Anyone who’s spent time in Thailand knows it’s a very hard place to leave. The food, the beaches, the people. It basically traps you.

That’s why having the ability to extend your Thai tourist visa is such a useful thing. Instead of heading back to your dreary, boring life in the West, you can extend your stay in Thailand for an extra 30 days.

In the past, all tourist visa extensions in Bangkok took place at one location. Now, there are two locations–depending on which Thai tourist visa you are on.

With that said, we are going to give you the lowdown on where–and how–to extend your tourist visa in Bangkok. So you can make it a smooth and easy process. And also so you don’t overstay your visa and end up on Thailand’s blacklist.

Where to extend a Thai tourist visa in Bangkok

Visa-Exempt Entry: Laksi IT Mall

As of early 2023, all visa-exempt entry tourist extensions in Bangkok take place at a new location: Laksi IT Mall.

It’s an old, rundown in the north of Bangkok. It will take you at least 45 minutes or more to go there from central Bangkok no matter if you take public transportation or a taxi. Search for “IT Square Lak Si” on Google Maps.

Go to the top floor armed with your passport, fill out the forms, and then go to the printing shop next to the queues to make copies of your passport page and entry stamp. You can also get passport photos made there, as well.

Depending on the time you go and apply for the tourist visa extension, the wait can take hours. It can be a really dreadful place.

Standard or Multiple Entry Tourist Visas: Chaengwattana Immigration Building B

Standard tourist visas or multiple entry tourist visa holders must go to the actual Bangkok Immigration Office in Chaengwattana (search “Immigration Division 1” on Google Maps).

This location is not far from the IT Mall Laksi visa extension office so you need to give yourself anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half to arrive. On the plus side, the building is a lot nicer and more official than the Laksi location.

Once you arrive the process is the same. Fill out the visa extension form and head down to the bottom floor to make copies at one of the two printing shops–and passport photos if you need them.

How to extend a tourist visa in Bangkok

Extending a Thai tourist visa isn’t a complicated process. Simply follow these practical tips and you should have no problem:

Arriving early or late is best: In general, you are much better off arriving early or late when choosing to extend your Thai visa. Either beat the crowds or wait until they dwindle. Visa exemption applications can be submitted until 3 pm.
Don’t arrive at noon: The immigration officers take their lunch break at noon until 1 pm. That means if you arrive at noon you’ll be sitting around waiting an hour for no reason.
Make sure it’s not a Thai holiday: Immigration offices are closed on Thai holidays so plan around them and don’t make a wasted 20+ km trip (complete list of Thai holidays in 2024).
Come Prepared: Make sure you bring your passport, passport photos, and 1,900 baht in cash to pay for the tourist visa extension. If you don’t have passport photos, you can make them on-site.
Apply for the visa extension: Fill out and submit the visa extension form and your documents.
Wait patiently: Those familiar with applying for tourist visa extensions in Bangkok know how much of a time-consuming headache it can be. Thousands of tourists go to extend their Thai visas every day in Bangkok. So be patient and bring some entertainment to hold you over.

Sure, extending a Thai tourist visa in Bangkok can be an extremely annoying and time-consuming endeavor. But it’s also totally worth it. You’ll have 30 more days to explore one of the best countries in the world at your leisure.

Just make sure you go to the right place!