We are retired and since 2004 have made Bangkok our return ticket base from Canada. Before the VOA expires we usually fly to Malaysia or Bali and spend about 10 to 14 days. We then fly back to Bangkok , do some shopping and fly home. Both our entries are VOA .

This time we would like to stay in Thailand on the first entry for more than 30 days; likely 40 days.

I checked our Thai consulate website and they offer a 60 day visa which is free, except for a $10 admin fee. If we get this 60 day Visa, can we still fly to Malaysia after 40 days in Thailand and as usual return to Bangkok on a VOA basis, before flying home in a few days?

Thanks

Yes. Enter Thailand with a Tourist Visa. Leave for Malaysia and when you return you will get a 30 day Visa Exempt stamp. It is not a VOA.

Yes, you can use the Tourist Visa to stay upto 60 day, it can be extended for another 30 days for 1900 Baht. It will be considered used upon departing Thailand, so when you return you would get a "visa exempt" entry of 30 days if entering by air, and 15 days if entering at a land border. Also, you be getting "visa exempt" entries, not VOA's.

Thanks, just wanted to make sure we did not have to get a 2 entry visa from Canada, which would have set us back $75

Yes, you can use the Tourist Visa to stay upto 60 day, it can be extended for another 30 days for 1900 Baht. It will be considered used upon departing Thailand, so when you return you would get a "visa exempt" entry of 30 days if entering by air, and 15 days if entering at a land border. Also, you be getting "visa exempt" entries, not VOA's.