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

Sep 25, 2024
2 months ago
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A friend of friend said they were banned from Thailand for staying over 180 days on tourist visa enter exit etc. has anyone heard of this? I thought it was infinite - they can reject but not ban you from Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A friend of a friend claimed to have been banned from Thailand for staying over 180 days on a tourist visa, prompting a discussion about the validity and frequency of such bans. While many comments suggest that a ban typically comes from overstaying, there is confusion over whether entering and exiting multiple times can lead to a ban. Some users affirm that if one is found to be living in Thailand on tourist visas or has an extensive history of entries, they could be warned or refused entry, but would not necessarily be banned unless they overstayed significantly. Discussions also highlight varying opinions about compliance with Thai immigration rules and the importance of obtaining appropriate visas to avoid issues.
Tony *********
Their country their rules unlike the UK who make it as hard as hell for genuine legal visitors to come to the UK while the illegals in dinghies and boats are welcomed with open arms and promises of benefits to support them when they get here 🤬🤬🤬
Eric ******
@Tony ********
hmmm, that sounds familiar…🇺🇸
Dave ************
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.
Eric ******
@Dave ***********
have u seen what’s going in the Us?? We let everybody in! 🤦🏻‍♂️
Brandon ************
Sounds a lot more like they were denied entry, and not banned.
Kool *******
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.
Donald *********
If you overstay your visa OF COURSE you will be banned. Otherwise we would all do it.
Marcus ********
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.
Glenn *********
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.
Marcus ********
@Glenn ********
I literally overstay everytime and find out AT the airport. You just go pay the fine and you’re done. 20 minute max
Glenn *********
@Marcus *******
good for you...plenty of overstay on your passport will get you a blue Peter badge
Frank **********
If you do not obey the law then he deserves to be banned.
Jimmy ********
Cissi *********
@Jimmy *******
that is old information.
Jimmy ********
@Cissi ********
yes I know I am Thailand now my 5th time this year
Cissi *********
@Jimmy *******
🤔🤔🤔 so why do you comment with a post like that if you KNOW the information is incorrect?!?
Scott *******
Y’all are walking

into a KINGDOM …

Obey the rules 
Bucky ********
guess you thought wrong
Douglas *******
My friend was banned for 5 years. He still has 4 more years to go.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Douglas *******
@David ********
overstay didn't report probally stopped and caught. Don't know full story.
Carlos *********
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?
Ron ******
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.
Stan ***********
You over stayed so you get banned. Very simple
Tony ********
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).
John ********
@Tony *******
True statement. Past experience of mine confirms your comment.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
3 year ban was placed
Pete **********
@David ********
then there is your answer. Yes it happens. The " friend of a friend" or you, can return in 3 years . Happy travels
Ben *****
@David ********
sounds like an overstay or they broke the law
Tony ********
@David ********
more to the story then...
Keith *******
Any country can ban you if laws are broken.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keith ******
so insightful
Pete **********
@David ********
he's right on the money. You're over here asking Facebook expecting some resolution.
Scott *******
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.
Peter **********
@Scott ******
nobody is a guest, guests are invited. we are aliens who can stay at the discretion of thai immigration police , if you pay for your visa and satisfy financial requirements.
Sebastian ******
There is no law against staying longer than 180 days as a tourist.

Also that didn't happen unless they overstayed.
Kaj *****
Overstay only ,don't believe that bs
Leo *********
When the story starts by « a friend of a friend »…
Leo *********
More seriously it doesn’t look possible to get ban except for overstay, Tourist Visa Multi Entry allows you to stay more than 180 days per year by simply going in and out for example… so as soon as you have a valid visa there is no reason you’re getting banned.

Even for visa runs with visa exemption the maximum you risk is being refused entry but not banned.
Paul *********
If they overstayed, yes.
Rene ******
@Paul ********
then it would be 5 years?
Graham ******
@Rene *****
It depends on whether arrested on overstay or surrendered. The bans range from 1 to 10 years.
Ryan *******
@Graham *****
so the best deal is to stay 5 years over as 10 years is double... 90 days and banned for a year is 4x penalty.🤣🤣
Garrett ***********
Sounds like they overstayed.
Ruud ******************
Why don’t you go for a normal visa, then you don’t have these “problems”
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ruud *****************
which visa seems the best option is dtv... but who wants to do Muay Thai for 5 years
Brian *********
@Ruud *****************
I said this before and got slated buddy wait for the experts to hate you 😀
Mike ************
no it happens Thailand is changing
Richard ******
Garrett ***********
@Mike ***********
No it doesn't...
Jason **********
My sister's nephews uncle's cousin said this doesn't happen so it's ok no worries.
Andy ************
@Jason *********
I can confirm that my next door neighbour's daughter's best friend's mother's boss's wife agree with you
Jim ********
@Jason *********
😂😂😂😂
Patrick *******
Yes.3-5 years
Stuart *********
Never heard of anyone being banned for too many entries.

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