Tourist Visa -- 10 Day Extension?

[michaeltomas]

I'd like your opinion on what my options are.

I entered Thailand on May 17th (or a day or two different either way) on visa exemption. Two border runs took me to August 17. I then went to Laos and obtained a single entery tourist visa, re-entering Thailand on the 20th. I extended it for 30 days in late October and the extension takes me to November 20th.

What are my options now? I have heard something about being able to get a 10-day extension, but I've been unable to turn up any info on it.

Could I do a border run and re-enter visa exempt? If I could, I suppose I'd rather do that, since it will cost me the same as an extension.

Thanks.

[jdinasia]

I'd like your opinion on what my options are.

I entered Thailand on May 17th (or a day or two different either way) on visa exemption. Two border runs took me to August 17. I then went to Laos and obtained a single entery tourist visa, re-entering Thailand on the 20th. I extended it for 30 days in late October and the extension takes me to November 20th.

What are my options now? I have heard something about being able to get a 10-day extension, but I've been unable to turn up any info on it.

Could I do a border run and re-enter visa exempt? If I could, I suppose I'd rather do that, since it will cost me the same as an extension.

Thanks.

I am not going to try and do your math for you ... but you could simply run up to Laos and get another Tourist Visa (even a double entry Tourist Visa)

[Lite Beer]

The most you could hope for would be a 7 day extension.

You will be ok for another 30 day entry.

[Maestro]

Michael, you had your 30-day extension on the tourist and that was it. No additional 10-day extension available for you.

Depending on how much longer you want to stay in Thailand you can do a visa-exempt border run, get a single-entry tourist visa from a nearby Thai consulate, or get a double-entry tourist visa from Vientiane.

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Maestro

[michaeltomas]

Re the "math", it will be over 180 days since I entered in May. Obviously I've been in the country the entire time, but only 90 of those days were visa-exempt.

Just to clarify, I'm in the clear to do a border run and enter 30 days visa exempt, right?

[Maestro]

It is six months, not 180 days.

You said you entered visa-exempt on 17 May 2008, plus/minus one or two days. Have you lost your passport that you cannot be more precise?

Assuming that it was 17 May, your 6-month period ended on 16 November. Therefore, if you enter again visa-exempt on 20 November a new 6-month period starts on 20 November and your in the clear to do a new visa-exempt border run.

--

Maestro

[michaeltomas]

It is six months, not 180 days.

You said you entered visa-exempt on 17 May 2008, plus/minus one or two days. Have you lost your passport that you cannot be more precise?

It's at my apartment; I'm in a net cafe. It might well have been the 20th, now I think about it.

Assuming that it was 17 May, your 6-month period ended on 16 November. Therefore, if you enter again visa-exempt on 20 November a new 6-month period starts on 20 November and your in the clear to do a new visa-exempt border run.

The 20th May would have been the latest, though, whatever the precise date was, so that would still mean my six months end on the 20th November.

Would there be any problem doing the border run on the 20th (or whichever day precisely marks my six months)? I presume going earlier couldn't possibly help. But if the precise day itself is a problem, what if I were to overstay a day? Would that help, do you think?

[Lite Beer]

Would there be any problem doing the border run on the 20th (or whichever day precisely marks my six months)? I presume going earlier couldn't possibly help. But if the precise day itself is a problem, what if I were to overstay a day? Would that help, do you think?

Overstay is never a good idea.

Go when your permission to stay is up.

If you do have a problem you can visit the consulate and get a Visa.