Visa Exempt after Tourist Visa (60d + 30d) - Still possible?

[JulienVernet]

Hi there,

What's the situation on in-and-out border run? Is it still possible?

My tourist visa expires on July 27th (in 5 days) and I already extended this visa at Samut Prakan immigration. I got a new passport earlier on this year and therefore my passport is almost empty (no visa exempt on it).

The reason I'm asking is that I'm flying to Europe on August 10th, so I basically need only 14 days. Getting a new tourist visa would take much longer, and cost much more than the visa exempt.

If it is not possible anymore:

• Can I fly to KL and return to Bangkok on the same day? Would that work 100%?
• Can I stay a couple of days in Cambodia/Laos and then get a visa exempt when I enter Thailand?

Thanks!

[elviajero]

Yes it is possible.

• As long as you don't have a lot of recent visa exempt entries you should be stamped in at BKK without a problem. If you have a history of exempt entries the worst case is likely questioning about your time in Thailand as a tourist, and or a warning to get a visa next time.
• You can do an out/in visa exempt entry at some land borders without staying overnight. Laos is probably the better choice.
• Even though you have a new passport your previous history will be in the immigration database/system.

[JulienVernet]

Thanks for answering me

Since the plane ticket to KL is only 3000 bahts return, I'm thinking that this is the best choice (if I remember correctly, no visa required for entering Malaysia). Or do you suggest a border run with an agency instead? Could be cheaper and about the same amount of time.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks for answering me

Since the plane ticket to KL is only 3000 bahts return, I'm thinking that this is the best choice (if I remember correctly, no visa required for entering Malaysia). Or do you suggest a border run with an agency instead? Could be cheaper and about the same amount of time.

I would choose the out and back via KL instead of doing a border run.

Another thing to consider is at a border crossing you will only get 15 days unless your are from a G7 country.

[JulienVernet]

Thanks ubonjoe, I actually don't need more than 15 days since I'm going to Europe on August 10th. I'm French and I could get 30 days, but I don't need so many days.

bangkokbuddy can apparently do the border run for 2500, but it worries me to do it at Aranyaprathet/ Poi Pet. I already got in trouble with the Aranyaprathet immigration back in April 2015. The officer wouldn't let me in on a visa-exempt, unless I showed him a plane ticket (which I had to buy!). I don't know if the agencies offer some sort of guarantees that I will be granted my 14 days visa exempt...

[Rayk]

Thanks ubonjoe, I actually don't need more than 15 days since I'm going to Europe on August 10th. I'm French and I could get 30 days, but I don't need so many days.

bangkokbuddy can apparently do the border run for 2500, but it worries me to do it at Aranyaprathet/ Poi Pet. I already got in trouble with the Aranyaprathet immigration back in April 2015. The officer wouldn't let me in on a visa-exempt, unless I showed him a plane ticket (which I had to buy!). I don't know if the agencies offer some sort of guarantees that I will be granted my 14 days visa exempt...

I would not under any circumstances try and do a visa exempt at Aranyaprathet if you already have visa exempts. I was planning to go this route and had purchased an E visa for Cambodia, but after hearing some reports on TV I had my girlfriend phone immigration in Aranyaprathet and they stated they would not issue me a visa exempt after only having 2 prior.

I also talked with Tanya at Bangkok buddy and her reply was best to get a tourist visa.

If you go with the other company thaivisaservice to Ban Laem immigration there will allow 3 visa exempts per calender year.

I'm going on Tuesday with TVS and they have already confirmed for me that I will be allowed 1 more visa exempt at this border this year.

[JulienVernet]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

[elviajero]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

Thai Visa Service.

http://www.thaivisaservice.com

[Rayk]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

http://www.thaivisa.com

Goes to Ban Baem everyday. Meeting place is Tesco Lotus by the On Nut BTS.

Departures between 4 and 5 am.

Very reliable. Have used this service many times.

[sandyf]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

I came into Savarnabhumi on July 9th and there was a notice in immigration saying have your documents ready for the IO.

Passport, Arrival Card, Boarding Card and Return Ticket.

I have never noticed it before so there may be move by immigration at the airport on return tickets.

[elviajero]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

I came into Savarnabhumi on July 9th and there was a notice in immigration saying have your documents ready for the IO.

Passport, Arrival Card, Boarding Card and Return Ticket.

I have never noticed it before so there may be move by immigration at the airport on return tickets.

It's nothing new.

[sandyf]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

I came into Savarnabhumi on July 9th and there was a notice in immigration saying have your documents ready for the IO.

Passport, Arrival Card, Boarding Card and Return Ticket.

I have never noticed it before so there may be move by immigration at the airport on return tickets.

It's nothing new.

I'll take your word on that, but 'new' is a bit abstract.

I must have done about 50 flights into Thailand but it is about a year previous to the one in July.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks Rayk, your answers are really helpful. I'll now be able to decide between an in-and-out border run at Ban Laem, or fly to KL. Do you by chance know which company offers visa run services to Ban Laem?

I came into Savarnabhumi on July 9th and there was a notice in immigration saying have your documents ready for the IO.

Passport, Arrival Card, Boarding Card and Return Ticket.

I have never noticed it before so there may be move by immigration at the airport on return tickets.

It's nothing new.

I'll take your word on that, but 'new' is a bit abstract.

I must have done about 50 flights into Thailand but it is about a year previous to the one in July.

It is just a general notice for all travelers and does not mean a ticket is a requirement for all of them. A return ticket is really wrong since most people only need a onward ticket if any is needed for the type of entry they are getting.

[sandyf]

I came into Savarnabhumi on July 9th and there was a notice in immigration saying have your documents ready for the IO.

Passport, Arrival Card, Boarding Card and Return Ticket.

I have never noticed it before so there may be move by immigration at the airport on return tickets.

It's nothing new.

I'll take your word on that, but 'new' is a bit abstract.

I must have done about 50 flights into Thailand but it is about a year previous to the one in July.

It is just a general notice for all travelers and does not mean a ticket is a requirement for all of them. A return ticket is really wrong since most people only need a onward ticket if any is needed for the type of entry they are getting.

After nearly 20 years I am quite aware of what is required at the airport. Previously the notice only said, Passport ,Arrival card and Boarding card. At some point along the way 'Return Ticket' has been added. Maybe someone should point out to immigration that the notice is wrong.

[elviajero]

After nearly 20 years I am quite aware of what is required at the airport. Previously the notice only said, Passport ,Arrival card and Boarding card. At some point along the way 'Return Ticket' has been added. Maybe someone should point out to immigration that the notice is wrong.

I said it's nothing new because I remember arriving a Swampy, just after it opened, and seeing a sign that included return ticket or similar. It concerned me at the time because I didn't have a ticket, but it wasn't asked for, and I haven't taken any notice since.

[sandyf]

After nearly 20 years I am quite aware of what is required at the airport. Previously the notice only said, Passport ,Arrival card and Boarding card. At some point along the way 'Return Ticket' has been added. Maybe someone should point out to immigration that the notice is wrong.

I said it's nothing new because I remember arriving a Swampy, just after it opened, and seeing a sign that included return ticket or similar. It concerned me at the time because I didn't have a ticket, but it wasn't asked for, and I haven't taken any notice since.

Withe the number of times I have been through since it opened I find it hard to believe I have never noticed it before. Ever since I smashed a bottle of brandy in front of the immigration desk I check and make sure I have everything to hand, although I have not needed a return ticket in the last 15 years.

[IMA_FARANG]

In May 2016, I made a mistake on a tourist visa, and had to enter on a visa exempt entry.

My mistake, and my fault.

However I was able to enter with no problem on a 30 day visa exempt entry, my first ever visa exempt. entry

I later extended that entry for 30 days in CW and have used had a subsequent tourist visa since that time.

So yes, it is possible to do it.

[Ronuk]

Coming through both airports since the mid 70's, I cannot say I have actually read any of it. I travel all over the World and tend to know what I need before I arrive. I find that helps.

[elviajero]

After nearly 20 years I am quite aware of what is required at the airport. Previously the notice only said, Passport ,Arrival card and Boarding card. At some point along the way 'Return Ticket' has been added. Maybe someone should point out to immigration that the notice is wrong.

I said it's nothing new because I remember arriving a Swampy, just after it opened, and seeing a sign that included return ticket or similar. It concerned me at the time because I didn't have a ticket, but it wasn't asked for, and I haven't taken any notice since.

Withe the number of times I have been through since it opened I find it hard to believe I have never noticed it before. Ever since I smashed a bottle of brandy in front of the immigration desk I check and make sure I have everything to hand, although I have not needed a return ticket in the last 15 years.

I'm sure signs change, move and it's possible the sign you saw is new. The point is that signs like this have existed for a long time and probably since the requirement was first introduced. I think that immigration put the onus on the airlines and consular services to ensure tourists have onward flights, although neither always enforce the 'rule'. I also think it would only be enforced by immigration if they were looking for a reason to stop someone entering, which is why it's not, currently an issue.

[Rayk]

From the Royal Thai Embassy in London

Tourist Visa Exemption

According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002), 18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005), passport holders from 41 countries and 1 special administrative region - Hong Kong SAR - are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 30 days on each visit. If such foreigners enter Thailand at immigration checkpoints which border neighbouring countries (overland crossing), they will be allowed to stay for 15 days each time.

Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

The exemption to this is Malaysian nationals crossing overland from Malaysia who are granted a period of stay not exceeding 30 days each time.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must provide proof of adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand at the port of entry (i.e., traveller’s cheque or cash equivalent to 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).

Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Tourist Visa Exemption category are required at the port of entry to have proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date (otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained).

It is a Thai immigration requirement but like elviajero said it appears immigration has put the onus on the airlines.