I wanted to post about something which is asked over and over on many forums and f/b groups, yet seems poorly misunderstood by a LOT of people.
The difference between a "visa exempt entry" and a "tourist visa entry".
People from 57 countries can stamped get into thailand (for varying amounts of time depending on nationality) by just showing up at the border or the airport.
They are stamped in on a "visa exempt entry" <- it has that catchy name because you didn't BUY a visa at a thai consulate before you got here, yet were given a permission to stay stamp for a period of time; ranging from 90 days, 30 days, 15 days or 14 days, depending on your country of origin and the way you entered thailand via air or land.
Since August 29 of 2014, most people here on a visa exempt stamp can go to the thai immigration office for their area and apply for a 30 day extension for 1900baht.
Please note: a visa exempt entry is NOT a "visa on arrival". <- That is what people from 19 countries BUY at when they enter thailand for 1000baht (the price is 2000baht but it's 50% off until Feb 28th, 2017).
I routinely read posts where people say they got a free "30 day tourist visa" or a free "30 day visa on arrival" when they entered thailand. As has been pointed out, there is NO "visa on arrival" that's good for 30 days (and a visa on arrival ain't free), nor is there such an animal as a 30 day tourist visa.
A "tourist visa" for thailand is something you BUY at a thai consulate before you come here and gives the holder a 60 day permission to stay stamp upon entering thailand.
They are sold 2 ways;Tourist visa entries can also be extended for 30 more days at your local immigration office for 1900baht.
- A single entry one is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and when you enter thailand you are stamped in for 60 days.
- A multi-entry tourist visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and is good for unlimited entries/exits to thailand for that time, with each entry getting you stamped in for 60 days.
Oh, just so you know; tourist visas for thailand are free at all thai consulates in the world until Feb 28th, 2017. This does not mean that people from anywhere in the world can waltz up to the nearest thai consulate and get a free tourist visa though. People from more than a few countries are required to apply for a tourist visa from the thai consulate in their country (or the one that services their country) BEFORE they come here.
I hope this helps people understand the difference between a "visa exempt" entry and entering the country on a tourist visa you got at a thai consulate before you came here. Good Luck..