Does entering Thailand from Sweden count as a visa exemption entry for 2023?

Apr 24, 2023
2 years ago
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Visa question

Hello i have a question, it’s the case now that in 2023 you can only do 2 "land-border runs" per calendar year (Thailand). And apparently the Thai immigration office counts that 1 of these border runs counts when you enter Thailand from your home-country (my case Sweden). (info from a law firm on youtube)

But I entered Thailand from Sweden on December 6 2022 and then got 45 days in Thailand, until January 19, 2023,

My question is if you or anyone knows about this case if my travelling into Thailand from Sweden counts to the calendar year of 2022 or 2023 because my 45 days over pass to 2023?.

(I can’t extend at the immigration on place in Chiang mai because I have already extended several times before.)

(I'm going to apply for smart visa very soon because I know I need a proper Visa, but I need to solve this for the moment temporarily)

Thankful for answers, have a good day,
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about whether entering Thailand from Sweden on December 6, 2022, counts towards their visa exemption entries for 2022 or 2023 since they stayed until January 19, 2023. The conversation clarifies that air entries do not count as land border runs and generally, entries into Thailand are counted per calendar year, meaning their entry from Sweden is considered a 2022 entry. Most comments outline that border run rules only apply to land entries and reinforce the need for a proper visa to avoid complications.
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Anthony ********
I arrived in Thailand on 30th November last year, got 45 days, then extended at immigration for 30 days, flew to Vietnam for 3 days, came back, got a further 45 days, then extended at immigration for a further 30 days, yesterday flew to Cambodia, came back today, got another 30 days, so I now come in three times by air no problems at immigration.

I now intend to apply for a retirement visa.

Just wanted to share this as many people said you cannot do more than two flights.
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you guys for you answers i will read them carefully
Umami *********
these lines seem to be new to me - Those who arrive at the airport without a prior visa will continue to receive a 30-day stamp up to 6 times per calendar year. Extensions at Thai Immigration for the visa exemption stamps remain to be 30 days for a fee of 1,900 baht.
Prinze ******
There is something missing in your story.

Arrived from Sweden and given 45 days except.

I am guessinh you did a 30 day extension around February 1st week. Which will end early March.

We're already on the last week of April. Did you already do 1 border bounce last March and and extend it for 30 days for April??

If this is a Yes, you still have one more border bounce. But like what others have told you pick your border.

But to be safe, just travel by air to any SEA country (South East Asian)
Paul *******
@Prinze *****
No need to travel by air to leave Thailand..more important is that the OP spends some time outside of Thailand before returning.
Rod **********
Take note

Immigration is tightening up on these border runs.

There pushing people to get a proper paid Visa to enter.

It's all about the

MONEY.

Just look now at the huge crowds at the

Immigration Offices.

If you're going to go, go early and have all your documents and make sure your PASSPORT is up-to-date.

There crazy must have PASSPORT for everything just to get a phone sim card.!!
Prinze ******
@Rod *********
somehow I disagree with your statement "it's all about the MONEY".

Lately there have been a lot of cromes that involve foreigners who wntered Thailand illegally or those who are abusing the Border bounce.

I do understand that Thailand still has corruption but please consider that Thailand is doing it's best for its people's safety, including expats living here.
Paul *******
@Rod *********
Requiring a passport to purchase a SIM card is standard practice in many if not most countries now for security reasons. I don't agree with it, but it's been this way for a long, long time now in Thailand. Well over 10 years. Myanmar requires you to register your number too (and they have much poorer infrastructure) so does Malaysia.

Traveling into and out of Thailand as a tourist by land is OK, provided you don't exceed the 2 entries per calendar year limit (if arriving without a visa) and it's also preferable to make it look like you're a legitimate tourist, by actually crossing over to Cambodia or Laos to spend a week or two touring the country before returning but of course if it looks like you're spending 90% of your time in Thailand on tourist visas or exemptions you're clearly abusing the privilege.
Bob **********
Flying does not count as entering by LAND but if you’ve been in Thailand using exempt stamps and extending them plus Covid extensions there’s a good chance you’ll be denied entry you need to get the proper visa if you want stay in Thailand
Paul *******
@Bob *********
I don't see there being any issues with Covid extensions given people legitimately couldn't leave the country. I think the issue does arise when someone who was on Covid extensions until they were no longer offered has returned soon after and is continuing to try and live in Thailand on tourist visa exemptions/visas/extensions then it will clearly look to immigration like you're abusing the system.

By contrast, someone who was on Covid extensions until last September and comes back to Thailand for a couple of weeks and leaves again OR gets an appropriate visa won't face any difficulties.

Problem is on this forum, we're encountering so many people trying to live in Thailand without the appropriate visa. If they want to have an easy way of extending their visa and they're not working (or working remotely) why don't these people try Cambodia or Laos? Its much easier to extend visas there and though it's a system using corrupt agents it's all tolerated and nothing will be done to change or Crack down on the system in the foreseeable future. Everyone extends using an agent in Laos and Cambodia.
Jeremy ********
Air travel and land border crossings are two separate things….unless you took a bus or drove from Sweden to Thailand making that a land border crossing…
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
i came by air 🙏
Paul *******
@Jeremy *******
Lots of people enter by land from one of the neighboring countries. This includes westerners from far away countries.
Jeremy ********
@Paul ******
this I know...I see you didn't get my Joke...Oh well
Mitchell *******
So, you didn't enter Thailand from Sweden. You entered from Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, or Myanmar. Correct?

But either way, that is a 2022 entry.
Paul *******
Sounds a bit strange. Surely the 2 overland entries only applies for entries made between January 1 and December 31 of each calendar year.
Mma *******
@Paul ******
Exactly-
Luc ************
What did you do after January 19th? Extend at immigration for another 45 days? And after that? Border run?
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luc ***********
Yes, i extended on the immigration office and then i did a land border run to cambodia and then i did a flight border run to Laos and back 👍
Steve ********
@Luc ***********
Can't extend for 45 days at immigration, only 30
Luc ************
@Steve *******
ow yes, correct 🙈
John **********
I'm confused by your stated that you've already extended a number of times as each entry can only be extended once. So I guess you've already done one border run already. Legally you can do one more but pick your border
Jonathan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
What do you mean pick your border?
John **********
@Jonathan *********
some borders are more friendly than others. Poipet has a reputation for being difficult.
Garrett ***********
Sweden doesn't border Thailand, you couldn't have entered Thailand by land
Steve *******
It's been the case for many years now, however your entry from Sweden would only count as one of your two visa exempt entries per calander year if you arrived via a land border.
Duncan *******
@Steve ******
Thailand doesnt have a land border with Sweden.
Steve *******
@Duncan ******
Exactly! Try reading the OP's post! However, it's still possible to enter via a land border.
Brandon ************
You can enter Thailand twice by LAND border with visa exempt per calendar year. Unless you somehow arrived from Sweden by land border, that is irrelevant and doesn't matter.
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