Answered10 months ago
What is the best way to return to Thailand for New Year's after spending an extended period there and visiting Laos first?
Just wanna say my experience to get a tourist visa in Vietnam. It took 4 working days applying from HCMC embassy. They asked me why I applied for a tourist visa and I said because last time I entered IO told me to apply for one. I used an outbound cheap ticket from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur.
Now my question is: I have spent 52 days in the beginning of the year in Visa visa extemp, came back home 6 months and 67 from October in Thailand for a total of 119 days on 2025.
At the moment I'm in Vietnam and I would like to back for New year in Thailand. My idea was to travelling to laos because I wanna visit there first and enter by land from nong khai or could be that a problem and better fly to bkk airport and use a safe entry? Or atill better to wait january to come back?
Thank you guys
Now my question is: I have spent 52 days in the beginning of the year in Visa visa extemp, came back home 6 months and 67 from October in Thailand for a total of 119 days on 2025.
At the moment I'm in Vietnam and I would like to back for New year in Thailand. My idea was to travelling to laos because I wanna visit there first and enter by land from nong khai or could be that a problem and better fly to bkk airport and use a safe entry? Or atill better to wait january to come back?
Thank you guys
Answer summary
The poster shares their experience of obtaining a tourist visa from the HCMC embassy and questions the best way to re-enter Thailand after spending a total of 119 days in the country this year, with plans to visit Laos before returning for the New Year. They are concerned about potential immigration issues due to their length of stay and the advice they received from immigration officers.
21 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Nicolas ***********
4 days at HCMC.., was it recently?
Henry **********
OP@Nicolas **********
this weekNicolas ***********
@Henry *********
how is it they asked you a question..? It’s an online application right ?
John **********
In my view there isn't a huge difference between a single entry tourist visa and a visa exempt entry. When immigration says get a visa next time the generally mean one appropriate for the purpose of your stay
Henry **********
OP@John *********
the IO said clearly get a TOURIST VISA, because i will be there just 2 monthsGraham ******
@Henry *********
how would the IO know that next time you visit you will be staying just two months?Henry **********
OP@Graham *****
because I'm a tourist and I told him I spend here 3-4 months in the winter and working in Europe in the summer. So either single or multy entry visa is the right visa for a tourist. Not everyone is over 50 or married with a thai.Frank **********
You are getting close to being denied entry but even with a tourist visa it is up to the Immigration Officer that you deal with.
Henry **********
OP@Frank *********
that's why I applied for a tourist visa, like the IO said me. Based on what you say this?Frank **********
@Henry *********
I say that because if you get a different Immigration Officer on the way back he may not have the same opinion as the one who told you to get a tourist visa.
Collywobble **********
it was not abuse because was within rules set by the thai government
Graham ******
@Collywobble *********
no, the rules were previously not enforced but now they are being enforced as there has been no change to the law/rules ;)Frank **********
@Collywobble *********
unfortunately the rules are only as good as the Immigration Officer decides.Collywobble **********
exactly
Henry **********
OP@Collywobble *********
thanks
Peter ******
Get a visa, stop trying to evade the rules
James ******
@Peter *****
Simmer down charm school. Second sentence of his post he said "it took 4 working days applying from HCMC embassy." Im with you, play by the rules! This guy has likely abused it up to now, but let's face it, the rules were once easily bent and broken. Many have taken advantage, but that is over now. Nonetheless, be helpful or don't comment. Most of all, don't be a knob.
Doug *******
@James *****
“Be helpful or don’t comment.”It’s astounding how many people can’t grasp this super simple concept.”
James ******
@Doug ******
life's most simple kindnesses are often the easiest to overlook.Peter ******
@James *****
ok, tell them all to just carry on as before, see how many like your version of charm !
Dave **********
@Peter *****
tell that to 1000s of ex pats and Russians that have abused the system for years!Activity
10 joined10
people
Related
25Will frequent short visits to my Thai girlfriend on a tourist visa cause issues with immigration?
13.8k1041962mo
What should I do if I may have been flagged by Thai immigration and need a new visa?
1.1k9112mo
What is the best visa option for a 5-6 month stay in Thailand?
6.3k52707mo
Is it possible to return to Thailand for a month after a 30-day stay, considering visa exemption limits?
2.7k24229mo
What are the current visa extension rules and tourist visa options for Thailand?
1.3k5910mo
Will I face immigration problems returning to Thailand after traveling to Vietnam and the Philippines?
1.6k7211y
Do I need a tourist visa for my upcoming trip to Thailand after multiple visits on visa exemption?
3.2k31141y
How will frequent short stays in Thailand as a flight attendant affect my immigration status?
2.8k21281y
What should I do after my tourist visa was denied and how can I find a reliable visa agent in Thailand?
6.9k57741y
What is the process for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand as an Australian citizen?
3.3k25351y
From which Southeast Asian country is it easiest to obtain a DTV visa?
591221y
What experiences do expats have regarding border questioning after long stays in Thailand?
1k532y
Why was I pulled aside by immigration when re-entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption after frequent visits?
3.8k22372y
Where is the best place to apply for a Thai DTV visa, Laos or Vietnam?
615212y
What are the best travel destinations for re-entering Thailand while sightseeing?
2k11143y
What advice do you have for re-entering Thailand on a tourist visa after multiple stays?
5.6k49433y
Is it safe to re-enter Thailand via Laos after extending my visa exemption?
1.9k1833y
Can I do a border run for my last month in Thailand after my extensions?
2.9k20313y
Is it normal to get questioned at Thai immigration after multiple tourist visa entries?
28.6k2243713y
Can you apply for a new tourist visa in Thailand after multiple COVID extensions?
1.7k12134y
Should I apply for a tourist visa or use visa exemption for my upcoming trip to Thailand?
2.3k13304y
Can I apply for a tourist visa in Thailand without leaving the country after terminating my work visa?
1.4k1085y
Can I extend my 30-day visa exemption in Thailand and do I need a flight ticket back?
1.3k965y
How many border crossings can I do on a 2 month tourist visa in Thailand?
4.8k50206y
Can Thai immigration really prevent me from using tourism visas in the future after multiple past entries?
2.3k18167y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served