Can my Chinese wife holiday in Thailand on a tourist visa.

[bluezephyr]

My wife and I are thinking of visiting HH for Sonkran next year . then fly to Bejing or Shenyang after a week for 2 weeks with the inlaws.

She is Chinese but stays in the uk on a dependant visa but is in full time work for a bank.

Can we come over and just fill out the 30day visa on the plane or will she have to apply before properly?

[pharvey]

My wife and I are thinking of visiting HH for Sonkran next year . then fly to Bejing or Shenyang after a week for 2 weeks with the inlaws.

She is Chinese but stays in the uk on a dependant visa but is in full time work for a bank.

Can we come over and just fill out the 30day visa on the plane or will she have to apply before properly?

Hi bluezephyr.... My wife is also Chinese but we're living in China - we also have friends in the UK on ''dependent visas'' who have travelled to Thailand previously. As far as I am aware, you cannot get the 30 day visa on arrival, but there is the facility to apply on arrival.

Personally, I have to have everything arranged before travel (engineer, so completely anal) and would strongly suggest that you apply for a visitors visa beforehand - this is always done before my wife and I travel... inexpensive and piece of mind as best you can.

I have known several Chinese friends to apply on arrival, 99% accepted but 2 or 3 hours to process..... with one or two sent home.

[lomuamart]

Here's a list of the countries that can get a 30 day visa exempt stamp at the airport. As indicated above, China is not one of them:
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490
And a bit more about visas on arrival:
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2491
Would agree that to get a Tourist visa before traveling would give you flexibility with your length of stay in Thailand. They're free until the end of March 2011 (as long as it's granted by then it'll be valid for 60 days and so cover your trip at Sonkran. Your wife will get a 60 day permitted to stay stamp on entry here).

[bluezephyr]

Thanks for your advice.

See you hopefully in April 'HH' old friend