Hi. I visited Thailand several times over the past 12 months either overland or by air. Each arrival was visa exempt with an Australian passport.
My last arrival was in June this year through Suvanabhumi Airport. On this occasion I was taken aside by an immigration supervisor and I was told I was entering Thailand too frequently on visa exempt stamps and that I should apply for a eVisa instead.
Now I would like to make a short visit on short notice.
The eVisa seems to require 10 days to process and I have to purchase a ticket prior to applying.
Would it be a mistake to ignore the warning I received on my last arrival and just show up and hope for a trouble free visa exempt stamp on arrival. Or would you advise applying for an eVisa?
Thank you for your advice.
TLDR : Answer Summary
An Australian passport holder seeks advice after being warned by Thai immigration about entering Thailand too frequently on visa exempt stamps. He’s considering whether to apply for an eVisa, which requires a 10-day processing time, or to risk another visa exempt entry despite the warning. Comments suggest caution, emphasizing that ignoring the warning could lead to denied entry, and sharing experiences of others who faced similar situations. Key advice includes having proof of accommodation, return flight, and sufficient cash to present upon arrival.