I am hoping to get a double entry visa from Australia and was wondering what options I have. Can the visas be split or must they be used back to back? For example, can I use the first visa entry for 60 days then apply for a 30 day extension, then leave the country and visit Laos for a few weeks then return to Thailand on a 30 day visa exemption. Leave the country again and go to say Vietnam or some other country for a few weeks then return to Thailand and use the second visa entry for 60 days then apply for a 30 day extension.

If all that is possible, could I then do a border run and come back into Thailand on another 30 day visa exemption ????

Thanks everyone

It will be up to immigration but in general they will do what you want. Just make sure visa is used during validity period (3 or 6 months from issue).

It will be up to immigration but in general they will do what you want. Just make sure visa is used during validity period (3 or 6 months from issue).

But do the visas have to be used back to back, or can they be split so I can spend time in another country in between ? I still don't fully understand.

There is no requirement to use back to back and most officials will let you use as you want. But there is always the possibility of a bad day.

There is no requirement to use back to back and most officials will let you use as you want. But there is always the possibility of a bad day.

Thanks for that info. If I do use the visas back to back and get extensions, then after they expire could I then get 3 x 30 day visa exemptions doing border runs? This would make the period in Thailand approx 270 days ??

Yes - but it is always best not to use your full allowed 90 days - a simple tourist visa only requires another 24 hours at most places and you would not have a problem later if you really needed the 30 day entry for some reason.

Yes - but it is always best not to use your full allowed 90 days - a simple tourist visa only requires another 24 hours at most places and you would not have a problem later if you really needed the 30 day entry for some reason.

Thanks for your help. I still really do not fully understand how I can spend approx 9 -10 months in Thailand with a break in the middle for trips to Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam.

Will try and figure all this out.

Yes - but it is always best not to use your full allowed 90 days - a simple tourist visa only requires another 24 hours at most places and you would not have a problem later if you really needed the 30 day entry for some reason.

Thanks for your help. I still really do not fully understand how I can spend approx 9 -10 months in Thailand with a break in the middle for trips to Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam.

Will try and figure all this out.

It depends on the "enter before" date stamped on your double-entry VISA as well as the date of your first entry into Thailand.

My experience with the double-entry VISA issued by Thai consulate in Vientiane, the "enter before" date is 3 months from the "date of issue" of your VISA. For example, if you apply on 1st August and VISA issued on 1st August, your "enter before" date will be 31 Oct 2008.

Now if you utilize your first entry on the same day as the date if issue of your VISA, the Immigration will grant you 60 days based on your double-entry VISA. The stamp on first entry will be 30 Sep 2008. That is to say, by 30 Sep you will have to go get your 30-day extension, which will carry you to 31 Oct 2008. And before 31 Oct 2008 expires, you will have to utilize your second entry, i.e. exit and enter Thailand for the second time.

The way I look at it, a break in the middle of your double-entry VISA will not prolong your stay in Thailand, because you're required to "enter before" a certain date, i.e. to utilize your "second" entry by a certain date, which is normally 3 months from the date of issue of VISA.