30 Day Stamp Question

[rideswings]

Hi folks. I am a citizen of the USA and I was getting ready to make a border run when I realized that I already have 3 30 day stamps on my passport and I wonder if I can get a 4th 30 day stamp? I have been to Thailand on 3 different trips since December 1, 2007. First trip was for 13 days (Dec 1 - Dec 13, 2007), second trip was for 13 days (Feb 27 - March 12), and I am on my third trip now having arrived on May 1 and scheduled to depart on June 7 (38 days).

So in total I have been in the Kingdom for 64 days in a 6 month period, but I have already gotten 3 30 day stamps. My current problem is that I want to stay until the 7th of June but I will be exceeding my quota for 30 day stamps and I will be overstaying my current 30 day stamp by 8 days. I will be returing to Thailand in July for at least 2 months, so I dont want to make it hard for myself by staying illegally on this stamp and jeopardizing reentry in July. Any suggestions? My plan was to go to immigration in BKK and get a 7 say extension and then overstay one day, then when I get back home to the USA, get a longer term Visa for my July trip.

Any help would be appreciated.

[sweetchariot]

You can have as many stamps as you like. The rule applies to the total number of days spent in the country, not how many times you have entered (max 90 days in 6 months).

[lopburi3]

You are likely to be required to show exit ticket (within 7 days) to obtain a 7 day extension of stay - just make another border crossing for a new visa exempt entry and don't overstay. The limit is 90 days; not three entries.

[rideswings]

Thanks for the information! What a relief. Now if I can find a cheap way to make a border run from BKK without having to spend 7 or 8 hours round trip in a car or bus. My health is not very good. Cheapest flight out of BKK to another country is 5200 baht (taxes and fuel surcharge) to Cambodia but its a very short flight.

[thecatman]

Thanks for the information! What a relief. Now if I can find a cheap way to make a border run from BKK without having to spend 7 or 8 hours round trip in a car or bus. My health is not very good. Cheapest flight out of BKK to another country is 5200 baht (taxes and fuel surcharge) to Cambodia but its a very short flight.

Check out Air Asia for a flight to K.L. Malaysia, I think it maybe cheaper than flying to Cambodia, + you won't have the hassle/cost of getting an entry visa either.

Also, a visa run from BKK by road is going to be alot longer than a 7 or 8 hour round trip.

[rideswings]

thecatman - I checked Air Asia and prices have really gone up because of the fuel surcharges. KL is around 7000 baht round trip, Cambodia is only 5200, Penang is around 5700. Do you think KL is still the way to go? I live only 15 minutes from BKK airport, so flying anywhere is not a big deal. Also, since I am going to leave the country, are there any countries I can go to for a few days that might have a beach not too far from the airport? I was thinking about KL, Penang, Cambodia, Jakarta or Singapore. All of them will be 7000 or less round trip. Thanks!

[thecatman]

thecatman - I checked Air Asia and prices have really gone up because of the fuel surcharges. KL is around 7000 baht round trip, Cambodia is only 5200, Penang is around 5700. Do you think KL is still the way to go? I live only 15 minutes from BKK airport, so flying anywhere is not a big deal. Also, since I am going to leave the country, are there any countries I can go to for a few days that might have a beach not too far from the airport? I was thinking about KL, Penang, Cambodia, Jakarta or Singapore. All of them will be 7000 or less round trip. Thanks!

Well, I guess if you're going to spend a few days away on a beach, then Penang has to be the best bet. I just looked on Air Asia, and to go there on June 1 and return on June 5 it's 5,424Bt. Sounds OK to me.

Remember, if you decide to go to Cambodia, you have to take the visa fee into account when comparing costs.