Wanting Information Re Basic Visa Requirements From Uk To Thailand

[aloubaker]

Me and my boyfriend are planning on flying to Thailand around Jan/Feb 2013, looking to stay for a few months or at least until August time. Having looked online at visa requirements I am still a little confused as to what we will need. We are both holders of UK Passports with 5+ years remaining on each and would not be looking to work-more just travel the country and maybe do a little volunteering.

It is a strong possibility that we may travel onwards from Thailand although we are unsure of our destination yet, it would be useful to know whether it is best to apply for and get all of our visas for any onward countries before we leave in Jan/Feb or whether there are places to do this whilst we are in Thailand. I understand this may be specific to the country we are travelling onto.

Money wise, I have been trying to gain an understanding of how much the cost of living is in thailand, our aim is to to save enough money before to see us through the summer. I have read various guides and websites but would be great to hear from someone with first hand experience how much we will need as a minimum to get by. Initially we will fly to Bangkok and will stay in pre-booked accomodation for a few days before travelling South, we will also try to sort the first week or two's accomodation in Southern Thailand. The rest will be organised as we go!

We are looking to get an idea of what visa we will need, where is best to apply, the costings and when is the best time to start applying. Would be grateful to anyone who can gives us any information.

[draftvader]

As far as moving on you need to research what embassies and consulates are available in Thailand and which are not. This will allow you to know what you can apply for here and what you can't. You don't need visas for countries with embassies or consulates here.

[Mario2008]

But will need at the least a single entry tourist visa to travel to Thailand. Without a visa, the airlin might refuse you boarding. What else you need really depends on your exact travel plans. The single entry tourist visa will give you a stay of 60 days, which you can extend with another 30 days. Double and triple entry are also possible to get fom the UK, but as said what is best depends on your exact travel plans.

Note that volunteering in Thailand requires a work permit.

[sotsira]

Your best bet is to apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa and don't do any volunteer work

as this will require a work permit.

Depending on your duration of stay will determine which tourist visa you will require, you can check online with

the Thai consulate in Hull and apply by post a couple of weeks before you depart the UK.

Each Tourist Visa entry allows a 60day stay with the option to extend it by 30 days once in Thailand for a fee of 1900bt

at a Thai immigration office nearest to your location in Thailand.

[aloubaker]

Many thanks for the information.

Ideally we would want as long as possible on our visas without having to renew while we are out there. If for example we had a 60 day visa and travelled onto another destination after the 60 days is up would we be allowed back in the country at a later date within the same year?

[CharlieH]

Yes you would, you can go out and back as many times as you like, there is no limit n theory. However immigration will start asking questions if you did it every 15 days repeatedly for 3 months (as an example). Get yourselves the correct Visa to start with, get a double entry as a minimum and then that will give you 6 months 60 + 30 x 2.

If you go for a single entry then after 60 days go to Laos as an example, when you re-enter Thailand if you do not have a visa you will get 15 days by land border or 30 days by air. Unless you get another tourist visa whilst outside Thailand.

My advice, get a minimum of a double and then you have the time covered and the flexibility.

If you are still confused or not sure ring Cardiff Thai Consulate, they are really friendly, very helpful and will guide you through what you need.

http://www.thaiconsulatewales.org.uk/

[aloubaker]

Thanks, really useful information.

[lopburi3]

Also you can not obtain a work permit on a tourist visa entry.