Hi Guys,

I'm from the UK however currently in Vietnam and need some advice regarding my forthcoming trip to Thailand - despite trawling the internet I'm still thoroughly confused about how best to sort my Thai visa.

My plan is this:

- Fly to Bangkok on 12th November

- Spend a couple of weeks in Thailand

- Fly to Sumatra on 28th November

- Fly back from Sumatra to Bangkok on 5th December

- Spend Christmas and NY in Thailand, leaving 4th January overland by bus into Malaysia

I assume I need a double entry thai visa and am confused as to where to go as there is so much conflicting information out there.

Ideally I'd like to apply for my double entry visa in either Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon here in Vietnam or Phnom Penh in Cambodia, as I'm planning to visit these places anyway. I know Vientiane in Laos is the safest option but I want to avoid having to make a trip there if I can - it doesn't sound like a great place and is an absolute pig to get to.

Is it possible to get double entry visa's at the moment from either HCMC or Phnom Penh? I can provide flight tickets for my first entry, first exit and second entry however as I intend to leave overland the second time I don't have a flight ticket for this bit. I do however have a flight from Singapore to Oz booked for mid-January that would show I have further travel plans.

Alternatively is there a different way of doing this, without the need for a double entry visa?

Any help you can provide would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks guys!!

Katie

For the first entry you don't need a visa for Thailand because is less than 30 days.

For the second entry you can get tourist visa in Medan approx 1,000 Baht, or enter visa exempt and get and extension at immigration 1,900 Bhat, or pay 2 days overstay fine 1,000 Baht.

In any case you do not entry a double entry visa.

For the first entry you don't need a visa for Thailand because is less than 30 days.

For the second entry you can get tourist visa in Medan approx 1,000 Baht, or enter visa exempt and get and extension at immigration 1,900 Bhat, or pay 2 days overstay fine 1,000 Baht.

In any case you do not entry a double entry visa.

This is correct. But in case if you change any of your dates it can be difficult so I would suggest more to get the double entry visa and play safe. I don't see any reason why you should not get the double entry visa at in HCMC/Saigon Vietnam or Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

I think you read so much here about Vientiane and Laos because it is the preferred place for visa run tours to get visa for long stayers. But I guess in your case you can do it everywhere or have you been in Thailand before and did visa runs with your current passport?

This is correct. But in case if you change any of your dates it can be difficult so I would suggest more to get the double entry visa and play safe. I don't see any reason why you should not get the double entry visa at in HCMC/Saigon Vietnam or Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

No need for visa for the OP. Even if side trips are cancelled the stay is less than 60 days, that is 30 days visa exempt plus extension 30 days.

HCMC is not a good place to get a Thai visa.

Did you have problem getting Thai visa in HCMC? I have been going there for the past two years without any problem getting tourist visa. If you are already in HCMC then may well go there to get your tourist visa. The consulate is not busy and quite helpful.