Answered2 years ago

What should I know about entry limits and visa requirements for Thailand?

Thailand Visa Entry Requirements Visa Types Single Entry Visa Immigration Rules Visa Application Process

Marco *************

asked Aug 6, 2024

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Hi all, 

a question about Thailand visa.

I am supposed to enter Thailand for the third time (in a year) in August. The Thai Consulate in Italy advised me to apply for the single entry visa (35 euro). They claim that entry would be at the discretion of immigration and that the exemption now is for only 2 entries of maximum 60 days each.

The problem is that to apply for the visa I need an entry/exit air ticket and 15 business days, which I do not have because I would like to arrive in Bangkok in mid-August. Do you think I might have problems? I can't find on any official website that the maximum entry limit is 2 time in a year.

Thank you very much!

Answer summary

The user is concerned about entering Thailand for the third time within a year and the conflicting information provided by the Thai Consulate regarding entry limits. Responses clarify that there is no formal limit of two entries per year, despite some embassies misrepresenting this. Visas can facilitate entry but do not guarantee it, as immigration authorities have discretion. Additionally, a tourist visa may be advantageous if the user has spent a significant amount of time in Thailand in the past year.

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Bart **************

It's outrageous how embassies provide false information about the exact thing they ought to know. Their main task pretty much is to inform you about such rules. But it is indeed false, there is no limit of two entries per year.

A visa can still have an advantage in the way that they then decide whether you can come, immigrations can technically deny entry still but they're not supposed to do so as the visa should qualify as permission to enter, for which your travel history has already very weighed. I've you've already stayed in Thailand for about 180 days over the last 12 months, then applying for a tourist visa is indeed the better choice (and getting it is not straightforward).

2 years ago

Pascal ********

Some embassies try to make money.

2 years ago

Graham *******

I was under the impression that u can enter as often as you like by air but on;y twice by land border.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Graham ******

That changed with the change of exempt entry going to 60 days. There is now no limit of 2 entries visa exempt via land or sea. The same as by air.

No limit doesn’t mean you can live in Thailand by bouncing endlessly. It just means there is no upper limit, just the discretion of the immigration officer.

2 years ago

Graham *******

@Stuart ********

I have read that also, seems to make a mockery of many other visa that people pay a lot of money for. This country is going to the dogs.

2 years ago

Bart **************

@Stuart ********

elites were among the last being allowed back in during the covid closures. I don't really identify with elite material but I really wondered what Thailand was thinking banning the guys paying a regular man's life savings worth of money for a visa for so long. I'd have expected them to get some benefit for the money they paid, and be allowed for instance amongst the very first when custodians etc could come back in.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

@Graham ******

Yep. Some very disgruntled Elite holders out there.

2 years ago

Stuart *********

There is no limit of entries two times in a year. Some embassies may state this but it is false.

2 years ago

Tony ********

@Stuart ********

i think false is a bit strong, especially as it does appear on nearly all consulate/embassy web sites. I believe what it is trying to say is people from exempt countries are 'entitled' to a maximum of 2 entries per year (as long as they meet the other criteria if asked for), and above 2 it becomes discretionary on the immigration officer based on your history etc. Previously land and sea immigration officers werent allowed this discretion.

2 years ago