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Answered8 months ago

What are the recent changes to Thailand's immigration rules regarding visa exemptions for tourists?

Ralph *******
asked Mar 9, 2026
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Just to let you know that immigration are cracking down on people that regularly stay the sixty days. Since the law change (July 2024) I have come twice a year for sixty days, no extensions no overstay no border run/bounce but yesterday I was informed that I would need a long term visa. The tourist visa is not suitable either.
Answer summary
Recent changes in Thailand's immigration policy have led to stricter enforcement against foreigners who frequently stay on the 60-day visa exemption. As of July 2024, individuals attempting to stay in Thailand for extended periods on visa exemptions are increasingly being asked to apply for a long-term visa. This has sparked discussions among expats and tourists who occasionally spend extended stays in Thailand. Comments reflect confusion and frustration about the lack of clarity in immigration officer decisions, the perception of tourists as unwelcome, and concerns over stricter visa regulations potentially impacting tourism in Thailand.
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Iain *********
Iain *********
Did Immigration Officer ask "Do you have girlfriend here?".
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Iain MacCall After they told me I would need a long term visa to return, they then asked “Do you have someone here?”
Iain *********
Iain *********
Ralph Tyson an IO asked me "Do you have a girlfriend here?" and waited until I said no before clearing me for entry on Saturday.
Iain *********
Iain *********
Ralph Tyson congratulations
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Iain MacCall I was cleared anyway. Also a comment about getting married.
Pantha ****
Pantha ****
WHy not tourist visa if you stay 60 days?
Joseph *********
Joseph *********
Yesi **********
Yesi **********
They are targetting exactly what you are doing, people who 'max out' their stays. You can enter as many times as you like, no maximum. However, the 60 is being reduced to 30, and you can only extend twice per year: 30, then the next entry 7, after that no more extensions. You could still do the 2 60s, only not back-to-back .... the policy is that 60 (not 30) is long enough for anyone to tour thailand, or to have any type of holiday. Unfortunately, you are one of the legitimate travellers who fall foul of their attempts to catch others who are abusing, I get you. So, now, you will have to forget thailand if you plan to do a 4-month stay, it will have to be somewhere like cambodia, vietname, malaysia.
Alan **********
Alan **********
Yesi Lookgood Firstly, going back to 30 days visa exempt is not official.

Secondly, the accepted scenario for not being allowed in, or being warned to "get a proper long-term visa", has been 60 visa-exempt + 30 extension + very quick RE-entry for another 60+7.

THAT is what's been commonly suggested for approximately 4-5 months around the forums as what Thailand has been trying to eliminate, and has been referred to as "trying to live in Thailand without the proper long-term visa" - as opposed to 60 days Mar 1-May 1 and then 60 again from Sept 1 to Nov 1. <—- THESE 2 stays totaling 120 days do NOT appear to be the “living in Thailand” the Thais are trying to stop. This is a tourist.

Now, if Thailand is seeing reduced income by allowing visa-exempt in the first place since 2024, and now want tourists to BUY the tourist visas, as they have for a looooong time prior, that’s a different story.
John ********
John ********
Some pretty atrocious comments on this post ! Mostly , know all know fuck all , inaccurate, Bullshit!
Dave *******
Dave *******
METV valid for 6 months
Matthew *******
Matthew *******
Dave Allen which can be turned into 9 with last entry if done properly
Dave *******
Dave *******
Matthew Garry that is very very true 💪💪💪💪
Ruby *******
Ruby *******
Who says you can stay a max of 120 days a year?? Honestly why don’t people ever actually do any proper research instead listening to old Jimmy down the bar 🙄. There are no actual limits on how many days a year you can stay here. None. Nada. Having said that…. If they see a pattern that appears to show you are trying to ‘live’ here. Then yeh, you’re likely to get refused or at least told to get a long term visa.

In actual day to day terms… has that really changed things here for ex pats. Of course it hasn’t. Cos the one thing that’ll never change is ‘money talks’. Bounce in and out this country as many times as you like…. If you pay the right person 🤷🏻‍♀️
George **********
George **********
Because of the problem in the Middle East and lack of tourism in thailand soon law will change to let them all in on tourist visa lol
George **********
George **********
I have a 6 months tourist visa with multiple entry and stilled got pulled up to say I need to go to immigration and change to a non tourist visa ?
Dan *******
Dan *******
That’s concerning. I’m planning on coming back and would have wanted to get the METV but this is the second time I’ve heard someone was scolded by an immigration officer. WTH ?
George **********
George **********
It’s all gone Pete Tong but after the Middle East war everyone will be allowed entry I think
Mike *******
Mike *******
It looks like they do not want western tourist to come to Thailand

It’s ok Vietnam and Cambodia want us 🙏
Sam *****
Sam *****
I know someone who visited thailand 8 times last year, mostly 2 weeks without any issues. Its not the number of visits but total number of days. It is annoying to see immigration raise an issue when the combined stays are high. I am not surprised that the officer suggested to OP after 2 x 60 days for.multiple years (since 2024) that he need to have a longterm visa, probably because its consistently
***
rd of a tax resident threshold. It is not clear from your post whether you were denied entry or allowed in, however it doesnt seem like entry was denied. It sounds like its an opinion. The problem is, entry under the visa-waiver scheme is always at the discretion of the immigration officer, even if you meet the normal requirements. So he/she can deny entry based on, for example unclear travel plans for 60days or anything else he/she deems suspicious or lacking.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Sam Sam The 60 days started mid 2024 so that’s one. Then two in 2025 makes 3 in total. Seems the limit is very low.
Bartek ******
Bartek ******
Ralph Tysonwhy don't you simply put exact dates of entry and exit in 2025 and 2026, in addition to whether you were denied entry or not.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Bartek Krol Because it’s irrelevant. This post was intended as information on Thailand Visa Advice. So others don’t fall into this.

And, a point of interest - I’ve never been denied entry, I have never overstayed in all the years I’ve visited Thailand and was was given the 60 day visa exemption on this occasion too.
Alan **********
Alan **********
Ralph Tyson You said "twice a year", so now the story changes (albeit only slightly, but,,,)
Phillip ***********
Phillip ***********
Don't worry wait 2 weeks it will change again
Phillip ***********
Phillip ***********
Tailland needs foreinger its what the country is built on
Dan *******
Dan *******
Yep. At least it was .
Sam *****
Sam *****
Phillip Hanscombe wrong, its not what the country is built on, tourism is an important part as it contributes around 12% of GDP and Jobs. Probably 20% gdp with connected services. But it not what the cou try is builton, far from it. Step out of your bubble and you will see
Phillip ***********
Phillip ***********
There is some serious rich people here but maybe only 5 percent 🤔 go see how they live and survive in the village 🤔
Phillip ***********
Phillip ***********
Look at covid
Phillip ***********
Phillip ***********
Sam Sam take tourists away see what happens
Jim *******
Jim *******
Phillip Hanscombe Thailand needs foreigners like companies to set up their operations in Thai. Not us, struggling with visas.

Thailand owes 30% of its development to Japanese and other multinational companise, not to retirees.

Say, Toyota (700 thousands vehicles a year, for export) or Honda. Rayong is home of foreign car manufacturing companies, employing 1.5 milion people.

Even Ford, the Rayong plant, is successfull.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
No. The combined days are 120. I’m arriving at the same time as last year. Not trying to get 180 days.
Alan **********
Alan **********
Ralph Tyson Without using the "Reply" button you're effectively talking to yourself/OP.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Alan Rothwell Yes, I know how it works. Could be my fat fingers!
Rick *********
Rick *********
I love reading the moaning farang comments it’s entertaining 😂🤣 end of the day it’s their country play by their rules or go somewhere else simple and stop crying 🤷‍♂️
Dan *******
Dan *******
Good morning Vietnam 🇻🇳.

Less expensive. Easy to renew visa. No hassles at immigration.

So much for the land of smiles.

Gasoline will be gone soon.

Tourism that accounted for 20% of Thailand’s GNP is dropping dramatically .

Trips are being cancelled because of the conflicts at their border and many can’t fly here because of the war in Iran.

So yeah , Ricky , thousands are choosing to go elsewhere.
Rick *********
Rick *********
Dan Brown loved travelling round Vietnam not a bad alternative 😁
Sammi ******
Sammi ******
Rick Blowers this guy might have worn out his welcome, bug the problem is that rules are not always clear.
Chris *********************
Chris *********************
I think we have all come to the same conclusion on this post Rick Blowers is a knob head, says he lives here, I think he's one of them that's had a couple of holidays in Pattaya, and knows it all but knows fk all.what a prick,

Loves of love the man you call grandad 😄 🤣
Rick *********
Rick *********
Chris Topher Ian Fowler just reading some of your older posts and it sounds like your the one who spent a lot of time in Pattaya, personally I’ve only been there for a couple of days as it’s not my cup of tea, too many dirty old men preying on young girls 😂
Rick *********
Rick *********
Know a bit 😂🤣😂 in your dreams
Know ********
Know ********
Rick Blowers you are such a Thailand expert but you just gave 2 guys grounds to sue you 🤣🤣🤣😘😘😘
Rick *********
Rick *********
Chris Topher Ian Fowler 555 nice one grandad but I don’t give two fucks what you think 😂🤣
Gray *******
Gray *******
Rick Blowers please cite the clear rule that might have been violated.
Rick *********
Rick *********
Gray Allen the rule of common sense seams to be violated quite often 😂
Jonathan **********
Jonathan **********
Rick Blowers there is a sheep in every crowd! Baah baah baah. The Thai don’t even follow their own rules! Save your righteous indignation for something more useful.
Rick *********
Rick *********
Jonathan Seraphim looking at your profile I don’t think I’ll take your advice thanks 😂
Rick *********
Rick *********
Chris Topher Ian Fowler my profile is locked because I’m not stupid grandad
Chris *********************
Chris *********************
Rick Blowers that's why your profile is locked,???
Know ********
Know ********
Rick Blowers you'll be moaning too after you get a bit of experience oh novice one 😆
Rick *********
Rick *********
Know a bit I’ve enough experience with coming here for over 20 years and now living here thanks 🤡
Rick *********
Rick *********
Know a bit probably know more than you to be honest as you come across a bit thick 😂🤣
Know ********
Know ********
Rick Blowers lol you seem to know it all, but you not even started dump cnut
Rick *********
Rick *********
Chris Topher Ian Fowler thanks grandad 😂
Rick *********
Rick *********
Know a bit what a prick you are your name says it all “ know a bit “
Chris *********************
Chris *********************
Rick Blowers a newby then
Know ********
Know ********
Rick Blowers wooo holidays here and getting long term visas/living here is totally different Princess
Bernard *******
Bernard *******
Rick Blowers hang on he isn’t “ moaning “ he is sharing his experience. He didn’t say anything about not following the rules .. he’s not crying about anything. It’s you who can’t read and comprehend.
Rick *********
Rick *********
Bernard Mahon as I didn't mention anyone in particular just the general moaning comments I believe its you who can't read or comprehend thicko
Rick *********
Rick *********
Bernard Mahon you clearly have trouble comprehending anything
Bernard *******
Bernard *******
Rick Blowers then you clearly don’t comprehend your own comment. Whatever way you look at it your contribution didn’t add anything to the conversation but chose to be unpleasant.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Rick Blowers Their rules are written into law. Their interpretation of those rules is the issue.
Colin *********
Colin *********
Ralph Tyson right, so find and quote those Laws here, if you are so sure what they are! I bet you don't even Know 1% of your own country's Laws, nevermind a foreign country's.
Colin *********
Colin *********
Ralph Tyson I did look them up, so that's why I suggested you do so, so that you might learn something
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Colin Boyland I could look them up easy enough so why don’t you?
Henrik ***********
Henrik ***********
Ralph Tyson you stay 120 days every year then visa exp is not made for you so just get a proper visa
Sammi ******
Sammi ******
Henrik Rasmussen which visa is that?
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Henrik Rasmussen Where did I mention “visa exp”, whatever that is?
Rick *********
Rick *********
Ralph Tyson you obviously don’t understand Thailand it’s probably better you don’t come 🙏
Know ********
Know ********
Rick Blowers explain Thailand to us you oracle you 🤣🤣😘
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Rick Blowers Thank you for your opinion.
Steve ******
Steve ******
Did they let you in
John ********
John ********
@Steve *****
Not going AGAIN Steve? I thought you were still in chilly South Island!
Jo **********
Jo **********
This post is wrong the law did no change.
Iain *********
Iain *********
Jo Clemente The law changed in mid 2024. 30 days visa exempt went to 60 days visa exempt was 1 law change. Introduction of DTV was another law change.
Jo **********
Jo **********
Iain MacCall yes new visa exempt period I missed that
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Jo Clemente Yes, the law hasn’t changed but their attitude has.
Henrik ***********
Henrik ***********
Ralph Tyson and why did it change??? Yes because so many like you misused the visa exemption that is meant for tourists
Conte **********************
Conte **********************
Ralph Tyson, no you are just another cheap charly who wants to save on visa fees and complain about everything ⚠️
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Henrik Rasmussen I am a tourist. I bring money into Thailand, I travel to see different parts of the country, I take excursions, I eat at restaurants, I drink at bars. I think it’s touristy enough.
Jo **********
Jo **********
Ralph Tyson very true
Markus ********
Markus ********
100% they have I've just switched over to a non o visa...I work FIFO been flying in and out for 4 years never had a problem as Australia is visa except...last trip got dragged out the back for a hour they let me in but said I cannot enter again without a non o...what I've heard they are only letting you in on 3 visa exempt stamps a year now..
Jonathan **********
Jonathan **********
Markus Daniel congratulations, you just repeated the actual new policy that has been announced and promoted ad nauseum for well over a year now.
Markus ********
Markus ********
Jonathan Seraphim no worries Google
Determine**********
Determine**********
Thailand wants lesser foreigners. Only foreigners think Thailand needs them.
Dan *******
Dan *******
Tourism was 20% of Thailand’s GNP but that number is declining. The country’s economy is going to be affected by the war in the Middle East. No gasoline in a month or two. What do you thinks going to happen ?

There are plenty of other places to visit that don’t treat their visitors poorly.
Gary ******
Gary ******
See how long Hotels , Bars and Restaurants, market stalls, shopping centres will last without tourists, know wonder you hide behind a Panda 🐼

Your a Idiot
Determine**********
Determine**********
Gary Free really so racist. Most of Asia has already moved forward this way, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. 30 years ago these were the cheap spots for you whites. Now our whites complaining these places are too expensive. Tourist doesn't give a permanent boost. An increase in GDP does. How much can tourism boost compared to MNCs. Thailand would not want to stay at the low end forever and would not be your door mat for long.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
DeterminedPanda4105 They are getting fewer tourists already. Down 8% on last year and last year wasn’t good.
Justin **********
Justin **********
Ralph Tysonif you went for say 3 weeks and got a tourist visa surely they would be ok with that .
Determine**********
Determine**********
Ralph Tyson not enough they still want the numbers to go lower. Isn't it obvious? It's the news that have been portraying that there is a lack of tourist. The government has been focusing on commercial businesses instead. They also allowed foreign children to attend Thai school now. You think this is for tourist? Why so? Because school ranking is based on students being able to attend prestigious Universities. They are trying to up their ranking. They have more university graduates now as well. They have to focus on commercial businesses to give them a job. It's a rinse and repeat method in Asia.
Charmae *******
Charmae *******
What rot
Christopher **********
Christopher **********
So, let's say Ralph is in his situation, what would be the advice for an appropriate visa? He is stating that he would come for two stays a year, with each stay being up to 60 days.

- He claims he has been told that tourist visa(s) are not appropriate

- Many of the options require an annual extension of stay, which has to be done within set time periods based on the original entry permission and may not line up with one of the two visits

- DTV is not necessarily seen as a long term visa so may not meet the criteria he has been told

- is someone who is maintaining a primary residence outside of Thailand and perhaps being more than a tourist and having a secondary or vacation home in Thailand left with needing to get an Elite or make permission to be in Thailand be a driving force of when they visit?
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Ralph Tyson . . so you tried a third visa-exempt entry within a one-year period? No wonder you got pulled aside. Because you already got issued 120 days within a 1-year period, and the third visa-exempt entry would have pushed this to 180 days. If the total amount of your combined visa-exempt stays was less than 157 days within a one-year period, they would not have said anything. You should be able to prove that every time, with an onward travel ticket. Your stays, i.e. your stamp history, pops up on Immigration's computer, and they do the math
Darren *******
Darren *******
Nongnuch Kamdee the number of visa exemptions per year is irrelevant, it's the number of days and it sounds like he's been maxing them out hence being pulled aside.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Darren Grist I know, is what I am saying. It seems he had already collected 60 plus 60, so the third visa-exempt entry woud have pushed it into 180. This is definitely too much. He could do 3 or 4 and even 5 visa-exempt entries per rolling year, if he never stayed any longer than 14-30 days
Asso ******
Asso ******
2x60 is 120. So, 120 really is as "maxed out" as you can get without buying an extension at a local immigration. Having said that, if everything is as you say it is, I really do not understand why they say you should not opt for tourist visa...
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Darren Grist 120 is not ‘maxed out’.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Nongnuch Kamdee No I’m not. A year has passed. I’m not talking about the calendar year. If I was maxing the total to 180 days then they wouldn’t have granted it.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Ralph Tyson well, with the third 60 days you are indeed maxing the total number of days to 180. Definitely too much. 157 would be tolerated
Darren *******
Darren *******
Ralph Tyson well, it is. You maxed out your visa exemptions on both occasions then left before getting an extension on either.
Charlie *******
Charlie *******
Nothing says find a different destination to retire in then we expect you to pay $300 a month to the government just for the privilege of being in Thailand 
BC ********
BC ********
Charlie Brown I pay 1900 baht (we don't use $ here) per YEAR to stay here...
Todd *********
Todd *********
BC Farang plus the 48,000 baht in lost interest for 800k deposit
StunningA**********
StunningA**********
Todd McGowan Touche
Todd *********
Todd *********
Ralph Tyson yes, that also works, but no need for the four months in between. Even 4 hours isn't needed if you choose not to. For only 60 day short holidays there is no limit on visa exempt entries. Especially if you are returning to home country in between
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Todd McGowan No extension. 60 days then leave. Come back 4 months later, stay 60 days then leave. Wait another 4 months and repeat.
Todd *********
Todd *********
Ralph Tyson visa exempt entry 2 months. Then 30 day extension. Then exit country, re enter and repeat.

In some immigration offices, they are not granting a second 30 day extension, but verify with your office when you visit them for the first extension.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Todd McGowan How do you stay 6 months without a visa?
Todd *********
Todd *********
Charlie Brown a one year visa renewal cost is about 18k baht. But if you are only here for 6 months a year, you don't need a visa
Charlie *******
Charlie *******
Todd McGowan afford is one thing stupidity is another getting someone else to do my visa ฿60,000 now if I’m only here for six months that equates to basically $450 a month not even 300 like I posted it 
Todd *********
Todd *********
BC Farang peace of mind? People have been using agents for decades dude. Fear doesn't own everyone. I can understand guys from nanny state countries fear govt, but welcome to Asia. Stingy lifestyle lol? It sheep Charlies like you who can't afford an agent. And clearly don't understand compound interest. It's pointless to tie up 800k.
BC ********
BC ********
Todd McGowan dude, just doing it by the book gives you peace of mind. You can never know at which point they will start to crack down on those.

And a good thing I always did everything by the book : last year to move my stamps to a new passport, immigration suddenly asked for my bankbook to check for those 800k. Of course I didn't have it with me, and had to come back the day after. Immigration kept my passport - so was no escaping that anyway.

And if you really count in lost intrest in everything, it becomes ridiculous. Any meal of 500 baht then becomes thousands of baht because if you had just a som tam instead, over your life the lost intrest would add up to thousands. It makes sense to consider lost opportunity cost sometimes, but if that is your focus then have fun with your stingy lifestyle. And if someone has to worry about a few then thousand baht then their problem is they don't have enough money.

I understand them, but that is not my problem. I have several millions baht on stand-by all the time, 800k doesn't make a difference.
Todd ********
Todd ********
Charlie Brown get a long term visa. I did. Never asked why when or how. Welcome to the LOS
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
OP
Todd Capron An expensive option beyond the reach of many.
Ruud **********
Ruud **********
That's the reason I ask for O visa to can stay for 90 days..if a get i will look in Thailand for dtv visa
Simon *******
Simon *******
Ruud Maenhout you can't get a dtv while in Thailand you have to apply outside Thailand. If you have a non O visa why don't you simply extend it to 12months .
Colin *********
Colin *********
Simon Adams extending would mean meeting the 800k/400k banked money requirement. Some are just using the Non-O as a 'Tourist Visa' where their money doesn't have to leave their 'home' bank account. Doing that might 'come unstuck' if done too often. I read a post fairly recently, where someone said they had obtained 3 Non-O's within maybe about 15-18 months & was 'pulled up & questioned about it.
Graham ******
Graham ******
Colin Boyland I have been doing 2 Non-Os a year since covid

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