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

Oct 28, 2022
2 years ago
Carolyn ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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."
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TLDR : 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.
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Russell *******
Aren't all passports normal ?
John ********
@Russell ******
no there are diplomatic passports for example
Russell *******
@John *******
oh ok 🙏
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 *************
@Sid ******
what do you mean, “if”? Are you insinuating that my friend Joe doesn’t have a submarine like he said? 😠
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 *********
@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 *********
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 *******
@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 *********
@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 ********
@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 *********
@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
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/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 ********
@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 ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I agree, but I have (I hope) found an edu visa sponsor, who guarantees me work placement later
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.
Carolyn ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven **************
It's Vantage TEFL
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.
Stuart *********
@Carolyn ***********
Ok. Good luck.
Carolyn ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Probably correct, but I've come here trying to find a work placement
Stuart *********
@Carolyn ***********
I probably wouldn’t use that line if questioned at a border point.
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