Hi. I received a double entry tourist visa in Laos, which I'm hoping to use for a 6 month stay in Thailand.

It was issued on February 15, but I did not enter the country until Feb 17.

I have four questions:

1) Do I start counting the first 60 days my visa entitles me from the date of issue or the date of entry?

2) How do I "renew" my visa for an additional month, as I've been told I can do. I'm in Chiang Mai. Is there a government office here that handles that? Should I renew 60 days onward from my entry date, or must I do it before then?

3) My visa states that I get two entries and lists an "enter before" date of May 14. I'm assuming this means that May 13 is the last day I can reenter. Correct? Or do they mean up until the end of May 14?

4) From Chiang Mai, what is the easiest and most economic way to reach a border crossing which I can cross and then recross quickly?

Thanks

1. You will get a permitted to stay until stamp on entry.

2. You visit Immigration on airport road, fill out TM.7, attach 4x6cm photo and pay 1,900 baht. You should do this a week or two before permitted to stay date.

3. Enter on the 13th for second entry - they seem to allow entry on the 14 now but best not to take a chance.

4. Believe many use Mai Sai currently.