Hi I will be visiting Thailand next week. I was planning to spend under 30 days but now my trip will be about 35 days.

I know that w/a US passport, i don't need a visa to visit but since i'm going to be over 30 days, i'm alittle worried about overstaying. I'm alittle too late to apply for a tourist visa and I don't think there's on-arrival tourist visas.

I heard the fine is 500 baht a day but I was also considering exiting Thailand to sightsee another country for a few days and re-enter.

Will this reset my 30 days in Thailand?

Thanks

One of the first problems that you might have is with the airline. If you do not have a visa and do not have a ticket exiting Thailand within the 30 day period, the AIRLINE might not let you board the flight! You might have to purchase a cheap ticket on line exiting during the 30 days, say Hat Yai to KL.

When you do get to Thailand, you will get 30 days permission to stay. If you want to stay 35 your optios are:

1. Do a border run by land and get another 15 days permission to stay on reentry. You will have to purchase a visa to enter the neighoring country and the price differs. Loas, $35, Cambodia, $20, Myanmar, 500 baht, Malaysia, free. So the cost will be the transportation + visa.

2. Apply for an extension of your visa exempt entry on the last day of your permission to stay. They will deny it, but will actually give you 7 days to leave the country. You must have a ticket exiting Thailand during the 7 days. Cost 1900 baht at any immigration offfice in Thailand.

3. Overstay. Cost 500 baht/day. 7 days = 3500 baht. But if you are stopped for any reason during that 7 days you are on overstay, you could be arreseted and end up in IDC (crossbar hotel).

4. It's only Tuedays there. Contact the Thai Consulate in Portland. They can issue you a single entry Tourist visa by courrier very quicky. Portland has been very friendly and efficient in the past, especially if they understand your timing situation. Here's the info:

Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc

Next time don't wait until the last minute! Good luck!

Edited November 26, 201213 yr by wayned

As said, you need a Visa or a flight leaving Thailand within 30 days.

Thanks for your reply. You mentioned a flight leaving Thailand within 30 days.

Does this mean i have to completely change my original flight to leave within 30 days or can i just purchase a flight to a neighboring country (e.g. Myanmar, Cambodia) when i'm close to hitting 30days

and then just re-enter Thailand and fly back to the states on the 35th day?

I was planning to visit a neighboring country anyways so i thought a visa wouldn't be necessary at all.

chris

Any flight ticket out of Thailand within 30 days.

You don't have to use it. You can throw it away if you want.

The reason I said Hat Yai ti KL is that they are normally cheap.. Air Asia has a flight, on Christmas day, for $67.

you could contact your airline and ask them if they will let you check in and also ask about a decleration you can sign with them saying you will pay any fiines whilst in thailand (that's the reason they may not let you check in is because if you end up in trouble the airline has to ship you home at their loss).

if you have a laptop you can also buy a cheap flight - there's some at the moment with air asia - hat yai to KL many in dec. 920 baht + 199 baht processing fee ( you can claim back the airport tax of 900 baht minus a 200 baht admin. fee afterwards) - if you book a cheap flight you can remove all the extras and wont cost you much.

other choice if you want to visit a different country is to goto ankor wat or something in cambodia - you could fly there and get a bus back ? if you do that just remember if you come back into thailand via a land border you will only get 15 days allowed stay so that needs to be done closer to when your return flight is.

Thanks for your reply. You mentioned a flight leaving Thailand within 30 days.

Does this mean i have to completely change my original flight to leave within 30 days or can i just purchase a flight to a neighboring country (e.g. Myanmar, Cambodia) when i'm close to hitting 30days

and then just re-enter Thailand and fly back to the states on the 35th day?

I was planning to visit a neighboring country anyways so i thought a visa wouldn't be necessary at all.

chris

I wouldn't worry the 35 day back flight ticket too much.

Most Airlines are only looking, that you have a back flight ticket!

That's the requirement, that's what they know.

Only in case, you don't have a back flight, they asking for a visa.

source: own experience, friend experience. Even a one year ticket does not lead to "do you have a Visa?"

But to make sure, check in with a little extra time, to buy a air asia ticket (p.ex) online. I doubt the need, but better safe, then sorry!

And for your 'time' problem: Do the 'visit neighboring country', if via land border, with coming back to Thailand inside a 2 week slot before your flight.