I will be in LOS in October. A little over 3 weeks . Current plan is a couple of days in BKK followed by a few days in Vietnam ?? As it stands I will return and spend 15/16 days in Thailand before leaving back to the UK.

Am I correct in thinking anything over 14 days may cause issues.

any comments appreciated.

What issues? You'll have 2 visa exempt entries, no problem at all. You'll likely need to show the airline in Vietnam your ticket out of Thailand but guess that's not a problem for your trip.

28 minutes ago, surreybloke said:

Am I correct in thinking anything over 14 days may cause issues.

Visa exempt will be 30 days.

You have no issue apart from onward ticket for airline.

Don't forget the TDAC for both entries to Thailand.

Being UK you are visa exempt for Vietnam.

Your plan is fine.

thank you both

Retirement choices

I have got to the age of 71 in the uk . I have finally got round to retiring. I have no wish to live full time in LOS at the moment. Current plan is to spend a long vacation maybe 3 months in winter . Perhaps another similar visit . My long term thai lady lives in UK at the moment. I can just about cope with village life in Isaan so may do the odd visit to other nearby countries.

I am thinking about visas. I could just deal with each visit on an individual basis. Is it worth looking at longer visas . The conditions for longer visas look demanding. Do i need compulsory health insurance . I can prove funds to survive.

An annual 3 month trip can be done with a single entry tourist visa and an in country extension, or a trip out returning exempt. You could repeat that twice a year with no issues. Alternatively a single non-O (over 50) gives you a 90 day entry (you'd need to show 800k equivalent in a UK bank account). That 90 day entry can be protected with a reentry permit if wanting to make side trips.

Neither option requires health insurance. That is only a requirement for a non-OA visa giving 12 months+ in the country, but would seem overkill for your proposed stays.

27 minutes ago, surreybloke said:

Retirement choices

I have got to the age of 71 in the uk . I have finally got round to retiring. I have no wish to live full time in LOS at the moment. Current plan is to spend a long vacation maybe 3 months in winter . Perhaps another similar visit . My long term thai lady lives in UK at the moment. I can just about cope with village life in Isaan so may do the odd visit to other nearby countries.

I am thinking about visas. I could just deal with each visit on an individual basis. Is it worth looking at longer visas . The conditions for longer visas look demanding. Do i need compulsory health insurance . I can prove funds to survive.

IF you're married to your Thai parnter then you could get a Non-O based on Marriage (Less finances required) or you could enter Visa Exempt (30 days) & get a 60 day extension for reasons of Visting your Wife.

If not married then an METV would cover all of your needs or an STV and 1 extension / holiday elsewhere at 60 days.

Edited yesterday at 12:44 AM1 day by SamSpade

1 hour ago, surreybloke said:

Current plan is to spend a long vacation maybe 3 months in winter . Perhaps another similar visit

SETV eVisa + 30 day extension twice a year = no problem

(not back to back)

2 hours ago, surreybloke said:

Retirement choices

I have got to the age of 71 in the uk . I have finally got round to retiring. I have no wish to live full time in LOS at the moment. Current plan is to spend a long vacation maybe 3 months in winter . Perhaps another similar visit . My long term thai lady lives in UK at the moment. I can just about cope with village life in Isaan so may do the odd visit to other nearby countries.

I am thinking about visas. I could just deal with each visit on an individual basis. Is it worth looking at longer visas . The conditions for longer visas look demanding. Do i need compulsory health insurance . I can prove funds to survive.

A Tourist visa currently cost £25 + 30 day extension @ 1,900 BHT (£42).
A Non Imm O visa costs £60.

If your just planning stays of up to 90 days, then I'd opt for the Non Imm O visa based on retirement and avoid shenanigans with an Immigration office.
If you intend to open a Thai bank account at any time, then a Non Imm visa is essential.

10 hours ago, Liquorice said:

A Tourist visa currently cost £25 + 30 day extension @ 1,900 BHT (£42).
A Non Imm O visa costs £60.

If your just planning stays of up to 90 days, then I'd opt for the Non Imm O visa based on retirement and avoid shenanigans with an Immigration office.
If you intend to open a Thai bank account at any time, then a Non Imm visa is essential.

Thanks for that. BTW I already have a thai bank account. A friendly person with the local village admin.