Going to Laos or Cambodia

[tonbridgebrit]

A man has got a British passport, and a 60 days Thai tourist visa. He flies in, and towards the end of the 60 days, he goes to Laos or Cambodia by land, and stays there for about ten minutes.

When walking back into Thailand, is he going to get a 15 day stamp or 30 day stamp ? Thanks.

[ukrules]

30 days for passport holders from G7 countries of which the UK is one, 15 days for the other countries.

[tonbridgebrit]

Thanks 'ukrules', and I hope you are sure !

That thing about how you get 30 days if you have a G7 passport and come into Thailand by land. Well, it seems to change sometimes. They bring in that rule, and then remove it, and then bring it in again. I remember in August 2014, the rule supposedly was "you get a 15 day stamp if you come in by land, and you can't have two of them 15 day stamps in a row (in quick succession)". And it applied to everybody, including G7 passports.

Does anybody wish to agree or disagree with 'ukrules' ?

[ukrules]

Localised enforcement may differ but it shouldn't, here's the 'visa exemption' rules straight from the mouth of the government :

http://www.consular.go.th/main/contents/filemanager/VISA/Visa%20on%20Arrival/VOA_04_08_58.pdf

Relevant quote from above link :

** If such nationals enter the Kingdom at the immigration checkpoints which border neighboring countries, they will be allowed to stay for 15 days each time, except

(1) Malaysian nationals who cross the borderline from Malaysia,
(2) Nationals of the G7 countries: USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, whose granted period of stay will not exceed 30 days each time.

I believe the rule changed from 15 to 30 days last Autumn sometime but I can't remember the date - it was discussed in many threads back then.

[tonbridgebrit]

Thanks 'ukrules'.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Already has the Thai tourist visa, stamps in for 60 days, and then wants another 30 days. Is that the question?

If he doesn't want to travel to Laos or Cambodia, eating up the time and cost, why not just wander over to Thai Immigration in Bangkok, or where ever he's staying, and apply for the normal 30-day extension of a Tourist Visa for baht 1,900.

Mac

[ubonjoe]

Thanks 'ukrules', and I hope you are sure !

That thing about how you get 30 days if you have a G7 passport and come into Thailand by land. Well, it seems to change sometimes. They bring in that rule, and then remove it, and then bring it in again. I remember in August 2014, the rule supposedly was "you get a 15 day stamp if you come in by land, and you can't have two of them 15 day stamps in a row (in quick succession)". And it applied to everybody, including G7 passports.

Does anybody wish to agree or disagree with 'ukrules' ?

Nothing changed in August of 2014 other than a new police order that now allows a 30 day extension of a visa exempt entry.

Since November of 2013 when the G7 country rule started it has not been changed. Just rumors and misinformation about it.

[tonbridgebrit]

Thanks for the above comments. There was that worrying period last year, in June to August, when people were having a few problems getting back into Thailand after leaving Thailand by land and heading back into Thailand almost immediately (by land).

Anyway, thanks for everybody's comments. Looks like the situation is now far better, with less worries.

Great !

[KhunBENQ]

And read post #6!

No need to travel overland for another 30 days!

Or is he keen on?

[tonbridgebrit]

And read post #6!

No need to travel overland for another 30 days!

Or is he keen on?

Well, he plans to travel around Thailand for a bit, and not stay in Bangkok or Pattaya. He's familiar with places near Cambodia, and he will go to those places near Cambodia regardless of it being a 15 or 30 day stamp when walking back in. Visa into Cambodia is cheaper than 1900 baht, and he can also buy some duty free stuff whilst he's over there.

[ubonjoe]

The 1900 baht for an extension is not that much more the cost of a visa to Cambodia now. Unless he has $30 to pay for the visa he might pay 1500 baht for the the visa at some crossings. Plus the possibility of paying a 300 baht fine/fee on departure from Cambodia for not staying overnight.