How does the 180-day rule affect tourists staying in Thailand on exempt visas?

@Maxim **********

that’s definitely more than a year 😂

@Maxim **********

👏👏👏👏👏

@Todd ********

new? Live in Buriram.

@Luc ***********

not new. Many people for many years. There are no specific restrictions on how many times you can repeat this cycle. And now it’s easier than ever with 60 day visa exemptions. If concerned about immigration issues, people border bounce with agencies or pay for FastTrack services at airport entries

From Buriram, I imagine people use the nearby Cambodian border points?

@David ******

Every tax resident can be investigated and if found to be evading tax they will be prosecuted but if found to owe no tax then no action will be taken. In Thailand, it is illegal to evade paying tax but it is not illegal if you don't file a return because you owe no tax.

@Alma **************

since you made a comment that you've been doing this for years you are not considered to be a tourist by the immigration laws - even if you consider yourself as one - hence I stick to the opinion of getting a visa for long term staying.

But hey, of course you can choose to continue abusing the system of Thailands generosity with their visa exemption scheme - I mean as long as it works, it works...

Entry into Thailand, no matter what visa you hold or not hold, is at the discretion of immigration.

When they decide a person is trying to stay in Thailand long term on tourist entries, they will eventually question it and put an end to it...

@Cissi ********

you can’t really ‘abuse’ the system at all, as they will stop you if you feel you are. It’s the system they built for tourism and long stay and you can absolutely use it as you see fit. It’s only westerners who perceive ‘abuse’ of the system. Which is simply irrational.

There are people here for many years without visa for whatever their reasons are. If and when they feel you should have a different visa or mode of entry, they will let you know. Until then, keep using the system as you see fit. It’s SE Asia. That’s how things work

@Todd ********

sure, I can agree with you to some point - using or abusing the system... to me it's almost the same thing. As I see it, is clear that visa exemptions are not meant to be used for living in Thailand for years - that people choose to and succeed to do so doesn't mean they are meant to. I think I made my point and I definitely understand what you are writing... and as I wrote, the OP can keep going in and out on visa exemptions as long as it works. Is it right? Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

@Cissi ********

if you don’t need one, don’t get one. And it’s not a matter of time at all. They won’t be denied entry, they will be warned. There will be a discussion. And then you consider your options. Get a visa. Use a border bounce agency. Use FastTrack services. ETA might change things. Might not.

@Todd ********

you are right, they wont get denied entry, they will be questioned and most likely warned/told to get a visa next time.

My opinion and advice is still to get a proper visa.

@Cissi ********

that’s exactly it. And then next time use agency or FastTrack. Or different entry point. There will always be some lax ones.

With ‘proper visas’ in Thailand there has always been a large challenge for people under 50. Retirement visas easy. But now, with DTV, Thailand has created one of the easiest to acquire 5 year residency visas on earth. So people planning on long stay may as well use that now. Easy and dirt cheap

@Ian *********

thank ian ...when i go to Cambodja for one day ( border run ) will i get the extended 60 days ? Or do i have to stay for say 3 days ? What is your advice. Thank you. Also when i want to live every year in the summer for 179 days in Thailand. Is it better for the i.o. to apply for the DTV . Mutch thanks for your advice

@Rini ********

If you have a valid DTV you will get 180 days each entry, it is not a total of 180 days per year