Can I Apply For A Tourist Visa While I'm In Thailand?

[KuamRakWahn]

I am Canadian and currently staying in Bangkok on a visa except, 30-day entry permit. My plan is to travel to Luang Prabang in Laos (direct flight) from Jan. 27 - Feb. 2 and then stay in Thailand from Feb. 2 until Mar. 8 (35 days).

Since there is no Thai consulate in Luang Prabang, it is not feasible to apply for a 60-day tourist visa while I'm there. One solution is to just reenter Thailand on Feb. 2 on a 30-day visa except entry permit, and then apply for a 5-day extension in Bangkok.

However, I was wondering about applying for a 60-day tourist visa in Bangkok before I go to Laos. Is it even possible, and if so, would there be any advantage in doing so versus using a 30-day entry permit and applying for an extension?

[Lite Beer]

You cannot get a Tourist Visa in Thailand.

You can only apply at a Thai Consulate in another Country.

[rct99q]

If you have the time take a trip to Vientiane and go to the Thai consulate and apply for a 60 day tourist visa. Flying back to Bangkok will get you another 30 day exemption. At which time you will then need to apply for a 15 day extension of stay (not guaranteed) for 1,900 baht.

Vientiane is a nice city and worth a visit anyway. It will take 2 full working days and the embassy is not open on weekends.

[ubonjoe]

Extensions of tourist visas at immigration is for 30 days and are only denied for those from certain countries.

[lopburi3]

There is no 15 day extension of stay available for many years - all you can obtain without a valid reason is 7 days to exit the country.

[ShinMusashi44]

In the same boat as you. Anyone know if there Is a Thai consulate in Burma? Cause I'm over in the Chiang Mai area and I would think that is closer.

[lopburi3]

There is an Embassy/Consulate in Yangon.

[wayned]

OP if you fly back into Thailand you will get 30 days. On the last day go to immigration with a ticket out of Thailand and apply for an extension. It will be denied but you will be given 7 days to leave (7 day extension). The cost is 1900 baht.You must go on the last day of the 30 days because the 7 day extension starts on the day you apply, not added on to the end of your current permission to stay.

[DowntownAl]

In the same boat as you. Anyone know if there Is a Thai consulate in Burma? Cause I'm over in the Chiang Mai area and I would think that is closer.

Yangon is over 900 km by road, Vientiane 635 km. Burma is in the middle of a fairly violent transition, especially in the west. Vientiane is a pretty little city with nice bars and restaurants down by the river (most hotels in that area are in the 500 to 800 bracket and are plentiful) The Thai Embassy has a stand alone consulate that is used to handling high-volume TVs and other Visas. Go to any travel agent in CM, buy a mini-bus return, at least that was my preference. There is a detailed discussion of that here: The best part is you travel overnight, the mini-bus company takes you to the consulate so you're done there by 10 am, in your hotel by 11. The next day you pick up your passport just after 1 pm head back to Nong Kai and Bob's you uncle. BTW - there is a great little bar on the river road, you walk up to the 4th floor, great view of the night market and across the Mekong. Nice spot.