Answered10 months ago

Can I expect any issues entering Thailand on a visa exempt status if I'm married to a Thai and only visit for 50 days this year?

Visa Exempt Thailand Visa Married to Thai National Immigration Rules Non-O Visa Expat Life in Thailand

Paul *******

asked Dec 14, 2025

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So reading all these posts I have a question.

I am married to a Thai but I work on a ship and I am only back in Thailand in the Winter (End Dec till Mid Feb) then I am back at work so max 50 days this year will be less I usually enter on Visa Exempt don't need extension for the last 3 years I was there in Aug for 16 Holiday to see the wife. I know it's up to the IO but was just wondering if I can expect any problems.

Arrive 30 Dec Depart 11 Feb with 6 days in Vietnam in the middle.

I have ticket out already and my contract and letter of employment for next year.

Answer summary

An expat married to a Thai national with intermittent stays in the country is inquiring about entering Thailand on a Visa Exempt basis. The posts suggest that as long as he has not previously applied for a long-term visa, he should be allowed entry. However, there is a caution for those with a marriage in Thailand to be mindful of how they communicate their visit's purpose to the immigration officers, as this could lead to recommendations for a Non-O visa instead.

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Paul **********

2 visa exemptions per calendar year. These are tourism visa waiver so do not tell the IO you are visiting your wife or he/she might tell you to get a non O visa for family visit.

10 months ago

Sue **********

So you see your wife for only 50 days max. a year?

10 months ago

Paul *******

@Sue *********

yes as I work on ships

10 months ago

Mark ******

Should be all good just do your TDAC and hope

10 months ago

Jo **********

that’s a safe pattern

10 months ago

Vaidas **********

They will let u in. I would have no worries if I were you.

10 months ago

Michael ********

I also work on ships doing repairs (boilers) so inconsistent times. I got pulled over years ago and told get a visa. So got one in Savanakhet in those days (quick to do) Got normal visa and extensios during covid.

Last year went back to doing extensions simply because didnt have time to do a marriage visa. They still kept telling me i need a long term visa when i came in even though days in country were less than 120. One time showed them my signed seamans book and photos didnt make any difference.

If you have never got a long term visa before, you should be ok. If they have on record that you are married here you could have issues

10 months ago

Paul *******

@Michael *******

I have had extensions based on Visiting my wife before but that was in my old passport and

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years ago.

10 months ago

Michael ********

@Paul ******

you should be ok till they tell you otherwise. Changing passports wont make any difference they just look at recotds on screen nowadays. They wont turn you away as you have valid reason to be here, but maybe they will start telling you to get a marriage visa. I ended up using thai visa center and they sorted me out a retirement visa quite quickly so didnt afffect my work

10 months ago