How do visa entry limits in Thailand work for the year transitioning from 2021 to 2022?

Apr 17, 2021
3 years ago
Johnny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Have a question. If you enter Thailand under visa exempt via airport in December (which would count against the number of entries for 2021) but leave in mid-January 2022....Would that departure date count in anyway against the visa entry limits for 2022? Thx in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question addresses the confusion regarding visa exempt entries for those entering Thailand at the end of one year and leaving in the next. The comments clarify that currently, there are generally no limits on entries by air for visa exempt statuses, while land entries are typically limited to two per calendar year. However, the discussions also caution that these rules may change due to future regulations and current uncertainties.
James ************
I swear after 20 years coming and going living here a few (Made 12 trips one year 2006) it also depends on IO mood. I got a guy in crappy mood he cancelled my new retirement extension gave me 30 day tourist and did not say a word. I did not check my passport just wanted bag and taxi ...very expensive when I realized I was on overstay 3 weeks. Airports are notorious for scrutiny of close counties. My wife and I went to Angkor for weekend they almost wouldn't let me in because IO bad mood I had not left country in 2 years but had a work permit while teaching 5 years ago, so they implied I was working in Cambodia weekends; yet no visa stamps in my passport. she put it in computer and they still hold me up at passport control for supervisor to unlock. All I believe because IO cranky. There's reason to be a little paranoid. Always have your phone to call gf or wife get you through if traveling alone.
Terary **********
I got a tin foil hat - I can answer this for you.

Actually, I think, depending on your nationality, there didn't used to be a limit visa exempt, via airport.

Good on you for planning ahead. But times are uncertain and nobody knows whats happening in January 2022
Scot *******
I detected no paranoia in your question.
Tod *********
I think you're getting the cart WAY before the whore :O err cart before the horse.

No one knows what's they will eventually come up with once the covid shit show dies down, this and neighboring countries opens back up.

I'd say dial your paranoia back a notch or five and wait to see what they announce officially.
Steve *******
There are NO limits on entries by air. Only border crossings are restricted to 2 visa exempt entries per calender year
Benjamin ******
*assuming* everything magically returns to normal, there are *UNLIMITED* visa exempt by air, and *TWO* visa exempt *PER CALENDAR YEAR* by land.

Unlimited, in this context, means “until we think you’re abusing the visa exempt system”.
Michael *********
@Johnny *********
It will be at the IO's discretion (at airport). Ask the next time you enter TH.
Johnny **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Phill ******
@Benjamin *****
, on your 5th re-entry an alert comes up on the immigration comuter . then they start asking questions and go thru your passport .
Benjamin ******
@Phill *****
have you seen that alert? That’s news to me
Phill ******
@Benjamin *****
i have it from a very reliable source .
Benjamin ******
@Phill *****
That's how rumors begin
Paul *******
I have lived in Thailand for 8 years but I have no idea what you are talking about. What are "yearly entry limits"? I have never heard of them.
Michael ********
@Paul ******
border bounces limited to three per year.
Paul *******
@Michael *******
Yes. But they do not apply to arrival at airports (see the posters question).
Paul *******
@Michael *******
But the borders have been closed for many months and unlikely to open in the near future. Border bounces do not apply if you fly in or out of Thailand. Your question does not make any sense unless you have located on open land border.
Michael ********
@Paul ******
it also applied to flights as well. Of course this was all pre covid and if you see my first comment thats what i said.
Bobby ********
Paul Darby. Some immigration officers at airports apply their own maximum 180 days in a year on tourist visa limit
Paul *******
@Bobby *******
Correct but nothing to do with border bounce. Basically a person may come to Thailand once or twice in a year on a visa exemption stamp or a Tourist Visa. If you come more often (or stay for over 180 days in any given year) the Immigration officer may consider that you are not really a tourist any more and that you should be arriving with a visa more suited to long stay / multiple entries. To me that is fair enough but nothing to do with border bounce which relates only to land crossings not arrival by aircraft flights.
Michael ********
@Paul ******
i used to do border bounces via KL airport.

The official limit was 6 visa exemptions per year when arriving by plane.
Tod *********
@Michael *******
there is no "official limit on v/e entries by air" you were being told a crock of shit from the officer
Michael ********
@Tod ********
Think was more time in the country rather than amount of flights, i got flagged
Tod *********
Ahhh, now that makes more sense
@Mic****
, before this covid shit show when people were living here on back to back visa exempt entries time IN country did factor in to the amount of hassle you got stamping back in
Bobby ********
Paul Darby. I didn't mention border bounces
Michael ********
This is planning way way to ahead who knows what the rules and regulations are going to be then.
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