Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your planned departure.
A tourist visa is good for 60 days and can be gotten through a Thai Embassy or consulate in your country. This can be done by mail. The cost is $25. Once issued, the visa must be used (started) within 90 days of the date issued. The visa is invalid upon departure from Thailand even if the visitor hasn't stayed 60 days.
There are other types of visas but generally they don't apply to those visiting Thailand for a holiday.
Overstaying your visa is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. On the one hand, you can clear up an overstay when you leave Thailand by paying your fine at the airport - 200 baht per day with a maximum of 20,000 baht.
On the other hand, you are subject to arrest. Even if the police stop you for something else, if they find out you have overstayed you visa, they can arrest you. Being arrested is fairly common and it is extremely unpleasant. The Immigration Detention Centers are notorious for being not only highly uncomfortable, but extremely dangerous.
In addition to fines and detention, it is possible to be deported and black listed. That means you can never come back to Thailand.
Always make sure you are in Thailand legally.
Note: Announcement have been recently made by the Thai Government that Visa Rules are under review and some have been changed.
Visa Charges:
- Transit visa - single entry Bt 800
- Tourist visa - single entry Bt 1,000
- Non-Immigrant visa - single entry Bt 2,000
- Non-Immigrant visa - multiple entry for use within one year Bt 5,000
- Application for visa extension Bt 1,900
- Application for a single Re-entry Permit Bt 1,000
- Application for a multiple Re-entry Permit Bt 3,800
- Application for a Residence Permit Bt 7,600
- Approval of a residence permit
(payable on receipt of residence book) Bt 192,400 - Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) for a foreigner married to a Thai, the spouse of a resident, and any of their children who have not reached the status of a Thai juristic person (i.e., unmarried children aged below 20 years) Bt 95,700
Visa regulations affecting nationals of certain countries differ. Open the window to see a printable page with details of these requirements and for a list of immigration checkpoints. ... Thailand visa
Thai Customs Information
Thailand customs clearances and dutiable items require certain formalities. Open the window to see a printable page with details of these requirements and for a list of illegal items. ... Thailand customs entry
More Thai Consular Details
Retirement, residency and long-stay programs are currently under review by the Office of Interior Minister. The information presented below is the latest we have available. We will update this information as soon as we have it..
Visa based on Retirement in Thailand
General Requirements for Thai Visas
These guidelines changeoften. If in doubt about any detail, contact a Thai consulate.
Detailed procedures, on a printable page, for obtaining a Thai visa ... getting a visa for Thailand
Additional Thailand Consular Resources
A List of Royal Thai Consulates
Links to Honorary Consulates
Honorary Thai Consulates in the Americas
Honorary Thai Consulates in Asia Pacific
Honorary Thai Consulates in Europe
Honorary Thai Consulates in the Middle East
Link to Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. Thai Embassy