What are the risks of doing border runs in Thailand, and how should I obtain a visa to stay longer?

@Pablo *******

all im saying is, many others have done what u did and were not let in. Its not what it used to be. But whatever, keep trying your luck , its a little arrogant and that usually doesn't end well here. 🥂

@Kevin ************

"If you've got the money, honey, I've got the time" - Hank Williams

@Jody ******

do you have any idea how much less corruption there would be here if foreigners didn't participate in it? Thais don't need immigration. If foreigners didn't pay agents to bribe immigration officers and only applied for visas they qualified for, things wouldn't be like this. While this may save time, it perpetuates a larger problem.

@Neil *****

"If foreigners didn't pay...to bribe immigration officers...things wouldn't be like this".

Oh, those poor immigration officers, they just can't help themselves & the guilt must be tearing them apart.

"Thais don't need immigration" because they don't need Burmese to build all large buildings etc or foreign experts who design MRT, BTS, etc, etc.

@Neil *****

I don't know why stating facts seems to make people think you advocate something, but it's a phenomena I have often observed. I do admit though that such medieval forms of indirect taxation can sometimes save time!

@Michael *********

And you know this how?

Crystal ball?

@Jody ******

OP wrote " I was taken to the side office when going through Thailand immigration. They were asking questions and basically said, get a ED visa or a Tourist visa OR ELSE. "

@Michael *********

That doesn't answer your claim of them having a list. Where's your proof of this list?

@Jody ******

there no need to prove here how special you are. I don't want to waste any more time on you, you are absolutely right. There's no list and you can enter anytime you want, as many times as you want without any sort of visa. The bad immigration officers like to scare people cuz they are bored but at the end they'll let anyone in.

@Bennito ********

there you go

@Bennito ********

everybody knows you only get to land border crossings. Can we learn something new each today

@Bennito ********

I'm sure someone here can oblige you. It's well known & I remember when the rule was passed & it was widely reported in Thai media.

@Lynnette ******

I agree he is just running off at the mouth. Ultimately it is up to the Immigration Officer. So a long term visa is the best bet. Has this Jody dude even been to Thailand, lol.

@Lynnette ******

You haven't "explained" one thing. You've run away when questioned while claiming to be ignorant. What are you doing here besides being bitter to posters who seek guidance?

@Zoe *****

All permissions of stay are "legit". All tourist type visa are "paid". He didn't break any rules. How do you claim to know what "everyone here" thinks? So many mind readers in here, it's like a mind readers convention.

We are talking about Thailand, not "any country" & there's no rule about how long a person can stay in Thailand using tourist visas & visa exempt stamps. It's better if a person can get a more secure visa type, yes, but quite a few people her are saying things that just are not true.

What's your deal?

@Jody ******

and what's crawled up your bum? gtfoh

@Jody ******

"there are no rules about how long a person can stay in Thailand using tourist visas and exempt stamps"... well that's the first I've heard, but again I follow the rules I read from immigration, so what do i know. I never claimed to know what everyone here thinks, and I don't have to read minds because I can read people's responses, and they are all helpful responses, except for your trolling arguments. But common sense is often wasted on people with no common sense, so, you do you and good luck!

@Zoe *****

What comment have I made that's 'trolling' if my comments are all correct info?

You claim to follow the rules (you would have to know them first) & imply what I said is wrong regarding lack of a rule regarding ones ability to stay long term with tourist visas or visa exempt stamps. Where's your proof, what rule & what source? You are wrong. If you want to talk about "common sense" sense then don't make up stuff & claim it's an official rule when it's not.

@Lynnette ******

You trying to dodge my question undermines your case.

@Jody ******

case? What case? People are reiterating what the IO has said. Get a legitimate visa.

@Jody ******

no idea what you're on about.

He's got no visa. None. He's been advised to apply and get a visa. Whatever type he wishes and stop using the visa exempt "no visa" route.

@Lynnette ******

You have no idea what an Elite visa is? Ok...

Thanks for your input...

@Jody ******

guess what Dopey?

The Thailand Elite is a PE visa.

That's what is printed on the Visa.

It makes no mention of any tourist visa.

Tourist visas are only good for an entry of 60 days.

The PE visa allows 12 months of entry.

@Ron ******

I was asking Lynette the question to see what she knows. What does the P.E. stand for? It's a temporary visa, not a permanent residence visa, whatever it's called. Let's hear your resort to terminology.

Save your insults for yourself, by the way, as I've seen the quality of your posts on here plenty of times.

@Jody ******

because you're not very bright and a little thick.......'Privileged Entry'. Oh, and if you've seen my previous posts, you've obviously learnt something.

@Ron ******

You're not very smart. How would most people know what P.E. means & then you post it without explaining it? Doh..! It's basically just empty terminology. Privileged tourist visa, more like! Not much to learn from you.

Too many grumpy types on here trying to act more Thai than Thai who will always be looked down upon as foreigners anyway & being bitter towards other foreigners giving bogus 'advice' as they think someone might steal their girlfriend...

But the fact is, there's no rule or law prohibiting long term tourism in Thailand using tourist visas & visa exempt stamps, as is my only point here today - despite the false advice of those who should know better.

Certainly there are more solid visa types for longer stay, but that wasn't the point I was addressing.

Why rude people such as yourself have a problem with the truth makes you look odd & up to no good. You in particular have trotted out such nonsense many times & been shown to be full of it but you just do it again next chance you get. Strange behavior. It's not your country.

@Jody ******

run a long now thick boy.

I'm done tonight with half wits.

@Ron ******

You're done with yourself then... yawn...

@Jody ******

elite? I know what it is. Good grief. . I suggest you look it up.

@Lynnette ******

Earlier when I mentioned it you said you had no idea what I was talking about. Why would I look it up when you are the one who said you had no idea? You couldn't even answer my question regarding that. Of course we know why, as you knew your answer would undermine your initial comment.

It's amazing you can read the minds of immigration, but sad you don't know enough to elaborate on the "correct" visas. I don't know if your speculations could be of much use to anybody really.

@Jody ******

An elite visa allows 5,10 or 20 year stays. An free entry stamp lasts 30 days. And you're having trouble differentiating? 😂

@Steve *******

I have no trouble differentiating. They are both options for tourists. The O.P. hasn't expressed how long he intends or hopes to stay in Thailand. The vast majority of long term tourists don't stay for more than a year or two before they have had their fill & move on to greener pastures. Short term options serve them fine in most cases.

@Jody ******

You have no idea

@Jody ******

You have zero idea about tourism visas and entries. I don't play guessing games, immigration does that

@Steve *******

You are playing guessing games & you have shown your info isn't reliable.

@Jody ******

Your "info" is way off the mark. It seems many people in this thread agree you're nothing more than a troll spreading misinformation.

@Steve *******

You've said nothing of substance.

What information have I said that is "way off the mark"?

You talk about yourself in that regard. You talk rubbish, then when proven wrong you start waffling these silly comments trying to reverse reality but give zero examples. Where are your facts, evidence..? You have offered nothing.

There's a small group of bitter trolls that have nothing better to do than try to dissuade posters here with this mumbo jumbo about tourist visas not being 'proper' visas or illegal for longer stays etc & despite being constantly proven as spreaders of malicious misinformation you guys come back & do the same with the next poster. I don't know why this tiny brigade of curmudgeons are tolerated.

@Frank *********

I've said immigration officers can also. You should read the entire thread before saying something.

The issue is about rules. There are rules. Sure, we know they break them on a whim but that doesn't make it ok to try to interpret their breaking of rules as if you are a mind reader.

"Abusing the system" is a nebulous thing you imply which any person can interpret in multiple ways. It's exactly that kind of vague comment that turns these threads into trainwrecks. Is the "system" so frail & we so strong we can "abuse" it so easily? Should we feel pity for the "system"? Is it a good & just system?

@Rei **********

We are talking about what is & what is not an official rule.

Sometimes people in these type of groups mix in their opinions & imply they are official rules when they aren't. It's important to note the difference or otherwise it can make serious problems for peoples lives.

Do you want to make serious problems for peoples lives?

There's nothing wrong with giving opinions or advice, as well as stating rules & laws, as well as ever shifting policies, but it should be clear which is which.

@Jody ******

the immigration officer already told him what to do, so shut up.

@Rei **********

why to be rude though?!

@Jane ********

I guess because Karen was kinda rude too. Calling a good advise trolling

@Brandon ***********

Appealing to fear? How about using logic? You don't know the future, or are you a wizard of some sort? How do you know what he has already planned for or hasn't planned for? All that matters are the rules & who applies them in each case using discretion & so any person could technically be denied entry & it's up to the individual to maximize their chances. "A tourist isn't someone who lives in another country"... utter rubbish in terms of Thailand's laws & the dictionary doesn't back you up either when you consider we aren't talking about permanent residence.

@Jody ******

because I've read thousands of posts across multiple Facebook groups and seen the reports from dozens of people who have been sent packing. Some don't even get a warning like this guy.

@Brandon ***********

I have read the same posts. I have also read tons of posts from those who have had success. Bad news tends to be reported more though - as any newspaper demonstrates. Your main point of there being more secure options of long term stay are good.