Can a UK citizen reside in Thailand on a tourist visa for two slots of 3 months each year?

Apr 23, 2024
8 months ago
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good morning from Bang Tao. I have a quick question, to which I think I know the answer, but would appreciate confirmation (or correction!)

Am I correct in thinking a UK citizen can reside in Thailand on a tourist visa for two slots of 3 months every year? So for example, January to March, and then July to September?

Thanks and have a great day.
1,057
views
0
likes
30
all likes
13
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK citizen can use a tourist visa to reside in Thailand for two separate periods, each lasting up to three months per year. Travelers have successfully fulfilled this by entering the country on a 60-day tourist visa, extending it, and leaving to renew their visa status, while maintaining proof of accommodations and onward travel.
Charlie ********
@Chris **********
Iโ€™ve been coming to Phuket about
***
times a year since 2021 with no hassle, I usually stay two months then head back to UK for at least a month sometimes 2 months in UK, never had any issue at immigration. I always have proof of my accommodation, 20,000 baht in cash and proof of onward travel , never had any issue although Iโ€™ve been asked to show proof of onward travel a few times.
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charlie *******
very helpful thank you
Michael *******
Ive been here since beginning of jan. Came in on 60 applied for in uk. Extended another 30 days at immigration. 1900 baht. Flew from phuket to KL. overnight trip see a friend. Which achieved another 30 days! 120 days total. Fly back to uk early may! For english summer.
Ash ***********
@Michael ******
excellent ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜Š
Michael *******
They insisted at passport control to see my booked flight back home! And lots of questions. Luckily my thai gf was with me! Which helped a immensely during questioning!๐Ÿ˜‚
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Michael. I live in KL, and have for 40 years. With MM2H up in the air currently, I'm looking at spending 3 months alternately in KL and Phuket, as an ongoing thing, in retirement. I'm pretty certain that this 3 month in 3 month out routine in Malaysia is acceptable. I guess the short answer is suck it and see?
Michael *******
@Chris **********
am sure! ๐Ÿ‘
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Let's hope you are rewarded with a decent English summer!
Michael *******
@Chris **********
fingers crossed!๐Ÿคž
Brandon ************
There's not specifically a rule about this either way. What you've proposed shouldn't be any issue.
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks Brandon. So it's luck of the draw at passport control?
Brandon ************
@Chris **********
not really. You're doing 2 trips multiple months apart. There shouldn't be any luck involved. It's the people that try to live in Thailand without a long term visa that need luck
Chris ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks. That's encouraging!
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members ยท 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else