Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has announced that citizens in 48 countries, including South Africa, will now be able to get a 30-day extension of their stay in Thailand on their normal period of stay.
While South Africans applying for Visa Exemption as tourists were previously eligible for 30-day stay permits, they can now stay in Thailand for 60 days should they opt to apply for the 30-day extension.
The application process will cost 1900 Baht (R635, 03) per person. Should the application be denied, visitors will have to leave Thailand within seven days after the expiry of the normal period.
Lesley Simpson, South Africa’s Tourism Authority of Thailand representative says, “Allowing visitors to stay on beyond their normal period will be a boost for the increasing number of global travellers who have already covered much of the world and now want to focus on specific destinations. It will also be a boost for those coming for niche-market activities; such as voluntourism, health and wellness, or sports.”
