[Mjyzpzph]

If you have been to Thailand before this is probabably the 'Visa' you have had; a Tourist Visa is usually for 60 days and costs around 25GBP. Yes with this you can only spend a total of 90 days per 180 in Thailand so 12 days in November and 12 in January is no problem (though they count the day you arrive and the day you leave so you my find your 12 days are actually 13 days.)

David

[Mjyzpzph]

You should be able to get the 30 Visa Exemption on arrival (this is not a Tourist Visa). The limit on these is not how many times you can get it but how many actual days you spend in Thailand using it, you are allowed a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day rolling period.

David

[markshome23]

David, I am not eligible for visa-free entry, so I have no experience - when you have a visa, you get an "admitted until....." stamp with the date, and you must leave on that date the latest. I guess you get the same with a visa-free entry, so, you don't need to count the days, the stamp will clearly say when the 30 days expire?

[Arkadiyas]

The law is actually quite vague and I got a different answer from every embassy and consolate that I called. I tried to do this back in November. Finally, the answer from the LA consolate was, "You're not supposed to, but they probably won't say anything... if it doesn't work out, you should go to Singapore, it's delightful"

Is it too soon for re-entry?

[Mjyzpzph]

Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490

David

[Yswxomvy]

David, I am not eligible for visa-free entry, so I have no experience - when you have a visa, you get an "admitted until....." stamp with the date, and you must leave on that date the latest. I guess you get the same with a visa-free entry, so, you don't need to count the days, the stamp will clearly say when the 30 days expire?

That's true in my case. For example, ( I am looking at my passport now), It says, " ADMITTED-- 14 December, year UNTIL--12 January year." No need to count the days. I have another one . "ADMITTED--19 May year UNTIL--17 June year.

[Ifroham4]

ok thanks!

is there any hidden clauses after getting this Visa Exemption? so out of 180 days i am only allowed to spend 90 days in thailand?

[Ifroham4]

- 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 40 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 the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit. Foreigners who enter the Kingdom under the Tourist Visa Exemption category may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry.

from what i gather, i can visit her as many times as i can in 6 months but cannot spend more than 90 days in Thailand. however each time i enter, i cannot stay more than 30 days.

please correct me if i am wrong

[Mjyzpzph]

Yes it does say but I have spoken with so many Farangs that have booked their return flight for 30 days after arrival before they arrive in Thailand and get that stamp in their passport. In my experience of travelling, and that of my friend who is a travel agent, if you get a 30 day visa for any other country it allows you to stay 30 nights not 29.

In my case last year I was well aware of this but couldn't get flights with 29 night duration and also be in Thailand for the day we wanted our wedding - I had a choice of 30 nights plus or 13 nights and under...

David

[Baromaro]

In addition to the 90 days within 180, you are only allowed 3 entrances...so keep that in mind.

(and that is imho the real frustration)

mm the reason is that they shut down the loophole that enabled people to stay for years 30 days visa free entry, assuming u left the country every 30 days and it seems many did so.

[Ifroham4]

Hey guys, i am planning to fly to Bangkok from Malaysia to visit my gf and tour around. Just wondering if i am required to get a tourist visa before I go or can i still just apply for a tourist visa on the spot for 30 days?

How many times can i get this tourist visa? I plan to visit her for 12 days in November and another 12 days in January.

[markshome23]

> is there any hidden clauses after getting this Visa Exemption? so out of 180 days i am only allowed to spend 90 days in thailand?

that's right. they DO count the days up.

> 12 days in November and another 12 days in January.

which means this will be ok.

[Mjyzpzph]

from what i gather, i can visit her as many times as i can in 6 months but cannot spend more than 90 days in Thailand. however each time i enter, i cannot stay more than 30 days.

please correct me if i am wrong

That is my understanding of the rules, others may interpret them differently. Be aware though that 30 days means you must leave on the 29th day following entry - leaving 30 days after entry means that at passport control you will be taken to see an Imigration Officer who will write something in your passport, though there is no fine unless you overstay by 2 or more days, I speak from experience.

David

[Mjyzpzph]

In addition to the 90 days within 180, you are only allowed 3 entrances...so keep that in mind.

(and that is imho the real frustration)

To the best of my knowledge that information is incorrect.

The following is a worked example from the Royal Thai Consulate that I use for my Visas. It explains how the days are counted up and expired over 7 entrances:

Entry Dates in Thailand total days 6-month accumulation:

1st 01 Oct to 22 Oct 22 22 days

2nd 20 Nov to 30 Nov 11 33 days and 01 Dec to 11 Dec 11 44 days

3rd 15 Jan to 31 Jan 17 61 days and 01 Feb to 05 Feb 5 66 days

4th 12 Mar to 31 Mar 20 86 days and 01 Apr to 09 Apr 9 73 days

5th 07 May to 31 May 25 54 days and 01 Jun to 03 Jun 3 79 days

6th 02 Jul to 30 Jul 29 91 days
in this instance it will be necessary to exit 1 day earlier

7th 03 Sep to 30 Sep 28 94 days
in this instance it will be necessary to exit 4 days earlier

As can be seen with the 6th and 7th entries it would not be possible to stay for the planned full period. It would also not be possible to exit and re-enter without obtaining at least a 60-day tourist visa. The only other alternative would be to fly home earlier than anticipated provided a seat was available.
Failure to exit Thailand by the due date incurs the risk of imprisonment. David

[Arkadiyas]

In addition to the 90 days within 180, you are only allowed 3 entrances...so keep that in mind.

(and that is imho the real frustration)