Hi,

I've been looking through the threads on visas and although some have been very helpful I haven't found one that specifically matches the answers I've been looking for. Any help will be much appreciated. I'm looking to travel to Thailand in Feb (I'm from the UK). I plan to stay in Thailand 2-3 months then travel to the neighbouring countries. I would also like the option of returning to Thailand at any point - I have some friends that would like to meet me out there. The return/s could be over 30 days in duration.

Is my best option getting a multi entry visa? Does anyone know the exact cost of this as I've had conflicting information.

If for example I obtained a visa from the UK for 60 days but only stayed a week in Thailand and went to Laos would I still be eating away at my 60 days or is it frozen until I return to Thailand?

I've also read of others getting their normal 30 day stay, leaving the country and obtaining a 60 day visa for Thailand in Laos. Is this a better way of doing it than from the UK if you plan to travel back to Thailand for over 30 days?

Last question (promise!); How accurate is the information that tourist visa may be made free due to tourism issues with the floods?

Thanks for your time in reading. I plan to speak to the Thai consulate in Hull but thought I would try here first to save on the phone bill!

Sounds like you need double entry, not multiple. If you stay longer than 60 days you can extend each entry with 30 days at any immigration office.

Regarding costs, ask Hull for latest, from what I have heard they are reliable and fast.

Once you have left the country that entry has been used, so remaining days are 'lost'.

The option of first arriving and applying in Laos is not better, even stronger, I would advice against it since you may have trouble boarding the plane in the UK since you don't meet the requirements for visa exempt entry.

I don't think the visa will be made free. The present government it too intend on sticking to their lies that tourism has not been affected.

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Diving Phuket and Similans

Jaheara,

to the Travel Forum. The Thais have cracked down somewhat on travellers casually wandering in and out of their kingdom, at least compared to how things were five years ago, and so you will need to plan your movements in advance based around the visa options available. As SteveNL says, a double entry tourist visa would give you 60 days (+30 extension) to spend in Thailand right off the bat, then you could leave after 2-3 months to travel through Laos/Cambodia etc, then re-enter Thailand for 60 days (+30 extension) to use your second "entry". To again reiterate what Steve says, if you leave Thailand then you forfeit the remaining part of that "entry" of a tourist visa - it doesn't get frozen.

That would fit your loose desire for a Thailand - Laos - Thailand "sandwich" trip, but use your entries wisely and don't waste them for "a few days" on a whim.

When I checked a few years back it was possible to get tourist visas in neighbouring countries without too much hassle (Malaysia was one that was mentioned that was hassle-free, I remember) but I am not sure how a Thai border guard would treat back-to-back tourist visas in your passport these days. Maybe two within a few weeks/months of each other would be acceptable, but I really don't know - I'm just speculating. Something to be aware of, anyway.

Have a good trip and keep popping in the forum - lots of great info and helpful people here.

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Owner, travelforum.org
My latest travels: Shikoku Pilgrimage

Thanks for your help, I think the double entry visa is the best option for me.