I know this question has been asked before, and I know half of the answer: Years ago I got a tourist visa from Penang a couple of weeks before I was gonna head over to Cambodia[that was at a time when it was virtually impossible to get a tourist visa in Phnom Penh], so I wanted to hold that visa for after my trip to Cambodia, At Pedang Besar I explained that to the immigration officer, and he stamped me in on the 30-day-visa- exemption{back then it was still 30 days even at land borders}. Now I intend to do something like this again soon, this time probably arriving at Suvannaphumi. I assume there is no hard and fast rule for this, and that it is more or less up to the officer's discretion or mood whether he is gonna let you hold the visa or not.

Any of you guys tried that before? Or does anybody now if Thai immigration law has anything definite to say on that 'grey area' ?

Tried it recently. It is a hard and fast rule. Can not. You must use the visa.

Edited January 22, 201313 yr by NomadJoe

Are you sure? That would mean the immigration officer at the Thai-Malaysian was breaking the law? Where did u try?

YOu cna ask it politely, but there is no guarantee that they will allow it. Sometime ago they didn't allow it anymore, but it seems they are currently less strict, so you might be lucky. Hope for a yes, prepare for a no.

You can also get a re-entry permit (1000 baht) at immigration that would keep your tourist visa 60 day entry alive until it runs out.

Another option is to get more than a single entry visa (1000 baht per entry) so that when you leave and return you get the 60 days again.

Edited January 23, 201313 yr by ubonjoe

Are you sure? That would mean the immigration officer at the Thai-Malaysian was breaking the law? Where did u try?

Suvarnabhumi I think. As I am sure you are aware immigration law in Thailand is up to interpretation. Officers have wide discretion. You may encounter anything at any time. But I was told it was a "hard and fast" rule.

Edited January 23, 201313 yr by NomadJoe

Well the double entry is not really a solution, as it would still be the waste of a ever harder to get visa just for a week or two stay.

The reentry visa sounds interesting:Didn't know that was possible for a tourist visa{thought you had to be more long term for that}

Can you get that at the airport just before leaving?

I did it years ago at BKK, asking super politely. The officer called it "Save Visa" and accepted. I did NOT write the visa down on the landing card which made it easier to say yes.

Apply for the ACMECS Single Visa.

Gives you entry to both Thailand and Cambodia.

http://thaiembassy.dk/arrangement-for-the-implementation-of-acmecs-single-visa-between-thailand-and-cambodia/

Well the double entry is not really a solution, as it would still be the waste of a ever harder to get visa just for a week or two stay.

The reentry visa sounds interesting:Didn't know that was possible for a tourist visa{thought you had to be more long term for that}

Can you get that at the airport just before leaving?

A re-entry permit is not a visa, it is a permit to leave and return without affecting you visa. It helps to keep your terminology straight. To the best of my knowledge, you can only get a re-entry permit at immigration. There might be a spot at the airport in BKK. In CM it would only be at immigration near the airport.

Actually it keeps your current permitted to stay alive (not a visa) and both Bangkok airports have facilities to obtain but at Suvarnabhumi it is only operated 0600-2400.