Thai Visa After 6 Months Stay?

[Frenchy]

I arrived in Thailand last November and received the regular 30 day stamp at the airport. Since I arrived with a freshly broken leg, after the first 28 days I went back to Immigration with a doctor's certificate proving I was truly incapacitated. I did this every month since last January. Next coming June I will have stayed (legally) in Thailand for 7 months (1 month on a regular stamp + 6 months on invalidity certificate).

I do not qualify for a 1-year retirement visa. What would be the best way for me to stay in Thailand for another 6 months, if it is at all possible?

[jstumbo]

Break the other leg?

You were able to travel to come to Thailand with your broken leg, but are to incapacitated to leave for 7 months afterwards?

You could go to Vientiane Laos and get a double entry tourist visa that would get you about 6 months.

[Frenchy]

Break the other leg?

You were able to travel to come to Thailand with your broken leg, but are to incapacitated to leave for 7 months afterwards?

You could go to Vientiane Laos and get a double entry tourist visa that would get you about 6 months.

Thank you for your answer mate and I understand why you had "some unanswered" issues with my query. Coming (back) to Thailand with a broken leg was an emergency for prompt treatment and further travelling afterward (for a visa run) was not medically (and physically) recommended by my physician. But my main concern was: isn't some kind of Immigration regulation that stipulates that after 6 months in the kingdom over the calendar year, one must leave and can only return the next calendar year after?

[gunnyd]

Thank you for your answer mate and I understand why you had "some unanswered" issues with my query. Coming (back) to Thailand with a broken leg was an emergency for prompt treatment and further travelling afterward (for a visa run) was not medically (and physically) recommended by my physician. But my main concern was: isn't some kind of Immigration regulation that stipulates that after 6 months in the kingdom over the calendar year, one must leave and can only return the next calendar year after?

The immigration rule you are worried about (3x30 day visa exempt stamps in a 6 month period) does not apply. Anytime you break the "visa run" cycle whether is be with a tourist visa from a neighbouring country or a medical certificate, which you had/have, the cycle is reset.

Relax It's all good.

[lopburi3]

The cycle is not reset by a visa entry but visa entry is not subject to the six month rule.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The Thai Embassy in Laos should be good for a double entry tourist visa. That'll give you 2 X 60 days and 2 X 30 day extensions with only one border crossing. Covers the 6 months.

[astral]

Whilst you are here just take care you do not break the middle leg.

[Krub]

Sometimes we are asked why immigration do not extend a period of stay on the strength of a medical certificate

I wonder why

maybe the OP's case may give some start of a understanding

[Frenchy]

The Thai Embassy in Laos should be good for a double entry tourist visa. That'll give you 2 X 60 days and 2 X 30 day extensions with only one border crossing. Covers the 6 months.

Thank you Dr. Pat Pong for your clear and decisive answer! But, if after coming back from Laos with a double entry tourist visa, and during my first 60 days I have to travel for 1 month out of Thailand what would be left out of your "2 x 60 days + 2 x 30 days" formula? Would I have to secure a "re-entry permit" before leaving in order to still benefit of the initial 6 month coverage?

Thanks in advance for your kind answer.

[lopburi3]

There is no six month coverage so you would have to be in Thailand before the 3 month visa validity expired for your second entry to obtain the second 60 day stay. A re-entry permit only keeps your current permitted to stay stamp alive - it does not add time.