Hi,

I am a USA passport holder, Im currently in Bangkok on a 30 day stamp, I had only planned to be here for a few weeks but I absolutely fell in love with Thailand. I have never been to such an amazing country and have decided that I would like to stay longer.

I read many threads about re-newing existing visas, but I was curious about obtaining a longer term tourist visa from my current stamp. Is it possible to upgrade to a longer term visa without having to leave Thailand?

The people have been so friendly and helpful, and the food is wonderful I'd like to stay as long as I can.

Thank You very much,

Jessica

Edited September 24, 200718 yr by Yumiko

Cannot get a visa in country Cos no Embassy, Consulate in country.

Naka.

Naka is correct, no can do, you'll need to go to a nearby country to obtain a Tourist Visa.

Penang is popular, agents will handle the whole process for a nominal fee.

Will have to go to Laos or Maylasia or any other country in the area to get a visa.

You cannot apply for a tourist visa in country, there are no embassies or consulates inside the country (obviously).

How long are you planning on staying ? If you would like another 90 days, go to Vientiane to obtain a tourist visa, good for 60 days into the country and can be extended by 30 days at 1900 baht. If you plan on staying for less the 30 days, you just could get another exempt stamp and do a visa run to the country nearest to your location. As you are in Bangkok, you could do a visa run with Jack golf, Thaivisaservice.com or Thaivisarun.com to Cambodia for around 2000 baht, it will take a total of 9 hours to do this trip.

.........or you could make your own way to a border you fancy (such as a train trip down south and on to Penang or to Haad Yai then to the border by bus) you will get another 30days as you return to Thailand. You can do this twice more before you need a Visa.

If you were in a hurry you could always book a cheap flight to a nearby destination and return the same day (never to leave the destination airport)

Edited September 24, 200718 yr by Mahout Angrit

The people have been so friendly and helpful, and the food is wonderful I'd like to stay as long as I can.

I realise this response is slightly but as Jessica's question has already been answered, isn't it great to read her comment?! Takes me back to my first visit and the feelings I experienced and is in stark contrast to much of the negativity we read.

BTW, if funds allow and you decide on Cambodia, why not combine your run with a trip to Angkor Wat? Just a thought.....

Edited September 24, 200718 yr by VBF

The people have been so friendly and helpful, and the food is wonderful I'd like to stay as long as I can.

... isn't it great to read her comment?! Takes me back to my first visit and the feelings I experienced and is in stark contrast to much of the negativity we read.

My thoughts exactly, when I read the OP.

Jessica, I am glad to see that you enjoy your vacation in Thailand. No doubt you will come back for more. All my friends to whom I recommended Thailand for a holiday have loved it.

--

Maestro

The people have been so friendly and helpful, and the food is wonderful I'd like to stay as long as I can.

... isn't it great to read her comment?! Takes me back to my first visit and the feelings I experienced and is in stark contrast to much of the negativity we read.

My thoughts exactly, when I read the OP.

Jessica, I am glad to see that you enjoy your vacation in Thailand. No doubt you will come back for more. All my friends to whom I recommended Thailand for a holiday have loved it.

--

Maestro

Thank you everyone for the responses, I will put together my plan.

I trully am amazed at the kindness of strangers here in Thailand. I've had the fortune of making many friends immediately! I was raised in Hawaii, and never really thought I'd find a place that could make the "Aloha spirit" pale in comparison, hehe. For example, I was walking my dog with my bf near my hotel and stopped to pick up a drink at a cornner store. When I came out, I found my bf in talks with a lovely woman who was complimenting our dog. What started out as small talk about our pets on the woman's part, turned into a full on welcome wagon when she found out we had only been in Thailand for 1 day! We all sat down at the table there on the corner sipping our drinks, and she drew us a map to the shopping mall where we could get a local phone, and made a list of everything we could possibly need, like the best hospital near by, local grocery stores, her personal vet's phone number, some really great places to eat, etc. And insisted we call her once we got our phone, so that we could stay in touch. The time she took out of her day to to help us out made us feel so special. And we have nothing but more stories of the same type of friendly experiences so far. We love it here!

Now we're trying our best to learn some of the Thai language. Baby steps! Visa first.

Edited September 24, 200718 yr by Yumiko

Yumiko, welcome, and may your honeymoon here last as long as possible.

^ an extension of stay yes, you can actually get one for Thailand as well, even if it's only 7 days (as you can extend the visa exempt stamp in country, and a visa exempt stamp is not a visa), but of course you cannot obtain a tourist visa in country, as there are no thai embassies or consulates inside of thailand.

I was walking my dog with my bf near my hotel and stopped to pick up a drink at a cornner store. When I came out, I found my bf in talks with a lovely woman who was complimenting our dog. What started out as small talk about our pets on the woman's part, turned into a full on welcome wagon when she found out we had only been in Thailand for 1 day!

1 Day in the country and you had already had a pet dog ?

Looks like you'll be staying a long time, good luck to you both.