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Can I re-enter Thailand for another 60 days visa-free after exiting to Malaysia or Laos?

Sep 23, 2025
4 days ago
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As an Australian Citizen I receive 60 days visa free on arrival at BKK. I can then extend for 30 days at Immigration. If I then depart BKK and fly return to Vientiane, Laos VTE OR Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia KUL for a few days.... can I then get another 60 days visa free on arrival back in BKK? Also, can I then apply at immigration for a 30 day extension at Immigration? The total period is approximately six months with a few days exit in the middle.

Thank you in advance for any helpful replies.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An Australian citizen can initially enter Thailand visa-free for 60 days, with the option to extend for another 30 days at Immigration. After exiting Thailand for a short period (by flying to Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur), they can generally re-enter and receive another 60-day visa exemption, followed by a 30-day extension. However, it is advised to be cautious as repeated entries like this may raise concerns with Immigration, and there are no strict rules governing the frequency of these entries. Past experiences shared by users suggest potential difficulties with re-entry after multiple extended stays.
Gary **********
I did 1 year 11 days doing this in 2023 . Next time I came I was refused entry and sent home .
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary *********
when you were refused, was it at an airport or a border? Did you have an onward ticket, proof of accommodation for a few days and proof of at least 20,000 baht? I'm amazed that you did it four times
Gary **********
@Mark **********
Was bkk Suvarnabhumi
Gary **********
@Mark **********
I went back to UK for six months . Then tried to return for 6 weeks . I had return flight and
*****
baht cash but was still refused entry . They said I do nothing wrong but to get a visa next time . This was just to make me get a visa . I was treated like a criminal , accompanied everywhere and locked in a disused part of the airport . Deported to China first where I was treated the same . I returned to Thailand 5 weeks later but paid 5000 baht for secure entry before I travelled . The same IO met me and whisked me through immigration no questions asked .
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary *********
others can learn from this experience
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary *********
bloody hell
Todd *********
You will have no problem
Arnold *******
In theory yes, but always up to immigration.
Kim *******
That is correct.
Angel ******
If you come in you will get a 60 day visa and can extend for another 30 days, but if you fly out and come back you will get the same 60 days and can extend for another 30 days.
Donald **********
@Angel *****
Visa EXEMPT
Andy *******
@Angel *****
unless the immigration officer is in a bad mood or the Author making the post is abusing the privilege
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ******
moods? I'd be entering via BKK airport
Andy *******
@Mark **********
logic is not always present in Thailand
Angel ******
@Mark **********
Don Mueang Airport is better.
Donald **********
@Angel *****
**************************************************************
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angel *****
that's what I hoped for. I have never been to Laos so that might be nice
Kevin *******
@Mark **********
If you go to Laos, be advised that your Bankcard probly won't work.

Load up with Thai Baht before you go, at keast you can exchange Baht for Lao monopoly money at a currency exchange...... if you can find one.

Coming back, no one will exchange Lao Kip.

You are stuck with it.

Happy travels.
Koda **********
@Mark **********
Laos is ok buy I like Going to malaysia more you get 90 days there and to me much more to see then Laos .
Galen *******
"The answer my friend is blowing in the wind..." There is no rule about it. My answer is: "You'd better apply for a visa"!
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Galen ******
what type of visa. I need six months there
J **************
@Mark **********
go to the Thai embassy website in your country for accurate information
Galen *******
@Mark **********
With a Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for Thailand, you can stay for up to 60 days per entry, but the visa itself is valid for multiple entries within a 6-month period from the date of issuance. This means you can enter Thailand several times during the 6-month validity, with each stay capped at 60 days, as long as the visa remains valid.
Andy **********
@Galen ******
just to add to what you stated with the METV, each 60 day entry, can be extended by 30 days at your local immigration office, and if you do a border bounce, just before the expiry of the visa, you can get between 8 and 9 months out of it.
John *******
@Galen ******
You need a re-entry permit to do that. Multiple Entry does not mean multiple entry the way Thais have translated it.
Andy **********
@John ******
you don't need a re-entry permit, for an METV (multiple entry tourist visa)
John *******
@Andy *********
Mine was a MEOA visa. Yes, I think both the pretty young thing at Suvarnabhumi Immigration and the senior officer at Chiang Rai Immigration might have given me the wrong information. It is a minefield of uncertainty and translation issues.
Galen *******
@Andy *********
Without a visa, you are dependent on the respective officer at every border bounce. There is no law for an automatic right of entry.
Andy **********
@Galen ******
yes you need a re-entry permit, for any visa that is not multiple entries, if that's what you are trying to say 🤔
Steve *******
@John ******
You DON'T need a re-entry permit if you're holding a valid multiple-entry visa.
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Galen ******
many thanks
Brandon ************
Yes, as long as you're not abusing it.

If you haven't been in Thailand recently before doing it then it's risky. There's no rule about how long you can be in Thailand like this but people get warnings after 2 times and some even get denied entry if they've spent too much time in Thailand without the proper visa.

So if you haven't been in Thailand recently before doing it and if you don't plan on returning for at least 6-9 months afterwards, it's probably okay
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks. It will have been more than a year since my last visit to Thailand. Do you have any other advice? I'm not into risk.
Al ********
@Mark **********
yeparoo just follow Brandon’s advice and most likely all will go smoothly
Wayne ********
@Mark **********
just the correct you slightly Mark remember you’re not coming into Thailand with any Visa at all you were coming into Thailand visa exempt just so you have the terminology correct FYI
Brandon ************
@Mark **********
Your first entry is no issue at all.

For the 2nd entry, make sure you have the 3 proofs. If for some reason they want to give you trouble, it will be them asking for one of those proofs.

1) Proof of funds (20,000 baht or equivalent in another major currency IN CASH ONLY)

2) Proof of onward travel (a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days of your arrival)

3 Proof of lodging (at least a week or two of hotel reservation)
Mark ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
perfect. Many thanks
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