Answered3 years ago
How many times can you do a border run to Thailand?
How many times can you do a border run
Answer summary
Border runs to Thailand are restricted by the method of entry and whether a visa is held. Generally, travelers can make up to two land border entries per calendar year if they are visa-exempt. However, entries by air typically have no limit, contingent upon the discretion of immigration officers. The actual number of border runs allowed may vary based on individual circumstances, such as the immigration officer's assessment, personal history, and location of entry.
45 repliesnewest first
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James ********
As long as that nice Immigration offical lets you into the country ..🤣
Allan ********
Depends how fast you are and how fit border patrol are. Your fukd if they have dogs.
Nigel **************
2 by land in 12 months. By air up to the IO u meet when u land.
John **********
Nominally as many as you like by air, 2 per annum by land. But that's not the issue you need to worry about, whether you are allowed entry, by air or by land, is going to depend on your history and the immigration officer you stand in front of on the day
Robin ********
Until the border guards know your first name without looking at your passport 😁
Phil ******
@David *****************
agree with @Brandon ***********
but would like to add each calender year commences 1st January. Immigration may stop you without a valid visa in the future
Christopher *************
Get a tourist visa.
Lawrence *****
@Christopher ************
is that 3 months?Jonathan **************************
Even with a visa, your entry isn't guaranteed. Back in July, I was pulled aside and questioned at CNX airport immigration when I already had a TR visa.
I was eventually let in, after showing the Three Proofs, which I'd already had to submit in Kuala Lumpur to get the visa in the first place.
I was eventually let in, after showing the Three Proofs, which I'd already had to submit in Kuala Lumpur to get the visa in the first place.
Bart **************
@Lawrence ****
60 days.Bart **************
@Lawrence ****
it doesn't work like that indeed. Countries have entry rules. Thailand is even on the easier side of things.Lawrence *****
@Bart *************
wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all just go from country to country without doing anything? But, the world doesn’t work like that!
Jim ***********
2 land per calender year. Air up to immigration person meets u at airport. Know someone last month swampy had pay 5000 get in
Todd *********
6 at the most should cover you for the year. That's 6 visa exempt entries and 6 extensions. Max two of them can be by land.
Dennis ***********
@Todd ********
what about by boat?Todd *********
@Dennis **********
they count as land entries.
Barry ********
As long as your legs can take you
Damo ***********
@Barry *******
DH 🤡
Edgar ************
By land, once. More depending on border but poi pet is strictly once per lifetime.
By air unlimited.
By air unlimited.
Todd *********
@Ned *******
why would you say by land Once?? Never has been so. Which planet are you currently on?Edgar ************
@Todd ********
The planet where thai border authorities at poi pet said that information to my faceTodd *********
@Stephen ********
I have been thru PoiPet a couple of times and had a little issue with our group once. It's the worst spot for people with bad history. They seem keen to deny entry. But fair enough. ****
people i have been through with all had no issue at all. One did. Agree each office can make it's own rules. But they know two land entries per calendar year is the answer
Jan ******************
@Todd ********
The problem is that we all know how it works and who’s having the stamp in their hands.
Stephen *********
@Todd ********
they don't care about the rule book of course its their office and make the rules.Todd *********
@Ned *******
you can feel free to tell them to look at their own rule book. Wrong answer.
Graham ******
@Ned *******
It's 2 Visa Exempt entries by land border per calendar year
Nigel *********
depends on your visa or, non visa. visa exempt twice a calendar year.
Brandon ************
You can enter Thailand 2 times per year at a land border without a visa (visa exempt)
There is no limit if you have a visa and no limit entering by air.
But you cannot stay long term in Thailand without a long term visa. Eventually you'll be pulled aside while you're entering and asked what you think you're doing and either warned or denied entry.
There is no limit if you have a visa and no limit entering by air.
But you cannot stay long term in Thailand without a long term visa. Eventually you'll be pulled aside while you're entering and asked what you think you're doing and either warned or denied entry.
Andrew *******
@Brandon ***********
what if you have multiple years of long-term visas and never entered at a land border? Can you still leave and re-enter at a land border without issue?Brandon ************
@Andrew ******
you would need a re-entry permit of you're on a long term extension and don't want to lose it when you leave. Otherwise the 2 time limit per year without a visa is for everyone entering visa exempt.Brandon ************
@Andrew ******
should be fine. Though expect some questions about why you're doing it when you're trying to leaveAndrew *******
@Brandon ***********
I apologize if I wasn’t clear— I meant if you were forfeiting your long-term visa a day before it expires and re-entering.Lawrence *****
@Brandon ***********
you’re right.
David ******************
OP@Brandon ***********
going to Cambodia next week by air, then returning for a month then Singapore by air then returning for another monthJonathan **************************
@David *****************
If you're doing your border run to Cambodia, then, I cannot stress this enough, do *not* go to Poi Pet!!! That border crossing is notorious for rejecting people out of hand, including those who are blatantly genuine tourists.
Brandon ************
@David *****************
If you haven't spent a lot of time in Thailand prior to that, you shouldn't have any issues.David ******************
OPThis is my first month, doing border run to Cambodia then Singapore
Jonathan **************************
Land border entries are limited to two in a calendar year.
If you mean border bounces in general, including by air, the answer is you can keep doing it until they say no more.
When that point comes depends on which imm officer you end up in the hands of.
Some people get questioned or even denied entry after just two or three, some get away with serial border bounces for over a year.
If you mean border bounces in general, including by air, the answer is you can keep doing it until they say no more.
When that point comes depends on which imm officer you end up in the hands of.
Some people get questioned or even denied entry after just two or three, some get away with serial border bounces for over a year.
Steve *******
@Jonathan *************************
It's only visa exempt land border entries that are limited to 2 per calendar year. With a visa there's no legal limitJonathan **************************
@Steve ******
No legal limit. But again, your entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer you're in front of.Whilst there is indeed no legal limit, the fact that you have a visa does not guarantee you entry, and if you've got, say, two or more back-to-back tourist visas in your passport, the IO is more likely to suspect you of not being a tourist, and you should be prepared to answer questions about what you're doing here.
Jonathan **************************
@Lawrence ****
If you've got a long-term visa, that's different. As long as you always get a re-entry permit before you leave, then there are no restrictions on re-entry, as far as I'm aware.
The exception being ed visas. There have been people trying to re-enter on an ed visa, only to be questioned about what they were doing outside Thailand when they were supposed to be studying.
Denied re-entry, even - even with a letter from their school detailing why they were outside the country, and even after the boss of their school was on the phone with the imm officer.
Lawrence *****
@Jonathan *************************
yeah, on my most recent bounce the IO, asked me if I could speak Thai, then asked why I’m entering Thailand, then said you’re not a tourist. He let me in but said I need to pursue a retirement visa.Steve *******
@Jonathan *************************
Of course, we all know this. Just pointing out the facts rather than the speculation!Lawrence *****
@Jonathan *************************
so it really doesn’t matter if it’s a bounce (no entry at border) or being out of the country for at least a month and then returning via land correct?Jonathan **************************
@Lawrence ****
Not quite certain what you're asking.You're allowed no more than 2 land entries in a calendar year.
The time you spend across the border is irrelevant. Applies whether you're just bouncing straight back, or spending 9 months in that country. The clock resets on New Years Day.
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