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Answered2 years ago

Am I at risk of being denied entry to Thailand for visiting too often?

Richard *******
asked Dec 15, 2024
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I’m from Australia, I have visited Thailand three times in 2024 on a free Tourist  Visa.

Just back in Oz on December 14 

Heading back there on January 3 2025.

Am I in danger of being denied entry for too many trips?

If so, what would be the easiest option for a 60 day stay without needing money in a tight bank account.

Would appreciate any helpful advice 🙏😁
Answer summary
An Australian traveler expresses concern about being denied entry to Thailand after three visits in 2024 on a tourist visa, returning again in January 2025. Commenters provide insights on the possibility of immigration questioning based on frequent travel, the option of a Non-OA visa for long-term stays, and tips to ensure smooth entry into Thailand, such as having return travel documents and proof of funds.
54 repliesnewest first
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Nathan **********
Nathan **********
Just make sure you can prove you have a flight out
David *********
David *********
no problem with the amount of times you can travel back into Thailand as long as you fly from another country i fly into Thailand for 6 weeks fly back to Perth and the same day fly back to Thailand for 6 weeks all year round for the last 2 years that's 8 trips a year i keep all my free medical and cheap medication and evev my rental assistance which pays for my flights
Nicholas ************
Nicholas ************
Not sure if correct but if by calendar year 2025 you have a new start for the coming year
Bonnie *********
Bonnie *********
@Nicholas ***********
That is not correct.
Vijay *****
Vijay *****
Also consider DTV...easy visa
Andrew ***********
Andrew ***********
I'm in the same boat as you I entered 4 times in 2024 I'm currently at home uk and am returning in January when I entered in October they pulled me aside and grilled me but eventually let me in make sure you have onward travel within 60 days, 20k baht
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Andrew **********
just so people have a measure, how many total days had you been in Thailand when Thai immigration started to question you ?
Andrew ***********
Andrew ***********
@Ken **********
around 120 but that Included 2x extension in 2024 when it was 30 days and 1 border run lol
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Andrew **********
thanks, good to know
Peter ********
Peter ********
Iv done 7 trips to Thailand so far ,no problems,no 8 this Fri 😎
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Peter *******
how many days total have you been in Thailand in these 7 trips ?
Peter ********
Peter ********
Peter ********
Peter ********
They want U to get a retirement visa
Peter ********
Peter ********
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Peter *******
yes. It seems the closer a person reaches 180 days, the more likely Immigration will question.
Jo **********
Jo **********
no
Thomas *******
Thomas *******
Make sure you have all the necessary documents in case they ask. I’ve done 210 days in Thailand this year with back-to-back re-entries and have never been asked for proof of onward travel. Remember, Thailand wants tourists, so present yourself as one. Good luck!
Michael **********
Michael **********
Well, if each stay was for a week or so then you won't have any issues. If each time you visit thailand you stay there for a month or over then you might get a very hard time when u get in. The 3rd time I tried to get in the country last year I got asked a lot of questions at the immigration, I had to show my ticket off and that I had enough money to live there. I got free when I showed them I have a business (a cram school) in another country and that I was there just for holidays
Jim ************
Jim ************
If you're going to do it regularly from now on, look at your long-term visa options.
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
How many total days on each if your previous visits ? Did you extend your visa exempt for 30 more days ?
Richard *******
Richard *******
OP
@Ken **********
I stayed 58 days, which is two days under the maximum 60 day free Visa allowance.

No extension was applied for 
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Richard ******
it is up to the immigration officer, good that you didn't get extensions but you might get flagged. If you want to continue staying several months per year, I suggest you get a longterm visa. Chok dee
Georges *****
Georges *****
@Ken **********
yes, you understood very well my situation : first border run ever (and not planning to come back the same day but to stay 1 week in the country I will choose for border run) after an extension of 30 days.

I can totally imagine that if I want to repeat the same pattern right after, then it could be a red flag.

That’s why I will look for visa options after doing that !

Thanks a lot for your enlightenment ahah 🙏🏻🇹🇭😊
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Georges ****
just to get the terminology correct, you are planning a border run unless you plan to get an actual visa in the other country.

If this is your first border run, you should be able to do an extension for 30 days and then do a border run for 60 day visa exempt entry. ; however, after that any subsequent border runs become more likely to raise a red flag to the immigration officer. Nothing is set in stone, but that is my experience.
Georges *****
Georges *****
@Ken **********
thank you for your answer. I’ve never done a visa run in my life but this time my plan is to do an extension after my 60 days end and then go out of Thailand for let’s say, 1 week, and to come back. You think I should better not do an extension and go out of the country for border run instead in order to have 60 new exempt visa days ?
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Georges ****
yes. If a person maxes out the 60 days and then extends for 30 days everytime, it is a red flag to immigration. Of course, I think two visa exempt and two extensions for a total of 180 days is just as bad as three visa exempt for the same 180 days.
Georges *****
Georges *****
@Ken **********
why do you say it’s good he didn’t get any extensions ? Do you think getting an extension after your 60 days exemption visa and then after that extension going out of the country and coming back is a bad idea regarding the Thai immigration ? Tx
Bullock *********
Bullock *********
If immigration sees too many entries they can deny you, it happened to me. Now I have a long term visa.
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Bullock ********
It's not the number of entries that matter but the length of time you stay each entry especially if you get the extension, that's not tourist behaviour
Bullock *********
Bullock *********
@Graham *****
No, it's the entries. Are you a Thai immigration officer who told me it? No.. Zip it 🤐
Bonnie *********
Bonnie *********
@Bullock ********
Okay new facebook account.
Mike ********
Mike ********
@Bullock ********
they gave me a hard time in July had to show them my return flight and my residency. Was told to get a retirement visa. I don't want to keep 800K in Bank. I hope they don't give me a hard time in January. I'll be asking for a 30 day extension which costs $1900 Baht anyway
Patricia ********
Patricia ********
I used to come in every month, no problem.
Liam ***********
Liam ***********
Same here, four visits for a month each time last year no problem whatsoever
Eric ******
Eric ******
I've read if you fly in its better for your chances. And it will be a new calendar year, so I would think you're good, but there are way more qualified people to answer than me. Good luck with it.
Bob *********
Bob *********
Just back from 4th visit 2024 no probs at all at immigration
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Bob ********
how many total days for the year.
Frankie *******
Frankie *******
Max is 180 days total per year
Graham ******
Graham ******
@Frankie ******
no it is not
John **********
John **********
If you're coming that often and you're over 50 you could look at the Non-OA visa in your home country. No money in a Thai bank required but you will need insurance
Richard *******
Richard *******
OP
@John *********
Would travel insurance for my length of stay suffice to meet this insurance requirement?
Ken ***********
Ken ***********
@Richard ******
the insurance for a Non OA must be from a Thai insurance company.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
@Ken **********
not true. For the first two years of a Non-Imm-O/A visa, the insurance can be a foreign insurance. He just needs the insurance company to fill out the F.I.C. form . . .the Thai tgia-listed insurances only become mandatory if you change from the visa to the 1-year Extension of Stay
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Richard ******
entry without a visa is up to the IO.

Make sure you have the 3 requirements for entry and if questioned advise your purpose is for tourism.

Re bank account you will find it difficult or impossible without an agent.

Good luck
Mike ********
Mike ********
@Phil *****
true they gave me a hard time in July had to show them my return ticket and my place of residence
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Mike *******
ok. This is part of the 3 requirements
Mike ********
Mike ********
I also own a condo there in Jomtien
Mike ********
Mike ********
3 months there 3 months home then 89 days total 179 days a year
Mike ********
Mike ********
@Phil *****
I only want to stay 90 days and now 89 days twice a year
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
It's 60 days entry without a visa for Aus passport. And can extend that for 30 days at your immigration office.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
Darin ********
Darin ********
@Lynnette ******
100 💯 correct, start of new year so 60 days and 1800 baht for 30 days extension
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
@Darin *******
it being a new year I don’t think makes any difference, because as far as I know there is no rule or regulation about how many times you can come into Thailand per year . I think it’s just up to the immigration officer at the airport. If he thinks you’re trying to cheat the system by not getting a proper visa then he may deny you entry. 
Mike ********
Mike ********

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