What are the current challenges with visa exempt entries in Thailand for expats?

@Mike *******

some people have been getting pulled out of line after 1 border bounce if they did the full 60 days plus a 30 day extension then left and immediately returned. It's pretty obvious to immigration they're only trying to get more time and not traveling. Visa exempt and tourist visas are for tourists not for trying to live in Thailand. 180 days doesn't seem like someone on holiday.

@Andy *********

You don't get a denied entry stamp. Officer says you're there too often so they send you to the supervisor room. The supervisor write some stuff on a paper with reason of denial (they can't write "too many entries" so they make something up). He also enter you in the computer system. Then I take the bus to the Laos side again, and I show them the paper and they direct me to a room where they will undo my used Laos visa stamp (as if I never left Laos). So no, I don't pay the Laos visa twice.

I did use an agent, but the agent is never the person waiting for you. The agent is in an office somewhere in Thailand. The agent work with immigration officers. An officer will wait for you near an immigration gate in the airport. They have your picture so they know what you look like. Then you follow the agent through the priority lane to her booth. She's the one who give you the 60 days stamps. So basically the agent work directly with one or more of the immigration officers who stamp your passport at BKK airport.

I would guest that every single officer who work in priority/business line at airport work with one or more agent to make extra money. It's easy extra money for them. And no, you don't need onward travel, that's the biggest myth ever.

@Maxim **********

thanks 👍

@Maxim **********

Onward travel is not a myth. It's a legal requirement. At Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong it's literally required before they will even let you do a border bounce along with the cash. And all you have to do is read Facebook enough to see even recently people have been asked by immigration for no apparent reason. Is it common? Of course not, but it's certainly not a myth.

@To**

previously there were not issues with the Nong Khai border. So this is new and useful information.

@Kool ******

it is just not a very attractive visa. Retirement visa is better in many ways for over 50s. One issue is that, should one have a dispute with the wife, your visa can be ended the next day and you have to leave the country instantly.

@David *********

well, with the right amount of money in your Thai bank account you can immediately change to a retirement visa extension without leaving the country, but that only applies if you are over 50. The big advantage is being able to legally get a work permit, and a number of other benefits not available at all to retirement visa extension holders. It is a very attractive visa extension for living here long term. As an example you can never apply for permanent residency, or citizenship, on a retirement visa extension. You can on a marriage visa extension. The financial requirement is cut in half also, but for someone thinking their marriage won't last, and is over 50, then yes.

@Sujy ********

it is true if your marriage ends then your marriage visa also ends. Not a very stable visa for many people.

@David *********

have ya got any valid reasons,coz to me I don't think ya have a clue about the marriage visa.

@Sujy ********

well retirement visa us available from 50 years which is much too young to be a "hoomer". The youngest boomers are already 60 years plus.

@David *********

that's not true. A marriage visa only ends if a family court issues a divorce. Before this happens (and a divorce edict takes a long time!) , no marriage visa ends before its original expiry date