ask
Search
Ask
Answered4 years ago

Is the visa-free travel policy for entering Thailand by land or air accurate for different nationalities?

Carolyn ************
asked Oct 28, 2022
3.1k
views
20
replies
3
likes
Is this information correct?

"If entering Thailand by land or sea, eligible travelers holding normal passports will be granted visa-free travel to Thailand twice per calendar year. There is no limitation when entering by air."
Answer summary
The information regarding Thailand's visa-free travel policy states that travelers holding normal passports can enter visa-free twice per calendar year by land or sea, while there is no limit on entries by air. This policy varies based on the traveler's nationality, and while it is accepted that entry by air is unlimited, frequent entries may raise questions from immigration officers about the traveler's intentions. Discrepancies exist between different immigration sources, indicating variability based on the discretion of immigration officials at the time of entry.
20 repliesnewest first
10

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Russell *******
Russell *******
Aren't all passports normal ?
John ********
John ********
@Russell ******
no there are diplomatic passports for example
Russell *******
Russell *******
@John *******
oh ok 🙏
Sid *******
Sid *******
But if you have a friend with a submarine an you come in by night in a rubber boat an sneak up the beach you don't need a visa
Miguel *************
Miguel *************
@Sid ******
what do you mean, “if”? Are you insinuating that my friend Joe doesn’t have a submarine like he said? 😠
Rob ********
Rob ********
Read somewhere 2 by land and 6 by flying , but all immigration web sites differ , unfortunately just depends on immigration officers at time of entry , sure you’ll be fine
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Rob *******
2 by land or sea is correct. There is no technical limit by air. You could do so 36 times without an issue - but that’s probably not going to happen without an immigration officer questioning you.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
True depending on the country of the passport.

Unlimited by air is correct but at some point in time an immigration officer is going to question your motives for entering numerous times visa free and May suspect you of trying to stay long term in Thailand on an incorrect visa or even that you may be working here.
Rc *******
Rc *******
@Stuart ********
i have been going in and out of Thailand landbased crossborder on countless times year in year out without any issue.. many a times getting out just for filling up fuel fulltank in my own country and then getting back in almost immediately..

I guess maybe it depends on the foreign traveler's nationality also.. just guessing..
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Rc ******
The two exempt entries per year doesn’t apply to Malaysians. The Thai border crossings at those points are well used to Malaysians crossing for a day or so to go shopping (or get fuel) or such.
David ********
David ********
@Stuart ********
any thoughts on what number of times would trigger an immigration office to question entry? What happens in such a case? I ask because I hope to enter visa exempt, extend 30 days, visit elsewhere in SE Asia for 2-4 weeks and return to Thailand where I'd repeat the process. My desire is to annually spend 8 or 9 months in SE Asia doing this each year for several years. The remainder of each year I would be in North America, but wonder if my plans are flawed.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@David *******
No set number. I know several people who come here multiple times a year and have no issue on visa exempt entries. They’re like offshore workers or pilots who’s family live here and are rarely questioned because the time spent overseas versus the time they stay doesn’t raise any red flags for the immigration officer.

Quite a few posts have people saying a immigration officer has told them they can’t stay for more than 180 days in a year. That’s bullshit but a line some of them try to use.

That said there’s probably an equal number of posts from people that say they were stopped an questioned after
***
/5 attempts as the officer suspected they may be working or something.

If entering wearing a business suit you probably would never be questioned. If entering with dreadlocks and a singlet you quite probably would be (made up speculations by me).
David ********
David ********
@Stuart ********
I will not be working. Just enjoying life exploring SE Asia. I expect to spend several years trying to find the right place to stay longer term at which time I'd switch to the appropriate retirement visa for that country. That said I already heavily lean towards Thailand based on my research, but need to evaluate more/all options first.

I feel confident I'll be dressed somewhere in between the two examples you gave as I don't own either! 🤣
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
OP
@Stuart ********
I agree, but I have (I hope) found an edu visa sponsor, who guarantees me work placement later
Steven ***************
Steven ***************
@Carolyn ***********
. Might pay to do some background research on your sponsor first. I've heard many stories of the "guaranteed work placement" not coming to fruition once study is finished. It's been used as a marketing tool for "schools" here to get quotas. Ask for proof and or examples. If they hedge, I would be wary. Same scheme has been used here for internships, which is unpaid work in the future.
Steven ***************
Steven ***************
@Carolyn ***********
. Don't know them , but be prepared to be offered a fulltime teaching job here for
*****
baht a month ( less than $900us a month less tax, a very basic lifestyle here on that) because that's all they have to pay you.

There are teachers here earning way more than that but they work for international private schools, have teaching degrees and a lot of experience.

All I'm saying is be absolutely sure of the decision before making it.

By the way a "sponsor" doesn't charge you for your tuition. Vantage charges you.
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
OP
@Steven **************
It's Vantage TEFL
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Carolyn ***********
Ok. Good luck.
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
OP
@Stuart ********
Probably correct, but I've come here trying to find a work placement
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Carolyn ***********
I probably wouldn’t use that line if questioned at a border point.

Activity

10 joined
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
Carolyn ************
10
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
Is 39,000 Baht a fair price for processing a Non-O visa in Hua Hin?
26.4k2073582mo
Do I need to show a booked exit flight when entering Thailand on a DTV visa?
930749mo
Can I extend my 60-day tourist visa exemption by 30 days next year after already extending it this year?
2.3k211210mo
Can I file my second 90-day report online after leaving Thailand for 6 months following an in-person report?
627251y
What are the current rules on visa-exempt entries and border crossings into Thailand for 2024?
4.8k23592y
Do you need to show a return ticket when arriving in Thailand with a DTV visa?
1k4112y
Do you need to keep 500k baht in the bank if using border runs instead of visa extensions in Thailand?
778472y
How early can I apply for a one-year visa extension at Samut Prakan Immigration?
614172y
Can I apply for a 90-day retirement visa upon arrival in Thailand?
4.8k41422y
What should retirees consider regarding the costs and documentation for long-term stays in Thailand?
3k23232y
Are border runs by land and air unlimited in Thailand since July 2024?
1.9k1352y
Should I apply for a tourist visa or can I enter Thailand visa free after my recent stay?
2.3k18162y
How can I get a work visa in Thailand, and can someone recommend a local lawyer?
816432y
Is it too early to apply for a 30-day extension on my 6-month tourist visa?
736162y
Can I enter Thailand more than twice a year by air?
2k11172y
How soon can I report my 90-day visa to Thai Immigration in person?
3k20353y
Are visa runs in Thailand being cracked down on? Should I consider long-term visas instead?
14.3k1012043y
Do I have to leave Thailand before midnight on the date stamped in my passport?
13.2k851754y
Is it necessary to leave Thailand when changing your visa from education to work?
625335y
Is it better to apply for a visiting family extension or a Covid extension for my stay in Thailand?
1.3k8135y
Should I go to immigration today even though my visa expired on July 30, or should I wait for 3 days in advance?
1k835y
What are the current requirements for a Thai spouse extension with a NON-O visa, and do I need an updated Kor Ror 2?
1.4k935y
What are my options for renewing or extending my NON-O visa in Thailand as the parent of a Thai citizen?
725347y
What are the best land borders for a visa run in Thailand, specifically to Malaysia, Laos, or Myanmar?
3667y
What are the recent changes to Thailand's visa rules regarding overstays as informed by the Penang consulate?
9494118y

Resources

Need help with your retirement visa?