Unanswereda year ago
What are the current rules for visa runs and border crossings in Thailand?
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Summary so far
The discussion revolves around the rules and experiences related to visa runs in Thailand, particularly at land borders and the implications of visa exemptions. Comments express skepticism about the official status of a shared visa information post, discuss the logistics of border crossings, and highlight confusion about how long one must leave Thailand to re-enter after a visa run. There's also mention of updates on visa regulations and experiences with extending visa exemptions.
76 repliesnewest first
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Kevin *********
Where was this notice displayed?
Tom *****
@Kevin ********
probablement koh samui
Graham ******
@Tom ****
yes but where specifically?Phil ******
@Rob *****
just to add and update you as theres a bit more happening. This is from the Thai Visa Service that border bounce are currently suspended****************************
Charles *******
The never ending story of Visas in Thailand …..🙄🙄🙄
Nick ************
@Charles ******
it's been the same for years but now they are enforcing it which is a good thing. Only difference is 7 day extension instead of 30.
Mick ********
GiftedF*******
So does this mean we can only come in twice a year on a visa exempt entry? Or are they referring to you getting your visa exempt entry extended only twice a year? It’s not really clear.
Pierre *********
GiftedFish5406 That is what I understand. So I would be very careful to use BKK as a hub from now.
Sue **********
GiftedFish5406 It says as for 2026 2 visa free entrys allowed a year each one 60 days. Thats all it says, no mentioning about extensions or boder runs
Patrick *********
GiftedFish5406 it means you can only come twice in 1 year on a visa exempt. First exempt you will get a 30 day extension and the second exempt you will only get 7 days extension in Thailand. After that you will be refused or get a visa.
Denis *****
@Patrick ********
May I ask what if I don't apply for any extension during my stay? For example, can I visit Thailand 4 times in 2026, and each time I only stay 2 weeks and return to my home country?
Shaughn ***********
@Denis ****
the immigration officers will screen you on a case by base basis, taking into account how close you are to being in country for 150 or so days in past 12 months to determine your travel intention. They are screening for illegal workers and potential scammers.Patrick *********
@Denis ****
after you have come into Thailand 2 times in 2026 you will need to get a visa the 3rd time I think. People with more knowledge might know if I am correct or not.
Kitty ************
so technically possible to stay in Thailand for 240 days a year. 2 entries and 2 extensions.
Frank **********
@Kitty ***********
obviously your math skills are lacking.
John **********
If does indeed reset on Jan 1 and if timed right could potentially be 314 days ex:
*********
60+30+60+7 x 2 = 314
Gustav *************
30 day extention first time, second extention in same year only 7 days.
Nickna******
@John *********
this is not the same as 240 days per yearKitty ************
@John *********
you're a genius.Todd *********
@John *********
it is the way the rules read there though… reset Jan 1…John **********
Likely wouldn't work
Todd *********
@Kitty ***********
2 entries and 2 extensions is either 180 days or 157 days. Depending on the second extension lengthNickna******
Joe ********
Ok so the question I need to ask is
Once you have crossed the boarder for visa runs
An says to leave Thailand
How long do you leave Thailand for ? To be able to enter back and start again
Once you have crossed the boarder for visa runs
An says to leave Thailand
How long do you leave Thailand for ? To be able to enter back and start again
Lawrence ********
@Joe *******
Rest of the year unless you get an actual long-term visa. After your second exemption stamp.
เดแคลน ***********
@Lawrence *******
thats by landborder. Whether you are allowed back in by air as always is down to the immigration officer at the time but now they really are heavily scrutinising everyone with a history, not just a select few they think might be dodgy so the chances are slim to none
Michael *******
Lavender Smiles so why do they bother checking must have changed I guess I have had my eligibilty to travel scrutinized numerous times at checkin maybe I look suspicious.🤨
Lavender ********
@Michael ******
Airlines don’t pick up any costs. You have to purchase a return ticket or pay a fee to use the return ticket you had but at a closer date.Michael *******
@เดแคลน **********
which by definition means, you may not even get to board a flight as airline will have to pick up cost of returning you should you be denied entry to Thailand…..
Deiter ********
It kinda looks very unofficial, like something that a travel agency would have displayed.
Joseph ****
@Deiter *******
Yep, all the fretting and parsing in the comments here is pointless. This is NOT an official notice.
Mario *********
Or an hotel, guesthouse.
Colin **********
This is common on land borders and for visa exempt. It has a reference to Samui which is not a land border its new in that sense.
J **************
What is a “visa exception”?
Obviously not an official post
Obviously not an official post
Kevin ********
Jit tried to burn the house down last night pissed left a pot going on the stove luckily Tommy was awake saved the day.
Todd *********
@J *************
clearly has never travelled
Stephen *********
@Von **********
it is Visa exemption.
Von ***********
@Stephen ********
and yet ANOTHER 😏😏😏😏 that didn’t BOTHER to read the other replies.
Steve **********
It was the only mistake in the whole notice. 😆
Kim *********
@Von **********
certainly not! They talk about visa EXEMPTION entriesVon ***********
@Kim ********
ahhh another that didn’t bother to read the other replies. 😏😏😏😏Kim *********
@Von **********
sorry - read them too late 😔
Jim ********
@Von **********
No they don’t, they mean exemptionVon ***********
@Jim *******
yes I read the other replies! Clearly you didn’t bother. Nice one.😏😏😏😏Phil ******
@J *************
when entering Visa Exempt means you have no visa and it applies for people deemed 93 countries. You are stamped in fr 60 daysJ **************
@Phil *****
it says exceptionKevin ********
@J *************
why shouldn't I?Kevin ********
@Todd ********
yes auto correct has got me a few times.Todd *********
@Kevin *******
haha, beauty man. Sometimes it even auto-corrects it. Might not have been you.Phil ******
@J *************
typo comeon I do them tooJ **************
@Kevin *******
why should you believe what it saysKevin ********
@Todd ********
thanks corrected it.Todd *********
@Kevin *******
their.😂Kevin ********
@J *************
its a mistake by them it should read exempt see things like this all the time on menu's signs etc English is not their first language.Phil ******
@Von **********
nopeVon ***********
@Phil *****
I just re-read it, yes it they meant Exemption… which most want an EXTENSION of, my bad.Phil ******
@Da *********
in this case your stamped in without a visa for 60-days. 93 countries can do this
Da **********
@Phil *****
I guess it’s just me that’s confused by the writing of this flyer. Is it a 30 day or 60 day visa when first arriving?Phil ******
@Von **********
me either. I did years ago and am still on their mailing listVon ***********
@Phil *****
cool. Doesn’t affect me, on Non-O and 12 mth extension. Good to know what is happening though just the same.
Phil ******
@Von **********
there's a bit more happening here. This announcement came in last week. ****************************
Todd *********
@J *************
exemption
Wayne ********
@J *************
I think they’re talking about Visa exempt because it mentions 60 days which is a visa exempt entryLawrence ********
@Von **********
No! They mean exemption. Visa Exemption.J **************
@Von **********
how can you take seriously anything with the that kind of error ?
Todd ********
@J *************
youve never read Thai road signs in English?? Break the law you still get a ticket. “My friend you “clearly thinks everyone in Thailand writes perfect English 🤨🤨🤨J **************
@Todd *******
we don’t know who wrote itTodd ********
@J *************
maybe the local immigration staff was tired of the dumb “i didnt know that “ look so an advisory sign was made. Imagine them dealing with this everyday…..just like the constant same visa questions posted on fb.J **************
Farang *********
@J *************
very easy, we all do it from time to time. After all the number of times I have seen people spell colour as color.Wayne ********
@William ********
exemption, not exception
Bob **********
@William ********
why are they using the word visa a exempt stamp is not a visaStephen *********
@William ********
exemption not exception
William *********
@Stephen ********
yeah.. that 🙂
Jon *****
@William ********
Visa exemptionActivity
43 joined43
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