Hi,

I have American passport and planning to go to Thailand for 3 months. My plan is, I want to apply for 90 days Tourist visa with 2 entries from Thai embassy in Washington DC by mail.

I want to stay in Thailand for one and half month (less than 60 days) then go to Vietnam for 1 week and come back to Thailand again and stay another one and half month.

My questions are :

1. The visa starts from issuing date or starts from the day entering Thailand?

(my ticket is around Sept. and com back to the US. in Dec. 2012)

2. I read from the embassy website that we can stay only 60 days and we have to extend at the immigration office to stay another 30 days. But my case is different because I'll stay less than 60 days then go to Vietnam and come back to Thailand again for another one and half month stay. Do I need to do anything at the immigration office in Bangkok? Is my 90 days Tourist visa with 2 entries good for my plan?

Thank you for all answers, I tries to contact Thai embassy in DC many times but nobody answered.

1 from the day you enter

2 you need a tourist visa (= 60 days) with double entry .

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/VISA/Tourist.aspx

Edited June 6, 201214 yr by FritsSikkink

The visa is valid from the day that it is issued, not the day that you enter. On entry you will be granted 60 days which can be extended for 30 at immigration for 1900 baht. Normally a double entry tourist visa issued in the US is valid for six months from the day that it is issued. You must use both entries during the period that the visa is valid so it would be best to wait until just before you travel to get the visa. The honorary consulates are sometimes more friendly and will process your application by mail. Here is the info for Portland, many have used them and have been issued 6 month double entry visas with no problems.

Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc

The Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. is notorious for not answering phone calls or emails. Moreover, for reasons not explained, they will not issue a double entry Tourist Visa which can be extended for a total of 6 months IF the holder leaves and then re-enters the country after the first 90 days. The best you can obtain from them is a single entry which, with a 30 day extension will allow you to stay 90 days.But if you exit to go to Viet Nam then you visa is used, and you will require another visa to return to Thailand.

Your best bet is to apply for another single entry Tourist Visa while you are in Viet Nam at the Thai Embassy there.

1. Visa validity from day of issue - your permitted to stay 60 days starts on day of entry.

2. No contact with immigration required other than normal entry for 60 day stamps.

As said getting a two entry visa by mail is easier from an honorary consulate in US.

List of honorary consulates here: http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/

Thank you for all answers.