add that the online application can be saved as you go through the questions. If you don't have a certain document to hand you can save and come back to it.

Regarding financial evidence, I have uploaded image in the past of my most recent bank statement with as little as £1,000 in my current account as I would rather have my money elsewhere earning me interest. This amount was still adequate and the visa issued. I think you only have to show the equivalent of 20,000 THB for an individual, so about £500.

5 hours ago, IAFYM said:

Is the process of applying for an extension easy? I know I would need a copy of the tm30 form from the accommodation. This is actually in a hospital annex accommodation (same place as the previous time I went to Thailand) I assume they would be able to give me a cope of this while I'm there?

Applying for a tourist visa online beforehand is definitely easier and less time consuming than applying for an extension within Thailand. I think you've already received the best advice for that reason alone.

That being said, how easy the extension process is depends on the immigration office. If you let us know where you'll stay, someone can probably tell you more. You've mentioned a disability; it's quite possible that you'll have to wait in queue for hours - ask yourself if that's an issue for you (and a good use of your time).

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

Applying for a tourist visa online beforehand is definitely easier and less time consuming than applying for an extension within Thailand. I think you've already received the best advice for that reason alone.

That being said, how easy the extension process is depends on the immigration office. If you let us know where you'll stay, someone can probably tell you more. You've mentioned a disability; it's quite possible that you'll have to wait in queue for hours - ask yourself if that's an issue for you (and a good use of your time).

I'll be staying in Bangkok, and if I remember rightly, it's not too far from BKK airport (this will be the second time staying here). I can't remember the actual area, but it was near Si Nut monorail station.

I understand now that it's no issues to apply for a tourist visa. I was just worried having spent £5k on having getting surgery and applying for a visa. I didn't realise I could still go visa free if needed, if the application was rejected. Although based on advice here, I don't see why it would be.

I was just nervous about it.

I had the most wonderful time in Thailand for my first visit and I wanted to experience more of it, so I booked a longer stay.

Because I'm on disability and that is the source of my income, I wasn't sure if that would be a detriment to apply for a visa because of not working.

I would find it hard to spend all day at an immigration centre but I could do it, I think. As long as I could sit.

I should wait a couple of weeks before applying to see what changes and when they take place?

Thank you.

5 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

I would find it hard to spend all day at an immigration centre but I could do it, I think. As long as I could sit.

Don't think you are following advice posted.

You would obtain 30 day extension at IT Mall LakSi not at CW.

Both are located Long way from On Nut.

IMO your best options are

One: Obtain Tourist eVisa online.

Two: Overstay by one day. Cop 500b fine IF they require that.

Three: Attend immigration for 30 day extension.

Four: change flight (expensive possibly)

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't think you are following advice posted.

I appreciate the advice and will be applying for a setv, but I'll maybe wait a couple of weeks until more news comes out.

The old 60 day visa free rules may still be in place?

I still have around 3 months before I go, which I assume is plenty of time to apply if I wait two more weeks?

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You would obtain 30 day extension at IT Mall LakSi not at CW.

Sorry I made a mistake, I just checked, the nearby station to where I'm staying is Si Iam but if worst came to it, would it still be IT Mall LakSi as the immigration office to visit?

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Two: Overstay by one day. Cop 500b fine IF they require that.

Is there not the risk of getting banned? I would be too scared to overstay. So that is deffo not happening 😅

Thank you for all your advice.

@IAFYM what time is your flight out of Thailand? A couple of times when flying Thai Airways I stayed 60 days and my return flight (to the UK) was on day 61 at 00.15 and as I passed out through immigration on day 60 all was good.

Edited May 21May 21 by RetroGTAndrew

8 hours ago, IAFYM said:

Sorry I made a mistake, I just checked, the nearby station to where I'm staying is Si Iam but if worst came to it, would it still be IT Mall LakSi as the immigration office to visit?

Yes, if you enter Thailand visa exempt, you extend your stay at IT Square Laksi.

You can extent your 30 day exemption by 15 days at the immigration office for 1900THB..

18 minutes ago, easydoor said:

You can extent your 30 day exemption by 15 days at the immigration office for 1900THB..

The extension is 30.

On 5/21/2026 at 12:32 AM, IAFYM said:

I appreciate the advice and will be applying for a setv, but I'll maybe wait a couple of weeks until more news comes out.

The old 60 day visa free rules may still be in place?

I still have around 3 months before I go, which I assume is plenty of time to apply if I wait two more weeks?

Sorry I made a mistake, I just checked, the nearby station to where I'm staying is Si Iam but if worst came to it, would it still be IT Mall LakSi as the immigration office to visit?

Is there not the risk of getting banned? I would be too scared to overstay. So that is deffo not happening 😅

Thank you for all your advice.

One day overstay will probably not incur a fine, just a tick in your passport (based on personal experience).

Thanks for all the help,

Another question, if I may.

I am currently applying for a SETV and I have another question based on the fact that I'm disabled and get disability payments.

I'm at the bit with the employment details. As I am technically unemployed, do I put that and then my annual income (from the payments I get) or should I put other and then in the employment details fields put that I am disabled?

36 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

I'm at the bit with the employment details. As I am technically unemployed, do I put that and then my annual income (from the payments I get) or should I put other and then in the employment details fields put that I am disabled?

You don't need to be employed to obtain SETV.

In occupation field you could put unemployed or retired or other etc.

They will want to see some proof of funds.

Just fill in application

In case it helps, this is a post I created in Jan 2024, the last time I applied for a SETV - been using the visa-free entry since.

Application process for Tourist eVisa from London as of January 2024 - Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits - Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

Edited June 7Jun 7 by VBF
Spelling error

Thanks for the info.

So I applied on Sunday and I got an email saying it was approved today (Monday), actually less than 24 hours after I applied.

In the email it says I have a "Tourist MT" visa which is valid between today (8th) and September 5th, that is just the time that I need to get into Thailand within, right? That isn't the length of the visa?

The 60 days will start from when I arrive in Thailand?

5 minutes ago, IAFYM said:

that is just the time that I need to get into Thailand within, right? That isn't the length of the visa?

The 60 days will start from when I arrive in Thailand?

Correct.

A visa has date of issue and validity "until date"

You enter Thailand anytime while it's valid and will be stamped in (in your case) 60 days.

For others. That 60 day stamp can be extended by 30 days (1900b)