Answered4 years ago

How does the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme work for multiple entries into Thailand by land?

Tourist Visa Exemption Visa Rules Thailand Entering Thailand from Malaysia Visa Entries Border Crossing Travel Regulations for Expats in Thailand

Corey *******

asked Nov 27, 2022

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I recently asked about entering the border by private car through Malaysia, and my question was answered perfectly. Thanks! I just have a follow up question:

"Entering the Kingdom through land/sea border checkpoints under Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme is permitted only twice in a calendar year"

I just came back into Thailand for the first time this year by land. If I drive to Malaysia in December and come back, it will be my second entry into Thailand by land. Does this mean it starts over in January, meaning I could go to Malaysia and come back a third time in January, and then a 4th time as well? My Thai friend and I are just exploring northern Malaysia, and its not really about border bouncing. 

To re-phrase, They gave me 45 days (until January 4th) to exit. If I don't use my "2nd Entry by Land", do I just lose it for 2022, and would I still be eligible for 2 re-entries by land in 2023? Or is it a 12 month period as I've also read? (Two entries within 12 months).

Thanks!

Answer summary

The user inquires about the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme, specifically regarding the rules for entering Thailand by land twice within a calendar year. They want clarification on whether their entries reset annually or within a 12-month period, confirming that two land entries are permitted each calendar year, thus resetting on January 1st.

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Tod *********

The two visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year means Jan 1 - Dec 31. SO if you've entered thailand by land once this year, you have until Dec 31 to enter again and and that would max out your free entry stamp by land yearly 'quota'.

You are correct, Jan 1 it will reset and you can get two more visa exempt entries by land in 2023

4 years ago

Corey *******

@Tod ********

awesome thank you so much! I'll just give an update as to what we experienced through the SADAO land border.

My friend is Thai and has their own vehicle, and got all the vehicle stuff (Malaysia license plate sticker, etc) sorted before going. We forgot to get vehicle insurance for Malaysia, but it is offered near the border station (1000 baht per month). You can also get money exchanged and a Malaysian SIM, but I purchased 7 day international roaming for AIS - 99 baht for 2gb. We filled out the paperwork at immigration at about 8am and there was no line. Charged 25 baht for the driver and 5 baht for each passenger. No issues and took about 20 minutes to go into malaysia. We came back through 4 days later at 10pm. I had no issues at immigration (previously spending 60+30 days in Thailand). It took about 20 minutes to come back through, and there was no line. 25 baht for driver and 5 baht per passenger again. It was much easier than I thought, but it was also more paperwork than coming by air. They gave me 45 more days in Thailand.

Gas in Malaysia is only about 16 baht/litre!

4 years ago