Just back from Vientiane embassy today and a tourist application was refused on the grounds that I still have a valid entry in my passport, which cannot be cancelled, only used or expired. On being told this, I went and spoke to someone higher up and it was confirmed. I don't know if you all knew that, but I checked here first and didn't find any warnings, so I'm leaving one.

So if you're travelling about and want to take advantage of the free visas, don't just take a double because they're free. You need to plan the entries so that you always turn up for new visas with no entries in your passport.

Also, I asked the same senior member of staff how long the visas would be free and he said March 4th, but wasn't absolutely sure.

Good report.

There is news that the free tourist visas going to be all 2010.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Visas-2...-M-t330035.html

Just back from Vientiane embassy today and a tourist application was refused on the grounds that I still have a valid entry in my passport, which cannot be cancelled

This may be specific to Vientiane -- and to Tourist visas -- and maybe just free Tourist visas........

Historically anyways, you could receive a new Non Imm multi entry visa even tho' you still had a valid (unexpired) Non Imm multi entry visa stamp in your passport. This was in the US. It sure helped to be able to go through the application process on my schedule -- and not one dictated by waiting for a previous visa to expire.

One valid visa is the standard rule; but some Consulates will check closer than others - at least in the past. Although normally they have been willing to cancel a paid for visa upon request.

I recently did a border run and spent 2000 baht just to use up an extra entry I didn't want so I could apply for another tourist visa.

I thought it would be commonsense not to go back to apply for another visa with a valid unused entry still in passport. I wouldn't have bothered trying, but thanks for confirming I did the right thing.

One might question why however. As tourist visas are free I don't see the logic in having to spend money to waste one so that you can spend money to travel and get another one.

One might question why however. As tourist visas are free I don't see the logic in having to spend money to waste one so that you can spend money to travel and get another one.

One would certainly question that. Without knowing the circumstances it may come across as being totally absurd.

However, I had a valid reason to do just that. It was absolutely necessary and there was no way around it. I had to spend 2000 baht (and a days travel to Cambodia) to waste an entry and then spend more money travelling to Vientiane to get a new tourist visa.

Good report.

There is news that the free tourist visas going to be all 2010.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Visas-2...-M-t330035.html

Why would a country offer a free tourists visa?The only people that come because it is free are CHEAP CHARLIES.

Good report.

There is news that the free tourist visas going to be all 2010.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Visas-2...-M-t330035.html

Why would a country offer a free tourists visa?The only people that come because it is free are CHEAP CHARLIES.

IMO no one would make plans to come to Thailand just because tourist visas are free, cheap charlies included.

Not a solitary one.