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What are the current challenges and rules for visa exemptions and border runs in Thailand?
Thai Visa RulesVisa ExemptionsVisa BouncesNon-O VisaImmigration PoliciesBorder Run StoriesExpats in ThailandTravel TipsMarried Expats60-Day Visa ExtensionVisa Procedures
Apr 29, 2025
a year ago
Keith ****
ORIGINAL POSTERArrived in Thailand 28th Feb an got a 60 days visa at Bangkok airport.
This is my experience at the Thai, Laos Vientiane crossing these past few days on a visa bounce.
Left Thailand on 25th April. The Thai immigration officer said I could not return as they were clamping down on visa bounce however she did not red flag me in the system. She told me to take a chance and it was the returning visa officers decision whether I could enter or notm
On 29th I returned and once again the visa officer stated I could not enter. However my wife of 38yrs explained I had a return ticket to the USA and that next visit would be on a non O visa obtained in Washington. Phew! Luckily he accepted this and stamped me for a further 60 days we had our house blue book, marriage cert and my ticket. Preparation I believe helped.
Be careful they are getting much stricter.
Hope this helps.
This is my experience at the Thai, Laos Vientiane crossing these past few days on a visa bounce.
Left Thailand on 25th April. The Thai immigration officer said I could not return as they were clamping down on visa bounce however she did not red flag me in the system. She told me to take a chance and it was the returning visa officers decision whether I could enter or notm
On 29th I returned and once again the visa officer stated I could not enter. However my wife of 38yrs explained I had a return ticket to the USA and that next visit would be on a non O visa obtained in Washington. Phew! Luckily he accepted this and stamped me for a further 60 days we had our house blue book, marriage cert and my ticket. Preparation I believe helped.
Be careful they are getting much stricter.
Hope this helps.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post shares an individual's experience with the visa exemption rules upon returning to Thailand after a border run. After initially entering Thailand on a 60-day visa, the author encountered strict immigration regulations during their return, primarily relating to concerns over visa bounces. They were advised by an immigration officer that stricter measures were in place, but managed to secure a new 60-day entry due to their preparations and the explanation of their ongoing ties to the USA. Community comments further emphasize the increasing strictness of visa policies, questions about exempt entries, and the implications of extended stays on tourist visas.
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Cris ******
Just did this. My marriage visa lapsed due to having to travel last minute back to the US. Came in on the exempt 60 days and they gave me a bit of crap. I'm glad they are clamping down on it though
Cruise ******
May ask what did you mean by could not enter again when you left on 25? Even as a holiday you could not enter once you left Thailand?
Then you said you arrived on 29? You said you left Thailand on 25? And then back again on 29? What does that 25-29 mean? a 4day holiday to reset the 60days?
Then you said you arrived on 29? You said you left Thailand on 25? And then back again on 29? What does that 25-29 mean? a 4day holiday to reset the 60days?
Vincent *******
policy changes every few months it seems.
Mike ********
This is why more people are saying "F" Thailand and going to Cambodia. If expats want do deal with bureaucracy they can live in the USA, EU, Australia.
Harrys ************
So what happens if next year I fly into bkk (and a return flight back out 2 months later), travel in Thailand, visit other countries then return to Thailand for maybe a week and fly home to UK? Is that a multi entry visa I need?
Baz *********
@Harrys ***********
You should consider a 6 month multiple entry visa before you travel..Check the Thai embassy website in your home country for visa information
Craig **************
@Harrys ***********
They used to give you a 7 day stamp if your flight back to your home country was imminent. Don’t know if that’s still a thingReply to
Craig **************
Reply
Jared **********
So are they trying to limit people to one visa exempt entry?
It’s all so imaginary and muddy how do you expect anyone to follow what you want when no one knows what you want
It’s a simple as “we don’t want people on visa exempt/tourist visas staying longer than
It’s all so imaginary and muddy how do you expect anyone to follow what you want when no one knows what you want
It’s a simple as “we don’t want people on visa exempt/tourist visas staying longer than
***
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months” and be done with itJared **********
So are they trying to limit people to one visa exempt entry?
It’s all so imaginary and muddy how do you expect anyone to follow what you want when no one knows what you want
It’s a simple as “we don’t want people on visa exempt/tourist visas staying longer than
It’s all so imaginary and muddy how do you expect anyone to follow what you want when no one knows what you want
It’s a simple as “we don’t want people on visa exempt/tourist visas staying longer than
***
/***
months” and be done with itCraig **************
@Jared *********
Clearly. The changed tax status after 180 days is another lever to get you moving on after 6 monthsJared **********
@Craig *************
that’s completely irrelevant to my point and the fact that he’s getting warning after being in thailand for 2 monthsIt’s pretty common knowledge 6+ months is not reasonable on TR/VE, at least without agents
Reply to
Jared **********
Reply
Gardar ***************************
You are both married and over 50 why not invest in a proper visa 🤷
David ******
Too many people taking the piss.
Paul *******************
Welcome to Thailand
Adam *******
Not sure if I got a warning or not. I’d been in Thailand 180 days on visa exemption with a border run half way to Cambodia which happened with no issues at all. I left and returned 1.5 months later on another exemption. I was asked by a guy who was called to the immigration booth, why I was here again after staying 6 months. I said I was here to look at a few schools to get an ED visa. He seemed ok with that and gave me another 60days. Will it have been noted on the system?
I honestly am thinking of doing the ED visa but was hoping to leave it as late as I could and possible do another run to Cambodia as the company I used last time had me out and back in within 15 minutes for a total fee of 2500thb.
I honestly am thinking of doing the ED visa but was hoping to leave it as late as I could and possible do another run to Cambodia as the company I used last time had me out and back in within 15 minutes for a total fee of 2500thb.
Neath ********
@Adam ******
was this all in the same year. Did you stay for more 180 days in the same year. Because I heard you can't stay more than 6 month per year without paying tax.Adam *******
@Neath *******
the 180 days was from Sept 2024 - March 2025.Reply to
Adam *******
Reply
Arma ********
Could you share a company contact?
Reply to
Arma ********
Reply
David *********
and with Trump looking into slashing pension benefits for US pensioners living overseas and tariffs on Thailand to raise prices 34% i think we are all stuffed
Stelio ***********
@David ********
that's not true... Don't be hard lightingDavid *********
@Stelio **********
well it is true its to stop money going out of America and Americans to spend there money in America, dont tell me you voted for him ?William ******
@Stelio **********
you think hes interested in the truth? 😅🤣😂David *********
@William *****
you mean Trumps truth lol im in talks everyday with China lol he is the gtreatest liar on the planet a salesman and a lot of idiots fell for it pleasev tell me you did not vote for him ?Nav ******
@David ********
Oh absolutely, mate! The Americans are well and truly cooked! One bloke manages to tank his entire economy in under 100 days—talk about setting a world record in self-sabotage! You fellas can keep the cake and the crumbs, no need to share. Meanwhile, we Aussies are popping popcorn and enjoying the daily sitcom that is the U.S.—from visa dramas to poor sods getting booted out just for flying in on a budget fare. Honestly, it's better than Netflix. Cheers, legend!Reply to
Nav ******
Reply
Jordan *****
This happens every day. As someone who has visited Thailand multiple times since 2001 as an athlete for competitions, tourist and student, and as someone who has no interest on obtaining a long term visa, I still have no idea how many days per year I can spend here visiting on a visa exemption, or TV. So far
4 months seem to work, but still.
I know people will give me bs, that I am not a tourist, etc, but as far as I am concerned I am a tourist, even after so many years, as I do not work in Thailand and I live exclusively in hotels. Any other criteria is subjective
4 months seem to work, but still.
I know people will give me bs, that I am not a tourist, etc, but as far as I am concerned I am a tourist, even after so many years, as I do not work in Thailand and I live exclusively in hotels. Any other criteria is subjective
John **********
@Jordan ****
visa exemption and a tourist visa both currently give you 60 days and both can be extended for a further 30 days, then you have to leave the country. That should give you a reasonable indication of what a tourist should expectReply to
John **********
Reply
Rene ******
You came back at bkk?
Lynnette *******
You got a visa at the airport? Perhaps you mean you came in without a visa in the Exempt of visa entry/no visa.
Jordan *****
@Lynnette ******
yeah, I find it fascinating how travellers who have been here for months, or sometimes years, still claim they got “visa at the airport”. Like they book a ticket to fly to Thailand and they have no idea what the entry conditions areSteven *******
@Jordan ****
I agree. It's not that difficult to understand.Reply to
Steven *******
Reply
Maxim ***********
They are extremely strict indeed. You got accepted because it was your first bounce, the next bounce won't work. Btw, there no such thing as getting flag upon leaving Thailand, the flag is if you get denied coming back.
Nongnuch ********
@Maxim **********
you will get flagged after a warning. Even when they allow you in, but warn you that this was the last time you could enter without a visa, they will make a remark in the Central Computer. Every border official at any other border to Thailand will be able to see that you have been warned beforeReply to
Nongnuch ********
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