I am considering renting a condo in Bangkok. One concern I have is about visa runs, as I keep seeing things about new laws and people warning others that they may be denied entrance on the grounds of "being in Thailand too long." I can't actually find any personal stories of anyone being denied entrance and it is hard for me to understand why immigration would deny anyone entrance unless they had a legitimate reason for doing so, like evidence of criminal activity. So I don't know if these are just rrumors circulating on the net or a real concern.
The only personal sstory I could find connected with denial of visa was a guy denied a visa at the Vientiane embassy and told he couldn't return. The reason they gave was he was "suspected of working in Thailand." He seemed very upset and said one should not do visa runs out of Thailand without taking all one's stuff with one because one might not be allowed back in. But it's hard to know what really went on there without any background or context.
I would just like to know that if I rent a condo in Bangkok, and have all my stuff in there, some official isn't going to be able to deny me entrance one day on a whim. How would I get my belongings then? How likely is it that something like this could really happen? would there be any way to at least get permission to come in and get your things if you explain to the officer you are renting there? Is there any other recourse I would have if that happened like contacting an agent or visa service and getting entry that way?
I've lived in many parts of asia longterm either using visa waiver or tourist visa and never personally had anything worse happen than the occasional official ask me a lot of questions. Is it really that much different in Thailand? Has anyone had personal experience with this or do you really know someone who was actually denied entrance on returning from a visa run?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The concern about being denied entry to Thailand after renting a condo arises from the stricter enforcement of visa regulations. Many users share personal accounts of individuals who faced entry denial primarily due to long-term stays on tourist visas. Immigration officers have the discretion to deny entry if they suspect a foreigner is attempting to live in Thailand without the appropriate visa. To mitigate risks, it is strongly advised to apply for a long-term visa if you plan to stay in Thailand for an extended period. Relying solely on tourist visas and making frequent visa runs can lead to complications and potential denial of re-entry.
