Because I lost my damn debit card I have to stay in Thailand over my alotted 30 days. After much debating on whether to just over stay the visa and pay at the airport on departuree (500 THB each day over) or to extend it for another 30 days, I decided just to extend it being that it was more cost efficient for my particular situation (1,900 THB).
Here’s my visa extension experiance start to finish:
I arrived by ferry at the Bangrak Pier (Big Buddha Pier) from Koh Tao (took a 9am boat). Checked into my hostel in Chaweng and headed to the immigration office. I had no idea where it was so just hopped onto a motorbike taxi, thinking it was rather close to Chaweng. I was wrong, 45 minutes, and some rain, later I was droppeed off at the immigration office (it is near Nathon Pier, which is on the opposite side of the island).
Monday’s are the immigration offices busy day, since they are closed on the weekends. I arrived to a building with a rather long line and very little order or direction.
What I needed to have:
-passport
-copy of passport *
–departure card (received at airport on arrival to Thailand)
-copy of departure card *
-extension form *
– 3.5X4.5 cm passport picture *
What I read about needing to have but didn’t need:
-proof of flight out of Thailand
– proof of funds equivalent to 15,000 – 20,000 THB in my bank account
* = Can be taken care of on site at immigration
I arrived with only my passport and was extremely worried, and stressed, because it was my last day of my 30 allotted days in Thailand and I thought I’d be screwed if something went wrong. Luckily, I had stuffed my departure card into my passport holder. I saw people with it and just about had a panic attack because I didn’t think I saved it (not sure what happens if you do not have the card… I assume they would just charge a fee for a new one). Next, I went to a little building next to the immigration office where a lady was charging 50THB to make copies of the required documents. Then across the street in a little café another lady does the required photos for 50THB. Last, I grabbed and filled out the extension form (in a box next to the window of the immigration office). Finally, I could line up in the line. After about 30 minutes I made it to the window. The lady took my stuff, asked for a Thai address and phone number (I just used my hostels address and number), and gave me a number to go inside the building with. Now, this is not a large building by any means. Maybe 10 people fit comfortably inside, and of course there were about 20 stuffed in there. I took the number, paid someone the 1,900 THB, took another picture and was handed another number. This time, to wait for my stamp. That took another 20 minutes, but after, I was done!
Through the process I had met some people and we all sort of helped each other out (pens, forms, where to go etc…) They were going back to Chaweng too so we were able to share a tuk-tuk truck making the journey back much cheaper.
FYI:
-If your visa expires on a weekend you will not be charged a late fee for going in the next open day (Monday).
– Office closes early on Fridays and lunch is from 12:00-13:00 each day.
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