I have read that in October 2006 the cross border runs to stamp your passport is NO longer going to work....
Then I read in Udon Map that you still can do this..... I have been on the Thai Embassy web site and they do not mention anything about cross boarder runs at all .... They just say 30 days free and then buy visa for 60 days or what ever ...........
I'm really confused as what to do ????
I visited Thailand for 30 days this April gone and asked just about everyone about this and never got a straight answer.....
The thing is I want to return to Thailand and stay for 6 months while it snows here in Canada I HATE THE SNOW .... and I need to find out the easy way and not the hardest way to do this..........
On The Thai Embassy site I got so confused 30 days on e entry 60 days 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 entry 190 days entry for this and that
WHY CAN KNOW ONE GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER??
I even EMAILED the THai Embassy a couple of times and NO one got back to me........... Doe's THailand NOT LIKE TOURIST's or What???
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO VISIT THE COUNTRY? LAND OF SMILES I'm not smileing ............. I have been searching this answer for over 6 months................ IS THERE ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO HAS DONE this before or KNOW"s 100% what to do ??

Snow is nice, it is the cold January and February wind that is the killer!

IF you don't know the answer why comment at all

If you go to a school to learn some Thai language a few lessons per week, then you can get a one year student visa.
Most language schools will help you, and and give the info on what you need to do.
An easy way to get a visa, and you also learn something.

Can you get a triple entry tourist visa? Each one is 60 days.

Royal Thai Consulate - Vancouver. You can also apply for a double or triple-entry tourist visa at our Consulate. A double entry visa allows you to stay in Thailand for a total of 4 months, and a triple-entry visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 6 months. However, each entry permit is only valid for 2 months. Accordingly, you must leave Thailand every 2 months and re-enter the country. Your return to the country (which can be the same day as your exit) will subsequently activate your next tourist visa, which is then valid for up to two months.

See here: http://www.thaicongenvancouver.org/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=55

The way that the program is working now is thus:

You come in on a 30 day tourist visa.

You then go out (to Laos) and apply for a 60 day tourist visa. This visa is then good for 60 days. At the expiration of that 60 day visa, you go across the boarder and then come back in immediately with just a 30 day visa.

When that visa expries, you go out and do the 60 day visa again. Repeat as long as you wish.

Doc wrote:The way that the program is working now is thus:

You come in on a 30 day tourist visa.

You then go out (to Laos) and apply for a 60 day tourist visa. This visa is then good for 60 days. At the expiration of that 60 day visa, you go across the boarder and then come back in immediately with just a 30 day visa.

When that visa expries, you go out and do the 60 day visa again. Repeat as long as you wish.

I think there is the issue of air tickets out of thailand within the 30 day period Doc. Why not apply for a 2 month tourist visa in Canada, extend it for a month in Thailand, go to Laos and get another 2 month tourist visa and extend it again for a month. No return tickets required.
John

Doc wrote:When that visa expries, you go out and do the 60 day visa again. Repeat as long as you wish.

This is not possible at the Thai Embassy in Laos, well at least it wasn't a couple of years back. I was standing in line at the embassy, a Japanese guy infront of me had 3 6 month tourist visa stamped in his passport and was told that he couldn't apply for another, they told him to leave or apply for the correct visa. I guess a stay over 9 months is not normal for a tourist in their eyes.

Justin, if I were you I'd apply for a double entry tourist visa in your home country, this should give you the time you require without having to worry about visa issues when you're over here.

The education visa possible I'm attending class now with a guy who did that. He still ha to go acro the bridge every ninety days get stamped and come back no trip to the embassy. Visa question aer hard to answer almost every immigration offic does it ther own waysw. So the infomation I just gave you the deal with Nong Khai only. The guy obtained the visa in his home country. I would say that is the best way to go and avoid being stressed here if you are going to get an extension or not. You need to go to the nearest Thai embassy and get the information.

All of this is assuming your not married to a Thai, complelty different ball game if you are. This aspect of Thailand doesn not always have simple answer, go the embassy closest to you and follow thier directions.

Gentle suggestion don't ge frustrated with the guys on the forum, they are all give yuo the best information they can give yuo and each persons experience I likely to be different then another. We are not the Thai government we are the guys who jump through the hoops each years as we are told to by immigration. )TT) Tis Thailand

Hate to argue with you Lee

[sorry doc, pressed the edit button, not the quote button and accidentally deleted your post]

Doc wrote:Hate to argue with you Lee

I guess they were having a bad day or took a disliking to the Japanese guy and myself.

They refused the Japanese guy a tourist visa and told me that this was the last time I could apply for a tourist visa (only had one stamped in my passport at the time). This is first hand knowledge, not based on rumors.

Please bear in mind that this was a couple of years back and the rules may have changed by now, or they were just having a bad day.

It appears that those coming in expecting a free 30 day visa are now being asked to show onward tickets out of Thailand (Not necessarily air tickets, I heard of one who showed a train tivket to Malaysia).
Get a tourist Visa beforehand as everyone has said, or if you can convince your embassy, get a one year non-imm for the purpose of 'visiting friends' in Thailand.

And in answer to your question - Yes Thailand loves tourists - but only that.
Come here for two weeks, spend your hard earned cash , then get lost.
Those who want to stay here longer than that will have many hoops and hurdles to pass (but its not impossible) (yet LOL )

lee wrote:

Doc wrote:Hate to argue with you Lee

I guess they were having a bad day or took a disliking to the Japanese guy and myself.

They refused the Japanese guy a tourist visa and told me that this was the last time I could apply for a tourist visa (only had one stamped in my passport at the time). This is first hand knowledge, not based on rumors.

Please bear in mind that this was a couple of years back and the rules may have changed by now, or they were just having a bad day.

What you deleted basically stated: Yes, the rules seem to have changed. I know a number of people who are now doing the 30 then the 60 day then the 30 day run on a regular basis.

A friend of mine (and yours) just did the visa run to the Embassy for his 60 day visa. Cost is 1,900 Baht. He has been doing that program since January I believe.

Come in to Thailand and get your 30 day VOA then near to the expiry date go to Thai Embassy in Laos, get a 90 day tourist visa (cost 1,000 baht) after 60 days you are required to go to immigration (AEK Hospital) and have the final 30 days stamped (cost 1,900 baht).
You can do this as often as you like.
Trust me I know

Roy wrote:Come in to Thailand and get your 30 day VOA then near to the expiry date go to Thai Embassy in Laos, get a 90 day tourist visa (cost 1,000 baht) after 60 days you are required to go to immigration (AEK Hospital) and have the final 30 days stamped (cost 1,900 baht).
You can do this as often as you like.
Trust me I know

thanks Roy thats sounds like an easy fix