Brother visiting me in Thailand and came from UK and got 30 day stamp at Suvarnabhumi, now wants to stay on for another 3 weeks is it possible to get extension of the 30 day stamp in bangkok or would he have to fly out and back to get another 30 days? If do regular visa run is only 15 days right if do land border run? Can anyone advise as if not possible we need to book cheapest flight out somewhere and nowhere looking particularly cheap?

He can only obtain 7 day extension at immigration on 30 day visa exempt stamp, and that also requires a ticket out of the country within that timeframe. Doing border run he will get 30 days permission to stay on re-entry by air or 15 days permission to stay on re-entry at land crossing.

Thanks. That's what we thought but needed to check. Off to find a cheap flight now.

Is there a restriction on number of land entry visa extensions you can make ie within certain period or before you have to fly out.

have a friend visiting and he is wondering what kind of visa he should get or stick to 30days on entry and do a border crossing or two, depending on how his plans work out.

Without a Visa or a ticket leaving within 30 days he may not be allowed onto the flight.

He needs a Visa. Tourist Visa is free at the moment and gives 60 days that can be extended at Immigration for a further 30 days.

He may have a problem boarding the flight without a ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival to meet 'visa exempt' immigration regulations. Would suggest he obtains 60 day tourist visa before travelling. They are currently free. Tourist visa can be extended for 30 days at Thai immigration, fee 1900 baht. Reports suggest 4 land border crossings is likely to lead to immigration questioning as part of current crackdown on illegal working.

Just out of curiousity, can't one just fly in on a one-way ticket without a return flight and just say they plan to leave through a border crossing?

With a valid visa one way travel is indeed possible. If relying on visa exempt entry must have air ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival (to meet Thai immigration requirements) or airline likely to deny boarding. The reason is because if refused entry into the Kingdom the airline will be fined and will have to pay for repatriation of the traveller. Understandably, most airlines will not take that risk.