What should I consider before returning to Thailand on a single entry tourist visa after previous visa types?

Thailand Immigration Tourist Visa Visa Exemption Education Visa Visa Entry Rules Expat Advice

Jan 11, 2025

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I need some advice. I’m planning to go back to Thailand on a single entry tourist visa in a few months and do plan to stay the 60days. I will have a flight back to the UK and accomodation proof as well. It will have been 8 months since my last visit which was a visa exemption changed to a 6 months education visa which i left to come back to England one month earlier than the expiry date. When I go back, in the last two years I’ve had one single entry tourist visa which I extended for 30 days, two visa exemptions (one was 16 days holiday) and the other was the one I mentioned above converting to education visa. I’m just worried about Thai immigration as I’ve heard they can be very strict sometimes and worried about education visa stamp on my passport. I did attend classes and can understand and speak Thai a little bit but still slightly nervous. I know I don’t have as many entries as other people but just not sure as Immigration at Phuket airport can be unpredictable. Any advice welcome!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on their upcoming trip to Thailand with a single-entry tourist visa after an 8-month absence. They express concerns about potential scrutiny from immigration due to their previous education visa, despite having valid documentation like return flight and accommodation proof. Comments suggest that as long as key conditions are met, entry should not be an issue.

Willem ****

8 months since your last visit. That makes comming back absolutely no problem.

3 days ago

Farhana *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Willem ***

hopefully so!

3 days ago

Reply to

Farhana *******

Gardar ***************************

Well seems you have everything but the 10k baht or have it major currency then you have everything on paper so they can't really denied you entry. But yeah I know all up to IO in front of you

And from a outside view you haven't been marked in their system, so I think you will be fine.

3 days ago

John **********

@Gardar **************************

20k baht is the amount you need to show, in cash, if they ask

3 days ago

Gardar ***************************

@John *********

sorry my bad!

3 days ago

Reply to

Gardar ***************************

Farhana *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Gardar **************************

I normally take at least 15k baht in cash so that should be okay but yes like you said, it depends on the IO. They were a little annoyed with my last visit on the visa exemption which I changed into an education visa, when my return flight was to Malaysia as proof of departure, but I think that is because I had only left a month earlier so maybe they thought why did I return so quickly.

3 days ago

Farhana *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes, hopefully it’ll be okay with everything. Thank you

3 days ago

Kool *******

@Farhana ******

understand that it makes no difference if you buy a tourist visa, or enter again on a visa exempt entry. Immigration doesn't care. Don't waste money buying a tourist visa. Just because you bought a tourist visa does not mean Thailand will let you in. Many people over the years found this out the hard way when Thailand immigration determined they were trying to stay long term as a tourist. You've been away long enough that they will let you in, but most likely with your history they will want to see a legitimate return airline ticket, and not a fake one you bought online, as they are fully aware of them. The only problem those on ED visas face is if they do not have the required extensions every 90 days. Again, you'll be let in, just make sure you have required funds, and a return plane ticket. If you can't meet the financial requirements of the DTV, then you won't meet the financial requirements of any other non-immigrant visa extension. Like I said at the beginning don't waste your money buying single entry tourist visa as it will make no difference. If you want to buy a tourist visa then get the multi-entry tourist visa, the METV. With it you can stay almost 9 full months, with just two border bounces, and 30 day extensions.

3 days ago

Farhana *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kool ******

okay, thank you. I will definitely have a return flight booked back to England and I did extend my education visa once at the 90 day mark the last time I was there since it was a 6 month visa so that stamp is in my passport. I didn’t realise how strict they can be. I understand that some people don’t have issues whereas others do, it just depends on the immigration officer.

3 days ago

Reply to

Farhana *******

Gardar ***************************

@Farhana ******

If you over 50? Maybe look into non-oa if not dtv of you have the funds, yeah I know they can be annoyed but 8 months since your last entry

3 days ago

Farhana *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Gardar **************************

haha no I’m in my 20’s so can’t do that yet. I may look into a non immigrant oa visa though as the DTV funds requirement is too high for me right now.

3 days ago

Gardar ***************************

Unless married with Thai national i don't think so. I believe you been away long enough but I'm not IO so up to them

3 days ago

Gardar ***************************

@Farhana ******

oh, I understand. Hmm... non-oa is retirement visa 😅 then you have very few options. But as said I think 8 months away should do wonder but yes IO. 🤷

3 days ago

Farhana *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

ah okay, I understand there are other non immigrant visas that I could look into. Hopefully it’ll be okay with the time away and with all the documents and proof I’ll have

3 days ago

Reply to

Farhana *******

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Will I face issues re-entering Thailand after frequent visa exemptions and travels?

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