What are the current rules regarding entry into Thailand, especially when considering border runs and multiple entries?

Thailand Visa Rules Border Run Immigration Student Visa Visa Exemptions Entry Limits Non-O Visa Travel Restrictions

Jun 30, 2024

6 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi I hope someone could help me! 

I have some concerns regarding some of the information I have found online, stating there is a limit of travelling into Thailand 2 times per calendar year, I also saw something saying about a 6 month period too. I have applied for a student visa but the school have said I have to do a border run as they are full and I cannot start until I return.. 

I entered Thailand on 17th October 2023 

I then departed thailand on 13th December 2023  

I returned to Thailand 27th December 2023 

I then departed Thailand on 18th January 2024 

I then entered Thailand on 8th June 2024 - 6 months after leaving 

Can you just confirm that I won’t have an issue when doing the border run without a border run company and if so why would it be different with a border run company? Thank you 🙏🏼

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The inquiry discusses concerns about the rules for entering Thailand multiple times within a year, specifically regarding the supposed limit of two entries by land and the outdated six-month rule. The user details their travel history and seeks confirmation on whether they would face issues doing a border run without a company. Responses clarify that there is a limit of two land border entries per calendar year, but no six-month rule exists; they also advise potential travelers to consider using border run companies to ensure re-entry into Thailand without issues due to immigration discretion.

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Thomas ********

When entering at an airport it's really just at the officer's discretion.

My mom entered up to 4 times per calendar year on a visa exemption and was never questioned.

I myself did a few entries on back to back visa exemptions (2 at the end of 2023 and another 2 at the beginning of 2024) after having been here on a Non-B for 3 years and even longer before that on a Non-ED. The officer could have denied me entry given my long history of non-immigrant visas followed by back to back visa exemptions... but they did let me in every time (though there was some questioning).

It depends on a lot of factors. Of course it could depend on the mood of the officer on duty that day, but it also heavily depends on how you behave and carry yourself. If you have that sort of entitled and irritated behavior that some people always seem to have with immigration officers, you might run into issues. If you're polite and honest you should be fine.