Answered10 months ago
Are there issues with entering Thailand multiple times on a visa-exempt basis?
For anyone who was concerned — I’ve just cleared immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the sixth time this year. The officer greeted me with a big smile and stamped my passport without a single question. That brings my total stay this year to around 100 days, never exceeding 25 days and always returns to my home town.
Conclusion- if you are a legitimate tourist, there is no need to worry about the new immigration rules .
Conclusion- if you are a legitimate tourist, there is no need to worry about the new immigration rules .
Answer summary
A user shares their smooth experience clearing immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the sixth time in a year without issues, suggesting that legitimate tourists need not worry about new immigration rules. Comments reveal diverse opinions and insights about current visa-exempt entry processes, border running concerns, and differing experiences based on individual circumstances. Some users express relief about their unhindered entries while others discuss potential future immigration challenges. The conversation also touches on the discretion of immigration officers and the upcoming changes to rules starting in 2026.
66 repliesnewest first
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Jim **********
The real shit show will start in 2026 on third tourist visa entry
Every thing resets at the start of the year so this year doesn’t matter
Every thing resets at the start of the year so this year doesn’t matter
Kevin **********
Same here,11 entries in the last 12 months however most were 2-3 days with the longest being 9. Always returning to my county of residence and staying in a hotel. Normally stamped straight through with no questions nor being asked to show a return ticket or proof of funds. Visits spaced fairly evenly and employed in an industry giving staff tickets.
Elena *********
Lucky you, 3rd entry back, under the 150 days, been to Vietnam twice in that time averaging 18 days. On returning from Vietnam Sunday 21st Dec, husband and i went through 2 separate immigration lines due to plane being over an hour late thefore almost missing our bus transfer, whuch we did anyway! I went through no problems, my husband denied entry, we had the exact same documents and time frames, he just had that arsehole type of immigration officer we were warned about. No reason given for being detained and no communication. The fact that i was granted entry still bamboozeled us! So he was sent back to ho chi minh and then back to Oz. Found out later, almost 900 were refused entry that day. When i left BKK, i questioned a immigration officer. Final words were "we have a certain quota each day to fulfill denying entry" seriously!!!
Thailand immugration/government wondering why they are loosing tourists. It still seems surreal. Oh well, a country we love, no longer do. Good excuse to venture beyond the toxic rulers!!!!!!
Thailand immugration/government wondering why they are loosing tourists. It still seems surreal. Oh well, a country we love, no longer do. Good excuse to venture beyond the toxic rulers!!!!!!
Luc ************
Here now on my 4th entry this year. Almost reaching the 180 days but never did an extension so nothing to worry about.
Bernhard ***********
You need a lot of bum bum to fly so many times 😄
Viktoria *********
what a bore
John ************
Thats because they are going back to multiple in and outs and Marijuana is legal again, until tomorrow when it all changes to something else
Luc ************
@Peter ******
#3 is wrong. 🙄🙄🙄
Munich *****
I did same 5 times this year... No questions raised or comments given... And I have an additional stamp from a Cambodia trip ik February
Terry *********
Thank you for this, just about to enter again for 4th time and last was in April, currently visiting Philippines… made me feel so much better 🙏🏻
Paul *******
Hi Terry
My experience on Christmas day!
Last minute decision to come to Thailand, booked flight Last week
Arrived from Ireland 4th time this year on visa exempt, each visit 4 weeks holiday, no border runs or extensions
Greeted by the io in survanambhi airport, stamped in and absolutely no problem
There clamping down on people who try to live here without the proper visa, simple!
Genuine tourists with multiple entries and retuning to there county have absolutely nothing to worry about!
Enjoy your stay 🙏👌
My experience on Christmas day!
Last minute decision to come to Thailand, booked flight Last week
Arrived from Ireland 4th time this year on visa exempt, each visit 4 weeks holiday, no border runs or extensions
Greeted by the io in survanambhi airport, stamped in and absolutely no problem
There clamping down on people who try to live here without the proper visa, simple!
Genuine tourists with multiple entries and retuning to there county have absolutely nothing to worry about!
Enjoy your stay 🙏👌
Dennis *********
Amazing all the immigration experts on every post like this and none of them work for Thai Immigration. And of course the “legitimate tourist” “the new rules” and “there are no new rules”
David ********
Now try entering Malaysia...
CreativeCr***********
It depends on your luck....
Debra ************
CreativeCrocodile6413 now that I believe
Ralf **********
Thinking positive and everything will working well 😎
Ian **********
150 days visa-exempt is the trigger point
Todd *********
@Ian *********
trigger point for what? Questioning by IO… maybeLuc ************
@Ian *********
157 days.
Darren *******
Just entered for my 8th time this year, all visa exempt but longest stay being about a week. No problems when you're a genuine tourist.
Martin ********
@Darren ******
you will upset all the fearmongers who were spouting shite a few weeks back.Darren *******
@Martin *******
shite happens mate 🤣🤣🤣 see you later tonight
Gerry *******
@Darren ******
And rightly so, because tourism is the mainstay of this economy!
Albert *************
It's holidays time and they know it. Plus just staying repeatedly for not more than a month doesn't ring any bell to them.
Tony ***********
Excatly Right
Mick *****
The man is a philatelist
Kevin ********
I think we should be careful with this type of post where it gives the wrong impression as far as the rules are concerned
Michael ********
@Kevin *******
think you should stop posting and giving the wrong impression, learn the rules first before telling others
Andrew *******
@Kevin *******
It really doesn’t unless you are staying here by maximising Visa Exemptions + Extensions. This really isn’t that hard.
Jonny *********
@Kevin *******
it's the extention that creates the problem entering, not the exemption. You can travel in and out of Thailand multiple time in a year, just as long as you do extend your trip every time. Also limited to 150 days pr calender year
Kim *******
@Jonny ********
Exactly. It's the extensions of the Visa exempt entries they are looking at. Not the actual entries themselves.
Jared **********
No one with any sense will get the wrong impression
Greg ***********
@Kevin *******
*** There is no "reset". *** There is no mention of "calendar year".
*** There is no two-times limit on visa-exempt entries within a one-year period.
*** nothing "resets".
In case you have heard from out of the mouth of an Immigration officer such statements, this officer will soon learn that what he said isn’t true.
They seem to be unable to tell you in proper English the difference between a visa exemption and the extension of the visa-exempt stay permit.
There are only two extensions possible on visa-exempt entries, within a one-year period.
The first extension will be issued for 30 days, the extension for a second visa-exempt entry will be issued for 7 days
You can theoretically do 4, 5 or even 6 visa exempt entries for short 2-3 weeks holidays, within a one-year period, if you never maximize each stay.
Of course, upon each entry, you should be able to proof your onward travel, a few nights of booked accomodation and proof of cash equivalent of 20,000 THB
*** the picture of the pink post and the picture from the Laos border, both are telling you absolute rubbish. The rubbish text contents get published so many times in many group threads, and every group admin is warning you to NOT believe any of the drivel it contains
Gerry *******
@Greg **********
wow buddy — the best post on the subject!! Thanks 😊Kevin ********
The new rules start in 2026. Two entries per year on Visa exempt.
Nick ************
@Kevin *******
rubbish.
Andrew ********
@Kevin *******
no it doesnt cause its wasnt NEW to begin withGerry *******
@Kevin *******
Only in your dreams— nothing is updated on the embassy’s website or gazette!!Ste****
@Gerry ******
**********************************************************************
Alex ********
Not the embassy
Michael ********
@Kevin *******
load of rubbish its amount of days they are looking at. Do you realise how many people come from close by (singapore malaysia, hong kong indonesia) for just the weekend There is no new rules
Andrew *******
@Kevin *******
No how much evidence is presented to the contrary we have clowns like you on here talking out of your arse. Why?Ste****
@Andrew ******
**********************************************************************
already had send you this link before on other topic but then you decided to ignore me 🤷🏻♂️Ste****
@Angelo **********
it match with the information i was given when they almost refused my 3rd entry on a visa exemption in a year time. Had a 10minute discussion with 2 immigration officers it wasn’t until i said that i had a return flight to my home country 3 weeks later to celebrate Christmas with my family otherwise they had denied me.
Angelo ***********
@Ste****
That is a commercial web site and not a government publication ...Tony ***********
@Kevin *******
Are you sure that's true? Where is that in what rules. They are cracking down on Border Runs that's it.
Sue **********
@Ste****
Siam Legal are agents and not thai immigration.Tony ***********
It says there Border Runs 🏃♀️ do you know that means?
Alex ********
@Kevin *******
no gazette published for these 'new rules'. IO will just look closer at your history to see if it looks like you are living in Thailand rather than visiting. Actual genuine tourists can come and go to lao, Vietnam, even Cambodia without any issues.
John **********
@Kevin *******
there are no new rules
Margie ***********
@Eli ************
yes this is applicable for shorts stay only. But in my case is different.Sue **********
@Margie **********
why? If you want to stay longer just apply for a visa
Gordon ************
The beasts and monsters are always “welcomed” ✌️✌️✌️
Johan ***************
I do worry about road-tripping to Laos for a few days - to Immigration Police that might look like border-running for extending 60 more days, that we have absolutely no interest in. Will not bribe.
It would be good to be able to decline getting more days than the previous visa-exempt entry allowed. Possible?
It would be good to be able to decline getting more days than the previous visa-exempt entry allowed. Possible?
Johan ***************
@Jonny ********
Could you clarify this please? To my understanding exiting Thailand to Laos ends the visa exemption period, and when I reenter I get 60 more days regardless if I want more days or not?Angelo ***********
@Johan **************
Of course you get 60 days again. No idea what the parent is talking about. However you have to stay a few days (there is no official limit, but 7 should be okay), returning same day usually does not work anymore since about half a year or yearly a year.Johan ***************
@Angelo **********
We would want to make a 2-4 days roadtrip into Laos, but that looks a bit iffy now. Also, the river cruise from Chiang Rai would mean a very brief stay in Laos.
Lewis ********
@Johan **************
completed this exact trip a few days ago at day 54 of a visa extension, took us 33 minutes from getting out of our car to getting back in.No questions were asked at all.
There was a sign that said no more than 2 visa extensions were allowed in a year. This wasn't relevant to us as it was our second
Viktoria *********
@Lewis *******
Which border crossing did you pass through?Lewis ********
@Viktoria ********
Chiang khongJonny *********
@Johan **************
you will not get new 60 days "road tripping" to Laos.. Just a heads up 👍🏻John **********
@Johan **************
no. Your current visa exempt will finish as you exit Thailand and you get a new one on your return. If you are nowhere near your 60 day limit it won't be seen as a border runJohan ***************
@John *********
I agree that it should not, but it is a source of worry when firm rules have not been published. I will not risk it.Activity
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