Ok. Facts.

-26 year old US citizen

-valid US passport holder

-leaving for Thailand on Aug 4th with a one way ticket

-will not be leaving US with on kind of Visa

The thai consulate in NY city has informed me that it is too late for me to get a tourist visa knowing the fact that my flight leaves early on August 4th. Some of you on this board have recommended that I pick up the tourist Visa in the US if possible. Most of you have also informed me that while in Thailand I can leave the country and pick up a tourist visa over there. My question to you is this..........

Are there any huge benefits for me to pick up the tourist Visa in the United States? If there are I would consider cancelling my flight until I get the Visa but if the only real issue is the onward or exit ticket at my US airport then I would rather not.

Also, keep in mind that I plan is a possible extended stay..... 6 or more months. Financially would it save me a lot of money here? Is it an easier process? etc.

Basically what I am saying is, if I can get the same tourist visa over there with similar process and cost then I am ok with it.

Now, assuming there is a not a big issue with waiting on the tourist visa till I get to thailand.... From the helpful replies on this board I have learned that without the Visa I am going to need to pick up an onward ticket within my first 30 days in Thailand to a neighboring country or have a return ticket when I check in at my US airport.

Any good suggestions on an onward destination to a nearby country where I could get a tourist Visa? I've looked on some other posts from you guys and some of the suggestions have been Vientienne and Poi Pet. Do these places have airports to fly into?

thanks for any help. Later.

bump

Any good suggestions on an onward destination to a nearby country where I could get a tourist Visa? I've looked on some other posts from you guys and some of the suggestions have been Vientienne and Poi Pet. Do these places have airports to fly into?

You don’t say where in Thailand you will be at the end of your first 30 days.

Poipet has no Thai consulate and therefore you can rule that out.

Fly to Vientiane, Penang, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to get a tourist visa valid for one, two or three entries, depending on your needs. Check online ticket agents for fares of low-budget airlines.

---------------

Maestro

Any good suggestions on an onward destination to a nearby country where I could get a tourist Visa? I've looked on some other posts from you guys and some of the suggestions have been Vientienne and Poi Pet. Do these places have airports to fly into?

You don’t say where in Thailand you will be at the end of your first 30 days.

Poipet has no Thai consulate and therefore you can rule that out.

Fly to Vientiane, Penang, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to get a tourist visa valid for one, two or three entries, depending on your needs. Check online ticket agents for fares of low-budget airlines.

---------------

Maestro

Thanks Maestro. going to be in Bangkok for the whole month so I will fly out of there. Later.

Penang would be your top choice. If anything, getting a tourist visa is easier in Malaysia than the US. Embassy and some consulates in the US require air itinerary (looking for return to the US?), Malaysia doesn't, and you can use a visa agent in Penang so you don't even have to visit the consulate. Any recent word on whether they are issuing double and triple entries again?

Try http://www.airasia.com/site/en/home.jsp for Bangkok to Penang.

Edited August 2, 200619 yr by Thaiquila

Ok. Facts.

-26 year old US citizen

-valid US passport holder

-leaving for Thailand on Aug 4th with a one way ticket

-will not be leaving US with on kind of Visa

Let us know what happens at the airline check-in as the Qantas' IATA database states:

Passport required.

1. If holding passport issued in Marshall Islands:

passport (must be valid for 6 months beyond visa

application) and visa required.

2. In all other cases:

passsport required.

Visa not required for a touristic stay:

- of a max. 30 days, if passport is valid 30 days or more;

or

- if passport is valid less than 30 days, up to the expiry

date of passport.

Extension up to 10 days is possible. Fee THB 500.- (1 photo

required).

It is recommended to hold onward/return tickets.

If holding APEC Business Travel Card together with passport:

visa not required.

Entry may be refused if of "hippy" appearance.

For more information see: For details, click here.

Visitor must hold all documents for next destination.

If being over 12 years old, visitor must also hold sufficient

funds (e.g. letter of credit, vouchers, MCO's or well-known

credit cards) to cover stay (not applicable if holding

re-entry visa).

Non-compliance with the visa regulations will result in:

- refusal and immediate deportation of passenger;

- fines for the airline of THB 20,000,-;

- overstay fine for passenger of THB 500,- per day (but not

exceeding in total THB 20,000.-).

Edited August 3, 200619 yr by vinny

Ok. Facts.

-26 year old US citizen

-valid US passport holder

-leaving for Thailand on Aug 4th with a one way ticket

-will not be leaving US with on kind of Visa

Let us know what happens at the airline check-in as the Qantas' IATA database states:

Passport required.

1. If holding passport issued in Marshall Islands:

passport (must be valid for 6 months beyond visa

application) and visa required.

2. In all other cases:

passsport required.

Visa not required for a touristic stay:

- of a max. 30 days, if passport is valid 30 days or more;

or

- if passport is valid less than 30 days, up to the expiry

date of passport.

Extension up to 10 days is possible. Fee THB 500.- (1 photo

required).

It is recommended to hold onward/return tickets.

If holding APEC Business Travel Card together with passport:

visa not required.

Entry may be refused if of "hippy" appearance.

For more information see: For details, click here.

Visitor must hold all documents for next destination.

If being over 12 years old, visitor must also hold sufficient

funds (e.g. letter of credit, vouchers, MCO's or well-known

credit cards) to cover stay (not applicable if holding

re-entry visa).

Non-compliance with the visa regulations will result in:

- refusal and immediate deportation of passenger;

- fines for the airline of THB 20,000,-;

- overstay fine for passenger of THB 500,- per day (but not

exceeding in total THB 20,000.-).

I purchased an onward ticket from Bangkok to Penang, MY. They didn't even ask to see it at the US airport that I flew out of and I had no problem with immigration here in Thailand. Thanks for all the help guys. Now I'm in Bangkok and I have a few more questions but I will post them on a different thread. Later.