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Do entry denials happen more often at airports than land borders in Thailand?
Thai immigrationVisa exempt rulesTourist visaEntry denialLand border vs airport entryVisa regulationsImmigration officer discretionTravel patterns
Jul 2, 2025
10 months ago
Dirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERDo denials of entry (because of too many tourist visas or visa exempt entries) seem to happen more often at airports than at land borders?
I am wondering if it's better to fly to a nearby country like Malaysia and enter Thailand overland instead of flying directly into Thailand.
Even though I haven't been in Thailand for 1.5 years now, I have entered visa exempt quite a few times in the years before that and am worried about being forced to fly back home, since I read about so many people being denied entry recently (especially at airports?).
I am wondering if it's better to fly to a nearby country like Malaysia and enter Thailand overland instead of flying directly into Thailand.
Even though I haven't been in Thailand for 1.5 years now, I have entered visa exempt quite a few times in the years before that and am worried about being forced to fly back home, since I read about so many people being denied entry recently (especially at airports?).
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses concerns about potential entry denials into Thailand due to frequent tourist visa or visa-exempt entries, particularly at airports compared to land borders. The author contemplates traveling to a nearby country like Malaysia to enter Thailand overland. Several comments suggest that while there is variability in immigration officer decisions, extended tourism or multiple entries on visa-exempt stamps could raise scrutiny. Overall, after 1.5 years of absence, many believe entry denial risks are minimal as long as proper documentation, such as return tickets and clear travel intentions, are provided.
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Martin ***********
I don't think you need to worry there. It's only a problem if you enter too often within a short timeframe. After one and a half years your previous entries won't matter any more. Well, unless they caught you on overstay or you have some criminal record from back then.
EM *****
Well, I was travelling around Asia on vacation this past December and entered Thailand by air three times, to Bangkok, Chiangmai, each entry just a few days, in between trips to other countries.
On my third entry, IO asked if I had a return ticket. IO was not at all rude or anything .
Why is that?
Is there a limit on how often you can visit as a tourist?
I am far from overstaying on each entry.
Do you always have to have a return ticket?
If you are retired and have all the time in the world to travel, you kinda want to take it easy and decide when to travel at your leisure as long as as you don’t overstay each time.
This is scrutiny unique to Thailand?
On my third entry, IO asked if I had a return ticket. IO was not at all rude or anything .
Why is that?
Is there a limit on how often you can visit as a tourist?
I am far from overstaying on each entry.
Do you always have to have a return ticket?
If you are retired and have all the time in the world to travel, you kinda want to take it easy and decide when to travel at your leisure as long as as you don’t overstay each time.
This is scrutiny unique to Thailand?
Dirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@EM ****
as far as I know there are no written rules regarding visa exempt entries. Though if you enter too often or stay too long on Visa Exempt stamps some immigration officers suspect you are trying to live long term in Thailand on Visa Exempt stamps (or Tourist Visas). What really bothers me is that it's kinda like russian roulette. It's completely random as to when someone is being questioned or denied entry into Thailand. Some people seem to get away with years and years of back to back Visa Exempt entries and others are denied entry at the 2nd time of trying to enter in a calendar year. Playing russian roulette is not a pleasant start of a holiday for me.
John *******
EM - on a tourist visa or visa exempt?
EM *****
@John ******
Visa exemptReply to
EM *****
Reply
Todd *********
You have been out of the country for 18 months and are worried about denial??! Cmon man. You are getting in with no issues
Dirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
I do think the chance of being denied entry is small, but I have read so many comments of people on Facebook and Reddit recently who haven't been in Thailand for around as long as I have and which have been denied entry because of a few visa exempt entries (with extensions) in the past. Just to add, I stayed in Thailand for ~5-6 months on Visa Exempt stamps every calendar year from 2021 to 2023.
Todd *********
@Dirk ****************
if they were denied entry, they had something significant in their history, or in their travel patterns. There is nothing at all wrong with extended tourism. Thailand loves it. As long as you can show you have the money. If they think you are trying to live or work there, it’s a different story. You may be questioned on arrival, by immigration officers just doing their jobs. May even be given a warning for next time. But not deniedReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Kev **********
Just have all your stuff in check return ticket ect
Ian **********
I would not assume that. Immigration have tightened up across the piece, and it will fall to the individual officer on the day, and your story.
Dirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *********
you're probably right. I forgot to add that one other major reason why I am thinking about entering overland is because even if they deny me entry at least they will just send me back to the country I just came from instead of all the way back home.Jordan *****
@Dirk ****************
I crossed Poipet border 10 times, last time last month. I never saw anyone pulled to the side in years other than some Indian citizens on tourist visas. I avoid flying like the plague as they have no proper rules and they arbitrarily force people to fly back home, go through the humiliating ritual of being placed in a cell like a common criminal, passport taken away, etc,Dirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jordan ****
yeah, crossing overland sounds much better (or less bad) in case you are turned away. Just the chance of being put in a detention cell and then being forced to fly back home already kinda ruins my holiday before it even started.John *******
@Jordan ****
10 times? How long have you lived here? Why so many times?Jordan *****
John MacomI never lived in Thailand longer than a year, but I have Thai family. First visit was in 2000
Reply to
Jordan *****
Reply
Ian **********
Dirk Scheffenbichler, yes. I have been through the Malaysia - Thai border several times in recent months, and witnessed the questioning. If I am not mistaken, you are allowed 2 border crossings per year on visa exempt and/or tourist visa
Kev **********
@Dirk ****************
and try again the next dayReply to
Kev **********
Reply
Frangipani *******
There is no hard and fast rule. It depends on the IO.
Frangipani *******
Why don’t you get a proper visa?
Travis *******
@Frangipani ******
visa exempt is a "proper" way to enter the country.Wayne ********
@Frangipani ******
Exactly, IO are not stupid, they’ve stepped up their game in recent months & won’t be fooled by farrangs. Gotta laugh 555Dirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frangipani ******
well, I'm only planning to stay 3 months max this time and from what I have read denials of entry seem to happen just as much with tourist visas as with visa exempt entries (and both give you 60 days with possible 30 day extension).Graham ******
@Dirk ****************
so you don't need to border bounce for a 3 month stayDirk *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
well, Visa Exempt is also 60 days with a possible extension of 30 days (so 90 days in total). I would get the tourist visa if it would help my case, but while Immigration officers always talk about "getting the right visa" they still often deny you if you get one. It seems to be more dependent on the mood of the IO than the visa that you got.
Reply to
Dirk *****************
Reply
Frangipani *******
@Dirk ****************
Not true.Jordan *****
@Frangipani ******
totally true. They don’t care whether you have a tourist visa or not, The only people I met being denied entry had tourist visas. If you believe you will not be let in on visa exemptions, tourist visas won’t do you any good.John *******
@Jordan ****
I actually disagree with you as well. From the countless posts I have seen is they are more likely to be harsher with you if you try to enter multiple times “visa exempt”.Reply to
John *******
Reply
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