30 Days in Thailand Without Needing Visa?

FusionFury

Hi I'm travelling from the U.K. to Thailand on February 28th 

I read that as long as I leave Thailand within 30 days of arrival I don't need a Visa? Is that correct? 

My question is, my flight leaves the U.K. on the 28th February but doesn't arrive in Thailand until the 1st March. So what is the latest I can stay for? Is it the 30th March? Or does it go from when my plane left the U.K. so the 29th March? 

My flight is due to return on the 28th March but I can change that to get a few extra days holiday in Thailand if possible hence why I'm checking. 

So if you can confirm with my flight leaving the U.K. on the 28th February and arriving in Bangkok Thailand on the 1st Match, what is the latest date I need to book my return flight for without needing a Visa? The 30th March or the 29th March?

Thanks 

pramsay13

It's always from when you arrive in the country and your passport is stamped, the original journey start date is irrelevant.

The_Fat_Controller

As a UK passport holder you can enter Thailand visa-exempt for 30 days.

Day 1 is the day you arrive in the country when you get the entry stamp in your passport.

If you arrive on 1st March you will need to leave the country by midnight on the 30th.

Immigration are not amused if you try to pass through just before midnight for a flight that actually departs on the 31st.

kazwookie

If you do overstay you will get fined and a stamp in your passport.

If you want to stay longer apply for a 3 month visa before you go.

tightauldgit

Yep you can enter Thailand and stay for 30 days without a visa - if you land in Thailand on the 1st then you need to exit before the end of the 30th. The times in the UK make no difference it's only the day you enter and leave Thailand. If you want to stay longer than 30 days then as mentioned you can apply for a longer visa or alternatively you can get a cheap ticket to a neighbouring country and then return for another 30 days, though i think a lot of the super-cheap short hop flight options have disappeared for the time being

FusionFury

kazwookie said:

If you do overstay you will get fined and a stamp in your passport.

If you want to stay longer apply for a 3 month visa before you go.

How do I do that? Online? 

tightauldgit

FusionFury said:

kazwookie said:

If you do overstay you will get fined and a stamp in your passport.

If you want to stay longer apply for a 3 month visa before you go.

How do I do that? Online? 

Yep. https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84451-tourist-visa

Though you will have to submit your passport to them either by post or in person at the embassy in London. 

The other option would be to extend your visa in thailand at an immigration office but to do that you would still need to have an onward ticket within 30 days when you arrive. 

The_Fat_Controller

@tightauldgit passports DO NOT need to go to the RTE.

All tourist visas are e-visas and delivered by email to print at home.

All done online since June 2019 as it says in the link YOU provided !

tightauldgit

The_Fat_Controller said:

@tightauldgit passports DO NOT need to go to the RTE.

All tourist visas are e-visas and delivered by email to print at home.

All done online since June 2019 as it says in the link YOU provided !

Fair enough - I just read this bit. 

"Applicants are required to set up an account and submit visa applications as an individual, or apply through travel agencies as previously, where travel agencies will submit online applications on their behalf.  However, supporting documents have to be attached and payment has to be made online through secured portal.  Applicants can either book an appointment to submit their passports and visa applications in person at the Embassy, or submit them by post (for those who are eligible to do so)."

The_Fat_Controller

@FusionFury you apply on this site

https://thaievisa.go.th/

When a tourist visa is issued they have a 3 month validity period which means you have that window to enter Thailand.

When you enter you will be stamped-in for 60 days.

That 60 day stay can be extend in Thailand for a further 30 days at the local immigration office.

DO NOT mistake that 3 month "window" for using the visa as the amount of time you can stay, many have done so and have found themselves on an accidental overstay which is to be avoided.

The_Fat_Controller

The change to not sending documents happened last year and appears in the pop-up when you click the e-visa or the associated video, it may have been suppressed by a pop-up blocker.

Attention : From 26 September 2021, 11.00 PM (UTC), it is no longer required for e-Visa applicant to submit his/her passport and original supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants. It is kindly requested to print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.