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What are the current rules for extending a visa in Thailand, particularly regarding extensions and border runs?
Nov 27, 2025
5 months ago
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTERFYI:My Extension 30 days was refused at Chiang Mai airport immigration.
I entered nov 2024, extended and did a border bounce (150 days) and went back to Europe
(Also in the years before patterns like that.)
Then I came back 4th of Nov 2025.
First they asked me if I had an outbound ticket (didnt have), then they offered only 7 days which I declined.
I could try at Festival later, but I guess it would give the same result.
Maybe I was just unlucky with an extension on 18 dec 2024 for 3rd of Jan 2025. Maybe it will be granted when I go 19th of dec of 2nd of Jan (last day), but I'm not gonna wait for that...
So, they look probably per 12 months (and not the calenderyear) and they really get stricter...
I entered nov 2024, extended and did a border bounce (150 days) and went back to Europe
(Also in the years before patterns like that.)
Then I came back 4th of Nov 2025.
First they asked me if I had an outbound ticket (didnt have), then they offered only 7 days which I declined.
I could try at Festival later, but I guess it would give the same result.
Maybe I was just unlucky with an extension on 18 dec 2024 for 3rd of Jan 2025. Maybe it will be granted when I go 19th of dec of 2nd of Jan (last day), but I'm not gonna wait for that...
So, they look probably per 12 months (and not the calenderyear) and they really get stricter...
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user reported their visa extension was refused at Chiang Mai airport after they returned to Thailand. They previously extended their stay using a border bounce but are now facing stricter rules. Comments from the community suggest the importance of having an outbound ticket and clarify the immigration rules, indicating that these might be enforced per 12 months rather than per calendar year. The discussion also includes suggestions for obtaining a tourist visa from neighboring countries as an alternative.
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Phil ********
What are you doing here for that amount of time?
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTEREnjoying my holidays after cleaning 500 mobile homes in 5 months...
Tania **********
@Phil *******
There are many , spending winters( or travelling just,as they do not need to work ) , with obvious financial security to do so .Is been as this, for long years , having people spending time on this beautiful Country and, neighbourhoods in Asia.
Lots of chill activities , to enjoy one self as well.
Phil ********
@Tania *********
WTF are you talking about?Then the OP needs to get the correct visa and not do border bounces.
Tania **********
@Phil *******
I am replying to your comment,with Respect…Have no idea what are the plans, for the author of this post , he probably does.
I answered your question, about what people do here long time, if you did not know yet.
Phil ********
@Tania *********
Ive been living here for 2 decades so Im quite aware of what people like the OP try to do to stay here. My initial question was to try and understand why all the border bounces and why not get the correct visa for their stay?
Tania **********
@Phil *******
I come here, on short or long holidays,from 2000 ; if you stay for 2 decades, you should know that , people staying longer periods, before , could do Border bounces ( was this way for long time ) .They change now ?
The author , will decide what to do.
Let’s not accuse ALL , to have bad intentions towards Thai laws .
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTERBecause it was possible and allowed until 2 weeks ago? Why are people so angry about that?
Reply to
Rene ******
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Donna ******
To clarify, that's 2nd extension declined (or rather 7 days offered), not exemption? (Some of the comments seem to indicate otherwise.)
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Donna *****
1st extension for (january) 2026Reply to
Rene ******
Reply
Will ************
The immigration officer is correct you will only get 7 day extension
Gregory *********
Your border bounce was in 2025 that is 1 and the one of 4th nov 25 is no. 2 visa exempt this year. So that is 2 in one calendar year and 7 days is all you can get.
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gregory ********
you are supposed to get 1 extension per year, and for 2026 I didnt have it yet. But she knew I used the system well, and I know...Donna ******
@Gregory ********
2nd exemption or extension?Gregory *********
@Donna *****
i am guessing from the poorly written descriptionDonna ******
@Gregory ********
I gather it's 2nd extension, in which case it's not outside what would be expected given what's been widely discussed. It would be more concerning if it were the 2nd exemption. Getting extensions, and doing same day border runs seems to be precisely what they want to stop.Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Donna *****
it was 2nd exemption, but after 7 months in EuropeReply to
Rene ******
Reply
James ********
Get a visa!
Henry **********
Just go to Laos or Vietnam and apply for a tourist visa. I'm in your same situation and that is what immigration told me.
Henry **********
Can always call Thai Visa center for a fast track in the worst case. Which are your sources or rules make you doing this comments apart your boring life? Mine are not opinion is what every officer is saying, yours? Tons of people already came back from Laos with a tourist visa.
Greg ***********
@Henry *********
then ask the visa agent to check your stamp history . .they are the only ones who can give you a safe thumbs up for your plan, or are the ones who will tell you that you have shot all your powder and can fly homeHenry **********
@Greg **********
that is exctly what an agency do before bring you to laos or accept you for a fast track.Greg ***********
@Henry *********
I just were able to advice somebody, who had an extensive recent stamp history, to use this service . . That's what he replied to me 15 minutes ago: "I arrived yesterday; SWD Visa Service checked everything in advance. A friendly officer was waiting for me at immigration, and we went to a separate counter. The usual procedure: face scan, fingerprints, and that was it—happy holiday! Everything was done in three minutes. The 3,000 baht was money well spent.Greg, thanks again for the info."
Henry **********
@Greg **********
mate that is what, I'm talking about 😅 I dont understand the bitters comment. Anyway I prefer to go to Vietnam and get a proper visa.Reply to
Henry **********
Reply
Braulio *********
@Henry *********
Tons???? Tons 555Henry **********
@Braulio ********
ask some agency in chiang mai, do you have any reliable different source old man? I'm happy to hearReply to
Henry **********
Reply
Darren *******
@Henry *********
getting a tourist visa doesn't magically disappear your immigration history nor guarantee you entry.Henry **********
@Darren ******
are you an immigration officer? That is what are they saying to EVERYONE, should we belive you or them? There are agency going to Laos where you get a visa in 2 days and come back already. Many others in this group suggest fast track too, but I preder to apply for a visa.Greg ***********
@Henry *********
I think you are in for a real disappointment. To Immigration, it doesn't matter if you used visa-exempt entries or entries on single entry tourist visa.It's called "touristic entries" and they now get stricly measured. . . . . .Once you are extending you total stay within a rolling 1-year period, over the 180-days mark, you can be denied entry, both at airports AND at land bordersHenry **********
@Greg **********
I didnt stay more then 180 days, like the guy that post. Any usefull advice or official source? We could enter with visa exempt again, but the officer just said get a tourist visa to dont have problem. Do you have any usefull comment than an agency or immigration? Dont waste your time, find something better to do.Greg ***********
@Henry *********
the guy used swd visa service. No matter if you hold a tourist visa or plan to enter visa-exempt, it won't make much difference if your stamp history is extensive. Use the agent and fly, use an airport, not a land borderDarren *******
@Henry *********
enjoy wasting your money and pray you see an immigration officer at the land border who shares the same opinion as the one you sawReply to
Darren *******
Reply
Frank **********
Have a safe trip back home.
Trustworthy************
Thanks for the update. I wish there was clarity on the rules regarding if it was per calendar year or per 12 months ..surely would make it easier and smoother for them and us.
But it’s weird you are allowed an exemption because that’s more than 2 in a 12 month basis.. right? Nov 2024, feb 2025 and sep/oct 2025?
But it’s weird you are allowed an exemption because that’s more than 2 in a 12 month basis.. right? Nov 2024, feb 2025 and sep/oct 2025?
Wayne ********
TrustworthyElephant7278 what I had read in the official statement was that the immigration officer would look at your passport and determine whatever is” reasonable” as far as entries into Thailand. However I have also read that you are only allowed to Visa exempt entry into Thailand per calendar year.
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wayne *******
if you look to those guidelines, I should have gotten an extension. But she knows I used the system well, and I know. So I accepted my fate with graceReply to
Rene ******
Reply
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTERTrustworthyElephant7278 exemption nov-dec, extension january/ border bounce exemption feb/march 2025 / europe / exemption nov dec 2025. End of story
Reply to
Rene ******
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Mark ******
So they following the RULES.
Colin **********
The thing is in Thailand in lots of cases systems are abused and its becomes a default standard. The authorities then realise the problems its causing and enforce the real spirit of the rules and it then catches people out that have come to rely on it. Hope you you enjoy it when you come here, as you do getting the right visa is key to a good stay.
Colin **********
@Mark *****
its not in the rules, the visa exempt was never meant to give extended stays in Thailand, they enforcing what they consider wrong. They want people coming for more than holidays for long stay or some thai family to get the correct visa. UnderstandableMark ******
@Colin *********
I am not arguing it is wrong. I have and allways will get the right visas for my stay even when I finaly move thereReply to
Mark ******
Reply
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark *****
even stricter...SereneBu*********
@Rene *****
stricter than the rules?Benny ********
SereneBuffalo2568 No, following the new rules, good on them
Tania **********
SereneBuffalo2568 looks like
Reply to
Tania **********
Reply
Todd *********
try at festival and obviously have your outbound ticket in hand. The problem is now you are on the hitlist
Rene ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
she didnt register anything.. but it's okay, I accept my fate. Every closed door will open other onesTania **********
@Rene *****
That is what i am thinking about all these ‘rules’ ; perfect approach on people abusing here, but… they should filter well, and so think about ( lots) of tourists, that work 6 months on home Country and travel winter, obvious on holidays and spend money , and, thatlike to be free to move around Countries if wish , never overstaying.
They will loose many, that prefer peace of mind.
Donna ******
@Tania *********
Yes, this! Or any other slow travellers for which a long term visa doesn't make sense. We are back and forth between various countries, but now might give up on Thailand for a while.Tania **********
@Donna *****
Sure , there are many and many, around the world ,that move around Countries, as they have no financial problems to do so ; peace of mind and warm welcome is a must, when one needs tourists , that surely spend their money.If it is not well manage here, they will loose good customers too; a pity, but, one must use discernment , specially on visas.
Todd *********
@Tania *********
for legit travellers using multiple exemptions per year with travel in between will not be an issueDonna ******
@Tania *********
I don't disagree. It's just a pity people who simply just visit often are getting caught up with the ones who are clearly abusing the system to live and work here.Todd *********
@Donna *****
when not travelling, we live in 3 other countries not our own, just obtain residency or long term visas in each. Many are not difficult to obtainJohn *********
@Tania *********
Lots of other countries apart from Thailand.Tania **********
@John ********
Absolutelly ; tourists move accordly .Reply to
Tania **********
Reply
Todd *********
@Rene *****
understood. It happens. All it takes is a note to file though that says it was refused. Definitely have some form of onward travel booked for next timeReply to
Todd *********
Reply
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