Visitors entering into the Kingdom of Thailand without a visa in their passport will have the passport stamped at immigration. Many people believe that this is a visa. It isn’t; it is a Visa Exemption Stamp. This gives the holder of the passport leave to stay in Thailand for thirty days. Usually the process will be quite straightforward and proceed with no more than a smile. However, the visitor may be asked to provide proof that they have enough money to support themselves during their stay.
The Visa Exemption is not applicable to the citizens of all countries. Some may need an actual visa before they arrive. Others may be granted more than 30 days. It is highly advisable that visitors check out their status at least a month before they travel.
Visa Exemption is also given to visitors arriving at a land border, but are different in that only 15 days is given.
Whether your exemption is for 30 or15 days, it is highly advisable that you do not overstay. There are hefty fines in place for those who do. If you are caught there is even a risk of imprisonment. At the airport or land border you will only be fined.
Extending your visa exemption is easy enough but you will be required to leave the country and re-enter. This is known as a ‘Visa Run’.
Doing a ‘Visa Run’ is simple enough. Most travel agents, hotels and guesthouses are geared up to help you. Practically every day of the week there are fleets of mini buses or coaches heading toward the various land borders. It is very much a personal decision. Some of the transport is basic but comfortable, although for a little more you can get luxury with more room and DVD.
There is also the option to ‘do it yourself’. This will naturally be very much cheaper but, unless you have a rental car or colleague to drive you, it will be a very long day by public transport from any of the major cities where tourists stay. Where you are staying will partly determine which land border you will head to.
From the Bangkok/ Pattaya/ Chiang Mai area there is the option to head towards Laos and actually get a real visa. A Tourist Visa. This will entail you staying outside of Thailand for one night and be consequently more expensive. However your visa will entitle you to stay for 60 days. It could also be ninety days if you so wished. You would, though, require another stamp at the 60 day mark, and a small cost but this could be done easily within Thailand.
It is all very much a case of how much time you need and how much you are prepared to pay. It can often be cheaper to get a return flight to Singapore and just get your extra thirty days.
The Visa Runs can be fun. They are different and add a bit of an adventure to a holiday. It only becomes tedious if repeated time after time. The Visa Run into Myanmar is especially different.
