Visa Expiration If I Leave & Come Back

[USNret]

I arrived in BKK yesterday, I had gotten a single-entry TR visa prior to leaving the States. When I arrived at Swampy, I was given a 60-day stamp in my passport good through May 27.

The wife & I are thinking of a short trip to Laos in a few days, not sure yet if we will cross the border by ground or air. But when I come back, does that "erase" my existing stamp, giving me a new 30-day entry approval to expire in early May? Or, can I add an extra entry approval on my existing stamp prior to leaving Thailand, thereby keeping my original May 27 date? If so, how would I get this approval? I seem to remember years ago going to an office at the airport and adding 1 more entry approval to my existing visa (that was Type O back then, but I'm a tourist now). Thanks!

[Mario2008]

If returning by air you get a new 30 days, at a land border only 15 days.

You can keep your original May 27 date by getting a re-entry permit at an immigration office. The cost is 1,000 baht and 1 pasport photo.

Near May 27th you can ask for a 30 day extension of stay for 1,900 baht.

[ubonjoe]

You can also get a re-entry permit at airport after check in.

[USNret]

You can also get a re-entry permit at airport after check in.

Can you tell me more about this? I think this is what I did before (strictly out of ignorance, not design). I had to find somewhere in the airport that took passport photos, then ran up to an office that gave another entry stamp. And, as you said, it was after check-in but before going through security/immigration.

also, can it be done at Don Muang, or only at Swampy?

[ubonjoe]

Don Muang has re-entry permit office also which is after departure immigration desks so just tell them you need a re-entry permit before lining up. For that office you probably will also need the photo and copies of your passport photo page, visa, entry/permit to stay stamp and TM6 departure card.

Also download Re-Entry Permit into The Kingdom Application Form (TM.8)

At swampy they charge 200 baht extra and do everything for you.

Edited March 29, 2013 by ubonjoe

[technologybytes]

Might be tricky if you are traveling by land, many immigration offices will only issue a re-entry permit if you are on some sort of extension, and MAY refuse to do so for a tourist visa.

As always, it's not the rules that matter, it's the way they are interpreted by the officer on the day.

[lopburi3]

Re-entry permits are not issued at land crossings - you visit an immigration office to obtain. And getting for a tourist visa entry should not be a problem.

[Mario2008]

Might be tricky if you are traveling by land, many immigration offices will only issue a re-entry permit if you are on some sort of extension, and MAY refuse to do so for a tourist visa.

As always, it's not the rules that matter, it's the way they are interpreted by the officer on the day.

never heard of that one. I think it is more a question of many people being told that they don't need a re-entry permit with a tourist visa and immigration is just trying to be helpful.