Need Advice About Tourist Visa Extension/Renewal

[jeebusjones]

I'm currently on a double-entry tourist visa. My first 60 days expires tomorrow, Dec 10. I was near Mae Sot so I thought I'd do my border run here. However, a quick perusal here on Thai Visa indicates that the border here is closed! I realize it was stupid not to do some more research beforehand but this was the last thing I expected.

I could make a monstrous overland trip to Cambodia or Laos, but I'd end up paying overstay fees plus the exorbitant visa fees for just a trip across the border and back. I could make a 30 day extension for 1,900 baht, but since tomorrow is a holiday I'm sure immigration will be closed.

If I went to immigration on Monday and explained my situation, do you think they would allow me to do the 30 day extension, even though at that point I would have technically overstayed by 3 days?

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.

[Esther Kaufmann]

You should be good for a 1 month extension if you go on Monday. If the Immigration is closed on the day when your visa is running out the will accept if you come the first day they open again. At least this is how it is handled here in Pattaya Immigration.

For Laos you don't need a visa anymore and you could make the trip over there today as it is the closest to Chiang Mai.

[jeebusjones]

Thanks, Esther. I'd heard before that if the visa expired on a day immigration was closed, they'd let you extend it the next working day. 1,900 baht for a 30 day extension is a bit of a rip-off, but if it saves a huge trip I guess I'll have to do it.

Does anyone know the closest open border to Mae Sot?

Thanks again.

[Semper]

Thanks, Esther. I'd heard before that if the visa expired on a day immigration was closed, they'd let you extend it the next working day. 1,900 baht for a 30 day extension is a bit of a rip-off, but if it saves a huge trip I guess I'll have to do it.

Does anyone know the closest open border to Mae Sot?

Thanks again.

Mae Sai.

[jeebusjones]

Just to confirm in case anyone's wondering, the border is definitely closed at Mae Sot and has been for at least four months. The border official had no idea when it might reopen, but he did confirm that I would be able to pay 1,900 baht to extend my visa on Monday -- the holiday and weekend days won't count as overstay.