I'm a canadian citizen, looking to leave for thainland in early oct. I want to purchase my return ticket for late march but i have been informed that you require an airline ticket proving that you are leaving the country within the thirty days on a thirty day visa, does anybody know the actual rules on this and also how many visa runs can you do on a 30 day visa, Is it even possible for me to stay until march doing a visa run every month? any help would be appreciated.

You are allowed 90 days in every 6 month period using visa runs to get the 30 day stamp. It is counted based on days, not numbers of entries.

You likely will not be allowed boarding on your flight in Canada with your RT dates unless you can show a ticket out of Thailand SOMEWHERE within 30 days OR a tourist visa.

My best suggestion to you is apply for a TRIPLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA in Canada. This gives you 60 days each entry and each entry can be extended in Thailand for 30 days. They might not give you a triple. Maybe they will give you a double or a single, but with the amount of time you want to stay, you should try for it.

The time on the tourist visas does not count for the 90 day counting scheme for the 30 day stamps.

You will have to play the game like every other visa runner. Even with tourist visas, you do need to leave Thailand for a short time between entries. Happy travels.

Edited August 19, 200817 yr by Jingthing

Thanks for the help, If i get a double entry visa, should i have any troubles getting into the country even if i book my return within 90 days of departure?, because i am allowed to change the departure date on the ticket for free once, if i choose to stay longer.

That sounds fine. You should be clear that your problem is getting BOARDED in Canada to go to Thailand, not getting into Thailand. Immigration at BKK airport almost never checks your return ticket. You do need either a visa or ticket out within 30 days to board in Canada. If you are only staying 90 days you could do that on a SINGLE ENTRY tourist visa. The entry gives you 60 days and then you can apply for a 30 day extension in Thailand. Alternatively, with a single entry, you could just take a quick visa run trip and get a 30 day stamp for your last 30 days. Do not overstay!

Edited August 19, 200817 yr by Jingthing