I stupidly did not check my passport before flying off to Vietnam for the weekend after using a new company to service my Visa/Work Permit needs. I did not have the Multiple Re-entry Stamp inside of it and i was unaware until i landed at Bkk on the way back and the offical @ immigration apologetically could only give me 30days right of stay.

My question is do i have to fly out to a consulate (Hong Kong, Cambodia etc...) to apply for a Non-Immigrant B all over again? or is the slightest possibility that i can get this mistake rectified at Immigration in downtown BKK. I have 4+ years of seamless history working for the same company and this is the first time i have messed up. The actual 1 year visa inside my passport is not in anyway visibly cancelled it just has a leaving stamp of 21st July at the bottom of writing and a new arrival stamp 24th july expires 23rd August on a separate page. I understand logically i'm seen as a tourist but i do still have a Work Permit valid until 2012.

I cant be the first idiot to do this can i? Slightly annoyed as the current visa still theoretically has 10 months on it!

Any input would be gratefully appreciated

cheers

I believe immigration does not normally do a visa change to non-B but with your extension history it is worth a try and you lose nothing by asking.

You do not have a visa - you had an extension of stay - it ended the day you departed Thailand without a re-entry permit - you are not allowed to work on a visa exempt entry regardless of having a work permit; so yes, you need to take immediate action to obtain proper non immigrant visa/extension of stay. As said ask immigration first - they may be able to get you back on track for 2,000 plus 1,900 baht change/extension fees without exit/return. Be sure to get at least a single re-entry permit for safety if any chance of travel during the year.