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What are the risks of returning to Thailand on a tourist visa after long stays and multiple visa exemptions?

Thailand Visa Regulations Tourist Visa Visa Exemption Immigration Advice Expat Issues Travel to Thailand

November 26, 2022

2 years ago

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Looking for thoughts/ opinions..

Im leaving Thailand tomorrow to head back home for Christmas and starting to plan my trip back for early next year, my history is as follows:

1 60 day Visa.(stayed for 45 days)

1 visa exempt + extension. (Stayed for 40 days)

1 visa exempt + extension (stayed 60 days)

1 visa exempt + extension (stayed for 60 days)

In total I have been in Thailand for about 205 days. 

Other days have all been spent in misc other country’s near by and twice back to America. 

Any time I have left Thailand I have left for about 1-2 months, so my passport is decently decorated with stays in other country’s. 

Any one see any issues with me returning back on a tourist visa by air around January next year? 

Is it a safer bet to maybe fly in to laos and come by land border back to bangkok?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user inquires about the feasibility of returning to Thailand on a tourist visa after having spent a significant amount of time there under multiple visas and exemptions. Comments suggest a potential risk of being questioned by immigration, with mixed opinions on whether to arrive by air or land. Concerns are raised about the interpretation of the '180-day' rule and the possibility of needing a longer-term visa. Some advice is offered regarding potential financial proof when entering and the implications of overstaying.

โปลาน่า **********

And if you stay in Thailand for less than 90 days, you can pay the fine when you leave the country. But it will affect the next visa application. If you stay more than 90 days, you will not be able to enter Thailand for 3 years or up to 5 years depending on the case.

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โปลาน่า **********

If you have traveled outside Thailand You don't need to travel to Laos to re-enter Thailand. You can apply for a Thai visa from your country of origin immediately. but if you come to Thailand visa due and want to stay That's why you choose to travel to Laos. to apply for a visa to enter Thailand again

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Martin *********

No issues at all you can come and go ( plane ) as much as you like .. you Might, ‘ might’ be asked to show finances

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Marc ********

No issue

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Srini ******

You really need to apply for a longer term visa. Too many people are using these loopholes and they will start tightening the rules. You're going against the spirit of these rules.

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Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Being concerned about how I choose to navigate tourist visas and being concerned about them tightening the rules is kind of ironic isn’t it?

the rules are a gray area, We have to have these conversations because the rules are not clear or equally enforced.

The “spirit of these rules” you mention is the problem.

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Srini ******

@Keith ********

it's clearly not grey since you're trying not to get caught and kicked out. You're violating the spirit of the rules by clearly abusing them. You're clearly not intending to be a tourist but rather a migrant... So if you intend to live there then you need a proper visa.

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Srini ******

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Alistair ********

Who are you to judge?

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Alistair ********

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Steve ********

Doubtful. You might be asked why you spend more than half the year in Thailand as a tourist. Many IOs invoke their own "180 day" rule. Good luck, I think you're going to need it

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Stuart *********

Can’t really say with certainty, but you’re certainly borderline for being questioned by an immigration officer as to why you’ve had so many days without a correct visa.

A land border crossing via Laos would almost certainly reduce the chances.

Make sure you have the three proofs.

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Bonnie *******

Plane is better. You can only come by land twice a year

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Peter ****************

I understand

. I only made a remark on y'r first answer.

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Peter ****************

Bonnie Smith, max. 2 times a calender year a land crossing is only for visa exempt entries !! NOT if you have a visa.

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Bonnie *******

@Peter ***************

I was asking why come by land because there is no reason to. It sounds like he is planning on doing some short visas and some visa free entry. Mixed up in this is the idea that coming across by land is some benefit. I am just trying to figure out what he thinks that would be

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Bonnie *******

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Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve never came by land before

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Bonnie *******

@Keith ********

what are you trying to accomplish? They are more tolerant of people coming in by air.

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Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I plan on applying for my education visa in Thailand when I arrive again

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Bonnie *******

@Keith ********

I mean why are you going to fly somewhere else and come in by land. If you want to come to Thailand there is no advantage to coming by land

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Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I ask because I see it is mentioned that when you have too many air arrivals for tourist visa that many people recommend to come by land. I have never come by land before so I am asking if it an advised route

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Bonnie *******

@Keith ********

no advantage. You will only use one of your land crossings which could be used for a border run later.

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Bonnie *******

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