Thailand grants Australians, and some other countries with a free 30 day transit 'visa', provided they show proof that they have a ticket to exit the country after 30 days. This 'visa' cannot be extended.

Now, I know getting a real visa from my home country would be the easiest way to go if I wanted to stay more than 30 days...

but is it possible that I:

1. travel to a neighboring country before 30 days (eg. Cambodia/Malaysia/Laos)...
2. do a "visa run" (apply for a real visa for 30 or more days in a neighboring country)...
3. and then return to the LOS, thus effectively extending my free 30 days?

...or is one of the requirements that I need to return back to the original country (in which case, I return and apply for a real visa next time)?

Is it even possible to apply for a 'real' visa to the LOS from a neighboring country, or do I need to do that from my home country?

Any advice would be appreciated,

Thanks

Edited November 7, 201312 yr by xebozone

You can obtain a Tourist Visa in a neighbouring country to Thailand.

laos looks the best option.

It is a 30 day visa exempt entry not a transit visa that you get.

You can apply for a tourist visa at any nearby embassy or consulate that will give you 60 day entry extendable by 30 days at immigration. In Laos you can get a 2 entry visa all other locations will be a single entry. Cambodia takes 3 to 4 days to get a visa all others are apply morning of day one and pick-up next afternoon.

Is there any paperwork apart from my passport that I need to bring to apply?

I know I'll need passport photos too.

Thanks for your helpful replies. This forum is really great.

Nothing but application and copies of passport photo page other than in Laos the will want copy of your Lao visa and entry stamp.

Great advice,

Thanks!

The OP sounds as though he/she is flexible enough to contemplate a visa run during his/her stay in Thailand. If the OP is from a G7 country and can contemplate going to any land border if an extended stay of 30 days is required then OP should be advised that one possibility is to take the (free) visa exempt stay of 30 days on initial arrival into Thailand and use that method at any land (or air) border crossing to get another free 30 days on re-entering Thailand.

OP will have to balance the cost of a tourist visa against the cost of doing a visa run, taking into account the likelihood of having to do pay travel costs plus Laos/Cambodian/Myanmar visa costs purely to get another 30 day stay*. If the OP wants to travel into a neighbouring country anyway then the new rules allowing 30 days visa exempt status at any land border for a passport holder of a G7 country would seem to be perfect for the OP.

*Cambodia typically cheaper than Laos - don't know Myanmar visa cost

He should start out with a tourist visa to avoid possible problems with not having a ticket out within 30 days of arrival. Airlines can refuse boarding if you don't have a visa or ticket out.

The OP sounds as though he/she is flexible enough to contemplate a visa run during his/her stay in Thailand. If the OP is from a G7 country and can contemplate going to any land border if an extended stay of 30 days is required then OP should be advised that one possibility is to take the (free) visa exempt stay of 30 days on initial arrival into Thailand and use that method at any land (or air) border crossing to get another free 30 days on re-entering Thailand.

OP will have to balance the cost of a tourist visa against the cost of doing a visa run, taking into account the likelihood of having to do pay travel costs plus Laos/Cambodian/Myanmar visa costs purely to get another 30 day stay*. If the OP wants to travel into a neighbouring country anyway then the new rules allowing 30 days visa exempt status at any land border for a passport holder of a G7 country would seem to be perfect for the OP.

*Cambodia typically cheaper than Laos - don't know Myanmar visa cost

I'm not from a G7 country (I'm Australian), but I get a free 30 days when I enter from Australia.

Are you saying that I can get another 30 free days just by crossing the border (say, going to Laos) and then crossing back again (what happens? Do they see I'm Australian and then just stamp the book again for me at the land border)?

...or do I need to apply for a tourist visa while at the border country to get back into Thailand?

He should start out with a tourist visa to avoid possible problems with not having a ticket out within 30 days of arrival. Airlines can refuse boarding if you don't have a visa or ticket out.

Yes, I think this would be the least complicated option. Can I get a visa in Bangkok during my 30 free days, or do I need to apply for the visa outside the country (at a border country such as Laos)?

Thanks for your time!

You must get the tourist visa before you travel unless you have a ticket out of the country within 30 days.

As an Australian you only get a 3O day visa exempt entry when arriving by air by land only 15 days.

You have to go a Thai embassy or consulate to get a tourist visa.

I'm not from a G7 country (I'm Australian), but I get a free 30 days when I enter from Australia.

Are you saying that I can get another 30 free days just by crossing the border (say, going to Laos) and then crossing back again (what happens? Do they see I'm Australian and then just stamp the book again for me at the land border)?

...or do I need to apply for a tourist visa while at the border country to get back into Thailand?

As an Aussie you will only get a 15 day visa exemption at a land crossing or 30 if arriving by air.

Best bet is a tourist visa from a nearby consulate, options as to which are in earlier posts.