Thai Visa For Us Citizens

[davidovna]

Hello,

My husband and I hold US passports and will be entering Thailand from Cambodia via bus on February 12, 2010. I am 27, and he is 30 years old. We will be leaving Thailand from Bangkok airport to fly back to US on February 27, 2010 at 5 o'clock in the morning. We are aware that US citizens only can get a 15 day tourist visa when entering the country via a land border. Unfortunately, we are going to be in the country exactly 15 days and 5 hours. We have already tried to email the Thai consulate in US and have not received a clear response on what to do. We leave US for Vietnam on February 3, 2010, so there isn't much time left. Do we have to get a 30 day visa while in US or can we just pay a $15 USD fine for staying one day past our 15 visa term in Thailand?

Thank you in advance,

Yuliya

[whatchamacallit]

Not sure if they're still offering free tourist visas - but as you said you may not have time to apply for one anyway.

I hope you'll get the 30 days stamp when you cross the border as they should know that you're not doing border runs (like most of us here.. ha ha), but even if they only give you 15 days... I don't think they will fine you for being 5 hrs overstay :-) when you leave Thailand. And if they do fine you - it will only cost you 500 baht. So don't worry about it and have safe and pleasant trip.

Edited January 10, 2010 by whatchamacallit

[monty]

Actually the 15 days at the border are only 14 days, as the day of entrance is counted as day 1.

So basically you should leave Thailand before midnight the 26th.

Which indeed would put you on a 5 hour overstay.

In general I never condone nor advise overstaying ones visa, but in this case I assume there should be no problem.

When leaving by air you will not get charged for the first day overstay.

As you need to check in on or before 3 am, your window of risk/overstay is only 3 hours.

Of course, since you only leave the US in 3 weeks, there is plenty time left to get a tourist visa which would give you 60 days when entering Thailand.

They are currently free as well (until March 10th, at embassy, consulates might charge an administration fee).

[lizzy]

I would try and get a tourist visa, I highly doubt you'll get a 30 day stamp as suggested above as you

are crossing the border by land and the rules are 15 days from day of arrival.

You day count starts from the day you arrive, so it is actually on day 16 that you'll be leaving.

Don't bother counting hours, one minute before midnight will be one day, one minute after will start another.

Edited January 10, 2010 by lizzy

[willyumcr]

Check with Thai consulate in Portland OR. Very helpful. You can get your visa done by express mail (or UPS) in a matter of a few days. No administration fees. Her name is Mary Wheeler http://www.thai-or.com/ I have used them for a couple years and very satisfied.

[heretostay]

Hi,

For my 2 satangs, I would just suggest to you - since you seem to be first-time visitors to Thailand - that if there is ANY trouble upon departure, be sure to remember what you read in the guidebooks about Thai culture: conflict is NOT accepted behavior.

So if they say anything about the extra day, just give them your best smile and a nod of the head - you don't have to say anything at all, as there is nothing to say. The ball is clearly in the immigration officer's court, so let him/her manage things. As others have mentioned, you might just get off without a fine at all, otherwise you might have to pay some small fee. Chances are that if you get agressive or beligerent (and it doesn't take much), the fine will go up, up, up (and who knows what other problems they could create for you). There is no need to try to explain anything, just stand there smiling until they tell you what to do. (If you really can't help yourself, a short, "I'm so sorry," would not be misplaced nor misunderstood.)

OK,enough rattling. Enjoy your stay and, as we say around these part, don't worry, be happy!

[thaiphoon]

When leaving by air you will not get charged for the first day overstay.

As you need to check in on or before 3 am, your window of risk/overstay is only 3 hours.

Agree with Monty, there is no overstay fine charged for first day of overstay if leaving by air. And may be less than 3 hours on overstay depending when you check-in/clear immigration. You may get a small blue overstay stamp put in your passport, but it will not prevent you from re-entering the country at a later date or obtaining a new visa.

Alternatively you may decide to obtain a tourist visa before you travel. As said, they are currently free. Is up to you.