30-Day Entry Permit Extensions In Pattaya

[Trevor25222]

Wikitravel's Pattaya page suggests the local immigration office is routinely issuing 15-day extensions versus 'only 10 days in Bangkok'. Does anyone have any recent experiences or reports of this in Pattaya? My reason for extending is continuing dental treatment and I could obtain a supporting letter if necessary. The fee is B1900: cheaper than a Cambodian visa run. Thanks.

[Mario2008]

That information: http://wikitravel.org/en/Pattaya#Get_in

is just totally wrong. The most you would get is an additional stay of 7 days, for which yu might need to show a ticket out of the country within those 7 days.

[Lite Beer]

Yes. 7 days to leave the country.

[Trevor25222]

Yes. 7 days to leave the country.

Thanks ... looks like I need a Cambodian visa run to get my extra 15 days. Will the Thais want to see a confirmed air ticket out to let me back in? My ticket would only have the former departure date (no sticker), not the amended later one arranged by phone with the airline in Bangkok.

[Maestro]

Ask the airline to send you a confirmation by email. They are all electronic tickets now, anyway.

[lopburi3]

Have not seen any report of exit ticket being checked on border for a very long time so it is not likely to be an issue.

[Trevor25222]

Have not seen any report of exit ticket being checked on border for a very long time so it is not likely to be an issue.

OP thanks respondents for advice. A caution though: check your air ticket first ... some discounted tickets only have a 30-day validity and can't be extended even on payment.

[gk10002000]

Made a visa run to cambodia May 2008. Used Key Visa. Showed them my e ticket printout/itinerary that was open ended. I had not confirmed the actual return flight yet. Showed them my passport. At the border didn't do much except eat lunch at the little casino.

Also used Key Visa for a 7 day extension in Dec of 2008 just before I flew home. Gave Key visa my passport and they did the paperwork. One day later I had the 7 day extension. As I recall they charged about 300 baht on top of the standard Visa extension 7 day fee. I thought that was reasonable. Saved me a trip down to Jomtien, waiting in line, possibly doing the forms wrong, etc. Note that they did have my passport during that period. Always makes me a bit nervous to not have my passport in my posession. Keep really good color photocopis of ID page on you. I also recommend you scan all the pages in, make an electronic copy and email it to yourself.