Leaving And Returning Without A Visa

[RoadWarrior]

OK, I've looked and can't find an answer to my question. I'm an American citizen who came to Thailand with an ordinary 30-day stamp. I just left the country this weekend in order to get another 30 days and will go back to Thailand tomorrow. My new 30-day stamp will expire on March 25. Now, my question is as follows: how many times can I do the leave and return bit without getting a proper tourist visa? I only plan to stay in Thailand until the end of April, so if I can do the leave and return thing one more time, I should be fine without having to get a visa. Thanks for your help!

[lopburi3]

90 days in a six month period.

[RoadWarrior]

90 days in a six month period.

Thank you for the quick reply, lopburi. Much appreciated. By the way, I don't want to go off on a tangent here, and this is a topic for another thread, but I can't help but feel that the Thai government is acting with incredible ignorance in only giving visitors 30-day entries. I'm here in Penang, Malaysia right now, and they were perfectly happy to give me 90 days in the country. So, as a result, I'm here in Malaysia spending my money this weekend instead of Bangkok.

You would think the Thai government would want to encourage tourists to stay longer in their country and thus spend more money in the Kingdom. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. Oh well.

[RoadWarrior]

90 days in a six month period.

OK, I may have a problem here. I just checked my passport and noted that I last left Thailand on Aug. 24, 2007. Counting six months from that date puts me at Feb. 24. I re-entered Thailand this year on Feb. 1, 2008. Is the six-month rule affected by a change in a calendar year? Given the date of my 2007 departure, it appears that I may actually have to get a tourist visa the next time I leave in order to re-enter the country. Is that right?

EDIT: I believe I should be OK given that by the time I leave and come back, the duration of my 2007 stay would have lapsed beyond the previous six months.

Edited February 24, 2008 by RoadWarrior

[lopburi3]

I refuse to do the 90 day math. I always recommend a tourist visa if there is any doubt - and those behind you in line will be ever so grateful.

[sjaak327]

90 days in a six month period.

Thank you for the quick reply, lopburi. Much appreciated. By the way, I don't want to go off on a tangent here, and this is a topic for another thread, but I can't help but feel that the Thai government is acting with incredible ignorance in only giving visitors 30-day entries. I'm here in Penang, Malaysia right now, and they were perfectly happy to give me 90 days in the country. So, as a result, I'm here in Malaysia spending my money this weekend instead of Bangkok.

You would think the Thai government would want to encourage tourists to stay longer in their country and thus spend more money in the Kingdom. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. Oh well.

I don't know about that one, most countries in the neighborhood give 30 days also, but you have to pay for this, (cambodia, Laos, Myanmar China and Vietnam to name a few). Singapore also offers 30 days free of charge, and indeed Malaysia gives certain nationalities 90 days. But the bottom line is that Thailand offers 40 nationalities free visa exempt, ask yourself this question, how easy is it for a Thai to visit your home country ?

I'm betting they are not extended with the same courtisy as you are in Thailand.

[aazA]

90 days in a six month period.

Thank you for the quick reply, lopburi. Much appreciated. By the way, I don't want to go off on a tangent here, and this is a topic for another thread, but I can't help but feel that the Thai government is acting with incredible ignorance in only giving visitors 30-day entries. I'm here in Penang, Malaysia right now, and they were perfectly happy to give me 90 days in the country. So, as a result, I'm here in Malaysia spending my money this weekend instead of Bangkok.

You would think the Thai government would want to encourage tourists to stay longer in their country and thus spend more money in the Kingdom. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. Oh well.

I don't know about that one, most countries in the neighborhood give 30 days also, but you have to pay for this, (cambodia, Laos, Myanmar China and Vietnam to name a few). Singapore also offers 30 days free of charge, and indeed Malaysia gives certain nationalities 90 days. But the bottom line is that Thailand offers 40 nationalities free visa exempt, ask yourself this question, how easy is it for a Thai to visit your home country ?

I'm betting they are not extended with the same courtisy as you are in Thailand.

valid point but you still have to pay 1,500 at airport on departure

[jstumbo]

I'm betting they are not extended with the same courtisy as you are in Thailand.

Not really fair comparing the two. Could you imagine the number of Thais that would just remain in the farang countries illegally instead of returning?

[flying]

I'm betting they are not extended with the same courtisy as you are in Thailand.

Not really fair comparing the two. Could you imagine the number of Thais that would just remain in the farang countries illegally instead of returning?

I think the laws are & would be the same

Meaning like many illegals if coaught deported etc. Also what about legal married to US or UK citizen Thai's? Why make it so hard if a citizen guarantees their spouse?

As to Thai's not being extended the same courtesy I agree. I always wondered what would happen if Thailand told say the UK & the USA .....Ok fine you have the same requirements to come here as we have to go to your country.

I can imagine all the falangs running to their politicians & saying FIX this now!!

Alas I do not see that happening because Thailand does need the tourism $$$.

Being a US citizen with a Thai wife I can say first hand I did not appreciate the hoops we had to jump through.

[koheesti]

90 days in a six month period.

Thank you for the quick reply, lopburi. Much appreciated. By the way, I don't want to go off on a tangent here, and this is a topic for another thread, but I can't help but feel that the Thai government is acting with incredible ignorance in only giving visitors 30-day entries. I'm here in Penang, Malaysia right now, and they were perfectly happy to give me 90 days in the country. So, as a result, I'm here in Malaysia spending my money this weekend instead of Bangkok.

You would think the Thai government would want to encourage tourists to stay longer in their country and thus spend more money in the Kingdom. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. Oh well.

Hong Kong also gives 90 days. Not that anyone I know could afford to stay here that long.

[thaihome]

....valid point but you still have to pay 1,500 at airport on departure

Huh?

TH