Pre-planning Next Visa Trip In Accordance With Mar 4 Cutoff

[Portlandstone]

When the free tourist visas stop (March 4th, isn't it?), single-entry visa application will cost $35 or 1000 baht, yes? How much will the double-entry cost?

I just did my visa run last week so I'm good to go until about March 15, 2010 (if I do a 30 day extend in mid-February). However my next run on March 15th will put me past the March 4th timeline that will go back to paying the cost of the visas. I am considering just skipping the 30-day extend in Mid-Feb and instead at that time do the visa run out of the country. As I'm a person on a budget if I know I can cut an extra $50 or more then I'll consider it. All things considered if I did the visa trip in mid-feb rather than mid-march, doesn't that actually decrease my expenses? (no costly 30-day extension, also get the last free tourst visa before early march)? Any thoughts? I think that many others will want to consider whether they should hop out of the country a bit earlier if their dates are close to early March.

Few other things I want to clear up: a single entry visa sets us up for a maximum of 90 days (or is it 89?) in country before a new visa trip is needed, while a double-entry sets you up for about 6 months, meaning extend 30 days at two months mark, then hop out of country and spend the afternoon walking around (without going to a Thai consulate) and turn right back around at 3 months mark, with a final 30 day extension at month 5? Lastly, what if a person left Thailand but did not get a proper stamp into the other country (i.e. stamped out of Thailand and went out the gate (or flew by plane), but turned right back without full entry into next country)?

[lopburi3]

It would help to have a scorecard for your questions (numbers).

1. Tourist visa cost is per entry.

2. Entry is 60 days. Day of entry is day one. Extension is 30 days.

3. Two entry visa will have a 90 day expiration date if issued locally so both entries must be made prior to that date.

4. No entry and return to Thailand is illegal entry and you would be detained and sent to Bangkok for deportation if you were not able to cross into the other country. They do look for visa/exit stamp when they process on a land crossing.