Hey guys.

I'm in Chiang Mai and staying on a 30 day visa, which is up next month.

I'd like to plan for a cheap plane trip to a place with a Thai embassy/consulate that can grant me a longer visa.

So my first question is:

Where do you suggest I go (cheap plane ticket optimal). I'll be leaving from the Chiang Mai airport. Also, do you find it's generally better to buy your ticket far in advance, or wait to a few days before, for best price?

My second question is:

What is the best visa option for me? I am too young to retire, but I'd like to stay as long as posible. I will not be opening a business here.

Looking at the list of visa options listed in this forum, the two that seem that would work best (and please mention another if you think there's something better) are:

3 month validity, single entry tourist visa: pre-obtained at a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate and will result in the holder obtaining a 60 day 'permission to stay' stamp upon entry. If required, this type of visa may be extended by 30 days at an immigration office, but after that time the holder must leave the country. After one entry, the visa is “used”.

6 month validity, 2 to 4 entry tourist visa: pre-obtained at a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate and will result in the holder obtaining a 60 day 'permission to stay' stamp upon entry if from a 30 day visa exempt entry country (listed below) or 30 days if not. If required, this type of visa may normally be extended by 30 days at an immigration office, but after that time the holder must leave the country. The holder may then return to the Kingdom and will obtain a second 60 day 'permission to stay' stamp which can also be extended as previous and then the holder must leave. After the stipulated number of entries the visa is “used”.

Is the six month really superior, because you have to keep leaving the country? If I have to leave anyway, what's the difference?

And suggestions and advice you have is welcome.

Thanks,

Andrew

Likely a trip to Malaysia on discount airline is the best choice from there if done by air. By air you buy early for best price (there is no last minute discounts as in other areas). Single entry is likely all that will be issued many places unless you prove need for travel/return reasons. Vientiane and perhaps PP do issue 2 entry. You do not have to visit overnight (or longer) with 2 entry on exit and from Chiang Mai a local border crossing/return would do it.

If you are planning long term stay perhaps check education (learning Thai language a good option) as a visa option.

Double entry tourist visa, that's two 60/30 day stays are still free only in Vientiane until March 31. That wold give you 6 months. You can fly CNX to Vientiane or CNX to Udon and cross over. CNX to Udon is Noka Air back up 1 February.

Edited January 23, 201115 yr by gotlost

Just to clarify, I would not have to stay overnight in Malaysia with either visa option? Just one or the other? I don't follow "2 entry on exit". What does that mean? Are we talking about the 60 day or the multi entry?

Also, do you mean I should cross from Thailand to Malaysia and from Malaysia back to Thailand by land instead of air? Like on a bus or train? I was told this would only get me a 15-day visa. So if I get a 60-day at the consulate/embassy in Malaysia, then it doesn't matter that I'm crossing by land, in other words, because I'll already have the 60-day before I get there?

Thanks.

-Andrew

Likely a trip to Malaysia on discount airline is the best choice from there if done by air. By air you buy early for best price (there is no last minute discounts as in other areas). Single entry is likely all that will be issued many places unless you prove need for travel/return reasons. Vientiane and perhaps PP do issue 2 entry. You do not have to visit overnight (or longer) with 2 entry on exit and from Chiang Mai a local border crossing/return would do it.

If you are planning long term stay perhaps check education (learning Thai language a good option) as a visa option.

What does a 60/30 day mean? Do you mean the, " 6 month validity, 2 to 4 entry tourist visa:"? So with that visa I would get to 6 months so long as my crossings were all by air?

I'm assuming Vientiane and Udon are both places where consulates are located?

When you say, "and then cross back over," do you mean by land or air? Is one preferable?

Sorry for all the questions. New to this.

Double entry tourist visa, that's two 60/30 day stays are still free only in Vientiane until March 31. That wold give you 6 months. You can fly CNX to Vientiane or CNX to Udon and cross over. CNX to Udon is Noka Air back up 1 February.

Udon is a city in Thailand so no Consulate there - it is the closest airport inside Thailand to Vientiane.

A tourist visa for most nationalities allows a 60 day stay and you can pay for a 30 day extension if you wish. It makes not matter how you arrive using a visa entry - only visa exempt stamps are based on entry mode.

To obtain a new visa would require an overnight stay (or more) but if you obtain a two entry visa you would only have to exit country and return to get the new visa entry so you would only have to visit Consulate one time.