I have until now been a frequent visitor to the Kingdom, stopping here for a few days of rest and sleep before or after flying long distance. After more than 17 hours flight time between New York and Bangkok, one starts looking for a bed before the last leg of the trip - to Laos, Vietnam or any other country.
Does anyone know how I will be affected by the new visa rules?
Will I be permitted to stay repeatedly in the Kingdom for a total of max 90 days in a six month period or will I have used up my 'Visa Allowance' after entering three times on 30 day visas even if I stay only a couple of days each visit?
Frequent visits to the Kingdom
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arjay
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Assuming you arrive without previously having applied for a visa, you will be granted a 30 day VOA, which is just a stamp in your passport ( technically speaking not a visa).
As we understand it, they tell us that you are allowed up to a maximum of 90 days on that basis, - as you say within a 6 month period, - (which would normally mean 3 lots of 30 days). But they have emphasised that it is the number of days that count, not the number of arrival stamps. Therefore you should not have a problem, if you are only intending to stay for a few days each time.
For example, if only staying for 10 days each time, that should mean that you should be able to come and go 9 times in total.
Please note the use of the word "should". We are not all convinced that the Immigation Dept knows what it is doing, or is correctly interpretiing it's own regulations, or that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing! There currently seem to be many inconsistencies in how the rules are being applied at Consulates outside of Thailand.
You may have to point that that you have only stayed for xx days in total, when arriving on your third or fourth time.
As we understand it, they tell us that you are allowed up to a maximum of 90 days on that basis, - as you say within a 6 month period, - (which would normally mean 3 lots of 30 days). But they have emphasised that it is the number of days that count, not the number of arrival stamps. Therefore you should not have a problem, if you are only intending to stay for a few days each time.
For example, if only staying for 10 days each time, that should mean that you should be able to come and go 9 times in total.
Please note the use of the word "should". We are not all convinced that the Immigation Dept knows what it is doing, or is correctly interpretiing it's own regulations, or that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing! There currently seem to be many inconsistencies in how the rules are being applied at Consulates outside of Thailand.
You may have to point that that you have only stayed for xx days in total, when arriving on your third or fourth time.
I would bet that if you are only passing through,staying a few days ,they will never bother you.It is the intent of the immigrant that they will be concerned about 