Tourist Visa

[riclag]

Hi I need a second opinion. I'm applying for a 3 entry tourist visa in the USA. .I'm going from September- April ,8 months. Its my understanding

each entry is good for 2 months..so I get 6 months and 3 months for applying for a extension after each entry.I would be able to do this at any Thai immigration office .Its my intention to be going to Sakhon Nakhon . Do I have to make a boarder run at any point? and is my plan correct?

[Sandgroper1066]

Yes,you will need to do a border run after each of your 60 day visas expire,to activate the next visa.

So,you stay here for 60 days,then get an extension for a further 30 days at an immigration office.THEN you will need to do a border run to activate the next 60 day visa,then an extension,etc,etc.

Cheers

[ubonjoe]

Your planed time frame is about right but you will have to do border runs every 90 days. You will have to do your last border run just before your visa expires (enter before date).

Edited August 10, 2012 by ubonjoe

[riclag]

Yes,you will need to do a border run after each of your 60 day visas expire,to activate the next visa.

So,you stay here for 60 days,then get an extension for a further 30 days at an immigration office.THEN you will need to do a border run to activate the next 60 day visa,then an extension,etc,etc.

Cheers

Thanks for your quick answer . Personally I think its very confusing at times,but I want to have this correct. Especially the actual time to go to apply (1 day before or 2 days before).I did a boarder run last year from Udon Thaini to Lao (via khon khen).I just went over and came back it took all but 2 hours.

Rick

[ubonjoe]

You can do it the same day your permit to stay ends or your visa expires but I the latest I would do it would be the day before just in case you got delayed on the way to border. You can do your 30 day extension several days in advance because the extension starts on your permit to stay date.

Just entering Laos for a few minutes and returning is not a problem.

You can also cross over to Laos at Nakhon Phanom. It might be closer than Nong Kai for you.

Edit: Don't apply for your visa until just before your departure because the visa validity starts on the day it is issued. I suggest you get your visa from one of the honorary consulates. They are more flexible than the official consulates or embassy. They also give faster service for mail in applications with most giving same day turn around for mailed in visa applications.

Contact info; http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/

Edited August 11, 2012 by ubonjoe

[riclag]

You can do it the same day your permit to stay ends or your visa expires but I the latest I would do it would be the day before just in case you got delayed on the way to border. You can do your 30 day extension several days in advance because the extension starts on your permit to stay date.

Just entering Laos for a few minutes and returning is not a problem.

You can also cross over to Laos at Nakhon Phanom. It might be closer than Nong Kai for you.

Edit: Don't apply for your visa until just before your departure because the visa validity starts on the day it is issued. I suggest you get your visa from one of the honorary consulates. They are more flexible than the official consulates or embassy. They also give faster service for mail in applications with most giving same day turn around for mailed in visa applications.

Contact info; http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/

One more thought came to mind. Oh! can you tell I'm OCD (lol).The boarder runs can be all ground boarder runs is this correct? (don't have to jump on a plane)

Edited August 12, 2012 by riclag

[ubonjoe]

As long as your visa is valid you can do border runs getting your 60 day entry stamp without a problem.

No need to fly out and back.

[riclag]

Yes,you will need to do a border run after each of your 60 day visas expire,to activate the next visa.

So,you stay here for 60 days,then get an extension for a further 30 days at an immigration office.THEN you will need to do a border run to activate the next 60 day visa,then an extension,etc,etc.

Cheers

Hi again My friend who lives in Udon Thaini insists that I won't get a extension until I use my three entries up first . I'm very confused,I'm at the point now that f--- it.I tried to explain but he told me I got my facts wrong. I want to explain it to him so he can relax

[bikkalad]

Get your 30. Days extension just before your 60 days TV finishes then before your 30 days finish do a boarder run to activate your other 60 day TV....... Your friend is wrong im afraid

[SantiSuk]

Friends can be such mines of disinformation some times!

[ubonjoe]

I just don't know where some misinformation comes from.

Your friend might be thinking about getting a new visa not an extension.

It will not be any problem at all to get an extension for each 60 day entry you will have at any immigration office.

[Lite Beer]

As said, each 60 day entry can be extended at Immigration by a further 30 days.

Maybe you need a new friend.

[rct99q]

Visa Info....bahhh!

Not to stir things up but just so you have the facts right. The 30 day extension is NOT guaranteed. It is at the discretion of the Immigration Authorities. That being said it is usually not a problem. Fee 1,900 baht.

**Your entry into Thailand (your arrival day) activates the first of your 3 tourist visa's. While standing at the desk check your passport stamp. It should give you an entry date and an exit date (60 days from the entry date). Make sure they have not made a mistake, it happens.

**You have until your exit date (60 days) at which time (on the 56,57,58th day) you go to immigration and apply for the 30 day extension. You will have to supply them with a reason you are extending (for touristic reasons) pay the fee and get your extension.

**you will then get another exit date stamped in your passport. This is the date that you will have to LEAVE Thailand to do a border run and activate the second entry of your triple entry tourist visa. Again double check the date they put in your passport to make sure they have given you 60 days.

**repeat the above 1 more time giving you a total of no more than 270 days.

The last item to remember is you have a "To be Used By" date on your Visa as well. This means you have until the date stamped in your visa to activate the 3rd (last) Visa. ALWAYS check the dates and stamps in your passport each time you go through immigration. They make mistakes sometimes when dealing with large numbers of people. If you catch it right away no problem. However have seen where people just assume they have the right stamp and find out later there was a mistake. USUALLY not a problem but best to avoid having to deal with this just by checking your passport at immigration control each time.

[riclag]

Visa Info....bahhh!

Not to stir things up but just so you have the facts right. The 30 day extension is NOT guaranteed. It is at the discretion of the Immigration Authorities. That being said it is usually not a problem. Fee 1,900 baht.

**Your entry into Thailand (your arrival day) activates the first of your 3 tourist visa's. While standing at the desk check your passport stamp. It should give you an entry date and an exit date (60 days from the entry date). Make sure they have not made a mistake, it happens.

**You have until your exit date (60 days) at which time (on the 56,57,58th day) you go to immigration and apply for the 30 day extension. You will have to supply them with a reason you are extending (for touristic reasons) pay the fee and get your extension.

**you will then get another exit date stamped in your passport. This is the date that you will have to LEAVE Thailand to do a border run and activate the second entry of your triple entry tourist visa. Again double check the date they put in your passport to make sure they have given you 60 days.

**repeat the above 1 more time giving you a total of no more than 270 days.

The last item to remember is you have a "To be Used By" date on your Visa as well. This means you have until the date stamped in your visa to activate the 3rd (last) Visa. ALWAYS check the dates and stamps in your passport each time you go through immigration. They make mistakes sometimes when dealing with large numbers of people. If you catch it right away no problem. However have seen where people just assume they have the right stamp and find out later there was a mistake. USUALLY not a problem but best to avoid having to deal with this just by checking your passport at immigration control each time.

Thank you so much for the very descriptive answer. You went the extra to help answer my question.

Thanks

[kalasin]

If you got three entries, it means you can enter-leave Thailand three times in the 60 days visa period.

If you only have one entry, the visa period expires when you leave - even after say just two days.

[riclag]

You can do it the same day your permit to stay ends or your visa expires but I the latest I would do it would be the day before just in case you got delayed on the way to border. You can do your 30 day extension several days in advance because the extension starts on your permit to stay date.

Just entering Laos for a few minutes and returning is not a problem.

You can also cross over to Laos at Nakhon Phanom. It might be closer than Nong Kai for you.

Edit: Don't apply for your visa until just before your departure because the visa validity starts on the day it is issued. I suggest you get your visa from one of the honorary consulates. They are more flexible than the official consulates or embassy. They also give faster service for mail in applications with most giving same day turn around for mailed in visa applications.

Contact info; http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/

One more thought came to mind. Oh! can you tell I'm OCD (lol).The boarder runs can be all ground boarder runs is this correct? (don't have to jump on a plane)

Hi what is the boarder run town in Lao from Nakhon Phanom and what is the best way of transportation from Sakon Nakhon?

[riclag]

Hi, Does anybody know what the boarder run town in Lao from Nakhon Phanom would be? I'm staying in Sakon Nakhon,I don't know if NP is the best chioice to cross over ?????Or if another town is better.Any info would be appreciated .

[diggledunc]

Hi, Does anybody know what the boarder run town in Lao from Nakhon Phanom would be? I'm staying in Sakon Nakhon,I don't know if NP is the best chioice to cross over ?????Or if another town is better.Any info would be appreciated .

It used to be Ta Khek which was right opposite but I believe the bridge is some kilos out of NP so maybe another place. I did do the border crossing once from NP to Ta Khek many years before the bridge was built.

By the way through all these posts I don't see anybody say (I did skim) that you can get 60 day tourist visas in Vientiane with an overnight stay. Always useful to know as a back up.

[SantiSuk]

Hi, Does anybody know what the boarder run town in Lao from Nakhon Phanom would be? I'm staying in Sakon Nakhon,I don't know if NP is the best chioice to cross over ?????Or if another town is better.Any info would be appreciated .

Nakhon Phanom is certainly the closest (about 90 clicks away, whereas the next alternative would be Mukdahan/Savanakhet (about 120 clicks) and given that Nakhon and Sakhon are both regional centres on a main trunk route I would expect hourly express coaches or fastish buses on that route. You have time to find out once you have arrived locally if noone can give better info here.

Somebody posted in January:

Posted 2012-01-13 19:40:44

• 
  

`Got the car passport and headed for the new bridge at Nakhon Phanom.very nice place to cross into Laos,the staff are very friendly and helpful.They filled all the forms in for me and i was thru in 20 minutes.the other bridges (nonh Khai ) (sic - the poster means `at one of the other bridges, Nong Khai/Vientianne`) i had to do paper work and very confusing .so crossing at NK (sic - poster means NP!) is easy,$30 for my visa and 60baht for the car and 260 baht for 7 days third party insurance for the car.` The rest of that posting is a travleogue about the Laos side, so probably not relevant to you.

I`m sure I recall someone posting about there being a bus from Nakhon Phanom town to the border post at the bridge, but Google is not bringing that post up for me. A locally hired taxi is unlikely to break the bank but the bus will be cheaper if timings are convenient.

Finally if no better info turns up here it would be worthwhile taking a Thai/English speaker with you to the bus station in Sakhon Nakon. There may be an international bus that goes (probably only once a day) from SN to the border and through to Tha Khek. I have seen postings about the relevant tourist/development agencies putting international buses on all the big three routes accross from Eastern Isaan into Laos. There has been one from Ubon thru Chong Mek to Pakse for many years; now that is to be supplemeted or extended by an international bus from Bangkok to Ubon to Pakse. I think they are planning something similar for the Nakhon Phanom/Tha Kek and Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossings also.

[riclag]

Hi, Does anybody know what the boarder run town in Lao from Nakhon Phanom would be? I'm staying in Sakon Nakhon,I don't know if NP is the best chioice to cross over ?????Or if another town is better.Any info would be appreciated .

Nakhon Phanom is certainly the closest (about 90 clicks away, whereas the next alternative would be Mukdahan/Savanakhet (about 120 clicks) and given that Nakhon and Sakhon are both regional centres on a main trunk route I would expect hourly express coaches or fastish buses on that route. You have time to find out once you have arrived locally if noone can give better info here.

Somebody posted in January:

Posted 2012-01-13 19:40:44

• 
  

`Got the car passport and headed for the new bridge at Nakhon Phanom.very nice place to cross into Laos,the staff are very friendly and helpful.They filled all the forms in for me and i was thru in 20 minutes.the other bridges (nonh Khai ) (sic - the poster means `at one of the other bridges, Nong Khai/Vientianne`) i had to do paper work and very confusing .so crossing at NK (sic - poster means NP!) is easy,$30 for my visa and 60baht for the car and 260 baht for 7 days third party insurance for the car.` The rest of that posting is a travleogue about the Laos side, so probably not relevant to you.

I`m sure I recall someone posting about there being a bus from Nakhon Phanom town to the border post at the bridge, but Google is not bringing that post up for me. A locally hired taxi is unlikely to break the bank but the bus will be cheaper if timings are convenient.

Finally if no better info turns up here it would be worthwhile taking a Thai/English speaker with you to the bus station in Sakhon Nakon. There may be an international bus that goes (probably only once a day) from SN to the border and through to Tha Khek. I have seen postings about the relevant tourist/development agencies putting international buses on all the big three routes accross from Eastern Isaan into Laos. There has been one from Ubon thru Chong Mek to Pakse for many years; now that is to be supplemeted or extended by an international bus from Bangkok to Ubon to Pakse. I think they are planning something similar for the Nakhon Phanom/Tha Kek and Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossings also.

Thank you for your reply .I too went to Lao via Non Khai last year and found it very confusing, fortunately I had a thai friend who could speak some english. I will take your advise and go to NP from SN via bus. I'll post back in late November thats when my extension expires

[riclag]

Hi, Does anybody know what the boarder run town in Lao from Nakhon Phanom would be? I'm staying in Sakon Nakhon,I don't know if NP is the best chioice to cross over ?????Or if another town is better.Any info would be appreciated .

Nakhon Phanom is certainly the closest (about 90 clicks away, whereas the next alternative would be Mukdahan/Savanakhet (about 120 clicks) and given that Nakhon and Sakhon are both regional centres on a main trunk route I would expect hourly express coaches or fastish buses on that route. You have time to find out once you have arrived locally if noone can give better info here.

Somebody posted in January:

Posted 2012-01-13 19:40:44

• 
  

`Got the car passport and headed for the new bridge at Nakhon Phanom.very nice place to cross into Laos,the staff are very friendly and helpful.They filled all the forms in for me and i was thru in 20 minutes.the other bridges (nonh Khai ) (sic - the poster means `at one of the other bridges, Nong Khai/Vientianne`) i had to do paper work and very confusing .so crossing at NK (sic - poster means NP!) is easy,$30 for my visa and 60baht for the car and 260 baht for 7 days third party insurance for the car.` The rest of that posting is a travleogue about the Laos side, so probably not relevant to you.

I`m sure I recall someone posting about there being a bus from Nakhon Phanom town to the border post at the bridge, but Google is not bringing that post up for me. A locally hired taxi is unlikely to break the bank but the bus will be cheaper if timings are convenient.

Finally if no better info turns up here it would be worthwhile taking a Thai/English speaker with you to the bus station in Sakhon Nakon. There may be an international bus that goes (probably only once a day) from SN to the border and through to Tha Khek. I have seen postings about the relevant tourist/development agencies putting international buses on all the big three routes accross from Eastern Isaan into Laos. There has been one from Ubon thru Chong Mek to Pakse for many years; now that is to be supplemeted or extended by an international bus from Bangkok to Ubon to Pakse. I think they are planning something similar for the Nakhon Phanom/Tha Kek and Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossings also.

Thank you for your reply .I too went to Lao via Non Khai last year and found it very confusing, fortunately I had a thai friend who could speak some english. I will take your advise and go to NP from SN via bus. I'll post back in late November thats when my extension expires

Hi, I went to the Tha Khet friendship bridge departure location) via Nakon Phanom on the 29 November I posted a youtube video with comments. briefly everything went well .I did a turn around on the friendship bridge(didn't bother to go all the way to Tha Khet. cost 1300 bht.