I know that land entries are 2 weeks only, and that by air from Europe or North America is one month.....but what about from Manila?

I'm at the end - I was told by Herbert of HDVisa - of the maximum 9 months allowable on a tourist visa per year. My visa expiry is next Saturday the 5th, I'm scrambling to find some way to stay, going home to Canada at the start of winter is not a very appealing option, but need some more breathing room to line up study or a job so as to qualify for something more than a tourist visa.

I've heard of people doing the border bounce every two weeks for YEARS, even from here on Samui; from Koh Lipe or Pattaya or Ranong or Chiang Rai that would be a lot cheaper to do huh? Anyway, there's a Cebu Pacific promo ticket right now for 1500 baht return from Phuket, their new touchdown point in Thailand, I can get to Phuket from Lamai for 600 baht...I have a friend there I'd like to see, wondering if it would be 30-day or two-week non-visa entry if I did a Manila "border bounce". I have some hotels rewards nights I could use; theoretically 2700 for the trip from Lamai to there and back; only 800 more than Herbert's white-knuckle express, and 2000 less than if I were doing his hotels-included consulate run.....

My other option is to go to Cambodia for a while, keep on looking for work permit-included work in Thailand from there, or look for work there.

Tips on doing the Ranong or Malaysia border bounces on my own appreciated....if just waiting for a ticket back to Canada later in the month, if I have to, pondering hanging in Koh Phayyam, Tonsai or Koh Lipe while waiting it out....

That's already more complicated than I'd meant to ask in one post; really it's three or four I guess. I'm out and about tonight looking on Samui for a course, if not a job, that would enable me to stay. Anyone with any tips in that regard re Samui greatly appreciated. There were reasons I'm at the limit right now without having been able to do anything about it until now that are too complicated to explain....health mostly. It's far unhealthier to go home to the ice and snow, though...

There is no 9 month limit per year on tourist visas. You can use them for as long as you can get them.

You get 30 days by air flying in from anywhere.

I've had a triple entry from Toronto, got it July 2012, its last entry plus two extensions for each entry ran out six months ago, then I got a double entry via Herbert at Kota Bharu, extended by 30 days each time. So you're saying Herbert is WRONG (wow lol) and I can get another? Maybe I should ask the competitor...my understanding is that both consulates at Kota Bharu and Penang prefer you to go through brokers, and you might only get a single entry. Not sure about Manila. Herbert implied last time he might not be able to get a double-entry, or even a single, but he got me a double.....but this time he said it's not possible at all. Guess I'll call around, I have a week yet......either to find an agency that CAN do it, or find a course or (gasp) a job....

thanks. A bit more encouraging than he was.

Edited September 27, 201312 yr by BigSkookum

Just been looking at HD visas website which claims O/A visas can be obtained !

Perhaps not the best source of information !

I've had a triple entry from Toronto, got it July 2012, its last entry plus two extensions for each entry ran out six months ago, then I got a double entry via Herbert at Kota Bharu, extended by 30 days each time. So you're saying Herbert is WRONG (wow lol) and I can get another? Maybe I should ask the competitor...my understanding is that both consulates at Kota Bharu and Penang prefer you to go through brokers, and you might only get a single entry. Not sure about Manila. Herbert implied last time he might not be able to get a double-entry, or even a single, but he got me a double.....but this time he said it's not possible at all. Guess I'll call around, I have a week yet......either to find an agency that CAN do it, or find a course or (gasp) a job....

thanks. A bit more encouraging than he was.

Take note of ubonjoes words about tourist visas ! " You can use them for as long as you can get them."

Many of the nearby countries actively discourage serial or back to back tourist visas.

If you wish to stay in Thailand long term serial tourist visas or 15 day border hops are not the solution.

You will eventually run out of options.

edit

spelling

Edited September 27, 201312 yr by Sceptict11

Manila would be single entry and are not very friendly.

Vientiane Laos would do a 2 entry.

If you wanted another 3 entry you could get one in Bali but you would need show one ticket out of Thailand.