Ask question

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

Nov 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?

1,129

views

3

likes

31

all likes

20

replies

1

images

10

users

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.

Like

Reply

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

Like

Reply

Martin *********

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

Like

Reply

Marc ********

No issue

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Srini ******

Reply

Alistair ********

Who are you to judge?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Alistair ********

Reply

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

Like

Reply

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.

Like

Reply

Bonnie *******

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

Like

Reply

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

I understand

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

Like

Reply

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

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

Like

Reply

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

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bonnie *******

Reply

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve never came by land before

Like

Reply

Bonnie *******

@Keith ********

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

Like

Reply

Keith *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

Like

Reply

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

Like

Reply

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

Like

Reply

Bonnie *******

@Keith ********

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

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bonnie *******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I return to Thailand after staying for 170 days on visa exemptions, and has anyone had similar experiences?

6 comments

2 months ago

Will returning to Thailand after a long stay on a tourist visa cause problems at immigration?

9 comments

4 months ago

Should I return to Thailand via Chiang Mai, Suvarnabhumi, or a land crossing after multiple tourist visa entries?

22 comments

5 months ago

What are the visa entry requirements for Thailand after multiple tourist visas and visa exemptions?

3 comments

6 months ago

What advice do you have for re-entering Thailand on a tourist visa after multiple stays?

49 comments

8 months ago

Is it safe to re-enter Thailand via Laos after extending my visa exemption?

18 comments

9 months ago

Will I face issues entering Thailand again after using multiple visa exemptions?

13 comments

a year ago

Can I re-enter Thailand safely after using my 90 days of tourist visa within a 6-month period?

18 comments

a year ago

Will my past visa history affect my return to Thailand in late 2023?

28 comments

a year ago

Will I encounter problems re-entering Thailand by land after multiple visa exemptions?

22 comments

a year ago

What are the risks of re-entering Thailand on a tourist exemption with a complicated entry history?

10 comments

a year ago

Will I face issues re-entering Thailand after multiple visa exemptions?

40 comments

2 years ago

What are my options for staying longer in Thailand after multiple visa exemptions?

20 comments

2 years ago

Is there a risk of being denied entry to Thailand if I've spent too much time in the country this year?

8 comments

2 years ago

What are the risks of re-entering Thailand with a visa exemption after multiple entries on a TR visa?

12 comments

3 years ago

Is it possible to re-enter Thailand with a visa exemption after a lengthy stay?

58 comments

3 years ago

Will I have immigration issues re-entering Thailand after a short visa exemption?

6 comments

5 years ago

What are the risks of entering Thailand multiple times on a 30-day visa exemption?

9 comments

5 years ago

What are the challenges of obtaining multiple tourist visas for Thailand through Laos?

6 comments

5 years ago

Is it risky to re-enter Thailand on a multi-entry tourist visa with many stamps in my passport?

17 comments

5 years ago

What are the risks of returning to Thailand on a visa exemption after two consecutive tourist visas?

2 comments

6 years ago

Will my previous visa-exempt entries affect my chance of getting a 30-day stamp upon arrival in Thailand?

55 comments

6 years ago

What should I expect at Thai immigration after multiple tourist visas and frequent entries?

39 comments

6 years ago

Will I face issues re-entering Thailand after multiple visa exemptions and tourist visas?

5 comments

6 years ago

What are the limitations on entering Thailand frequently with a tourist visa, and how can I avoid immigration issues?

11 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.