How does the current border situation affect the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa in Thailand?

Jul 10, 2021
3 years ago
Remo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Since multiple entry tourist visas are available again. Does anyone know how this would work with border runs since all borders still seem to be closed and neighboring countries don't open for tourism yet.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for Thailand is currently unavailable due to closed land borders resulting from COVID-19. Presently, travelers can obtain only single-entry tourist visas, which allow for stays of 59 days, extendable by 30 days. For longer stays, individuals are advised to consider options such as the 5-year Thai Elite Visa, which costs 600K THB, or pursue other valid purposes for staying in Thailand, such as retirement or marriage. Extensions based on COVID-19-related travel restrictions are not deemed reliable and have faced rejections in practice.
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Benjamin ******
I'm shutting this down:

1. The 6 month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is NOT being sold now, because the land borders are still closed. You can only get a single entry tourist visa that lets you stay in Thailand for 59 days, extendable once for another 30 days, for a total of 89 days.

2. IF you want to stay longer then 89 days, a person needs to:

- Purchase a 5 year elite tourist visa from the Thai Elite people for 600K THB OR;

- Find another valid purpose to stay in Thailand ("retirement", marriage to a Thai national, employment, etc.)

3. Staying in Thailand using the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is NOT a valid long-term strategy. AS OF RIGHT NOW, the last day they are selling this extension of stay is July 29, and there are reports of people being verbally rejected. This is an optional extension of stay, and an immigration office does not need to approve it.

I see no value in keeping this post open. Thank you.
Wayne **********
A variation of the answer by Piet de Keizer. MTV's are not being granted, however you could theoretically apply and be declined and lose the application fee.
Jack *****
Fly in apply Coe. If your nationality exempted from visa. U are given 45 days
Tod *********
AFAIK the 6 month METV is not available yet (it was cancelled back when they locked the country down). That it still is a choice on some thai consulates websites doesn't mean they actually sell them.

Where did you read they're "available again"?
James ********
They are useless due to COVID and all land borders are CLOSED to neighbors. Only way to use them is leave Thailand and reentry using CoE and quarantine rules.

There are some expats who use them as they work outside of Thailand and have family or loved ones here in Thailand.

But they know each time they reenter they must meet the reentry rules in place to include quarantine or using Phuket sandbox plan to reenter.
Remo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Understood. Would you have any advice as to how I could stay in Thailand for a longer period of time as a tourist?
Lee ****
@Remo *******
Ive been here since january on a visa exemption, just by using covid extensions
Benjamin ******
@Lee ***
The 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 are NOT a valid solution. These extension of stays are optional, and there have been reports of immigration offices verbally rejecting the extension of stay requests.
Pui *****
@Benjamin *****
my friend with Hong Kong passport was just rejected for his first Covid extension at Samui immigration because they said there are plenty of flights between Bangkok and HK so he doesn't qualify. He is currently on his 30 day extension on a visa exempt entry.
Benjamin ******
@Pui ****
Verbal rejection OR an actual rejection stamp? If he has an actual rejection stamp, can you post a picture of it?
Pui *****
@Benjamin *****
not sure, let me ask him.
Benjamin ******
@Pui ****
Thank you. I'm going to shut down this post, if you can send me a message with the answer, I would really appreciate it ๐Ÿ™‚

Thank you
James ********
@Pui ****
and we will see more of this coming...
Benjamin ******
@Remo *******
Your only other option would be to contact the Thai elite visa people and get a 5 to 20 year elite tourist visa. They start at 600K THB for 5 years.
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