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Is it okay to re-enter Thailand on the same day after a 6-month entry stamp?
Thailand Visa RulesDTV (Digital Nomad Visa)Immigration ProceduresVisa RunsTravel AdviceExpats in ThailandBorder Crossing
Jan 7, 2026
4 months ago
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHey guys. So my first 6 months ends later this month so I need to fly out the country to get my next 6 month entry stamp. I am debating whether to just get a plane somewhere and return to thailand later that same day as will mean I can just go alone and leave my partner here for the day. Will immigration have an issue with me returning the same day i left or will having the DTV mean that doesn't matter?
I like the idea of going on a holiday every 6 months but this one I could really do with just same day return lol
Thoughts?
Small disclaimer: I've used various long term visas in Thailand for many years and don't need lectures from the negative people on "not scamming the system" I am asking for others experiences doing the same so I know whether to take family with me or leave them in Thailand on this occasion after spending three months out the country last time.
I like the idea of going on a holiday every 6 months but this one I could really do with just same day return lol
Thoughts?
Small disclaimer: I've used various long term visas in Thailand for many years and don't need lectures from the negative people on "not scamming the system" I am asking for others experiences doing the same so I know whether to take family with me or leave them in Thailand on this occasion after spending three months out the country last time.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses concerns about re-entering Thailand on the same day after a short international trip to get a visa stamp, specifically for someone with a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV). The author considers going alone and leaving their partner in Thailand but seeks advice on whether immigration would scrutinize same-day returns. The community provides mixed opinions, with some suggesting it's typically fine if one is prepared, while others advise against it due to increased scrutiny. Several users share experiences of day trips and the potential for immigration questioning. Ultimately, many hint at the importance of possibly extending the trip to overnight for a smoother re-entry.
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Christopher **********
A friend took a flight to a country and came back the same day, he was pulled to the side but was let through about 20 mins later. It really depends on the agent.
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christopher *********
hmm, yeah pulled aside doesnt sound like a stress i need tbh, im definately leaning towards an overnight stay.Christopher **********
@Nick ********
I would if I were you, just to be on the safe side. He said this happened at BKKReply to
Christopher **********
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Angeil ********
Same day is fine. I flew to Malaysia to have lunch and back 😂
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Angeil *******
thankyou for this insight. Did immigration seem to have any issues with it or did they just stamp you in the moment you said Dtv?Angeil ********
@Nick ********
They didn’t look twice… seen DTV… stamped and moved on.Reply to
Angeil ********
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Michael *********
I had done one night stay at HCMC and then returned to Phuket. Get ready for possible questioning. It was the case with me. What I do here, how I make money. How long is my Muay Thai course scheduled. When I come back home. Etc.
MagentaAv*********
Maybe an agent can help smooth the process
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERMagentaAvocado6089 i used to use an agent many years ago but it's not really needed with the dtv if you understand the process and are good with admin. I would recommend agents for things like education visas but for the Dtv you need to apply in another country anyway so all their going to do is help you with paperwork, maybe get a contact to meet you there and possibly pay for a low quality hotel. I chose to do it myself in Laos and it went well.
Agent isn't going to have any control over what immigration do at the airport and as we all know there are grey areas and different experiences with different immigration officers. What im really keen to find out is whether others in this FB group have done same day return on Dtv and had issues.
Agent isn't going to have any control over what immigration do at the airport and as we all know there are grey areas and different experiences with different immigration officers. What im really keen to find out is whether others in this FB group have done same day return on Dtv and had issues.
MagentaAv*********
@Nick ********
yes they do, they help you through immigration. And I know someone who has dtv and still got turned away for having too many old stampsNick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERMagentaAvocado6089 Thats exactly what i needed to hear mate thanks. So people on the DTV have had issues reentering. Il get an overnight stay i think
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Nick *********
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Bryn ********
For me, I chose to go and spend the weekend in Hanoi, was a cheap weekend away and served my purpose of the 6 month reset,😊maybe treat yourself to a brief holiday rather than a visa run chore
Benjamin *********
But take a weekend or week somewhere. Hanoi, HK, SG, HCMC... i mean you have cheap destinations everywhere
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin ********
Its not the cost thats the issue its a ton of family commitments in lopburi thats the issue & a birthday the following afternoon that ide rather not miss. I didnt bother mentioning that but forgot there are about 6 retirees in this group that love to make assunptions about someones income simply because they question their visa terms lol. (yourself not included, youve been helpful), if cost was an issue ide just cross into laos and spend the week in vang vieng or something lolBenjamin *********
@Nick ********
so i dont get it. You know you have to go somewhere, just plan it. Or buy elite visaReply to
Benjamin *********
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Reed **********
@Benjamin ********
HK has become my favoriteReply to
Reed **********
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Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThankyou to everyone for all the insightful comments. Some really valid points I hadn't thought of...think I might make it a weekend stay to be safe.
DelightfulC***********
You got through that does not mean everyone will
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDelightfulChestnut5602 valid point. In all honesty if there's even a chance that immigration would not like me doing it ide just stay over for a night. But the visa says it's fine so if lots of people do it same day on the dtv and nobody has had concerns from immigration authorities I can't see why it would be an issue. Albeit, I might get a next day return anyway just in case
Reply to
Nick *********
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Marc ********
Since DTV is multiple entry it might not be possible same day as they theoretically would have to void the exit stamp when returning same day
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marc *******
winning comment and advice mate! Thanks. Very good pointIvan ************
@Ni**
they don't void the exit stamp if you return same day, you get the exit stamp and then when you come back the entry stamp, with the same date on it. Whether they have an issue right now with same day return on DTV specifically is another question but historically there has been no prohibition on same day return and there is no issue having an exit and entry stamp with the same date on them.I have flown out to KL and straight back same day before (not on DTV)- but it's not an inherent issue with the stamps, the question would be if they have some specific crackdown on it right now.
Reply to
Ivan ************
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Lili ********
Singapore airline budget airline Scoot only cost $SGD 250 for a return ticket with a carry on luggage not exceeding 10kg. For two hours you arrive at Changi airport and in the airport there is the huge Jewel mall. You can spend the whole day there and there are left luggage counters on every floor and all sorts of shops and eating and entertaining places and even a Yotel to sleep for a minimum of 4 hours. You can fly out first thing in the morning and come back by the evening flight and spend the day in Singapore. You can buy a metro card for $5 SGD and put $SGD 10 and travel out of the airport and come back in the evening. I use an agent to get my visa sorted before I even leave for Singapore and she got me the visa for the day I was coming back.
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lili *******
thankyou Lili that's great insight and I appreciate you sharing your experience. Are you on the Dtv visa? (Just checking lol)Might choose Singapore, I have some clients out there I could potentially meet for an hour or so. Thanks again
Lili ********
@Nick ********
Yes I have DTV for Thailand for 5 years but now am in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh. May be after Tet, Spring Festival, I will be back in Thailand. You do not need a suitcase to travel in Asia. 10Kg carry on is ideal, no need to go to the carousel or lose your luggage. It is with you on the plane. In 2 decades all the Chinese who emigrated to another country and returned to live in China will no longer be able to do border runs to Hong-Kong because H-K will have Chinese passports, will all end up flying to Singapore every 90 days.Reply to
Lili ********
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Mick *****
You can do the same day, maybe a cheap flight to Laos but gee i generally at least make a weekend getaway of it. Last Penang, next Hong Kong.
Toni *******
I was told by IO at Laos friendship bridge IV, last month, that i dont even need Laos stamp to come back to Thailand with DTV... but i took the 1minute stamp anyway. I made a detailed post about it here, that was my 3rd landborder run
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Toni ******
ide say you were lucky there. The issue is further border staff seeing no stamp into the other country i guess.Reed **********
@Toni ******
does that mean turn around in no man's land and stamp back in?Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Reed *********
ive heard of this happening before but for the sake of that 1 minute it could cause issues later down the line if anyone goes through your stamps. Im guessing anyway, however not sure.Reply to
Nick *********
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Anonymous ******************
You can’t go out and come back same day anymore
John **************
Anonymous participant 450 ohhh of course you can it depends if you want to pay to use Agents or "Green lanes" on arrival anything possible in Thailand especially when
💰💸💰 involved
💰💸💰 involved
Reply to
John **************
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Biff *******
Just go shopping in KL or Singapore for the day then come back in the evening. People are allowed to go shopping.
This ‘new scrutiny’ is for people who don’t have a visa. You’ve got one.
This ‘new scrutiny’ is for people who don’t have a visa. You’ve got one.
Paul *******
@Biff ******
Yes and no. Shopping for the day in those cities...a bit stressful without an overnight stay and might look a bit weird for Malaysian/Singaporean immigration too. Not saying it's not allowed, but it's better to spend at least a night away, booked at a hotel, so you're not seen as a possible drug runner.Biff *******
@Paul ******
people do it all the time. Both cities are popular shopping destinations from Phuket for instance. Air Asia do morning and evening flights there and back that are very convenient. People also make regular day trips for business meetings etc. it’s quite normal behaviour and they don’t look up your backside for drugs because you’ve gone shopping. Ok maybe in Singapore they’ll look up your backside anyway 😂
John **************
@Bi**
same, I know people in UK that travel to Barça, Paris or Milan etc & work and for Shopping return same Day...Biff *******
John Doe Da 1st exactly. Flight from Phuket to KL is the same duration as it is to Bangkok. I know people who do it regularly. Costs about the same as well.
Reply to
Biff *******
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Shandy ********
Maybe you could check in to your flight, deliberately miss it, and walk back out through immigration, feigning confusion.
Anonymous ******************
Same day is fine. If asked, just tell them you urgently have to pick up a large heavy duffel bag 🤣
DelightfulC***********
Just spend a night outside and reenter
Anonymous ******************
My advice is to spend at least 1 night out of the country. Given the increased scrutiny at the moment, I wouldn’t risk re-entering on the same day. If the DTV operates like the B1/B2 US visa which is 180days per stay- you can’t return on the same day. Someone said they did it by land crossing but they didn’t come back on the same day.
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 228 some great insight there guys, thanks. I will consider planning a longer stay
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 228 Correct. In fact, Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal is suggesting the DTV could eventually function like the US B1/B2 visa, which would mean an extended absence between entries or you'd have to do something like 90 days in, 90 days out.
While at this stage, there is no exact guideline because Thai immigration continues to tolerate DTV holders spending most of their time in country, I'd expect that going forward, they'll want to see people spend at least a night or two away between entries, particularly if you're close to maxing out any one particular 180 day stay.
While at this stage, there is no exact guideline because Thai immigration continues to tolerate DTV holders spending most of their time in country, I'd expect that going forward, they'll want to see people spend at least a night or two away between entries, particularly if you're close to maxing out any one particular 180 day stay.
Pete *******
@Paul ******
Benjamin Hart should stick to flogging pancakes…Paul *******
@Pete ******
Well, having been to his restaurant, I agree that his food is rather uninspiring and overpriced. 325 Baht for a mediocre BLT I can make myself for less with much better quality bread is daylight robbery, but I do agree with him (and I'm starting to see some evidence of this) that endless same day border running on DTVs won't be something tolerated indefinitely.Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
i think it will be tied in with the monitoring and enforcement of foreign income taxes and declaration of the same. Since each rentry 6 month period would usually mean youve spent at least 6 months that year in thailand which makes you a tax resident as per recent legislation. But you never know with thailand, things change quickly and massively sometimes.Paul *******
@Nick ********
In the case of taxation, very doubtful. Thai immigration has already said that it won't be linking taxation to visa extensions (except obviously for work visas + work permits inside the Kingdom). Almost no way of being able to deal with foreign tax papers anyway.Reply to
Paul *******
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Anonymous ******************
No need to fly after first 6 months. I did a border crossing and could come straight back. I decided to take a few days. It was easy coming back. Just have your DTV printed off along with TDAC on phone.
John *********
Too many cheap Charlies around, many others enjoy a nice weekend break or longer in a neighbouring country🤷🏾♀️
Arto ****************
@John ********
why though if it's not necessary?Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Arto ***************
finally, somebody gets the point of the post lol. 🙏 came here to learn from other dtv holders experiences and got bombarded with the usual negative monologue on ethics and finances from people that probably cant even speak the countries language 🤣 the entire point of my post was to establish from said experiences as to whether immigration have been fine with it or bothered by it. I might just pop down the immigration office and ask them myself it sounds like less hassle 😂John *********
@Nick ********
do that, sounds a good idea.🤷🏾♀️Reply to
John *********
Reply
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ********
yeah, I agree and the people playing games will be purged nowadays...I'm surprised they even issue the Dtv for soft power courses. I'm one of the business owners that used a successful business to get the Dtv so that I can work remotely from Thailand without issues as an alternative to the elite visa. But it doesn't mean I want to spend days in Singapore or Malaysia if immigration will be fine with me returning the same day and I like Thailand lol. It's amusing when the same group of people continue to assume everyone that asks questions about these things is somehow skint and playing games when some of us spend more money on the economy here than any retiree could afford. Love and blessings to you and thank you for the suggestion 🙏
DelightfulC***********
@John ********
oh I see, you are richBenjamin *********
DelightfulChestnut5602 if you dont have money to live here, stay home
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin ********
How the hell did so many people take this post as having anything to do with the cost of staying elsewhere? Are people really that limited IQ wise? lol Your in a DTV group where everyone had to prove 500k baht+ & stable income in finances to get the visa I think your confusing this with the 60 day exemption group or something. *************************************************
This is literally my company I am not some hippie trying to survive on border runs lol 🤣Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin ********
and yes i agree Ben. Thailand is the last county I would recommend unless one has an external remote income and and substantial savings. Anyone without that is better off in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia or another neighbouring country. I'm just sick of being lectured with the obvious by miserable retirees who in my experience contribute far less than us expats with western businesses overseas. Yet we don't sit here late at night taking the moral high ground on social media to feel validated here giving zero useful answers that are relevant to the Facebook group their talking in.Benjamin *********
@Nick ********
when you cant pay for 2 days abroad because you have yo go out every 6 months, youre cheap charlie lolNick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin ********
I'm assuming you hallucinated me saying I couldn't afford to stay there Ben & possibly ignored everything else ive said lol. is what it isBenjamin *********
@Nick ********
i was answering tour question, not telling you areNick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Benjamin ********
In that case im inclined to agree with you there. Thailand is not a country you should choose to live in if you can't afford to spend 2 nights in a hotel in a neighbouring country. I apologise for assuming you were accusing me of the same. all the bestJohn *********
@Benjamin ********
exactly, these cheap Charlies are ruining ThailandNick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ********
and how would you define a cheap Charlie? I spend way more in this country than most the people I've met out here, I regularly donate to charities and I support at least 2 families in lopburi. Stop making assumptions just because someone wants to return the same day on their multiple entry 5 year validation visa. I have lived in Thailand for many years and speak fluent Thai I don't get where your coming from here with the cheap Charlie comment. It is a simple question relating to the clause surrounding reentries on the Dtv visa which is exactly what this group is dedicated to along with the applications. Stop being ridiculousReply to
Nick *********
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Christopher *********
Yes your plane is fine. Not a problem
Higor *********
Travel. Don't want to explore then just get a 5 star hotel and have a weekend spa and treat yourself.
Reed **********
On DTV you can come back same day zero reports in 1.5 years of a single denial. Stop listening to these people on that specifically. Ive done same day once on visa exempt even. On foot however; which you also could do.
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Higor ********
ended up all over Asia last time I left lol, would rather not this time if other people's experiences show returning the same day is morally and officially acceptable.Reply to
Nick *********
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Adnan ********
your guess is as good as anyone of us, the immigration officer you will meet will decide if he/she dont like the border run (flight run), not anyone of us...
Ryan *********
Adnan Khairi it should be a set law/standard not something thats decided on how the officer is feeling that day
Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ryan ********
welcome to Thailand lol. Even bank branches have their own policies at branch level let alone individual border staff lol.Paul *******
@Ryan ********
Sorry, but that's not how immigration works anywhere...especially if they feel you might be abusing the system.Ryan *********
@Paul ******
not true at all. In most 1st world countries you won't even see an immigration officer as long as you meet requirements. Most will just scan your passport and biometrics. This has been experience in London, France and the US where im from but I understand Thailand is still developing and needs time to catch up.Nick *********
ORIGINAL POSTERYour both right. yes it should be a standard that all sections & staff of the immigration authority follow...but like with every profession in life (police officers as an example) their required to use a level of discretion and suspicion if they think your abusing the process. You should always take an overkill amount of detail to the airport, recent tm30 docs, the required cash amount (as some wont accept looking at your phone bank app), correct visa or otherwise return/out flight evidence & if your on a visa, as much evidence of that and how you got it as possible. That way your not relying on someones paranoia (or lack of) when you enter the country again.
Then we have the unspoken reality...Thailand is in the middle of a purge/crackdown on pisstakers so immigration will have been given instructions to use more scrutiny until thats over. I wouldnt be asking for other peoples experiences of same day re-entry on the dtv if this wasnt the case as i think it would be 1000% fine with the dtv in normal circumstances.
Then we have the unspoken reality...Thailand is in the middle of a purge/crackdown on pisstakers so immigration will have been given instructions to use more scrutiny until thats over. I wouldnt be asking for other peoples experiences of same day re-entry on the dtv if this wasnt the case as i think it would be 1000% fine with the dtv in normal circumstances.
Reply to
Nick *********
Reply
Adnan ********
@Ryan ********
I understand you, i also travel all over the world almost every 3 week and with all the required documents and visa and Western countries passports and money and travel history i have its still up to the immigration officer of the arrival country (and i have faced some sh*t personally ), you can like or dislike it doesn't change the fact...... so word of advise, always have backup plan and dont get angry if something dont go as per your plan....Anonymous ******************
There is a statutory rule that gives immigration officers discretion and this is the case in most of immigration control in the global north as well.
Ryan *********
Anonymous participant 228 In most 1st world countries you won't even see an immigration officer as long as you meet requirements. Most will just scan your passport and biometrics. This has been my experience in London, France and the US where im from but I understand Thailand is still developing and needs time to catch up.
Reply to
Ryan *********
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James ********
Choice is Up to You... Safe travels
✈️...
Where do you live in Thailand ?
✈️...
Where do you live in Thailand ?
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James ********
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Wannikea *********
One minute one day one week one month one year
Reply to
Wannikea *********
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