Border bounce, can't get stamp??

[mopar71]

I'm American in Thailand [Koh Samui] on a Tourist Visa. My 90 days (60+30) is up on Friday, Feb 10th. I plan on staying another 2-3 months.

 

Thursday, Feb 9th is a Thai holiday so embassies/consulates are closed. With the weekend coming I don't want this to be a 4-5 day trip.

 

I thought I would do a quick [land] border bounce to get a stamp good for another 15/30 days. This would give me more time to plan a 2-day trip to Penang for another TV.

 

I called a visa run company and was told that I cannot exit the country by land and get a stamp. They will only stamp my passport at an airport. 

 

Is that true? Or was there just some confusion between us?

 

thanks.

 

[finy]

Why don't you go to Penang for a night.

 

I wouldn't risk overstay stamp in my passport these days.

[NanLaew]

My understanding is that for a long time already, the southern Thai land border crossings have been very strict on prohibiting simple border hops for nationalities that would otherwise qualify for another visa exempt entry. Some will recommend staying at least one night in Malaysia, or returning by air or worst case refusing entry completely thus forcing the traveler to go to Penang and buy a plane ticket. Better to do that voluntarily rather than be forced to do it plus flying back will get the 30-day visa exempt entry.

[mopar71]

Firefly airlines used to fly direct between Samui-Penang and that was very convenient and not too expensive. Now it looks like a long journey on a minibus will have to do plus a few nights in Georgetown which isn't too bad.

[FritsSikkink]

the 9th isn't a holiday for Thailand

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

the 9th isn't a holiday for Thailand

Correct the next holiday is."13 February (Monday) Substitution For Makha Bucha Day".

Source Holidays For 2017.pdf

If you wanted to delay making the visa run you could apply for a 7 day extension, pay 1900 baht and be granted 7 days to leave the country.

[sandgroper2]

6 months as a tourist, You must really enjoy this lovely place. Enjoy your stay in the LOS.

[Lovethailandelite]

2 hours ago, oby said:

Do a andaman island visa run  they will arrange minibus pickup, ferry and all transport back and forth.  Very busy last I went but easily do able 1 day

I think you meant Andaman Club? You won't do the Andaman Islands return by minibus and ferry in one day.

[darrendsd]

7 hours ago, sandgroper2 said:

6 months as a tourist, You must really enjoy this lovely place. Enjoy your stay in the LOS.

There is always one......

[mopar71]

14 hours ago, sandgroper2 said:

6 months as a tourist, You must really enjoy this lovely place. Enjoy your stay in the LOS.

Yes, I am a tourist. Where I normally it is very cold and dark during the winter and I had the time to skip it this year and I did. Or were you perhaps implying something else?

[mopar71]

Thanks for the heads up about the holiday not being a Thai one. Feb 9th is a public holiday in Malaysia (Thaipusam) and the Thai embassy is closed that day. That opens up other options, thanks.

 

Royal Thai Consulate- General, Penang
Official Holidays for B.E. 2560 (2017)

http://www.thaiembassy.org/penang/contents/files/news-20170123-151023-569061.pdf

[ChakaKhan]

On 2/7/2017 at 1:32 PM, mopar71 said:

Yes, I am a tourist. Where I normally it is very cold and dark during the winter and I had the time to skip it this year and I did. Or were you perhaps implying something else?

Agreed Im vying for 5 months..cold-dark winter back home

Low cost rent--real food and cheap hospitals keep me staying too...

Is strictly for financial reasons....and a change of pace--balance..