I am coming back to Thailand on a cruise in December. I cant have a type O anymore and it looks like I`m going to have to take a triple entry tourist visa. Problem is I enter Thailand in Phuket and then go to Malaysia and Singapore before going back to Chon Buri to disembark. Does anyone know if my day trip to Phuket will cost me one of my tourist visa entries? If so, can I avoid it by not getting off the ship?My type O expires 7th December 2011. Would it be better not to get the tourist visas until next year and just get visas on arrival?Help! Even the consulate don`t know how it will work!

Yes, it will cost you one entry.

You can try and not put visa number on your entry card and ask for an visa exemption stamp.

Yes, it will cost you one entry.

You can try and not put visa number on your entry card and ask for an visa exemption stamp.

Thanks for the info. Would it be better to just take what immigration give and get the triple entry visas from the consulate for next year? If so, would I still be entitled to 3 x 60 days in 2012? Its unsual for me to come in the high season and I`m really only bothered about coming for extended periods in the low season hence I don`t want to "waste" my visas on short stays in high season.

Not sure what you mean with: "would I still be entitled to 3 x 60 days in 2012?"

There is no limit on the number of visas you can have. But there is a limit on the validity of a visa. A triple entry normally would be valid for 6 months. That means that you can only use the visa to enter the country for 6 months, starting from the date you apply for the visa. Once inside Thailand it doesn't matter that the visa has expired.

Not sure what you mean with: "would I still be entitled to 3 x 60 days in 2012?"

There is no limit on the number of visas you can have. But there is a limit on the validity of a visa. A triple entry normally would be valid for 6 months. That means that you can only use the visa to enter the country for 6 months, starting from the date you apply for the visa. Once inside Thailand it doesn't matter that the visa has expired.

Basically what I mean is, if I have 2 entry and exit stamps in December 2011. Can I then apply to the consulate for a triple entry visa for usage in 2012? Or, will it be seen that I`ve already been to Thailand recently and I have to wait for a period of time before I can apply for a triple re-entry.

It would depend on where you would be applying. In nearby countires the best you can hope for is 2 entries and even that is not sure. They might indeed decide that you have to many already.

But the situation is currently not very clear, there were a few changes and the dust has not settled yet. No telling how the situation in a few months will be.