Any Americans ever sit in Bangkok? How did it go? What did you need in terms of immigration logistics? How did it go? Any advice?
Sits in that part of the world are very rare so if you’re joining in hopes of doing a lot of sitting there, you’ll probably be disappointed. You’d also likely be up against a good bit of competition so you’ll need a strong profile with a lot of reviews. As far as the process goes, it’d be like any international sit, I expect. You’re a tourist, not a house sitter, if immigration asks.
I’m English, but I’ve done a Bangkok sit. Most countries get 30 days free on arrival, any longer than that and you need to get a visa before you go. Always have a return flight booked.
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FWIW, US citizens get 60 days visa on arrival.
We’ve done two Thai THS sits, one in Northern Thailand, one on an island. 30 day visas for both, second one we renewed at local passport office for another 60 days for $90 as it was about 5 weeks long. We have a Brit and Turk passport between us. All easy, they didn’t ask about ongoing flights and we didn’t have one the first time but we did the second. SE Asia sits are fairly rare on THS and go fast, FB groups in Asia are quite a good source @walker3 #thaitips
As from July 2024 most countries can get 60 days free from arrival, and it can be extended for 30 days, so 90 days in total.
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I have never sat in Bangkok but have done a few sits elsewhere in Thailand. The country will be introducing an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for citizens of ‘visa-waiver’ countries that will need to be completed prior to your arrival. The exact release date has not been set but as of now, it says early December. I believe it is free as well.
This is a basic formality since it is for countries who are able to enter without visas, so you really don’t need to worry about getting denied for this, provided there is nothing in your background that could preclude approval, like certain criminal convictions.
Thailand now allows people to stay visa-free for 60 days and you are able to extend at a local immigration office for 30 days.
That’s interesting, it was 30 days when I went. I left just before they closed the borders because of COVID. It could possibly be to revitalise tourism after COVID.
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Just a note about these ETA programs that are becoming more common: just because you’re pre-approved online doesn’t mean you can’t be denied entry upon actual arrival. The immigration person you’re standing in front of always has the ability to turn you away, pre-approved or not. Something to keep in mind as I think people consider those approvals a guarantee when really they’re just a first step.
ETA - this is more of just a FYI vs to you specifically. 
Yes that is very true, but I think anyone who is approved to enter a country, whether by a previously issued ETA, or can just fly in without authorization of any kind because they are from a ‘visa-waiver’ country, is highly unlikely to be turned away once they get in the country unless they are flagged for some very specific reason. These sorts of travel authorizations are for citizens from ‘low-risk countries’ who do not require an actual visa.
But yes, this is one of those things that can happen in any destination.
So true @CreatureCuddler
As I learned at my job years ago, a visa allows you to knock on the door of a country and request entry. But upon arrival the doorman doesn’t need to open the door 
and let you in.
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I was on the main THS site yesterday and managed to catch a Bangkok sit. It must have just that moment appeared as there were 0 applicants. I had a very quick skim through the listing- 2 mins max- and by then there were two applicants. I then wrote a quick & short ‘save the space message’ and was obviously the 5th applicant as it went straight to reviewing! I estimate that the listing was visible for no more than 5-10 minutes max!
As we’d got our foot in the door we were able to write a proper application at leisure…phew! Waiting now for a response!
I’m not joking- you have to be like a greyhound reacting to the starting whistle to have a chance in Thailand and most other Asian countries, especially for the longer, more desirable sits!!
Re- visas. I checked that all out too before sending the main application. Its all just changed very recently… now 60 days visa-free entry for most countries…
@Chrissie you’ll be interested in this link
@walker3 DO NOT say you are housesitting. Too risky. You may be denied entry. The visa requirement is that you provide a hotel or apartment address if requested. Plus sufficient funds for the duration and an outgoing ticket for within 60 days to anywhere (except close neighbouring countries)
Good luck!
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That’s very interesting, I would book a hotel for the first night regardless, I was told that at the Thai embassy in Hull, UK, now closed, back in the days when you had a paper visa stuck in your passport, also have a bank statement ready to show customs, and definitely don’t mention house sitting, tourism only.
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