Advice Required

[HowardJohnson]

Hi Guys,

I've been getting various barstool advice but want to check with the very clever people here.

My 1 year extension/permit to stay expires on the 5th November but I am actually returning to the UK on 22nd November permanantly.

What is my best and cheapest (of course!) option?

Visa run to Cambo will only give me 14 days right? Can I then extend that for another 7 at Pattaya Immigration?

What if I get the 14 days and then pay for 3 days overstay?

Flights to Cambo/KL/HK/Sing etc seem to have rocketed with nothing less than 7k available, so would prefer not to do that.

Can I extend my current permission to stay by another 30 days?

Any other genius options?

Cheers!

HoJo

[Jdietz]

As you will be paying 1,900 baht for a 7 day extension as well as a roundtrip to Cambodia for a 15 days (14 effective) visa, why not go overland to Vientianne, get a free 60-days tourist visa there, and return.

From Bangkok the total cost would break down to about:

B450 Bus NongKhai

B50 to border

USD 35 Lao visa

B50 to Thai Embassy

0.00 Apply for free (single or double) TR visa

B200 or as luxurious as you want for overnight stay

Pickup visa, same route back, get stamped in for 60 days.

for a total of about 2,500 baht or so depending on your luxury requirements.

[lopburi3]

Believe you have a Thai wife so you should be able to obtain a 60 day extension of stay to visit one time. She would have to be with you with ID and marriage proof.

[HowardJohnson]

Thanks Lopburi,

It was indeed good advice but unfortunately my wifes Tabian Baan is in Nonburi so Pattaya immigration said they would not do it and I have to go to Bangkok.

I fail to see the point but I guess thats the Thai system.

I'm a bit worried that after travelling to Bangers to get the extension, they will also come up with some excuse as to why they can't issue it and then I'm stuck.

Think I'm just going to do a visa run tomorrow and then extend by 7 days next week. At least then I know I'm ok.

Its a real pain in the ass just for a few extra days!

Thanks!

HoJo

[Mario2008]

Pattaya immigration was right, they extend at the office for the region where your wife is registered. You could try it there, don't think you would have any problem there if your wife goes along.

[lopburi3]

Believe you mean Nonthaburi (west side of the river?). If so a new office has just been opened there (on map in pinned useful information) so expect Bangkok might send you across the river to use it if you do try Bangkok.

[HowardJohnson]

Thanks again Lopburi,

Yes I did mean Nonthaburi and I guess you are right that they would have sent me there.

For all the hassle, I have just booked a visa run and will extend after that.

What a polava!

Cheers!