Visa Confusion

The more I read the more confused I get with regard to whether we need a visa on our next trip to Thailand and if we do whether we need a one or two entry one.

We arrive in Bangkok on 22.11.08, stay one night and take the overnight train to Butterworth Malaysia on 23.11.08. We are staying on Langkawi and Penang and fly back to Bangkok on 1.12.08. We are staying in Thailand until our return flight out of Bangkok on 1.1.09.

I would be very grateful if anyone can give me advice on visa requirements. We have been to Thailand before but always staed in the country and for less than 30 days.

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Visa Confusion

If you are staying in Thailand for more than 30 days then you need, in your case, a 60 day Visa. For certainty phone the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull and/or pop along there and pick one up. It%26#39;s nly a short trip up the M62 for you. You can download the forms from their website and do it by post or in person. We go in person as you have to send/take your passports and I%26#39;d prefer not to put those in the ';safe'; hands of the Post Office.

Visa Confusion

For the sake of a day or two it may be easier and cheaper just to pay the fine when you leave on 1st Jan.

And when you pay the fine, you will get a nice ';overstayer'; stamp in your passport. Not a problem now, but attitudes can change very quickly.

Arrive in BKK and get a 30 day exempt stamp, arrive in Malaysia a day or so later and get a visa on arrivel, both free.

Now if you delay your arrival back in to Thailand by one day you will again get a 30 day exempt stamp which will see your time out in Thailand.

Otherwise it is get a 60 day visa before you depart England, and pay the appropriate fees or run the gauntlet with the one day overstay fine. Like Dragon pointed out you will get a overstay stamp in your passport which could affect future travel.

Many thanks for all your advice. We will definately get a visa as I am such a wus when it comes to breaking rules.

Still not sure whether we will need a one or two entry visa. I am logically presuming a 2 entry one as we will be entering Thailand twice! The downside of that is the visa costs twice as much.

If I had been any good at planning I would of stayed an extra night in Penang but the flights are already booked now never mind you live and learn.

The Royal Thai Consulate will advise on your exact requirements. Tel 01482 581668 See web page at http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/contact.asp

Yeah, don%26#39;t go with the overstay advice unless at a remote border where they are more than happy to see the cash.

Your main problem will be the airline which will not let you board for such a lengthy stay unless you%26#39;re in possession of a visa. You need the 60-day one-entry tourist visa. That takes the onus off the airline which has to comply with the visa exemption regulations but isn%26#39;t concerned if you%26#39;ve got a visa.

When you land, ask Thai Immigration not to activate your visa (also don%26#39;t fill in the visa number on the landing card). You%26#39;ll get the usual 30-day exemption. Activate the visa when you return to Thailand and you%26#39;ll be covered for the 31 day stay, with no overstay.

The multi-entry visas are really only for those who stay for the 60 days (with possible 30-day extension) leave the country and then return for another 60 + 30 stay.