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What should I consider regarding visa exemptions and border runs when flying into Thailand?

visa exemptions Thailand immigration border runs NON-O visa visa rules SETV METV tourist visa expat advice

Nov 17, 2025

6 hours ago

Nicholas *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone flown into Thailand since the crackdown on border runs? Looking to get some information straight from the horses mouth.

There appears to be conflicting information available regarding the number of visa exemptions that can be obtained per year through land borders and air travel into the country. 

For example my case, I flew from my home country to Thailand and received a visa exemption which I extended 30 days. Then I did my first ever land border run to Malaysia. So that's my 2 visa-exempt stamps. Booked my flight back home in advance (roughly 1 month from today), anticipating an extension but then this crackdown began.

Is it worth flying to KL and back into Thailand, hoping that they will be more lenient on flights, or just lose my bookings, call it a day and head home?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around recent changes in Thailand's visa exemption policies and the impact on travelers considering border runs. The original poster seeks advice on whether to attempt a return through Kuala Lumpur after a visa exemption and border run, amid conflicting advice about entry regulations. Community responses highlight the difficulties of relying on visa exemptions, suggest alternative visa options, and emphasize the necessity of having a return ticket. There are concerns about enforcement of limits on visa exemptions and various strategies for obtaining long-term stays.

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Abey *********

You are exactly the kind of person they are going after, you want to live in Thailand but don't want to apply for long term visa, person who is trying to spend 180 days in Thailand is not a tourist.

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Brenda *********

I arrived on the 14th, immigration only asked what day was I leaving.

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Edward ******

There is an actual official announcement made last Thursday.

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Wayne *******

Tell him what it included then

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Edward ******

📢 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝟭𝟯 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, the Immigration Bureau has introduced new regulations regarding visa extensions.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀:

1. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘄𝗼 (𝟮) 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.

2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 of stay.

3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 of stay.

4. 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 for visa extensions.

5. 𝗡𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲-𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬.

These updates aim to enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure compliance with current immigration policies.

𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻: 13 November 2025

𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲au

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Edward ******

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Page ************

Let see the link?

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Page ************

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Antanas *************

Maybe someone knows a good source of information about that. Because some say it is 90 days per calendar year another says it's 150 days per calendar year. Announcement thinks you can get two stamps per calendar year but immigration at Suvarnabhumi says you won't be allowed to enter next time only a 60-day stamp and a 30-day extension at immigration

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Ned *******

@Antanas ************

.....it was about extensions

Fly in, first visit, receive 60 days ( visa waiver ) ....which can be extended by 30 days,

Second visit ( by air ) receives another 60 days, but this second visit can only be extended by 7 days

giving a total of 157 days in any 12 month period

No extensions will be given to entering via a land border

and no leaving or returning on the same day....

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Antanas *************

I’m planning to return from Vietnam after a month. But who knows maybe I will fall in love with Vietnam :) 😄 Thank you Ned the best answer for all times!

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Antanas *************

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Sea *****

@Antanas ************

it's not about a number of days, it's about the number of entries and extensions, new limit is 2 entries per year, plus 1 extension (30 days). But they will not enforce strictly for people who don't actually live here, like if you go out 3+ months you can enter again (from immigration in DMK 2 hrs ago).

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Antanas *************

if I had a 2-month entry and 1 extension this year they won't allow me to enter Thailand for example if I return after 1 month from another country next year.🤔 Previously haven't been in Thailand for 15 months

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Antanas *************

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Ian ********

Simple really look on website then you know exactly where you stand with visa

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Jeremy ********

Just buy a 60 day SETV

In the ancient times when the 2x per year was heavily enforced you could buy 2-3 60 dat SETV’s which didn’t count against your 2 visa exemption stamps per year

You could also extend both of those SETV’s as well

Or just buy a 6 month METV

or buy an Ed Visa

Buy a DTV

Buy an Elite Visa

Get a job for the Non-B WP

Get married get the Non-O

Just buy a valid visa and stop being stressed

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Patrick ********

when exactly is your current 2nd visa exempt ending?

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Greg ********

As long as you have a ticket home you'll be fine

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J **************

No conflict ; 2 visa exemption a calendar year

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Ben *******

@J *************

just arrived today on my 3rd exemption this year, plus one in nov last year, so it's not as bad as some say here, no questions were asked.

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Stan **********

so you have made 3 entries in total this year and how much time did you stay for each entry if i may ask?

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Stan **********

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Page ************

@J *************

Until this is published in the Royal Gazette, it is not official.

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Peter ******

@Page ***********

it's not a law, it's a rule so it doesn't need to be published.

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Page ************

Follow along, it is NOT a rule. If you have a specific reason, it will be allowed. Each office is different.

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Page ************

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Ivan ************

@Page ***********

plenty of reports already that they are enforcing it. It's a policy change, not a legal change. They can change this without publication.

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Page ************

@Ivan ***********

I just came back from Immigration today (Isaan) and no they are not enforcing. It fact, they stated if you have a valid reason, they won't be limiting at all. My son is waiting for his documents to come back from US State Department for his Thai ID and Passport. These have been sent, told by MFA they need more stamps ( had to send back to USA again) for more than 90+ days. Immigration told him to go to Laos, get another 60+ 30 and if more time is needed do it again. So NO this is not policy.

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Ivan ************

@Page ***********

what valid reason does OP have? I don't want to be hard on him, but his situation does sound _exactly_ like what they brought this in for. Your son is a Thai citizen with a right to stay in Thailand just sorting out documentation so sure they will be more lenient there.

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Page ************

@Ivan ***********

Agreed, however, we do not know his situation 100% in detail.

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Page ************

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Marc ********

@Page ***********

does not even matter if it is official or not. Immigration will do what they want anyway

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Kim *********

really? the prime minister was involved apparently so I wonder... Strict orders to immigration they can't ignore

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Marc ********

They might not ignore an order from the PM but they always came up with their own rules

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Marc ********

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J **************

@Page ***********

it was published long ago there it is a standing regulation already

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Kim *********

@J *************

since the tightening of the exempt rules have just been implemented then what was published long ago is irrelevant

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Page ************

@J *************

sorry that is incorrect

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Page ************

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Chris ********

@J *************

two extensions, can still fly in more than 2 times a year, alot people come Thailand on holidays more than twice a year

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J **************

2 exempt : land, air or sea

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Chris ********

@J *************

incorrect

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J **************

we will see if they enforce it

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Euan ********

@J *************

that's wrong.

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J **************

we will see if they enforce it

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J **************

according to immigration lawyers they are just enforcing the policy that has been in place. We are only talking about visa exempt.

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Euan ********

@J *************

Agreed and as yet the only restriction is 2 extensions. There is nothing stated regarding the number of entries on visa exemption.

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Euan ********

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Maxim ***********

You will likely get denied, but if you pay an agent 4k baht, you will get in from priority lane for 60 days, but won't be able to extend 30 days. You can technically enter unlimited times with agents (fast track, VIP). This doesn't change.

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Den *****

@Maxim **********

went thru an agent, reached the airport and send a selfie at the specific gate. Agent came to pick me, went to the counter, there the IO started questioning and making it seem like it was impossible for me to enter, then move from 1 counter to another, later agent came back, told me additional payment required . Paid and went to another counter, no questions asked, stamped and welcome to the land of smiles. But won't risk it anymore, now getting DTV in process..

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Tristan ***********

Just to add that my experience with Thai Visa Centre was excellent and that this was probably just bad timing with the new rules being implemented but shows you how tough they are getting.

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Tristan ***********

Just to add that this also happened to me arriving on 13 November. Had paid fast track pre-screen and was taken to the desk and IO started asking lots of questions, asked to see return ticket etc and told me to stand to one side. I was then told to go to another gate and was let into the Thai passport holder line where i was stamped through without any questions. Was no extra payment but was a bit unnerving to say the least.

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Maxim ***********

@Tristan **********

Which agent did you use for Fast Track?

This is unusual, as the person waiting at the gate is supposed to be the IO who already is expecting you and will be the one scanning your passport herself.

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Tristan ***********

@Maxim **********

I used an agent (TVC) and it was pre-screening with safe entry. I think i was just unfortunate on landing on the day these new rules were implemented and there may have been an important immigration boss overseeing things on that particular day. There was no issue once i moved to the next desk but it would seem i might have had issues had i not used this service. I had been out of the country for 4.5 months and flying in from home country with a return ticket in 89 days. I think the fact my ticket wasn’t within the 60 days exemption period was what was causing problems. I stated that i intended to extend for a further 30!days and then fly home. At that point i was asked whether i worked here, where im staying etc and was asked to move to the side.

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Maxim ***********

@Tristan **********

Geez, so it's getting harder even with TVC. Good lord! Well, I'm doing Non-O marriage with agent next, so I'll be okay. I'm done with leaving Thailand.

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Maxim ***********

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Maxim ***********

Which agent?

How much was the initial payment vs further payment?

The person waiting for you at the gate is supposed to be the IO, not the agent.

So I'm not sure what happened there, since the IO is supposed to be the one waiting for you, with your picture on their phone already. They know you are coming already.

Did you go to priority lane right away? I'm trying to figure out what happened. The agent is NOT at the airport ever.

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Maxim ***********

There a big difference between fast track with a reputable agent VS fast track using trip advisor or another random concierge online service. The person waiting for you at the gate is NOT the agent, it's the IO who already is expecting you. She has your picture on her phone and already got paid by the agent to let you in. So I'm confused about what happened there. It's as if you guys used a regular online fast track service, rather than an agent who coordinated with IO in advance.

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Robert ********

@Maxim **********

a agent with a connection . Done deal 👌.

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Maxim ***********

@Robert *******

Yes, but I'm trying to understand what happened to Den Den. I used fast track a few times, and never had an agent waiting for me, it's always the IO who knows you are coming.

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Maxim ***********

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