quick single or double entry?

[dm120]

I'm taking off to get the heck out of the states, hang out with my Thai gf, and work remotely for 3 1/2 months and wondering if I should get a single or double entry visa?

For single entry the Visa site states: "TOURIST – SINGLE ENTRY for up to 3 months (max. stay-60 days). Does this mean the visa lasts three months total, but I will have to leave the country once and come back before the 60 day mark?

I'd planned on flying into BKK next week and within 2 weeks of arriving heading to the Philippines for a short holiday with her. If we do head to the Philippines, then come back into Thailand within the first thirty days of arriving in Thailand in the first place, does it count against the "max stay 60 days" on a single entry visa? I thought about roaming Cambodia later on, so I could leave and come back near the end of the trip if necessary. This will be two trips out of the country in three and a half months, would a single entry be sufficient? I've done reading, but it's a tangled mess of info out there on how lenient they are restamping for 30 free days for air travel (is three 30 days stamps pushing it?). Really appreciate any info since I need to rush the visa tomorrow, have a flight, and a lady waiting! Please discuss

[Mario2008]

You will need a double entry tourist visa, good for two entreis of 60 days and each entry can be extended at immigraiton for another 30 days for 1,900 per extension.

As 3-1/2 is your plan, you don't need extension, just get the double entry and leave after 60 days to come back the same day for another stay of 60 days. Just hop over the border, enter another coutnry and return.

Edit:

30 day stamps by airtravel no problem, but you need to have a ticket out within 30 days when travelling from the US, or the airline might not let you board if you don't have a tourist visa.

[dm120]

Thanks for the info.

[lopburi3]

As you were not aware of visa rules suspect this may also be the case of knowing about work - need to point out that working in Thailand requires a work permit and can not be done on a tourist visa. So probably not a good idea mentioning any "remote work".

[dm120]

Good to know. Didn't entail more than checking in on some things once in a while, but I suppose I can leave that up to someone else while gone. Thanks

[ubonjoe]

If you do all your entries by air and buy your ticket to the Philippines before you leave the states you could possibly do it on 30 day entries.

But it would be best to get a 2 entry visa from one the honorary consulates in the States. Most give same day turn around of mailed in applications. Using overnight service both ways you can get your passport back in as little as 3 days.

Contact info for honorary consulates here: http://www.visetkaew.com/wp/directories/

If you ended up needing another entry during the 2nd entry you could get a re-entry permit from immigration (1000 baht) that would keep your 60 day permit to stay valid.

[dm120]

@Ubonjoe, I gave a Thai consulate a call last week and they said it depends on volume if they'd be able to get it back in time. This is probably a pat answer they give to everyone and it's purposely vague. Kind of a balls out move to send passport with the flight lingering so close, considering a visa service, but aren't they essentially doing the same thing as me sending the passport?

I'm basing a lot of the hesitation on the Vietnamese consulate that I went to last week and it wasn't even open on the advertised day and time and they NEVER answer the phone. So I'll have to go for that Visa within Thailand which I'm kind of dreading. Has me second guessing sending the passport in myself to the Thai consulate, that would REALLY suck if I send it in and they have the level of service the Vietnamese one did. Appreciate the heads up.

[ubonjoe]

Contact one of the honorary consulates. I think you talked to one of the official consulates (NY, LA or Chicago).

The honorary consulates are doing it as a side business and only get paid if they issue visas. They are not a bunch of Thai civil servants like you find at the embassy or official consulates.

[dm120]

Correct, I talked to an official consulate. Thanks much