How many times can you re-enter Thailand on a tourist visa and extend your stay by doing a visa run?

Mar 18, 2018
7 years ago
Richard *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there all :)

How many times can you come into Thailand for 30 days and extend your tourist visa another 30 days and then do a visa run? And repeat etc.

I'm waiting for my wife to receive her work permit but seems to be taking longer than expected :(
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the process and limitations of re-entering Thailand on a tourist visa, particularly the 30-day visa exemption. Participants clarify that there is no limit to air entries, but land entries have restrictions. It is noted that you can extend the initial 30 days by an additional 30 days but can only do two land border runs per year. Suggestions for alternative visa solutions are also mentioned.
Gigi ********
@Michael *******
...no limit...also when i go in and out in same day ?...thai - kuala lumpur ,kuala lumpur - thai in one day?
Gigi ********
Gary **********
Now I try and avoid them , and line up with a male officer
Michael ********
@Gary *********
Nearly all bad stories in immigration are with a female Immigration Officer.
Gary **********
@Michael *******
, yes it happened to me about 16 months ago with a lady IO. - I travel to Thailand 4 times a year for
***
weeks at a time , on 30 day visa exempt. She questioned me why I come so often , do I have a wife or gf, what I do, where I staying etc ? And next time I need a proper visa. As I was coming back in 10 weeks I did a lot of research , called the Thai embassy in Sydney, went to a few visa shops in Pattaya, all gave different answers, , I just went with what the Thai Syd embassy told me, "there is no set rule on the amount of times flying in and out on the 30 day exempt visa, it's up to the discretion of the Immigration Officer on arrival.
Gigi ********
@Michael *******
..okk..i understand..thats true...first time when i got the problem about it...was becouse of a lady.....
Michael ********
Yes no limit (air), but always remember it is ALWAYS up to the Immigration official. So if they decide that you have 'Too many' in their eyes, they may give you a warning. Always carry 20k baht in cash to support your stay, should they ask (as this is a requirement whether they ask or not). I would also recommend choosing male IO's at the airport and not female as they like to make a scene a lot more than the men. (again not sexist, factual).
Gigi ********
thank you Tod Daniels ,excatly this i want to know it.... no rules against....thx a lot
Tod *********
@Gi**
, you can fly out and back in the same day without a problem I know people who fly to KL in the morning turn right around and take the next flight back to bangkok.

Now you might be questioned by the people at passport control when you stamp back in (especially if you have a history of living here on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visa entries, BUT there is no rule against doing it.
Gigi ********
i asking michael ..about it . becouse i want to know it
Tod *********
@Gi**
, you mean there is no limit on 30 day visa exempt entries by air. ;) As people have mentioned there is a limit of TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year.
Michael ********
You have a visa exemption, not a tourist visa (this is 60 days). Also you are not doing visa runs, you are doing border runs by land or leaving and entering by air.....There is no limit by air....only by land......why not go and get a visa from Laos or another consulate....? and extend for 30.....= 90 day stay.......There are various agencies that can take you there.....or get a cheap flight to Udon and cross the border by bus.....
Richard *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many thanks for the advice!
Tod *********
Remember you can only get TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by a land border per year.
Oscar ******************
Jan Granlund, one thing is 30 days visa exempt entry and another a SETV, totally different things. Only two 30 days visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year.
Tod *********
@Jan *********
you are confusing two separate things.
Tod *********
@Jan *********
One last time, a visa run where you go get a tourist visa for thailand does NOT count towards the TWO 30 day visa exempt entries you can get in a year by a land border.
Jan **********
@Tod ********
I did visa runs about 1year I'm from Sweden, my friend have done about 7-8 last time 1week ago to Laos. He from Belgium
Tod *********
@Jan *********
, since Dec 31st 2016 ALL land borders allow only two 30 day visa exempt entries for people from 44 countries..

Entering the country on a valid VISA doesn't count as a visa exempt entry :/
Jan **********
Had lek border have changed to just two, but my friend have done visa runs soon two years to vientienne Laos. 60+30 days. Don't pay people at the border to help you with paperwork out from Thailand and into Laos. And for visa back to Thailand it's really easy,! Have photos and copies of every stamp in your passport.
Richard *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have had my first 30 day, then extended it and then visa run, now on my second 30 day on arrival and will need to extend again and visa run again
Richard *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
For myself, my wife has her Non-B currently
Joe **********
For you or for your wife?
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