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Is there a limit to how many times a year I can enter Thailand with a German passport?
Thailand Visa RulesVisa Exempt EntriesTourist VisaImmigration ConcernsEntry Denial RisksExpat Life in ThailandTraveling to ThailandGerman Passport Holders
Feb 25, 2025
a year ago
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi to everyone
Is there a limit on how many times a year I can enter Thailand by plane?
I had problems entering the country the last two times (December 2024 and February 2025). They said that I already had too many Thai stamps from different years in my passport. Am I violating the law here?
I fly to Taiwan on Friday and come back to Thailand 10 days later. Now I'm worried that there could be problems with immigration again. what is the legal situation?
I am traveling with a German passport. never had an overstay either. And always travel to Thailand with a return ticket.
Is there a limit on how many times a year I can enter Thailand by plane?
I had problems entering the country the last two times (December 2024 and February 2025). They said that I already had too many Thai stamps from different years in my passport. Am I violating the law here?
I fly to Taiwan on Friday and come back to Thailand 10 days later. Now I'm worried that there could be problems with immigration again. what is the legal situation?
I am traveling with a German passport. never had an overstay either. And always travel to Thailand with a return ticket.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is concerned about the limits on entering Thailand with multiple visa exempt entries, having experienced difficulties with immigration in previous attempts. Some commentators suggest that while there is no official limit on the number of times one can enter Thailand without a visa, frequent entries may raise suspicions with immigration authorities. They recommend applying for a tourist visa to reduce potential issues at immigration and provide advice on necessary documents to present upon re-entry. Overall, the community emphasizes being prepared for stricter scrutiny from immigration officials during future travels.
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Roger ******
What happens if i fly from Europe and get denied entry? I have to fly back to my home country or I can fly to Vietnam for example?
Brian **********
@Roger *****
no set rule. Depends on the officer. Some times it's a nearby country. Some timea it's your home country. Some times it's to the country of citizenship even if you don't live there.Reply to
Brian **********
Reply
John *******
Can we get tourist visa if we are not in our own country?
Pond ************
You can pay for "VIP" service. Either that or a legal long term visa.
Tom ********
nowadays u can arrive by air and get a 60 day visa free stamp and extend your stay for another 30 days. this time round i then did a border run to cambodia who unexpectedly gave me an additional 60 day stamp, so 4 months in total ๐this has been my routine for the last five years atleast so according to alot of the comments on here i am also heading for trouble !
๋ง๋ฆฌ์ค ***
Best to just stay away for at least six months - that was the warning I got from the Thai Embassy in Singapore when applying for back to back TR visas after getting warned by an IO for entering too many without one. Got past all that eventually by getting a DTV.
You can try entering via land from Malaysia - supposedly they are more lenient and itโs a lot cheaper to leave if they refuse you entry. I wouldnโt risk it personally.
You can try entering via land from Malaysia - supposedly they are more lenient and itโs a lot cheaper to leave if they refuse you entry. I wouldnโt risk it personally.
Gregor **********
Flo Pete Peters . . if you have already been pulled aside twice, you can rest aussure that you have been "flagged" in Immigration's central computer system. You are at HIGH risk being denied entry. Have a plan B
Lulu *****************
Fly to Phnom Penh or KL from Taipei.
Then cross via land, It might cost you another $200 and a few more hours,
but that detention center, the interrogations, all that jazz is no fun..
Worse part is, you'll have to pay 700baht a night for detention + buy a ticket back Home + Won't be allowed into the Duty free since you're legally not in Thailand + be escorted to the plane with 2 cops looking like a criminal ...
I managed to get away with 3-4 warnings until it happened to me, but when it did, it was after I spent more than 6 months away from Thailand in Japan + Taiwan..
You could potentially try to fly back to Taipei if they detain you,
BUT, there's a big chance Taiwanese immigration WONT let you in because you never got the Thai stamp.
Then cross via land, It might cost you another $200 and a few more hours,
but that detention center, the interrogations, all that jazz is no fun..
Worse part is, you'll have to pay 700baht a night for detention + buy a ticket back Home + Won't be allowed into the Duty free since you're legally not in Thailand + be escorted to the plane with 2 cops looking like a criminal ...
I managed to get away with 3-4 warnings until it happened to me, but when it did, it was after I spent more than 6 months away from Thailand in Japan + Taiwan..
You could potentially try to fly back to Taipei if they detain you,
BUT, there's a big chance Taiwanese immigration WONT let you in because you never got the Thai stamp.
Michael ********
No limit, but someone having a bad day will apply one. Avoid female Immigration Officers. In my experience, they are most likely to give you problems. Not being sexist, just factual, and based on experience. If you plan to stay longer term, with more visits, get a DTV or similar.
Bonnie *********
@Michael *******
And yet, my experience is not the same.Michael ********
@Bonnie ********
I have heard many say the same about female IOs. I now avoid them every time. Never had a further issue.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Bonnie *********
Why not get a proper visa?
Chelsea ********
Enter with a tourist visa (apply online and should be approved while you're still on your trip to Taiwan) this will almost for sure ensure less questions. Basically the free entry (no visa) is a gift for people to come and see Thailand - not an endless way to stay without a visa. Tourist visa for the next couple of entries will mean probably no questions (they're just glad you're paying for the right to come in)
As others have said, a long term visa is best because even so many tourist stamps will go so long as you won't be a tourist at all after a year+ of staying almost solely in Thailand. Then, technically yes you would be violating the law.
As others have said, a long term visa is best because even so many tourist stamps will go so long as you won't be a tourist at all after a year+ of staying almost solely in Thailand. Then, technically yes you would be violating the law.
Tod *********
@Chelsea *******
keep in mind that holding a tourist visa doesn't guarantee they get in to the country, only that IF they're let in they get in for the number of days the visa allows. plenty of people holding valid tourist visas are denied entry based on their previous entry/stay historyChelsea ********
@Tod ********
fair point! It helps but it isn't a for sure (as it's STILL for tourists not residents, or those suspected of working here)Reply to
Chelsea ********
Reply
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTERthank you
@Chelsea *******
the problem is i will be in taiwan only for 10 days. that means my return flight is in 13 days. not enough time for a tourist visa i guess ๐คChelsea ********
@Flo *************
it should be? It's all online now usually 5-7 days maxFlo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chelsea *******
oh really? i heard it takes at least 15 daysChelsea ********
@Flo *************
I found something online that says "up to 15 days" but that's more or less on the long end of things. Applying right away should have no problem getting it back within 10 days. Up to you really but just not applying for it sounds like it'd be quite a risk
Reply to
Chelsea ********
Reply
James ********
BE PREPARED for questions from Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival from your trip to Taipei Taiwan. And your DENIED ENTRY.
Thai Immigration Officers are much more strict now than before.
Thai Immigration Officers are much more strict now than before.
Roger *******
@James *******
Have there been many cases reported here of people from Germany, USA, Australia, UK, actually being denied a 60 day stamp? I can't remember seeing any. Questions are one thing, denial another.James ********
@Roger ******
@Tod ********
recently POSTED this reply to a question..."What you're not gonna do anymore is live here (long term) on 60 day free entry stamps w/30 day extensions ๐ฎ
That was something you could do years ago, when it was 30 days by land or air but since July last year when they went to 60 days for 90+ countries they got a LOT harder about people living here on free stamp entries
I think last week between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi they denied entry to close to 2000 people (which believe it or not is a super SMALL number compared to how many stamped in overall at those two airports) BUT for those people it sure ruined their day
You would probably get a couple bounces (especially if you used a service to take you to the border, bounce you out/back because they grease the wheel so you can get back in)
BUT
trying to do it yourself you'll find much sooner than later you'll get pulled aside, asked WTF you think you're doing living here on free stamps, told in no uncertain terms to find a visa and/or just denied entry outright and shipped back to where you flew in from on your dime.
It ain't the thailand of years ago, where you could live here milking free stamp entries"
Roger *******
@James *******
James Miller Interesting we don't get a post here. Not to minimize the potential trouble, but seems there would be some sort of post here. I understand that there are denials.. I suspect they are mostly from third world countries.. and for what reasons?? It will be interesting to see a denial from USA, Germany, Swiss, AU.. etc. Thank you.Tod *********
@Roger ******
I don't let denial of entry posts ON the group, there's no benefit, and there's NOTHING the group could do as far as advice to get them in I probably get half a dozen messages from people at the airport or border every week who were denied entry
and
they're NOT third worlders, they're people from the west who just got too full of themselves and cocky thinking they could live here on free stamp 60 day entries w/30 day extensions. They found out they can't ๐
Roger *******
@Tod ********
Interesting. It's seems like it would be good information to hear some details. Thsnks for the info. ๐Tod *********
@Roger ******
the details are the same, people are pulled aside based on previous entry/stay history when they go to stamp in. They're questioned, they're asked for onward travel (or not) and they're told they can't get in and will be denied entry
if it's by land they are sent back thru no-manz land and the other country cancels the exit stamp to let them back in
If it's by air, they're held in the IDC lock up at the airport and buy a ticket back out, usually to where they just flew in BUT once in a great while back to country of passport origin (whether you live there or not).
They sit in IDC at the airport (which is like the Ritz compared to the real IDC down on Soi Suan Phlu in Bangkok) until they fly out.
The stories are endlessly repetitive except for the excuses people give on WHY it wasn't their fault they were denied entry.. ๐ ๐ฎ
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
maybe a stupid question. can i get a re-entry permit for my visa on exemption stamp? because i have only used 7 of 60 days?James ********
@Flo *************
a re-entry permit does not guarantee you that you will be allowed to reenter Thailand. If you have a recent history of staying in Thailand, be prepared for questions from Thai Immigration Officers.Reply to
James ********
Reply
James ********
@Roger ******
Yes with the history of entering Thailand multiple times as Visa Exempt Entry or even a Tourist Visa, there's increased questioning by Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival and DENIED ENTRY is in higher numbers than before.Roger *******
@James *******
I haven't seen one example of actual denied entry from first world countries posted here.. more questions, yes.. thanks for the info.Reply to
Roger *******
Reply
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTERthank you for you answer
@James *******
The last visa stamp is only 7 days old. I have to go back to Taipei on Friday for 10 days. And then I wanted to go back to Thailand for 2 weeks and then fly back to Germany. So even with a return ticket to Germany, is it a risk?Graham ******
@Flo *************
Yes, it is a risk following your previous warnings as airline tickets can be changed so this is how your departure flight could be seen. It is no guarantee that you will indeed leave Thailand well within the 60 days.James ********
@Flo *************
good question... BUT I still believe that you need to use a FAST TRACK SERVICE COMPANY to meet you at the airplane โ๏ธ and guide you thru Thai Immigration to get a NEW 60 day STAMP as Visa Exempt Entry.Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
i thought about that too. thank youReply to
Flo **************
Reply
James ********
What is your age?
Are you married to a Thai or father of a Thai child?
A good suggestion has been made for you to look at the new DTV visa. Here's the graphic for it.
I believe you need to cancel your Trip to Taipei and first do a BORDER BOUNCE using an experienced border run service company to take you to a Thai border, bounce out and back the same day to get a NEW 60 days STAMP on arrival as Visa Exempt Entry.
Then one 30 days extension of stay at Thai immigration office as you have done before for 1900 Thai baht.
Do NOT ๐ซ try to do the land BORDER BOUNCE on your own. USE an experienced border run service company. They know what you need to do and will get you the new 60 day STAMP.
AND look over the DTV visa during those 90 days.
Are you married to a Thai or father of a Thai child?
A good suggestion has been made for you to look at the new DTV visa. Here's the graphic for it.
I believe you need to cancel your Trip to Taipei and first do a BORDER BOUNCE using an experienced border run service company to take you to a Thai border, bounce out and back the same day to get a NEW 60 days STAMP on arrival as Visa Exempt Entry.
Then one 30 days extension of stay at Thai immigration office as you have done before for 1900 Thai baht.
Do NOT ๐ซ try to do the land BORDER BOUNCE on your own. USE an experienced border run service company. They know what you need to do and will get you the new 60 day STAMP.
AND look over the DTV visa during those 90 days.
James ********
And if you choose to fly to visit Taipei ..
You will need to use A FAST TRACK SERVICE COMPANY to enter Thailand.
Google it and if they accept you as a customer, they will meet you at the airplane โ๏ธ and guide you thru Thai Immigration to get you stamped in for 60 days as Visa Exempt.
Be sure to tell them your passport nation and your recent Thai Immigration history.
You will need to use A FAST TRACK SERVICE COMPANY to enter Thailand.
Google it and if they accept you as a customer, they will meet you at the airplane โ๏ธ and guide you thru Thai Immigration to get you stamped in for 60 days as Visa Exempt.
Be sure to tell them your passport nation and your recent Thai Immigration history.
Brian **********
@James *******
this. Gonna get sent to level three interrogation unless he gets his dodgy history pre cleared by a fast track service ahead of time. Then get dtv in GermanyJames ********
@Brian *********
agreed ๐ the Fast Track Service Company will get him in IF they accept him as a customer. That's WHY they ask for passport nation and recent history of staying in Thailand.Brian **********
@James *******
yah he needs to be up front too so they can check if they can accept them as a customer. If they got some overstay in the file as well they need more time to pre clear him. Not something to leave till last second. He should contact them now many days outReply to
Brian **********
Reply
Russell ********
The legal situation is that you are not really a tourist in the accepted sense but only enter om Tourist visas, or no Visa at all, as a tourist.
As you have seen, it's hit and miss whether you will be pulled up again. It's their prerogative to send you back if you get unlucky.
As you have seen, it's hit and miss whether you will be pulled up again. It's their prerogative to send you back if you get unlucky.
Dennis ***********
@Russell *******
Be prepared to be denied entry- your passport # is probably logged into alert status- Go the - OA- + - Retirement Visa.Russell ********
@Dennis **********
i have done. I'm not the OP.Reply to
Russell ********
Reply
Bob **********
Get a tourist visa before coming and thatโs no guarantee
Barry ******
Better yet DTV, LTR or privilege entry visa if you want to use Thailand as a base
Bob **********
@Barry *****
exactlyReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Paul *******
If you get the 60 day visa exempt stamp and extend by a further 30 days at the Immigration office, Immigration class you as a tourist. If you then attempt to enter again on a visa exempt stamp, Immigration rightly consider that after on 90 day stay in the country that you are no longer a tourist but that you are attempting to live long term in the country. While there is no legal limit to the number of Visa exempt entries, once the Immigration officer believes that you are no longer visiting the country as a tourist he will deny you entry. 3. If you have already stayed for 90 days on a visa exempt entry, then in future to guarantee entry into Thailand, you need to obtain a long term visa suitable to the reason for your stay.
Tod *********
Not trying to take the piss but believe it or not the limit is when you get denied entry ๐ฎ
You said you had problems entering in Dec 2024 and then Feb 2025 which shows you're already using free stamps to "live here" <- at least in the eyes of the immigration officer stamping you in
Nope you're not violating the law as there is nothing written that limits free stamp (visa exempt) entry by air or land in a specific period of time
BUT
with that being said, since they went from 30 day free entry to 60 day free entry (July 15th, 2024) they got a LOT harder on people living here (staying long term) on free stamps.
You saw it stamping in yourself TWICE already..
All you can do is have proof you're flying out in 60 days, proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH) and proof of lodging for 60 days. You can be asked to show all those things and can be denied entry for failing to show them.
I'd say you're gonna find out sooner rather than later what it's like to be denied entry and shipped out on your dime ๐
If you're going to use thailand as a base to travel S/E Asia or what ever it is you're doing being here so much you need to find a visa because believe me your luck will run out ๐ And when it does you'll know it :/
You said you had problems entering in Dec 2024 and then Feb 2025 which shows you're already using free stamps to "live here" <- at least in the eyes of the immigration officer stamping you in
Nope you're not violating the law as there is nothing written that limits free stamp (visa exempt) entry by air or land in a specific period of time
BUT
with that being said, since they went from 30 day free entry to 60 day free entry (July 15th, 2024) they got a LOT harder on people living here (staying long term) on free stamps.
You saw it stamping in yourself TWICE already..
All you can do is have proof you're flying out in 60 days, proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH) and proof of lodging for 60 days. You can be asked to show all those things and can be denied entry for failing to show them.
I'd say you're gonna find out sooner rather than later what it's like to be denied entry and shipped out on your dime ๐
If you're going to use thailand as a base to travel S/E Asia or what ever it is you're doing being here so much you need to find a visa because believe me your luck will run out ๐ And when it does you'll know it :/
Roger ******
@Tod ********
what you mean shipped out on your dime? If denied entry I can just buy a ticket to another SE asian country Cambo, Vietnam. If they dont want me here just go somewhere else, easy noTod *********
@Roger *****
I mean YOU pay for the ticket out sorry ๐ AND remember at the discretion of the officer they can (if you give them a hard time) make you buy a ticket back to country of passport origin, that's totally their callReply to
Tod *********
Reply
Roger *******
@Tod ********
and others... Have we had many or any reports of people from Germany, USA, Swiss, UK, etc of actually being denied for 60 day tourist stamp posted here? I can't remember seeing one, but I don't always see all the posts.Tod *********
@Roger ******
as a rule I don't let denial of entry posts on the group as there's nothing to be done for them once the officer at passport control says they can't get inReply to
Tod *********
Reply
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTERthank u
@Tod ********
The last visa stamp is only 7 days old. I have to go back to Taipei on Friday for 10 days. And then I wanted to go back to Thailand for 2 weeks and then fly back to Germany. So even with a return ticket to Germany, is it a risk?Eze ********
@Flo *************
if your last stamp is only 7 days old and you haven't left Thailand yet, then get a re-entry permit before you do leave (you can get it at the airport).It will allow you to use the reminder of your 60-day stamp, which you should then be able to extend at immigration for another 30 days.
Re-entry permits are available in single and multiple variants. Since you will still be using your February entry stamp, immigration will hopefully not have an issue.
If you do get back in, look into one of the other visa options that are available for your kind of travel, as others have advised. You could also look into them while you are outside Thailand but some can only be applied for in your home country or a country in which you are a resident.
You have had two warnings so you should assume that your card is marked and that you will face additional scrutiny when entering visa exempt (and maybe even with a visa depending on which one you get).
Another option would be to fly to a neighbouring country and enter by land, assuming you haven't done so already. Last time I checked you could enter by land, visa exempt, twice in a calendar year (search the forums because I'm not up on recent conditions at the various land borders).
Finally, you can pay a company to bring you in without immigration problems. This applies both to air travel and land border crossings.
Rob *******
@Eze *******
... you cannot get a re-entry permit on a visa exempt stamp. Once you stamp out that exempt stamp is void regardless of the days remaining on the stamp.Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Eze *******
thank you. i didnt know that i can get a re-emtry permit. even with a normal visa on arrival?Rob *******
@Flo *************
... you can't, he's giving you wrong information.Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rob ******
thank youEze ********
@Flo *************
if you entered using a German passport then you would have entered using visa exemption and not visa on arrival.You can get a re-entry permit for the entry stamp given for visa exemption.
You need to either do this at your local immigration office or at the airport BEFORE you go through immigration. Once they stamp you out it's too late to get a re-entry permit.
If you are going to do it at the airport search this forum for posts from people asking where to get a re-entry permit at the airport you are flying out from and then ALLOW EXTRA TIME to get it when you arrive to the airport.
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Eze *******
now i read on a website that you canโt get a re-entry permit when you have a visa exemption ๐คyou did it before?
Eze ********
@Flo *************
I haven't. However, a while ago I did a 30-day extension of a visa exempt entry at immigration and I asked about getting a re-entry permit afterwards and was told that I could. In the end I decided not to spend the time to do that and just fly in again visa exempt since my history wasn't excessive.If you can get to immigration before you fly you might want to see if it's possible to get a re-entry permit off an extension. Or just choose one of the other options, if you have confidence in them, such as using a safe entry company or a land crossing or both.
Flo **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Eze *******
thank you. i will try itReply to
Flo **************
Reply
Brian **********
@Flo *************
100% of being pulled aside an question unless a vip company clears you. Have return flight. Have the cash required 20k and have a vip company run it by immigration before hand. Small price to avoid the riskFlo **************
ORIGINAL POSTERbecause I won't be in the country for much longer. Or rather, I won't really use the 60 days. Not with the current stamp and not with a future one. That's why I asked
Tod *********
@Flo *************
well all you can do when you come back in is have the proof you're flying out well before that 60 day entry stamp would run out and hope for the bestGraham ******
@Flo *************
Airline tickets can be changed so, in your case, this is how your departure flight could be seen. It is no guarantee that you will indeed leave Thailand well within the 60 days.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Mike ********
@Flo *************
Maybe re-read @Tod ********
answer above. He put pretty clearly. Warned twice and you are asking if it is a risk ??? Seriously !Reply to
Mike ********
Reply
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