How Many Consecutive 30 Day Visa Exemptions Can I Get?

[MikeOKitches]

Hello everyone!

I'm thrilled to have joined this great forum today!

I would like to know the definitive answer to a specific question regarding the subject of Thai Visa Exemptions via air travel for a USA citizen with a current/valid USA passport.

I am a USA citizen with a current/valid USA passport with 9+ years remaining.

I will be going to Thailand from the USA in the near future, and would like to spend the majority of 6 months there without having to apply/get the initial Non-Immigration "O" Visa or 60 day Tourist Visa. I have many family and friends in Bangkok and around the country there, but I don't want to jump through the Thai Immigration "hoops" and paperwork to get the "extension" for the Non-Immigration "O" or the additional 30 days for the Tourist Visa so to speak. I also have many friends in Cambodia and the Philippines I would like to visit throught the 6 month period.

Since the USA is on the list of countries which Thailand will grant USA citizens with current/valid USA passports a 30 day Visa Exemption to, I have the following question.

How many consecutive 30 day Visa Exemptions via air travel will Thailand allow me?

I would like to go to Cambodia and Philippines via air travel on day 28 or 29 each time before each 30 day Thai Visa Exemption expires. On my return from either Cambodia or Philippines 3 to 5 days later, I am told that I will have the opportunity to receive a "new" 30 day Thai Visa Exemption at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

This is called a "visa run" by air if I am not mistaken.

Herein lies my dilema which provided the impetus behind me posting this question.

I read where Thailand law will only allow 90 days total entry every 6 months. More than 90 days in a 6 month period = a daily fine multiplied by the number of days over the 90 day limit. They would impose this fine upon departing Thailand.

I have also read this particular law was abolished in November 2008, and that there is no limit to how many 30 day Visa Exemptions I may get if I travel by air. In effect, I could do 30 day "visa exemption runs" via air travel ad infinitum upon returning to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok each time from the various neighboring countries (e.g., Cambodia and Philipinnes).

I have been told to have THB 10,000 on my person upon returning each time to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok in the event the Thai official stamping my passport with the Visa Exemption asks for proof of solvency. Also, would the Thai official stamping my book ask for proof of my return trip to the USA? I plan on purchasing a RT ticket LAX-BKK-LAX (Thai Airways) initially showing the return leg back to the USA will be in 3 months, but I will change the return date near the end of month #3 at the local Thai Airways ticket office in Bangkok to accurately reflect when I will actually return to the USA in month #6.

If I stay in Thailand for 6 months, I would have to do 5 of these "visa runs" by air. I would alternate 3-5 day trips to both Cambodia and Philipinnes.

Does anyone have a definitive answer to this question? Anyone have experience with getting multiple consecutive 30 day Thai Visa Exemptions via air travel?

Thank you very much in advance for any productive answers.

P.S. It is Thanksgiving eve here in the USA, so HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all USA people currently in Thailand!

[Mario2008]

There is no longer a rule limiting the number of days you can stay in Thailand to 90 within a 6 month period if you travel without visa. Each entry by air gives you 30 days, by land 15 days, without there being an official limit on the number of entries you can make.

But if you travel without a visa you can expect the airline to ask you for proof of onward travel within 30 days. So book the ticket out of Thailand in advance to Cambodia orsuch, or get a free tourist visa. With a visa no proof of onward travel is necessary.

While there is no official limit, granting permission to enter Thailand is always up to the immigration official. Normally there should be no problem.

[Lite Beer]

Without a Visa or a ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days you may have a problem being allowed on the flight.

Tourist Visas are free at the moment. Why not get one?

[lopburi3]

The 90 day rule has been abandoned so the only limit would be if they got tired of you - and so far no reports of that.

You will not get on your flight to Thailand without proof of onward travel within 30 days. That is a requirement and long haul flights will strictly observe it. Buy a ticket to visit friends before the first 30 day period expires.

Why you do not obtain a one, two or three entry tourist visa I can not imagine. They are free at present and allow a 60 day stay and you would not need to worry about onward travel tickets.

[MikeOKitches]

There is no longer a rule limiting the number of days you can stay in Thailand to 90 within a 6 month period if you travel without visa. Each entry by air gives you 30 days, by land 15 days, without there being an official limit on the number of entries you can make.

But if you travel without a visa you can expect the airline to ask you for proof of onward travel within 30 days. So book the ticket out of Thailand in advance to Cambodia orsuch, or get a free tourist visa. With a visa no proof of onward travel is necessary.

While there is no official limit, granting permission to enter Thailand is always up to the immigration official. Normally there should be no problem.

Thank you, Mario, for your quick reply. I'm most appreciative. I'm thrilled to hear the Visa Exemption limit (90 days within 6 months) has been abolished!

As I stated in my original post, I will book a RT ticket from LAX (Los Angeles) - BKK (Bangkok) - LAX showing my "official" return being near the middle of month #3 as the return.

Would it be sufficient to bring a copy of my Thai Airways eTicket evidencing the return leg of my RT ticket with me? This would qualify as proof of my outward travel? As I stated before, I plan on having the return trip changed.

The reason behind is this question is that I'll be making 5 trips out of Thailand. Probably 3 to Cambodia and 2 to Philipinnes.

I realize it is up to the immigration official to grant or deny me a Visa Exemption. Perhaps if I stay in the neighboring country for 7 days (1 week), that may help. I can think of plenty of things and people to see and do in Cambodia and the Philipinnes in a week. In essence, stay 3 out of the 4 weeks in Thailand.

It looks like I'll be bouncing all around accumulating frequent flier miles.

Thanks again for your help.

[lopburi3]

The proof is onward travel within the period allowed by the visa exempt entry (30 days).

[MikeOKitches]

The 90 day rule has been abandoned so the only limit would be if they got tired of you - and so far no reports of that.

You will not get on your flight to Thailand without proof of onward travel within 30 days. That is a requirement and long haul flights will strictly observe it. Buy a ticket to visit friends before the first 30 day period expires.

Why you do not obtain a one, two or three entry tourist visa I can not imagine. They are free at present and allow a 60 day stay and you would not need to worry about onward travel tickets.

Thank you Lopburi!

I'm not experienced at any of this. Yes, I'm a real newbie.

Thanks for your guidance.

I thought I could use the "return" leg of my LAX-BKK-LAX eTicket as "proof," but apparently not. I was hoping to see a way to spend 6 months traveling around the 3 countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Philipinnes - having Thailand as the main base of my fun. Looks like that idea is a pipe dream.

I think I'll have to go through the route you suggest. FREE is a very nice word. 60 days without having to produce an air ticket is better than getting jammed. Looks like I'll have to pay a visit to the local Los Angeles Thai Embassy and get an multi entry Tourist Visa application.

I guess near the end of the 60 days, could I renew it or get an extension? Or do I have to split back to the USA? I know you've probably discussed this ad infinitum. I apologize in advance.

I'm just trying to figure a way to stay the majority of 6 months in Thailand without having to get a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa (via retirement). I could get the retirement since I'm 50 years old, but not ready to commit the cash requirement. Looks like my "pie in the sky" plan is done.

Again, thank you for putting up with my newbieness. Cheers!

P.S. Since you're here, I would like to ask you a totally unrelated question.

If I get married to a Thai woman and want to move there on a more permanent basis, I know I would try to get a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa here 1st in the USA - good for 90 days.

My question is this. I understand in order to get the 1st extension, I must have at least THB 400,000 cash in a local bank in MY name only for a minimum 2 months before the date of the 1 year extenstion application. Correct?

Do you know of any specific Bangkok based banks that will allow a farang to open in an individual bank account using his USA passport with a Non-immigrant "O" visa? Will Kasikorn do it?

I hear that most banks in Bangkok will only allow a farang to open an individual bank account with a valid Thai "work permit." If I have money, am married to a Thai woman, but don't work - how will I do meet this financial requirement? Will the bank official at least look at my Thai Non-Immigrant Visa "O" and listen to why I need the bank account? If I brought my Thai wife and Marriage Certificate, would that help?

I feel I would be in a Catch 22. In order to get that 1st extension, I would need an individual local bank account - but the banks will not issue me one.

Any name and/or location of a helpful bank that does this for married farangs (to thai ladies) would be AWESOME! Any ideas? If you or anyone else could point me in the right direction, I would be happy as a clam at high tide.

Yes, I am planning ahead! I've dated several ladies in Bangkok, and 1 really really strikes my fancy.

[MikeOKitches]

Without a Visa or a ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days you may have a problem being allowed on the flight.

Tourist Visas are free at the moment. Why not get one?

Thanks, Lite Beer, for chimming in! Much appreciated.

Yes, I'm a total noob.

The FREE 60 day tourist visa looks like the way to do it. I was hoping to find a way to stay 6 months traveling around Thailand-Cambodia-Philipinnes using Bangkok as my base, but that's a pipe dream. I see that now.

My only option is to get a 2 to 3 multi entry 60 day Tourist Visa, so I guess that'll have to do. Can you get an extension or renew those? Or I guess I'll have to split back to the USA. That makes sense, since the local Thai Embassy here will want to see my RT eTicket showing I'm returning on the 59th day! That's the only way they'll issue me the 60 day Tourist Visa!

DOH!

[Robby nz]

Why you do not obtain a one, two or three entry tourist visa I can not imagine. They are free at present and allow a 60 day stay and you would not need to worry about onward travel tickets.

Would like to add that it depende where you get your tourist visa.

In Wellington NZ they require proof of exit from the country, usually air ticket, before they will consider a tourist visa.

[MikeOKitches]

Would like to add that it depende where you get your tourist visa.

In Wellington NZ they require proof of exit from the country, usually air ticket, before they will consider a tourist visa.

Same requirement applies here in the USA, Robby!

In order to get a 60 day multi entry tourist visa from the Thai Embassy here in Los Angeles, California USA, I must provide proof in the form of a RT eTickert showing I will be leaving Thailand on the 59th day.

[MikeOKitches]

IMA_FARANG, you are DA BOMB! :jap: That was absolutely an incredible answer you gave me. Funny, but I will be flying on Thai Airways. They're the only airlines originating in USA (LAX) that does a DIRECT flight to BKK!

I'll have to investigate what you've told me.

BTW, any experience with the banks there, or are you a monger like me?

I'm trying to find a local Thai bank who will allow me to open up an individual bank account so I can park the THB 400,000 cash requirement for a "marriage visa" extension.

All I've heard is that the banks there will only let a farang open a bank account with a Thai "work permit."

Anyway, I appreciate the time and effort you took in crafting me your very detailed reply to me! MANY THANKS!

[beechguy]

IMA_FARANG, you are DA BOMB! :jap: That was absolutely an incredible answer you gave me. Funny, but I will be flying on Thai Airways. They're the only airlines originating in USA (LAX) that does a DIRECT flight to BKK!

I'll have to investigate what you've told me.

BTW, any experience with the banks there, or are you a monger like me?

I'm trying to find a local Thai bank who will allow me to open up an individual bank account so I can park the THB 400,000 cash requirement for a "marriage visa" extension.

All I've heard is that the banks there will only let a farang open a bank account with a Thai "work permit."

Anyway, I appreciate the time and effort you took in crafting me your very detailed reply to me! MANY THANKS!

Opening a bank account is not really a problem, just find a branch that will do it for you. Many people report Kasikorn as a good one, Bangkok Bank is another.

Here is a link to Pinned Topic in the Jobs, Economy,etc. section.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/260738-opening-a-new-bank-account-in-thailand/

Edited November 25, 2010 by beechguy

[lopburi3]

1. A ticket is normally not asked in the US for US passport holders and if asked do not believe it would be for 60 days as a tourist visa is normally extended for 30 days for anyone asking. Consulates often have rules that can be applied if they feel the need.

2. Most banks will open with a non immigrant visa (or even any entry) but may require a letter of your address (can be obtained from Embassy). Bangkok Bank and K bank serve most expats without an issue - if one branch says no another likely will say yes. Money deposit should not be a problem - especially if you bank at same location as wife.

3. Once in area airlines are much less strict at enforcement of onward tickets and if required bargain fares are normally available. But visas would eliminate that issue entirely and can be obtained in most countries within 26 hours or so.

[MikeOKitches]

1. A ticket is normally not asked in the US for US passport holders and if asked do not believe it would be for 60 days as a tourist visa is normally extended for 30 days for anyone asking. Consulates often have rules that can be applied if they feel the need.

2. Most banks will open with a non immigrant visa (or even any entry) but may require a letter of your address (can be obtained from Embassy). Bangkok Bank and K bank serve most expats without an issue - if one branch says no another likely will say yes. Money deposit should not be a problem - especially if you bank at same location as wife.

3. Once in area airlines are much less strict at enforcement of onward tickets and if required bargain fares are normally available. But visas would eliminate that issue entirely and can be obtained in most countries within 26 hours or so.

Hi again Lopburi!

Once again, I'm thankful you're spending your valuable time with me.

To your reply:

1. You are 100% correct, sir. I just checked out the Thai Embassy - Los Angeles website, and I do not need to show a RT airline ticket!

http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=33 I read the requirements for foreign passport holders! DOH!

2. Sounds promising that Kasikorn Bank may entertain the idea of letting me open up an individual bank account with a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa! I've heard they only allow farangs to open up inividual bank accounts if they have Thai "work permits." Glad that's a fallacy. Actually, the girl I'm sweet on has been banking at Kasikorn for many years now. Hopefully, that will help sway the banking official. Also, me depositing THB 400,000 should help.

About this "letter of residence" you speak of which I may have to get for the banking official. I have a quick question. If I'm able to rent a small apartment in Bangkok when I first arrive during the 90 day period, will that address suffice? Also, could I use my girl's apartment address if I decide to live with her? How would the US Embassy do this? Do they write the landlord to get confirmation? Or do I show the embassy the Thai rental agreement of either mine or my girl's?

3. Thank you for your insight on this. It is appreciated.

OK, enough out of me. I know I have been a pest to you and all the others here on my 1st day. I'm a gregarious type, and if we ever met in BKK, I would buy you your favorite adult beverage. CHEERS!

[MikeOKitches]

Opening a bank account is not really a problem, just find a branch that will do it for you. Many people report Kasikorn as a good one, Bangkok Bank is another.

Here is a link to Pinned Topic in the Jobs, Economy,etc. section.

http://www.thaivisa....nt-in-thailand/

Thank you so much for this link!

I will scour the posts there to see if there is a specific Kasikorn or Bangkok Bank branch location in any part of Bangkok I can go to. I'm certain many married farrangs have faced this challenge before.

[lopburi3]

Embassy would just provide a paper for you to fill in the address and notarize your signature (but it is likely not required if you ask around). Either location would be fine as mail is almost never used for passbook accounts. There are bank branches just about everywhere these days (all shopping centers have 7 day a week branches now).

[klauswernst198]

Best way to to get a prove of onward travel is a train Ticket Bangkok - Butterworth (malaysia) Cost is around 1200 -1300 Baht and changing the date is free of charge. You can change it as often as you like. If you want to cancel it there will be a fee of around 250 -300 Baht. You can change or cancel it at any train station during the normal operation hours approximatively 04:00 - 01:00

Since you said you have a Thai wife let anyone of her family buy the ticket and than send it to you via mail in the US.

Double entry tourist visa is an option but as the name says you only get 2 entries and you would need to extend two times for 30 Days each time costing you 1900 Baht. Also if you wanna do more than one visit to another country since you you only have two entries you would need a reentry permit which cost another 1000 Baht per entry. So totaly this option cost you at least 4000 Baht + a lot of hassle.

Edited November 25, 2010 by klauswernst198

[MikeOKitches]

Embassy would just provide a paper for you to fill in the address and notarize your signature (but it is likely not required if you ask around). Either location would be fine as mail is almost never used for passbook accounts. There are bank branches just about everywhere these days (all shopping centers have 7 day a week branches now).

Good early Thursday (Thanksgiving) morning from the USA!

Many thanks for the informative post reply once again.

I was under the impression that the US Embassy needed cooperation from the home owner or landlord in generating this document. The procedure sounds rather simple. The US Embassy just provides me with the form, and I fill out the physical address of where I'm staying at. I know people who will allow me to stay at their place while I'm in Bangkok, and they have assured me that they will allow me to use their address for these purposes.

The US Embassy will merely "notarize" my signature, and I'm good to go.

I will bring this notarized US Embassy completed form with my USA Passport to the Kasikorn branch. Member GungaDin has reported extensively in the other sub-forum dealing with banking that there is a Kasikorn branch on Soi 33 Sukhukvit that is "farang friendly" with regards to opening an individual bank account. It has also been reported they will open an individual bank account with only a USA Passport and 30 day VISA EXEMPTION! Wow!

This forum is a Godsend to me, and I want to again say thanks for your patience with me.

[MikeOKitches]

Best way to to get a prove of onward travel is a train Ticket Bangkok - Butterworth (malaysia) Cost is around 1200 -1300 Baht and changing the date is free of charge. You can change it as often as you like. If you want to cancel it there will be a fee of around 250 -300 Baht. You can change or cancel it at any train station during the normal operation hours approximatively 04:00 - 01:00

Since you said you have a Thai wife let anyone of her family buy the ticket and than send it to you via mail in the US.

Double entry tourist visa is an option but as the name says you only get 2 entries and you would need to extend two times for 30 Days each time costing you 1900 Baht. Also if you wanna do more than one visit to another country since you you only have two entries you would need a reentry permit which cost another 1000 Baht per entry. So totaly this option cost you at least 4000 Baht + a lot of hassle.

Klauswernst198, thank you very much for taking the time to respond in such a detailed fashion.

I'm most appreciative of you pointing out this alternative option to me. What you've written will help any of those who have a similar inquiry like mine.

Thank you, sir!

[Phatcharanan]

Since you said you have a Thai wife

The OP does not have a Thai wife.............at least according to his posts anyway. He talks about his 'girl' and if he decides to 'live with her'.

Yet he wants to deposit 400 k for a so-called 'marriage visa'? He has been to Thailand often enough or long enough before to know some of the basics over here.

Is this guy 'trolling'?

[phuketrichard]

The proof is onward travel within the period allowed by the visa exempt entry (30 days).

This is not true or at leats not enforced.

I just flew my Cambodia gf over from PP yesterday and

she got a free tousist visa and then received 60 days stay, ( everyone says Cambodian ONLY get 30 day wiht visa)

i brought her a r/t ticket for March 17th ( 4 months) as we will be travelling to Singapore after 2 months to get a new visa

as far as visas. apply at the LA conoslute, (U can apply in person or call them and mail them ur passport) a close friend got a triple entry FREE tourist visa there. last month

Edited November 26, 2010 by phuketrichard

[phuketrichard]

As someone else has already mentioned that 90 day limit within 6 months rule now no longer apples. So don't worry about that anymore.

Just from my personal opinion, you would probably be better off to get a tourst visa for the first 60 days anyhow. They are currently free...no visa fee. You just need a couple of passport photos to go with the application form and your passport. So it's a bargain you shouldn't pass up. If after 30 days you want to travel, the 60 day visa is automatically canceled anyhow when you leave Thailand. Then when you enter again you can get a 30 day stamp on arrival at the airport anyhow. Since the original visa was free, even if you only use 30 days of the 60 days...you've lost nothing anyhow. And if you do want to stay on that first visa for the whole 60 days (beleve me, Thailand can get to be addictive)you can use the whole 60 days before you have to leave the first time.

As for buying a return ticket...do you realise that you may be able to use the return portion of your ticket as CREDIT for another ticket in Southeast Asia? In all depends on your original ticket, the airline you pick, and how much the unused return portion of the ticket s worth.

Here's an example. Say you fly in from Los Angeles with a return ticket on Thai Internatonal (just picking an airline out of the blue). So if you decide to go to the Phillpines on Thai Internatonal also, the unused portion of the return ticket can be used as CREDIT to pay all or part of that trip to the Phillipines. Go to the Thai International office in Bangkok, purchase your ticket to the Phillipines from them, and see if they will give you that CREDIT for the unused portion of your return ticket. They will not give you a refund on that unused return ticket, but you can apply that as CREDIT toward your ticket to the Phillipines.

Now, be careful, some heavily discounted fare tickets may not qualify for this. But usually full-fare or discount fare but at least partially refundable tickets will still qualify. Ask the airline when you buy the original ticket if it qualfies or not. I've done this, although it was quite a few years ago and some of the rules have changed since then. But it's worth looking into it before you buy your ticket. (Sometimes the cheapest fare is NOT the best bargain in the long run).

Of course, if you do use your unused return ticket as partial or full credit for another flight...you will have to purchase a return flight to the U.S.A. eventually. (assuming you ever do return)

Your joking right?? IN 40 years of flying I have never had any airline creidt me any portion of an unused ticket towards a another.

Thai airways out of the states is the MOST expensive airline u can fly. Book on China or Eva

Edited November 26, 2010 by phuketrichard

[dancw3]

The 90 day rule has been abandoned so the only limit would be if they got tired of you - and so far no reports of that.

You will not get on your flight to Thailand without proof of onward travel within 30 days. That is a requirement and long haul flights will strictly observe it. Buy a ticket to visit friends before the first 30 day period expires.

Why you do not obtain a one, two or three entry tourist visa I can not imagine. They are free at present and allow a 60 day stay and you would not need to worry about onward travel tickets.

Thank you Lopburi!

I'm not experienced at any of this. Yes, I'm a real newbie.

Thanks for your guidance.

I thought I could use the "return" leg of my LAX-BKK-LAX eTicket as "proof," but apparently not. I was hoping to see a way to spend 6 months traveling around the 3 countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Philipinnes - having Thailand as the main base of my fun. Looks like that idea is a pipe dream.

I think I'll have to go through the route you suggest. FREE is a very nice word. 60 days without having to produce an air ticket is better than getting jammed. Looks like I'll have to pay a visit to the local Los Angeles Thai Embassy and get an multi entry Tourist Visa application.

I guess near the end of the 60 days, could I renew it or get an extension? Or do I have to split back to the USA? I know you've probably discussed this ad infinitum. I apologize in advance.

I'm just trying to figure a way to stay the majority of 6 months in Thailand without having to get a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa (via retirement). I could get the retirement since I'm 50 years old, but not ready to commit the cash requirement. Looks like my "pie in the sky" plan is done.

Again, thank you for putting up with my newbieness. Cheers!

P.S. Since you're here, I would like to ask you a totally unrelated question.

If I get married to a Thai woman and want to move there on a more permanent basis, I know I would try to get a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa here 1st in the USA - good for 90 days.

My question is this. I understand in order to get the 1st extension, I must have at least THB 400,000 cash in a local bank in MY name only for a minimum 2 months before the date of the 1 year extenstion application. Correct?

Do you know of any specific Bangkok based banks that will allow a farang to open in an individual bank account using his USA passport with a Non-immigrant "O" visa? Will Kasikorn do it?

I hear that most banks in Bangkok will only allow a farang to open an individual bank account with a valid Thai "work permit." If I have money, am married to a Thai woman, but don't work - how will I do meet this financial requirement? Will the bank official at least look at my Thai Non-Immigrant Visa "O" and listen to why I need the bank account? If I brought my Thai wife and Marriage Certificate, would that help?

I feel I would be in a Catch 22. In order to get that 1st extension, I would need an individual local bank account - but the banks will not issue me one.

Any name and/or location of a helpful bank that does this for married farangs (to thai ladies) would be AWESOME! Any ideas? If you or anyone else could point me in the right direction, I would be happy as a clam at high tide.

Yes, I am planning ahead! I've dated several ladies in Bangkok, and 1 really really strikes my fancy.

There is no 400,000 baht requirement for an extension. For a 60 day tourist visa from the USA, extendable to 90, the requirement is having at least $500.00 in a USA bank account, about 17,000 baht.

As for a a Thai bank account, you just go into banks until one give you an account. Its kind of crazy. Sometimes even different branches of the same bank will give you different answers. One branch will tell you that you need a work permit and another branch will give you the account. I got my bank account on the second try.

[Mario2008]

He was talking about an extension based on marriage, not the extension of a tourist visa.

For an extension based on retirement you need to show:

800,000 baht in a bank account in Thailand (must be there for 2 months)

OR

an income of 65,000 baht a month (if from abroad must be certified by letter from your embassy)

OR

a combination of money in the bank and yearly income, totaling 800,000

If married to a Thai the requirements would be:

400,000 in the bank

OR

an income of 40,000 a month

(No combination of money in the bank and income)

[Mrjustice]

I think you have been given some incomplete/inaccurate advice.

1. VISA -- The best option for you (as most have now concluded and i agree) is to obtain the currently free) 60-day double-entry Tourist Visa.

Where I disagree or supplement, is that at least one poster here incorrectly advised that this is cancelled when you leave Thailand and then you only would

get the 30-day Visa Exemption when you re-enter. WRONG. The whole point of "Double-entry" means it is NOT cancelled when you leave Thailand, and when

you re-enter you automatically get another free 60-day Entry Stamp. So, if done on the last day, you already have 4mos. of your desired 6-mo. stay free.

NEXT, noone I saw has then advised, that you could simply re-apply for another/new (and still free until March, 2011) 60-day double-entry Tourist Visa at ANY

Thai Embassy outside the country (i.e. in your intended visiting countries, of either Cambodia or Philipines). And, usually you get it within a day or two -- only

need the 2 photos, proof of solvency (usually a copy of your current bank/brokerage acct. with suff. balance), and usually onward ticket requirement (see #2 below).

This would then get you the 6mos. you desired. ALSO NOTE: Though at this time, my suggestion would require you to apply by the March 2011 expiration of the

Free Tourist Visa -- I strongly suspect that ONCE AGAIN the Free Tourist Visa program will be extended another year.

2. ONWARD AIRLINE TICKET REQUIREMENT -- In addition to the last Poster's good suggestion about getting the cheap changeable train ticket from BKK;

another suggestion is to simply pay extra (on Credit Card) for a FULLY REFUNDABLE Air Ticket, and simply cancel after you have obtained your Visa.

(Another option we have successfully used, is to just show a Booking Reservation from Orbitz or Travelocity -- not having paid yet -- and, most Embassies

will not verify or don't know the difference or care -- never had a problem!).

3. BANK -- My wife and I just opened a Passbook Savings Account at one of the Kasikorn branches in Chiang Mai, and we have only a Tourist Visa,

and a sublet condo address (just gave them the business card from Hillside Condo Bldg. with the address). No questions asked; no hassle at all.

Accounts opened in 10 mins. with the minimum opening deposit requirement of only 500THB. As others have correctly suggested, if one Branch

turns you down, just go down the block to the another branch (same bank or different) and try again, until one opens it for you.

[geddym]

Would like to add that it depende where you get your tourist visa.

In Wellington NZ they require proof of exit from the country, usually air ticket, before they will consider a tourist visa.

Same requirement applies here in the USA, Robby!

In order to get a 60 day multi entry tourist visa from the Thai Embassy here in Los Angeles, California USA, I must provide proof in the form of a RT eTickert showing I will be leaving Thailand on the 59th day.

Why dont you get a 12 month (15 month really) non imm o multi entry.. You will bypass all this crap

come and go as you please..This also works if you meet and marry thai lady. You can stay for 15

months at a time, and now you can get a new o in Penang, without going back home.

[geddym]

Get a 1 year non imm o.. Bypass all these problems, come and go as you please.

Also solves the marriage visa situation.

[DrDave]

Without a Visa or a ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days you may have a problem being allowed on the flight.

Tourist Visas are free at the moment. Why not get one?

Not suggesting anyone try this, but I was permitted to depart the US for Thailand last month from the USA without a return or ongoing ticket. I had only a one-way frequent flyer ticket (didn't know exactly when I'd be returning, didn't want to pay the $100-$200 charge to change the return date later.)

The airline's automated check-in kiosk refused to print boarding passes, though - giving a message that the destination country requires an outbound ticket. One of the airline counter staff just took my passport and eTicket confirmation, and returned about two minutes later with my boarding passes and passport, with no mention of any issues.

[Mario2008]

Not every airline checks as they should, but it is a requirement and it can be a bit of an inconvienience to find out at the airport that the airline indeed insists on having rpoof of onward travel.

[andrew55]

Someone suggested a troll. Maybe, or just new enough to TV to be very polite.

Regardless, detailed and interesting advice posted.

Think I might stretch members' patience and run my situation past the incumbent Buddhas of the forum...