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

Looking at the theme of this thread I would have to agree...5 entries, 7, 176 days (I didn't count mine) and we've all been questioned...may not be a rule on the books but definitely a benchmark

It seems Bangkok airports have resuscitated this 180 day rule for visa exempt entries, there have been a lot of reports of it. Maybe de jure they write something else on your denial, but it does seem in practice with the number of reports they are using this 180 day rule to decide on entries.

@Kevin ******

I know, we hear more stories of I/O at BKK airports telling this, but it was a rule long time ago and can not be enforced anymore.

@Rob***

words directly from the mouth of the officer.

There is no rule of 180 days a year you can stay in the country.

@Tod ********

posted the list of Section 12 with reasons why they can deny your entry.

@Ivor *****

It's more of where are you bouncing out and back in at..

You wouldn't be asked for anything at Mae Sai, Mae Sot, Phu Nam Ron <- all borders with burma.

You have a high chance of being told you need to stay overnight in Cambodia at some of the border crossings with them and being asked for proof of funds.

You have a high chance of being asked for proof of funds at the southern border crossings.

@Ivor *****

, if you're from a country that is on the list of being allowed TWO 30 day visa exempt entries in a year I'd say you're fine doing the second one, as long as you take into consideration the requirements of the particular border you're crossing out and back in at.

I don't want a truck I just want to help fill an hotel.

Up to them for sure

!

"Many of us are coming and putting thousands of dollars into their economy" you guys overestimate your importance to the Thai economy. They can easily go without us expats and longstayers. Just for a comparison YOU vs THEM: Every mid-size truck on the road is already worth more than what you put into their economy in twenty years. How many trucks are on Thailand's roads? Hundreds of thousands! I could go on and on . .

@Kamil *******

they are tightening it up further. You haven't seen anything yet 😉

@Ron ******

In my view, the lower cost of living is the main draw Thailand has. Requiring people to spend a ton of cash defeats the point.

They should tighten up the immigration system further and see what it does to their economy. Many of us are coming and putting thousands of dollars into their economy.

@Kamil *******

how many countrys can you simply lay your money down and buy a stay of 5, 10, 15, 20 years?

Kamil Yassin There are, but the decision that the option is not acceptable is yours. You follow the rules of the country as guest or don't follow the rules and one day you will face the consequenses for that. Personally said: I don't want to live in a country where I can not follow the rules for a Visa.

@Robert ******

I would disagree with that statement. For many of us there are no acceptable options.

@Rob***

you are a star mate x

I guess you are over 50 years of age than. You can go home and apply there for the Non Immigrant O-A visa, which gives you 1 year of stay, if you do a border run just or the last day of validity of the visa you will get a second year of stay. You can apply for a Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age and than an 1 year Extension of Stay.

Robert could you give me (a senile old git) as to how I may be able to stay for a year or so.

I have money in British bank (yeah OK santander) but I'm an English guy who doesn't want to go home to snow and sh1t for a couple of months.

I would also like to treat my daughter to this beautiful place for 30 days, she would love it

There are enough options to stay long term in Thailand other than using Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt Entry.

@Robert ******

i read it 😂

Just read a question: "I feel like I am being treated very unfairly." and "I've wasted so much money due to them messing me around saying that I never had enough money, when most of it was in my bank account which I had told them." . We write here daily you need 20.000 Thb or equivalent currency in CASH, but it is unfair, it was on the bank account.

It's a game, feeling happy when it worked out and got a new entry and bad Immigration when get denied.

@Mic****

that's Sadao on the Thai side. They want 20k from everybody right at the moment. Right now, this is a peculiarity of that specific border, not something that is being applied at other borders.

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

Bukit kayu hitam?

What border did you cross? Sadao? They go through phases of asking everyone. They are in one of these phases currently.

Good to know. Cheers!

@Thomas *******************

Just crossed border, 20k is part of crossing the border now.

Not just picking individual travellers

Good luck Michael. Be sure to update when things work out.

Will do, was only my own negligence

@Michael ********

no, when you meet the requirements you can enter. However, it has been mentioned before, please get your things in order and apply for a proper visa.

was 2 and 9, financial reasons

by the way, is there any known problem with having a denied entry stamp in the passport.

Defo applying for visa, I need to get in and do bank account for retirement visa, all that takes time

@Mic****

yes if you only have one so far this year you could do one more visa exempt land entry at the southern border. I would avoid Sadao, although it could be OK. Take the 20,000. Note land entries with a visa do not count against this 2 entries and so it might still be a good idea to apply for a visa in Penang before you cross.

Luke I don't think that is really a big problem, it's not particularly obvious even why they cancelled it, they just cross it out. There are plenty of legit reasons stamps get cancelled, like a cancelled flight or train after going through immigration. It certainly doesn't stand out in a crowded passport.

So I've done one land crossing, Cambodia, still possible it's a go for another in Penang?

No you are right. It used be exactly the other way around. Land borders used be occasionally tough with "visa runners" while you could fly in to airports as much as you liked with zero problems. It changed in the last few years with the airports tightening up. First it was only an issue with people flying in for visa exempt entries. Then it became an issue for people with too many visas also.

Around the same time, a few years back, Thai immigration formalized the "2 per year" rule for land visa exempt entries. This actually made many land borders that had previously been problematic easier, as most borders started to simply follow this clear and straightforward rule, if you were under 2, they would let you in, if you were over 2, they would not. Before this rule was formalized it was down to the discretion at the individual border and they all did things differently.

Ivan McAvinchey Yeah, but then Malaysian Immigration would have to cancel their exit stamp, which they would do, but just another stamp I wouldn't want in my passport.....

I've always assumed the land borders were the tough one, but obviously wrong there.

The advantage of the land border is that if they reject you, you just return the country you came from, there is no detention and having to buy a flight on the spot (possibly not to a destination of your choice). They may not even stamp your passport with the denial, but just say "no".

It's that or fly to Laos. I've always flown, I'm a bit of novice with the land border thing

Michael if you are in Penang anyway you might as well _try_ for a visa at the consulate there. It would not guarantee entry at the southern land border but it would probably help your chances. And you'd have 30 extra days then if they do let you in.

YMMV but I have always found the train border at Padang Besar to be quite straightforward. More so than the main land border at Sadao. Other Malaysian borders may be fine either, I have been in through many of them. Sadao is the notorious one best avoided if you think you are high risk.

Nah, straight through

@Michael ********

How about Malaysia. Did they ask anything?

Airline gals actually said best I don't go back, since it might not look good as I'd just been denied entry

@Michael ********

So they insisted on the same airline but the airline was flexible with the destination, since technically you'd be going back to Manila. Thanks for the answer.

It's obvious now reading these forums, but having spoken to a few long term visa runners, I thought it was no probs

7th ve, since January, was Suvarnabhumi Thai air from Manila.

Michael Charles

Do u mind me asking you. 7th VE per passport or in total or over what period of time?

Was this in Suvarnabhumi or DMK?

And you were flying in from where?

If I get back in 😊

I'll sort my retirement visa out this time

Sent me to Thai air, said I have to use Thai air to get out of there.

Bought cheapest ticket out which was KL, in Penang now deciding whether here is the right place or head up to Laos where general consensus seems to be a good place to cross

@Mic****

so what did you have to do? Did they send you back to where your flight came from?

Yeah, i was a numb nuts, in and 7 times

Was worried they'd knock me back again with visa and cash

Sorry, what do you mean by "knocked back"? They rejected you?

Iglu is a little steep for me - and their requirement that my clients become their clients is a deal-breaker. Like you the Elite is a little above what I need both in benefit and cost. I simply take several working holidays to far-off lands through the course of the year.. Keeping me on the right side of the law. Thai people/government are aware of this practice and they could stop it if they wanted to.