Multiple Entry Tourist Visas
You can indicate how many entries you would like to have when applying for a tourist visa. For example, you could apply for a double entry tourist visa if you wanted to stay for 120 days in Thailand. The first time you enter Thailand, the visa will be marked. You will be given 60 days in the same way you would if you were entering on a single entry tourist visa. The difference is that when your 60 days areover, you are free to do a visa run to a nearby border. When you decide to re-enter Thailand, you will be granted another 60 days. The
concept is the same as having two tourist visas in one. The same logic can be applied to triple entry tourist visas which would give 180
days.
Different places will yield different results in obtaining these longer term visas. Quite simply, some places tend to act more favorably than other places. Generally, countries in the west are quite friendly. I can attest to the fact that Washington DC has always handled my requests promptly in a hassle-free manner. However, there are many reports claiming that certain places are terrible for applying for visas.
The most notable that comes to mind is Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Manilla also frequently gets criticism. These things change from time totime. As of now, there are some favorable places to go which are quite close for those already in Thailand. Penang, Malaysia and Vientiane are often used by many. Companies specializing in making visa runs easy and effortless have introduced services that take travelers to Vientiene and back in order for them to obtain a new tourist visa. This provides a loophole to the new restrictions placed on the visa exemption scheme.
