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Why did I get interrogated during my border run in Thailand?

Jul 6, 2025
10 months ago
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Why did I get interrogated for one border run ?

They took me to a separate section and asked me all kinds of questions then told me i am staying here too long. I only stayed 2 months at chiang mai and i took a flight to luang prabang for a short trip. They said i need a visa next time. That means no more travel visas? How do you guys do multiple border runs without troubles? I wish i had a DTV visa
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster experienced interrogation by Thai immigration during a border run due to questions about excessive stay duration on visa exemptions. Many commenters noted that stricter enforcement of visa regulations has become common, particularly against those relying on border runs for extended stays. Suggestions include obtaining long-term visas like the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) or properly applying for extensions, as repeated border runs can raise suspicions of visa misuse. The conversation reflects the changing landscape of Thailand's immigration approach and the challenges faced by expats.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
James *******
Everyone is telling get a tourist visa. 10 year wealthy LTR costs 5000 baht a year. Someone staying visa exempt for 1 year in Thailand needs 4 times 1900 extension fee. That is already 7,600 THB a year visa fee. They keep asking people to get a visa, if someone obtains 6 month MTV visa and spend 9 months in Thailand with an extension then they pay much less for the fees than a visa exempt individual. Where is the logic for asking visa, it does not increase the visa fee revenues. Am I missing something here ?
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James *******
I am speaking from the visa fee revenue perspective only ! Those who stay 12 months visa exempt pays more visa fee than non-O or DTV or LTR visa holders. I have LTR-P, I know the requirements, I am not saying it is easy to qualify for LTR. All I say is visa exempt travelers pay their share of hefty fees to spend a year in Thailand. More than most other visas.
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Ant ***********
@James ******
10 yr LTR Visa requirements ( some )
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Pete *******
@James ******
you are completely missing the point. To stay 1 year after getting your non o visa costs 1900 baht.
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James *******
@Pete ******
may I ask the cost of receiving non-O without an agent, I thought 1900 THB, I might be wrong as I never used that visa
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James *******
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James *******
Why don't they limit visa exempt entry to once a year per individual ? Problem solved !
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Andrew **********
I love Thailand but if I’m made to feel unwanted I’ll look elsewhere. Philippines is nice and I hear Malaysia and Bali are beautiful. Much as I love Thailand, the next time they hassle me at immigration will be the last.
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Nick ************
@Andrew *********
they will not hassle you if you follow the rules and possess the correct Visa for your stay.
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Andrew **********
@Nick ***********
They already did at my 30 day extension. I didn’t appreciate it. I could do w/o the attitude. I’m not a scofflaw; I follow the rules and contribute to tourism dollars. I don’t need friendly; civil w/no attitude would be nice.
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Nick ************
@Andrew *********
maybe it's your attitude that needs updating?
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Andrew **********
The post is about people recently getting hassled by Thai immigration. You weren’t there. Just because it didn’t happen to you personally gives you no right to judge others. You may want to check yourself first.
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Andrew **********
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Andrew **********
@Nick ***********
I typically come in on a 60 and extend 30. I’ve never done a border run.
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Nick ************
@Andrew *********
you will be OK then.
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Nick ************
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Ann-Louise ********
Cracking down hard!

I also got stopped, on my 1st boarder run, glad I got my visa now! Husband, got through no problem.
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Raquel ********
You stayed longer than 60 days is the short answer. They are not playing with tourists anymore. Luckily they didn’t stand over you and make you get a flight out of the country like they did to me
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Viola ********
Did you do a border run on your own or with an agency ?
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Mike *******
Or non-o with return.
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John *******
I came to Thailand with a booked return flight 88 days later. Arrived at Suvarnbhumi international, 60 days visa exempt no problem.

To do the right thing by Thai authorities I went to my local immigration office (regional, I won't say which) to extend my stay by 30 days and pay my 1900 bhat. The immigration officers were very helpful, I had all the correct paperwork and a Thai friend to help with language, if required. It was.

Surprisingly, it appeared they wondered why I didn't just do a border run to get a further 60 days visa exempt. I got the impression they felt that was the easiest way and not to have to bother with all the paperwork.
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Stephen ********
I think they are trying to curtail tourism.
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Michael *******
After clearing her throat over the last few months the fat lady is singing - only a matter of time.
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Andrew ******
Same for me, tried the DTV rejected 600 bucks gone. Now I’m doing Vietnam and Philippines since Thailand doesn’t want me.
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Zoe ******
Unfortunately the people who cheated the system by not having proper visas for many many years in the past ruined it for everyone nowadays. As long as there are people who think they can live in Thailand without a proper visa and take advantage of border runs, every tourist will be questioned once in a while by immigration authorities even if you haven’t done anything wrong. They don’t trust us anymore and I don’t blame them…
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Robert **********
@Zoe *****
I agree...
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Robert **********
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Mark ********
It still amazes me that people feel that they should come to Thailand , no questions asked.
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Luna *******
So family and I came in December . Family of 4 at the time had my baby end of January .

We had to leave because we were up in the air on dtv or work visa . So end of March we went to Cambodia from Bangkok.

Earthquake ruined our condo so we moved to Pattaya .

My husband got his work visa end of may . Because my older kids aren't his more documents were needed for the kids and I . So we just had to leave again this time we went to china.

The first time we left my husband wasn't questioned the kids weren't . But I was and the officer was so rude . I wasn't understanding what she was asking . She called me a stupid American 😹 said next time I come in to Thailand I better have a visa .

When we got back from China my husband went through with work visa no problem. Kids went through no questions asked .

I was asked just briefly if I was in the process I said yeah paperwork confusion with immigration but should be good to go within 30 days .

We were stamped in no issues .

Now china was a fuckin mess . But we shouldn't have to worry after our non O comes in . My husband's visa is good for 2 years .
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Matthew *********
They ran off the Chinese and now they are crying about it. Europeans are going else where and they are crying about it. But they let in all the Indians which is their main problem. And they just can't figure out why the numbers are at historic low numbers.
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Brett *********
Where was the border run? They are pretty hot on Cambodian border runs. I have never been questioned before, but 1 border run.....interrogation.
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Henrik *****
Comply with everything that a Immigration Officer asks you, and don’t ask questions, if you want a quiet live.
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Danica ******
My daughter just did a visa run they said the same in Laos she has to stay for 2 days … I sent her $ and told her to show the border guards the $ and that she’s going back for vacation they stamped her for 2 months.

You got interrogated because they don’t want people staying long term unless your on an elite or DTV etc ….
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Sean *********
CAMBODIA
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Don ***********
Perhaps the border authorities are getting tired of people gaming the system with border runs. It’s their country. They make the rules.
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Bradford ******
Look at this fellow? Of course immigration is going to question him. You get a DTV you need evidence of money. 500,000 thb. Immigration knows he is not old to be retired, not married, and leaving Thailand and coming right back in? The system was designed to protect Thailand for people like him wanting to stay here longer than legally allowed with no job or income.
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Nongnuch ********
@Bradford *****
you don't have to show you still got that 500,000 THB in your bank account if you do a border run on a DTV. You just need those 500K in your account for three months for the application to the visa itself
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Nongnuch ********
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Kal *********
All these people trying to stay in Thailand saying if you're young and have money .... so if you're young and have money ... buy an elite visa ... hassle free just cost some money
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Mark *********
@Kal ********
$250,000 US, I think, if that’s the one I read about. 🧐
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Kal *********
they have different levels ... starts at around $20K -$75K
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Kal *********
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Kal *********
If you're a tourist you get 30 days and apply for another 30 days ... if you're staying longer than that you're not a tourist .:. U need to apply for a different visa ( permission ) to stay longer ... simple
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Ulrik *************
The Visa Exemption is not meant to be used for multiple border runs. Apply for a Visa.
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Mark *********
@Ulrik ************
I have, but an officer at the immigration office where I received a 30-day extension said processing it will take 1 year. I have an Indian visa or I can try to go to Malaysia, which allows 3-month stays, and wait it out there.
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Mark *********
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THAI ******************************
If you are concerned about a visa run, or need advice you can always contact our team.

****
Support

**********************
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Rob **********
Every entry into Thailand is at the discretion of the immigration officer standing in front of you.
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Mark ********
I came in 2 days ago after my 4th entry this year including one border hop about 4 months ago without any hassles at all.
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John **************
They are cracking down on multiple border runs, trying to force people to get proper visa.
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Gary ******
Mr King has locked his profile page says it all don't u think 🤔
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Mike ******
There are no Thais with brains so Vietnam gets loads of tourists. Everything is overcomplicated as officials throw their power about.
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Andy ************
@Mike *****
Good! Get the Cheap Charlies out of Thailand! We don't want them!
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Mike ******
@Andy ***********
It's nothing to do with cheap but power crazed officials overcomplicating everything whilst Vietnam is keeping things simple. There's lots of 5* tourists choosing simplicity over unnecessary rigmarole.
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Andy ************
@Mike *****
I don't know what's complicated. I'm here on a 12-month non-O visa extension. I never have any problems. It might just be as I have the correct visa for staying. Those who try to live here on continual border bounces are bucking the system. It's not that difficult to understand is it? If a person wants to live here long-term just get the proper visa
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Mike ******
@Andy ***********
I've lived here 20 years full time so I know what has to be done. I am commenting on Thailand's penchant for overcomplicated rigmarole to explain why tourism is declining here whilst Vietnam is booming.
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Andy ************
@Mike *****
It's because Thailand is going through a transition whilst they're trying to encourage more higher-end tourists, they've had enough of the Cheap Charlie two-week millionaire drunks trying to turn Patong and Pattaya into another Bali. These cheap tourists are now starting to migrate to Vietnam, which is pleasing the Thai government. People that are genuine tourists, come maybe once a year, stay a month or a bit longer will always be welcome. Those that live on a shoestring budget and scamper like frightened mice to land borders to get another 60-day stamp are the ones they're trying to discourage. That's part of their overall strategy.
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Mike ******
@Andy ***********
I live in Pattaya. There are lots of businesses shutting down for lack of any charlies cheap or otherwise. You are giving the Thai Government credit for some kind of plan; for this a brain is necessary. The Hi sos care nothing for the ordinary Thai so long as their job is safe.
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Andy ************
@Mike *****
Excellent! Pattaya is nothing more than the toilet of Thailand waiting to be flushed away! It's a scab on Thailand. The sooner it's disintegrated the better
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Mike ******
@Andy ***********
Such a caring individual. Did you have a bad experience with a Pattaya partner?
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Mike ******
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Leonard *********
It is slowly looking like an alternative destination might be in the cards
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Christopher ********
Someone doesn’t know about the brown envelope.
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Christopher ********
Good thing when I leave u won’t be returning.
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Alan *****
The same thing happened to me
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Andrew ********
They are cracking down an visa exempt abuses, get a tourist visa with multiple entries per year and you will be fine. Or get a DTV
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Robert **********
I understand. Because, to get into the Schengen area, as a Thai, you need a very expensive visa and a pile of documents. (Not that the average Thai can afford that).

It pisses them off (and me too, because of course I paid for it this year for my GF)...

Secondly, there are Farang out there 'using' the system. They know that. The officers are getting more alert.

And lastly. It does not matter what the rules are and how many runs you have done. It all depends on the attitude of the officer...
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Kate *****
@Robert *********
great point, about how difficult and expensive it is for Thais to get visas for western countries.
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Klaus ******
@Kate ****
Its the same for other asean countries. I am trying to get a tourist visa for my pinay gf. 90€ visa fee plus a declaration ,you responseable for everything 33€, plus health insurance 120€, your bank drafts etc, plus flights and intinerary. Worst they wanted all in original so sent with DHL 90€. They need to make appointment online and bring a lot of papers. And than the other enemy kicks in. If you have arranged everything which take month, she maybe get offloaded at airport for some BI guy. Its than we discover how lucky we are to travel freely.
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Robert **********
@Klaus *****
aaah yes, the travel insurance... I forgot that one... but ok, that is normal when yiu travel...
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Robert **********
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Robert **********
@Kate ****
it's a big job... Took us ours/days to gather all the documents. She had to dig up quite a few. 'Just' for a holiday.

And then the costs: my local council in the Netherlands, VFS Global, the visa itself, the trip to Bangkok from her home town. All together the likes of 200 euro... She did not have a passport. So we had to get a new one.

But at least the European countries openly admit they don't trust the Thai partners... In the meantime the EU is flooded by, so called, refugees (getting all kinds of benefits)...
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Robert **********
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William ***********
They just giving you the message they got from the boss. But new prime minister now so things are expected to relax a little.
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Patrycja ********
I was questioned despite having a valid multiple-entry TR visa for 6 months. I was stopped in month 4 (for 5min questionning and let me in after seeing my bank acc and my buissbes ouside of thailand statements), even though I’ve been traveling in and out legally. I paid for my visa, followed the rules, and now they’re telling me to get a DTV, which I don’t even need or just tell the officers I'm gonna stay 6 months and show my ticket back. Thailand’s rules are getting out of hand for most ...
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Nongnuch ********
@Patrycja *******
maybe you should remove "Living in Bangkok" from your profile. "Real" tourists don't reside in another country
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Patrycja ********
@Nongnuch *******
bless your heart for gatekeeping tourism like it’s your birthright.

Maybe you should brush up on the definition of “living somewhere” before handing out unsolicited advice. I spend 6 months a year in Bangkok — with a valid visa, work papers, steady income, and immigration officers literally telling me “see you next time.” They advised I get a DTV or notify immigration about my 6-month stays that's it. Meanwhile, you're out here acting like the Thai border patrol just crowned you Queen of Entry Stamps.

Let me make it simple: I live in Bangkok part-time. Legally. With receipts. Unlike most doing shady visa runs, I come back on a solid profile, and the immigration officers? Smiling. Welcoming. Helpful. So your bitter little comment? Kiss my ass.

Next time you feel the need to dish out advice nobody asked for, do the rest of us a favor — shove it up your ass first and taste it.

Anyway, I’ve got better things to do — like enjoying BKK while you sit online counting FB points.

Cheers 😘
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Nongnuch ********
@Patrycja *******
watch your language - it could get you banned from Facebook. . . You are invited to continue wondering why they keep telling you that you should get a DTV. Although a 6-month stay on a METV is technically legal, behind their smile I am sure they started thinking that you are working in their country illegally on a tourist visa - six years of consecutive METV's are like all fingers pointing to it. Pause for a second, stop your narcism, and try to look into the minds of these Immigration officials and their way to interprete what you are doing
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Patrycja ********
@Nongnuch *******
frustrated by excellence is popping up like crazy...

How dare I rely on trivial things like legal entry, proof of funds, and verifiable business income from abroad. Clearly, 10 YEARS OF LEGAL 6 MONTHS ENTRIES of legal METVs must mean I’m secretly running a black market empire out of a tuk-tuk. That's why they let me in every single time.

And thank you—seriously—for the psychological deep dive into the minds of Immigration officers. I'm sure they appreciate your concern. As for trying to get me banned from Facebook… please, go ahead. I’m quaking in my flip-flops. Your little threats are almost as effective as your spelling. 😂
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Patrycja ********
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John **********
Simply because you stayed the full length of your entry stamp and returned immediately after a short trip. The immigration officer is just doing his job, and multiple border bounces on visa exempt are no longer a thing, immigration is cracking down on them. Even a tourist visa can be problematic as your behaviour is not typical of a tourist, normally tourists just come for a few weeks
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Barney ********
Get a visa
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Bob **********
Get a tourist visa before you come
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Tony **********
I love Thailand
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Lance *****
Immigration is now screening social media accounts. They flagged you because you have only one Facebook friend. The Thais are very friendly people and they feel you wouldn’t qualify as a tourist since you are not friendly. Best to apply for a DTV where you can work on your laptop all alone.
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Sasha ***********
@Lance ****
wow… if that’s true, The Thais are making a determination of global citizens personalities through FB friends numbers. Now that would really be 3rd world country mentality with IQ’s of 17 🤦‍♂️
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Kevin ********
@Sasha **********
Hi Sasha, I suspect that Lance is pulling your leg…🤣
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Pete *******
@Sasha **********
isn’t Uncle Sam requiring unlocked social media accounts to enter the country?
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Michael ********
@Sasha **********
He is joking, but USA have just enforced that rule now Thai people and others have to show there social media accounts when applying for visas. That makes them i guess a 3rd world country with an IQ of 17, that sounds about right
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Sasha ***********
@Michael *******
I missed the part where he said ‘he was joking’ 🤔
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Michael ********
@Sasha **********
thats the problem with sarcasm sometimes hard to tell
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Klaus ******
@Michael *******
Not only that, they maybe cloning your mobile. Thats why travelling to US on business, companies are giving you fresh mobiles ;-)
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Richard ******
@Michael *******
They must all have higher IQs than Trump then. 😂
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Richard ******
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Alex *******
You need to use land borders. If you use the land borders that visa run companies use, you can drive yourself and pay a fee at the border for the stamp. Or just go with the border run company. You can live in Thailand non-stop if you use land borders
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Michael *******
Not for long - ETA will kill off that gig
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Andy ************
@Michael ******
ETA has been postponed - could be years away
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Michael *******
@Andy ***********
waiting for e-gates to be installed in all int‘l airports pointless otherwise
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Michael *******
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Bradford ******
@Alex ******
Utter poppycock!
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Phil *********
I tought you can do that only 1 time to go out and enter Thailand
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Richard *******
And to leave the country?
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Todd *********
@Richard ******
he just told you
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Todd *********
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Rc *******
My passport is valid for 5 years but I usually run out of pages within 1 - 1.5 years before having to do a new passport bcos it's full of Thai immigration stamps! 😜😅

Btw, I am a Malaysian, the 'next door neighbor'.. 🤭😅

Luckily I am not a farang that faces problems on border runs everytime! 😁
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Mark *********
@Rc ******
UK and other countries aren’t even using stamps now. I foolishly got a vanity stamp from a museum there last year…I say foolishly because at the time I didn’t know I’d be coming to Thailand at the end of the year and they’d be using up my pages like nobody’s business. 🤣
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Rc *******
@Mark ********
Malaysia don't use stamps either actually but bcos certain countries like Thailand require stamp of exit from place of departure, the Malaysian Immigration have no choice but to stamp. Otherwise it's all just scanning of passport for entry and exit in Malaysia.
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Mark *********
@Rc ******
Oh good, since I hope to go there before the year is over. I have 8 blank pages left, but they can go quickly here (my passport expires in 2+ yrs).
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Mark *********
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Luna *******
@Rc ******
my husband said the same thing ... It's weird we have 20 some pages I think but my 5 mo old passport she has like 50 pages . 😹

I get super annoyed getting stamps because they never go in order . They always jump around pages my Cambodia run is all the way in the back . And my china run is in the middle 😹
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Rc *******
@Luna ******
true, they always jump around pages when stamping. Sometimes they would skip one or two pages too! 🤦
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Luna *******
@Rc ******
yeah never understood it lol

Thankfully I don't have to travel much so I'm assuming I won't have to stamp so much
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Luna *******
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Ngoc ***********
@Rc ******
me too
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Ngoc ***********
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Leigh *****
Multi entry tourist visa
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Anna *********
Get a visa like you’re supposed to and you’ll be fine
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Jordan *****
@Anna ********
since when do people on their second trip to Thailand have to get a visa? Get a grip, stop shilling for this irrational system when people can just bribe their way in using an agency
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Anna *********
@Jordan ****
tell that to the immigration officer who questioned the OP I don’t make the rules 🤣
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Andrew *******
@Jordan ****
if it’s only his second trip to Thailand then he’s super unlucky. It sounds like he’s flown back in after a brief trip outside, a border run, then presumably he hasn’t had forward flights. To immigration this might sound like a dude trying to game the system. If a genuine tourist just get a multiple entry tourist visa. If trying to game the system then maybe immigration has a point?
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Jordan *****
@Andrew ******
there is no system to game. If such a system existed paid border runs through agencies would have been impossible and they would have stated in a clear law how long you can stay in Thailand on visa exempt status. At this moment the so called system only creates confusion
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Andrew *******
@Jordan ****
20 years living/visiting/working in Thailand and never actually asked a single question on arrival including 5 times this year on exemptions.

Maybe there is a system or some basic parameters they look at and, as has been the case at different points over the 20 years, we are in a period of cracking down on excessive BS.

As an aside paid border runs have always been a risk as they are driven by the same system that sees one pay an on the spot fine to a copper.

The answer to “how long you can stay on a visa exempt” has always been the same. Almost everyone who has done back to back to back visa exempts, who isn’t a dribbling idiot, knows that they are not really tourists and from time to time they’ll be challenged.
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Andrew *******
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Ray *******
@Anna ********
You can’t get a proper visa without a Thai bank account, but the banks are refusing to open new accounts.
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Matthew *********
@Ray ******
exactly and now bangkok bank is refusing to certified letters of bank balance. They find a new way each week to make it harder
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Anna *********
@Ray ******
not true,for a start, and OP didn’t even mention bank accounts
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John **************
@Ray ******
not refusing, just more scrutiny, and Bangkok Bank is the only one I have heard of being super strict.

Also depends on the branch you visit.
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Graham ******
@Ray ******
yes you can by applying outside of Thailand then entering using it then getting the bank account and funds sorted, just plan it correctly and it works
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Anna *********
@Graham *****
absolutely 😀 People get so confused thinking that DTV is the only visa
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Anna *********
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Glen ********
Novice here 🙈,but is it possible to do border runs my train,or bus ???????
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Peter ******
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Glen ********
@Peter *****
the guy above says different 🤷
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Todd *********
@Glen *******
Peter is absolutely bullshitting you. Ridiculous. You can obviously take a train or a bus, or a car, or your bike across the border.

Every time you exit the country you are stamped out. And every time you enter you are stamped in
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James ********
@Glen *******
I've been here 12 years on a retirement visa and this year I did my first border run because I was waiting on a work visa and can't be on a retirement visa when applying for the Thai work visa. I went to Loa and on the way back was told the same get a visa or leave. But was also told if I fly out and back in it would be ok by the visa lady, but I see comments on here that they had problems too. I went and renewed my retirement visa.
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James ********
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Todd *********
@Glen *******
obviously yes
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Glen ********
@Todd ********
well it's not that obvious as I wouldn't have asked,as I remember someone mentioning when needing a certain stamp in your passport,it was best to take a flight.
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Todd *********
@Glen *******
they were wrong
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Todd *********
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Stewart ******
NOT A GOOD PLACE TO STAY ANYMORE OR INVEST ITS OK FOR THE OLD PEDOS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AND THINK THEY ARE THE OWNERS OF THAILAND ITS NOT THAT GOOD
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Max **********
@Stewart *****
So one day you will be a PEDO?
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James ******
@Stewart *****
yep if you can’t afford it you gotta leave
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Greg *******
@Stewart *****
Please tell us what you really think!
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Dave ********
@Stewart *****
DO YOU WRITE ALL YOUR POSTS WITH CAPITAL LETTERS OR IS IT ONLY WHEN YOU ACCUSE EXPATS AS BEING PEDO’S ?
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Stewart ******
@Dave *******
What had the spelling hot to do with it as long as you can read it weather it’s capital or not
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Wannikea *********
@Stewart *****
capitalized
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Andrew *******
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Dave ********
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Stewart ******
@Dave *******
oh wow you got me again WANKER
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Dave ********
@Stewart *****
hahaha or should I say HAHAHA
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Dave ********
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Nick *******
@Stewart *****
Ha ha, spoken like you got rolled over by a lady boy 🤣🤣🤣
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Robbie *******
’Smoking ya ba ‘ , I guess that’s slang for sucking a ladyboy’s Pito .
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Todd *********
@Nick ******
stewy must have gotten the shaft badly lol
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Stewart ******
@Nick ******
actually no I didn’t I got caught smoking ya ba in a hotel room with a hot Thai girl so go fuck your self
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Nick *******
@Stewart *****
Aw no need to for the profanity Stewy 🤣🤣
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Stephen **********
@Nick ******
so he's a junkie probably can't get it up without drugs 🤣😂🤣
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Stewart ******
@Nick ******
Sorry Nicky
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Stewart ******
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Brian ********
@Stewart *****
glad you enjoyed your stay.
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Brian ********
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Ralph *******
Which airport did you arrive at?
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Mary ********
@Ralph ******
he said Don Muang.
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Ralph *******
@Mary *******
No he didn’t.
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Ralph *******
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Jim ********
Because you don’t have a visa. Get a visa.
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Jack ********
Get the appropriate visa and all will be well.
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Ronald ***********
@Jack *******
rules are rules hey jack.some people are always trying to buck the system.
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Michael *******
@Ronald **********
What rule exactly? Doing a single border run is skirting the rules? It has to be clearly defined.
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Michael *******
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Ray *******
@Jack *******
Currently impossible because banks won’t open new accounts.
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Peter ******
@Ray ******
yes they will, but you don't want to meet the criteria !
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Pedro *******
@Ray ******
money solves everything. An agent can get you an account.
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Andy ************
@Pedro ******
Agents aren't getting involved at this stage. It's costing them money
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Jack ********
@Pedro ******
not necessarily,right now it is verrrrrry difficult.
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Jack ********
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Jack ********
@Ray ******
yes the banking is a mess.
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Andy ************
@Jack *******
Banking is a bit clunky and bureaucratic in Thailand, can't do much online, you have to go a branch for some things, but I wouldn't call it a mess. Once your account is set up, the apps are easy to use, payment by QR code is very fast, paying bills online very simple, ATMs are located everywhere (although with the surge in cashless transactions in Thailand, the number of ATMs will probably decline.
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Jack ********
@Andy ***********
banking is very good here but due to a crackdown on fraud it is almost impossible to open a bank account these days.
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Andy ************
@Jack *******
Why does a tourist need a bank account?
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Andy ************
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Andy ************
@Ray ******
What visa are you on?
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Ray *******
@Andy ***********
UK citizen, visa exempt. I’ve got 60 days which I’ll extent to 90. I’ve visited agents, the Immigration Office twice and three banks. Same story - need a Thai bank account for a retirement visa, all the banks no new accounts unless you have a long term visa. Impossible situation.
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Simon *******
@Ray ******
when you say all the banks ,have you tried different banks to the Bangkok bank,I have been told some still allow you to open accounts
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Ray *******
@Simon ******
I’ll continue my search.
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Peter ******
@Ray ******
try doing it the right way
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Kevin ******
@Ray ******
yeah I think almost impossible now on 60+30.
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Andy ************
@Ray ******
You get the retirement visa at an embassy and enter with that. You get either O or OA. They will not open bank accounts on tourist visas now.
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Ray *******
@Andy ***********
I reckon it might be easier to give up on bureaucratic Thailand and move to Cambodia.
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Andy ************
@Ray ******
If you prefer Cambodia that's your choice. I'd like to retire to Monte Carlo but couldn't meet the requirements, so second choice was Thailand. I don't think I'd ever consider Cambodia. It doesn't have what I'm looking for.
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Andy ************
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Marcus ************
There should really be no need for border runs. Just pay your money and stay. That’s all they want anyway. They complicate everything.
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Ray *******
@Marcus ***********
Not simple nowadays. Immigration officer told me to get a Thai bank account. All banks are now refusing to open accounts for people on temporary visas.
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Glenn *****
@Ray ******
which is why, after 7 years, I moved one country east
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Marcus ************
@Ray ******
I edited my comment for accuracy. I agree 💯
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Bob **********
@Ray ******
a bank account got nothing to do with border bounces
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Bob **********
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Hans *************
Dont ask for logic here. They claim to want tourists but they treat tourists like you described.
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David ******
@Hans ************
he's not a tourist, staying at high priced hotel and going out to eat every meal and getting massages daily. He is skirting being a low revenue non resident alien. So the ask is that he makes his non immigrant visa status official. Seems fair to me. Thailand prefers to have big ballers not necessarily high volume low spend long timers.
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David ******
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Glenn *****
Some times it is as simple as your appearance and demeanor.
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Jo **********
@Glenn ****
your so right prior to getting the LTR i entered 9 times in a calendar year visa exempt. Dressed extremely nice. Never got questioned
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James **************
@Glenn ****
they didn't like the cut of his jib. I quite agree with them
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Glenn *****
@James *************
I can remember that you would never show up wearing shorts
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Glenn *****
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Neil ********
Get the appropriate visa for your needs. Thais getting dissed with people abusing the system
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Jared **********
@Neil *******
how can you abuse a completely undefined and arbitrary system?

You can follow the rules and the visas in good faith and still end up in a tangle because it’s all as clear as mud
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Neil ********
@Jared *********
that’s true
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Neil ********
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Christopher ********
@Neil *******
they sold it as a 5 years visa with unlimited entries. Maybe the count should be a little bit more organized, huh?
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Neil ********
@Christopher *******
I believe the DTV is a remote working visa with multi entry. In fact they suggest you leave and come back with lengths of stay of 180 days.

I was referring to those who come on 60 days and keep trying to extend by border runs
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Christopher ********
@Neil *******
got it. I Miss sweat it. I thought he said he had a DTV visa
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Christopher ********
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Kevin ******
@Neil *******
that’s exactly what is happening, yes.
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Kevin ******
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Elías ********
They don't think you're a tourist, so you need a proper visa to stay longer. I know that in the past they didn't care and people lived literally for years just on visa waivers + border runs, but this isn't the case anymore.
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Jarmo *********
@Elías *******
there r no proper visas for ppl under 50 years old who wish to stay there. Doesnt make sense If somebody has money to live there, why they want to make bureaucracy so difficult. There r much more easier countries with visa policy.
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Ellen *************
@Jarmo ********
name them please?
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Richard ******
@Jarmo ********
If people stopped trying to cheat the system there would be no problems.
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Natalie **********
@Richard *****
Serious question - how can the "system" be cheated? I'm still looking over the visa options and don't want to do anything wrong.
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Jarmo *********
@Richard *****
thats bs. Has nothing to do with this subject.
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Jarmo *********
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Richard ******
@Jarmo ********
Go and live there then.
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Jarmo *********
@Richard *****
answers like this come out when there arent any reasonable argument to say.
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Jarmo *********
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Elías ********
@Jarmo ********
the DTV works pretty well for me
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Jarmo *********
@Elías *******
for u but not for all. Not everybody want to learn cooking or thai boxing. Retirement visa works for me 😉
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Mark **********
@Jarmo ********
if you actually have the money. LTR or privilege visa works great no matter your age. 👍🥳
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Elías ********
@Jarmo ********
I don't have time to learn anything, either. I'm a remote worker. Of course retirement visa is better, but as you mention, is not an option for people under 50 y/o, so for us all, the DTV is a good option as it offers three options: remote worker, learning, medical treatment.
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Jarmo *********
@Elías *******
yep. I just dont understand why there needs to be some artificial reason to stay there. Studying, retirement, remote work... If somebody wants to stay and have the funds for normal life why it has to be so difficult. Thailand benefits from money coming in.
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Simon *******
@Jarmo ********
it's not difficult get a LTR visa simples
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Simon *******
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Ant ***********
How many times have you been to Thailand in the last few yrs ?
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Buk *******
@Ant **********
I’ve been 5 out of the last 8 years, 4 times with border exempt(17,21,22,23) last year started off with border exempt with only a one way flight no return flight(didn’t know how long I was staying) border hopped twice then got a RA visa for 1 year(ordained into monk hood for the parents,Thai culture for son to ordain for family) and never had a problem but I’m Thai born in USA
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Ant ***********
@Buk ******
Overall , not continuous
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Buk *******
@Ant **********
just past 8, went when i was a minor but only 23 and 24 was a stretch but had a visa after the visa exempt expired and only border hopped twice bc I missed the deadline for my visa bc was waiting for approval from head abbot of the region
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Buk *******
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Tony ******
And they wonder why the joint keeps getting less and less people coming
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Thom **********
@Tony *****
they want rich folks
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Tony ******
@Thom *********
rich folk's where there is no foot path's or zebra crossing that no one obeys or traffic lights
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Tony ******
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Nick ************
@Tony *****
they don't want the wrong people coming which has been happening big time recently. If you want to stay in Thailand long term then get the right visa.
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Mark *******
The wrong people are already entrenched in Thailand,and have been for years! 😂
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Mark *******
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Mark *******
And that is exactly what Thailand is suffering, according to the TAT!
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Lynnette *******
@Tony *****
they aren't trying to deter tourists but those who try to live here doing border bounces.
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Tony ******
@Lynnette ******
who cares if they are they are still doing border crossing instead of that set a different visa heaps of young people want to stay in Thailand and have money. Even if you get an 1 yr visa you still need to leave the country every 90 days

Makes no sense keep it all in house charge people more for a visa not those ridiculous 1 million b ones elite
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Tony ******
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Antony *********
@To**
in all fairness they are dodging the system.. Thailand is one of the easier places to get a visa
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Tony ******
@Antony ********
rubbish it is and nothing is guaranteed
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Antony *********
@To**
you are obviously wound up about something… it took me about 15 minutes to get the docs together for a 5 year dtv visa, paid the money and don’t have the hassle..

People

Border bouncing on 60 day tourist visas aren’t tourists…
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Antony *********
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Ray *******
@Antony ********
Not so! Try getting a bank account!
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Andy ************
@Ray ******
Tourists don't need a bank account
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Antony *********
@R**
I wasn’t talking about a bank account??
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Antony *********
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Elías ********
@Tony *****
they want only "real" tourists to come on visa waiver/tourism visa, while everybody else is also welcomed, but with an appropriate visa. The OP clearly isn't a tourist, as he mentioned wanting to get the DTV, so he's planning to stay in Korea for more than 3 months, maybe continously.
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Shea *******
@Elías *******
I think you guys need to reread his post.
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NT ********
@Elías *******
DTV is a tourist visa
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Elías ********
@NT *******
call it as you want, but it's not intented for tourists in the general meaning of the word, as it legally allows you to stay long term. Also, it legally allows you to work from Thailand on a non-Thai company. With a DTV, you have zero obligation (or expectation from Immigration) to do touristic things. Also, unlike the regular visa exemption or tourist visa, you're allowed to exit and te enter freely, no questions asked, within a 5-year period. Talking from my own experience here.
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NT ********
@Elías *******
DTV is a tourist visa
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Elías ********
@NT *******
officially, in the writing, yes, but in theory absolutely not. Because it's not intented for tourists in the general meaning of the word, as it legally allows you to stay long term. Also, it legally allows you to work from Thailand on a non-Thai company. With a DTV, you have zero obligation (or expectation from Immigration) to do touristic things. Also, unlike the regular visa exemption or tourist visa, you're allowed to exit and te enter freely, no questions asked, within a 5-year period. Talking from my own experience here.

On a tourist visa you aren't supposed to work, with the DTV that's what I can legally do all year round 🤷🏻 without worrying to be rejected upon entry.
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Elías ********
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Tony ******
@Elías *******
real tourist 🤣 the Chinese that have everything in house there own massage places there own restaurants own buses

Whocare people staying in the country long periods they are spend money They are doing border runs it's all money if they are working ok smash them out
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Zoe ******
@Tony *****
Every country has rules on how long a tourist can stay, no one complains about following rules in Europe, in East Asia, but somehow so many of you feel this entitlement to stay in Thailand as long as you want. “Who cares” Thai people care and those of us have proper visas care. Do things the legal way, just because you spend some money on Thailand doesn’t mean you can stay long term without a proper visa.
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Richard ******
@Tony *****
If you want stay, just get a visa and solve the problem. It’s not rocket science.
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Elías ********
@Tony *****
tell that to Immigration not to me, I don't make the rules 🤷🏻
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Elías ********
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Ash ******
@Tony *****
especially now with the new rules on broccoli
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Martin ********
@Ash *****
you know the word "cannabis" is not banned on here? It's not limp wrist tiktok 😅
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Tony ******
@Ash *****
there is nothing that they change one day gets revoked next week no stability
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Tony ******
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Jan ******************
Happens all the time now, this is from a member on this site a couple of days ago.
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Jan ******************
Onward ticket has always been a formal requirement for tourist entries, but mainly a airline issue and rarely checked by the immigration. Now when things have become more strict and they might look for a reason to deny you, they could ask for an onward ticket and use that as an official reason for denying. Best you can do now is to make sure you fulfill formal requirements and have an onward ticket, proof of some nights accommodation and funds for your stay.
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Andrew *******
@Jan *****************
yep ...seems onward ticket is required by some airlines but seems very arbitrary sometimes I'm asked other times I'm not . Never been asked by immigration
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Al ********
@Jan *****************
True. Sounds fair . I wonder if the 24 hour Onward Tickets(TM) will work .
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Al ********
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Al ********
@Jan *****************
Do you know if they are wanting everyone to have an onwards flight now ?
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Kamren ********
@Al *******
At DMK half of everyone being pulled aside was because they didn't have an onward flight
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Al ********
@Kamren *******
big changes .
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Al ********
@Kamren *******
True. Sounds fair . I wonder if the 24 hour Onward Tickets(TM) will work .
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Andrew *******
@Al *******
I think they will stop these fake cheap tickets soon
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Al ********
@Andrew ******
yeah I agree.
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Al ********
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Graham ******
You said it, get a DTV
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Niall ********
@Graham *****
they still ask questions on the dtv😂. People think its a free pass, it’s not.
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Christopher *********
@Niall *******
they can ask questions even if you are a citizen.
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Christopher *********
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