Hi, I've just received the following email from the Thai Embassy in London, in regards to the visa exempt requirements:

"If you stay in Thailand more than 30 days, you need to apply for a visa. And if you can prove by showing the confirmed ticket to the immigartion officer that you will not stay in Thailand more than 30 days, you do not need a visa."

so far, so good. Then it goes on to say:

"However, passport holders of visa exemption are still subject to immigration controls and are not guaranteed entry into Thailand with visa exemption. Therefore, we recommend you to apply for a visa prior to entering Thailand."

So I'm asking myself.. whats the point in visa-exemption in the first place? Technically I qualify for the 30 day entry stamp because I have proof of onward travel, but according to the embassy I should still get a tourist visa.

Is the embassy being over-cautious, or am i just missing something? I know a few people here get the 30 day stamp, but it seems that this is risky according to the embassy! Should I follow their advice and get the visa as well?

Thanks

Martyn

Overcautious and self supporting.

They do live on the visa-fees.

Is the embassy being over-cautious, or am i just missing something? I know a few people here get the 30 day stamp, but it seems that this is risky according to the embassy! Should I follow their advice and get the visa as well?

Thanks

Martyn

No, if you intend to stay 30 days or less don't waste your time or money applying for a visa. It seems that the people in your embassy are very confused.

Confused isn't the word that I would use, it needs several to explain it......

Collecting all the money they can before the entire system collapses.

There.... that's better

"However, passport holders of visa exemption are still subject to immigration controls and are not guaranteed entry into Thailand with visa exemption. Therefore, we recommend you to apply for a visa prior to entering Thailand."

Is the embassy being over-cautious, or am i just missing something? I know a few people here get the 30 day stamp, but it seems that this is risky according to the embassy! Should I follow their advice and get the visa as well?

Surely they're just covering their a**es -- even with a visa there's no guarantee of being admitted into the country (is there? the folks that issue the visas aren't even in the same Ministry as the folks working immigration).

No, if you intend to stay 30 days or less

initially yes, although before my 30days are up, I'll be flying to Cambodia then travelling overland back to Thailand for the last couple of weeks, before heading back to the UK. I don't suppose this will make a difference cuz I know I can get a max 3x30 days stamps.

Thanks for all the replies anyway.. i suspected it might come down to the money.

Cheers

No, if you intend to stay 30 days or less

initially yes, although before my 30days are up, I'll be flying to Cambodia then travelling overland back to Thailand for the last couple of weeks, before heading back to the UK. I don't suppose this will make a difference cuz I know I can get a max 3x30 days stamps.

Thanks for all the replies anyway.. i suspected it might come down to the money.

Cheers

You are allowed 90-days total in any 6 month period. It doesn't matter now many stamps you will get....that is not limited to 3.

Because you are going to other countries, that makes getting a visa even less important. You can hop in and out of Thailand for 6 months if you like, crossing the border dozens of times, as long as you don't stay more than 90 days total you should have no problems.