Going From Non Immigrant B To Tourist Visa

[olsen]

My friend came to Thailand on a 3 months non B visa and after 3 months he was supposed to apply for a 1 year B via.

But he decided to quit the job and visit Penang to apply for a 60 days tourist visa.

So now my questions is:

How many months can he stay in Thailand?

He already stayed 3 months on the B visa.

Now he apply and stay 2 months on a touist visa.

How many extensions can he get? 1 or 2?

As I see it, there is two options, as you're only allowed to stay 180 days (6 months) in Thailand without a proper visa:

1. My friend already stayed 3 months so he can get a 2 months tourist visa. That is 5 months, so when he apply for a new tourist visa in Pengang he will only begranted 1 month??

2. He can apply for a tourist visa 3 times, that secures him 6 months' stay in Thailand??

Thanks for any input!

[PoorSucker]

If he wishes to get new tourist visas in Penang he can not extend visas at immigrations for 30 days, local Penang rule.

Kota Bahru will grant him unlimited no of visas, he just have to travel there every 90 days.

Entry will give 60 days that can be extended with 30 days at immigrations for 1900 baht.

There is no 180 day/year rule for visas.

Edited October 27, 2010 by PoorSucker

[digitalchromakey]

As posted above, there is no 180 day limit per se on visas for Thailand.

If your friend has a 60 day Tourist Visa, this can be extended once by 30 days at a local Thai immigration office.

It is my understanding that Penang will not issue a Tourist Visa if a previous one has been extended within Thailand by 30 days.

Your friend's best bet to get Tourist visas is to go to Vientiane, Laos who currently will issue Double 60 day Tourist Visas for Free.

Using 30 day inside Thailand extensions, with one border run after 60+30 days will give your friend 180 days.

Edited October 27, 2010 by digitalchromakey

[lopburi3]

The 180 day rule has not been enforced since the change to 15 day visa exempt entry by land several years ago.