g_singh
motodop
Posts: 24

#1 Posted: 5/9/2007 - 20:16


hi, the wife and i are off to SE Asia for 5 months then india for a month. We are going to be using thailand as a base to travel to other countries within the 5 months, at the moment i see us spending most of out time in thailand and a 2 to 3 weeks per surrounding country tops.

Speaking to the thai consulate today i have been advised to get a 'Non-Immigrant Visa with multiple entries = £100.00', is this the best option for us?

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2548

Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 6/9/2007 - 18:50


Hmm, it depends how you're spacing your time out. But I'd say if you're planning on doing one big chunk of time in Thailand, then get a two month tourist visa for the long stay and use the 30-day visa free entry (for a maximum of 90 days in six months -- so three entries).

The above also will depend on your nationality.

Non Imm seems overkill to me.

g_singh
motodop
Posts: 24

#3 Posted: 6/9/2007 - 19:23


thanks for that, we are both british so should be eligible for the free 30 day visa.

Is it possible for us to stay longer then a total of 90 days in thailand and have more then 3 entries back in to the country without getting the non imm visa in the 5 months we are there?

Regards,
G

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2548

Located in:
Indonesia

#4 Posted: 6/9/2007 - 20:02


You could do something like this:

Day 0) Arrive in Thailand, visa free entry for thirty days.
Day 30) Leave Thailand -- two weeks in Malaysia
Day 44) Back into Thailand, use two month tourist visa
Day 104) Leave Thailand -- two weeks in Cambodia
Day 122) Back into Thailand use 30-day visa free entry
Day 152) Leave Thailand -- two weeks in Laos
Day 166) Back into Thailand use 30-day visa free entry

The essence of the above is that UK citizens are entitled to spent up to 90 days in Thailand on the visa free entries (so a minimum of three visas, but I guess theoretically you could do it on a lot more), PLUS what ever time you get on a real tourist visa (so normally one or two months depending on the consulate that grants the visa).

So the above list gives you 5 months in the region. You'll just need to be careful about when you get and use the two month tourist visa. I'm not sure on this but I THINK that if you enter Thailand with a two month visa already in your passport, you have to use it then -- you can't "save it" for a later entry -- but I'd suggest you check with the UK consulate you're dealing with for confirmation.

Yeah I know, it's amazing Thailand gets as many tourists as it does with visa rules this complicated!

g_singh
motodop
Posts: 24

#5 Posted: 13/9/2007 - 19:11


i have managed after days of trying get through to the thai consulate in Hull, England, who were very helpful.

What i have been advised is that i can get a 'Double Entry Tourist Visa' which will give me two entries of 60 days each, which will be more then enough time. if needed i could then use a free 30 day entry to top up the time. they did say i would need a plane ticket showing i fly out before the 60 day limit.

so 60 days x 2 = 120
+ 30 free = 150 days total in Thailand.

can it be confirmed that i will get two 60 day entires with a double entry visa??

thanks!
G

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2548

Located in:
Indonesia

#6 Posted: 13/9/2007 - 19:16


I didn't think those double entry visas were still being issued -- so if you can get one then you're all sorted! From memory (I don't have my passport handy) the double entry visa is clearly stamped as being good for two entries, so you should be fine.

g_singh
motodop
Posts: 24

#7 Posted: 13/9/2007 - 19:47


Looks like they do somtam2000, i certainly hope so..

cant wait now, i have my tickets, visa is as good as got, just need to pack my bags!

G