What are the limits for spending days in Thailand on a visa-free entry for Australians?

Aug 22, 2023
a year ago
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I visit Thailand from Australia, 2 or 3 times a year, on the 30 day visa on arrival system.

Is there any limit to the total days I can spend there in one year?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
As an Australian entering Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, there is no official limit on the number of days you can spend there in a year. The entry is governed by the immigration officer's discretion, primarily based on your travel pattern. Frequent short visits (like the described pattern of 2-3 visits a year) typically do not raise concerns. However, persistent back-to-back entries may lead to scrutiny, as immigration officials may suspect potential abuse of the exemption system. It's advisable to have documentation for your stay and outgoing flights, and ensure that your travel pattern aligns with that of a tourist.
Slaninova *********
There are no limits, how many time you wanna come to visit or travel to Thailand if you have visa.
Steve ********
@Slaninova ********
Not quite true. Immigration can still deny entry even with a visa
John *******
@Steve *******
your answer is true not sure where some others get their information from but there has never been guaranteed entry to Thailand even with visa or without entry to the Kingdom is upto the discretion of the IO infront of you on the day of entry they never need a valid reason to deny entry to anyone
Slaninova *********
@Steve *******
, if people who wanna come are didn’t have any thing like black list or some report they can come to visit any time they want. And also Immigration officials personal opinions to consider individually if a person wants to immigrate. cause for suspicion Or to believe that it will be a threat to the land . If not requested by the contracting country or notified in the list that it is a prohibited person There is no reason to be unable to enter the city.
Steve ********
@Slaninova ********
And yet around 80 people every day at Suvarnabhumi are being denied entry due to immigration officials believing they are not tourists
Slaninova *********
@Steve *******
It is possible , if those persons Accommodation documents, or outbound flights, or the purpose of entry cannot be presented. but unable to show accommodation or preliminary expenses, or if it says it's for business but no details reliable. Naturally, there is a possibility. to lead to believe that there is another hidden purpose And that's why immigration was denied. However, it depends on the case and the surrounding situation. cannot guarantee that There are no people who want to come in to escape something . Therefore, discretion is important.
John *******
If you have Australian passport you don't get visa on arrival you receive 30 days visa exempt stamp which is zero visa just a stamp in you can get one 30 day extension whilst in the Kingdom for 1900 baht or get 60 day tourist visa issued in Australia and than 30 day extension give you 90 days or border crossing by land get another 30 day exempt entry but you are only allowed 2 land entries per year but there is no set regulation or law for the number of times one can visit the kingdom by air but any entry to Thailand is at the decresion of the IO infront of you at time of entry whether it be you first time or your 20th time it is looked at as if you are a tourist or you are trying to live there without the correct visa get correct visa for your purpose and you will have minimal issues Chokh di
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
Hi John, yes I am Australian.

I go 2 or 3 times a year, and looking to spend more time there.

Many thanks, Pete
Steve ********
No limit at all. Maximum two border crossings per calendar year, no official limit on flights, but if you're doing back to back entries eventually you'll be interrogated and possibly denied entry. The pattern you describe is fine, you'll have no problems
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Roberto *********
There's actually no such thing as a 30-day Visa On Arrival. You're actually entering with no visa, just a free 30-day entry stamp. There's no official limit, the only instances where immigration will pay close attention is when people are doing back to back border bounces to remain in the country for long periods with no visa. Many FIFO workers use the free stamp with no problem, because they're in and out the whole time and are not spending long uninterrupted periods in Thailand. If you're coming three times a year, spread out through the year, you'll have no issues
Graham *******
@Roberto ********
you can only do 2 land entries per year!
Roberto *********
@Graham ******
FIFO - Fly In Fly Out. Normally you don't cross land borders when flying! 😂
Graham *******
Graham *******
Roberto *********
@Graham ******
Grow up man 😂😂😂
Shawn *********
@Graham ******
per twelve months or calendar year??
Graham *******
@Shawn ********
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Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
thankyou Graham
Roberto *********
@Peter ********
The link which Graham Heyes has posted is an agency website. It is well known amongst expats for posting misleading information and trying to tout their services. Be warned!
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shawn ********
per calender year
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
ok, I arrive via Airports.
Graham *******
@Peter ********
i checked the website u can enter 6 time at the airport now
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Wayne *********
@Graham ******
that's not a government website. It's a lawyer website. Try find it on a government website saying 6 you can't
Graham *******
@Wayne ********
you cannot find much on a gov website, always out of date!
Wayne *********
I come and go every 2 weeks which is 12 a year never stopped
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
wow..very good Wayne
Roberto *********
@Peter ********
The OX visa which Wayne has is generally accepted by Australians as the best retirement visa, as it gives five years, which can be extended another five. If you get it through the Sydney consulate there is no requirement to transfer funds to Thailand which is a huge plus. It's worthwhile investigating if you're planning to stay awhile in Thailand and be bouncing in and out frequently
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
great tjanks
Roberto *********
@Peter ********
You're welcome. The best person to ask about the OX is definitely
@Wayne ********
s. He has first hand experience
Graham *******
@Roberto ********
You sound like a visa agent "incognito" Roberto! Something I am not!
Roberto *********
@Graham ******
Never used a visa agent in my life. I give advice to people which negates the need to pay bribes to government officials. My advice is always sound, unlike yours!
Wayne *********
@Graham ******
that doesn't mean the lawyers site is correct
Roberto *********
@Graham ******
That's an agency website. It's usually wrong! 😂
Graham *******
Graham *******
@Peter ********
Generally not a problem there is no written law, its up to the immigration official, if u enter often enough and stay out for a few days then it becomes a problem because it looks like you are a long-term stayer entering as a tourist! This is not permitted because there is concern you are working or operating a business.
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
Thanks I'm also FIFO
Wayne *********
@Peter ********
either Singapore or Malaysia airlines they leave 1 hour apart on a Wednesday morning, sadly no flights go direct. There are scoot flights in the evening with stop over in Singapore its not to bad a flight.
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wayne *********
@Peter ********
I have been doing 2 and 2 fifo into Thailand for years and never been stopped and questioned. I have always had return flights booked so that may have helped. I decided May 2022 to obtain the OX visa to avoid being stopped as many stories of people being question when entering so often like i was.
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
thanks I'm now fifo 7 and 7..I will look at the ox Visa, Cheers Peter
Wayne *********
@Peter ********
can apply just using your salary, that's what I submitted. Go via Sydney consulate NOT Canberra site. Also don't need thai bank account, I have one but did not declare it.
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
which bank in Thailand is your account with
Wayne *********
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
so Wayne, can you then come and go multiple times, such as a fifo worker, or maybe 5 or times a year?

And no 30 day limit?
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
who do you Fly with Wayne?
Melanie ********
No
Brandon ************
There is no written law or regulation that states you can only spend a certain number of days in Thailand.

The final decision on your entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer. They will look at your history in Thailand and think if you are actually a tourist or not based on this history. If you are entering for 30 days, extending that for 30 days, leaving for 1 day, 1 week, and immediately returning for 30 days, extending for 30 days, and repeating this cycle, it looks like you're not a tourist and you are trying to live in Thailand.

If you fly to Thailand, spend a month, visit some other countries, go back to Australia for 2-3 months, then go back to Thailand for a month, that is not a pattern that is suspicious at all. That looks like a tourist who really likes visiting Thailand and you shouldn't encounter any issues.
Peter *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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