Do i need a visa?

[leeroy221]

Hi all,

I am due to fly on 29th July from UK and arrive in BKK on the 30th at 05:45.

We return to the UK on the 29th August departing BKK at 01:10.

I have just realised that if we include the 29th August then we will be there 31 days. As we will be going through immigration etc on the 28th August, late in the day, and making it 30 days, will i need to get a 60 day tourist visa?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tahnks, Leeroy

[lordblackader]

No, but you will need to get an extension on your 30 days in Thailand if you don't want to get one. Note also that while it's a technical requirement to have to show a flight out within those 30 days, Thai immigration never asks but your airline might require it to allow you to board (that is if you don't have a visa). 

[Anthony Loh]

When is your last entry to Thailand? If you have not been in Thailand for few months, it will not have any issue from the OP and for your air ticket, just change/ update the new date that you going back in the airport airline after you have clear the immigration. Last thing is to bring  20000 Thai  batt or more with you just in cause you been requested by the OP and the proof of booking of the Hotel.

Edited March 5, 2017 by Anthony Loh

[Anthony Loh]

11 minutes ago, lordblackader said:

No, but you will need to get an extension on your 30 days in Thailand if you don't want to get one. Note also that while it's a technical requirement to have to show a flight out within those 30 days, Thai immigration never asks but your airline might require it to allow you to board (that is if you don't have a visa). 

If it happen that the airline staff notices your ticket date before you get on board, just immediately request them to help to change the new return date. I have done this before in the airport last two years for my friend.

Edited March 5, 2017 by Anthony Loh

[FritsSikkink]

30 minutes ago, Anthony Loh said:

If it happen that the airline staff notices your ticket date before you get on board, just immediately request them to help to change the new return date. I have done this before in the airport last two years for my friend.

Depends on what sort of ticket you have, there are ones that you:

• can change without a fee
• can change for a fee
• can't change at all

[Evilbaz]

Leeroy - no visa needed.

The day you arrive is Day 1.

You are not exceeding 30 days.

[paul18620]

you arrive on the 30th so that is your first day ,so you will be okay with the visa exempt.

 

And you will be checking in on the 29th well before midnight and be passed immigration as your flight departs 01:10,if that is not in your plan I would make a point of this save any issues from your end.

[IMA_FARANG]

[elviajero]

August 28th will be day 30 so as long as you clear passport control before midnight you've nothing to worry about.

 

Even if you were the exit on August 29th you shouldn't be  charged for the one day overstay as it's waived at BKK.

[leeroy221]

19 minutes ago, elviajero said:

August 28th will be day 30 so as long as you clear passport control before midnight you've nothing to worry about.

 

Even if you were the exit on August 29th you shouldn't be  charged for the one day overstay as it's waived at BKK.

Yes will be clear of passport control on the 28th which as you say is day 30. Just wanted to make sure they were not that padantic that they would say the flight is in fact the 29th and a visa required for the few hours.

Thanks for the reply

[leeroy221]

We travel to Thailand every year, last time was last August. Always go for 30 days, obviously miscalculated this one a bit.

And the flights are not changable.

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, leeroy221 said:

We travel to Thailand every year, last time was last August. Always go for 30 days, obviously miscalculated this one a bit.

And the flights are not changable.

If airport check in gives you a problem, quietly tell them

• you are sure there will be no problem on arrival in Thailand (which is true);
• it would be possible easily to extend your permission to stay in Thailand: 30 days is just the initial stay allowed on entry;
• if they wish, you are happy to sign their indemnity form to protect them against any costs the airline could incur should you be denied entry.

I think it highly unlikely you will have a problem in practice. For a start, they will probably make the same calculation error you did!

 

[leeroy221]

I actually emailed the Thai embassy in the UK to ssk for clarification. I received a reply this morning, not answering the question but instead just stating a viss would be required for over 30 days in the country from entry. With that in mind i would require a visa for just over 1 hour. To make it worse, they do not do postal application any more and i would be required to attend in person, a 6 hour drive for me!

[sandy102uk]

A few years ago I was on a TV which expired on the day I checked in for a flight just after midnight. The desk officer refused to stamp me out and I was escorted to the office "for overstay" . In the office another officer just looked at my passport and quickly stamped me out. I guess it's how the immigration officer feels that day.

[BritTim]

39 minutes ago, leeroy221 said:

I actually emailed the Thai embassy in the UK to ssk for clarification. I received a reply this morning, not answering the question but instead just stating a viss would be required for over 30 days in the country from entry. With that in mind i would require a visa for just over 1 hour. To make it worse, they do not do postal application any more and i would be required to attend in person, a 6 hour drive for me!

If you really needed to get a visa in person from the London Embassy, it would be worse than that. The embassy does not do visas while you wait. There ought to be an honorary consulate nearer to you, and (with an appointment) they will do visas while you wait. I am surprised the London Embassy is not receiving postal applications. While the regional consulates have not been allowed to do so for some time, the London Embassy was certainly still accepting them until very recently, and their website still outlines the process for doing so (http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/visa-modern#section2).

 

The visa exempt entry should be fine.

[leeroy221]

Thanks for the replies. Think i will take a chance although will have my 6 year old with me along with my wife. The embassy emailed me again after i asked the question again and they said if i was not sure 'you will have to apply for a visa just in case' great help thanks Thai Embassy lol