I have a six-month tourist visa and was assured by the Thai consulate in my home country that I still needed to leave Thailand after 60 days. Which would mean two trips to Mae Sai (I'm in Chiang Mai) during those six months. My first 60 days are almost up, but now I've been told by several people that I don't have to leave. So I don't know what to do any more. Does anybody know? Thanks!

If you have a double entry six month tourist visa, when you first enter thailand you get permission to stay of 60 days. Toward the end of the 60 days you can go to immigration in Chaing Mai and get a 30 day extension - cost 1900 baht. At the expiration of the extension you have to leave Thailand. If the visa is still valid, the date is before the "must enter before date " on the visa you can reenter. You will get another 60 day stamp. Toward the end of that stay you can go to immigration and extend for another 30 days - cost 1900 baht. when that expires you must laeave Thailand and get a new aiva before reentering.

The six months sounds like the validity period, ie must be used by.

If you have a double entry tourist visa this means you can stay within the Kingdom for 60 day, this can if you wish then be extended by a further 30 days at mmigration. The same applies to the second 60 day entry . The whole thing must be used within 6 months. So, you have two periods of 60 days that must be used within the 6 month validity of the visa.

(seems like we were typing at same time Wayne --lol)

Edited November 9, 201114 yr by CharlieH

The second entry must be before the expiration date of the visa, but the entire 60 day period doesn't have to fall within the validity dates of the visa. Example: If the visa expires on 15 November, you can enter on 14 November and still get the 60 day stamp and at the end can extend it fo another 30 days.

The six months sounds like the validity period, ie must be used by.

If you have a double entry tourist visa this means you can stay within the Kingdom for 60 day, this can if you wish then be extended by a further 30 days at mmigration. The same applies to the second 60 day entry . The whole thing must be used within 6 months. So, you have two periods of 60 days that must be used within the 6 month validity of the visa.

(seems like we were typing at same time Wayne --lol)

You need to check the visa and see how many entries are allowed - it could be two or three normally for a six month validity and that, along with how long you wish to stay, may determine how you want to proceed (60 days/exit/return) or (60 days/extend 30).