I'm planning to cross the land border into Hat Yai for a three-week holiday in Thailand. Would I have to apply for a tourist visa?

Depends on your nationality, but many people get 15 day visa exempt entries at a land crossing, 30 days if entering by air.

flu in instead and you get 30 days

If you cross by land you only get 15 days

As said it depends on your nationality.

Malaysians get 30 days if crossing at border with Malaysia.

Most that can get a visa exemption only get 15 days by land.

A tourist visa would be your best option for your trip if you only get 15 days or you could do a border run and get another 15 days.

Has anyone successfully requested for 30 days at a land crossing upon showing genuine travel plans and a departure ticket from Thailand that is effective after more than two weeks from the date of entry?

Edited June 11, 201313 yr by tygerstar

Has anyone successfully requested for 30 days at a land crossing upon showing genuine travel plans and a departure ticket from Thailand that is effective after more than two weeks from the date of entry?

The rules are the rules, only 15 days at landborder. But also depends on nationality.

See this from MFA website it lists the amount of time on exempt entries and bi-lateral agreements for each nationality. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/files/services-20130503-153844-612966.pdf

Thanks, guys. What a bummer. I live in Alor Setar and it's cheaper for me to catch domestic flights from Hat Yai for travel within Thailand than to take international flights from Penang or KL. Besides, Hat Yai is a great stopover for one or two nights. I'm Australian.