Using Thailand as your Base

[chusayo2003]

I am thinking of using Thailand, Pattaya in particular, as my base for an extended Tourist trip in Asia & Oceania.

 

I am planning on flying out of NYC on November 23, 2007 and returning somewhere between December 22, 2007 - January 5, 2008.

 

I plan on visiting Shanghai and Australia.

 

My friends who have lived in Asia say it is cheaper to book my flight to Bangkok in the US and then arrange for my tickets to Shanghai and Sydney in Thailand. Is this true?

 

Will I have a problem with my Visa in Thailand if my return date is longer than the normal 30 day stay?

[Lumbai5]

Will I have a problem with my Visa in Thailand if my return date is longer than the normal 30 day stay?

Just got back from LOS

 

Flew into BKK from LAX direct flight on Thai Airways did pattaya then started traveling Laos & vietnam when I came back across the border from Laos they extended my stay another 30 days (tempting)

 

If you stay in Thailand longer than 30 days there are ways to get it extended

 

I found it much cheaper to fly out of BKK and they have flights to everywhere

Edited August 26, 2007 by Lumbai5

[Scumbag]

I can't comment on the price of flights.

 

If you arrive in Thailand without a visa and an exit flight date more than 30 days after arrival you may have a problem. They are checking flight tickets on arrival in Thailand at the moment. To be safe I'd suggest getting a 60 day tourist visa before you come. This will cover your first visit and subsequent entries can be under the no-visa entry system.

[danno6]

I did this 2 years ago, travelling to Thailand as a base, and then planning side trips to bejiing and bali. The fares were much cheaper bought in thailand than what I could find in America. My only advise, however, is to get the tickets immediately upon arrival in thailand, for no other reason that if you don't there is a great potential you will just hang out in thailand and never leave!

 

I cannot answer the >30 day issue...last time I had an open-ended ticket was in 98...not a problem back then!