Thailand forum

Thai Visa Advice Needed

alitrfc

newbie
Posts: 2

Hi, we are currently in Cambodia and are looking to get to Ko Samui for new year, the problem is we have been told that if we go over the border by land we will only get a 15 day visa? Can this be extended to a 30 day visa at the Thai Embassy in Bangkok if we prove that we have a flight leaving Thailand at the end of January? or is there any other suggestions on what we could do? thanks in advance

#1 Posted: 27/12/2008 - 21:29
exacto

mahout
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You might just try asking for 30 days when you arrive at the border. The new regulations definitely say 15 days for land arrivals, but some folks have reported receiving 30 days when it was obvious that they were not making a visa run.

If you are in Phnom Penh, you could also take all the fun and suspense out of the issue by getting a 30-day tourist visa at the Thai Embassy. But that costs a bit and you don't have much time to get that sorted before you need to travel.

If those don't work, you can apply for an extension at the immigration office once you arrive on Ko Samui. There is a fee, but it should be less than most of the other options.

One other possibility is to fly back into Thailand instead of take the land route. But I don't know for sure if arriving by air from a bordering country is any different than arriving by land from a bordering country in terms of 15 vs. 30 days visa waiver.

Good luck and please let us know how it works out.

#2 Posted: 28/12/2008 - 00:06
alitrfc

newbie
Posts: 2

Thanks for the reply Exacto

We have looked into flying as apparently that defo gives u a 30 days visa, however it is very expensive. I think we will ask at the border for a 30 day visa and if not try and pay at the immigration office in Ko Samui for an extension

Thanks again for your help and will let you know how it works out

#3 Posted: 28/12/2008 - 17:20
somtam2000

admin
mahout
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Hi alitrfc,

If you're in Phnom Penh, I'd just go to the embassy and get a tourist visa -- that is the simplest solution.

Reports from the border have varied -- as exacto says, some have got 30 days, but many, especially at the Poipet crossing, are getting only 15 days.

If you are given 15 days, you will not be able to extend it into a 30-day entry. You will though be able to get an extension on the 15 day stay, though reports have varied on the length of extension available.

#4 Posted: 29/12/2008 - 05:51

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ChangFai

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 139
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alitrfc
I would be amazed if you got more than 7 days , on the original 15 days.

Best to get a visa beforehand .

#5 Posted: 29/12/2008 - 10:31