Hi I'm looking for some advice please on best way to proceed given recent entry history to Thailand in last 15 months.
5 Visa exemptions (3 UK Passport, 2 Australian Passport as we are dual citizens)
2 SETV (Australian passport)
None of these have been extended beyond the standard times but were mostly maxed out. Gaps between visits were 3 months, 1 month, 1 month, 3 days, 1 month, 5 days
I sailed through BKK last weekend on the last visa exempt, but my partner was stopped and questioned about number of visits and intentions here. They were allowed to pass through after a discussion away from the passport desks, but given a stern warning of no more visa exempts and to get a visa in future. They were also told this was 'flagged on the system'. This conversation was expected so I want to plan the rest of the time in Thailand carefully.
Our intention is to remain in Thailand from now until 8 June 2020. And then we will be leaving and not expected to come back for at least 18 months.
My question is what is the best way to maximise the chances of entry between 22 February and 8 June. My thoughts would be:
1. Extend the current Visa Exempt entry for 30 days taking us to 22 March.
2. Go to Penang or HK on 16 March and get a SETV. Return to Thailand on 20 March. SETV is then valid until 18 May.
3. Extend the SETV by 30 days which then exceeds our target of 8 June.
I'm assuming that having been allowed in, and that our next flight booked is HK, we should be able to obtain the first extension this month. My question is whether it now makes sense to go to Penang or HK for the SETV or if we should go instead to somewhere returnable by land.
FYI I can consider METV but the cost of returning from UK or Australia makes this less attractive. Next time we visit we will go for METV. I don't think I'd use Visa Exempt again.
Any advice gratefully received. If it helps we don't work here and live from savings, but are not quite of retirement age yet.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user seeks guidance on how to navigate their visa options and extended stay in Thailand, given a complex recent entry history involving multiple visa exemptions and tourist visas. They plan to remain in Thailand until June 8, 2020, and have received warnings from officials about their frequent entries. The discussion revolves around getting extensions for their current visa exempt status and obtaining a Single-Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) after a short trip abroad, with various commenters providing advice on entering by land versus air, visa options, and long-term planning.
