Should I return to Thailand via Chiang Mai, Suvarnabhumi, or a land crossing after multiple tourist visa entries?

Jul 2, 2024
6 months ago
Pushing my luck with the amount of entries using tourist visas and visa exempt this year 2 of each I’ve left to go to uk for 2 months and currently been in Vietnam for a month,should I fly back into chiang Mai,suvarnabhumi or do a land crossing??
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the best way to return to Thailand after using multiple tourist visas and visa exemptions. It is suggested that if you haven't exhausted your two annual land border entries, you could enter Thailand through a land border, notably from Laos, as borders like Nong Khai are considered easier. There are also recommendations to obtain a proper visa for a longer stay instead of relying on tourist visa exemptions, particularly considering that the Bangkok airport may be stricter. The conversation highlights the importance of keeping track of the total number of days spent in Thailand and offers various options for re-entering the country.
Garry ********
Fly in is unlimited so take the plane
Shaughn ***********
Adrian just reading though the conversations here… what you really need to establish is how many days have you already been in Thailand over the past 12 months. If you have been in country under 180 days total then you shouldn’t have trouble flying in baring any extensive COVID history. If you’ve used the 2 land border entries on visa exempt already this year then those are out of the question. If you have been at around or over 180 days then expect to be questioned and have a good reason to be allowed further entry, especially at Bangkok airports. Other airports seem to be more lenient.
Dan ********
Are you not extending those visas from inside Thailand ? Both the 60 day tourist visa and 30 day visa exempt stamp can be extended at an immigration office for another 30 days, for 1900 baht. So 2x tourist visas would give you 180 days (60+30 and 60+30). And each visa exempt stamp gives you 60 (30+30 and another 30+30). That's 10 months. You have spent them by month 6. Month 5 if you have been in Vietnam for a month.. you are doing something wrong.
Todd *********
BKK has a reputation for being more strict. CNX less so. If you want 90, you will need to get a tourist visa in Vietnam, either HCMC or Hanoi
Bart **************
Why not get a proper visa? You're not holidaying all that time I presume?
Dan ********
@Bart *************
what visa do you have that gives you any authority to tell others to get a 'proper visa'. Pipe down kiddo. I'm on holiday for 5 years now. There's not always a perfect fit visa.
Patrick **************
What are my options? American here, received a visa on arrival and a 30 days extension which is due to expire soon.
Bart **************
@Patrick *************
I've just answered the topic starter above.
Adrian *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick *************
fly to a neighbouring country and either apply for a tourist visa or re enter on visa exempt,providing you haven’t had too many this year
Adrian *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
so what’s the proper visa for a 43 year old that only ever stays 2 to 3 months at a time then goes back to uk for work commitments that can take anything from 1-3 months,as far as I’m aware there isn’t 1,tourist visa has been my best option and been fine until recently,I didn’t need to return to the uk so I’ve been travelling Vietnam and Laos for the last 5 weeks but I know want to go back to Thailand,I was waiting for the new DLT that Thailand proposed last month but nothing has happened with that,so I now want to return to Thailand and then maybe convert to a more appropriate visa once I’m there and the new visas are available.
Dan ********
@Adrian ****************
don't listen to that joker, I've been in your position, I maxed out the tourist/exempt stamps, an ED visa, and after buying a house here and committing everything to Thailand, I went with Elite visa as I didn't want to risk rejection. You should wait and see these 'visa changes', if they even happen. 👍
Bart **************
@Adrian ****************
I see. I hope they'll make them available soon 👍
Adrian *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
thank you 👍
Stephen ********
If you're in the UK why not gor for either a 60 tourist visa or a 6 month multi entry? An actual visa would probably raise less questions than move visa exempt entries.
Adrian *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen *******
I’m currently in Vietnam been here for a month
Oliver *********
@Adrian ****************
what's the best option to go back to Thailand from Vietnam? I'm also here but I want 90 days total not 60 :?
Adrian *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oliver ********
if you want 90 days it’s either apply for a tourist visa and get an extension or wait for the 60 day exempt to be issued and again get an extension
Wayne *********
@Oliver ********
go to embassy get a 60 day tr visa
Stephen ********
@Adrian ****************
ahh my bad 👍🏻
Brandon ************
You can enter at a land border without a visa 2 times per year.

If you haven't used both of those entries, then entering at a land border, especially with Laos, will be your best bet. Nong Khai is known as a very easy border to enter visa exempt.

Poipet is the most difficult land border in Thailand so avoid it at all costs.
Adrian *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you I was thinking of doing that crossing 👌👍
Dean **********
@Adrian ****************
Always used Nong Khai in the past few times a year sometimes more never had a problem buddy
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