Can you be banned from Thailand for staying too long on a tourist visa?

Thailand has many laws. Many of them are broken regularly (particularly driving laws). However when it comes to foreigners and overstays, they are strict. It's a shame the UK can't take the same aproach and deport and ban all illegal immigrants.

Sounds a lot more like they were denied entry, and not banned.

If immigration determines you are trying to stay long term in Thailand they can, and do, ban you from entering Thailand as a tourist until you've been out of Thailand for a considerable amount of time. It is a difference of words used. Some use "ban" when they were actually refused entry until they get the correct long term visa.

If you overstay your visa OF COURSE you will be banned. Otherwise we would all do it.

If you can’t pay you go to jail. I been over 60 days and just paid the fine. Just ask why and say too much fun.

If you break the law of overstay and don't get it cleared before you go to airport then you will be banned by airport immigration... there's no reason for anyone to be on a overstay before arrival to airport... check the law before doing the crime..always clear any overstay before leaving the country....or you can get a 5 year ban for a 5 month overstay.

If you do not obey the law then he deserves to be banned.

Y’all are walking

into a KINGDOM …

Obey the rules 

guess you thought wrong

My friend was banned for 5 years. He still has 4 more years to go.

Did he come in visa exempt,( then have flagrant disregard for the law), and stayed an additional 150days @ 500bht per day(75,000), caps off at 20,000bht with a ban of X amount of years. That's what this sounds like?

Could have been denied entry if they were trying to live in Thailand on tourist visas/extensions. Only infinite until the officer tells you it’s not.

You over stayed so you get banned. Very simple

You really need to understand the context of the statement, and when and where the conversation that included the word 'banned' happened. If the person was trying to enter the country with an extensive history as you described they aren't a tourist anymore. The IO could have said "i'll let you in but its the last time" or i'll let you in but your banned from using exempt again this year", or rejected them and said "your banned from entering without a visa because of your history". Proper bans are usually applied at departure and are linked to overstays ( or some expulsion action). Its possible on exit that the IO on exit noticed the history and warned the person that they were banned from entering again this year on exempt again. If it was a proper ban, they would would know the length. Its most likely banned from entering (refused entry) as not having proper visa, ( based on historic stays).

Any country can ban you if laws are broken.

From what I have read and heard, this is becoming more common. People need to follow the Thai laws if they wish to be a guest in this beautiful country.

Overstay only ,don't believe that bs

When the story starts by « a friend of a friend »…

If they overstayed, yes.

Sounds like they overstayed.

Why don’t you go for a normal visa, then you don’t have these “problems”

no it happens Thailand is changing

My sister's nephews uncle's cousin said this doesn't happen so it's ok no worries.

Yes.3-5 years

Never heard of anyone being banned for too many entries.

If they overstay more than 90 days they can get banned.