When did the crackdown on visa exemptions in Thailand start, and how does it relate to the TM-30 requirement?

@Greg *******

Philippines. Cambodia. Mexico. Turkey. Varying degrees of it in many countries. Or very easily accessible ‘residency’ visas.

@Greg *******

Cambodia and Vietnam, even Laos tolerate visa runs and continuous re-entries. Never heard of anyone being denied entry to any of these countries for coming too often. This is true even though Vietnamese immigration is notoriously unfriendly - officials never even look at you, never smile and tend to throw your passport back at you. However, generally few if any questions are asked either.

@Ադամ *******

Indeed. That's when it started. At the time, I was traveling around the region a lot and they were only allowing 4 visa free entries by land. I was questioned about my 3rd entry but mentioned I wasn't spending the full 15 days in country on those, just one day. After that, I did get a visa.

@Mitchell ******

Not only those, but visa exempt/tourist visa abusers.

@Ադամ *******

You'll never be questioned about a TM30 submission or lack thereof at a border crossing because immigration there doesn't have access to this information, which is held at immigration offices. What land borders and airports are looking for are abusers of visa terms and overstayers. TM30s are only an issue if you extend your visa inside the country.

@Phil *****

TM30 has never been an issue for me either but being questioned if you come and go on tourist visas and or exemptions can be.

@Ադամ *******

The TM30 still isn't an issue for everyone. It was in 2019 that the TM30 insanity reached its peak, but has improved since then. Each office is different. For anyone NOT on an extension of stay, the TM30 has never been an issue.

Being pulled aside, if you're on an education visa but don't attend classes, or visa exempt/tourist visa and using these too many times in a relatively short period of time (especially the former) and particularly if combined with 30 day extensions obtained at immigration offices has been an ongoing issue since roughly 2014. Back in the day, reports of being pulled aside were just occasional, but from late 2015 they were increased and have become noticeably common this year.

@Ադամ *******

Correct, it was around 2014 that things slowly started tightening up. However, even today, provided you do NOT seek an extension on any of these entries and each one is (preferably) less than 14 days, followed by an absence from the country for some time, you're good to go.

@Ադամ *******

here since 2000. Hotel or landlord handled TM-30 type reporting. I think it was given a name less than 10 years ago.

Immig officials or motorbikes would stop by guesthouses to pick up PP info etc.

It's Thailand TIT.