Traveling to Thailand for Tourism

Thailand is a breathtakingly gorgeous country. Its tropical climate and diverse culture serve as natural drawcards for individuals who live on the other side of the globe. Thailand’s tourist business generates a large portion of the country’s economy, making it the far-tourism east’s powerhouse. What if you live in another nation and wish to visit Thailand for a vacation? It won’t be as simple as going for a walk in the park, wandering about, and then leaving. Before you board the plane destined for the “country of smiles,” there are some rules to follow and documentation to prepare.

Visiting Thailand as Tourist

You are a tourist if you visit Thailand for the aim of leisure, sightseeing, or personal enlightenment. In Thailand, tourists are not permitted to work or do business. A visitor needs a tourist visa to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days while conducting his or her explorations and excursions. Most tourists must now get a tourist visa from the Thai Embassy or Consulate due to the COVID 19 epidemic.

What is a Thailand Tourist Visa?

A Thailand tourist visa is a stamp or paperwork that allows you to enter Thailand for tourism for a set length of time. It is issued by a Thai embassy or consulate in your country and is stamped in your passport when you arrive at Thailand’s airport. If necessary, the tourist visa might be extended. The visa exemption stamp issued at the airport should not be confused with the tourist visa.

Certain countries have reached arrangements with Thailand’s government to allow their nationals to enter Thailand as tourists without requiring a visa. These visitors can stay in Thailand for 45 to 90 days without needing to apply for a tourist visa at the Thai Embassy.

Requirements of a Tourist Visa to Thailand

To obtain a tourist visa, you must submit certain documents and pay certain expenses. The documentation and fees are subject to change at any time and without warning, so a prospective Thai tourist should check for the most up-to-date information before traveling to Thailand.

Documents required:

• Passport or travel document valid for at least six months
• Application for a visa (filled out)
• one (1) recent photos of the applicant (4x6cm)
• e-ticket or round-trip flight ticket (paid in full)
• Financial proof (20,000 baht per person/40,000 baht per family) is required.
• Evidence of hotel or private lodging

Remember that consular authorities maintain the right to seek more documentation if they feel it essential, so arrive in good health and with your paperwork and documentation.

Visa Fee:

$30.00 USD (or similar) per entry the tourist visa fee is subject to change without notice, so it’s a good idea to check with your local Thai embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Application for COE

A traveler must also apply for a COE, or certificate of entry, from the local Thai Embassy or Consulate, in addition to the Tourist Visa. To apply for a COE, fill out the online application and provide supporting papers such as a copy of your passport, a copy of your valid visa, and COVID-19 travel insurance. Applicants who meet the requirements will be screened and pre-approved by the Embassy. The flight information and quarantine hotel reservation are uploaded in the second step of the COE application. The COE must be applied for at least 5 to 15 days before your journey to Thailand.

Validity of the Tourist Visa and Permit to Stay

A tourist visa’s validity varies from 3 to 6 months, depending on how many entries you make across the land border or from the airport. If you entered Thailand through an international airport, you will be given a 60-day stay permit.

Please don’t get the validity of the visa and the stay permission mixed up. The visa’s validity, as specified on your visa sticker, is the amount of time you have to use it or enter Thailand. The number of days you are legally allowed to stay in Thailand is determined by the permit to remain. When you arrive at the airport or border, you will be given stay permission.

Tourist Visa Extension in Thailand

If you enter Thailand through an airport or land border, you will be given a 60-day tourist visa at the immigration checkpoint, following which you must leave the country on or before the visa’s expiration date. If you want or need to stay longer in Thailand, the tourist visa permit-to-stay can be extended. You must apply for a stay extension at the Office of Immigration Bureau, which is located at Government Complex Chaengwattana Road in Bangkok and has a contact center number of 1178. Keep in mind that the outcome of your application for an extension of stay is entirely up to the judgment of the immigration officer handling your case.