Question Regarding Re-entry Permit

[elektrified]

I am a US citizen here on a double-entry TV from Vientiane. The first 60 day entry is up on 21 June. I am traveling to Los Angeles on 26 June where I will be for about 30 days. I will return to Thailand on or about 23 July. When I go to Chiang Mai Immigration to get my 30 day extension, can I apply for a re-entry permit and freeze the time not only on the second entry of the visa but also the remaining 25 or so days on the 30 day extension? The visa says enter before 21 July.

Thanks for your help.

elektrified

[Maestro]

If you get an extension of stay this will allow you to stay until 21 July. A re-entry permit would allow you to return to Thailand any time not later than 21 July. Therefore, since you will return to Thailand on 23 July, a re-entry permit would not help you in any way.

Your double-entry tourist visa must be utilized before 21 July, ie you can make your second entry into Thailand not later than 20 July. There is no way to extend the validity of this visa. Since you will return to Thailand only on 23 July, you cannot use this visa. You will be given a visa-exempt entry stamp for 30 days.

Unless you have a confirmed onward flight out of Thailand the airline may not check in you in for your return flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok if you don't have a valid visa. Best to get a new visa while you are in the USA.

--

Maestro

[elektrified]

Thanks for that Maestro. Not what I was hoping to hear but understood. My fault, I should have planned the trip sooner. Maybe I can change my ticket to come back on the 20th.

Can I get a double-entry tourist visa in Los Angeles if I can't change my ticket? Is the Royal Thai Consulate in L.A. helpful? I already have two double-entry tourist visas in my passport. Since I have a valid tourist visa now, can I convert it to a Non-Immigrant visa, thereby extending the date of the visa?

Thanks.

[opalhort]

How about making a one day border run on 19 or 20 June?

This would activate the second entry and provide you with 60 days.

Before going to the US get a re-entry permit to keep them alive. After return get 30 days extension.

opalhort

[elektrified]

Sounds like an excellent idea opalhort. Many thanks for that.

[Lite Beer]

Sounds like an excellent idea opalhort. Many thanks for that.

As long as you realise that your stay will finish on around 2oth August, so when you come back on 23rd July you will only get 1 month.

This can be as said extended at Immigration for a 1,900 Baht fee.

The Re Entry permit is 1,000 Baht.

A ReEntry permit does not freeze anything it just keeps your original stay alive.

[opalhort]

Of course 'Lite Beer' is correct. The best solution would be to obtain a new visa while in the US as suggested by 'Maestro'.

It depends on how long the OP plans to stay in LOS after his return from the US.

opalhort

[dr_Pat_Pong]

LA is over the top tough.

[Lite Beer]

LA is over the top tough.

Yep. Looks like he has a bit of head scratching to do.

Opalhort. I was not knocking your plan, just making sure he understood it.

[elektrified]

LA is over the top tough.

Not sure what you mean dr_Pat_Pong. Do you mean the L.A. Royal Thai Consulate would deny me a tourist visa? Thanks for your help.

[elektrified]

LA is over the top tough.

Yep. Looks like he has a bit of head scratching to do.

Opalhort. I was not knocking your plan, just making sure he understood it.

Yes I understand. But at least with opalhort's suggestion I can get back in without a ticket out and deal with the situation when I come back. Perhaps another run to Vientiane or somewhere for another TV.

I plan on eventually getting a retirement visa as I am 50 now. I had planned all along to convert my tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa here in Chiang Mai and then apply for the retirement extension. But when the world stock markets tanked it put a damper on my plan to raise additional cash and at the moment I don't have all of the 800K Baht available to sit for 90 days.

The retirement visa would sure make things easier overall...

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions.

elektrified