The end of the visa run!
Feb 28, 2026 | 11:20 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,922
I am late to this topic and discussion. I have entered the Kingdom 3 times this calendar year as NZ citizen on the ‘visa free’ entry; 10 days in Feb for family wedding, 2 days stay on my way to Europe in July, and 6 days on my way back from Europe.
I arrive on Monday for 3 weeks vacation and consider I am a genuine tourist, and in any case too late to process a visa application. I will prepare as well as possible, including bringing equivalent THB 20,000 cash
Wish me good luck !
I arrive on Monday for 3 weeks vacation and consider I am a genuine tourist, and in any case too late to process a visa application. I will prepare as well as possible, including bringing equivalent THB 20,000 cash
Wish me good luck !
The Immigration Officer asked no questions, but did seem to look at every page in the my passport and her computer screen. And then stamped me in.
That was the 4th 'entry' within 2025.
Now, I'll be back in early May and intend staying 58 days, mainly at my wife's place that she has recently built. In my own mind I am not really doing too much tourism (whatever exactly that is), but rather staying and 'visiting family' - which means I should really get a paid Tourist Visa rather than arrive Visa-Free.
Sadly, the Thai Government wants NZD 300 (THB 5600) for a single entry tourist visa. I am a dual NZ/UK national, and for a Brit the fee is only GBP 30 (THB 1250). However, according to the Thai Embassy in London, I'd need to be residing in the UK to apply for a Tourist visa (I live in NZ), I suppose to cover the rare case of needing an interview. The other complication is that I think the house registration (baan tabien) is at the property which is needed for a "Letter of Invitation" - although our neighbours have a house key and could probably rustle it up.
I'm weighing up whether I should just turn up on a 60 day visa-free arrival using my UK passport (never used LOL), or enter on my NZ passport. Using my UK passport could invite scrutiny if there is routine identity matching and brings up my NZ profile " why are you using your UK PP?"
Or maybe just play it safe by getting a tourist visa LOL. Such weighty decisions!
Mar 1, 2026 | 12:15 am
#93
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, Mar LTT, Hyatt LTG, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,155
If I were you, I’d just rock up with the visa free and use the NZ passport. You aren’t the droid they are looking for.
Mar 1, 2026 | 12:53 am
#94
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,259
I would also go for visa free; it's close to 4 months between the stays and that should not be a problem. Will you arrive with Mrs. Kiwi, than you can go to the Thai channel and proceed to the booth together with your wife...no issue!
however as you might know, there is currently a discussion going on, whether to maintain 60 days visa free or reduce it back to 30 days; if the latter is implemented until then, you would have to extend your stay at a immigration office (1900 THB)
however as you might know, there is currently a discussion going on, whether to maintain 60 days visa free or reduce it back to 30 days; if the latter is implemented until then, you would have to extend your stay at a immigration office (1900 THB)