Easy Question

[Groongthep]

I have been coming to Thailand for 26 years and have been a member of this forum since 2005 but this is the first time I have needed to ask a visa question because I usually have all that worked out before I come. This time however, in order to get a very good airfare, and because I wanted to leave right away, I simply came and received a 30 day visa exemption stamp.

1.) I am an American 58 years old.
2.) My visa exemption will expire at the end of next week.
3.) Can I simply fly to Yangon (or anywhere else outside Thailand) stay one night, fly back and get another 30 day exemption stamp?
4.) I have no interest in a 10 day extension, especially with the trouble around Cheang Wattana.

Sorry to trouble you guys with a question whose answer I should know but as stated earlier I usually have more time and get a regular tourist visa before I come but that was not possible this time due to time restraints.

Any recommmendations on which city to fly to? I mentioned Yangon because it is the closest and cheapest (cheapest I think), but I will consider anywhere that others can recommend as being quick and cheap too. All I plan on doing is flying in, staying overnight in a hotel and flying back the next day. I'm not looking to make a holiday out of this.

Thanks in advance.

Groongthep

[ubonjoe]

Since you are from the US you can now do a border run and get a new 30 day entry. Just leave and return within minutes if you want.

If you fly out and back on the same day you will get a 30 entry also.

The problem with flying to Yangon is that you have to get a visa in advance.

You can fly to KL Malaysia on Air Asia or any low cost carrier. There is no visa fee for there.

[asiaexpat]

One of the simplest way to get a new 30 day visa exemption is to fly to KL, go through immigration/customs and walk to the other side of the terminal and check in to a flight back to DM. No visa fees, many flight options and quick.

Edited January 30, 2014 by asiaexpat

[Groongthep]

Thanks you guys, I appreciate the help. Thanks especially for reminding me that KL doesn't require a visa to get in. I would have wasted my time had I flown to Yangon without one. Cheers.

[Mobi]

You could also fly to Singapore, again no visa requirements. In and out, same day, or spend a day or two there. Your choice.

[NBD]

Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.

[ubonjoe]

Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.

You don't get a tourist visa on a border hop. It is a visa exempt entry. And yes immigration will question you when you have several back to back. Some border crossing are putting a limit on how many you can do.

I don't recall any problems for people with real tourist visas being question at a border crossing.

It is possible to get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.

[riclag]

Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.

You don't get a tourist visa on a border hop. It is a visa exempt entry. And yes immigration will question you when you have several back to back. Some border crossing are putting a limit on how many you can do.

I don't recall any problems for people with real tourist visas being question at a border crossing.

It is possible to get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.

Because your American you are able to get a 30 day visa exempt entry. Do a boarder run into Laos. Just simply cross the boarder by land an enter back on the Thai side ( new rules since I think November is you can do a land crossing and get a Visa exempts entry of 30 days ) .Before you could only get 15 days on a land as opposed to a flight into Laos and get a 30 day.You don't need a visa and you have several locations in Laos to obtain the visa exempt entry. One of which is flying into Udon then taking a van to Nong Kai and cross there or fly into Nakon Phonom and take the bus to friendship bridge to Tha Khet crossing which is very close . Also the Savannakhet from Mukdahan. IMOP.

Edited January 30, 2014 by riclag

[Groongthep]

Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.

Thanks for the word of warning but as I have previously stated this is the first time in 26 years that I have needed to do a border run/flight. I have always got 60 day tourist visas before I left the US, until now. I couldn't get one this time due to time constraints. I do not live in Thailand full time.

I am a Merchant Seaman who (usually) works 60 days at sea and then have at least 60 days off, sometimes longer depending on the ship's run. I nearly always come to Thailand for at least a portion of my time off with a proper 60 day tourist visa in my passport. I once obtained a 15 day extension on one of the 3 entries though.

[PoorSucker]

Also check flights to Penang, Malaysia.

[Groongthep]

Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.

You don't get a tourist visa on a border hop. It is a visa exempt entry. And yes immigration will question you when you have several back to back. Some border crossing are putting a limit on how many you can do.

I don't recall any problems for people with real tourist visas being question at a border crossing.

It is possible to get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.

Because your American you are able to get a 30 day visa exempt entry. Do a boarder run into Laos. Just simply cross the boarder by land an enter back on the Thai side ( new rules since I think November is you can do a land crossing and get a Visa exempts entry of 30 days ) .Before you could only get 15 days on a land as opposed to a flight into Laos and get a 30 day.You don't need a visa and you have several locations in Laos to obtain the visa exempt entry. One of which is flying into Udon then taking a van to Nong Kai and cross there or fly into Nakon Phonom and take the bus to friendship bridge to Tha Khet crossing which is very close . Also the Savannakhet from Mukdahan. IMOP.

Thanks for the suggestion but I have already booked my travel. My flight to KL is 2 hours and 5 minutes. I have a 2 hour layover then fly right back to Don Muang which takes another two hours and a few minutes. Total cost of airfare (already paid) about $130.00 USD. Sure beats flying to Udorn or even worse taking a bus. Flying to KL is not too expensive and a whole lot more convenient. I really do appreciate your help though. Thanks.

Best Regards,

Groongthep