Closest place to get 6-month visa

[alosito]

I live in Samui. Could somebody please suggest the closet place to get a 6-month visa? I have heard something about Laos, but I am not sure if this is the best option. Please advise.

[ubonjoe]

Vientiane and Savannakhet Laos are the only nearby locations to get a 2 entry tourist visa. Yangon Myanmar is next and then Bali.

[alosito]

Thank you for your reply. I thought I saw step-by-step instructions for a visa run from Samui to Laos on this forum, but I can't find them out. Does anybody know what I am talking about?

[smileplur]

Do you really need step-by-step instructions? Many forum members could write you up some instructions or at least some pointers that will get you there and back. However, there is a lot we don't know about you that could have implications for this trip! Given that you LIVE in Thailand on the island of Koh Samui, I would hope you could simply ask a friend. Maybe a friendly expat bar owner or even a patron could help you. There are some things we need to know! Where do you come from and what passport are you using? What timeframe do you have to make the trip? What kind of traveler are you? Are speed and luxury more important to you than money? Do you mind taking it easy and saving a few baht in the process?

I've never heard of a "6 month visa", but a double entry tourist visa (mentioned above) will give you the 6 months you are asking for. It will require two extensions (30 days each - done at immigration). It will also require one visa run to a nearby country.

Without details, it is nearly impossible to give you advice that anyone can be certain is accurate.

[wayned]

Travel to Bangkok and use one of the services, there are many. Here's one for info as an example, not a recommendation: http://www.thaivisaservice.com/

[Maestro]

There is a three-month visa valid for travel to Thailand within three months from its issue date.

There is a six-month visa valid for travel to Thailand within six months from its issue date.

There is a one-year visa valid for travel to Thailand within one year from its issue date.

There is a three-year visa valid for travel to Thailand within three years from its issue date.

[Maestro]

I know of the existence of the following six-month visas:

• Tourist visa valid for two or more entries (not issued by all consulates)
• Non-immigrant visa, various categories, valid for multiple entries

[alosito]

Sorry if I confused everybody. What I was asking for was a double entry tourist visa that will require two extensions in Nathon and one border run to stay in Thailand for a total of six months. I am thinking of getting to Vientiane by taking a couple of night trains through Bangkok. Please correct me if this is not the best way to combine a budget and a comfort. I figured if I do a such a visa run on my own it would cost me the following:

Ferry Samui-Donsak: 170 bht x 2

Taxi to train staition: 100 bht x 2

Train Surat Thani-Bangkok (2nd class aircon): 688 bht x 2

Train Bangkok-Nong Khai: 688 bht x 2 (if the schedule says it arrives to Nong Khai at 7:45 am, will I make it to the embassy by noon?)

Train Nong Khai-Thanaleng: 20 bht x 2

Thanaleng-Thai Embassy: ???

One night at hotel in Vientiane: 500 bht

Visa fee: 2000 bht

Total: ~6000 bht

Am I missing something? Somebody suggested to buy a visa run from Bangkok, but I wonder if it is more comfortable than getting to Vientiane on your own by train.

[ubonjoe]

As long as train is not real late you can make it to the consular section (not at embassy) in time.

Just don't plan on a Monday for visa application it is very busy then.

I would say the train is more comfortable than being packed in a van for the trip. I suggest 2nd class sleeper for trip to Nong Kai.

[ubonjoe]

Removed post spamming a business.

[Colabamumbai]

As long as train is not real late you can make it to the consular section (not at embassy) in time.

Just don't plan on a Monday for visa application it is very busy then.

I would say the train is more comfortable than being packed in a van for the trip. I suggest 2nd class sleeper for trip to Nong Kai.

Be prepared for the train to arrive one to two hours later than scheduled. From my experiences in the past.