Can I stay in Thailand for a year using repeated tourist visa extensions?

Question

Hi All

I am thinking about moving to Bangkok for a year and would like to do tourist visa. I currently have 2 ed visas in my passport. Don’t know if that will affect anything?

I would like to ask if anyone have experience or knowledge about doing 2 months tourist visa+extension and then repeat that process every 3 months for 1 year. 
I am thinking to go to a different country for the tourist visa every time and stay there a few days so immigration will not think i only go for the visa and quickly comes back. I will use flights and not use border crossing with bus or so.

Should I be worried every time i go out and back or will immigration ask me questions after i have 2 or more tourist visas??

Hope someone have tried this and can tell how it went.

Thanks so much for your time and help(:

Ask Thailand · Answer

The original poster is seeking advice on living in Thailand for a year using tourist visas followed by extensions. They currently have two education visas and are concerned about potential immigration issues. The conversation includes insights from others about the challenges of proving sufficient funds and the necessity of maintaining proper lodging documentation. Suggestions range from having a lease to showing cash on arrival, with emphasis on the importance of not appearing to live in Thailand on a tourist visa.

David *********** · Answer

Yes if the apartment contract is more than 3-6 months then maybe immigration will wonder why I come here on SETV which is only  2-3 months.

With METV then it should be ok

David *********** · Answer

Thanks for all the answers 🙂

Johnsuma ****** · Answer

look like immigration cannot calculate, LOL.

showing 20.000 baht at a border during 1 year looklike short, with that you can lives a big maximum of 1 month ! so such people is supposed to work witout WP ? No ?

Stephen ******* · Answer

Sorry, but how will you support yourself when you are in Thailand. That's what an IO will want to know. Having an apartment lease means you are living there and not a tourist. Having, say a 12 month lease says you aren't applying for a 2 month tourist visa but intend to stay 12 months. This may worry them.

David *********** · Answer

Thanks for the quick answers(:

For proof of lodging will it be ok to show contract of apartment in bangkok or should I book hotel for 3-4 nights or more and print it out and then cancel it?

Thomas ******************** · Answer

It's certainly doable. I know people who stayed here for years like that. For immigration, just be sure to always have proof of lodging, proof of onward travel, and 20k baht in cash.

Robert ******* · Answer

You can go, buy new tourist visa and come back, apply for extension and do it again and again and again. There is something that you have to show 20.000 Thb on arrival with visa, so make sure that is in your pocket. And don't look surprised if a Immigration Officer not really believe that you can live more than a year without any income. Even to live in Thailand you need money, so they can ask how you provide yourself. So make sure you can do on every entry.

Tony ********* · Answer

Or do what you said should be fine.

Tony ********* · Answer

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Can I stay in Thailand for a year using repeated tourist visa extensions?

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