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Is there an exemption to the 180-day visa stay limit for pregnant women in Thailand?

Feb 20, 2026
2 months ago
is there such thing as an exemption to not leave after 180 days ?

i’m due to give birth mid april, and my 180 days is up at the end of may. i reallllly don’t want to do have to do a visa run with a one month old (i can’t leave baby with dad i only breastfeeding). i also don’t want to go alone, or drag my husband and two little kids just because i don’t want to go alone.

is there such thing as an exemption to not leave ? if so how long would they give me ?

Im in koh phangan. i heard maybe Samui would be possible.

how far in advance would i have to ask?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The person is seeking guidance regarding visa exemptions after their 180-day stay in Thailand, particularly due to the impending birth of their child. Community responses suggest that while there is no formal exemption, options such as applying for a medical extension with a doctor's certificate or conducting a short border run are available. Many recommend leaving the country before the visa expires to reset the 180 days rather than rely on the extension process, which could be complex and uncertain. Community members shared personal experiences and provided specific advice about potential travel methods and documentation needed.
Wesley ********
You can apply at immigration for 6 month extension, but they might not grant it unless you paperwork is solid.

Not sure if it’s better but you could also travel before and when you come back get your 6 months renewed.
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LongTimeLivi************
If you fly now you will need a doctors certificate confirming how many weeks pregnant you are and you're fit to fly. Beyond 32 weeks pregnant, no airline will let you fly.
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Dany ********
extension. need all documents again, freshly dated. work or soft power proof. 500k baht proof for more than a month. residency proof. and maybe more. ask at your local immigration office and follow their advice!

alternatively fly now or go by car to border bounce
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Kim *****
Somebody else did a same day Singapore to Samui border bounce. If you can fly now, you can have a visa till nearly September.
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Adnan ********
go now and come back to reset 180 days
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Anonymous ******************
Best is to fly out asap... Peace of mind because in case the extension is refused you will be given a 7 days notice to leave (and you don't want to overstay)
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Anonymous ******************
This is going to be messy when they deny you entry for border bouncing.
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Anonymous ******************
A multiple entry visa allows you entry multiple times, as a tourist. It does not allow you to border bounce and reside in the country using visit visas.
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Brandon ************
Anonymous participant 376 She has a valid multiple-entry visa, she would not be denied entry.
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Brandon ************
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Intelligen***********
I answered this in a diff post for a woman who was also in the same boat.

You need a medical certificate from your doctor - they should clearly explain why you need the exemption such as not safe to travel for your baby. You are a nursing mother and your Thai baby will not be fully vaccinated. Most Thai families don't even leave the house for the first couple months with baby (it is a cultural norm) and mothers and babies are treated very kindly in Thailand actually...So.. Ask your doctor for the medical certificate

That says you and your baby are unfit to travel because ( have them list reasons and how long they suggest)

Then take q copy of your visa, your passport, babies birth certificate, a TM7 and money (1900 thb)

I'm sure they will grant it for you... Then if you need another extention speak with your doctor and get another certificate (do it each time)

If the father is Thai your life would be much easier if you got legally married, you wouldn't have to leave 😉

I would be extremely careful about doing a 24 hour border run... There is a good possibility you will be detained and rejected especially with all the visa changes. We just had a friend do this and they were detained and told to return to their home country first then come back... Speak with your doctor about writing on the medical certificate "Not fit to travel due to advanced pregnancy and chances of early labour"

At this point Thai doctors actually give you progesterone for the plane because they don't want the pressure to accidentally cause pre term labour... A medical certificate from a Thai doctor holds alot of weight.. 💪

There is the possibility to just wait.. Have your baby and just focus on that.. Then.. After your baby is born ask your doctor for help with the medical certificate.. I wouldn't chance leaving the country if you want your baby to be born here.. Anything can happen 🙏
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Brandon ************
IntelligentPoodle1163 There's no risk of being rejected with a DTV. That's only people trying to bounce without a visa using visa exempt.
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Intelligen***********
I just shared a story where my friend (who is on DTV) was rejected and told to return to her own country as she did a 22 hour exit and then told she could come back but only after she went to her passport issuing country first.. Everyone is different so the risk is never 0. 😉

"While the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is designed for remote work and specialized activities, entry is never guaranteed. Denials usually stem from suspicion of illegal work, misrepresenting activities (e.g., claiming Muay Thai/cooking classes without attending), insufficient proof of funds/remote work, or a history of frequent, long-term stays."
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Intelligen***********
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Intelligen***********
IntelligentPoodle1163 i can't edit anymore lol but it's not called a medical exemption it's for a "Medical Extention"
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Intelligen***********
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Ryan *******
Extend for 180 for 1900baht
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ryan ******
how do i do this
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Unforgettabl*************
Anonymous participant These are the requirements as set out by Bangkok Immigration (
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[there’s two pop-ups you’ll have to close]). Keep in mind that each office may have their own additional requirements but broadly speaking, you’ll need to verify that you still meet the conditions of the visa so you’ll need 500k in the bank and so on.
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498-c6cf9df3-b828 [there’s two pop-ups you’ll have to close]). Keep in mind that each office may have their own additional requirements but broadly speaking, you’ll need to verify that you still meet the conditions of the visa so you’ll need 500k in the bank and so on.
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Unforgettabl*************
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ArticulateS***********
Basically too lazy to do a short trip - “it’s all about me and my new baby” 🤷‍♂️
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Jordan ********
ArticulateSquirrel3605 mong 🤣🤣
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ArticulateS***********
@Jordan *******
I’m Not wrong. Like she’s the only one in history to have a baby so the world revolves around her.
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ArticulateS***********
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Andrew *********
No.

Do it early and reset the 180 days.
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Dylan *******
It's staggering how many people have the DTV yet don't even know the basics
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Anonymous ******************
Fly to SIN and back from Samui. It's not too pricey
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Copper*******
Simply will have to do a visa run, before or close , least then no worry for another 6 months
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Nick *********
If it's easy for you to provide updated versions of all the evidence you provided to get approved for the visa and you have a minimum of 16 days left before the first 180 days ends then I hear it's a bit of a run around and they don't like doing it but it's totally possible to get an extension of a further 180 days without leaving. Sounds like you have a valid reason and in my experience Thai people even in immigration offices have empathy.
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DTV_Be*******
@Nick ********
not really about empathy, but following your supervisor’s guidance and their supervisor’s guidance. Especially with this new government, I wouldn’t leave it up to hope of “empathy”. Best to make a trip now while she can and reset her clock/stamp, then potentially end up in a difficult situation after the baby is born
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Nick *********
DTV_BegPecker ultimately it comes down to whether she has the documents theyl expect her to present, which will be updated documents of what she provided to apply for the visa. Income stuff other proofs etc. the reason is just to show she isn't a grifter cheating the system which matters. There's a volunteer in this group who basically told me what I just told her re: the 15+ day requirement, documents etc. reality is they don't like doing it, but it's possible. Different offices probably have different policies around how to handle it also
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Nick *********
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Ian **********
You can apply for a 6 month extension, but it would be easier to leave now and come back for a fresh 180 days. How many weeks are you, can you still fly? There are short international flights from Samui
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Anonymous ******************
@Ian *********
why is that easier than getting 6 months extension?
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Andrew *********
Anonymous participant 135 Because immigration dont want anything to do with the DTV.
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Kaitlyn *********
You only have to leave for 24 hours if that so just fly somewhere now and come right back
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Andrew *********
@Kaitlyn ********
You can get off the plane and turn back round. No 24 hours needed.
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Kaitlyn *********
Yes correct
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Kaitlyn *********
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Ian **********
Anonymous participant 135 The application for a 6 month extension is as complex as the initial visa application. You have to re-submit all the original documents. You must be new to the group if you were not aware of this.
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Anonymous ******************
@Ian *********
I'm not new to the group, I just haven't applied for the extension but you sound like a know-it-all hence why I'm asking 😀
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Begp*****
@Ian *********
it’s more complex than the initial application lol
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Begp*****
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Greg ********
There are medical extensions. Will need support of Dr / Hospital. How long can they "Sign you" off from travelling though? As othes have said - better try to do a border run ASAP but you location makes it more difficult.
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Ian **********
@Greg *******
medical emergency extensions. Pregnancy isn't an emergency unless a premature birth or other medical problems eg preeclampsia
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Greg ********
@Ian *********
Yeah - I doubt it would be freely available. Might get a month or 2 out of it with a friendly Dr/Hospital and immigration connections
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Greg ********
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DTV_Be*******
You can leave in March and return in March. You will receive a new 180 day stamp when you enter
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
DTV_BegPecker i’m not sure i can still fly
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DTV_Be*******
Anonymous participant - you can usually fly up until 36 weeks, so you have time. Also land borders
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Greg ********
Anonymous participant I was thinking that - can you even fly so close to birth? Overland is not ideal either.
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Andrew *********
@Greg *******
Is there a train that goes to a border or did I imagine reading that recently?
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Greg ********
@Andrew ********
Yeah. Probably better. Get to Surat Thani for it.
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Andrew *********
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Andrew *********
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Roxana ******
DTV_BegPecker agree
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Roxana ******
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Anonymous ******************
Leave before April and back or try to get an extension at immigration (even though plenty have failed doing so). There is no exemption.
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Anonymous ******************
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