What are the current rules for entering Thailand on a visa exemption for multiple entries?

Jun 20, 2024
6 months ago
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Unfriendly welcome at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Yesterday just after midnight and after 4.5 months of travelling in China and central Asia I arrived back in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi airport. Wanted to enter on visa Excempt like I normally do 2 or 3 times a year since 2011. Nowadays I extend the visa after 1 month with that 1900 baht extension. So I normally stay for 2 months then travel 3 or 4 months in Asia and then come back. During Covid I have not been in Thailand for 2 years.

My 7 year old 66 page Dutch passport is now full with Asian visa stamps and stickers. The emigration officer goes through all of them. He speaks he mix of english and Thai numbers and Thai border cities to himself or to me, that was not clear. Then asks how long I want to stay. I say 30 days, but then i remember the rumor of 60 day excempt and say 60 days. He did not like that answer and presses the red button.

Another officer comes and I have to follow him to a desk. He blames me of going to other countries 1 day and then come back, which I never did. Mostly there are 3 or 4 months between my reentries. Then he showed me Lao stamps from 2018 where I stayed 1 week in Laos. Is that not allowed? He says if he went to my country he would have more problems, well can I help that? He blamed me for coming for thai girls.

I could enter this time but next time would send me back.

So is there a rule that I cannot enter 2 or 3 times on visa excempt? I know at land borders its 2 times.

Does thailand no like tourists?

Should I worry next time when I want to enter on visa excempt?

PS Next morning after sleeping on the bench in the airport, I suddenly remember the first thing the first officer said was something with 2 dollar, but I could not hear it clear and asked sorry? Or did I dream this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat returning to Thailand experienced an unfriendly welcome from immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, raising concerns about the rules surrounding multiple entries on a visa exemption. The individual typically entered Thailand multiple times per year on a visa-exempt basis but faced scrutiny this time, leading to questions about whether repeated entries could lead to future denials. Comments from the community suggest that while Thailand generally welcomes tourists, immigration officers may be stricter with those perceived as 'living' in Thailand on tourist exemptions, especially if they suspect misuse of the visa exemption system. There's a consensus that obtaining a proper visa, such as a multi-entry tourist visa, may be advisable for longer stays.
Soronak **********
My friend has never been since covid 2020 December and she tried to enter last December 2023. the lady officer went through all her passport pages and passed it to another officer in desk and told her she cannot enter Thailand anymore because of her past visits from 2018-2020 using tourist visa 30 to 60 days a year. She was told "they can help her " with a fee so without thinking she just did it and was told it will never happen in the future šŸ˜… Last month June 2024 she came with new passport arrive before midnight , avoided the woman officer booth, qued at a young man officer and she got it without any problem.She told me officer didnt ask any single question and didn't seem bothered. She said maybe depends on the officer that day and she was just lucky to find a kind officer šŸ˜… she didn't think it was her new passport or maybe it was because maybe the young man was already tired and didn't bother to interrogate her and too late already because the boss desks are already closed.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Soronak *********
She should have reported the corruption.
Soronak **********
@Henk ********
I don't think it will help her since she agreed with the deal they might make it more difficult for her in the future that's she doesn't want to happen.
Paul ********
Ive had some snotty IO's over the years but nothing quite like your experience, the normal questions are how long you plan to stay, what do you do for a living and occasionaly do I have onward travel. I always reply I intend to stay less than the 30 days given on the exempt. If there is ever going to be an airport to get a grilling it is Bangkok so best to avoid there if your travel history is pushing its luck a bit.
Vijay *****
Bang Kok....
Nick *******
He doesn't like you because you're from Holland
Brian *****************
I come in 2 or 3 times a year and extend and younger immigration officers ask me why I donā€™t get a visa, last time I was pulled out of the queue, Iā€™m 77, and taken to fast track where I had no problem. I have asked if thereā€™s any problem with re entry and Iā€™ve always been told if I fly itā€™s fine.
Phillip ********
Get a tr visa next time.
Vincent ******
From my experience, the red flag is using visa exempt like it's your right to come and go. My advise...apply for a 6-month multi-entry tourist visa...pay the fee. It might not jive with what you like to do and enter Thailand freely year round, but it is the right way to get back in next time.
Seth ********
Get a new passport?
Lynnette *******
@Seth *******
everything is on the system but it would make the passport less obviously a long term "Asia resident" who rarely goes home.
Mary *************
@Henk ********
ignore the trolls šŸ§Œ
Sonny **********
Say as little as possible and smile, smile, smile. Nodding your head in agreement to everything is also helpful. These people are Bureaucrats. They adhere to rules in a haphazard way and would much rather be lying in a hammock somewhere looking at their cellphone.

Smile, be agreeable, donā€™t upset them. Donā€™t disagree about anything. Say thank you a lot and lower your head as much as possible. They can absolutely ruin your present and future travel plans based on a whim.
Dan ********
Why on earth are you sleeping on a bench in the airport ? Did you have any 'airport business' within 24 hours ? Sounds like you didn't.

With due respect, you do come across a little entitled here. Sounding off on Facebook, after being DESERVEDLY pulled aside, shookdown and frisked, like many others daily, is an example. Nothing special/unusual or even unpleasant happened to you, yet you report it like a sexual abuse. Using the airport benches as your private hotel room, when arriving 'just after midnight", is another great example. Most hotels have 24 hour reception/check in. Do you see for yourself the picture I'm painting ? And this AFTER your entry permitted through immigration.

You have some holes in your history you don't talk of. What is your exact history of entry exit to Thailand since your 2 year covid break ?

What is the purpose of your lengthy stay in Asia ? What do you do for work ? What do you do for income ? It sounds a little like Thailand has been your 'base' certainly since covid, and maybe before, but only a little.

You also did not display or even mention to them or us, the three proofs. Onward flight, 20k in cash, proof of paid accommodation booking. Did immigration not ask for this ?

With regards to rules, there is in reality only one rule, and that is "Entry to Thailand is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
Marcus ************
@Dan *******
you assume a lot and are actually quite hateful here.
Gordon *******
@Marcus ***********
He's correct though isn't he!
Richard ***********
I was stopped last year.he asked me how long I stay.i replied 57days.and I go to immigration in johintien before my 30 days to extend it.he said ok and stamped my passport. This year I went straight tru.staying 56 days
Phil ********
The officer knows you come here for $2 girls.

You weren't dreaming.
Bob *********
Get the passport replaced. You have too many stamps for them to criticize you on.
Lasse *************
I'l have the same exsperinse with some

of theOffisers ...

I changed to a' new

Passport . I'm 65 year
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lasse ************
Yes I will have to that, but i want to wait till I am in a visa free country or EU country. Otherwise they have to move the entrance stamp to the new passport.
Graeme *******
Your only mistake was you were arriving and currently there is only a 30 day visa exempt entry so when you said 60 days, you don't qualify for the visa exempt so in principle you would need an actual visa to enter for 60 days. Yes it has been discussed the visa exempt will change to 60 days, we could see it July 1st but no official confirmation yet.
Steve *******
You are allowed whatever the IO says youā€™re allowed.
Will ******
@Henk ********
if you really feel there was an error or maltreatment, just go to your embassy and ask for clarification. Was the immigration officer reasonable or you just didnā€™t know the complexity of visa excempt. in that way you will know what to do moving forward.
Dan ********
@Will *****
good luck with that šŸ¤£
Will ******
@Dan *******
itā€™s WAY BETTER than asking random people here šŸ¤£
Dan ********
@Will *****
so yes, asking for first hand experience from random people on here will give you more information and answers than going to your own embassy like a big baby, especially when there is no clear set of rules.
Will ******
@Dan *******
getting more info doesnā€™t equate to accurate info. and we all have different experiences with IO.
Dan ********
@Will *****
it equates to number of people actually experiencing a behaviour. And with enough replies you could establish percentages/ratios and likelyhoods. But this is nothing unusual, no maltreatment in the slightest. This guy is swanning around like he's the first and only long term traveller with rights to any country, and he puts himself above other citizens of the world. He's lucky to be allowed in this time.
Dan ********
@Will *****
IF, and that's a big 'IF', If Thai immigration pick up a ringing phone (unlikely) and they understand that it is another countries embassy with a complaint on how their citizen was treated, that call will be put on hold, passed around, staff to staff, office to office, and that is if you're lucky, probably they will give you another office/telephone to call, but probably, They won't speak enough English to understand or pretend to not understand, and keep that up until the call drops. As ultimately no crime has been commited, no abuse of human rights. And immigration officers have the power and authority to deal with any matter as they see fit.

Have you any experience in post sales customer service here in Thailand?

Tried to get a refund or exchange over the telephone?

What is your experience of Thailand, and immigration ?
Steven *********
Another post here where someone asked a question and another post all the keyboard warriors come on to talk nonsense and fill the post with stupid comments.. luckily there are a few decent comments to hopefully help him understand his situation for next time šŸ™šŸ»
Colin ********
The 60 day thing is NOT valid yet, hence your mistake was trusting rumours, if you have stuck with 30 days, or less, you would have been fine.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *******
Ok lesson learned. Probably if the new rule is 60 days, they would stamp me for 60 days even if i asked 30.
Colin ********
@Henk ********
generally yes
Lothar *************
Had kind of the same 2 month ago. they want real visa now and getting more restrictive.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lothar ************
It seems like some in Thailand like more tourists and others less. Where do you get your thai visa, not that easy nowadays.
Lothar *************
@Henk ********
3 month non immigrant via agency
John **********
@Henk ********
you get it from the country you are in at the time you apply. Either from the evisa system if that country uses it or from a Thai consulate directly if it doesn't
Chris ***********
My inclination is to follow the rules as much as possible, and get a visa before entry? And in your case time to renew your passport.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris **********
I will try next time, but i dislike plan long in advance.
Mary *************
i suppose u were at the wrong time there and had a pissed off officer to deal withā€¦ your answer with 60 days was wrong, never do that. thaiā€˜s love humble and decent answers. did you wear shorts? always wear long trousers and no tanktops. be very polite and look up to them. the police is part of the thai military in thailand, they think they are 2. rank people after the king lol itā€˜s just how it is, thatā€˜s not people you can talk to on one lovelā€¦ sorry to hear u had that experience. just donā€˜t answer like that in the future and make sure to be very submissive.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mary ************
yes 60 was mistake. My hair was wild after 4 months of travelling, maybe they did not like that.
Mary *************
@Henk ********
can have influenced their perception, yes. šŸ™‚ thatā€˜s exactly how they are haha have a great time in thailand !
Matthew *************
@He**
I think you were just unlucky on the day and got an immigration officer in a bad mood. You will always get more hassle when your passport is full of stamps. Just the way it is. It seems you are not breaking rules, or even abusing the system like some people who have back to back extensions are. I would just forget about it and carry on as you are. To make life easier, I would probably book a very cheap flight out of Thailand within the 30 days to prove your intentions. Yes, this might be wasted but this is actually a requirement anyway.

P.s. your written English is great, so I very much doubt spoken English was a factor here, especially when most IOs donā€™t speak much English themselves.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ************
Thanks. Maybe next time i try to get a plane out with visa. Do you think it would be ok to have a plane out after 90 days, since a visa is 60 days plus i can get a 30 day extension? I am a bit tired of staying only 2 months, not enough to relax after a long trip.
Andy **********
@Henk ********
buy a 60 day ticket with flexible dates
Joe **********
Yes they like tourists to spend big then clear out......always been the same here!
Bob *******
Just get a 60 day visa before cost $60 A same as 1900 baht extension in total cost , no problems plus you can get extension before 60 days if you need extra time .
Sab *****
@Bob ******
apparently from July most people get 60 dayd by default, so there is really no point anymore paying for single entry visa.
Andy **********
@Sab ****
This is the root problem. This concession is described as temporary, and it may not happen. The OP think it's going to happen, for the IOs, it hasn't happened.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob ******
The problem is you cannot get them easily these days. In Kathmandu they said i had to apply in my home country. In Kota Bharu and Penang it was easy before, but now want much more information, like plane in/out, which I often no want to plan that long in advance. Or I want to enter and leave by land. Laos is maybe still easy, but flying to Vientiane is mostly very expensive from India or anywhere else
Steffen ********
It is obvious that the immigration officer had the impression that you ā€œliveā€ for prolonged periods of time in Thailand on visa exemption entries, and that for a number of years. Unfortunately, entry into Thailand is up to the discretion of the immigration officer, even if all rules are followed. Another officer/airport, it might have been totally different. For safety sake I would recommend to get an appropriate visa, even if you want to stay only for 2 month or so.
Richard **************
Correct, they do not want you there
Ron *******
You people need to understand you cannot keep entering visa exempt.

That's your problem.

Now you're in the system so don't expect to be entering again.

You've not seen anything yet.

Wait until the end of the year when Embassies and consulates worldwide move over to the Evisa system.

You'll be going back to your home country to apply for visas because unless you have resident status in whatever country you're applying in, you cannot use the Evisa system.
Dirk **************
@Ron ******
another case of ā€œfarang ru makā€
Paul ********
@Henk ********
Enter twice visa exempt per year. No problem. You may get away with more, but you're really tempting fate.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
This was my first entry this year.
Dave **********
@Henk ********
your past history counts!
Paul ********
@Henk ********
Yeah but it was your history that bit you.

Immigration officers have complete latitude and authority to deny you, with almost zero chance of review and reconsideration. End of story.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
I am waiting your post when you bought a expensive ticket to Thailand and denied entry
Paul ********
@Henk ********
Won't happen because I research, LISTEN, and do my best to avoid trouble.
Ron *******
@Henk ********
there's no written rule. Only for land entries and that's 2 per calendar year.

It's entirely up to immigration whether you enter or not by air
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
And do you not think its strange there is no clear rule about the amount of times to enter by air? This was my first entry this year into Thailand.
Michael *******
@Henk ********
there is a rule, if you wish to spend extended periods in Thailand, or come and go as you please get the correct visa - which certainly is NOT the tourist exemption - note the word TOURIST which based on your travel profile the immig officer, decided that you were not in this category which is perfectly within his rights
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
My passport is full with entry stamps from all over asia, if that is not makes it clear what I am. And none of them 1 day stays for visa runs.
Michael *******
@Henk ********
mine was full of stamps when I came here as a tourist , I was traveling everywhere on business - only got 30 days exemption - on the one occasion I came longer to plan retirement I got the correct visa from Thai Embassy in South Africa ā€¦ā€¦..these immig guys deal with this all day, lots of people trying to milk the system . I guess you will be wiser next time ā€¦ā€¦šŸ‘
Ron *******
@Henk ********
I don't make the rules or run immigration so I don't think anything.

If you want to keep entering here, get a long term visa and extension.
Ken *******
@Ron ******
I've entered 6 times visa exempt with no problems so far and have 2 more booked shortly so you can use multiple entries bu air
Alistair **********
@Ken ******
there is no written limit on flying in visa exempt, but immigration officers can and eventually will deny entry to those who abuse the system. Sometimes it's after 4-6months, whilst some make it years before encountering issues.
Ron *******
@Ken ******
good luck because for sure, if you're extending those exempt entries continually, your time is coming.
Ken *******
@Ron ******
sorry I have never extended, but hearing visa exemption soon for 60 days....we see
Dan ********
@Ken ******
yes your time is coming. I lasted 22 months on tourist visa excempt stamps, but that was 'agent assisted' through friendly border checkpoints. After I bought the Elite Visa, but yet to be issued into my passport, my next entry was Suvarnabhum and I was flagged, interrogated for an hour, and had to show my acceptance letter emails, opened direct from my email account, not screenshot, then the receipt for payment, then the bank account from which the payment was made. I think they would have bumped me had I not had that Elite Visa coming.
Ken *******
@Dan *******
I always stay less than 30 days, will apply retirement visa in 6 months
Dan ********
@Ken ******
you should be OK then. Fingers crossed for you. How long does retirement application take from handing it in ? Can you apply in advance of your 50th, so that it is ready and waiting ? Or its only valid to start processing from the very day of our 50th's ?
Lee ***********
@Ron ******
I think they will have to keep some sort of visa on arrival option, a lot of poor people don't have the means.

However, you raise a huge point if you have to apply from your home country hmmm
Ron *******
@Lee **********
I never mentioned if visa exempt was ending. I was talking about obtaining visas.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
What then is the rule with visa excempt, where is it written clear how many times I can use it.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Prince******
No, most eu and western countries get really 30 day excempt. Other countries visa on arrival. You can see signs 'visa on arrival' at airports, i never had to use that lane.
Dirk **************
Donā€™t let the bad mood of an immigration officer ruin your stay. I mean who would not get cranky to have to work at 1 AM in the morning? Just forget about it.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dirk *************
You are right. Its just spinning in my head for 2 days, then it will be gone.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But it will be spinning in my head when i want to enter next time.
Giuseppe **********
You know what is the point, if everyhing or rules waa clear, you were not asking on here some opinion about it. You not wrong if you were allowed, officers seems to do whatever they want. I only once forget to report 90 days , a week after i went at immigraton bureau to ask what to do, and after quickly seen my passport they say" your visa is expired..." and i answer softly" how could be expired if i want report 90 days, check properly. And she replyed, why you angry? I' m not angry, it's you to loud your voice, give me my passport , you don't how to work. So, before you do something here , ask immigration because anyone can advice you wrong. And don't forget, here we can't ow land , needs to pay to stay, can't do certain job... just bring money in, that's it.
Lee ***********
The West is no better, enter the USA you feel like your entering a prison
Manfred **********
Sometimes it really feels like they prefer zero-Dollar-tour(ist)s from India and China and want to scare off well-off travel-happy Westerners. I haven't found a compelling reason for that behavior.

If I believed in conspiracies, I'd suspect the uniformed forces still trying to undermine Thaksin from getting Th's economy back on track. But I don't believe in conspiracies.
Dan ********
@Manfred *********
in all fairness though, how many zero dollar tourists have been picked up by police for begging outside a 7-11 ? Arrested for drugs offences or any other crimes ? Absconding from a hospital without paying their bill ? Or just arrested for not being able to pay the above ? Sitting in a prison or immigration detention center unable to move on ?

'Well travelled' is the opposite of 'big spender'.

Not sure of the figures, but immigration and other departments like to quote "average daily spend", "average duration of stay", "total spend per average visit". I think they chose to ommit things (facts) that will dampen their positive results.
Kris *********
Sometimes Thai government workers need to show their power. It makes them feel good. They are not public "servants" like government workers in the West.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kris ********
Yeah, most Immegration officers in asian countries are unfriendly or want to show their power, its never like : welcome to our beautiful country!
Justin *********
a
Lee ***********
They like tourists just fine
Cary ******
They like tourist money, tourists maybe not so much.
Tijana ****************
It just what they do and always let you pass. No one knows what they want! They want tourists but act like they dont, they dont want people coming for girls but sex tourism is at every corner and in front of every police officer ā€œblind eyeā€ in Bkk in worst form etc for many other examplesā€¦..you did nothing wrong, its just how they actā€¦ stupid!
Bruce *****************
@Tijana ***************
sex tourism is not at every corner. Its only in red light areas...you need to get out a bit and go to normal areas.......
Tijana ****************
@Bruce ****************
there is no ā€œjustā€ first of all and it is everywhere not only in red districtsā€¦

I find it very exploitative towards own women in general and they do this moral bull**t
Bruce *****************
@Tijana ***************
always stay at the nana hotel perhaps ?
Kev **********
@Tijana ***************
like their driving....not stupid to them and that is what is important. You will eventually be denied entry.
Riccardo *********
The red flag is when you told them you were staying 60 days. Next time just say you are staying within your visa exemption duration and eventually extend if you need to.
Bart **************
@Riccardo ********
well that's what he said right, if the 60 days were a concern to them then he should have said that he would not extend.

Isn't it just mind blowing that a country offers the possibility to extend, but its own immigrations officers consider actually doing that as breaking the law?
Riccardo *********
@Bart *************
maybe, but the possibility to extend is up to them, it might be rejected too. You canā€™t come into a country without a proper visa and say to immigration officer that you plan to stay over the time they entitle on a visa exemption. Then sure, you might be able to extend, but you donā€™t say it to the immigration officer that has the power to accept you in the country or not.
Bart **************
@Riccardo ********
I can follow that reasoning, but then they should just give 60 days outright and don't let people extend. If I plan to go to a country where I know I can stay 60 days but I have to prove that I don't actually do so when I enter, how little sense does that make? And what return flight should I book then?
Riccardo *********
@Bart *************
makes sense or not, thatā€™s the rule they follow. Despite I find it odd, I have to agree. Eventually if you plan to stay 60 or 90 days, you can just get the visa upfront and nobody will ask you any questions.
Bart **************
@Riccardo ********
that's true.
Lynnette *******
@Bart *************
they didn't say it was against the law. They were unhappy with his loaded passport, his obvious living abroad, his comment about staying 60 days, and maybe a bit of attitude ( which is coming across here too). They may have been over zealous, or a tad jobs worth, but it's their job.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Riccardo ********
Yes that was probably a mistake, it was just that I read here there could be a 60 day excempt soon and thought maybe I am lucky it went active last night.
Michael *******
@Henk ********
I say as little as possible especially with immig , customs and policeman - speak when spoken to is the safest wayā€¦.. we live and learn šŸ˜Š
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
Me too. Its sometime hard when the officer is telling lies, like that 2nd officer that said i went to other countries for a day or says i come here for the girls. I really have to control myself then and swallow it all.
Paul ********
@Henk ********
"You read here." OMG. Have you read an official Thai government announcement about a new 60 day policy? You have not. Should you have read one of the dozens of news reports stating that the rumored 60 day policy has not yet been implemented? You certainly should have.

You are a living, breathing poster child for self-sabotage.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
60 days is still legal with the extension. A civilised officer would just say, you can only enter 30 days and extend later. Like any other asian country. In Indonesia i simply apply 1 month for evisa online and extend online in the country, when I think it is so nice there, I want to stay longer.
Lynnette *******
@Henk ********
civilised officer? The attitude you are displaying is not good. You caused your own problem it seems but blame others.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
Where was I not being civilised?
Lynnette *******
@Henk ********
in your replies here about the IO and act like entitled. You have a nearly full passport, you told them you were coming for 60 days, you had no visa, then you blame them and ask if Thailand doesn't want tourists.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
I told them 30 days, 60 if possible. What is so bad about that? The internet is so full of wrong and old information, even on the goverment embassy sites, its so hard to know what is current correct information.

I not demanded 60 days.
Lynnette *******
@Henk ********
it's the way you describe it now, you give off an attitude. Try being a bit more contrite. The IO did his job. It's what he's meant to do. You indicated you might stay beyond the 30 days exemption and the IO advised you get a visa. Thailand welcomes tourists, in a way many countries do not, we are very lucky.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
The second io officer was simply lying. Said i go to other countries for a day to come back, which is simply not true. Said i come for the girls, well how does he know. When he wanted to put the stamp on one of my few empty pages and I asked him friendly to put it on one of the half full pages he again reacted very unfriendly. When I did not know were to go after all this he again rudely showed me out. Civilised? I felt like a criminal.
Paul ********
@Henk ********
But that's not what you asked for, is it? So why mention it? Man you're a stubborn guy.

Looking for logic and "what aboutisms" does nothing to help you avoid future problems with Thai immigration.

Reality is what it is.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
I posted here because the 2nd officer said he would send me back next time. What is wrong about posting it here. I did nothing wrong or against the rules.
Andy **********
@Henk ********
But you suggested to them you were prepared to misuse or game the system. The 60 day visa exists for those who intend to stay in Thailand for 60 days. The 30 day visa free concession is for those who intend to stay no more than 30 days in Thailand. The extension is a further concession for those who's travel plans change while in Thailand. Essentially you presented yourself as dishonest, because with a plan to stay 60 days, you should have had a visa. Now perhaps you saw that as pure semantics, but from the IOs point of view, whether Thai or Dutch, foreigners don't have an absolute right to enter. Of course Schengan has blurred all of that. But there are still rules: EU citizens can be deported from eu countries if they no longer meet the rules of residence.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *********
Nonsense about misuse. He can say i can only stay for 30 days and then pay a lot of money, 1900 baht to extend. Its pretty normal in many countries to extend a visa. Nothing to do with misuse.
Andy **********
@Henk ********
Obvioudly yoi misunderstand me since English is not your native tongue, explaining your unreasonable responses to some reasonable points put to you. You don't have a visa to extend. Visa exemption means no visa. Visa exemption was created to facilitate ease of travel for the majority of visitors, ie people travelling for usually 30 days or less, which is the maximum period in one country for most travel insurance schemes, and people with gainful employment in their own countries. The extension to visa exempt status is for people who's plans change for unexpected purposes. Of course, there are many people who play the system (and it is abuse of a system that is usually more liberal than where they come from), but they keep those plans to themselves. The stupid ones fess up to IOs then go whinging on Facebook about their rights. Some call them barrack room lawyers. Its not usual in most European countries to try and extend a holiday visa in country. That's usually a red flag for illegal activity, for people with no clear source of income.
Adam ********
@Henk ********
the word ā€œluckyā€ should never be in the same sentence when talking about immigration control unless you are completely willing to accept any outcome.
Russell *******
@Henk ********
You should of told them . You heard the thai government announced that the new visa exempt rules are changing on the 1st if June and you are suggesting there might be a possibility of 60 days, if the government announcement was in fact true .
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
Its pretty hard to explain all that to an io who speaks not much english. Got to keep it simple.
Russell *******
@Henk ********
Yes , I understand
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
I think i said 60 days if possible.
Burnard ************
@Henk ********
They probably didn't register the "if possible" part.
Russell *******
John ********
@Henk ********
another mistake
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Again John is not communicating clearly.
John ********
@Henk ********
I donā€™t have the problem itā€™s you. I have the proper visa
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
So tourists cannot come to Thailand with visa excempt? That is no proper way of entering Thailand?
John ********
@Henk ********
sorry you are losing all credibility with your bargirl English
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
I guess John is sitting in a bar with bargirls right now, since he seems to think that is the only reason for visiting Thailand.
Jim ********
@Henk ********
Is there another reason? šŸ˜†
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim *******
What are you suggesting?
John ********
@Henk ********
letā€™s be honest they probably thought you were a pedophile based on the way you look and talk.
Jessica ******
Get a new passport if you can then you will have less questioning. If it comes up again, apply for a tourist visa.
Kev **********
@Jessica *****
they keep records they can look up regardless of age of passport
Dan ********
@Kev *********
they don't keep records of travel outside of Thailand, which is a possible trigger for them in this case. And to search beyond the most recent 2-3 years of history, they need to click a button and scroll, but only if they have reason to....
Kev **********
@Dan *******
yes Dan thanks for the clarification
Dan ********
@Kev *********
there is little I don't know about immigration control, locations, technologies used, hours of business, staff hierarchy. Biometrics, technologies and manufacturers worldwide standards, and evading detection. I got a fair understanding of footpaths between Malaysia and Thailand on the southern border. But also jetski and boat hire on the island of Langkawi, and luxury yacht and private plane charter. The distances, depths and characteristics of the seas between Langkawi and mainland Malaysia, but also to Satun, in Thailand. From satellite imagery, I know the points and inlets on that coast line where you could land a jetski or small boat easily, with minimal eyes on you, where you could be instantly met by a driver with a vehicle, and within 2-3 minutes be joining the motorways north to Krabi. I also have similar knowledge for the Eastern border with Cambodia, and western border with Myanmar. Funny year that was.
Judy *******
@Jessica *****
They use biometrics when you enter Thailand so a new passport won't make any difference
Dan ********
@Judy ******
I dread to think of the condition of his well travelled passport - That will trigger alarm bells with most authorities around the world. Biometrics only kicks in if there is a positive match of facial recognition or fingerprints with that on a record within any number of databases, certainly an immigration blacklist and a national criminal database. Travel history to Thailand will only be pulled up at the immigration desk when swiping the passport through a reader. Unless its a known criminal, or someone on the immigration blacklist (which they might already have determined from the Airlines passenger list), the first thing they will know is when you approach the immigration desk and hand your passport.
Jessica ******
@Judy ******
I know they do I live here. However, itā€™s also known that having too many stamps bothers some of the officers. Depends on the officer.
Jennifer ********
@Jessica *****
It's weird that they'd be upset about someone traveling a lot to a bunch of other countries & staying outside of Thailand for months before coming back, bc doesn't that mean they're actually tourists & not trying to live long term in Thailand on a tourist visa? Seems like the kind of people you'd want to welcome into Thailand. They have the money to travel all over so why not be happy they're coming back to Thailand to bring their tourist dollars but won't try to stay too long? Strange.
Dan ********
@Jennifer *******
typically a perpetual traveller is seen as a 'bum'. Low budget, non-conforming and well rehearsed in all the tricks to live life on a shoestring, and hoodwink immigration and other authorities. Actually now a very undesirable type of visitor. A new passport would do a lot to erase any travel outside of Thailand. There are some undesirable country stamps in his passport too. This would literally clean up that murky travel history - Imagine a new passport held up against the old dirty worn out passport. Also, I think the immigration officer is able to see past 2 or 3 years at a glance (so to reduce data access times) and to go deeper, further back, they need to click a button and scroll. The old looking passport will trigger further digging.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Judy ******
I crossed many many borders this year, China 3 times, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and always they scan through all the pages of my passport which takes a long time.

But I know they have all my past thai entries in the computer, saw it yesterday at the 2nd io officers desk.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jessica *****
I have a 5 year Indian visa which is still 3 year valid, I will also loose this with a new passport. But I am still thinking about it, but probably easier when I am in the EU.
KO ********
@Henk ********
you will not lose the Indian visa. Carry old passport with the visa and thatā€™s ok. In fact they moved my visa stamp into my new passport at Indian immigration.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@KO *******
Really, that is good news. I thought maybe if enter with the original visa form it could be ok.
KO ********
@Henk ********
yes, actually you might need the approval email/doc as well. I forgot to take mine but still was ok.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@KO *******
Thanks for the info!
John **********
Youā€™re lucky!! If the 1st IO had called over the old female dragon you would now be in the detention suite awaiting deportation!!
Burnard ************
@John *********
I thought she was still at Don Muang.
John **********
@Burnard ***********
no thatā€™s her sister!!
Liezl *******
@Burnard ***********
sounds like the one at the 90 days counter at Chaeng Wattana. That dragon lady has no chill
Burnard ************
@Liezl ******
I may have met that one also.
Mark ********
It all depends on the I/O on the day. Some wouldnt care. You obviously struck one who does.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
Yeah, when i was standing in the queue, the IO did not look like a friendly guy, should have switched queue. But I thought I have nothing to worry about since I was out for 4.5 months.
John **********
@Henk ********
perhaps that's part of the problem. You has already expected the IO to be unfriendly so might have adjusted how you approached him
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I think in that case I try to be extra polite. An immigration officer has the power to deny you entry for no reason and there is not much you can do about.

In a shop I would act differently and simply go to a different shop.
Lynnette *******
@Henk ********
first of all. . you told the IO you wanted to stay 60 days. You did not have a visa to do that. So that's most likely the problem. Nothing to do with not liking tourists.
Mark ********
@Henk ********
I always try and find a woman I/O if I can. They seem to be a bit more lenient..in my case anyway. Must be my deep blue eyes šŸ¤£
Burnard ************
@Mark *******
Bad idea. They need to prove to their superiors they are not weak.

Because, let's be honest, their superiors are thinking the same thing you think and watch the women more.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *******
Yeah, I think if you have nothing to worry about choose a woman IO, if you have something to worry about better choose a man. Think a woman is more strict to the rules.
Michael ***********
@Mark *******
unless itā€™s that time of the month!!
Ben ********
Iā€™ve only been 3 times , once last year , twice this year , on my last return the officer seemed hesitant when looking at my passport and asked how long Iā€™d stay , when I said 2 weeks she stamped and passed it back , nothing more said but it seemed like theyā€™re getting tougher on visa exempts
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben *******
Yeah I should have sticked to 30 days. But why there is not a clear rule about how many entries is allowed? Never seen it in any other countries. Just entered China 3 times with free 15 days, and the officers where strict especially in the western state and checked a long time, but always friendly and civilised.
Ludwig ***********
Being uncertain about your departure plans, and just giving the maximum days, whilst unsure about this number, certainly gave the impression that you are just trying to stay as long as possible. If you had shown a return ticket with a booking within 30 days I think you would not have had any problems. Impressions count.
Ben ********
@Henk ********
it states on the website twice annually
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben *******
Twice by land, not by air. And this was my first entrance this year.
Matthew *************
@Henk ********
Thai Embassy, London website states 3 times in 6 months maximum.
Jan ******************
@Matthew ************
Another embassy error
John **********
@Matthew ************
meaningless. There is no such rule
Matthew *************
@John *********
it is also on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, albeit worded slightly differently.
John **********
@Matthew ************
it's still wrong. Immigration controls entry, not the MFA. There are no definitive rules controlling how many times you can enter by air visa exempt, by land you can enter a maximum of 2 times visa exempt per annum. Every entry depends on the immigration officer you stand in front of. Every visa exempt entry can be extended by 30 days at immigration.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ************
This 90 days within 180 days was the rule about 10 years ago in thailand. Now its still aplies in Turkey and many Balkan non eu countries.

In Thailand back then the officers always had to count days haha. I would be happy if this was a clear rule now and always accepted by the io officers.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ************
Thanks. I never exceeded the 3 times in 6 months.
Ben ********
@Henk ********
the website states twice annually by land or air
Todd *********
@Ben *******
that website is wrong
John ********
You didnā€™t do anything wrong except lack confidence and the ability to communicate clearly.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
You mean I speak bad English ?
Jason ********
@Henk ********
no.

Bad Thai.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jason *******
When you visit my country, you are going to study Dutch first?
Jason ********
@Henk ********
im not going to visit your country. I may or may not however order some delicious stroopwafels
Paul ********
@Henk ********
Nonsense. Thailand and the Netherlands are not the same. Different logic applies. Forget this fact at your own peril.
John ********
@Henk ********
besides that did you ask him for any solutions to this problem?
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Who here is not communicating clear? Its you.
Ken ***********
@Henk ********
I think you would do better to not insult people who are contributing to your post. If your arrogant attitude was displayed to the immigration officer that would certainly contribute to the outcome.
Paul ********
@Ken ******
I wouldn't call his comments arrogant.

Entitled? Butt-hurt? Ignorant? Bloody-minded? Lacking in common sense?Self-sabotaging?

All that and more, but not arrogant.
John ********
@Henk ********
letā€™s be honest your written English is horrible I can only assume your verbal communication is similar. Even worse you might have tried to talk bargirl Thai to immigration based on your post. Who is the problem here ?
Lee ***********
@John *******
hey John, have you tried speaking and writting Dutch šŸ˜‰ my experience is they speak good English
John ********
@Lee **********
this one seems to lack the education and experience. I lived in Belgium and North Holland this guy is an exception
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Experience with what?
Adam **********
@Henk ********
Last time I visited your country I was greeted with graffiti written by locals saying "Tourists go home" Maybe Thailand are just returning the gesture ?
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
Arrogance of a native english speaker who I often no understand because of their horrible accent, worse than a japanese tourist.
Rob *******
So your question is Does Thailand not like Tourists ?

My answer would be yes Thailand likes Tourists but they do not like people who abuse the Visa Exemption entry.
Thaimer ******
@Rob ******
in which universe is that abusing of visa exemption?
Rob *******
@Thaimer *****
In which universe did i say he abused it ? I said people, not him specifically.Get with the programā€¦
Thaimer ******
@Rob ******
lol so you answer to his complaint about experience happened to him and your answer wasnā€™t to him šŸ¤£ makes sense
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob ******
Then what is abuse of Visa Excemption Entry, can I only enter 1 time in my lifetime on visa excempt? Or is it 1 time a year? Is there a clear rule about this?
Steve *******
@Henk ********
pay for a visa. Stop being cheap.
Carl ********
@Steve ******
A 60 day tourist visa is actually cheaper than paying for an extension.
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carl *******
Sure, only very difficult to get these days.
Carl ********
@Henk ********
Depends where youā€™re from I guess. Normally takes less than a week in the UK
Dave **********
@Henk ********
the IO makes a judgement every time they grant you entry and even if you have a Visa, a IO in any country, can still refuse you entry.
John **********
@Henk ********
there is no definitive rule other than for entries by land. Even then every entry is up to the immigration officer you stand in front of
Rob *******
@Henk ********
You would have to check your Countryā€™s entry requirements to enter ThailandšŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™‚ļø
Henk *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob ******
It was my first entry into Thailand this year, what is wrong with that?
StƩfan ********
@Rob ******
he obviously didn't break any rules
Cee *****
@StƩfan *******
the problem being there is no written rule ā€” visa exempt entry allowance by air is arbitrary
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