How To Stay In Thailand For 9 Months

[Ulic]

From Canada I do the same as mxer90. I get a six month triple entry visa (you only need a double). It is easy and is done overnight so I get

it a couple of days before leaving. Then I do the 60+30, 60+30, leaving and returning before the 6 month visa expiry date. This gives you the

final 60+30. As mxer90 says you will not get the full 9 months but only a few days less if your timing is correct. I did not need a flight ticket out

of the Kingdom as I had a 6 month visa. But I usually book a return ticket out on Air Asia for my 90 day in and out of the country anyway.

Enjoy your time in the Kingdom.

[ubonjoe]

Hi guys,

I don't want to hijack this topic but someone just flagged something that I hadn't even thought of. I am moving from Ireland to Trat in the near future with my Thai GF. Will I need to show a return ticket to get tourist entry visa or get a multipal entry visa in Ireland before I travel. Which is the best way to go ?

Sorry for jumping into someone else's post.

P D

You will not get a multiple entry visa unless you are over 50, have family here or have proof of enrollment in a course of study.

You could get a 3 entry tourist visa which would give you almost 9 months without needing a new visa.

You don't need to show a return ticket for a 30 day visa exempt entry an onward ticket is enough. Many people buy a one way ticket to one of the nearby countries. Some are so cheap enough that you through it away and not loose a lot of money.

Edited April 4, 2013 by ubonjoe

[wilgoster]

Lopburi3 is correct. I have a triple entry Tourist from Liverpool consul. Cost me 75 pounds. 25 per entry. Very easy to get. I was in and out in 5 mins. Im on my first entry now in pattaya. I need to go to jomtien immigration before the 60 days as per the stamp on my visa. For 1900 baht I can extend by 30 days. Then after the 30 days I must exit the kingdom by any means air, road and start the second entry and repeat. The very maximum u can get on a triple is 270 days but this is more or less impossible. Why ? Because there is an expiry date of 180 days from the day the visa was issued that the third entry must be used by. This is on the actual visa and is very important to keep an eye on. So eg. If u do not travel to Thailand on the same day the visa was issued u will lose that time. I flew 1 week after my visa was issued so in effect I lose 7 days because of the expiry date. Also if u leave Thailand for say 1 week between entries u will lose that time also for the same reason. It is better to say the visa is for about 250 to 260ish days depending on how u travel, exit and renenter. If u want to leave within the entry or extension (to see friends) u need to go and get a reentry permit from immigration.

I'm probably going to get another triple in Liverpool when I finish this one as they are easy to get either that or a ED visa for 1 year. Im very lucky i can stay here longtime. My plan is to get 3 or 4 Triple entry tourist visas then a ED visa for 3 years (with extensions). This will just get me to 50 so i can get the retirement visa . I may have to prove finances to cover my Tourist trips as they do not allow u to work in Thailand but no problem for me. Working here is a whole different kettle of fish!!

Wow! I didn't know that a multiple entry on a 60-day Tourist Visa automatically renews the 60-day visa every time you pop out and in again. I wonder why that Immigration officer in Nakhon Sawan told me when the visa expires, so do the re-entry privileges. Maybe, if I get an Ed visa with multiple entries, I can pop out and in for additional years... unless my assumptions... Oh, the hell with it! Give me another beer.

[mxer90]

Lopburi3 is correct. I have a triple entry Tourist from Liverpool consul. Cost me 75 pounds. 25 per entry. Very easy to get. I was in and out in 5 mins. Im on my first entry now in pattaya. I need to go to jomtien immigration before the 60 days as per the stamp on my visa. For 1900 baht I can extend by 30 days. Then after the 30 days I must exit the kingdom by any means air, road and start the second entry and repeat. The very maximum u can get on a triple is 270 days but this is more or less impossible. Why ? Because there is an expiry date of 180 days from the day the visa was issued that the third entry must be used by. This is on the actual visa and is very important to keep an eye on. So eg. If u do not travel to Thailand on the same day the visa was issued u will lose that time. I flew 1 week after my visa was issued so in effect I lose 7 days because of the expiry date. Also if u leave Thailand for say 1 week between entries u will lose that time also for the same reason. It is better to say the visa is for about 250 to 260ish days depending on how u travel, exit and renenter. If u want to leave within the entry or extension (to see friends) u need to go and get a reentry permit from immigration.

I'm probably going to get another triple in Liverpool when I finish this one as they are easy to get either that or a ED visa for 1 year. Im very lucky i can stay here longtime. My plan is to get 3 or 4 Triple entry tourist visas then a ED visa for 3 years (with extensions). This will just get me to 50 so i can get the retirement visa . I may have to prove finances to cover my Tourist trips as they do not allow u to work in Thailand but no problem for me. Working here is a whole different kettle of fish!!

Wow! I didn't know that a multiple entry on a 60-day Tourist Visa automatically renews the 60-day visa every time you pop out and in again. I wonder why that Immigration officer in Nakhon Sawan told me when the visa expires, so do the re-entry privileges. Maybe, if I get an Ed visa with multiple entries, I can pop out and in for additional years... unless my assumptions... Oh, the hell with it! Give me another beer.

I think there is a little confusion between the terms "entry" and "re-entry", I'll try and clarify the best I can.

A triple "entry" tourist visa, gives you 3 entries into the kingdom before the expiry date of 180 days from issue of the visa. The 3rd entry must be used on or before this date, if you do not, you will lose this 3rd "entry". Each entry is 60 days, extendable by an extra 30 days by visiting a local immigration office for 1900 baht each extension.

A "re-entry" or better a "re-entry permit", allows you to leave the kingdom (without affecting that "entry"), and come back before the "entry" expires. If you re-enter after the "entry" date expiry you will trigger another one of your 3 "entries".

As an example, I am now on my 1st entry (60 days), I have not extended yet. Lets say I am 30 days into this 1st "entry" and I get a phone call from family in the UK to say there is a serious family issue I have to go and resolve.

Now, if I just leave the Kingdom and go home, I will lose the remainder of the 1st "entry" I am currently on. Once I come back again I will have to use my 2nd "entry" and start a fresh 60 days.

However, if I go to Immigration before I go home and apply for a "re-entry permit", pay 1000 baht (I believe), I have a permit to allow me to leave and come back (within that "entry" period) and not affect that "entry". So, if I was to go for 7 days to the UK, using the re-entry permit, I would come back and still be using my 1st "entry". However, I will lose the 7 days as the 60 day date on the visa still applies, but the good thing is I do not lose the whole 1st "entry" and I can still extend by 30 days.

The "re-entry permit" does not give you another "entry" of 60 days, it only allows you to re-enter using the same "entry".

With a triple entry tourist visa you ONLY get 3 entries of 60 days, each entry extendable by a further 30 days.

One thing to bear in mind, as I said above in my post, the VISA EXPIRY DATE is very important as you must use your 3rd entry on or before this date or you will lose this. So, even if you are only 45 days through your 2nd entry because you went home or left the kingdom for 3 or 4 weeks, you MUST still exit and re-enter before the expiry date or you will lose this "entry".

Now I need a beer, as my head is starting to spin!! LOL

Also, regarding the need for an onward ticket, this depends if you are on a visa exempt or an actual visa.

If you are on a visa exempt you must have an onward ticket (either a return or a destination outside the kingdom) before the 30 days is up, to board a flight into the kingdom.

This is not the case with a visa. With a visa you do not need either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination. I am on my 1st entry of my triple entry visa, (in Pattaya now), and I boarded my flight with a one way ticket only!

I was actually stopped by the airline that I do not have an onward ticket but I had already seen the flying regulations website the airlines use (sorry I can't remember the exact name now) to check boarding rules and regulations and once I said to the pretty lady behind the desk that an onward ticket is only needed if I did NOT have a visa (i.e. visa exempt), she looked it up, apologised, and I was on my way.

[LiorW]

Lopburi3 is correct. I have a triple entry Tourist from Liverpool consul. Cost me 75 pounds. 25 per entry. Very easy to get. I was in and out in 5 mins. Im on my first entry now in pattaya. I need to go to jomtien immigration before the 60 days as per the stamp on my visa. For 1900 baht I can extend by 30 days. Then after the 30 days I must exit the kingdom by any means air, road and start the second entry and repeat. The very maximum u can get on a triple is 270 days but this is more or less impossible. Why ? Because there is an expiry date of 180 days from the day the visa was issued that the third entry must be used by. This is on the actual visa and is very important to keep an eye on. So eg. If u do not travel to Thailand on the same day the visa was issued u will lose that time. I flew 1 week after my visa was issued so in effect I lose 7 days because of the expiry date. Also if u leave Thailand for say 1 week between entries u will lose that time also for the same reason. It is better to say the visa is for about 250 to 260ish days depending on how u travel, exit and renenter. If u want to leave within the entry or extension (to see friends) u need to go and get a reentry permit from immigration.

I'm probably going to get another triple in Liverpool when I finish this one as they are easy to get either that or a ED visa for 1 year. Im very lucky i can stay here longtime. My plan is to get 3 or 4 Triple entry tourist visas then a ED visa for 3 years (with extensions). This will just get me to 50 so i can get the retirement visa . I may have to prove finances to cover my Tourist trips as they do not allow u to work in Thailand but no problem for me. Working here is a whole different kettle of fish!!

Wow! I didn't know that a multiple entry on a 60-day Tourist Visa automatically renews the 60-day visa every time you pop out and in again. I wonder why that Immigration officer in Nakhon Sawan told me when the visa expires, so do the re-entry privileges. Maybe, if I get an Ed visa with multiple entries, I can pop out and in for additional years... unless my assumptions... Oh, the hell with it! Give me another beer.

I think there is a little confusion between the terms "entry" and "re-entry", I'll try and clarify the best I can.

A triple "entry" tourist visa, gives you 3 entries into the kingdom before the expiry date of 180 days from issue of the visa. The 3rd entry must be used on or before this date, if you do not, you will lose this 3rd "entry". Each entry is 60 days, extendable by an extra 30 days by visiting a local immigration office for 1900 baht each extension.

A "re-entry" or better a "re-entry permit", allows you to leave the kingdom (without affecting that "entry"), and come back before the "entry" expires. If you re-enter after the "entry" date expiry you will trigger another one of your 3 "entries".

As an example, I am now on my 1st entry (60 days), I have not extended yet. Lets say I am 30 days into this 1st "entry" and I get a phone call from family in the UK to say there is a serious family issue I have to go and resolve.

Now, if I just leave the Kingdom and go home, I will lose the remainder of the 1st "entry" I am currently on. Once I come back again I will have to use my 2nd "entry" and start a fresh 60 days.

However, if I go to Immigration before I go home and apply for a "re-entry permit", pay 1000 baht (I believe), I have a permit to allow me to leave and come back (within that "entry" period) and not affect that "entry". So, if I was to go for 7 days to the UK, using the re-entry permit, I would come back and still be using my 1st "entry". However, I will lose the 7 days as the 60 day date on the visa still applies, but the good thing is I do not lose the whole 1st "entry" and I can still extend by 30 days.

The "re-entry permit" does not give you another "entry" of 60 days, it only allows you to re-enter using the same "entry".

With a triple entry tourist visa you ONLY get 3 entries of 60 days, each entry extendable by a further 30 days.

One thing to bear in mind, as I said above in my post, the VISA EXPIRY DATE is very important as you must use your 3rd entry on or before this date or you will lose this. So, even if you are only 45 days through your 2nd entry because you went home or left the kingdom for 3 or 4 weeks, you MUST still exit and re-enter before the expiry date or you will lose this "entry".

Now I need a beer, as my head is starting to spin!! LOL

Also, regarding the need for an onward ticket, this depends if you are on a visa exempt or an actual visa.

If you are on a visa exempt you must have an onward ticket (either a return or a destination outside the kingdom) before the 30 days is up, to board a flight into the kingdom.

This is not the case with a visa. With a visa you do not need either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination. I am on my 1st entry of my triple entry visa, (in Pattaya now), and I boarded my flight with a one way ticket only!

I was actually stopped by the airline that I do not have an onward ticket but I had already seen the flying regulations website the airlines use (sorry I can't remember the exact name now) to check boarding rules and regulations and once I said to the pretty lady behind the desk that an onward ticket is only needed if I did NOT have a visa (i.e. visa exempt), she looked it up, apologised, and I was on my way.

After reading many threads about the visa issues, I think mxer90 summed it up pretty nicely, and now I really understand what it is all about.

Good job . I will definitely put this in my favorites.

[Lenalernt]

Thank you all very much! WE will go for an ED-Visa, because it is always good to learn the language properly anyways!

[wigantojapan]

Hi guys,

I don't want to hijack this topic but someone just flagged something that I hadn't even thought of. I am moving from Ireland to Trat in the near future with my Thai GF. Will I need to show a return ticket to get tourist entry visa or get a multipal entry visa in Ireland before I travel. Which is the best way to go ?

Sorry for jumping into someone else's post.

P D

No you dont need a return ticket to get a visa.Best is to get the triple visa, in Ireland,which actually adds up to 270 days if you use it to its maximum

i should know i,ve been doing that for the past 2 years

[Lenalernt]

Lopburi3 is correct. I have a triple entry Tourist from Liverpool consul. Cost me 75 pounds. 25 per entry. Very easy to get. I was in and out in 5 mins. Im on my first entry now in pattaya. I need to go to jomtien immigration before the 60 days as per the stamp on my visa. For 1900 baht I can extend by 30 days. Then after the 30 days I must exit the kingdom by any means air, road and start the second entry and repeat. The very maximum u can get on a triple is 270 days but this is more or less impossible. Why ? Because there is an expiry date of 180 days from the day the visa was issued that the third entry must be used by. This is on the actual visa and is very important to keep an eye on. So eg. If u do not travel to Thailand on the same day the visa was issued u will lose that time. I flew 1 week after my visa was issued so in effect I lose 7 days because of the expiry date. Also if u leave Thailand for say 1 week between entries u will lose that time also for the same reason. It is better to say the visa is for about 250 to 260ish days depending on how u travel, exit and renenter. If u want to leave within the entry or extension (to see friends) u need to go and get a reentry permit from immigration.

I'm probably going to get another triple in Liverpool when I finish this one as they are easy to get either that or a ED visa for 1 year. Im very lucky i can stay here longtime. My plan is to get 3 or 4 Triple entry tourist visas then a ED visa for 3 years (with extensions). This will just get me to 50 so i can get the retirement visa . I may have to prove finances to cover my Tourist trips as they do not allow u to work in Thailand but no problem for me. Working here is a whole different kettle of fish!!

Wow! I didn't know that a multiple entry on a 60-day Tourist Visa automatically renews the 60-day visa every time you pop out and in again. I wonder why that Immigration officer in Nakhon Sawan told me when the visa expires, so do the re-entry privileges. Maybe, if I get an Ed visa with multiple entries, I can pop out and in for additional years... unless my assumptions... Oh, the hell with it! Give me another beer.

I think there is a little confusion between the terms "entry" and "re-entry", I'll try and clarify the best I can.

A triple "entry" tourist visa, gives you 3 entries into the kingdom before the expiry date of 180 days from issue of the visa. The 3rd entry must be used on or before this date, if you do not, you will lose this 3rd "entry". Each entry is 60 days, extendable by an extra 30 days by visiting a local immigration office for 1900 baht each extension.

A "re-entry" or better a "re-entry permit", allows you to leave the kingdom (without affecting that "entry"), and come back before the "entry" expires. If you re-enter after the "entry" date expiry you will trigger another one of your 3 "entries".

As an example, I am now on my 1st entry (60 days), I have not extended yet. Lets say I am 30 days into this 1st "entry" and I get a phone call from family in the UK to say there is a serious family issue I have to go and resolve.

Now, if I just leave the Kingdom and go home, I will lose the remainder of the 1st "entry" I am currently on. Once I come back again I will have to use my 2nd "entry" and start a fresh 60 days.

However, if I go to Immigration before I go home and apply for a "re-entry permit", pay 1000 baht (I believe), I have a permit to allow me to leave and come back (within that "entry" period) and not affect that "entry". So, if I was to go for 7 days to the UK, using the re-entry permit, I would come back and still be using my 1st "entry". However, I will lose the 7 days as the 60 day date on the visa still applies, but the good thing is I do not lose the whole 1st "entry" and I can still extend by 30 days.

The "re-entry permit" does not give you another "entry" of 60 days, it only allows you to re-enter using the same "entry".

With a triple entry tourist visa you ONLY get 3 entries of 60 days, each entry extendable by a further 30 days.

One thing to bear in mind, as I said above in my post, the VISA EXPIRY DATE is very important as you must use your 3rd entry on or before this date or you will lose this. So, even if you are only 45 days through your 2nd entry because you went home or left the kingdom for 3 or 4 weeks, you MUST still exit and re-enter before the expiry date or you will lose this "entry".

Now I need a beer, as my head is starting to spin!! LOL

Also, regarding the need for an onward ticket, this depends if you are on a visa exempt or an actual visa.

If you are on a visa exempt you must have an onward ticket (either a return or a destination outside the kingdom) before the 30 days is up, to board a flight into the kingdom.

This is not the case with a visa. With a visa you do not need either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination. I am on my 1st entry of my triple entry visa, (in Pattaya now), and I boarded my flight with a one way ticket only!

I was actually stopped by the airline that I do not have an onward ticket but I had already seen the flying regulations website the airlines use (sorry I can't remember the exact name now) to check boarding rules and regulations and once I said to the pretty lady behind the desk that an onward ticket is only needed if I did NOT have a visa (i.e. visa exempt), she looked it up, apologised, and I was on my way.

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR CLARYFIING!

[riclag]

Lopburi3 is correct. I have a triple entry Tourist from Liverpool consul. Cost me 75 pounds. 25 per entry. Very easy to get. I was in and out in 5 mins. Im on my first entry now in pattaya. I need to go to jomtien immigration before the 60 days as per the stamp on my visa. For 1900 baht I can extend by 30 days. Then after the 30 days I must exit the kingdom by any means air, road and start the second entry and repeat. The very maximum u can get on a triple is 270 days but this is more or less impossible. Why ? Because there is an expiry date of 180 days from the day the visa was issued that the third entry must be used by. This is on the actual visa and is very important to keep an eye on. So eg. If u do not travel to Thailand on the same day the visa was issued u will lose that time. I flew 1 week after my visa was issued so in effect I lose 7 days because of the expiry date. Also if u leave Thailand for say 1 week between entries u will lose that time also for the same reason. It is better to say the visa is for about 250 to 260ish days depending on how u travel, exit and renenter. If u want to leave within the entry or extension (to see friends) u need to go and get a reentry permit from immigration.

I'm probably going to get another triple in Liverpool when I finish this one as they are easy to get either that or a ED visa for 1 year. Im very lucky i can stay here longtime. My plan is to get 3 or 4 Triple entry tourist visas then a ED visa for 3 years (with extensions). This will just get me to 50 so i can get the retirement visa . I may have to prove finances to cover my Tourist trips as they do not allow u to work in Thailand but no problem for me. Working here is a whole different kettle of fish!!

Wow! I didn't know that a multiple entry on a 60-day Tourist Visa automatically renews the 60-day visa every time you pop out and in again. I wonder why that Immigration officer in Nakhon Sawan told me when the visa expires, so do the re-entry privileges. Maybe, if I get an Ed visa with multiple entries, I can pop out and in for additional years... unless my assumptions... Oh, the hell with it! Give me another beer.

I think there is a little confusion between the terms "entry" and "re-entry", I'll try and clarify the best I can.

A triple "entry" tourist visa, gives you 3 entries into the kingdom before the expiry date of 180 days from issue of the visa. The 3rd entry must be used on or before this date, if you do not, you will lose this 3rd "entry". Each entry is 60 days, extendable by an extra 30 days by visiting a local immigration office for 1900 baht each extension.

A "re-entry" or better a "re-entry permit", allows you to leave the kingdom (without affecting that "entry"), and come back before the "entry" expires. If you re-enter after the "entry" date expiry you will trigger another one of your 3 "entries".

As an example, I am now on my 1st entry (60 days), I have not extended yet. Lets say I am 30 days into this 1st "entry" and I get a phone call from family in the UK to say there is a serious family issue I have to go and resolve.

Now, if I just leave the Kingdom and go home, I will lose the remainder of the 1st "entry" I am currently on. Once I come back again I will have to use my 2nd "entry" and start a fresh 60 days.

However, if I go to Immigration before I go home and apply for a "re-entry permit", pay 1000 baht (I believe), I have a permit to allow me to leave and come back (within that "entry" period) and not affect that "entry". So, if I was to go for 7 days to the UK, using the re-entry permit, I would come back and still be using my 1st "entry". However, I will lose the 7 days as the 60 day date on the visa still applies, but the good thing is I do not lose the whole 1st "entry" and I can still extend by 30 days.

The "re-entry permit" does not give you another "entry" of 60 days, it only allows you to re-enter using the same "entry".

With a triple entry tourist visa you ONLY get 3 entries of 60 days, each entry extendable by a further 30 days.

One thing to bear in mind, as I said above in my post, the VISA EXPIRY DATE is very important as you must use your 3rd entry on or before this date or you will lose this. So, even if you are only 45 days through your 2nd entry because you went home or left the kingdom for 3 or 4 weeks, you MUST still exit and re-enter before the expiry date or you will lose this "entry".

Now I need a beer, as my head is starting to spin!! LOL

Also, regarding the need for an onward ticket, this depends if you are on a visa exempt or an actual visa.

If you are on a visa exempt you must have an onward ticket (either a return or a destination outside the kingdom) before the 30 days is up, to board a flight into the kingdom.

This is not the case with a visa. With a visa you do not need either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination. I am on my 1st entry of my triple entry visa, (in Pattaya now), and I boarded my flight with a one way ticket only!

I was actually stopped by the airline that I do not have an onward ticket but I had already seen the flying regulations website the airlines use (sorry I can't remember the exact name now) to check boarding rules and regulations and once I said to the pretty lady behind the desk that an onward ticket is only needed if I did NOT have a visa (i.e. visa exempt), she looked it up, apologised, and I was on my way.

I'm going to frame this post above in stone and hang it on my wall. Soot Yawht :-)

I'm from the USA .Some of this applies to me I had just finished a triple entry (Aug 22 2012- through the middle of May 2013). Now I want to go back again on a triple entry visa late July or first two weeks in August. My daughter is going to get married in the states but she's not sure when. It will more than likely be while I'm doing my triple entry. This is good news so the "reentry permit" is what I would need. Secondly I was asked on the first triple why I wanted it. I replied I was investigating whether or not I wanted to retire there(60YO). I was granted it in Boston no problem. Now I want to go back again My question is can I still use the (I'm thinking of retire there answer") or should I say truthfully I can't retire until I'm 65 but I want to live and travel with My Thai GF while looking for a ideal location to live once I can retire in Thailand . The reason why I ask is that ,I read on another post that the Washington DC consulate asked someone for a letter explaining why he wanted a triple entry maybe they asked because he had a double two years prior.May be some consuls in the USA are strict.!! I want to be able to give a honest reason but yet I don't want to get denied obviously I would appreciate sincere responses

[lopburi3]

Checking on retirement options in the region would be what I would indicate - that explains having more than a single entry visa and essentially is what you are doing.

[riclag]

Lopburi3 is correct. I have a triple entry Tourist from Liverpool consul. Cost me 75 pounds. 25 per entry. Very easy to get. I was in and out in 5 mins. Im on my first entry now in pattaya. I need to go to jomtien immigration before the 60 days as per the stamp on my visa. For 1900 baht I can extend by 30 days. Then after the 30 days I must exit the kingdom by any means air, road and start the second entry and repeat. The very maximum u can get on a triple is 270 days but this is more or less impossible. Why ? Because there is an expiry date of 180 days from the day the visa was issued that the third entry must be used by. This is on the actual visa and is very important to keep an eye on. So eg. If u do not travel to Thailand on the same day the visa was issued u will lose that time. I flew 1 week after my visa was issued so in effect I lose 7 days because of the expiry date. Also if u leave Thailand for say 1 week between entries u will lose that time also for the same reason. It is better to say the visa is for about 250 to 260ish days depending on how u travel, exit and renenter. If u want to leave within the entry or extension (to see friends) u need to go and get a reentry permit from immigration.

I'm probably going to get another triple in Liverpool when I finish this one as they are easy to get either that or a ED visa for 1 year. Im very lucky i can stay here longtime. My plan is to get 3 or 4 Triple entry tourist visas then a ED visa for 3 years (with extensions). This will just get me to 50 so i can get the retirement visa . I may have to prove finances to cover my Tourist trips as they do not allow u to work in Thailand but no problem for me. Working here is a whole different kettle of fish!!

Wow! I didn't know that a multiple entry on a 60-day Tourist Visa automatically renews the 60-day visa every time you pop out and in again. I wonder why that Immigration officer in Nakhon Sawan told me when the visa expires, so do the re-entry privileges. Maybe, if I get an Ed visa with multiple entries, I can pop out and in for additional years... unless my assumptions... Oh, the hell with it! Give me another beer.

I think there is a little confusion between the terms "entry" and "re-entry", I'll try and clarify the best I can.

A triple "entry" tourist visa, gives you 3 entries into the kingdom before the expiry date of 180 days from issue of the visa. The 3rd entry must be used on or before this date, if you do not, you will lose this 3rd "entry". Each entry is 60 days, extendable by an extra 30 days by visiting a local immigration office for 1900 baht each extension.

A "re-entry" or better a "re-entry permit", allows you to leave the kingdom (without affecting that "entry"), and come back before the "entry" expires. If you re-enter after the "entry" date expiry you will trigger another one of your 3 "entries".

As an example, I am now on my 1st entry (60 days), I have not extended yet. Lets say I am 30 days into this 1st "entry" and I get a phone call from family in the UK to say there is a serious family issue I have to go and resolve.

Now, if I just leave the Kingdom and go home, I will lose the remainder of the 1st "entry" I am currently on. Once I come back again I will have to use my 2nd "entry" and start a fresh 60 days.

However, if I go to Immigration before I go home and apply for a "re-entry permit", pay 1000 baht (I believe), I have a permit to allow me to leave and come back (within that "entry" period) and not affect that "entry". So, if I was to go for 7 days to the UK, using the re-entry permit, I would come back and still be using my 1st "entry". However, I will lose the 7 days as the 60 day date on the visa still applies, but the good thing is I do not lose the whole 1st "entry" and I can still extend by 30 days.

The "re-entry permit" does not give you another "entry" of 60 days, it only allows you to re-enter using the same "entry".

With a triple entry tourist visa you ONLY get 3 entries of 60 days, each entry extendable by a further 30 days.

One thing to bear in mind, as I said above in my post, the VISA EXPIRY DATE is very important as you must use your 3rd entry on or before this date or you will lose this. So, even if you are only 45 days through your 2nd entry because you went home or left the kingdom for 3 or 4 weeks, you MUST still exit and re-enter before the expiry date or you will lose this "entry".

Now I need a beer, as my head is starting to spin!! LOL

Also, regarding the need for an onward ticket, this depends if you are on a visa exempt or an actual visa.

If you are on a visa exempt you must have an onward ticket (either a return or a destination outside the kingdom) before the 30 days is up, to board a flight into the kingdom.

This is not the case with a visa. With a visa you do not need either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination. I am on my 1st entry of my triple entry visa, (in Pattaya now), and I boarded my flight with a one way ticket only!

I was actually stopped by the airline that I do not have an onward ticket but I had already seen the flying regulations website the airlines use (sorry I can't remember the exact name now) to check boarding rules and regulations and once I said to the pretty lady behind the desk that an onward ticket is only needed if I did NOT have a visa (i.e. visa exempt), she looked it up, apologised, and I was on my way.

Hi I would like to comment again on clarity about a triple entry visa from the USA. I thought

mxer90 explained in a previous post was well detailed and informative except for the "rentry permit" I just called my Thai consul in Boston and they told me if I leave and come back for 1 week during my first entry then coming back back is considered my 2 entry. Wow .Anyone care to comment?

[Mario2008]

If you don't have a re-entry permit up-on return your second entry would be activated. If you have a re-entry permit, your first entry remains valid and your second entry will not be activated as you are still on your first entry.

[riclag]

If you don't have a re-entry permit up-on return your second entry would be activated. If you have a re-entry permit, your first entry remains valid and your second entry will not be activated as you are still on your first entry.

Hi I'm not understanding you. Boston Thai consul said on a triple entry visa in Thailand .once you arrive ,you have used one.when you leave the country for lets say to go back home for a week(emergency) and come back thats considered a second entry regardless of a rentry permit . I don't know maybe the Thai consul is wrong.

[Mario2008]

The consul is wrong. He understands visas but not re-entry permits, that is something different and literally not his department but that of immigration.

[riclag]

The consul is wrong. He understands visas but not re-entry permits, that is something different and literally not his department but that of immigration.

Ok! Mario, Is there actually anything in English on "rentry permits".I don't want to be caught with my foot in my mouth.Do you have verification ?Can someone else please comment.This seems very controversial.

Thank You

[jrtmedic]

Nothing "controversial" ! An easy process at any immigration office or the two Bangkok airports.

Fee for single entry "re-entry permit" is 1000bht.

I and many others have used "re-entry" permits on many occasions.

[ubonjoe]

Getting a re-entry permit of any tourist visa 60 day entry or a combination of it and 30 day extension is no problem.

When returning be sure and put re-entry permit number in visa number box on the arrival card.

[riclag]

Ok On a triple entry tourist visa in case of a need to leave the kingdom during the stay I must apply for a re entry permit pay and get the permit when arriving back, fill in the Arrival slip with the re entry number in the visa number blocks .When I come back I must come back during the same entry period or I will loose a entry.

Thank You

[riclag]

Mixer 90 mentioned in a previous postI

"I was actually stopped by the airline that I do not have an onward ticket but I had already seen the flying regulations website the airlines use (sorry I can't remember the exact name now) to check boarding rules and regulations and once I said to the pretty lady behind the desk that an onward ticket is only needed if I did NOT have a visa (i.e. visa exempt), she looked it up, apologize , and I was on my way".

Does anybody know the website the airlines use?

Thank you

[lopburi3]

It is the IATA database and airlines have there own access - a public access provided by airline for customers is:

http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/