Hi Guys,

I'm travelling to Thailand later this year and am so confused what to do with regard to Visa's and am hoping one of you seasoned travellers can help me!

My itinerary is like this:

- Enter Thailand by land (bus from Laos) stay for 12 days

- Fly to Sumatra from Bangkok

- Re-enter Thailand from Sumatra one week later, flying into Bangkok

- Stay in Thailand for 32 days

- Exit Thailand by land (bus into Malaysia)

In theory I assume I do not need a visa for my first entry into Thailand as I'll get 15 days 'visa free' however I will obviously need a visa (60 days I assume) for my second visit.

However if I enter Thailand the first time with the 60 day visa in my Passport, will it be 'activated' by border control thus rendering it useless for my second stint in Thailand? Can I ask them not to activate it as it's for my second entry, not my first?

I want my trip to be as smooth as possible so am also considering the following options and would be grateful for feedback as to whether they are feasible:

1) I could reduce the duration of my second visit to Thailand down to under 30 days. Would this mean I wouldn't need a visa at all as I should get a 15 day visa free period for my first visit and a 30 day visa free period for my second visit (as I'll be arriving by air). Will it be a problem that I intend to leave Thailand the second time on land and therefore wont be able to provide evidence of onward travel arrangements?

2) If I want to play it safe and get a double entry visa, is my best bet to get this in Vientiane rather than Phnom Pen? I've read somewhere that double entry visas are obtained easily from Vientiane but can be far more problematic in Phnom Pen, is this correct?

I hope all that makes sense!??!

If anyone can assist I would be super grateful.

Katie

You should get a 2 entry tourist visa before your start your trip. Laos would be the only place you could get a 2 entry visa near here.

If you could reduce your 2nd trip to 30 days (includes date of arrival) you would not need a visa. Or you could also get a 7 day extension (1900 baht) at immigration to cover the extra days. There is no problem to make the 15 day entry and then later a 30 day entry.

You could have a problem boarding your flight to Thailand if you don't have a ticket out within 30 days if you don't have a visa.

You can also apply for a tourist visa for 60 days and before you leave Thailand for Sumatra get a re-entry permit at 1,000 baht. The re-entry permit keeps your permission to stay alive, so you can use your original visa again to enter.

The two entry tourist visa is easier as it saves you a trip to immigration.

Thanks guys - good to know I have a few options available.

I think I'll try to get a double entry visa in Laos but if I have any problems, I'll plump for a single entry 60 day visa and then obtain a re-entry permit before I go to Sumatra (thanks Mario I wasn't even aware of these!)

Grateful for you all getting back to me so quickly :-)

Katie

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update to let you know I changed my mind and am going to attempt a double entry visa application in HCMC. I have flights book for both entries and both exits and have not visited Thailand before so am keeping everything crossed I'll get what I need.

I called the HCMC office who told me that they do provide double entry visas providing I can provide proof of our travel arrangements which I can.

I'll post again in a couple of weeks time when I leave HCMC - either to report it went OK or to ask advice on what to do next if it goes badly!

If HCMC reject my application for a double-entry visa I'd prefer it if they gave me nothing so I could then go to Vientiane (tho not somewhere I really want to go) and try again there.

Though I read somewhere that if the embassy refuse you a double entry visa, they usually just issue a single entry visa, which I assume makes things a little tricky then as assume I can't apply again in Vientiane and replace the single with a double?

Thanks for all your help - this site is invaluable.

Katie

Though I read somewhere that if the embassy refuse you a double entry visa, they usually just issue a single entry visa, which I assume makes things a little tricky then as assume I can't apply again in Vientiane and replace the single with a double?

If you have the tickets as required you will have a double entry.

Even with a single you could still apply in Laos but it would make no sense, paying to for travel and Laos visa.

There is also a Thai consulate in Sumatra or you can stay in Thailand 30 days and not needing anything.

Hi Peeps,

Quick update - despite being told over the phone that HCMC provide double entry visa's - I can confirm they DO NOT! I went to the embassy this morning and was rejected on the spot. Annoying after being told on the phone they do them so changing my travel plans to stay here longer :-(

Anyway I called the Hanoi Office and spoke to a really helpful guy who seems to think that we do not need visa's at all based on our travel plans (as Ubonjoe rightly pointed out in his reply to me).

My first stay is just 15 days - so that will be visa free as under 30 days.

My second stay is 31 days so I could either reduce it to 30 or apparently I can pay an overstay charge at the airport of 500 Baht (for the extra day) when I depart Thailand for the second time.

Has anyone ever heard of this overstay charge payable at the airport? I'm quite nervous about overstaying knowingly, even by 1 day.

I have flight tickets in and out of Thailand for both stays.

Thanks as always for all your super helpful advice everyone!!

Katie

Overstay is of course illegal, but 1 day overstay is normally not a big deal. The 500 baht a day overstay fee will not be charged if leaving through an airport on the first day of overstay. They will stamp your pasport that you have overstayed.

Or you get a single tourist visa for your second trip at a cost of aproximately 1,000 baht or extend your stay for 30 days for 1,900 baht at immirgation in Thailand.

Thanks for confirming that HCMC consulate will not do a 2 entry visa. That just confirms previous reports.

If your overstay is less than 24 hours you will not be charged an overstay fine at either airport in Bangkok.

One day of overstay is nothing to worry about.

Has anyone ever heard of this overstay charge payable at the airport? I'm quite nervous about overstaying knowingly, even by 1 day.

"anyone heard" ? You are asking on a forum about visa and all related issues... Yes that include overstay, and fines... It wpou;d have tpook 10 seconds to find the answer you were looking.