Legal & Visa Updates

Last year, the Pattaya Times was the first news outlet to announce the free tourist visas available at Thai Consulates outside of Thailand. This program has been extended until March 4,2010, says Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa–archa.

To apply, go to any Thai Consulate in your home country or if you are already in Thailand go to Kuala Lumpur or Penang in Malaysia, Vientiane, Laos, Phoneme Pen, Cambodia or Singapore.

“The first two-month visa is free. You will receive two months visa and then pay 1,900 baht to your local immigration office for a one month extension,” said Drew Noyes, Managing Director of PAPPA Legal and Visa Services on Thepprasit Road.

After your third month you must cross any country border and return and you will get 60 more days. Then when that extension is about to expire you go again to your local Immigration Bureau office (Pattaya has an office on Jomtien Beach Road Soi 5) and pay 1,900 baht for 30 more days, Drew said.