Yes, agreed, a little clarity from grandad in his initial posting would have saved us all a lot of groping in the dark!

Sorry for being vague. However, I now have more information than I had before and I think I will be ok (fingers crossed).

Thanks for all your kind help and advice.
G

God help me if you got info from this mess, Good Luck

The old regulation was that you could only apply for the type-O visa with a tourist visa (or above) and that a 30 day VOA could not be converted. Apparently, the 30 day VOA can now be converted to a type-O visa within Thailand without leaving the country. In BKK, there must be at least 21 days remaining on your stamp at the time you apply. I don't think there is any such restriction here, though there might be. Anyway, we double and triple checked this as it surprised me considering the old regulation.

My understanding is that the 30 day stamp most people receive when they enter Thailand is not a "Visa on Arrival" but, rather, a "Touris Visa Exemption." It is similar to the exemption that some passport holders receive when entering the US without a visa (mostly from European countries.) In other words, it is not a visa at all. The actual "Visa on Arrival" is a visa to be applied for and that is good for up to 15 days. I think, though, the term "visa on arrival" is much easier to say (or type) and everyone knows what we mean by Visa on Arrival or VOA.

It appears as though the 20 countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for the actual "Visa on Arrival" (for 15 days) are not eligible for the Tourist Visa Exemption (TVE) which most of us enjoy.

Well that clears all that up then nicely doesn't it !!!! ?????

sunbeltnortheast wrote:It appears as though the 20 countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for the actual "Visa on Arrival" (for 15 days) are not eligible for the Tourist Visa Exemption (TVE) which most of us enjoy.

Until this VOA change became a topic,I too,always was under the impression that entering Thailand the 30 days exemption was not actually called a visa!
If that is true ,then the gov't spokesmen are using the wrong term when discussing the 30 day turnaround limitations!Because they are calling them VOA's

Just as the muddied waters were about to settle sunbeltnortheast comes up with three spectacular posts.I would hope that if i was in need of the services of a professional that they would simplify matters.

I have to say if I was in business to make visas and could make someone come to my office for help, I would be considered shrewed. I would call it something else, but what do I know. I for sure do not know Thai law.

businessman wrote:Just as the muddied waters were about to settle sunbeltnortheast comes up with three spectacular posts.I would hope that if i was in need of the services of a professional that they would simplify matters.

Hi Businessman:

For our clients its very easy and simple. We ask them a few questions, recommend a visa for them, and give them a list with the documents they'll need to give us for their visa. They never have to talk to an immigration official or know the difference between a tourist visa exemption and tourist visa or anything else about Thai visas.

I think this is a good forum for us to exchange ideas and opinions about visas though. I was merely expressing my ideas and opinions about some of the topics being discussed. I was not giving advice or counselling clients.

sunbeltnortheast wrote:

businessman wrote:Just as the muddied waters were about to settle sunbeltnortheast comes up with three spectacular posts.I would hope that if i was in need of the services of a professional that they would simplify matters.

Hi Businessman:

For our clients its very easy and simple. We ask them a few questions, recommend a visa for them, and give them a list with the documents they'll need to give us for their visa. They never have to talk to an immigration official or know the difference between a tourist visa exemption and tourist visa or anything else about Thai visas.

I think this is a good forum for us to exchange ideas and opinions about visas though. I was merely expressing my ideas and opinions about some of the topics being discussed. I was not giving advice or counselling clients.

No need to be seen by Immigration officials if your health is such that they may want you to leave Thailand