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How many border runs can I safely do before I face immigration issues in Thailand?

Jun 12, 2025
2 days ago
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Regarding someone coming to Thailand with visa exempt + extension, then border run to reset, what is the general consensus as far as how many times is pretty safe to do? Are two border runs totaling 90 x 3 = 270 days doable? I am planning on getting non-O retirement visa for myself. I want my wife to come but we might not have 1.6 mill tbht cash to deposit right away, so I am thinking I get non-O and she just comes with tourist visa. TIA.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus in the discussion suggests caution regarding border runs for visa exemption holders in Thailand. Multiple mentions highlight increased scrutiny from immigration officers, especially after extended stays. Users recommend obtaining the appropriate visas, such as a Non-O visa, to avoid complications. While some share success with multiple border runs, experiences vary significantly, and many advise against pushing the limits to prevent being denied entry or facing future visa issues. Engaging a visa run service may mitigate risks but does not eliminate them.
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David ********
Doubt that will fly in the current situation. I had been gone for more than 3 months and they pulled me out at BKK and yak yak at me about time being spent in Thailand.

The woman said 180 days, I asked where it says that. Can't show it because they make it up as they go. Eventually they stamped me in, immigration at Jontiem said nothing when I got a 30 day extension.
Alex *******
If you do land border runs with a visa run company or drive yourself to the borders they use and pay the border fee then you can live in Thailand non stop. You will have no issues. But if you fly in and out there is a high chance of having troubles.

I lived in Thailand for the past 3 years by doing land border runs and never had any troubles
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
Say my wife does two land border runs, then fly back to her home country, do you think she will have problems when she applies for non-O visa later on or when she tries to enter with non-O at the airport? Another question: do you extend your visa in between your land border runs? (so you do this every 90 days instead of every 60 days?)
Brandon ************
If you want to just keep it easy and stick to border runs, use a border bounce agent. 4000-5000 baht. Leave very very early AM and be back before dinner. They make sure you get out and back in without any issues as part of the service.
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Ok, why they are able to do this when immigration is getting tougher? Do they basically 'know someone' who has those stamps? Just trying to gauge the risk to send my wife with this.
Brandon ************
@Yoshi *********
They get your passport information ahead of time. Send it to their "contacts" at the border, which are the immigration officers, and get you pre-cleared. Then part of the money you paid to the agent goes to the immigration officers, and they make sure you are let back in with a 60-day stamp without any problems. This method is only reliable if you know you won't be leaving anywhere else until you get her a real visa. Because if you wanted to fly somewhere and come back, the risks of being denied entry at the airport would be high based on multiple entries over a long period of time. But if you already have a plan in mind to get that visa done, this is an option to bridge the gap.
Gary **********
I did 1 year and 8 days from Jan 1st 2024 . Went home for 5 months . Returned for 30 days but was denied entry and sent back home . It is not pleasant you are treated like a criminal . I would advise getting the right visa . You may get a long stay with border runs but it stays on your record .
Wannikea *********
3rd entry is pushing it, especially after maxing out the previous 2.
Andy ********
Well i stayed two months first trip but met someone online here so left hotel after the first week. I travelled up north to her home town. A few nights in a hotel then the rest at her home. Flew out to Vietnam for five days, then back to Bangkok my girlfriend was waiting for me at the airport. I got stopped by imigration so had to phone her to confirm that I was staying at her place. I went to imigration yesterday to do a one month extension we got fined 800 baht for not filling out the tm30 form. Even though the airport were informed with the address. So if you take the risk make sure you grab a paper trail. Who ever speaks to you just get paperwork from them. On that note good luck.
Doug ********
Got a grilling on arrival in March at Bangkok....due previous long stay,
*****
/60...away 5 months and on return got stopped for thirty minutes,agreed to let me in but I was expecting the worse after such a grilling,did 30 day extension and just returned from Laos with non o (90 day).

On the way out.of Thailand at nong khai the immigration officer said to me;

Don't come back unless you have the correct visa as you will not be allowed back again with visa exemption !!!! Definitely getting tougher
Jordan *****
@Doug *******
so are you like banned from ever using visa exemptions again? Ridiculous. I just returned on like my 30th visa exemption from Cambodia. True. I spend only 4 months a year in Thailand now, but telling someone they can’t use visa exempt again is ridiculous.

At Poipet if you are from a visa exempt country and bring a tourist visa they instantly pull you aside to ask you why you got a tourist visa when you can already get 60 days visa free.
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Doug *******
Yeah I'm now leaning towards getting multi-entry visa
@Frangipani ******
suggested.
Tiphany **********
I dit it, it depends which border and how you do it. Can be risky but if the company who sells the visa run says it's ok, it is ok. 3rd extension might be difficult though
Frangipani *******
I would advise against it.

Why don’t you get a Non O for yourself and a multi entry visa for your wife?

Nobody can tell you what is safe or not safe. It’s up to the immigration officer 👮 on the day. They are getting more and more strict.

I would advise you to get the appropriate visas.

I hope this helps. 😃
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frangipani ******
Just FYI, Thai embassy in my wife's country (Japan) currently does not seem to issue multi entry visa, only single. Thai government sure makes this visa business so complicated. 😑
David ******
@Yoshi *********
they make it difficult because they really don't want people living there full time.
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cary ****
I traveled to Thailand on my New Zealand passport and stayed for 58 days. After leaving the country for just 7 days, I returned and was questioned by immigration officers about my travel history and my intention of staying in Thailand.
Yoshi **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cary ***
Oh, didnt know they even question for the first border run. Two border runs might be tough 🤷‍♂️
Bert *************
@Yoshi *********
even two border runs will be problematic if you extend them with 30 days. see replys to post of amy wang from june 7th. immigration has become though in recent years since the june last year.
Cary ****
@Yoshi *********
I’ve learned that immigration checks at the border have become more strict recently, though I’m not exactly sure why. That said, it seems typical for Thai authorities to enforce tougher scrutiny from time to time.
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