Can I reenter Thailand under Visa Exemption after visiting Laos?

Visa Exemption Entry Thailand visa rules Tourist visa Reentry Immigration regulations Visa limitations Air travel Visa regulations for expats

August 20, 2018

6 years ago

Gabriel *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi!

I write to you to ask for an advice. I am Spanish and I am visiting friends here in Thailand as a tourist. I entered into Thailand by Suvarnabhumi the 4th of August under VEE and I will leave the 30th of August. 

During this month I have done one travel to Cambodia by air and I have come back under Visa Exemption Entry in Suvarnabhumi too. My friends want to visit Laos by air too during my last days in Thailand. Could I go with them and reentering under Visa Exempt Entry in Don Mueang for a 3rd time in this month and then returning back home? 

I never thought about having Tourist Visa because all my visits are under 30 days. Even the Thai Embassy in Madrid told me that I am going to get denied a tourist visa because my visit is under 30 days. Some visa agents I have asked about this topic have told me that Visa Exemptions are limited if using them very often, is that real? Is there a real number of Visa Exemptions if someone enter Thailand by air?

Thanks in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A Spanish tourist asking about the possibility of reentering Thailand under Visa Exemption after traveling to Laos received reassurance that it is permissible. The discussion revealed that there are no limitations on air entries under Visa Exemption, although only two land entries per year are allowed. Frequent travelers might face scrutiny, but the user, visiting for only a month, is likely to have no issues with immigration. The guidance emphasized that having sufficient funds and travel documents is advisable.

Gabriel *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

You calm me with your answers. Last time I was in Thailand was July 2016. For this reason I was a bit shocked about the new visa regulations

6 years ago

Rik ********

You will be fine! Immigration are on the lookout for people who are living in thailand and working - multiple back to back visas, each time staying the full amount each visa will grant them. Your movements are those of a tourist. If you had any concern and want to be on the safe side, then as others have mentioned, you can carry 10,000 baht (in cash), have a booking of where you will be staying (a couple of days up till a week should be fine) and a onward flight/coach ticket out of the country. Good luck!

6 years ago

Reply to

Rik ********

Mark *******

You will have no problem. The whole point of the VEE is so that people can fly around the region, in and out of Thailand and not need a visa.

If you had a tourist visa, that would not help because as soon as you leave the country, the single entry visa is no longer valid (unless you buy a re-entry permit). But again, no need to do this.

The reason they say visa exempt entries are limited is because 1) you can only do two land based visa exempt entries per year and 2) people who have been doing visa exempt entries for months and months (even years) have a high probability of being stopped by immigration and having to show things like money, onward flights, hotel reservations, etc. In your instance, you are only in the region for a month. Immigration will have no concerns with you. Technically, they can ask that you show you have 10,000 baht (or equivalent foreign currency) when you enter on exempt entry but again, you're not a frequent/long term visitor to Thailand so you'll be fine. Enjoy your travels!

6 years ago

Mark *******

You're very welcome!

6 years ago

Gabriel *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the reply!!

6 years ago

Reply to

Gabriel *******

Phil *******

No limit by air. 2 entry per year if you enter by land border

6 years ago

Gabriel *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for the reply!!

6 years ago

Miki *******

@Phil ******

ok so i shall just do another cambodian one that will be the second for the year ... thanx for your advice mate!

6 years ago

Phil *******

@Miki ******

Any land border counts. Only for VEE. Entry with proper visa do not count

6 years ago

Miki *******

Hi Phill, sorry to bother ... Does it matter which land border and what visa? I have done one cambodian visa run in april, and a trip to vientiane for a METV ... now need to do another ... think i can do another cambodian visa run? Or does the trip to Laos already count as no2 land crossing?

6 years ago

Reply to

Miki *******

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Will I face issues returning to Thailand after multiple short stays with visa exempt entries?

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