A passport valid for six months beyond the date of entry is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Pets must first be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies (between 21 days and 12 months) before entering the country.

An import permit is required if staying at the country longer than six months and bringing three or more pets.

Pets younger than four months and the breeds of Pit bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier are prohibited from entering the country.

Due to issues with 'begpackers', Thailand now requires travellers to provide proof of sufficient funds and a confirmed ticket to leave Thailand within the time of their entry stamp when entering the country. Please see the visa section for more information.

Visas usually take two working days to process if submitted in person, or if applied via post, it could take between three to five working days. It varies depending on where you apply for your visa. The Thai embassy in Laos and the UK issues visas overnight, but the Thai embassy in Cambodia takes 4 working days.

Due to issues with 'begpackers', proof of adequate finances for the duration of your stay in Thailand is required at the point of entry into the country (please see the information under 'Visas').

Visa-exempt nationals wishing to leave Thailand and re-enter the country after their initial 15 or 30 days may only stay for a maximum of 90 days in a six-month period.

Be wary of visa-run or visa extension services offering to renew your visa - these are illegal and each year a number of tourists are jailed, having turned up to border crossings with a fake Thailand visa or entry stamp in their passport.

Thailand visa extensions must be made before the current visa runs out. A lengthy overstay can incur a maximum penalty of a time in jail before being deported and banned from returning to the country. If you wish to extend your stay, contact the Immigration Bureau (www.immigration.go.th).