Before booking one’s cheap flights to Thailand as well as other overseas destinations, it is imperative to have a sound knowledge of visa policies. Skim through this article for some quick facts on basic visa related rules and regulations.
Thailand, home to astounding places like Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, and Chiang Mai lures hordes of travellers into pouring their savings on airfares to the destination. A galore of attractions ranging right from swanky nightclubs and opulent shopping malls to magnificent sandy beaches and stunning temples are to be found in the country. Before making hotel reservations in the destination, it would be prudent to get acquainted with some information on the finer points of visa policy.
Entry without Visa
A British passport holder taking one of the flights to Thailand is allowed to enter the destination and stay there for a period of 30 days without procuring a visa in advance of entry into Thailand. The time frame is 15 days for travellers using overland crossings.
Penalty for Overstay
Whatever you save by booking cheap flights to Thailand may prove fruitless if you overstay your visa. Penalties can range from daily fine of 500 baht and extend up to 20,000 baht. Furthermore, one may have to undergo detention and get deported. The defaulter will have to pay the deportation cost. Thai authorities have stated that anyone overstaying by more than 42 days will face detention. Furthermore, one may even be black listed. This means that the defaulter would never be allowed to visit Thailand.
Where to Get Your Visa
If you are booking your flights to Thailand, make sure that you procure your visa only from a Thai embassy or consulate, Immigration offices around the country, and Immigration officers at any of the entry points into Thailand. These are the only legal channels.
Visa Application at the Royal Thai Embassy in London
Travellers booking cheap flights to Thailand can apply for a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in London. Applications can be submitted from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through Mondays to Fridays. Applicants receiving the green signal from authorities may collect their passport and visa from the office between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It takes two working days to process a visa application. The Embassy does not accept applications sent through courier or post. Postal applications should be sent to the Royal Thai Consulates in the UK and Ireland.
Visa Application Forms
British nationals as well as travellers of certain other nationalities planning to buy a Thailand ticket have to submit a duly filled visa application form along with 2 passport sized photographs. This form may be downloaded from the website http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk. Chinese and Nigerian nationals have to submit two application forms and two photographs, while certain other nationals have to give three forms and three photographs. These nations are Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestinian State, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, and Iran.
(Source: Websites of Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Thai Embassy in the UK.)
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