Hi, having a little confusion about the mechanics of tourist visa even after a bunch of reading on this forum.

I am a U.S. citizen age 42

My question is this: can I enter Thailand on the 30-day visa exemption, and then do a border run a few weeks later and pick up a tourist visa, in say Vientiane? Or is this prohibited?

The reason I ask is the US DOS website says this: http://travel.state....ry_requirements, specifically

In either case, if you have entered Thailand without a visa, you cannot remain in Thailand for more than 90 days during any six-month period, counting from the date of first entry.

and frankly I can't figure out what the 90 days in six months thing means.

To summarize: I am planning a few months trip to Thailand and I am departing sooner than it takes to get a tourist visa here in the States by mail. So I need to figure out if I should stop off in another country for a few days and get a tourist visa before entering Thailand, or if I can just fly straight in on the VE and then do a border run to grab a TR later?

Thanks!

The limit of 90 days visa-exempt stay within six months was scapped over a year ago.

You can enter Thailand without a visa, but whether the airline will let you board the plane without an onward flight within 30 days from arrival is another question.

Thank you Maestro. I was planning on getting a round trip and scrapping the return end.

So it is OK to get an exempt stamp to enter, and then leave and return immediately on a tourist visa a few weeks later correct?

Yes you can do that.

My question is why? Why throw away a ticket? Why travel without a tourist visa from the US? They cost the same amount wherever you buy them. And with a visa an onward ticket would not be required. And if you plan to extend stay as it seems you may; you likely could get up to 3 entry tourist visa from US (not from Laos).

My question is why? Why throw away a ticket?

LOP...think the OP may mean buying a full price return ticket and cancelling the return leg and getting a refund

Thanks guys.

@Lop - leaving in less than two weeks, and I'm not willing to gamble I can get a visa by mail in that time frame. Also what Soutpeel said.

call the lady in portland and see what she willneed for a multiply tourist visa she may need a travel sch. and she can turn around in a few days depending when you send it to her. If you send on monday by priority mail she will have it back to you in a couple of days. Send a stamped self addressed envelope in your package. She recieved mine stamped the passport and remailed the same day.