Double Entry Tourist Visa Time Restrictions?

[gregwah]

Hi everyone, hoping I might be able to get a little advice if you can.

I got a double entry tourist visa at Vientiane on Dec 28th which had to be used before Jan 27th. I used it to re-enter at Nong khai on Dec 29, and got a 30 day extension in Feb which expires on March 28th.

I have just been to Jack's Golf to book a border run to Cambodia but was told that I cannot get a 60 day re-entry because I did not use both re entries before Jan 27th. Is this correct? I would really appreciate some sound advice/confirmation of the regulations.

Thanking you in advance,

Gregwah

[lopburi3]

If the visa was stamped January 27 instead of March 27 they are right - it will not be honored as all entries must be made prior to expiration of the visa validity. You could use a trip to Vientiane to try and change that stamp (perhaps too late now) or obtain a new visa.

[gregwah]

Bugger, that means if I go and get 15 days I will expire again during Song Kran

[gregwah]

Is it worth going to see immigration in BKK before I go do you think?

[lopburi3]

It is not an immigration matter - they can correct errors they make - only the Consulate could take action if they used the wrong stamp. That said you can always try as it does appear to be an obvious error but suspect you will end up needing to obtain a new visa for more than a 15 day stay.

[gregwah]

OK, Thank you so much for your swift no nonsense replies. I will head out to immigration tomorrow morning and see what (if anything) can be done.

[gregwah]

Well, for those who may be interested this is a misunderstanding, not a mistake. My double entry visa came from Vientiane at no charge, which I did query at the time.

This is why the entry option expired after just 30 days. So it looks like a visa run for me then. Thought it was too good to be true when I got a double entry so easily.

For the record immigration at BKK were great, Very polite, even apologetic. There and back from Phrom Phong, public transport all the way, in under 2hrs 30m door to door.

[lopburi3]

Free or not they are normally issued with a 3 month validity at that Consulate. The Consulate did make a mistake but that is not an immigration matter. The only validity periods for a tourist visa are 3 or 6 months.

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2489

[gregwah]

Interesting, once bitten twice shy I guess. I'll make sure I check that date a lot more carefully next time. Can't see arguing the toss at BKK immigration or anywhere else will get me very far now so Jacks Golf here I come.

Very annoying and feel slightly foolish. Thanks so much for the info.