US citizen Overstay, visa extension + border run?

[Elaines]

Hi all,very confused about my situation and in need of help-

 

I came to Thailand in mid-Jan with a 60 day tourist visa from the US, which allowed an additional 30 day extension at Thai immigration. However I lost my passport around the time the first 60 days were up, and by the time I was able to get a new emergency passport & go to immigration, I had already overstayed several days. I paid the fee and got the 30 day extension (ending Apr 13), and was told by an immigration employee that I could do 1 border run after that to stay another 30 days. My bf (thai) and I were planning on getting married so I could continue staying here with him but right now we need more time to get everything in order, and yesterday his friend w/ connections to immigration employee said that since I technically already overstayed, I must go back to the US and wait to apply for a new tourist visa... 

 

Sorry if this was confusing to read but I am really quite confused about what I need to do now! Any advice much appreciated!

[ubonjoe]

You can do a border run without a problem to get a 30 day visa exempt entry.
There is no requirement for you to return to the US to get a tourist visa.

Sent from my SM-T231 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Elaines]

That's such a relief!! So then theoretically I would be able to get the marriage stuff in order during those 30 days, correct?

[BritTim]

Actually, your options depend on the conditions that apply to your emergency travel document. Have you already applied for a new regular passport? When do you expect to receive it? Getting this sorted should be seen as a priority. An emergency passport does not have the same capabilities as a regular, full passport.

If you are reliant on the emergency travel document for the immediate future, carefully read it. What does it say about countries for which it is valid? Often, when you apply for an emergency passport, you indicate an itinerary for which you intend to use it. It may only be valid for return to home country.

If your emergency passport is valid for travel to Laos, I suggest you go to Vientiane and get a single entry tourist visa there. If you apply Monday or Tuesday, you will have your visa before Songkran.

[Elaines]

Its an emergency passport valid for one year, and I already went to immigration with it and they put a stamp in it saying I have to leave the Kingdom by Apr 13 (the end date of the 30 day visa extension). There don't seem to be any restrictions on my passport. Im planning on going to the Cambidian border tomorrow.

[tomwct]

Is this your first passport that you have lost? I had a friend who lost his 2nd passport and the embassy issued him an emergency passport, but only allowed him to return to the US. Also, the government may not accept your emergency document for marriage. They may require a permanent passport.

 

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