Changes to Visa Exempt Entries after August 29th 2014

[lomuamart]

It appears that from August 29th 2014, it will be possible to extend a 30 day visa exempt stamp for a further 30 days at an Immigration Office within Thailand. Currently, these entry stamps can only be extended by 7 days.
The required paperwork for the extension will be:

Onward flight ticket or eticket out of the country within the extra 30 days
Minimum 10-20K THB (this monetary requirement is not clear)
Confirmation of hotel booking and if you have it an itinerary
One passport photo
1,900 THB

NB It further appears that the above requirements will now be needed for extensions to tourist visas as well.

So, after the end of August, people will be able to stay in Thailand for a period of 60 days without a visa rather than the 37 currently.

It also seems as though the lifetime ban from the country imposed on someone who has overstayed more than 10 years has been rescinded.

It's expected that there will be further clarification to these new regulations and new ones coming out soon, so keep referring to this section for the latest developments.

[dozer]

All seems very fair to me; clearly, they are not targeting genuine tourist, but the folks who abuse the system. Presently tourists have to leave and re-enter to extend their stay and it’s the neighboring countries who cash in on visa fees, now they will get ฿1900 for every extension.

[Thriftydrifter]

But I thought the initial 30 day visa exempt period require the possession of an air ticket out of Thailand within the 30 days? If so I'm not sure the ability to extend is much use, given the usual cost of changing a flight date - a 60 day visa will be much cheaper. As far as I recall we paid THB1100 for our 60 day visas in Penang.

[Pleng]

But I thought the initial 30 day visa exempt period require the possession of an air ticket out of Thailand within the 30 days?

I've never been asked to show an outward ticket when coming on a 60 day tourist Visa (mind you, I've only ever done that twice...)

I'm not sure the ability to extend is much use, given the usual cost of changing a flight date - a 60 day visa will be much cheaper.

I don't think this is being touted as a cheaper option to stay for 60 days. This, to me, looks like it's for people who have genuinely come for an initial period of 30 days, and who have decided, whilst here, that they'd like to stay a little longer.

[lomuamart]

There certainly might need to be an alteration to the requirement for an outward ticket within 30 days if this goes through.
There has never been a requirement to show onward or return travel if arriving with a proper visa although the indications are that this might change if you extend a tourist visa.
As always, things are hazy at the beginning. We'll need to see how the regulations develop.

[Thriftydrifter]

The requirement by countries for an onward ticket is a real pain for those of us with flexible plans. We haven't even decided where we are going next, possibly back to India - but I certainly wouldn't want to have bought a ticket to India before being confident that I will be able to get a visa, for which I need to be in Bangkok. Catch 22! The requirement seems pretty pointless anyway - if someone is planning on overstaying, the cost of a $30 throwaway flight isn't going to deter them.

[SunandFun]

Just saw tho spotted from one of my local friends. May help some ex pats.

Good news for all Farang in Thailand, from August longer visa extensions.

The Immigration Bureau has announced that of August 29. 2014 you will be able to extend your visa exemption period whilst you’re in Thailand by 30 days, instead of the current 7 days, giving a total visa-exemption stay of 60 days. The fee for extension of stay is 1,900 Baht (unchanged).

Currently, a visa exemption entry can be extended by 7 days at your nearest Immigration office. From August 29th, it can be extended by 30 days. In effect, you can be in the country without a visa for 60 days.

Also – the Commander of Immigration has removed the proposed lifetime ban for overstaying 10 years. Thaivisa will publish the new, more lenient rules shortly.

The Immigration Commander has also stated that immigration are working to ensure that the new rules are being standardized at both immigration checkpoints and immigration offices nationwide.

If you are traveling on visa-exempt or with a tourist visa, bring these documents for your extension:

1. Your onward flight ticket or eTicket out of Thailand within the 30 days

2. Minimum 10,000 Baht, or rather 20,000 Baht

3. Hotel booking confirmation – and if you have it, your itinerary

4. One photo, passport sized.

5. Application fee, 1,900 Baht

It is not clear whether after 29th August this will still be an automatic refusal stamp with 30 days to leave, or whether the procedure will be changed and you will instead be granted an extension of 30 days.

[Thriftydrifter]

What do they expect to see in regards to the money - cash, or a print out of your balance (screenshot)? The hotel booking could be a issue too if they expect to see bookings covering the whole 30 day period.

Our visa expires on 23rd August - how early can we apply for an extension? We have an apartment rented until 2nd Sept - otherwise I think I would just have given up and planned to leave on Aug 22nd.

[dozer]

Go see immigration now, I believe you can apply for an extension quite a few days before expiration