I am in the USA, and got a Category O multiple entry visa from the Portland consulate. The visa stamp says "This visa must be utilized before APR 18 2011 if passport remains valid. Issued on APR 19 2010". The consul told me I have 90 days from issue to get to Thailand or the visa will be invalid. Since airplane ticket prices drop dramatically after July 16, I am wondering how close I can play this entry date. If I leave the USA on July 17, I will arrive in Thailand on July 18, which is the 90th day after the visa was issued. Will this be okay, or will they say I had to use it BEFORE the 90th day?

P.S. Why does the visa stamp give me a year to use it, but the consul gave me 90 days? Is this as inconsistent as it seems, or am I missing something?

If the "use before" date is April 18 2011, then you can arrive in Thailand on April 17 2011 on a multiple entry Non "O" visa. It is the single entry visa that is only valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Your final entry must be before April 18th 2011.

Why did you apply so early if you intend on traveling in July?

You have lost a lot of time available to stay in Thailand.

You can make your first entry any time from issue date until day before expiration date on any visa.

You can make your first entry any time from issue date until day before expiration date on any visa.

Actually, this is not true, at least according to the Thai Consulate in Portland, Oregon, USA. She insists that ANY visa must be used within 90 days, including a multiple entry one year visa. The expiration date of one year out means I can used it over and over before one year, but the first use must still be within 90 days of issue.

Fortunately for me, the consul re-issued my visa at no extra charge, so I can return to Thailand in late July. I was also amused that she cautioned me about trusting information on thaivisa.com. She says the information is not trustworthy, and by the answers I got for this question, I agree with her. Everyone here has an opinion, but that doesn't mean they are accurate.

The Consulate is wrong. We provided the correct information. A visa is valid for entry at any time after issue until expiration of said visa. There is no "activation within 90 days" as your "Honorary" Consulate seems to indicate. Multi entry visas are not marked in any way by Immigration on entry.

Below is directly from MFA web site:

7. Please note that the period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. Visa validity is the period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand. In general, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, visas may be issued to be valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years. The validity of a visa is granted with discretion by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General and is displayed on the visa sticker.

"She says the information is not trustworthy, and by the answers I got for this question, I agree with her. Everyone here has an opinion, but that doesn't mean they are accurate."

Does that mean you won't be asking any more questions here?

You're right about one thing, not everyone gives good advice. In this case I think several of the posters gave you the correct information.

Yes. It would not be the first time that Consuls give false information.

Totally false in this case.

Everyone who took the time and replied to your question has provided accurate information......