I’m reading so much conflicting information all over the place so I thought I’d try and get some answers here!

I’m from the UK and am flying into Thailand on 30 October for about 25 days (using my 30-day visa exemption).
From there, I’m going by land to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam (probably for about 1-2 months).

I want to return to Thailand by land after that. So would I get another 30 days in Thailand with a visa exemption (as I am from the UK), or would I have already used up my visa exemption on my first trip? I would have been away from Thailand for a while so I’m guessing they SHOULD let me back in without a problem!

And secondly, if I AM entitled to another 30 days in Thailand without having to apply for a visa, can this be extended to 60 days if I go to a local immigration office and pay 1900 BAHT? Not sure if this rule is still appropriate.

Thanks!
Elliot

Answer is yes to both questions.

AS said your plan will work, but:

One caution, If you are flying here without a airline ticket exiting Thailand within 30 days of arrival then the airline that you are using MIGHT not let you board your flight.

Correct, here's the relevant info

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754481-boarding-to-thailand-without-return-ticket/

Cheers for the tips. Singapore Airlines have the facility to email flight itineraries to yourself and they look quite convincing. Might book a train ticket to Malaysia as well just in case.

It seems like the situation is even more flexible than I thought. Just saw this from the Thai embassy website:
"Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration, which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. "

So does that mean as I am from the UK, I can enter Thailand by flight and stay for 20 days. Then go by land to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Then re-enter Thailand by land (without a visa) and exit and re-enter for up to 70 days (because 90-20 = 70)? Or have they cracked down on border hopping more recently?

When I rang the embassy, they didn't know anything about the new ability to extend visa exemptions by 30 days... think there's a bit of a lack of communication going on!

It seems like the situation is even more flexible than I thought. Just saw this from the Thai embassy website:

"Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration, which does not exceed 90

That regulation has been repealed 11/2008 but the embassy does't bother updating the website.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/temporarystay/policy778-2551_en.pdf

Edited October 16, 201411 yr by paz

You could also look for a one way ticket to one of the mentioned countries and use it when you leave before your 30 day entry is over.. Check Air Asia and you will probably find a cheap flight.

Thanks, I think it works out cheaper to book a train ticket than a flight though

Answer is yes to both questions.

"And secondly, if I AM entitled to another 30 days in Thailand without having to apply for a visa, can this be extended to 60 days if I go to a local immigration office and pay 1900 BAHT? Not sure if this rule is still appropriate."

No you can not unless your married to a Thai national. The best you can get at immigration is another 30 day extension at their discretion if you can show that you will be leaving in that time frame.

Answer is yes to both questions.

"And secondly, if I AM entitled to another 30 days in Thailand without having to apply for a visa, can this be extended to 60 days if I go to a local immigration office and pay 1900 BAHT? Not sure if this rule is still appropriate."

No you can not unless your married to a Thai national. The best you can get at immigration is another 30 day extension at their discretion if you can show that you will be leaving in that time frame.

In English, extend to 60 days means 30 + 30 = 60, so the answer is yes and indicated above.