I am currently living in India & will be visiting Thailand on 20th Feb 2010 with my wife & daughter for 2-3 weeks before travelling to Laos & Vietnam. I need to be back in Bangkok for my flight home to UK on 26th March2010, but this is beyond the 30 days of the TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION. When I re-enter Thailand overland (on say 24th March), do I receive another TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION? If not, what are my options?

Without outbound airtickets within 30 days of arrival, or Thai visa's, you are unlikely to be boarded your flight to Thailand/

You should obtain a tourist visa to cover travel to Thailand. Entry by land will provide a 15 day visa exempt entry so time your trips accordingly. Is still 30 days if arrive by air.

Without outbound airtickets within 30 days of arrival, or Thai visa's, you are unlikely to be boarded your flight to Thailand/

Thanks for your prompt response - I hadn't realised I needed to have an outbound ticket before I arrive.

I have air tickets to leave on 26th March, but this is more than 30 days from my arrival, (20th Feb). If I book a ticket to Loas for 19th March & return to Bangkok on 24th, will I be given a 2nd Visa Exemption? Do I have to leave Bangkok for Laos by air to qualify for my 1st Visa Exemption, or can I just book a bus/coach ticket?

You can enter on any visa and not worry about it. Tourist visas are currently free. If you do not have a visa airline can require an air ticket out within the allowed 30 day stay.

If I book a ticket to Loas for 19th March & return to Bangkok on 24th, will I be given a 2nd Visa Exemption?

If it is a ticket to fly to Laos, then yes, you would be OK.

You will meet the requirements to enter Thailand without a visa (outbound ticket with 30 days) and indeed when returning you will get another 30 day visa exempt stamp without a problem.

However, as mentioned above, and as you only come to Thailand on Feb. 20th, you should try to pop in a Thai embassy/consulate and get a tourist visa. They are free, and you will not have to bother getting the ticket (and expense) to fly to Laos. There is no requirement to hold an outbound ticket when holding a tourist (or any other) visa.

Yeah, get a tourist visa, although they are free VFS have a processing fee.

Start here http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/

Thanks, we are planning to go to Laos anyway, but wanted to go overland. If I book a bus/coach ticket from Bangkok to Vientiane before I arrive, will that suffice, or does it have to be an air flight?

With regards to going to an embassy/consulate, I am currently in Goa & due to travel to Kerala, from where I'll fly to BKK. Unless I'm wrong, there are no facilities in Goa or Kerala to obtain visas.

If I book a ticket to Loas for 19th March & return to Bangkok on 24th, will I be given a 2nd Visa Exemption?

If it is a ticket to fly to Laos, then yes, you would be OK.

You will meet the requirements to enter Thailand without a visa (outbound ticket with 30 days) and indeed when returning you will get another 30 day visa exempt stamp without a problem.

However, as mentioned above, and as you only come to Thailand on Feb. 20th, you should try to pop in a Thai embassy/consulate and get a tourist visa. They are free, and you will not have to bother getting the ticket (and expense) to fly to Laos. There is no requirement to hold an outbound ticket when holding a tourist (or any other) visa.

Not likely as the airline needs something they can confirm if they have any doubts - another air ticket. If they check they will likely require an air ticket out to a country that you can enter without a visa (assuming you do not have a visa).

Thanks, we are planning to go to Laos anyway, but wanted to go overland. If I book a bus/coach ticket from Bangkok to Vientiane before I arrive, will that suffice, or does it have to be an air flight?

With regards to going to an embassy/consulate, I am currently in Goa & due to travel to Kerala, from where I'll fly to BKK. Unless I'm wrong, there are no facilities in Goa or Kerala to obtain visas.

Thai Visas in India

Embassy in Delhi

Consulates in Mumbai + Chennai.

The Visa Service for Chennai Consulate has a Sub Branch in Bangalore (St Mark's Road)

Travel Agents can Process Visa Applications.

An Indian Friend was actually given a Double Entry Tourist Visa (Validity 6 months)

by the Chennai Consulate - thru a Travel Agent in Bangalore - just before Christmas.

Bill