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What are the implications of spending more than 180 days in Thailand on visa exemptions?
Thai Visa RulesVisa ExemptionMultiple Entry Tourist VisaEducation VisaMuay Thai TrainingDTV VisaImmigration EnforcementVisa AbuseEntry Restrictions
Jul 31, 2025
9 months ago
Sally *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHeads up!
my son and his GF have been in and out of thailand on visa exemptions for a year or so ( they do Mauy thai). long story short they came back to Australia to apply for Multiple entry tourist visa. They were approved in 3 days.. Happy - took flights to Phuket yesterday ( with flights out of the country in less then 90 days). They were totally grilled and eventually let in but told they can not return again this year! ( despite the visa being approved for 6 months). They were advised to get a DTV ( but GF under 20).
evidently to do with spending more then 180 days in one year in thailand. just thought i’d let people know.
my son and his GF have been in and out of thailand on visa exemptions for a year or so ( they do Mauy thai). long story short they came back to Australia to apply for Multiple entry tourist visa. They were approved in 3 days.. Happy - took flights to Phuket yesterday ( with flights out of the country in less then 90 days). They were totally grilled and eventually let in but told they can not return again this year! ( despite the visa being approved for 6 months). They were advised to get a DTV ( but GF under 20).
evidently to do with spending more then 180 days in one year in thailand. just thought i’d let people know.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shares their experience with visa regulations in Thailand after their son and girlfriend, who had been in and out of the country under tourist visa exemptions, returned to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. Although they were granted the visa, they faced questioning upon entry and were informed they could not return within the same year due to having spent over 180 days in Thailand. This highlights increasing scrutiny by Thai immigration toward those frequently using tourist visas to reside long-term, leading to community discussions about appropriate visa options for extended stays, including Education Visas for those practicing Muay Thai.
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Nongnuch ********
The mentioning of „not more than 180 days within a 365-days period“ still gets mentioned on some Thai embassies and consulates websites.
However, embassies are subsidies of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst Thai Immigration is a subsidy of the Ministry of Interior.
These different ministries interpret the rules differently.
An Immigration officer is has the right to use his own discretion and can actually allow you to enter, even if you have already spent more than 180 days within the recent one-year period . . . but from then on it is a matter of good luck
However, embassies are subsidies of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst Thai Immigration is a subsidy of the Ministry of Interior.
These different ministries interpret the rules differently.
An Immigration officer is has the right to use his own discretion and can actually allow you to enter, even if you have already spent more than 180 days within the recent one-year period . . . but from then on it is a matter of good luck
Donald **********
Yes, I saw that 180 day per year ruling on a Thai visa website. Some of the usual doubting Chang drinkers, were refusing to believe it.
Nongnuch ********
@Donald *********
The mentioning of „not more than 180 days within a 365-days period“ still gets mentioned on some Thai embassies and consulates websites. However, embassies are subsidies of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst Thai Immigration is a subsidy of the Ministry of Interior.
These different ministries interpret the rules differently.
An Immigration officer is has the right to use his own discretion and can actually allow you enter, even if you have already spent more than 180 days within the recent one-year period
Reply to
Nongnuch ********
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Rob ******
Anything more then 6 months on visa exempt & your taking a risk.After 6 months it would work out cheaper to just get a dtv then doing bounces & extensions
Leon ********
180 days p.a. max has been the norm since long ago. Totally correct.
Nongnuch ********
@Leon *******
not "per calendar year" . . . instead, it says "not more than 180 days within a 365-days period"Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Kate *******
If they’re there for education (MuayThai) then get an education visa!
Garrett ***********
This group: "get a visa"
Also this group: "a visa means absolutely nothing"
Also this group: "a visa means absolutely nothing"
Pygo ********
Thanks for the info, all entries seem to be tightening up, and as we all know, the Thais make up the rules and change them seemingly day by day. I have finally got my Non O, but of course they will change the rules next year...
Greta *****
Common sense
Steve *******
I live in Koh Samui with a Non Immigrant O Visa with multiple entry. Paper work glitch means mine didn’t get renewed for the second year but the rest of my family’s did. I had two trips already planes that gave me enough time on Visa exempt to get back to the US so I could apply from there. Got in no problem after my 1st trip. On my second trip before returning g home I was pulled from the line and questioned for 30 minutes. They were not goi g to let me in. I showed them that I had a return flight to the US and they finally let me in. People that abuse the system make it more difficult for those of us that have proper Visas, but end up in my position. Tell your kids to get a proper Visa. They can get an Education Visa for Muy Thai.
Sally *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
yep i reckon education visa would have been better .. probably wait to februaryReply to
Sally *********
Reply
Wayne ******
Why would u take a girlfriend to thailand
Leon ********
@Wayne *****
like taking steak to a steakhouse.Wayne ******
I was joking
Us *****
@Wayne *****
it is not funny. My buddy came here with his wife and now they are divorced. Never bring your own food to a buffet.Wayne ******
@Us ****
yepReply to
Wayne ******
Reply
Sylvia ********
@Wayne *****
and why not!!! not every guy wants a relationship with an Asian, different culture and often language barriers making life so more difficult. They don't even have the same sense of humour and love those awful soaps on TV hahaWilliam ******
@Sylvia *******
yes my wife loves those soaps. But watching Netflix with subtitles isn't that bad. 🤣Reply to
William ******
Reply
Sally *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wayne *****
🤣🤣Reply to
Sally *********
Reply
Wade *********
Even with a valid METV, Thai immigration officers have the final say on entry. If there travel history suggests repeated long stays, they may suspect visa misuse (e.g. living in Thailand rather than genuine tourism) and can deny entry at their discretion rven if the visa hasn’t expired. They still have to abide by the entry and # of days in Thailand rule whether granted METV.
Lucas *******
@Wade ********
but where is it in the rulebook?Sally *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wade ********
yep absolutely i get that .. i’mnot complaining just spreading the word ..i understand the decision and they will apply for dtv once GF is 20
Reply to
Sally *********
Reply
Sylvia ********
Unfortunately as a mother I understand your concern but this is happening alot and yes they have tourist visa but are not tourist. Many are staying here long term and have insufficient funds. lack health insurance etc and some trying to work, the reason for the 'grilling'
Sally *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sylvia *******
yep absolutely nothing against the thai immigration rules .. i only posted to give people the heads upReply to
Sally *********
Reply
John **********
Having a visa does not give anyone a right of entry, that right is reserved to the immigration officer they stand in front of. They have obviously been living inside Thailand on tourist entries and Thai immigration has been cracking down on this abuse of tourist entries. They were lucky to get in this time, the chances of getting in next time are slim to none.
Your son could get a DTV with the gym if they support that and his girlfriend an ED visa BUT they will both have to wait until their Multiple Entry Tourist Visas expire before they can apply
Your son could get a DTV with the gym if they support that and his girlfriend an ED visa BUT they will both have to wait until their Multiple Entry Tourist Visas expire before they can apply
Ayoub *********
@John *********
there's literally tons of offices that do visa runs loooool stop your bs the immigration themselves make money fromvthisJohn **********
@Ayoub ********
there are agencies that will do border runs if you pay them but that is by land and depends on your historyReply to
John **********
Reply
Graham ******
Sounds like it is because it's closer to 180 days in Thailand in 6 months which is seen as living in Thailand
Dany ********
ED Visa is an easy solution for a year or multiple…
Brandon ************
Having a tourist visa doesn't mean anything. Visa exempt is tourist entry. Tourist visa is tourist entry. They're calling out people abusing tourist entries, so that visa won't make any difference.
Why didn't they get a DTV if they're doing Muay Thai? That would make much more sense. But now they'll have to wait until their current visa runs out to apply.
Why didn't they get a DTV if they're doing Muay Thai? That would make much more sense. But now they'll have to wait until their current visa runs out to apply.
Adam *****
@Brandon ***********
could they convert from METV to ED in-country?Brandon ************
@Adam ****
Possibly. Depends on the immigration office and their stance on having an active multiple entry visaReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Sally *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
like i mentioned GF isn’t 20 yet .. also tricky for young people to get the $23,000 togetherGareth ********
@Sally ********
it is a lot of money. But going in and out of Thailand for a year or so, flying back to Oz etc is also a lot of money. Don’t mean to be an arse and good luck to them.
Reply to
Gareth ********
Reply
Pete ********
@Brandon ***********
correct …. If not here for tourism and here for Muay Thai then why get a tourist visa ? Dtv or ed visa …… Now when they leave again they will need to get the correct visa before coming back
Reply to
Pete ********
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