Are visa runs in Thailand being cracked down on? Should I consider long-term visas instead?

Aug 16, 2023
a year ago
Dennis *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Are visa runs being cracked down on or was I unlucky? Do I need to start considering long-term visas instead of visa-running?

I wanna share my recent visa-run experience with a visa run at DMK airport (I was in Vietnam from Aug 7 to Aug 13 2023.) I arrived around 12:20am on Aug 13 and the lines were quite empty. The IO questioned my purpose for my visa-exempt and extension stamps. I've had 2 visa-exempt entries with 2 extensions for each of them. When I told her "tourism" she questioned if this was really true and asked for a friend's contact and phone number. I told her I don't have my friend's phone number now but I have her Line. Maybe I should have just given it to her. She wasn't satisfied by this and transferred me to other officers to be questioned. These officers asked me personal questions such as where I live, when I'm leaving and showed me a handout that said I shouldn't be doing visa runs anymore. I told him I was following all the rules and never overstayed. He gave me the 30 days visa-exempt stamp anyways and told me to get a long-term visa. He also seemed to be typing some notes after he issued my 30 days.

So do i need to worry about doing visa runs in the future? Or was it just a stroke of bad luck? Do I need to start considering long-term visas? I'm Canadian (if that matters)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster (OP) inquired about experiencing increased scrutiny during a visa run, questioning whether it indicated a crackdown on visa runs or simply bad luck. The OP shared that upon re-entry to Thailand from Vietnam, immigration officers were skeptical about their intentions and advised them to apply for a long-term visa due to the frequency of their visa-exempt entries. The community largely agreed that the trend is leaning towards stricter enforcement of visa regulations, encouraging OP to obtain a long-term visa to avoid future complications.
John *******
How many days at border now 60 or 30
David **********
If it was your third air entry within the past 12 months that may have been the reason. We are allowed two air entries per year and two land entries per year to my knowledge.
Rogerio ******
I've gotten this. Just get a tourist visa next time, and do not try visa exempt.
May ******
DMK airport IOs are too interrogative. I never use that airport except the Survanabhumi. No questions asked. Plus I believe there’s a limit in a year to how many times one is allowed to enter Thailand as a tourist or on visa exempt. Why not just stay in another country e.g Vietnam for some time? Maybe stay longer now that Vietnam just implemented the 90days tourist visa online since August 15.
Dennis *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@May *****
thanks for the advice May!
Bill ********
Dont let it bother you. In fact if you hadnt made the run or previous runs, they wouldnt have notice.
Brian *******
Yes get a long term visa

I was just denied back in so was a whole of other guys and girls lock in the cells with me .

They get a back hand if you get a long term and they are happy .

Just got to keep telling yourself this is just the front line not Thai people and Thailand in general.

Get an agent while you are there now and get it sorted pay the money and you can keep enjoying Thailand
Harry **********
@Brian ******
Brian can I ask a question about this? had a similar incident this week
Stéfan ********
Nothing new. It's been like this for AT LEAST 15 years.
Neal *******
Visa runs or border runs? Don’t see any actual visas here.
Jo **********
i had last year I had 9 visa exempt stamps and stayed 210 days in 2022. I think you had bad luck. And DMK is known to be the worst. Are you living here? if yes get a visa, if not dont worry about it
Craig ********
In all my years of doing visa runs, I never got questioned except once recently, when she asked me how long I am planning to stay and other questions, we don’t normally have a problem because they like our money, we bring a lot of money and we are mostly well behaved , I remember reading tourism brings 18 billion American dollars to the economy, something like 20% of the GDP, this is why we get 29 days free entry,
Todd *********
@Craig *******
how many years on continuous tourism?
Craig ********
@Todd ********
It’s never been a full year as I go back home for 3 weeks every 6 months or so, but I did once spend a straight year here, and then because of Covid I got stuck at home and couldn’t get back, but over the past 11 years, I always go home for a medical checkup and to see my family, but it is never longer than 3 weeks, unless there is a medical emergency
Jae *******
Time for a long term visa. The end.
Jo **********
@Jae ******
only less your living here.
Michael *******
Tom ********
Yes. Be careful.

You should not make any more visa runs.

The next one could be your last one. As in “Get out.” “Don’t come back for awhile.” Maybe longer..
Dennis *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tom *******
thank you
Paul *********
Cracked down on. Happened to me and everyone I know
Martin *********
I've just had the same experience I landed on the 5th August and was taken aside from the kiosk and interviewed and asked the same questions I ve extended twice this year already back in March and April. I was basically advised to seek a retirement visa.
Todd *********
@Martin ********
easy enough to do if over 50 though. And let’s you come and go as you please
Frank-Steven ***********
Unfortunately, yes. Visa exemption runs - especially via DMK airport are not advised. I got extorted there once returning on visa exempt after two weeks in Bali. Ever since I do visa instead of visa exemption. Doesn’t guarantee entry either, but makes it less likely to run into such trouble. It is such a swampy mess how they make up rules on the go. Given that there is no written law about any maximum amounts or comulating amounts of stay on tourist visa or visa exempts until this day.
Jack ****************
Can you share a picture of the handout?
Simon **********
I have never had any issues entering Thailand, but I have noticed that they have started asking me questions about how long I intend to stay and where etc, so I got a longterm visa. In my opinion they are only doing what they should be doing to police the people coming into their country. Personally I would get a proper visa before you have a problem, rather than wait to get refused entry.
Jamie *************
Entering on exemption stamps has been abused for way too long. They're cracking down on it for the fact that visas actually generate money for the government. Pay for the privilege to be here. Because nobody is guaranteed entry, except Thai natives. Immigration officers don't HAVE to let you in, even with a visa, but you're highly unlikely to be turned away with a visa. If they typed up a memo attached to your passport number, you'll be lucky to get in again without a proper visa. There may not be an official LIMIT to entries by air, or days spent in the kingdom, BUT there's also no official ALLOWANCE either.
Phil ******
@Dennis ********
unlucky as you did th see wrong thing
Michael ********
You got a photo of handout
Dennis *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
nah I was thinking about taking one but I didn't wanna get into trouble. The phrase "no more visa runs" was used.
Scott ***************
Yes they're cracking down. Tourism is one thing, staying for years and gaming the system is something else. Get a proper Visa.
Felix *******
short-term Visa exempts, visa runs have always been a gray area. You're lucky it's Thailand, in several asian countries, they are more strict about tourist visa runs. Schengen prohibits a short-term traveller to stay longer than 90days in a 180day period or whatever.

If entry refusal begins to an issue like this, you're at your own risk. Good thing in Thailand though, you can find a long-term visa that works for you if you can spend certain amount of money. Many countries don't have loopholes like this
Paul *******
@Felix ******
Yes Singapore is one of the stricter ones in Asia and Thailand is almost there too.
Paul *******
@Felix ******
Most surrounding countries make it easier than Thailand, both for visa runs and long term stays. I'm talking about every SE Asian country except for Singapore and Malaysia (don't know about Brunei). Only these 3 are likely to be strict regarding border or visa runs.
Felix *******
@Paul ******
I've been keeping track of developments surrounding immigration enforcements. They seem to be leaning towards the trend of following more strict countries in Asia. 5-10 years from now, this gray area could be enforced strictly. but well, it's an observation
Nicola *******
Id like to share my story too. I did one exempt with extension, got 1 tourist visa in Laos and last month I went to Kuala Lumpur with my friend for 2 days. I wanted to get my second exempt stamp for last month that I plan to stay in Thailand. So meanwhile being in KL I read somewhere that DMK immigration is pretty strict, I didn't buy any return flight from BKK, I didn't think about it. I got indeed questioned if I have any flight, I said no and she was like ,how do I know you gonna leave Thailand then?' She got her colleague. Fortunetly he was really nice. He saw my history of entering Thailand and I did say that I plan to stay last month because I need to go back to Study in my country. I have my luggage left in Bangkok to make short trip with my friend and need to get it before i go further. And that I want to visit South Korea because my friend that was with me lives there. He told me to buy the flight to Korea right now. I didn't object, because I needed it anyways. When I asked for my passport back to write the information during the process of buying He asked me how much the ticket was. At that time one way ticket was almost €200. He looked at me and said "you don't really wanna buy this ticket right?" I said, well it's expensive but if I have to i will just do it. Then he smiled and me and told its okay, and stamped my passport. At this point just get that long term visa, I mean it would be easier for you and no need to hassle a lot. I should have done it too but back when I came exempt was 45 days + 30 days so I decided to make use of it before they change the rules.
John **********
Very much so. The days of living inside Thailand using visa runs are long gone
Pablo ********
I had the exact same experience bro. I went and found a muay thai gym and got a ED visa with them.
Frank **********
@Pablo *******
ED visas and Volunteer visas are for sure Red Flags.
Pablo ********
@Frank *********
No they are not Red Flags.
Frank **********
@Pablo *******
obviously you haven't been in this group long or you would know.
Bruce *********
@Frank *********
Been in for 2 years.
Pablo ********
@Frank *********
How is an education visa a red flag? A red flag for what?
Bruce *********
@Frank *********
I stayed in Thailand for one year on an ED visa.

My classes were 3 hours long and 5 days a week.
Frank **********
@Bruce ********
and your point is? It's a fact Immigration is looking very closely at those two types of Visas.
Bruce *********
@Frank *********
My point being is if you actually attend classes you should have nothing to worry about.
Jae *******
@Pablo *******
You know they're checking at the schools now for actual attendance?
Bruce *********
@Jae ******
If you are signing up for Muay Thai, you are probably going.
Jae *******
@Bruce ********
Many used Muay Thai schools just to stay in Thailand.
Dennis *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pablo *******
hey bro I sent you a message
Mark ******
He did tell you to get a long term visa, didn't he?!!!!
Joseph *********
The solution is obvious. Get a proper visa.
Ni**
@Lynnette ******
it seems that tourist visa is not right answer.
Lynnette *******
@Ni**
if you enter Visa Exempt you have NO visa. The immigration said he should now get a visa. Maybe they've sussed he is using the NO visa route to live in Thailand.
Lynnette *******
@Ni**
that's a visa. It's a proper visa. It's applied for. The guy entered for 4 months with no visa.
Ni**
@Lynnette ******
Tourist visa still doesnt quorantee entry for you in DMK/BKK
Lynnette *******
@Ni**
nothing is guaranteed in life. But if you have NO VISA and are told to apply for one, then people should just do it. It's really not a subject to pick apart and argue about.
อ้วน *********
@Lynnette ******
and the requirements for a tourist visa are low
Ni**
@Joseph ********
what is the proper visa?
Jae *******
@Ni**
How tf does anyone except you know which visa? Go learn something, marry a Thai, turn 50 years old yet?
Lynnette *******
@Ni**
one that says "visa" probably.
Lynnette *******
If you spend over 4 months in the country using visa-exempt ( no visa) tourism as an excuse, you might be asked why you don't get a visa.
Paul *******
Yes. You need a long tern visa or extension of stay to represent the reason that you are spending a long time in Thailand, Basically, Immigration are telling you that you are no longer a tourist.
Mitchell *******
Tourism means exploring the country. If you only show up at one address, that is not tourism. I myself have been using Thailand as a base for exploring SE Asia, and am exploring Thailand as well. My passport is full of country stamps.

When I leave, sometimes I am gone weeks at a time, but even I am waiting for that warning now. But I am soon heading back home for a good while.

Basically, whatever you are doing, to them, it looks like you are residing in Thailand, not touring Thailand.
Оливер *********
@Mitchell ******
so basically an immigration officer is nocking every morning at your door and tells you to get a move on to explore the country?
Mitchell *******
@Оливер ********
I am just saying they know (or should know if the correct forms are filed) where you travel to.
Terry ********
@Mitchell ******
I disagree. There are tourists (what else would you call them?) that go to a big resort and never leave the grounds. Moving around a lot is not a requirement for tourists. So if you only stay in one place, that doesn’t mean you’re trying to “live” in Thailand. Although, is there anyone dead in Thailand? I think we’re all living here unless you’ve been able to join the group by supernatural means.
Mitchell *******
We are talking about people who come here, maybe have a condo rented for a year, and are bouncing/running out and back into the country after a day or 2, every couple of months. Some countries allow longer stays, but most countries expect you to leave at some point if you are a tourist. And if you are staying in a resort for 5 months, you are living at that resort.

You can get a 6 month multi entry tourist visa, or a retirement type visa for longer stays, which is what immigration was telling the OP.
Martin *******
How do you get a long term visa?
Gary ************
@Martin ******
If you are under 50, apply for LTR visa, Thai Elite visa, ED visa, Business visa. If you are over 50, apply for retirement visa... Contact Thai centre on the Line app.
Lynnette *******
@Martin ******
you apply for one.
Martin *******
@Lynnette ******
the question is it just elite, student, marriage or retirement?
John *******
@Martin ******
no supporting father too can get if you have a thai child.
Graham ******
@Martin ******
all of them
Lynnette *******
@Martin ******
that's not what you said. You asked how do you apply for a long term visa.
Martin *******
@Lynnette ******
have a great day. Enjoy belittling people on facebook #toxic #divorced #OnlyMyDogLovesMe
Lynnette *******
@Martin ******
what a ridiculous comment "belittling" someone because you asked incorrect question. You asked HOW you'd get a visa, not what they were called.
Martin *******
@Lynnette ******
just pointing out the obvious. Same as you. Have the day you deserve
Lisa ********************
@Martin ******
there is a new criteria long term visa, for wealthier retirees, nomad workers etc. I think for 10 years. You can read about it to see if you fit the criteria, on Thai visa website.
Martin *******
@Lisa *******************
thank you so much for your reply
Cory **********
That was your warning. You are now flagged. Do as they say and get a long term visa.
Matthias *********
Perfectly normal. Got a similar experience at Suvarnabhumi even when entering with long term visa.
Paul *******
@Matthias ********
If you have a long term visa you'll be left alone. Doesn't mean they can't ask the odd question or two though!
Graham ******
@Matthias ********
What long term Visa was it?
Jeremy ********
There is no official limit on the amount of Fly Ins one can do, however you will eventually be questioned by an overzealous Immigration officer
Jeremy ********
Dee Dee there is still no official limit on fly ins
Dar *****
@Jeremy *******
I think the point is the frequency of questioning has significantly increased there are clamping down for sure.
Stéfan ********
@Dee ****
it's the pattern, not the frequency. Back to back visa exempts have been regarded suspiciously since the mid 2000s.
Patricia *******
@Jeremy *******
I think there is a limit now of 2 per calendar year
Dar *****
@Patricia ******
thats land border crossings
Tony *********
You are obviously entering each time so close together and they are questioning the fact that are you really a tourist .?
Matani ******
@Tony ********
What is a tourist?
David ********
@Ադամ *******
a person travelling sightseeing and staying in hotels so if you prove your itinerary shouldn’t be a problem
Matani ******
I don’t do any of that that and for the first 8 years or so of owning a Thai condo commuting overseas on rotations visa-exempt nobody ever said I was doing wrong. Never heard of a TM30 either.
Tony *********
@Ադամ *******
exactly 💯
Zachariah ********
This is very common. I know many people where this happened. Same story for them too. I know it can be a bit scary when it happens.
Brandon ************
You only need to spend a week in this group to know that you CANNOT live in Thailand long term without a long term visa. Also you did not do a visa run, because you didn't apply for and purchase a visa. You did a border bounce.

Regardless of that, you've spent 4 months in Thailand without a long term visa. Today was basically your warning that this is the last time you'll be allowed back into Thailand without a long term visa or without going home for a long period of time (5-6 months at least).

The days of living in Thailand on back to back visa exempt or tourist visas are long gone. If you attempt to enter through an airport without an appropriate visa again, you're very likely to be denied entry and sent packing.
Gary ************
Ni**
@David *******
no, just outside from Thailand. Your home might be at maylaysia, hoe Thai immigration would know that?
David ********
@Brandon ***********
do you actually have to "go home" to reset the clock on Visa exempt entry? I ask because I'm planning/hoping to travel for a few years without returning home. My intent is to bounce through various countries multiple times in each spending weeks or months in each depending on what is permitted.
David ********
@David *******
just make sure you have your itinerary with you as I had a similar situation spent 8 months in total in Thailand two months in uk 3 weeks in Bulgaria 2 in Philippines 2 in Germany all interwoven was told to get a full time visa multi entry and I did I knew it was cumin went through my bank accounts etc
Brandon ************
@David *******
not home, just not in Thailand.
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