I was given a 60 +30 Tourist VISA which will expire on 3 April 2008, the last day of the 90 days.

i understand that by the end of my first 60 days I will have to pay a visit to Suan Plu to have my VISA stamped and officially extended for another 30 days. If I go on 3 March 2008 which is a Monday, will I be considered as having exceeded the 60 days ?

The problem is 29 Feb is Friday, and the next available working day is 3 March, Monday. My return flight is on 29 March, so if I go on 29 Feb to stamp my VISA I might have to leave Thailand by 28 March.

Appreciate your advice.

The date on visa itself means nothing after you enter Thailand (it is an 'enter by' date). Before the 60 allowed days of entry are over (about a week is fine) you go to Immigration and request the 30 day extension of stay - it will be from your current permitted to stay until stamp.

Highly depends on the mood of the officer on the day.. But my local immigration (if smiled at and wai'ed nicely) will add 30 days to the end of a 60 day stamp even if your a few days early.

A donation of fruits or 100 baht 'photocopy charge' doesnt hurt either.

I have not seen any report of persons being told to return on last day or having to pay any extras. As this is done by dozens of people every day it is not something out of the ordinary. And a few days early is expected.

What I would do is go there on the 29th, bring your plane ticket to show to whatever immigration worker is stamping your visa. If he has any kind of heart at all, he'll give you the extra day or two.

The date on visa itself means nothing after you enter Thailand (it is an 'enter by' date). Before the 60 allowed days of entry are over (about a week is fine) you go to Immigration and request the 30 day extension of stay - it will be from your current permitted to stay until stamp.

This message board is moving fast, I must say.

You're right about the "enter by" date. I was puzzled at first when I saw "enter before 3 April". The VISA was issued on 4 Jan.

However, I didn't enter Thailand until 20 Jan. So does that mean the 60 days I can start counting from 20 Jan and not 4 Jan ?

What I would do is go there on the 29th, bring your plane ticket to show to whatever immigration worker is stamping your visa. If he has any kind of heart at all, he'll give you the extra day or two.

Thanks, that was a good suggestion. Let me sort out the date clarifications with the rest first as I'm still puzzled by the "enter before" thingy.

The date on visa itself means nothing after you enter Thailand (it is an 'enter by' date). Before the 60 allowed days of entry are over (about a week is fine) you go to Immigration and request the 30 day extension of stay - it will be from your current permitted to stay until stamp.

This message board is moving fast, I must say.

You're right about the "enter by" date. I was puzzled at first when I saw "enter before 3 April". The VISA was issued on 4 Jan.

However, I didn't enter Thailand until 20 Jan. So does that mean the 60 days I can start counting from 20 Jan and not 4 Jan ?

When you entered on 20 Jan your passport will have been stamped with a permited to stay until date. This will be 60 days after 20 Jan which should be 19 March.

A few days before 19 March go to Immigation and for a fee of 1,900 Baht they will give you another 30 days.

When you entered on 20 Jan your passport will have been stamped with a permited to stay until date. This will be 60 days after 20 Jan which should be 19 March.

A few days before 19 March go to Immigation and for a fee of 1,900 Baht they will give you another 30 days.

Hey, LiteBeer, you're absolutely spot on ! I'm happy that I asked this question in this forum. Wow...what a relief ! I can enjoy Songkran without leaving Thailand....

....and thank you, once again.

When you entered on 20 Jan your passport will have been stamped with a permited to stay until date. This will be 60 days after 20 Jan which should be 19 March.

A few days before 19 March go to Immigation and for a fee of 1,900 Baht they will give you another 30 days.

Hey, LiteBeer, you're absolutely spot on ! I'm happy that I asked this question in this forum. Wow...what a relief ! I can enjoy Songkran without leaving Thailand....

....and thank you, once again.

Yes you can get soaking wet. Have fun.