Apologies if this has been asked before, but have a quick question re tourist visa exemption.

I have booked a flight to Thailand on 11 December, returning to UK on 8 January.

I would like to travel to Siem Reap in Cambodia near the start of my trip for a few days and then come back into Thailand across a land border to save the cost of flights.

However I keep hearing about the tourist visa exemption rules changing.

If I cross by land from Cambodia back into Thailand would I only have 15 days on a tourist visa exemption before I have to leave Thailand?

As I am planning on visiting Cambodia at the start of my trip I would probably need 22 days or so. Does this mean I would have to fly back into Thailand to get the 30 day exemption?

I did see something that G7 countries are allowed 30 days when crossing by land but I vaguely remember I had also read on the internet that this is being changed back to 15 days soon.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

If you are from a G7 country you receive 30 days when entering by land. There is no problem in doing this for a tourist like you.

Thanks very much - that should save me a few quid then.

The land border at Poipet was closed recently but I think now OK. Good idea to keep an eye on the news. The Koh Kong crossing is an alternative. BTW, if airaia has a sale you can get a flight for 50 USD which is nearly as cheap as the buses and saves many hours. If you travel by bus it is usually best not to buy a through ticket in either direction and not to buy the Cambodian visa anywhere except at the official border post. If you have an evisa it can save time, and even money if you cross at Koh Kong (due to them demanding payment in THB at an absurd exchange rate).

I live in England and have an Irish passport. When my flight lands in Thailand I automatically get the 30 day tourist visa. If I leave Thailand and return via a land crossing I only get a 15 day visa, whereas if i fly back to Thailand then I get a new 30 day tourist visa.

.....Thailand Visa Application, Citizens of Ireland
Citizens of Ireland are permitted to stay in Thailand up to 30 days if entering via international airport and up to 15 days if entering through a land border checkpoint from a neighboring country (Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia) under the Visa Exemption Rule......

# # # Effective 1 November 2013 citizens of G7 countries (U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan) receive 30 days visa-exempt via entry overland # # #

Edited December 14, 201411 yr by mlee