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What are the best visa options for a 5-month stay in Thailand next winter?

Feb 25, 2026
2 months ago
Peter ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want to stay next winter about 5 months in Thailand. Whats the best way?

Entry by TDAC for 2months + 1months Visa extension + Visa Run + again 2 months stay or Application for Visa O-A ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To stay for about 5 months in Thailand, the best options mentioned include applying for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) or a Retirement Visa (O-A). The METV allows for multiple entries with each entry providing a 60-day stay, with a potential 30-day extension at immigration or through a visa run. The comments also highlight the importance of having an exit ticket and keeping up-to-date with immigration rules as regulations are subject to change.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.in.th)

Terary **********
Well if you're in a neighboring country you could walk although most fly.
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Ct **********
Visa school 6 month ..
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Kevin ********
Is it possible to get a 60 day entry stamp plus a 30 day extension. Then leave for 14 days and then come back and get an additional 60 day entry stamp plus an additional 30 day extension. By next year we will have sold our villa in Turkey, then get Retirement Visas in Thailand.
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Mark *******
All political claptrap!
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Mark *******
It'll never happen Vinson! The tourist/visitor dollar đź’°đź’µ is too tempting!
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Mark *******
I know having an exit ticket is officially in the rules,but the many many times I've been to Thailand,have never been asked or checked! Just a thought! Have always had one though.
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Arma ********
Best way go Vietnam
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Peter ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for so many advises. I am just not sure, whats the difference between an METV for 6 months and an O-A Visa for one year? Same price, but for the O-A Visa less headache bcz i havent to do Visa runs, right ?
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Greg ***********
Peter Werner if you can fulfill all the requirements for the application to a 365-days Non-Imm-O/A Visa, it indeed is an ideal visa type to spend 5 to 6 months in Thailand without the need to do a border run.
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Graham ******
Peter Werner in theory yes but to get the Non-OA you need health certificate plus specific insurance and police check
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Graham ******
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Peter ********
Do it the right way .... Get a visa
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Henrik **************
METV.
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Donna ************
Tourist visa 6 months .. simple
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Wannikea *********
As noted by many an METV, You will need to show proof of need with a ticket out of Thailand within the first 60 days and a ticket back into Thailand sometime after that.
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Zack *********
6 month METV and you still have to fill out a TDAC every time you cross back into Thailand.
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Arlene **********************
Get an METV - multiple entry tourist via $200USD. It’s good for 6 months . Before you’re there 60 days you must leave the country. When you get stamped back in you get another 60 days. You can get a 30 day extension for 1900 baht which extends your stay as well.
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Catherine ************
Don't mess with the Thai Authorities otherwise it will bite you. Get the correct VISA required, don't rely on borders runs, have your return air ticket if they require this. Suggest you check with Thai Embassy 2 months before departure to get their up to date requirements as things can change from now 🤗
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Brian ******
Aeroplane and hotel
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John *********
Get a 6 month METV 🤷🏾‍♀️

It’s highly likely the 60 day exemption will be cut to 30 days well before you arrive, plan your trip carefully and follow the last official immigration news
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Charlie **********
Get a Tourist Visa Multiple Entry, 60+30m days, take a trip for a few days to another country, 60 days, go home
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Greg ***********
Your best and easiest visa option is: come to Thailand for 5 up to 6 months during the wintertime (October thru March) on a “6-months Multi Entry Tourist Visa”.

It has easy to fulfill requirements and it can be used for a 5 to 6-months holiday every year.

It comes with a multi re-entry permit included. Each entry gets you stamped in for 60 days. You can apply for a 30-days extension on Immigration, or simply do a border bounce to receive another 60 days admitted stay stamp.

If you buy the 30 days extension for the second entry, you will have accumulated a 5 months stay (60+60+30= 150 days)

The TDAC (digital arrival card) is just an information you give online about your personal details, your first accommodation and your Passport and flight numbers
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Tom ****************
Greg Alexander THOUGHT THEY ARE CRACKING DOWN ON VISA RUNS AND RE-ENTRY???
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Greg ***********
@Tom ***************
not if you are on a multi entry tourist visa. On this visa you can actually do a few border runs within the 6-month visa validity
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Greg ***********
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Vinson *******
Without an exit ticket proving that you will leave after 60 days , you won’t be allowed on the plane to get here
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Elton ******
Vinson Dynes depends on the airline.
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Elton ******
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Vinson *******
Most likely impossible , It’s not a free for all anymore

The new govt is threatening to make Visa exempt only 30 day and allow only 2 a year first with a 30 extension second with 15 days

105 days with a visa run

You need to do some of your own homework
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Greg ***********
Vinson Dynes complete and utter rubbish comment
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Robin *******
Vinson Dynes bullshit , dont answer if you don’t know
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Graham ******
Vinson Dynes There is no plan to limit visa exempt entries to 2 a year, you failed your homework ;)
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Graham ******
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Philip ******
Multiple entry tourist visa from the thai embassy in your home country.
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Kevin *******
Marry a Thai national, I did lol
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Dave *******
Check the Thai Embassy website where you are from , look at the various visa, requirements and choose the visa which meets your needs
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John **********
For 5 months it would make sense to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) in your home country before you travel
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John ********
Multi entry tourist visa ÂŁ150 gives you 6 months. Can stay up to 60 days then take a short trip to Vietnam or close country
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Charlie *********
TDAC isn't any sort of entry, it's just an arrival card. Depending on your nationality, you can enter with a visa exemption stamp (most people do this). Probably best to just apply for the 6 month tourist visa if you intend to stay that long. Thailand has been cracking down on the visa exemption as people have been abusing it
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Charlie *********
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