Dear Forum,

me my wife and baby daughter are coming to Koh Samui on 2nd November. We intend to stay until February 24, 2015. We each have a visa from the Thai embassy in Frankfurt (we are from Germany) which is a 2 entry tourist visa. I understand that we can stay for up to 60 days in one "time block", then we have to leave the country and can immediately enter again to "use" our second entry, and we have another 60 days.

1. Is that correct?

2. Is there anything I should consider when exiting and re-entering the country, e.g. is there a minimum time I have to be out of the country, or is there a specific means of tramsport (plane etc.) that I have to use or that I cannot use when leaving?

3. I read that recently the notorious visa-run has been heavily restricted. I understand that this does only apply to people who come to Thailand without a visa and only get their 30 days entry visa. The newly enforced visa-run restrictions do NOT apply to people like us who already have a tourist visa. Is this correct?

4. Taking into account the costs of travel: Is it possible for me to travel in and out of the country ALONE, just taking my wife's and daughter's passports with me to have that 60 days stay renewed on second entry? Like it should be possible, since there are these notorious visa services who seem to do the visa run for you... yo ouy don't have to show up at the border on re-entiering in person??

5. Any further advice?

THANKS A LOT!!

No restriction is applicable to you. You only need to choose a border post or airport that makes it easy and convenient for you. If you decide to go to Ranong or Dannok via land bring exit tickets and Bt 20,000 cash.

All the persons will need to travel. note that the "phantom visa run" you mentioned do not exist anymore, that illegal practice was ended years ago already.

Thanks for the info. What do I need this much cash money for?

Thanks for the info. What do I need this much cash money for?

That is the official regulations, 10,000 Baht per person, kids under 12 are exempted.

It is never enforced except when they want to make it difficult (or be bribed) for someone, like as it happens at Dannok border post.

You mean I actually need to PAY 20,000?? Or just show that I have enough funds for living or whatever?

I mean, we already HAVE valid visas...

Not pay. Show cash in case you are asked. Even if you have valid visa.