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Answereda year ago

What should I do if immigration officers are uninformed about the current visa rules in Thailand?

R **************
asked Jun 28, 2025
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So I live in Vientiane and ever since the visa lift, I have been making weekend trips to Udon and the surrounding areas. Today when I crossed I had the guy at the window ask why I’m coming in by land as I’ve already done my two border crossings. I couldn’t believe it, thankfully my wife convinced him that the 2x per year was over and he let me through. But that restriction has been lifted for almost a year now. How has this guy not gotten the memo?
Answer summary
An expat living in Vientiane experienced confusion when an immigration officer questioned his land entry into Thailand, despite the recent lifting of the two crossings per year restriction. Community members discussed the variability in immigration officer decisions, suggesting a possibility of misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding the current visa rules, and recommended obtaining a long-term visa for regular travelers.
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Ian *******
Ian *******
I think he wanted cash good job your wife was with you to explain 👍
Dave ***********
Dave ***********
In the end it’s up to the immigration officer in the day, let foreigners in or not. I think you are lucky to have got in and out so many times
R **************
R **************
OP
@Dave **********
it’s not even July. I plan to go over at least half a dozen more times. I have yet to spend the night in Thailand all year. So if one officer doesn’t work out another one will.
Dave ***********
Dave ***********
@R *************
unlikely they will just let you walk over to another desk, and try another officer, but good luck with it
Adam *****
Adam *****
For an immigration officer to conclude that a day tripper is abusing the visa exemption scheme is quite ridiculous, especially since you probably have residency in Laos. At least if they deny entry, all you got to do is just turn around and go back home.
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
Anyway, a bit strange that he still referred to the 2 times rule, even though your wife managed to give him a reality check. Also a bit strange that they are strict about this against people who they clearly understand are not just looking to abuse the visa exemption scheme to get long-term stays in Thailand. I think you probably were very unlucky with the immigration officer you met that particular day.
Bent *************
Bent *************
@Jan *****************
Money - is what they want!
Paul *******
Paul *******
It is always up to the Immigration Officer. Lucky that your wife was there to assist you. While the 2 x per year is o longer and in theory there is no limit to the number of entrys, the Visa Exempt stamp is only for tourists. As you have ha Thai wife and are in Thailand making regular weekend trips, it would be reasonable for the Immigration Officer to decide that you are no longer a tourist and deny you entry into Thailand. To enjoy regulular safe entry you need to get a long teerm visa appropriate to the reason for your stays.
R **************
R **************
OP
@Paul ******
my wife is Lao and we live in Laos. We just like making weekend shopping trips to Udon. Sorry if that wasn’t clear.
Tod *********
Tod *********
Even though the 2 land entries in a calendar year rule was rescinded when they went from 30 days to 60 days, keep in mind that while there is no posted limit on visa exempt entries by land doesn't mean they are unlimited 😮

At some point I would wager they're gonna NOT let you in, even if all you're doing is shopping for a day and leaving 😕

The Thai Consulate in Vientiane will sell you a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa, and that will let you enter/exit thailand an unlimited number of times during the 6 months it's valid

That's the only sure fire way to make sure you can cross when you want to for at least the 6 months the visa is valid for.

Entry on a visa exempt stamp is always at the discretion of the issuing officer, so you get one that doesn't wanna let you in and you're not gonna get in 🙁
21
R **************
R **************
OP
@Tod ********
thanks for you input. Much appreciated. Hope you have a great weekend.
R **************
R **************
OP
@Tod ********
yeah I years ago I would bite bullet and get the MEV. But between the $150 and two days it takes to get it, I felt it wasn’t worth it.

So it’s not unlimited? That’s too bad. Especially if I’m only visiting for 3 to 6 hours at a time. I’ve probably been 6 or 7 times this year and spent less than 36 hours in there in total.
Tod *********
Tod *********
@R *************
all you can do is let them know you're just going shopping and show them your previous entry/exit stamps that were the same day in/out

I mean they certainly can let you in if they want to,

BUT

that Nong Khai border is no longer the "user friendly" border it used to be

Best of luck with it (y)

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