I wanted to seek advice about obtaining a tourist visa to Thailand. My partner and I (Australian and American, respectively) are planning to go to Thailand to study meditation. We might try to stay longer if we find a suitable monastery, but for now we would like to get a tourist visa, preferably two entry, but one entry we can use for 90 days would work too.

We are currently in India relatively close to Kolkata and would likely go to the visa center there to apply and then fly from there as it is inexpensive. My concern is in the evidence we will need to get the visa. I have seen on some other threads that India can be quite strange in terms of requirements. First I have heard they can require hotel reservations for the whole trip, which of course we won't have as we wil be going around to monasteries. Secondly, we may need a flight out (or two for a double entry?). What exactly do we need? For a tourist visa will immigration and the airlines accept an exit flight for 90 days with the assumption that I will get the 30 day extension on the 60 day visa? Is there an alternative to buying a flight out, I would rather not purchase it? Thanks so much for your help, feeling a bit confused by it all, just want to get to Thailand and do some meditation!

India can indeed be strict. But apprently there is a new agency vetting the visa applications on behalf of the Thai embassyand consulates. No information on if they are stricter or now more relaxed with the rules.

If they insist on a ticket out they will want to see an airline ticket.

Thanks for that. I would like to make it as simple as I can, ie pre-booking as little as possible. Should I just go in and speak with them? What is the best way to understand without giving them a reason to make it more difficult for me?

This page on the website tor VFS Kolkata shows that hotel reservations and financial proof is needed. You could try contacting them to see if it all applies to you.

http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/Kolkata/Category_TR_Tourism.html

Thanks for that. I would like to make it as simple as I can, ie pre-booking as little as possible. Should I just go in and speak with them? What is the best way to understand without giving them a reason to make it more difficult for me?

One can't really say. There are not many reports except that they make it difficult. It may not be worth to spend time and money with them, as you can get double entry visa in Laos anyway.

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by paz

I called VFS and the rep said I could just submit my first hotel stay plus a cover letter explaining my travel plans. In addition he seemed to indicate that an overland Ticket out of Thailand would suffice for the return part of the journey. Do you think they will change the story? How can I get a confirmed overland (bus, train) ticket in advance to use as evidence?

As far as Laos goes, I would be more than happy to ho there first, but it is 3x the price for a flight there from India compared to Bangkok.

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I called VFS and the rep said I could just submit my first hotel stay plus a cover letter explaining my travel plans. In addition he seemed to indicate that an overland Ticket out of Thailand would suffice for the return part of the journey. Do you think they will change the story? How can I get a confirmed overland (bus, train) ticket in advance to use as evidence?

As far as Laos goes, I would be more than happy to ho there first, but it is 3x the price for a flight there from India compared to Bangkok.

Rather than attempting to obtain confirmed overland tickets look at the Air Asia web site and book a cheap ticket to one of the nearby countries which could be used or just thrown away.

As far as Laos goes, I would be more than happy to ho there first, but it is 3x the price for a flight there from India compared to Bangkok.

No, the approach would enter Thailand visa exempt, then extend 30 days. After these two months you would go to Laos for double entry giving you up to six more months.

I think they will flexible since you are not from India. Did you by chance get the name of the person you were talking to?

You can buy a bus ticket to Vientiane here. http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/?la=en

Thanks so much, that plan sounds great. Will having the first visa exempt entry make it more difficult to get back in with the double entry tourist visa from Laos? I have heard they might be trying to prevent too many back to back entries.

Thanks so much, that plan sounds great. Will having the first visa exempt entry make it more difficult to get back in with the double entry tourist visa from Laos? I have heard they might be trying to prevent too many back to back entries.

No it would not. Problems with back-to-back can happen on visa exempt, not tourist visa.

Thanks again. I also found this info, which could be quite useful. Apparently from foreign citizens they seem to accept letters in place of return tickets. Some people have had success in Delhi using this. I might just see if I can get the visa in Kolkata, then use the exempt visa if it is too difficult there.

http://youshouldgetabackpack.com/how-to-get-a-thai-visa-in-delhi-india/

http://www.indiamike.com/india/for-citizens-of-india-passport-and-visa-questions-f174/thai-visa-delhi-update-june-2013-a-t197310/2/