Answered10 months ago
What are the best travel options for spending an extended time in Thailand without visa issues?
Hi guys,
I have flight to Thailand in March 2026,
I will stay in Thailand for 30 days, Exit for Philippines for 6 days,
and Go back to Thailand for 60 days and will go home.
* My second trip to Thailand will be in September for 2 months.
How should i go to Thailand without any problem?
I have flight to Thailand in March 2026,
I will stay in Thailand for 30 days, Exit for Philippines for 6 days,
and Go back to Thailand for 60 days and will go home.
* My second trip to Thailand will be in September for 2 months.
How should i go to Thailand without any problem?
Answer summary
The user plans to visit Thailand for a total of approximately 150–160 days in 2026, which includes a 30-day stay followed by a trip to the Philippines and a 60-day return. Comments suggest that while this plan is generally acceptable under the visa exemption system, it is advisable to consider obtaining a tourist visa for the final entry to minimize issues with immigration. Some commenters emphasize the importance of having an onward ticket, accommodation details, and enough funds, while others highlight the potential for scrutiny with frequent entries. There's a consensus among users that obtaining a proper visa can prevent potential problems and reassure immigration officials.
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Andy ******
Your second trip to Thailand will be in April not September,that will be your third trip then
Eliyahu *****
OPYes you are fight
Jay **********************
Eliyahu Haj There are a lot of unhelpful jerks on these forum so it is best to ignore those people and only communicate with the ones who are helpful ( like Andy) and provide substance and ignore the idiots that make stupid comment like "Just get a visa" as they obvious don't know your situation.
Many expats think because they have been here a long time they can be jerk offs to those who are still trying to figure things out as if they werent in your shoes before. I wish you luck and safe travels.
Many expats think because they have been here a long time they can be jerk offs to those who are still trying to figure things out as if they werent in your shoes before. I wish you luck and safe travels.
Andy ******
@Eliyahu ****
2026 ,Thailand March for 30 days then leave away to Philippines 6 days then back to Thailand probably around April for 60 days that's your second trip to Thailand , back in September is your third trip
Peter ******
Get a visa, stop being the problem !
NeL *****
Do you meant, get METV visa?
Luc ************
You will be fine.
Todd *********
There is absolutely no problem or immigration issues with this plan. Some over the top fear mongering here unfortunately.
Mike *********
Don’t play the clown. Buy a 90 day visa and make the immigration officers happy. It’s not expensive and it prevents any grief with them. They actually appreciate the fact that you have done everything correctly and it saves you having to justify yourself when they question you. When you compare the cost of the visa against the cost of the flights and accommodation, it pales into insignificance. Always remember that you are a visitor and that they have the upper hand, no matter how smart you might be, nor what bad advice you might have received. They really like to see that you are entering Thailand having already obeyed the rules and that makes feel better. Thailand runs on emotions far more than common sense and legalities. Cheers
Luc ************
@Mike ********
I'm here on my 4th trip this year reaching almost 180 days. No problem at immigration, no questions asked. Get a grip man.Mike *********
@Luc ***********
I’ve heard reports of people being questioned. Best way to avoid a problem is……….. cheersEliyahu *****
OP@Mike ********
what visa is the 90 days? tourist visa is 60Mike *********
@Eliyahu ****
Oh you do lead a complicated life. I’d advise you fly directly to the Philippines and then come back to Thailand with a 90 day visa. Immigration really don’t like repeated visits within a short time span. Things have changed and it’s better to avoid them asking stupid questions. It only takes one immigration officer to try to be clever ( which they’re not) and it will make a bad day for you. For what it’s worth, that’s my honest advice. Just look up 90 day visas on the website. Easy! Best regards.
Lhiling ********************
@Greg **********
upon arrival at Thailand immigration the officer will stamp your passport 60 days tourist visa then you can extend another 30 days at local immigration office with your tm30.Mike *********
@Greg **********
As you say, I don’t know if he is eligible for the N I O visa but that’s up to him to check his eligibility. I still stand by my advice which is to use the correct and most applicable visa rather than going in and out of the country on a short term. This is the very activity that is raising suspicion with Thai Immigration. Considering the low expenditure involved, I would certainly pay for the 90 day O visa. Best regards
Greg ***********
@Mike ********
there is no 90-days visa unless you advice him to apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa. You do not know if he is elegible for this visa, and you do not know if he can fulfill the financial requirements for this visa. All tourist visas, single or multiple entry, will get you stamped in for 60 days, not for 90 days. If you want to get 90 days stay permit out of a tourist visa or visa-exemption, you need to buy a 30-days extension for 1900 Baht on Immigration. The OP is going to buy one 30-days extension in March, and by September he won't stay any longer than the 60-days of a visa exempt entry.Lhiling ********************
@Eliyahu ****
I think there's no problem for your travel from Thailand to Philippines then Philippines to Thailand most especially if you seldom come to Thailand. if ever you will encounter some problem with Thai immigration try to contact me I can use my agent with strong connection with the immigration in subarnabhumi airportEliyahu *****
OPi know but unfortunately i already bought all the plane tickets (Thailand + Philippines) before all the new rules started
Mike *********
@Eliyahu ****
You have to apply for it on line to your country’s Thai Embassy. Trust me , it saves you a huge amount of headache.Eliyahu *****
OP@Mike ********
what is the name of the visa? and dont forget i go to Philippines after 1 month and comback thailand again
Jan ******************
Based on your plan, you will spend roughly 150–160 days in Thailand in total during 2026. That is still generally within what is considered ordinary tourism, but it does place you toward the upper end of what is normally accepted under the Visa exemption system itself if you later attempt another entry in the same cycle. With this travel pattern, your planned entries should be fine, provided you have an onward ticket, accommodation details, and funds available if asked. Just be aware that any further entries after this may be assessed more critically, as immigration primarily looks at total time spent in Thailand rather than the number of trips. And if you want to feel more comfortable, you can apply for a tourist visa for your last entry in September, which gives you a slightly higher level of certainty when entering Thailand.
This of course assumes that you are a national of one of the 93 countries eligible for visa exemption. If you are not, you will need to apply for a tourist visa for each entry. Then you obtain a re-entry permit for your tourist visa at immigration or at the airport before traveling to the Philippines, so that you are stamped back in on the same stay upon return and can then apply for a 30 days extension.
This of course assumes that you are a national of one of the 93 countries eligible for visa exemption. If you are not, you will need to apply for a tourist visa for each entry. Then you obtain a re-entry permit for your tourist visa at immigration or at the airport before traveling to the Philippines, so that you are stamped back in on the same stay upon return and can then apply for a 30 days extension.
Alan ********
@Jan *****************
isnt it 90 days he is stayingEliyahu *****
OP@Alan *******
90 days in March + 60 days at SeptemberEliyahu *****
OPYes i eligible for visa exemption, so you suggest to do the first 2 entry with visa exemption, and for 3rd entry at September to do tourist visa from my country local Thai embassy
it is safe enough for the Thai immigration for not to be kicked out?
Or is it better to think about a Tourist visa Multiple but really costy 7,500 baht ?
it is safe enough for the Thai immigration for not to be kicked out?
Or is it better to think about a Tourist visa Multiple but really costy 7,500 baht ?
Jan ******************
@Eliyahu ****
If you do not have any recent extensive entry history and are effectively starting a new cycle, your overall travel plan should still fall within what is normally accepted under the visa exemption system itself. If you obtain an SETV for your September entry, that should be a safe approach. This assessment is based on feedback from other travelers in similar situations. An METV is not strictly required in your case, although it would cover the entire travel pattern under one visa, provided your final entry is made within six months of the visa being issued. So you will ultimately need to assess this yourself.Eliyahu *****
OPAt this year 2025 i was in thailand for about 100 days total from end of march until july, i was with( tourist visa+re entry) and visa exemption
Nathan *************
90 days a year starts Jan to Dec
David ********
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