I've heard that Thailand is currently making it challenging for travelers to enter the country, even for those who have obtained a visa. Can anyone provide more information or insights on this issue? Has anyone recently traveled to Thailand and encountered difficulties upon arrival? I'd appreciate any updates or advice on what to expect when planning a trip to Thailand.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many travelers are inquiring about the recent challenges when entering Thailand, particularly for those with valid visas. Some experiences shared suggest that while many have had no issues, there is an increasing scrutiny on frequent travelers and those attempting to exploit tourist visa exemptions. Comments indicate that a crackdown is occurring mainly on individuals trying to stay long-term under tourist visas. Travelers recommend being prepared to show documentation such as onward tickets and accommodation details, adhering to visa rules, and maintaining a polite demeanor with immigration officials. Overall, the general consensus is that genuine tourists face no major problems, but those with questionable travel patterns may encounter difficulties.
I have a retirement visa, and was questioned coming back from the States. I also have multiple entry. I was ask if I was leaving I. August when my Visa expires. I told him I would be renewing mines. He finally let me go with some reservations š¬
Dustyn **********
Visa runs + extension + non-visa entry will lead a lot of the IOs who are processing your entry to get suspicious. Youāll be pulled aside and if you donāt have proof of onward travel, 20k THB in cash and an amazing explanation then thereās a decent chance youāll be turned away.
Thereās also some unwritten rule right now that 180 days per calendar year is the maximum, but I donāt imagine thatās the case if you use an agent service to fast track your entry.
Holger **************
Only Problems If you arrive too often ...and stay too Long š
Stephen *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here's a rewritten version of your text:
"Thank you for your helpful responses. It appears that an individual (who will remain anonymous) shared inaccurate information about traveling to Thailand. It's likely just a case of misinformation. I appreciate your input and feel more confident now. I hope this clarification will assist other travelers to Thailand in making informed decisions and help them have a wonderful experience in this beautiful country."
Joe **********
Yes they are now making it perfectly clear that we are not wanted here unless we are just coming on holiday to spend all our hard earned money! Take the hint and head for Cambodia where we are welcome with open arms!!!!!!
Ar *******
Friend travelled to Thailand last September, returned home early December, they got a 60day tourist exempt entry then did a 30 day extension at jomtiem. They went home to uk first week December then came back around 18 January and got mega hassle at immigration to the point they thought they werenāt getting let in. Not been in Thailand for 5 years before this so no multiple entries or border bounces etc. the immigration said he returned to quick , luckily he spoke up and told her he was going to travel around. She relented after seeing other friend waiting on him who she wrongly assumed was Thai , Asian but not Thai. Very nerve wracking for him as she says she will put note on his file. He paid 4,000 baht to get 30 day extension no problem. Normally just pay 1900 at immigration.When he return to uk he will not go back to Thailand until September/ October, he is actually considering just going to Philippines or Cambodia where they are more welcoming. You will hear people saying they had no problems, not scaremongering just telling truth . We have heard from at least 10 more people who had the same around the time he entered Thailand. Hope this helps , very scary
They are going after the "border jumpers" who extend every 90 days.
Paul *****
I was stopped and held by immigration as I did not realise. Was told I had to be left Thailand for a minimum of 90 days before returning on 60 day exemption I had to sign a declaration and got a warning
Timothy *********
Immigration officers experience thousands of entrants in what period of time? The tracking and biometric systems are top notch.
And then the, questions and dismay over what is suggested as capricious and/or arbitrary behaviors re: border bounce, residing v. touring, extensions,,, "why me" ,,, also
Thai is a rigorous tonal language. Thai with second, third, fourth... language skills are also somewhat skilled at detecting , hmmm, less than perfectly polite inflection in one's native speech at immigration.
The 'show' that precedes me at immigration is an E ticket ride. One that has me bright eyed and smiling for my nod from immigration.
John *********
If it is your plan to visit Thailand, you will have no problem. If you plan to live in Thailand using tourist visas and visa exemption on arrival, you will experience difficulties.
Dave **********
Flew in last night to Don Mueang and heard a Immigration Officer telling a person no more entries without correct visa. Two ladies, Chinese maybe, in front of me were escorted away by IO.
Neil ********
I believe they are introducing an electronic T6 replacing the paper filing which was cancelled for a few months. It takes two minutes to fill in.
Paul ******
Im flying in on the 6th of April will see what happens
Tayaout *****************
Itās been like this for a long time ~2014 if you try to live in Thailand on the wrong visa. I was once denied entry at the airport because obviously I wasnāt a tourist anymore, but I eventually got the proper visa and havenāt had an issue since.
Vanessa ***************
Can someone who flew from Ohio or close by, please tell me how the flight was and what airline you took? I haven't clown this far before and I'm a little nervous..lol. thanks
Vanessa ***************
*flown*
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Vanessa ***************
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Tohksic ******
They're making it hard for fake tourists, that's all.
Michael *********
Yes, if you come from Africa or some Asian countries, you might be asked , I was travelling by Ethiopian Airlines, and they have a list at the gate. What countries are you coming from. They stopped a lot of African there and put them in a separate line and also some Asian. However, later on, they let them go, but after a deep verification.
Della ***********
Make sure you can show an onward flight ticket.
Robert *********
Please can you send me the bus time table to Pattaya?
DTV dead easy. No problems. If you border bounce a lot then you can expect attention
Don *********
If your a genuine tourist there are no issues. If you are trying to stay for longer periods using tourist route then you will have issues
Glenn *****
What is the latest on the proposed online arrival system?
Henrik *****
Only Romours.
Check the website of the Thai Embassy, before travel.
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Henrik *****
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Tom ********
No problems at all. What country are you a citizen of? If you are from a visa exempt country and traveling here fir the first time, you should have no issues at all
Tom ********
How can giving 60 days Visa free entry be making things difficult?
David **********
Maybe the visa is for one time entry only like most countries. Thailand may not offer multiple entry only student visas. Not sure about other visas. Thatās just what Iām thinking.
Robert **********
I just left after being there for over a month. No problems. And I hope none arises. I'm heading back soon
John *******
I have been in Thailand for six months and have done two trips to nearby countries and a visa extension with no problems at all
Henrik *****
But will soon get problems if you keep on behaving like that.
sound advice but I stay out of Thailand for at least 2 weeks each trip out and on April 1st I leave for 6 months but still Iām considering a long term visa
Henrik *****
With the work conditions in Thailand it can be difficult to understand how you can do 6 month or more holiday, when most of them have 2 weeks holiday a year, and a 6-day workweek.
International up to 3 month are regarded as holiday.
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Henrik *****
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Tommi *******
I was asked a few questions on last arrival..but no problem.
Tony *********
No issues here . I enter visa exemption every 9-10 weeks stay 4 weeks through out the year and 6 weeks at Xmas times . Yes I occasionally get asked how long I'm staying but once I tell them I'm off to chumphae I'm good to go
Kevin *************
No problem you get 60 days now instead of 30 days no problem
Johnson ****
Itās not a problem if you follow Thai immigration requirements.
Anticipate being asked for an onward or return airlines ticket.
Be prepared to provide evidence of where you will be lodging.
Stay updated per Thai immigration online entry documentation implementation as early as May 1st.
Obtain your sims card and baht prior to arrival if possible.
Donāt over explain your situation to immigration, just provide direct brief answers.
Donāt show attitude to immigration officials.
Above all, be courteous and polite and you will not have a problem.
Iāve just got home from a ten week trip no issues at all
Alessandro **********
No issues. On Thai Spouse non o visa.
Ian *********
Don muang my friend was asked to show her flight out
Henrik *****
Which have to correspond with the number of days of the visa scheme she enters on, nothing special about that, it is a standard requirement.
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Henrik *****
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Travis *********
I'm here now, and not a single problem. Going through Thai immigration was fast and easy. Maybe they are cracking down on people trying to bend the rules. Play by the rules, and I'm sue you won't have any issues.
Oh you may. I never overstayed everything clean and perfect, I have a multiple entry TR. I've been in and out every 40-58 days for longer trips and on my 2nd entry they questioned me 2 weeks ago. They told me to get DTV if I want to travel for 6 months in and out. So what's the point of multiple TR then lol... which is valid btw.
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Patrycja ********
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Rick *********
I was there in January from The US and cruised right through. In fact of all my times there it was the easiest trip through customs.
I think they're talking about immigration, not customs. Customs has never been a problem
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Andy ************
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Lynne *******
Thailand has become an expensive holiday now, hotel, food, drink, goods everything gone up while the baht has gone down. Disappointed this year. Not sure if we would come back.
if they want to skirt the rules they got to pay for it. That's not going to change in our life time.
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Matthew *********
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Christopher *********
No not true
Farang *********
No. Came in on a 60 day exempt. Got a 30 day extension. But on the visa run just wanted to see my outbound reservation which I had. Retired and married to a Thai. Probably helps.
One wonders if Trump keeps pissing on Thailand those visa runs for Yanks might prove interesting.
the Jews have been returning to their ancestral home since the 1850ās and yes only want to be left alone. Israel is also the only country in that part of the world that is truly accepting of other religious points of view. As for 1948 , everyone living in the region at that time were free to join the new state of Israel but choose hate war and propaganda instead
that is not entirely true. Whilst KSA is very restrictive others are not. USAs interference in the Middle East has made matters worse. I read recently that the Iraq invasion resulted in an 80% decrease in the number of Christians in the country and of course the creation of ISIS.
Free to join the new state? That's like you taking over my home and saying I am free to live there. I would be pissed but I guess that would make me a terrorist if I challenged you.
Israel is one % of the Middle East and if left alone they just want to live life as the only democratic government in that part of the world. There has never been a Muslim Palestine state except when created by the Turkish or British empire and your Palestinian friends are misguided Jordanians
Glad you donāt suffer from TDS as a lot of people do these days and and can see that although flawed in some ways Trump has done some good things. I canāt disagree more however on the subject of Israel, as the oldest culture in the Middle East and an established kingdom thousands of years before a single Muslim walked the face of the earth, modern day Israel is the historical home of the Jewish people and therefore the land belongs to them. As for Hamas I see them as a terrorist organization that hides behind it own people and uses them as human shields
well TDS means to me Total Disolved Solids. So not sure what stage 4 is.
The problem with Israel is that they own the world since Adam and Eve were the first humans but appear to be in the wrong location, maybe Iran and Iraq. Then go find another rabbit hole and it's South Africa or Eghiopia. Lands has changed hands over the years, rightly or wrongly, and I do not see the Anericans willingly hand the states back to the original owners. So why should the Palestinians hand their land back? I have Palestinian friends and what I gave been told does not come from the Mossad handbook. In my line of work integrity and honesty was the key so had no reason to doubt them
Oh kind of fun playing tit for tat with history and you do make some good points but I think America has played a much larger role in the misguided wars of Europe than you give it credit for and has gained little from it. It is true that America has gotten itself in trouble over the years by it foreign entanglements and should have been a little more self interested, however we still have a country to save while the UK is well on its way to becoming Britt-land-a-Stan with it capital of London-bad and it wonāt be long before you have all the laws and customs that follow!
we probably have some view points in common as I was once married to an English woman and lived in Sheffield for a couple years and have some understanding of the English, how ever although Iām not not the biggest Trump fan and also think he is far to boasting, I think he is correct in deporting gang members and the unfortunate situation in Palestine is manly cause by it population following Hamas much like the innocent German population that suffered immensely when they followed Hitler
Trump has some good ideas in my opinion such as deporting illegals, stopping DEI and gender based politics.
All illegals arriving from France should be sent back as it is a safe country then apply for asylum from there.
Trumps international policy is a mess. Trying to annexe three countries is the signs of a mad man especially when you tell others it is not sllowed.
Hamas are fighting for survival of their people, so are they terrorists or freedom fighters. Israel is acting just like the Germans which makes it all the worst. If only they had been more accepting in 1948 when stealing their land. I have heard Israels justification from the Mossad handbook.
just sick and tired of the USA claiming they are the saviours of the world. They have just sanctiond Thailand for deporting 40 Chinese illegal immigrants but it appears they can deport who they like. The condemn Germany for genocide but commit genocide in Palestine. Russia condemned for trying to annex Ukraine but actively seeking to fo do to Canada, Greenland and Panama.
As for the UK it is depressing. Spent 10 days in London but could have been overseas. Hounslow, where I used to live, is aweful. With Starmer clamping down on those who show dissent it reminds of the line in the song Sound of Silence, silence like a cancer grows.
funny. John Wayne won WW2, yeah heard that one. Far too many Hollywood movies give that impression. No, the Americans did not capture the enigma machine as portrayed in U571.
after breaking away from old world Europe, America came back and pulled your chestnuts out of the fire not once but twice and then rebuilt Western Europe under the Marshal plan. I have lived and worked there, nice building and good food and coffee in some places but thatās about it
you played a part that was all. The RAF had the air, the Royal Navy the sea.
The Germans abandon Operation Sealion after the defeat of the Luftwaffa in the Battle of Britain.
As for the USA pulling chesnuts out of anyones fire you lost to Vietnam, the communists are still in power. Iraq, all you managed to do was create ISIS and reduce the Christian population by 80%. As for Afghanistan, the Taliban are still in power. Libya, you and NATO brought back slave markets and human trafficking. Not an enviable record.
As for the Marshall plan all we ended up with was an Oligarchy run by Germany and France. It's called the EU now. So you could say Germany won in the long run by political means and not the gun.
not wrong. So let the world by Airbus and leave the yanks to Boeing. As for Jack Daniels, give me a good malt anyday. For me, I hike and nothing of my kit is REI.
Iām definitely not a Trump fan, but I havenāt heard of anything negative coming from him aimed at Thailand. Could you elaborate a bit on what youāve heard or read?
According to my Thai wife, the Thai government followed this with a letter to Trump explaining that the small group of Uhighurs they deported were criminals. Not that it matters to Trump, because his actions have nothing to do with whatās righteous & whatās not. He wants to ruffle feathers & appear tough, so he goes after allies & friends whom he knows wonāt go to war with him, rather than countries like China & NK who just might respond more aggressively.
if you are in the DTV group there is a post about people with the DTV being pulled aside, getting questioned and having to provide the 3 proofs at CNX. It's an interesting read.
Not true in my experience. I had a DTV 5 year visa and they tried to deny me entry even though I've never been to Thailand before and had all my paperwork and proof of stay. They didn't give a reason either, I had to speak to someone else about it and was let in with my fiance who also has a DTV.
For someone your age that makes sense you think like this but for someone my age who has a remote job and Thailand offering a 5 year DTV it allows me to travel SE Asia for 5 years whilst utilizing Thailand as a base hub.
So maybe they think it's weird behaviour too even tho lots of other people are in my position doing the same thing.