I went to Promenada today to apply for a second extension on my 30 day tourist visa. I was advised that I would be granted a 7 day extension and required to pay the full fee of THB 1900, and must fly out of the Kingdom in order to get another 30 day tourist visa. That said I've just arranged a flight to KL next week. However I can't help but wonder if I'd gone to Mae Sai today would they have stamped an extension of 14 days as they had been doing about a year ago?? Can any one please help to shed some light on this?

You can only get one 30 day extension per entry. Did you have a 60 day tourist visa entry or a visa exempt entry?

You would not get an extension at a border crossing it would be a new entry.

Mae Sai is unpredictable as far as getting a visa exempt entry. It seems to vary day by day. You could go to the Chiang Kong crossing to Laos.

There is no requirement to fly out and back to get a new entry.

You can only get one 30 day extension per entry. Did you have a 60 day tourist visa entry or a visa exempt entry?

You would not get an extension at a border crossing it would be a new entry.

Mae Sai is unpredictable as far as getting a visa exempt entry. It seems to vary day by day. You could go to the Chiang Kong crossing to Laos.

There is no requirement to fly out and back to get a new entry.

Thanks, Ubonjoe. Yes, ok I understand how it works now.

No, I didn't have a 60 day tourist visa or any exemptions as such.

So, do you mean that I could still go through Chiang Kong crossing to Laos and potentially get a 2 week visa upon re-entry in to Thailand, as opposed to flying out of the Kingdom and back? Or, are you referring to when I have a new 30 day tourist visa that I can then do such a trip?

I'm sorry to ask you so many questions! This is awkward when, as you know all too well, border areas such as Mae Sai are so unpredictable!? It gets frustrating especially when I think about how I'd much rather stay here in Thailand and choose to spend my money here! Visas are so restrictive here that they actually prevent people from spending more of their money in the Kingdom?! It just does my head in...????

Edited September 29, 201510 yr by Dassie

You apparently had a 30 day visa exempt entry you got on entry to the country.

Chiang Kong has been reported as allowing out/in visa exempt entries. You would get 15 days unless you are from a G7 country which would allow a 30 day entry.

I think Mae Sai is strict because they are so close to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

You apparently had a 30 day visa exempt entry you got on entry to the country.

Chiang Kong has been reported as allowing out/in visa exempt entries. You would get 15 days unless you are from a G7 country which would allow a 30 day entry.

I think Mae Sai is strict because they are so close to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Many thanks Ubonjoe. I appreciate your help!

You can only get one 30 day extension per entry. Did you have a 60 day tourist visa entry or a visa exempt entry?

You would not get an extension at a border crossing it would be a new entry.

Mae Sai is unpredictable as far as getting a visa exempt entry. It seems to vary day by day. You could go to the Chiang Kong crossing to Laos.

There is no requirement to fly out and back to get a new entry.

Thanks, Ubonjoe. Yes, ok I understand how it works now.

No, I didn't have a 60 day tourist visa or any exemptions as such.

So, do you mean that I could still go through Chiang Kong crossing to Laos and potentially get a 2 week visa upon re-entry in to Thailand, as opposed to flying out of the Kingdom and back? Or, are you referring to when I have a new 30 day tourist visa that I can then do such a trip?

I'm sorry to ask you so many questions! This is awkward when, as you know all too well, border areas such as Mae Sai are so unpredictable!? It gets frustrating especially when I think about how I'd much rather stay here in Thailand and choose to spend my money here! Visas are so restrictive here that they actually prevent people from spending more of their money in the Kingdom?! It just does my head in...????

If you've got that much money to spend, why don't you just go to a nearby consulate and get a tourist visa instead of messing around trying to do visa exempt border runs?

You can only get one 30 day extension per entry. Did you have a 60 day tourist visa entry or a visa exempt entry?

You would not get an extension at a border crossing it would be a new entry.

Mae Sai is unpredictable as far as getting a visa exempt entry. It seems to vary day by day. You could go to the Chiang Kong crossing to Laos.

There is no requirement to fly out and back to get a new entry.

Thanks, Ubonjoe. Yes, ok I understand how it works now.

No, I didn't have a 60 day tourist visa or any exemptions as such.

So, do you mean that I could still go through Chiang Kong crossing to Laos and potentially get a 2 week visa upon re-entry in to Thailand, as opposed to flying out of the Kingdom and back? Or, are you referring to when I have a new 30 day tourist visa that I can then do such a trip?

I'm sorry to ask you so many questions! This is awkward when, as you know all too well, border areas such as Mae Sai are so unpredictable!? It gets frustrating especially when I think about how I'd much rather stay here in Thailand and choose to spend my money here! Visas are so restrictive here that they actually prevent people from spending more of their money in the Kingdom?! It just does my head in...????

If you've got that much money to spend, why don't you just go to a nearby consulate and get a tourist visa instead of messing around trying to do visa exempt border runs?

That sounds like a good idea. However, it didn't work out cheaper than visiting my consulate in this instance. This is somewhat of an unusual situation for me because I would normally travel back to my home country for work every other month. But it's all under control for now ?