What are the visa restrictions for Australian passport holders in Thailand regarding visa runs and duration of stay?

Jan 17, 2019
6 years ago
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just got pinged at Phuket airport for visa run. Told not allowed more than 90 days per year with visa on arrival. Australian passport, not been here for 4 months. So much for arriving by air as many times as you want. Had to buy onward ticket, no extensions. But they let me through
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the visa limitations faced by an Australian traveler at Phuket airport, specifically being informed about a 90-day annual cap on visa on arrival stays. The comments provide insights about the enforcement of Thai immigration laws, mention possible appeal processes for entry denial, and suggest that travelers need to ensure they have the appropriate visa according to their stay duration or purpose. Discussions include suggestions of alternative visas such as the Thai Elite Visa or Non-Immigrant B Visa for extended stays.
Robert *******
Thanks for this information John. But it is time to close the commenting. Everybody is welcome in Thailand, for short stay or longer stay, but you need a visa that fits the purpose of your stay. Complaining that you do not meet requirements of certain visa is nice, but we can not change the requirements. There is a visa available for every purpose but some are more expensive than others, it is what it is.
Christopher *********
Thailand welcomes anyone who follows the laws. I think it's time to stop complaining. What country lets you stay forever as a tourist?
Benjamin ******
@Magnus ***************
Thailand wants people who provide value to their society, and they want people with money. The elite Visa is extremely cheap.
Dayumay **********
@Christopher ********
I’m not taking about staying in Thailand as a tourist but simply living there under the age of 50, those over have the retirement visa:.. what visa is for those under 50?? Elite visa are for all!!
Christopher *********
It looks like they use previous 12 months instead of calendar years then.
Ray *********
Someone should mention this to 'Big Joke'..?? It's a load of crap!
Christopher *********
I meant they look at the past 12 months when counting number of days on VE. But is this a regulation or is this another officer playing God?
Robert *******
Immigration don't look at last few months or 12 months, they have your complete history on their screen.
David ************
F
Tod *********
they can't stop you from getting an extension of stay at the immigration office and they're quoting a law that doesn't exist anymore. There is no rule that limits the number of days you can be in thailand in a defined period of time on a visa exempt entry OR on a visa.
Ron *******
David Karnovski i don't have first hand knowledge. There is a guy that posts on Thai visa from the BE Bangkok that works with those in IDC. He has stated no formal appeal has ever been successful as the appeal go's to the supervisor who has already backed up the I/O and refused you entry.

As I say though, i have no first hand knowledge.
Ron *******
David Karnovski i have just looked it up. It's 7 days and you need to pay 1900 baht to file the appeal.
Ron *******
David Karnovski without looking it up, I'm certain its 5 days from memory they have to deal with a formal appeal. You could appeal immediately to a supervisor but it's rare they overturn a decision on the spot.

And yes, you won't be going anywhere.
Ron *******
David Karnovski you can request an appeals form. They COULD hang you around though as I believe, without looking it up, they have 5 days to answer the appeal.
James ********
Tod *********
@James *******
you can appeal ANY decision for denial of entry

AND

everyone so far that's been denied because an officer told them they spent too much time in thailand was denied entry for no proof of funds (even the people that showed they had 20K baht) and that's because there is NO clause that allows you to be denied entry into thailand based on previous entry history or time in country..

I wish people would know what the rules are, would hold their ground and not get pushed around by an immigration officer trying to throw their weight around.

If they want to limit the amount of time foreigners can spend here on visa exempt or tourist visa entries they need to pass a regulation, not just make one up on the fly..:/
James ********
@Tod ********
and its up to the Thai Immigration Officer to either let you in or not.
Robert *******
See it as a warning. As we mention it many times on this page, the Visa Exempt Entry and the Tourist visa are not made to live inside Thailand. Time to find a visa for your purpose of your stay.
Robert *******
I was 40 years young when I entered Thailand and the first time I left, yes crossed a border, was after 7 years. 7 Years of legal stay.
Robert *******
@Magnus ***************
What is according you a normal live? As said if you work inside Thailand to gain an income to fund this you need a Non Immigrant B visa and with a good employer you can get this at your local Immigration Office.
Dayumay **********
@Robert ******
I don’t mean live as a tourist but live a Normal life, can people under age of 50 live on multiple entry visa?? But have to apply in home country
Robert *******
@Magnus ***************
If you want to live as a tourist and be younger than 50 years it is the Thai Elite Visa for you. If you need to do any work to provide an income to effort this long stay inside Thailand it is the Non Immigrant B visa. Please, not every one over 50 years of age is a cheap charlie.
Dayumay **********
@Robert ******
if I’m under age of 50 and not married to a thai and only want to live in Thailand what is the correct visa , the youngster retirement visa???

There is no such thing as a correct visa for those only for old cheap Charlie’s over the age of 50 who get their visa cheap for only showing some money in the bank, the elite visa are for all ages..period!!!
Somkit *********
@Robert ******
too true!
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
, the irony is I usually do get the proper visa, but this time I am only staying a few weeks.
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