I plan to stay in thailand for 6 months now...so single entry is best option for me?

After 3 months I will go to vietnam and aply for a single entry visa again.

Is this the best way to do it?

Can I fly to Danang and apply for thai visa there?

Edited June 24Jun 24 by farik

You'll have to go to immigration to extend each 60 day entry to give you 90 days but your plan should be fine. Yes, you can apply for an evisa from Da Nang, the application will be handled by the consulate in Ho Chi Minh.

23 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

You'll have to go to immigration to extend each 60 day entry to give you 90 days but your plan should be fine. Yes, you can apply for an evisa from Da Nang, the application will be handled by the consulate in Ho Chi Minh.

how long does it take in danang for the visa to process?

I would allow 3-5 working days but it could be more or less. Be flexible, Da Nang is a good place to hang out anyway.

9 hours ago, Upnotover said:

You'll have to go to immigration to extend each 60 day entry to give you 90 days but your plan should be fine. Yes, you can apply for an evisa from Da Nang, the application will be handled by the consulate in Ho Chi Minh.

I have reservations under the current climate just how long Immigration will permit you to stay in Thailand, even entering with a TV and trying to max the permission of stay.
Is it likely to be any different that entering VE and maxing extensions.

(i.e. 60 + 30, then 60 + 7).

A friend always enters with a TV, 3 times a year, never stays more than 50 days, but October last on his 3rd entry he was stopped and questioned.
Only after he provided proof of having a Thai spouse and visiting her did they allow him to enter.

Now on his 2nd TV entry this year, he's concerned if he'll be stopped again on his 3rd entry this coming October.

16 hours ago, farik said:

I plan to stay in thailand for 6 months now...so single entry is best option for me?

After 3 months I will go to vietnam and aply for a single entry visa again.

Being bit rude. So you want to stay in Thailand for 6 months and your plan is back to back setv + extensions.

Frankly it could be a fail.

You will be approved for eVisa however expect issues on arrival Thailand.

So what's the real deal.

Why would a tourist want to spend minimal time in Vietnam.

I would exercise caution also. What your talking about is exactly why Thailand is focusing on people who abuse the system. Thailand wants people to have the correct Visa depending on their needs.

If they issue you a 2nd Visa that does Not guarantee entry. The immigration officer will scan your TDAC card and see exactly when you left and know how long and frequently you've entered Thailand. The Immigration officer will most likely ask you follow up questions and or they are not satisfied you may be denied entry

Multi Entry Tourist Visa. Saves all the hassle.

6 hours ago, Toby1947 said:

Multi Entry Tourist Visa. Saves all the hassle.

i dont want to have 5000 eur in my bank account...that is the only reason i am not doing it

8 hours ago, J Branche said:

I would exercise caution also. What your talking about is exactly why Thailand is focusing on people who abuse the system. Thailand wants people to have the correct Visa depending on their needs.

If they issue you a 2nd Visa that does Not guarantee entry. The immigration officer will scan your TDAC card and see exactly when you left and know how long and frequently you've entered Thailand. The Immigration officer will most likely ask you follow up questions and or they are not satisfied you may be denied entry

i am planning to stay 1 month in vietnam then return to thailand for 3 months more..i am sure in few months they will loosen the requirments because they need tourists...

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Being bit rude. So you want to stay in Thailand for 6 months and your plan is back to back setv + extensions.

Frankly it could be a fail.

You will be approved for eVisa however expect issues on arrival Thailand.

So what's the real deal.

Why would a tourist want to spend minimal time in Vietnam.

i will stay 1 month in vietnam i guess

11 minutes ago, farik said:

will stay 1 month in vietnam i guess

In that case no issue back to back setv entry.

Even with extensions

There is one way to find out.

Just keep us updated on what happens. I believe it can help others navigate the changing Immigration landscape.

Good luck

9 hours ago, J Branche said:

Just keep us updated on what happens. I believe it can help others navigate the changing Immigration landscape.

Positive reply.

Thinking his worse case is a warning.

Update super helpful.

The planned one month in Vietnam is a winner

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Positive reply.

Thinking his worse case is a warning.

Update super helpful.

The planned one month in Vietnam is a winner

How about a variation on that plan in which there is no extension after the first SETV and the stay in Vietnam is just one or two weeks? Is the two consecutive SETV approach still doable in the current regime?

If things are tightening up then I guess I could go the METV route but I don't really need six months in Thailand hence I'm reluctant to spend the extra money for it. Four months total does me just fine every winter. The problem with the METV is that the real cost is the necessary travel out of Thailand for some period of time hence airfare and hotels, etc. These compulsory travel costs far exceed the cost of the visa itself.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. All the best.

3 hours ago, ultramarine said:

Four months total does me just fine every winter.

4 months with two SETV without extensions should be no issue.

Especially if you spend week or so out of Thailand.

You will need a week out to obtain the second setv eVisa. My go to would be Saigon. Even better if you are visa, exempt to Vietnam.

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

4 months with two SETV without extensions should be no issue.

Especially if you spend week or so out of Thailand.

You will need a week out to obtain the second setv eVisa. My go to would be Saigon. Even better if you are visa, exempt to Vietnam.

Thanks DrJack54. I'm not visa exempt in Vietnam but could do anyway How about Penang for a week? Since the turnaround time is 1 week minimum for a new setv I would have to err on the side of caution in terms of timing for my return flight. Maybe 10-14 days would be more prudent.

How's your back these days?

10 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

How about Penang for a week? Since the turnaround time is 1 week minimum for a new setv I would have to err on the side of caution in terms of timing for my return flight. Maybe 10-14 days would be more prudent.

Malaysia is not a friendly place for foreigners. The embassies and consulates there are very slow to issue visas. Laos and Vietnam are much better options.

21 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Malaysia is not a friendly place for foreigners. The embassies and consulates there are very slow to issue visas. Laos and Vietnam are much better options.

Thanks. How long could it take to issue an setv if in Vietnam or Laos?

8 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

Thanks. How long could it take to issue an setv if in Vietnam or Laos?

Laos you will have to go to the embassy and pay in person after you submit your application online. Normally 2-4 days after you pay.

Vietnam is probably more like a week, but everything is online including payment.

3 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Laos you will have to go to the embassy and pay in person after you submit your application online. Normally 2-4 days after you pay.

Vietnam is probably more like a week, but everything is online including payment.

Great info. Much appreciated. So if in Laos I would have to Vientiane or Savannakhet for the embassy office but if in Vietnam I could go anywhere (e.g. Danang) since it is all done online?

1 hour ago, ultramarine said:

Great info. Much appreciated. So if in Laos I would have to Vientiane or Savannakhet for the embassy office but if in Vietnam I could go anywhere (e.g. Danang) since it is all done online?

Yes

4 hours ago, ultramarine said:

.....but if in Vietnam I could go anywhere (e.g. Danang) since it is all done online?

Yes.

Regards eVisa to enter Vietnam it's very simple.

Saigon is my go to and being Oz I require a visa.

Process time is pretty much exactly 4 days to obtain the visa for Thailand and Brandon has stated guide for eVisa for Thailand after you apply having entered Vietnam

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes.

Regards eVisa to enter Vietnam it's very simple.

Saigon is my go to and being Oz I require a visa.

Process time is pretty much exactly 4 days to obtain the visa for Thailand and Brandon has stated guide for eVisa for Thailand after you apply having entered Vietnam

Thanks! Not quite sure what you mean here though -- "Brandon has stated guide for eVisa for Thailand after you apply having entered Vietnam". Why "guide" exactly? Do you just mean to apply for the Thailand eVisa on the day you arrive in Vietnam?

7 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

Do you just mean to apply for the Thailand eVisa on the day you arrive in Vietnam?

Yes think process time for eVisa in Vietnam will be 5-8 days.

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes think process time for eVisa in Vietnam will be 5-8 days.

How does Cambodia compare for turnaround time for the Thailand SETV eVisa ? Is that also online or would I have to attend at the embassy in Phnom Penh?

On 6/26/2026 at 6:33 AM, J Branche said:

I would exercise caution also. What your talking about is exactly why Thailand is focusing on people who abuse the system. Thailand wants people to have the correct Visa depending on their needs.

I asked that question or think it was a comment I made on youtube few days ago

What is the correct visa

Now because of age and funds I could obtain a retirement visa but quite simply I dont want one nor should I actually "deserve" one (by the book) if only staying 6 months a year (spread out)

Now DTV I dont qualify for. I'm not signing up for some bullshight cookery course to potentially qualify lol

Which leaves METV or SETV (I would not remotely pay for some elite visa you'd have to be a total whackjob to risk that)

The METV requires 6 months bank statements showing high level of monies on average. When I asked whether I could upload any number of investment account in 6 figures plus am told not acceptable ! I dont keep wads in currents accounts because can retrieve monies in 1 minute if I ever need to

Which leaves SETV which is no problem

As it happens I'm doing exactly the same as OP albeit I'd probably stay in Danang 2 weeks

So either in 2027 I either arrange to keep £5000 in current account for 6 months and apply for METV or again as is intended this year run with 2 x SETV

Could someone (who know more than me, which is most people) clarify- I thought I had read that Thailand had rules about issuing tourist visas to people in countries they weren't resident of? IE, as an Australian I couldn't get a SETV issued in Penang or Jakarta. Am I just mistaken?
(Incidentally, crossing back in Thailand at C Khong with a SETV after 18 days out of Thailand/87 days in. Hopefully a breeze...)

59 minutes ago, curlywombat said:

Could someone (who know more than me, which is most people) clarify- I thought I had read that Thailand had rules about issuing tourist visas to people in countries they weren't resident of? IE, as an Australian I couldn't get a SETV issued in Penang or Jakarta. Am I just mistaken?
(Incidentally, crossing back in Thailand at C Khong with a SETV after 18 days out of Thailand/87 days in. Hopefully a breeze...)

Thailand does not have rules, each embassy sets their own rules. There are some embassies that will not accept any visa applications from people who are not citizens or residents of that country. There are other embassies that will accept visa applications from anyone inside of that country.

The 2 biggest exceptions I can think of off the top of my head are:

Non-OA - you can only apply for a non-OA in your home country/country of your passport.
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa - You can normally only apply for METV in your passport country or a country you are a resident of. (There are recent reports, only this year, of the Thai embassies in Laos and Vietnam allowing non-residents to apply for METV. There are no other reports from any other embassy that this is the case).

3 hours ago, curlywombat said:

Could someone (who know more than me, which is most people) clarify- I thought I had read that Thailand had rules about issuing tourist visas to people in countries they weren't resident of? IE, as an Australian I couldn't get a SETV issued in Penang or Jakarta. Am I just mistaken?
(Incidentally, crossing back in Thailand at C Khong with a SETV after 18 days out of Thailand/87 days in. Hopefully a breeze...)

Just to add to @BrandonJT post.

If your considering applying for any type of visa from a Thai Embassy not in your home Country, then research the website of the intended Thai Embassy for eligibility and visa types.

As an Australian national you could apply for the TV in Penang.
https://penang.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/114490-visa-requirements-ii

https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/3fsjzRYZ2e/VISA_FORM/TOURIST_VISA_(TR)-new_(3).pdf

Similarly, in Jakarta.

http://www.thaiembassyjakarta.com/en/consular-services/tourist-visa/