What is the experience and processing time for applying for a tourist visa in Penang or Kuala Lumpur?

@Shaughn **********

As Shaughn said, whilst there is no *official* 6-month rule, as in, no stated, publicly-viewable one, each immigration department at each entry point will have its own internal rules and guidance issued to trainees.

It sounds like DMK *may* have an internal rule or more like an internal *guidance* (not a Thai law) that over 6 months here on tourist stays should attract more scrutiny.

@Karol ***********

indeed you should be careful entering after reaching 180 days in country over the past year. Only last week I was initially denied entry at DMK airport with the officer quoting these words "I cannot let you in as you have been in the country already for more than 180 days as a regular tourist". I had a well prepared genuine reason for his superior to let me in after recently maxing out my METV.

@Karol ***********

There is indeed no six-month rule. Some people get questioned after just two entries, others sail through again and again for over a year with no problems.

However, if you've already been here six months on short-term stays, you're in the general area where there is an increased likelihood of being summoned to the office in the back and questioned as to what you're doing here.

As John Stanners said, you can still get questioned or denied entry at the airport or land border even with a tourist visa (the former happened to me before). While there is indeed no limit on air-entry visa-exemptions, if you've got a history of just going out and back, repeatedly, then the likelihood of being questioned or denied entry goes up. It's all up to the imm officer.

All you can really do is have the three proofs mentioned with you. If you're applying in KL, you need to submit the three proofs at the embassy to get the visa in the first place anyway.

@Karol ***********

there is no such thing as a 6 month rule. Doesn’t exist.

@Todd ********

you are sure that they will not refuse the entry if you stayed already longer than 6 months in a year?

@Cici ****

onward ticket, 20k baht, reservation for accomodation