Visa Thailand: We are going on a cruise, which visa is needed?
Dear editors,
We will be in Thailand from January 14, 2016 to January 25, 2016. From January 25 to February 8, we will make a cruise from Bangkok on a German cruise ship. After that we will be in Thailand from February 8 to March 7 before we go home.
Which visa do we need? Get different answers from the Thai embassy.
Quick response
Hans
Dear Hans,
Let's put everything together first.
1. The total period of your trip (arrival-departure) is from 14 Jan to 7 Mar = 54 days
2. This period is divided into three
14 Jan to 25 Jan – Thailand = 12 days
25 Jan to 8 Feb – Cruise = 15 days
8 Feb to 7 Mar – Thailand = 29 days
The question is where that cruise is going? I mean, are there only islands / ports in Thailand, or does the cruise also go to another country (s)? This does make a difference. Now there are a few options you can consider.
A. If the cruise does not call in any other country, ie only has Thai ports/islands, then you will actually stay in Thailand for 54 uninterrupted days (14 Jan to 7 Mar).
In that case, an ordinary “Tourist visa Single entry” will suffice. This allows you to stay in Thailand for 60 days without interruption.
More than enough for your 54 day stay. Costs 30 Euros.
B. If the cruise docks in another country (or several countries), you effectively leave Thailand and the stay in Thailand is divided into two periods.
The first time 14 Jan to 25 Jan – Thailand = 12 days
The second time 8 Feb to 7 Mar – Thailand = 29 days
There are then the following options.
(1) Based on “Visa Exemption”
The first period is 12 days. Upon entering Thailand you will receive a 30-day “Visa Exemption” at the airport. More than adequate for that 12 day stay.
The second period is whether you will receive a 15 or 30 day “Visa Exemption” upon entry via a seaport. There are different opinions and reports about this.
One says 15 days because it is equated with an entry by land, others say it is 30 days because it is equated with an entry like in an airport.
Not sure but last I heard says 15 days. So let's assume that, because that is also "the worst case scenario".
Those 15 days are insufficient to bridge the remaining 29 days. No problem, because you can always have it extended by 30 days at Immigration. Costs 1900 Baht.
If it turns out that you will now receive a 30-day “Visa Exemption” upon arrival after your cruise, then you are of course in the right place. That is then sufficient to bridge the remaining 29 days and you do not have to ask for an extension.
(2) Based on “Visa Exemption” and “Tourist visa Single entry”.
You can apply for a “Tourist visa Single entry”, which must then be used for the second period. The first period of 12 days you use the “Visa Exemption” upon entry, and the second time you use your “Tourist visa Single entry” upon entry. You are then immediately relieved of that extension after 15 days, because you get 60 days of stay with your “Tourist visa”. The “Tourist visa” (30 Euro) is also slightly cheaper than an extension (1900 Baht). The problem here is that when you first arrive at the airport, you have to try to make it clear to the immigration officer not to immediately activate your “Tourist visa” for those 12 days, and that you only want a “Visa Exemption”. This can get difficult at times. Communication with them does not always go smoothly. However, it is not a disaster if your “Tourist visa” is activated upon entry, because then you immediately come to the third solution….
(3) Based on a “Tourist visa Single entry”
You get a "Tourist visa Single entry" and upon entry you get 60 days. You will then get an end date that is March 13 (if I count correctly). Before you leave on the cruise, you will get a “Re-entry”. Due to this “Re-entry”, the period of stay, which you obtained when you entered with your “Tourist visa”, will not expire when you leave Thailand. This means that upon your return, and thanks to the “Re-entry”, you will again receive the end date of March 13. More than adequate for your stay. You can obtain a “Re-entry” from the local immigration office of your place of residence. Best get there and in advance as I am not sure if you can request a “Re-entry” at the port. A “Single Re-entry” costs 1000 Baht. That is enough. Make sure you get that “Re-entry” before you leave on that cruise. After that it's too late. This is very important !!!
(4) Based on a “Tourist visa Double entry”. It is an "overkill" but I only give it to be complete.
Here you don't have to worry about anything, and you don't have to get an extension or “Re-entry”. The first period you use the first "Entry" of your visa. You will get 60 days. The second period you use the second “Entry” of your visa. You will again receive 60 days. Total price of such a “Tourist visa Double entry” is 60 Euro. An “overkill” for your period of stay, especially for the first period, I know, but I'll give them anyway. You decide.
The question that remains is how many days of “Visa Exemption” you will receive when you return from the cruise. 15 days or 30 days? I wish I could give you a straight answer to this, but I'm not sure. If you ask immigration, you will also get different answers there, and nowhere is it described what a seaport falls under. At least not for a "Tourist". It is different for the crew.
It would of course be a pity that you decide to get a “Tourist visa” (Single but certainly Double), and afterwards it turns out that you still get those 30 days “Visa Exemption”. It would then mean that you spent that money for nothing. Waste of money then. Maybe you should factor that into your decision.
I can't give any certainty about it myself at the moment, but if I have more news about this, I'll be sure to let you know.
I have tried to list the various possibilities, and hope that it has remained somewhat clear. If not, you can always contact me again for additional information.
In advance, have fun in Thailand and on the cruise.
Regards,
RonnyLatPhrao
Disclaimer: The advice is based on existing regulations. The editors accept no responsibility if this is deviated from in practice.