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What are the risks of multiple short visits to Thailand with regard to entry denial?
Mar 14, 2026
2 months ago
Zola ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI all. Looking for some advice as I’ve been given conflicting information and quite frankly I’m confused.
I have been to Thailand for 2 visits of 10 days each in December and again in January.
I’m looking at returning again in April and then maybe 2 or 3 more times this year.
I’m being advised that I may be denied entry due to the high number of visits and may be better to apply for a tourist visa.
My questions - what are the risks of multiple visits if I have hotels and return flights booked - at what point am I at risk of refusal? And am I better to just bite the bullet and apply for a tourist visa?
Many thanks.
I have been to Thailand for 2 visits of 10 days each in December and again in January.
I’m looking at returning again in April and then maybe 2 or 3 more times this year.
I’m being advised that I may be denied entry due to the high number of visits and may be better to apply for a tourist visa.
My questions - what are the risks of multiple visits if I have hotels and return flights booked - at what point am I at risk of refusal? And am I better to just bite the bullet and apply for a tourist visa?
Many thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post raises concerns about returning to Thailand frequently under visa-exempt entry rules, particularly after two previous 10-day visits. Respondents advise that short visits are generally not problematic for immigration, especially if you maintain bookings for hotels and return flights. However, there is uncertainty since immigration decisions are ultimately made by the officer on duty, and patterns of frequent travel may lead to additional scrutiny. Some suggest applying for a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for more assurance, although responses vary on the necessity of this step.
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John *****
Same with the police. It is usually up to the immigration officer or police if they allow entry and both can be bloody minded when it suits them. Do your own research with immigration and do not listen to gossip on the media
Jim *******
Those 10 days stays, however frequent, are still like tourism.
When I was assigned to our office in Singapore, 2 years, 2005-2007, I was going to BKK every second weekend, some stays, combined with my holidays were like 10 days. Never been asked a question.
There are oil and gas employees who come once a month for 2-3 weeks.
Frequent stays, as short as that, no extensions, no overstays, they are the best possible tourists who spend a lot.
When I was assigned to our office in Singapore, 2 years, 2005-2007, I was going to BKK every second weekend, some stays, combined with my holidays were like 10 days. Never been asked a question.
There are oil and gas employees who come once a month for 2-3 weeks.
Frequent stays, as short as that, no extensions, no overstays, they are the best possible tourists who spend a lot.
Kim *****
You pretty much answered your own question.
Markus ********
It's up up to the I/O on the day when you stamp in its a
*****
chance now if you have more then 2 visa except stamps a year...🤔🤔Jonathan **********
Just get a visa, they aren’t lying or being paranoid. I came through the Nong Kai border by land this last week, ending a retirement visa, and they questioned me in the way out and in the way back in, my first since Feb. 2025, they made me go talk to the supervisor. You already have more visa waivers.
Jacques **********
Contact your Thai embassey and get the real, correct answer.
Kevin **********
Look guys,I come Thailand for 30 days 4 times a year on holiday spoke to official at immigration she said no problems but don't exceed 140 days per year,it's the visa run tourist they want to discourage
Stuart **********
I’ve been pretty much every six weeks since November and only stayed 12 or 5 days maxi and have had no problems on entry
Always had a return airline ticket to my home country
Always had a return airline ticket to my home country
Barry ********
Be prepared to refused entry .the rule seems to be entry max of twice per year under visa free scheme .but its not set in stone !!;
Ruby *******
Barry Waters like where have you seen it says twice a year? 🤦🏻♀️. There is no such rule
Barry ********
That was his legal advice but of course you can ignore his advice if you think you know better. But in a month's time the thai authorities may change their rules again. No one knows for sure
Barry ********
Ruby Jones that's the problem there are no hard and fast rules written down. I spoke to an immigration lawyer in Thailand and he told me under the visa free scheme you can only entervthailand twice in any one year.
Jim *******
Barry Waters Enter only twice a year? I have been to Thai 110 times since 1999, some years entering 15 times. Short tourist stays, never consumed (then) 30 days visa exemption.
I am now on Non O 1 year visa extension, living with Thai family in Japan and going to the Thai boredom (Bangkok) for 6 months a year to avoid Japanese summer and winter, 2 x 3 months.
I am now on Non O 1 year visa extension, living with Thai family in Japan and going to the Thai boredom (Bangkok) for 6 months a year to avoid Japanese summer and winter, 2 x 3 months.
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Jim *******
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John *******
Barry Waters calender year?
Barry ********
John Hicks yes calender year .I arrived end of December so in theory I can enter twice this year. But there are no clear rules so take whatever anyone tells you with a pinch of salt ! Everyone thinks they know but only the io knows and he wont tell you the rules either
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Barry ********
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Bent *************
Inflicting information is what you get here. You should know. Return flight and hotel booking doesn’t count! What counts is the officer in Immigration - avoid women and young men!
Martin *********
I think no problem if your staging less than 30 days on each visit
Leonard **********
you should be OK
Graham *******
In my opinion you should be fine having said that I think getting a tourist visa is a better option.
Brian ******
The number of visits isnt the problem, its the total number of days. 10 day visits are nothing. You're fine, especially if youre gone for a few months.
OptimisticBu*************
Depends on this, depends on that... What it really depends on is the IO sitting across from you when you try to enter.
Matthew *************
ChatGPT or your country visa entry requirements for Thailand and just do correct information and proper submission and smile but be respectful
Christer ****************
Advise,just google Thai immigration new rules for short term stays,it explains very well what the possibility is for your stay,also visit Thai embassy and explain your travel intennery,the will advise you what type of visa you will be happy with,good luck
Alan **********
Christer Livsey-svedman There is NOTHING new in those Google results that hasn't been thoroughly discussed to death here in THIS forum.
Zola ******
ORIGINAL POSTERAlan Rothwell exactly
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Zola ******
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Simon *******
As long as you a returning to your own country of residence you will be fine
Wayne *******
Simon Adams your recommendation is just reckless you are not qualified to provide that information it’s your opinion and it’s dangerous
Simon *******
Wayne Lucas I assume you are!
Wayne *******
Simon Adams well I don’t state stuff that I have no expertise in I go get advice from industry experts not an opinionated know it all like you but in reality knows nothing.
Let’s hope someone reports you to tourist police for investigation providing opinions which Thais nationals can do that only relating to government infrastructure.
But you know it all so who cares not us.
Let’s hope someone reports you to tourist police for investigation providing opinions which Thais nationals can do that only relating to government infrastructure.
But you know it all so who cares not us.
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Wayne *******
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Wannikea *********
Depending on what time of the month you enter, avoid a female IO.
Dale *********
I was over couple of times last year both 3 week holidays and going again in 2 weeks for 3 weeks just get visa on arrival but not stay longer than 3 weeks or less Just holiday
Paul ********
Will you be bringing running shoes or going barefoot......
Charlie *******
Paul Thomas I was thinking he'd changed a lot since she appeared running barefoot in the 80's and wangled a British passport to compete in the Olympics 😜
Zola ******
ORIGINAL POSTERCharlie Gould you’re showing all of our ages! 😂
Charlie *******
Zola Budd you soon buggered back off to South Africa though, after you used us, didn't you, ya bitch 🤣
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Charlie *******
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Steve *******
Since you haven't stayed 60 days and then extended those stays, you are behaving like a real tourist. So no, you shouldn't have any issues at all.
Worst case, you'll have to show a return ticket. Which you will have, since you're a real tourist.
Worst case, you'll have to show a return ticket. Which you will have, since you're a real tourist.
John **********
If all of your visits are 10 days you might be OK but then again you might not, it will depend on the immigration officer you will stand in front of. A tourist visa might help but it's not a huge step up from a visa exempt entry so is no guarantee. The real question is why are you making so many short entries into Thailand?
Gordon *******
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Gordon *******
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Jan ******************
Two short visits of around 10 days each is a very normal tourism pattern and should not raise any concerns at immigration. Unless there is more to your travel history than what you describe, you are still well within what is normally considered ordinary tourism.
Jason *************
Jan Kenneth Nesland 6 times 10 day visits in a year just sounds suspicious to me. That’s not “normal tourism”.
Gordon *******
Jason Hildebrandt 💯 correct
Jan ******************
Jason Hildebrandt Six visits of around 10 days each is still only about 60 days in total over a year. That is well within what immigration normally considers ordinary tourism. What tends to attract scrutiny is not the number of entries, but long cumulative stays that start to resemble living in Thailand. Whether the trips are short holidays, visits to a girlfriend, or a golf tournament is generally not particularly relevant for immigration.
Dianne *****
Jan Kenneth Nesland I remember a Singaporean woman posting that she was travelling to Thailand frequently to vist her Thai boyfriend just for a weekend or 3-4 days at a time. She was pulled up for that and denied entry. I guess an immigration officer might think that someone is running a business in Thailand and returning regularly to check on it. Who knows what they determine as a normal tourist pattern. One trip a year? Two trips a year?
Jan ******************
Dianne Lee There is no fixed number of trips that defines "normal tourism". Immigration tends to look at the overall pattern, particularly cumulative stay. Someone entering very frequently for just a few days at a time can sometimes raise different questions, for example whether they are working or managing something locally. In the example discussed here, however, the pattern is two short visits of around 10 days and possibly a few similar trips later in the year. That is still a very normal tourism pattern. There are even examples of people making 12–15 weekend trips a year from Singapore without any issues. Ultimately immigration tends to focus more on cumulative stay rather than the number of entries. And in any case, the final decision is always made by the immigration officer at the point of entry.
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Jan ******************
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Ant ***********
Even though your trips to Thailand are 10 days + more time in 2026 , at the moment it’s a very grey area & only the immigration officer when you land can make a true decision.
I would apply for a 6 month Multi Entry tourist Visa from your home country before your next trip
- having hotel booking confirmation
- onward flights
Will help
Some will say “ you will be fine “ others will say - No
But the METV may help more , but at the end of the day it’s up to immigration .
I would apply for a 6 month Multi Entry tourist Visa from your home country before your next trip
- having hotel booking confirmation
- onward flights
Will help
Some will say “ you will be fine “ others will say - No
But the METV may help more , but at the end of the day it’s up to immigration .
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Ant ***********
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