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What are the current challenges for expats trying to navigate visa extensions in Thailand?
Thai Visa RulesVisa ExtensionNong Khai BorderVisa ExemptionImmigration ExperiencesExpat Life in ThailandVisa Regulations Awareness
Jan 11, 2026
4 months ago
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERon 28th december because under new "rules" only got 7 days on second extension went to nongkhai border and the first Immo officer refused to stamp me out sayin "you stay too long in Thailand " (on my count 144 days wit extensions and 2 visa exempt entrys) sent me to queue up see a supervisor who interogated me but stamped me out but told me on return go to airport....which I did yesterday after getting VERY ANXIOUS about possible denied entry and the hassle and expense of that.......so in arrivals hall i looked at the Immo officers all looked serious stern and unfriendly so I walked to far right where the last officer was a warm and friendly looking lady so I chose her to Q up for and she did not peruse my past history one simple question what you do inThailand ? I said holiday visit family she smiled stamped mein 60 days........long overnight bus back to near Nongkhai where I live.....a longtiring zig zag unwanted journey....but I am home
TLDR : Answer Summary
The author recounts a challenging experience when attempting to leave and re-enter Thailand through the Nong Khai border. After facing scrutiny from immigration officers due to an extended stay of 144 days comprising extensions and visa exemptions, the author was initially denied exit but ultimately allowed to return via air after an anxious border crossing. The experience highlighted the variability in immigration decisions and the importance of obtaining the correct visa to avoid uncertainty and potential denial of entry. The comments from the community suggest that many expats share similar views on the necessity of proper visas for long-term stays in Thailand.
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Charmae *******
,They are NOT new rules
Dany ********
get a proper visa. end of discussion
Chuck **********
Ozan Kural quit smoking that gunja!
Chuck **********
Clive ahle
Kevin *******
Get a Non O next time easy
Ralph *******
@Kevin ******
Not necessarily easy. Got meet the financial requirements.Reply to
Ralph *******
Reply
Phillip ******
You are a classic example of why Thailand is cracking down..just get a visa and stop trying to dodge the system. When you get denied entry take it like a.man and be thankful you got away with it for so long, dont complain and offer a long winded story on how unfair it is.
Ralph *******
You live in Nongkhai - you are not a tourist.
Stéfan ********
@Ralph ******
what’s wrong with Nongkhai?Ralph *******
@Stéfan *******
I said nothing against Nong Khai. And what’s your problem?Stéfan ********
@Ralph ******
Non… the dude stays in NongKhai when staying in Thailand. Tons of people have multi month arrangements. So what?Ralph *******
@Stéfan *******
He said ‘living’.Stéfan ********
@Ralph ******
the horror 😭Reply to
Stéfan ********
Reply
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stéfan *******
nothing than Immigration officers !! and can get cold 11C this morningReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Chuck **********
Do things right! That’s why they are cracking down because of people like you
Jay ********
Get the correct visa if living long term
Bennito *********
What's your question?
Yves ********
Why so old and stupidité to don’t use and apply fro proper visa. Because of people as you the rules are more strict and normal tourists are on suspicions . Stay in your country where most probably you follow rules !
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERdefine normal tourist? party person in phangan? beer drinker in pattaya? yes I am old and stupid..maybe you will be too one day??
Yves ********
@Collywobble *********
normal tourist is a tourist who follows the rules in the country with is not his home country and who has appropriate visa !Nongnuch ********
@Collywobble *********
jest wobble on cooly , son of Thomas, and ignore the grumpy ones 😂😅😂Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Yo***
you have holidays and visit family in Thailand. And as you said, you are home, so you looked to have home in Thailand. So why dont you get family visa????
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Yo***
firstly cos i dont want all year 2nd expensive 3rd bureacraticGraham ******
@Collywobble *********
1. you don't need to stay all year, 2. a visa costs 2000B, a 12 month extension costs 1900B, a re-entry permit costs 1000B, less than the cost of your recent border bounce probably, 3. that's your view having not done itCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
used to get non o in person at thai embassy i n london......tho long ago did cross border come back same day but for many years spent a few weeks in laos cambodia vietnam baliReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Nick *******
How can you be ‘home’ if you’re on 60 day stamps? Need to sort proper visa if you’re going to be here long term bud.
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nick ******
just as much at home as a party goer in phangan or a beer drinker in pattaya but yes will get so called proper visaPantha ****
there are agencies who can do the job for you.
Reply to
Pantha ****
Reply
Pantha ****
Your 144 days were all without time - breaks in between? Or was that all last year?
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pantha ***
7 months in UKReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Kenneth *******
So after that rant on this site . Have u got a retirement visa ? And 90 plus 60 is 150 days
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kenneth ******
no rant mate..and retire means all year not 5 months but unledd things loosen up will get some kind of visa back in the UKReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Ron ******
Your last sentence would suggest you are not a genuine tourist.
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron *****
wgat about some blokes sitting in a bar and more in Pattaya fot 60 days or more tourists... must you go on tour groups like the Chinese to be a genuine tourist?? what about backpackers??Ron ******
@Collywobble *********
What does 'Nongkhai where I live' and 'but I am home' suggest? So if you live there get the right visa and you won't have to worry about what happens at the border.Reply to
Ron ******
Reply
Jamie ******
Personally I think lots of people have problems filling n the online and the Thai embassies should go back to having some facility for to go in person ,,,it was so much easier for us old folks to have a face to face than struggle with an online document and the stress that involves ,,with a person to person tjey were there in front of you helping you to fill the document out .,some peoole really Dont have that choice with internet ,,,and yes I know the option is to get an honest agency to do so ,
Kevin *******
I agree ! I spent 2 hours doing online non o on a computer phone was a no go ! Ended up paying a lady in a tent outside the llaos embassy 1500 baht too her 45 minutes including documents and print outs !
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERinteresting....I wonder if she is always there???
Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jamie *****
agree absolutly......also online can take weeks so I have heardJamie ******
Certainly if your going through London office and I think that’s the only one n Britain now it can take weeks ,,but posdible also much quicker ..another alternative for you and legal is to do it in a neighbouring country to Thailand .quicker than London …
Reply to
Jamie ******
Reply
Andy ******
And you home
If you live here do the right visa please..
It's because people living here on tourist visa the immigration get strict
If you live here do the right visa please..
It's because people living here on tourist visa the immigration get strict
Jonny *********
Apply for a visa before your 60 daysvrun out, or next time your "home" won't be nongkhai
Graham ******
@Jonny ********
does he have a Thai bank account with funds to be seasoned?Jonny *********
@Graham *****
how would I know? If he wants to still stay in Thailand he has to get a visa, or else he's gone... Easy peasyReply to
Jonny *********
Reply
Ian ********
Tbh a 14 year old school kid can do the uploading of documents etc in the uk so don’t pay an agent a lot of money to help you
Kevin *******
Lol
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *******
got mates ......I was just taking what was an easy option like many people were but times have changedIan ********
I wonder how many people on here atm remember the visa run mini buses from 10+ years ago
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *******
appaarently 20 or more years ago the agency just took your passport across the border and back while you swang in your hammock.......Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
BronzeNec**********
If you have a “home” here obviously you are not a tourist. Why live with the anxiety of being turned away, get a proper visa instead. So many people play the system but complain about it when they get caught for not following the rules.
Ozan *******
The new rule did not exist anyway, visa agents made up these rules so that people could get visas.
Jeremy ********
And in 50 days you get to do it all over again.
What a life
What a life
Successful***********
Visit family? 😏
Johny *****
Sir, go see a visa agent they will handle a retirement visa for you.
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERas stay 4 or 5 moths not retirement visa but back UK will get appropriate visa
Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Vinson *******
……Long overnight bus ride bus back to Nongkhai Where I live …. A long zig zag tiring zig zag journey … but I am home “ kinda sounds like you live here on visa exempt runs
Is that working still?
You are not a tourist
Is that working still?
You are not a tourist
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Vinson ******
define tourist? i travel between longish stays in thailand to laos cambodia bali where sometimes actuallu use a tour agency for days out.......visa exempt has worked fine for many people for many years but times are changingJohn **********
@Collywobble *********
the point about visa exempt entry is it's designed for short term tourism, you can't possibly claim to fit that definitionCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
the visa exempt gives 60 days..thats a long tour.!! ....the Thais dontreally care what defines tourism what they dont want is ilegal or criminal work in thailand which is not me!!llJohn **********
@Collywobble *********
yes 60 days plus the available 30 day extension is more than generous for normal tourism. Things have changed an immigration are tightening down on tourists abusing their generosityCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
abusing is an emotionally charged word....immigration follow government direction and the official reason is to stop illegal or criminal activity by people staying long time..also they want big spending short visits like the Chinese but they not coming as many now...long stayers spend a lot in time supporting all kinds of thai people from noodle soup sellers to whateverJamie ******
It was the digital nomads who abused the system not peoole like yourself ,,dont let these peoole wind you up ,I’m the same as you ,,just enjoying myself and helping hundreds of Thais in my own wee way ,,not working ,,not scamming ,,just doing my thing ,,,..get an agent for piece of mind to do your next application
John **********
@Collywobble *********
no my friend, there are new guidelines for border bouncers which are designed to catch that sort of activity but they have been clamping down on abuse of visa exempt entries to spend extended periods in Thailand independently of these guidelinesReply to
John **********
Reply
Vinson *******
@Collywobble *********
it’s not my definition that matters ,it’s Thailand’s definition of a touristIf you were legit, you wouldn’t be sneaking in and out to circumvent the system
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Vinson ******
depends on the Immo officer on arrival not on what you and I think....pragmatic and legit not sneaky circumvention ..tho will get visa back in UK......was never about finance but about convenienceReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Kyle ********
My neighbor went to get his first extension on his visa-exempt on the 7 th Jan, he ask the officer can i return to Thailand on a second visa-exempt and another 30 day extension, the officer yes, fly out and come back in, but saying that, on his return to airport, immigration there might have a different view
Lee ********
Why not pay for a visa instead of whining here…. ? Simples
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lee *******
was never about finance ..just like many people who took the easy and legal optionReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Tania **********
Braulio *********
You are not a tourist
If you are "home" get a proper Visa.
If you are "home" get a proper Visa.
Marc ********
@Braulio ********
he is a tourist. But they just don't like it if you stay more than 90 days as a touristBrandon ************
@Marc *******
How is he a tourist if he states "back to near Nongkhai where I live.....a longtiring zig zag unwanted journey....but I am home"Stéfan ********
@Brandon ***********
it’s a similar situation to those tourists who rent condos in Phuket for 3-4 months in winter. The only difference is that he prefers a town like Nongkhai… his prerogative to call “home” what he wants.Brandon ************
@Stéfan *******
And it's Thailand's prerogative to not let him call Thailand home without the proper visa.Stéfan ********
@Brandon ***********
that’s bizarre… people can have many homes. I’m sure immigration cares 🤣Brandon ************
@Stéfan *******
That's LITERALLY the entire point of this post. You need to catch onReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Yo***
@Marc *******
I have a stay permit in Thailand. I have home here but I do not stay here no more than 90 days ever. I am in my home country for months and back to Thailand and stay for months and go and come back every two or three months. so am I a tourist too???Marc ********
@Yo***
if you're not working going beach getting sun tan exploring the country yesYo***
@Marc *******
Dont worry I do it every day. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Yo***
Reply
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Braulio ********
define tourist...I spent 2 weeks inLaos ..will spend 3 weeks in Bali on way home...sometimes on such travels I us a tour agency for a day trip..but yes visa next timeDavid *******
@Collywobble *********
you are not a tourist in Thailand. You yourself refer to Nongkhai as home. Get the proper visa.Reply to
David *******
Reply
Jan ******************
Thanks for sharing your experience. It illustrates the reality quite well, outcomes can vary significantly depending on the officer, even with the same travel history. Your total stay of around 144 days with two visa-exempt entries already put you toward the upper end of what is typically accepted, which explains the scrutiny at Nong Khai and the warning you received. The fact that you were ultimately allowed to exit and then re-enter by air shows that entry decisions are discretionary and made case by case at the point of contact. It worked out for you this time, but it also underlines why relying on visa-exempt stays near the upper limit always carries uncertainty and risk.
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
well said...proper visa next time!!! tho will require assistance in doingthe online stuffTodd *********
@Collywobble *********
@THAI *****************************
is worth messaging if you are having troubles with all the paperwork headachesReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Richard ******
Some are so dumb or just straight out con artists
Clive *******
@Richard *****
be careful with your mouth why would you call him a con artist you TWATChuck **********
@Clive ******
because he is a ahle!Chuck **********
@Clive ******
idiotClive *******
@Chuck *********
con artistReply to
Clive *******
Reply
Shane ***********
@Clive ******
why would you call him a Twat, ya buffalo lolClive *******
@Shane **********
becouse he is oneReply to
Clive *******
Reply
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am not a con artist mate but yes I am an old fool!!!
Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Dave *******
Just get a visa FFS
Jeff ********
im going to get one of those FFS visas.
Dave *******
@Jeff *******
🙈🙈🙈🙈🤣🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Dave *******
Reply
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dave ******
wiil do next time backinUK whensomeone help the old fool do all the online stuff..was easier yearseither in person or by the royal mailDave *******
@Collywobble *********
ya not joking changes every 5 mins but worth it if cuts out all the nonsense 💪Reply to
Dave *******
Reply
Ning ******
Avoid nong khai.
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ning *****
YES but I live very near !!🥹Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Fortune ************
There are no new rules!!!!!!!!
Wayne ********
@Fortune ***********
that statement is getting very old keeps repeating itself over and over and over again.Jan ******************
@Fortune ***********
There are changes in practice regarding bounce and extensions.Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Fortune ***********
true but new assessment so changed in practice....Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Paul ********
Get a proper visa and you won’t have these problems
Bernie *************
@Paul *******
I reckon you must love the anxiety and fear of being rejected? 007Paul ********
@Bernie ************
never will get rejected in 100% legal hereReply to
Paul ********
Reply
Roger *********
Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERtrue but all the online stuff for applucation not easy for old technophobes like me and I was following legal rules set by the thai government that changed after I left UK end october.....next time will get someone to help me do the online visa done,,,,,I did manage to do the TDAC all by myself
Jamie ******
I’m totally with you on this I’m also an old technophobe and that was one reason I used visa exempt which are legal ,I eventually got a agency to fill n my online application for me and yes innthe process the size of the photo had to be changed something I couldn’t do myself ,,so yes use an agency to get the tourist visa or whatever one you want ,,
RealityC*********
@Collywobble *********
you're using facebook right now, you're not technophone, you're lazy.Collywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERRealityCheck
*****
I resemble that remark😄 took me an anxiuos wait til managed to try successfully to do the TDAC..... but uploading documents ?? mate I hope when you are in your seventies you will be up and runnnig with all changesReply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
Wayne *********
@Collywobble *********
except you weren’t following the rules, you were exploiting a loophole. Visa free entry is for tourists only. If you want to live in Thailand do it the right way and get a visa.
Todd *********
@Wayne ********
that’s exactly what loopholes are for. To be exploited. SmartCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
I prefer pragmatic to exploitedTodd *********
@Collywobble *********
me too. that’s why people use agentsReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Bradley ***********
It sucks to pay but why not find a good agency and let them handle the hard part? At least you will have peace of mind
Paul ********
@Bradley **********
you can tell that when one got busted about 3 months ago and they all stopped immediatelyCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul *******
oh....did the agencys take the rap and the customers ok??Nongnuch ********
@Collywobble *********
you can use an agent to help you applying for the right visa like for the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa in the U.K. fully legally, if you can fulfill all the requirements, mainly the financial requirements. For the hard part doing the e-visa online application you can just rely on the service of an agent, nothing illegal with that as long as you use your own fundsCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
I would not meet financial requirements for non O ?Nongnuch ********
@Collywobble *********
I don't know if you meet these or not. For the application to the 90-days VISA, you need EITHER the equivalent of 800,000 THB in your home bank account, or in any account anywhere in the world as long as it is in your sole name, OR proof of a pension or income of a minimum of 65,000 THB. . . . However, for the application to the 1-year EXTENSION of stay in Thailand, in the first year (!!) you need a minimum of 800,000 THB in your Thai bank account, you cannot use your income as a proof because your embassy in Bangkok does not issued income affidavits any more. You only have the option to switch to the "12-months transfers from abroad of 65,000 THB bank letter proof" after the first yearCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTERCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
yes in UK but there are people doing dodgy stuff here in THailand..I would not do that.....yes will get help when back in UK..I like many took the easy option......I stopped doing old style visa runs in out same day years ago always spent a couple weeks enjoying Laos Cambodia Bali..James ********
@Collywobble *********
so you have a history of this kind of think I don’t want to sound harsh but you are asking for problems get the right visa the retirement one isn’t all that difficultCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
as I only stay 4 or 5 months retirement visa not for me but unless things change which often happens in Thailand I will get appropriate visa when back in the UKJohn ********
@Collywobble *********
if you’ve got a bank account it’s possible to convert here using a TM86 form which is very similar in style and length to the forms you fill out to extend tourist visas or waivers. With funds obviously. I suspect the online process from the UK to be a fairly simple box ticking excerise.
You could likely do it with the help of a friend or family member. You could save a few hundred quid.
John **********
@Collywobble *********
what do you think is the appropriate visa when you call Chiang Mai home? Get the retirement visa, if you don't want to put funds in Thailand get the Non-OA versionCollywobble **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bradley **********
tho some agencys are doing illegal stuff??Reply to
Collywobble **********
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