Answered5 months ago
What are the new rules regarding border runs in Thailand and how do they affect visa exemptions?
It's official! It's two border run MAX per calendar year (1st January - 31th December) except if you are from an exempted country like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, etc.
The source + all the details: [members only]
The source + all the details: [members only]
Answer summary
As of now, the official rule states that individuals can only complete two border runs per calendar year in Thailand unless they are from exempted countries like Malaysia or Singapore. This means that those entering Thailand under the visa exemption scheme are limited to two entries within a year, each allowing for a maximum stay of 30 days, which can sometimes be extended. Discussions in the comments clarify that this rule does not impact those holding a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) or other long-term visas, highlighting a misunderstanding among community members.
116 repliesnewest first
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Liam ***********
So can do max 120 days per year on 2 visits ,that’s ok
Hendrik *******
how important is the Jan 1 to December 31st window? I ask because I entered Thailand first on December 27th for 60 days. Then I went for 5 days to Singapore. I re-entered on March 1 and now do the full 90 days. I plan to come back one more time, wich will be my SECOND 60 day entry THIS calendar year, but my THIRD entry since 3 days before the calendar year 2026 started. Many thansk! I am German Citizen and NOT on a DTV.
Paul ********
Yes I saw that
Ge *************
Did you copy your homework from the absent one?
David *********
How to win friends and influence commerce.
Leo **********
The poopjeets will be loving this overrun the country while economically breaking it's back,meanwhile cashed up tourists will be onward to Vietnam and Cambodia. Goodbye Thailand you have screwed up once too often.
Srey *******
@Leo *********
lol at believing "cashed up tourists" are going to Vietnam and CambodiaReal tourists rarely stay more than 30 days in a country and the people who aren't really tourists who want to stay longer have a bunch of options in Thailand
Vietnam is visa runs until the government realizes all of Thailand's rejects are now their problem
Steven ************
Where do you guys come uo with this nonsense,
Biff *******
Bangkok Post 😂
BronzeWa*********
This has nothing to do with DTV
Taketo *********
irrelevant to dtv holder. It's for visa exemption scheme
Anonymous ******************
Yes everything is back to the old days. Except we have more long term visa options these days including the DTV
Anonymous ******************
I know this isn't for dtv but theoretically how long can someone stay in Thailand total for a year with 2 border runs? 60 + 60 + 60 so half a year?
Cliff *********
Another fear monger masquerading as Anonymous.
Prove it!
Prove it!
Khun *********
spend more time and money in Malaysia or Taiwan, beautiful countries as well
Michael ********
How is it official if it's only a draft?
Ned *******
@Michael *******
it will be published in the royal gazette then will take effect 14 days later.Michael ********
Ned Mason well that's not a draft then that's a posting
Thank God they're going back to 30 days. I love it.,.
Thank God they're going back to 30 days. I love it.,.
Dave *******
No, but if you do border runs it will.
David ********
This may not affect DTV as it stands but mark my words, the next step will be to refuse DTV entry to anyone who has exceeded 180 days unless they have a certified Thai income tax return for the previous year's stay.
There is an agenda here and it isn't "felang-friendly"
There is an agenda here and it isn't "felang-friendly"
Lukas *****
David Pawsey Farang not felang
David ********
@Lukas ****
that's why it's in inverted commas, but thank you for your input
Ian ********
Good next problem
Peter **********
Thailand DO. NOT want tourist. It clear. Country needs to re invent it self.
Robert *****
Means nothing now that the visa exempt length of stay is reduced to 30 days. They claim it'll stop the criminals, but in reality it'll stop more good people than bad.
Lukas *****
Very good move. Thank you from Vietnam
Jo ****
I really don’t understand where the problem is! Anyone who pushes all the limits and comes back for a third time is simply not a normal tourist. Thailand has the right visa for almost every situation. What’s so hard about getting it done?
Adam *****
Only land or by air as well? Previous rule was by land only.
Han ********
Anonymous participants wasting actual people's time.
Max *************
Nonsense! There will be no 2 border runs limit. It hasn't even been mentioned.
Alexander *********
They are killing the tourism.
Nelson ******
Why are you posting this under the DTV group?
Ryan *******
What is full stay privileges
Kurt *********
this doesn't apply to DTV
GenuinePin**********
Misleading and inaccurate for DTV.
Jody ********
Interesting, I am wondering if they will return to 15 days at land borders? As in 30+30 visa run by land 15 days. but its a developing situation and conjecture on what immigration will or could do is irrelevant.
Ossie *********
@Jody *******
anything goes here bro it’s how they feel when their monthly period arrives ! Hope life is good for you dude and your taking care of yourselfJody ********
@Ossie ********
absolutely. All good mate. Just trying to look at options to come back. DTV or METV or just do the 30+30 visa exemption and travel Vietnam and PhilippinesOssie *********
@Jody *******
they’ve just reduced the 60 day visa to 30 not sure what countries are affected you need to check as for DTV I looked at that but decided to renew my retirement visa good to hear all good with you
Miyamoto *********
Good
Aaron *****
Why do things that don’t apply to the dtv get posted in here so much.
Enthusiast***********
The question is- what is border run
Dave *******
EnthusiasticTiger4659 non aeroplane
Pete *******
Um… that’s ONE border run.
Dave ***********
It only has effect on Visa exemption. Not effect on people with purchased visas
Dave *******
@Dave **********
it's also for border runs, get on a plane no problem,shows you have fundsDave ***********
Dave Allen it’s particularly designed to limit people on visa exempt stamps running in and out of Thailand, rather than applying for an appropriate visa.
Danza *******
It’s been that way for ages. This has no bearing on DTV and many countries can pay the small fee for SETV or METV, if no DTV can be secured, which offer up to like 5 and 9 months, so no dramas llamas 🦙
Gorgeous*********
This is irrelevant to dtv
Ron ****
How many single entry tourist visas can be obtained per year?
Graham ******
@Ron ***
as many as your local Thai Embassy will sell you, there is no numerical limitRon ****
Graham Seal I'm curious about consulates in Laos and other neighboring countries. There doesn't seem to be an official rule
Anonymous ******************
"For people who would like to stay longer than the period allowed by the visa exemption scheme, or more than two entries per year, they have other options such as applying for the Destination Thailand Visa, a five-year multiple-entry visa that can extend stays up to 180 days per entry."
Olivier *********
Participant anonyme 689 not only DTV ..visa TR 60 or Visa Multi entry 6 months
Chris **********
Zero relevance to this page
Anonymous ******************
@Chris *********
exactly! Op is a total more on for posting this in a DTV visa group obviously for clicks and fear monitoring purposes
DTV_Pag*******
Has it been published in the Royal Gazette?
Graham ******
DTV_Pag_Backer not yet
Bob ********
DTV_Pag_Backer not yet
Greg ********
DTV_Pag_Backer Not all changes need Gazetting. Only law changes. If something is classed as a guideline or regulation within a current law I do not think it does. Depends on definitions.
DTV_Pag*******
Anonymous *************
OPDTV_Pag_Backer No. This comes from the Bangkok Post. It was officially approved yesterday by the Thai government.
Keyzer ******
Anonymous participant has nothing to do with DTV holders. Please be quiet lmao
Luc ************
DTV_Pag_Backer 8 months ago. This is not new.
Max *************
@Luc ***********
No it hasn't, you moron. It was approved May 19 and it will take a few days before it will be officially announced in the Royal Gazette.
Ciarán *******
It's been 2 border runs for at least 2 years
Graham ******
@Ciarán ******
No, the two land border visa exempt entries per calendar year rule was actually dropped when visa exempt was increased to 60 days in July 2024.Greg ********
@Ciarán ******
Last November they changed border run and extension rules.
Kris *****
@Ciarán ******
I think this is entering via any method, even flights.
Balaz*****
So after 30 days can you go to the immigration to get 30 more or you cant extend anymore?
Dave *******
Balazs7777 1900 baht
Greg ********
Balazs7777 The way I read it it is 2 full stay privileges. That looks like 30 day visa exempt plus 30 day extension. Then another 30 day entry but only 7 day extension on the 2nd. Anyone else read it different?
Olivier *********
@Greg *******
yes and no 2 extentions per calendar year.1st..30 +30 then 30 + 7 and 2 entry its about border run you can come many times few weeks or 1 month ..but the limit no more 180 days per calendar year
Andi ***********
@Greg *******
You can only stay max of 97 days a year with VE ?Greg ********
@Andi **********
Not seen any mention of them relaxing the extension rule. As for those multiple trip guys my pal was told in no uncertain terms get visas next time. Its not issue for his 2 90 day trips a year from Scotland.Andi ***********
@Greg *******
There was that change but isn't it reverting back to before that change? the old 30 plus 30 extensions. What about those doing legit 2 week hols to thailand and back home, they must have a visa for 3-6 trips a year?Greg ********
@Andi **********
The issue is people in countries close by who fly in for golf or other activities regularly are going to need visas if they are not on the exempt passports. Many business people fly up from Singapore for example regularly ie monthly. They will now need visas. When we were doing Singapore would not issue multiple entry B visas for this. We just did it on visa exempt. This includes VP and above of household name global companies.Greg ********
@Andi **********
Did they not change it last November to only one 30 day extension and the 2nd was only 7 days? If this change is correct then 2 entries at 30 with one 30 extension and one 7 extension. Regular visitors from outside the 3 exempt countries are going to need visas
Dani ******
That actually sounds like one border run. One full stay, border run, another full stay (30 +30 days). Only one border run then.
Pietro *******
that does not affect DTV visa holders, correct?
Max *************
@Pietro ******
You dont know the difference between a DTV and a visa exempt??
Paul *******
@Pietro ******
no it won’tAnonymous ******************
@Pietro ******
no it doesn't and this guy was a total idiot to put that post up in a DTV visa holder group conversation, as I'm sure there are enough DTV visa holders that read it and panicked right away for no reasonAnonymous *************
OPParticipant anonyme 221 If your brain was working and if you weren't blinded by nonsense, you will have seen that sometimes people ask if they can do additional border runs while saving for DTV.
Elías ********
@Pietro ******
of course not, it's talking about visaless tourists.
Hla ********
@Elías *******
visaless tourists? ASEAN countries member to enter Thai is not needed visa . Does it effect to them?Elías ********
@Hla *******
people from neighboring countries is usually treated differently, meaning that even if they visit Thailand several times in a year, they might be allowed to do soAnonymous *************
OP@Pietro ******
No. It doesn't affect DTV holders. Only people entering Thailand through visa exemptions or visa on arrival.
Marius *********
@Pietro ******
with DTV you can cross the border every day until your passport is filled if you want. Multiple entry has no limitMarius *********
@Pietro ******
how would it? It's a multiple entry visa...Activity
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