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Can I travel in Thailand for five months a year on a tourist visa?

Visa Tourist Visa Retirement Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Exemptions Long-term Stay Travel in Thailand

May 13, 2025

25 days ago

Fred ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

What if you wanted to legitimately tour parts of Thailand only for a total of five months a year, split into two stays, july and august and then later in Dec, Jan, Feb.  Do you think you need to get a retirement visa, or some other form of visa, or can you just come in on a tourist visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

If you're planning to tour Thailand for a total of five months a year, divided into stays in July-August and December-February, you may not need a retirement visa. A tourist visa could suffice, allowing for visits under the 60-day visa exemption rule. However, it's important to note that repeated entries could raise scrutiny from immigration authorities, particularly if you attempt multiple entries within the same year. Generally, entering Thailand on a 60-day exemption multiple times throughout the year can be done without issues, as long as you keep your travel legitimate and not attempt continuous border runs.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Eyal ***********

Up to 180 days a year 👆

25 days ago

Eyal ***********

Anyway tourist visa /stamps up to 180 days in a calender year

24 days ago

Eyal ***********

@Chris ******

type:

Visa-exempt entries:

Some countries can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days, and this visa exemption can be used twice in a calendar year when entering via land or sea, but with no limits for air travel.

Tourist visas:

Multiple Entry Tourist Visas (METV) might allow for a 60-day stay per entry within a 6-month validity, with the ability to leave and re-enter to reset the 60-day clock.

Other visa types:

24 days ago

Eyal ***********

I am really not here to argue with anyone friend or to start proving myself ...just ..check yourself and maybe be a little less arrogant

24 days ago

Eyal ***********

@Chris ******

visa extention one year.mp3

24 days ago

Eyal ***********

@Chris ******

ok friend ,although you know it all still I will do the effort to explaine..the rule in Thailand as written is that you can only stay in Thailand on a tourist visa for up to 180 days per culunder year.you can decide them as you wish .this is the rule .you can check it before you dismiss it ,cause its a fact ...

Now ,is Thailand a place where you can "bend"the rules ? Yes , absolutely, asppacialy if you have money .never the less if you do you might get in difficulty once you'll want to make a l.t.v if some sort if the immigration officer who deals with your matter is more strict or just wants to ..in general I advise you to check the facts better before you reply

24 days ago

Chris *******

@Eyal **********

please supply ANY government reference material.

Immigration act, ANYWHERE that states anything like this.

The Revenue Dept Considers anyone over 180 days a tax resident.

Other than that please backup your assertion with fact.

Entries into Thailand are unlimited, UNTIL the officer you are standing in front of determines you are not a Tourist but trying to live in Thailand on tourist Entries.

That's when the trouble begins.

24 days ago

Reply to

Chris *******

@Eyal **********

no such rule or law.

25 days ago

Reply to

Chris *******

Ernst *********

So. We all understand that the Thailand immigration does not want you to abuse the 60 day visa exempt.

So, has anyone had experience of how many times a year you can enter Thailand on a 60 day exemption.

Twice a year???

Three times a year???

I am nor referring to continuous border runs, just enjoy your 60 days, leave and return after a couple of month's.

25 days ago

Bob **********

@Ernst ********

it’s up to the IO you stand in front of and you entry record my neighbor has come and gone an average of 6 times a year staying one month and been doing it for 19 years

24 days ago

Ernst *********

@Bob *********

thx. Great insight.

24 days ago

Reply to

Ernst *********

James *******

@Ernst ********

absolutely there is no 180 days rule in Thailand, it is not like Japan that very clearly states 180 days visa exempt within a calendar year. In Thailand it is up to the daily mood swing of the imo to say: you stayed too much, no more visa for you

Eyal ***********

up to 180days a year

Graham *****

can you do that with x 2 90day visa

25 days ago

Ernst *********

@Eyal **********

great, makes sense.