thailand
Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Why did the immigration officer warn me after my border run to Thailand?

Immigration ControlVisa RulesThailand VisaBorder RunTourist VisaVisa RegulationsTravel ExperiencesExpat Advice
Apr 29, 2025
2 days ago
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I arrived today on a flight from Vietnam. I have not been in Thailand for about a year. The immigration officer warned me "Don't do that again." He was referring to a border run I did last year at Had Lek/Koh Kong. Has anyone experienced this? Cheers for any input.
4,828
views
13
likes
141
all likes
60
replies
1
images
21
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their experience at Thai immigration upon returning from Vietnam, where they received a warning from the officer regarding their previous border run. The comments discuss the variability of experiences with immigration officers, the potential for warnings being logged in a central system, and advice surrounding visa options for longer stays in Thailand. Multiple users recount similar situations and emphasize the importance of adhering to visa regulations to avoid complications.
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Ernst *********
There is no double that they are becoming more strict.

They would want you to get a visa for longer stays rather than border runs.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Nigel ***********
smile at them and be pleasant to them, does help, respect there doing a,job, and we all have bad days. So many people abuse the tourist visa and length of stay. If u want to stay in thailand ,follow the rules
a day ago
Like
Reply
Pierre **************
now with internet there is no more stamp on passport… But it is registered in central computer….
a day ago
Like
Reply
William ******
Thai officialdom can be very varied & indiscriminate, which is very unfair to the individual on the receiving end who is more often than not a perfectly law abiding citizen who’s using their holiday time to travel, which often involves border crossings and recrossing with no illegal or wrong doing intent.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It sounds like everyone has to respect the 'mood' of the immigration officer more than the law itself. Thank you for all the replies.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Philip *******
Reply
Khun ******
immigration is tightening
a day ago
Like
Reply
David *********
For the past year and half I have been staying in Thailand 3 or 4 months and going back to America for a month or so and coming back. I never have had a problem. I have gotten married now and going to America 1 May and will be coming back on a non O visa when I return
a day ago
Like
Reply
Pål *********
Any one know if entry in Thailand with tourist visa, how long you need to stay outside Thailand for next entry for tourist visa?
a day ago
Like
Reply
Betty *********
@Pål ********
 they often do not like turn around, in and out in a day or 2. Staying a few days in Penang or Siem Reap or Saigon always goes down better. And fly, air Asia is cheap.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Mark ********
@Pål ********
 i was in October and then in February going back on Friday.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Pål *********
@Mark *******
 yes i had 4 mounths in between my entry into Thailand with tourist visa, no comments from imigration. I was in november then in march
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Pål *********
Reply
Henrik *****
Depend on the Immigration Officer in front of you when you enter Thailand.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Lindsay ********
I came on the 2 months with 1 month extension.went to malaysia. Flew to bkk. Stayed 2 more months. Total of 5 months. But it came with a warning. Will apply the non 0 visa. When on return.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
John **********
It's not uncommon given your history. Visa exempt entries are for short term tourism, not for spending extended periods in Thailand and they are cracking down on this. If you want to stay longer than 90 days in Thailand get a proper visa.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 That's fair. The judge however, is the IO, and each of them is different, which always leads to confusion. I really did believe that I was doing the right thing, and according to the law.
a day ago
Like
Reply
John **********
@Philip ******
 you are correct. Always at the discretion of the immigration officer you stand in front of. Nevertheless he will be guided by any notes on the system and they are definitely getting more strict.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
John **********
Reply
Ann-Louise ********
I had this on my first ever re entry boarder run, on 24 March this year, at the Airport, asked to show funds, accommodation address, return ticket!

Did also show him my lawyers email stating we are in the process of getting our visas!

He was interested in that! 🤷‍♀️

My husband at a different desk with a IMO, he just walked straight in, nothing said to him!
2 days ago
Like
Reply
William ******
@Ann-Louise *******
 Unfair discrimination, seems every Immigration officer works to their own interpretation of the regulations.

Typical Thailand.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
William ******
Reply
Chris ******
I had a similar experience when I entered Thailand last month. I was being grilled about a border run in Nong Khai that I did Nov 2024.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Tony *********
I've been coming in every 9 - 10 weeks but only staying 3 weeks throughout the year and stay 6 weeks at Xmas . Never been questioned . I've been doing this since late 2021 . Maybe it's the duration of stay ..
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Vincent *******
seems like they would prefer to steer you towards a retirment visa. which is about 30,000 baht a year. I only like to stay 90 days at a time maximum so it makes sense for me to do one visa run every 45 days. and one on arrival. thats over 90 days.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Betty *********
@Vincent ******
 who would want a retirement visa for a 3 month stay !!! Much trouble for nothing.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Mikkel *******
@Vincent ******
 the yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 cost exactly 1.900 baht. The same price as all other extensions. The initial 90 day visa, if bought in Thailand, at immigration, cost 2.000 baht. The 30.000 baht you mentioned is only if you use an agent.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
William ******
@Mikkel ******
 is that 30k what they charge to be creative if you don't have the required funds?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Vincent *******
I used an agent. without an agent, they require you to show proof of funds in a thai bank account. over a certain amount. which I can do. and or a statement from the us embassy verifying that you have sufficient monthly income. You write a statement. the embassy stamps it. It costs 60 dollars for them to do that. plus trip to bangkok. appointment in advance etc. in pattaya the immigration clerk gives people a hard time. maybe not so hard in hua hin. where they might accept a gift. or tip.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Tony *********
@Vincent ******
 I received my retirement extension atJomtien office this morning at 8.50 am.

Opened at 8.30 received ticket number 2.

At home 9.20..now 11.40 am

Return tomorrow after 2pm for the return of my passport
a day ago
Like
Reply
Brook ********
@Vincent ******
 you repeatedly post false information.

The U.S. Embassy hasn’t done income verification letters in over a decade.

The income requirements are ฿800,000 THB in a Thai bank or ฿65,000 THB transferred every month.

What you propose by using an agent may be prevalent, but is clearly illegal and ill advised.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Damo ***********
@Brook *******
 agree… when the ‘rogue’ Immigration Officer is caught, there have been occassions where all the farang he has accepted bribes for the fake illegal visa’s are booted out 🤦🏼‍♂️🙆🏼‍♂️
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Damo ***********
Reply
Frankie *******
It all depends on the officers in charge on that day.i was there few weeks ago she did not bother to check my passport just stamp 60 days it n said go
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
many IO's will check your passport for the Thai stamp history of a full year back. If they think that you have "misused" the visa-exempt entries and touristic entries for a longstay, they will issue a "last" warning. There will be nothing written into your passport, however you can rest assure that a remark was made in the central computer. On your next entries, every border official will be able to see that you have received a warning. . . . what happened to you I find a bit harsh, though, since there were many months between your recent stay and you renewed entry
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
Wow. Thank you very much for the time you took to write this. I will enjoy this last stay in Thailand. Everything I did regarding the visa run was in accordance with what I was told was possible. I am going to assume I just had a bad run in with a nasty fellow. Sad because I have really come to see many great people in Thailand. Thank you again for your time and help.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
John *******
@Philip ******
 - I think he was just telling you that in the future you can’t do that. Times are changing. He saw that you did it before and wanted to make sure you didn’t do it this time. Nothing nasty about it. They are pushing to get people of exemptions
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
Yes. The first thing he did was shake his head and so "No evisa" But I read here that it's ok to get 60 days on arrival as I did last year. I also was under the impression that the visa run I did last year was ok. I do believe that he wanted to see an evisa and he didn't like the border run I did last year. I wanted to do the same thing this time but I guess that's out of the question. Thank you for the replies. Does this mean I must not ever do a visa run again?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
John *******
@Philip ******
 - as soon as immigration thinks you are no longer a tourist and instead trying to stay here as long as possible to live, they become strict. You have 60 days with the option to extend 30 days. That is
***
of a year. If you want to do a visa run, then you are trying to stay much longer. Maybe it is time to apply for a visa
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
Thanks, John. I am guilty of maximizing my stay in Thailand, but I really didn't think that would raise a flag. I read of people that have been doing visa runs for years. I just don't want to put any future visits in jeopardy. I really liked my last trip and was hoping to repeat.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
John *******
@Philip ******
 - since the DTV came out last year, there are lots of posts around crackdowns around this.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@John ******
 and
@Philip ******
 . . . you are the more on the radar if you maximise every 60-days Visa exempt stay with a 30 days extension and then rinse and repeat. If you avoid maximising each stay, likely leave Thailand for a neigbouring country before 50 days are over, stay out a few weeks and come back, the Immigration officers won't wave an eyelid and stamp you for another 60 days. . . . . The crucial point is - you must behave like a "real" tourist who is travelling South East Asia will behave
2 days ago
Like
Reply
John *******
@Nongnuch *******
 thanks, I am good. I have a DTV and I am married to a Thai. Also have a home in Cambodia, and travel internationally in the region very frequent. You are correct though, if you maximize every stay and then repeat, it raises red flags. In Philip’s case, it seems like the red flag has been raised, so need to be careful
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Philip ******
 you just need to spend a few months abroad before you do a next visa-exempt entry. There is no official rule on how long you can stay inside Thailand by visa-exempt, within a 365-days period. But some officers insist that after 180 days visa-exempt within a 365 days period, you should pause . . . your best option for perpetual stays is apply for the multi entry tourist visa in your home country. it will give you up to 8 months in Thailand
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
Again, thank you for the information,
@Nongnuch *******
. I really appreciate it. Thai people are the true reason I'd like to stay in Thailand more often. What great people, yes, and the food and beaches.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Philip ******
 I used to enter Thailand on a tourist visa. In the old days, there was a single, double and even a triple entry tourist visa. You were able to spend 60 days, extend for 30 days, make a trip to Vientiane Thai Embassy and apply for a double entry tourist visa. It made 6 months stays easy. . . nowadays, if you like to spend 6 months and even up to 8 months (in 60-days partitions) the METV is your best option. And you can apply for it every year by not maximising the stay. . . Your other option if you are over 50 years old, is the Non-Imm-O 90 days retirement visa and its change to a 1-Year stay permit
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Doug *******
@Nongnuch *******
 You always offer the most thorough and informative comments. I have a particular situation and am wondering if you might be willing to advise? I will send you a PM. Thanks. 🙏
a day ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
Wow, thank you for all your help .... again. I'm going to look at these visas that you have suggested. I'd like to do it the right way, but I've only recently wanted to stay longer.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Philip *******
Reply
Paul **********
The IO comments are final..has he/she written anything on your passport stamp? But it is a bit harsh..I came in 1st January on 60 days then left 31st January and came back 3rd March no problem.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *********
Nothing written in the passport. It was a land border run I did. First and only one in my life. Thank you for your reply. Did you fly in each time?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Betty *********
@Philip ******
 it's better to fly generally on a border hop, or take an agency group trip border hop. Plenty about. Take the best, it's cheap..The agencies are usually better received than a person alone. Some immigration officers can be awkward. Speak nicely and dress well. They can ask to see 20 000Baht cash to prove you're not broke.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Betty ********
 Thank you. I will look for a good agency. Any you recommend?
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Philip *******
Reply
Paul **********
@Philip ******
 yes flew in. You are within the conditions I expect.. IO maybe not had a coffee yet. How many times have you been in the Thai kingdom?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *********
This is my second time to Thailand.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Von ***********
@Philip ******
 seems harsh, how long was your cumulative stay in Thailand on your FIRST visit???

I was in Thailand last year on 3 occasions… first stay was in February/march 28 day stay then end of July to early Sept 56 days after the into of the 60 day visa exempt had started and then back end of November to 20th December like 25 days… had no issue any time and I have been going every year except COVID years since 2012… I think you got a I.O. who was in a Special Mood that day.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Von **********
Yes, the Immigration officer was a mean fellow, but I am just concerned about how he can hurt my chances of staying in Thailand in the future. I usually just ignore bad people, but this guy has the power to really hurt me and I'd just like to avoid that if possible.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Von **********
My first visit was 179 days. One border run on the back of 2, 90 day visas.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
John *********
@Philip ******
 And there lies the problem.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Philip ******
They seem to have a problem with people doing 60 exempt plus 30 day extension and then bouncing I’ve been watching people that bounce without the 30 day extension have had far less issues
a day ago
Like
Reply
Cruise ******
@Bob *********
 if you come in on 60 days and happen to go out for a 1 week holiday in the neighboring countries eg:china, Malaysia, Vietnam, and return back to Thailand, does it count as a reset? You get a fresh new 60days?
a day ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Cruise *****
 yes you get a new 60 day stamp but again it’s totally up to the IO you stand in front of there’s no rule saying how many you can do but if you extend in country and try to come back these seem to be the instances that people are having problems
a day ago
Like
Reply
Von ***********
@Philip ******
 you say 2 x 90 day visas… what visa ( Tourist Visa ) applied for in your home country prior to arrival in Thailand? I note you say you haven’t been in Thailand for about a year so I am pretty sure the 60 day Visa Exempt was not in force till June last year.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Von **********
I got my first visa in March 2024, but it was a 60 day tourist visa attained through the embassy. My second visa was the 60 days on arrival.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Henrik *****
Visa on arrival is 15 days, and is only for a very few nationalities.
a day ago
Like
Reply
Philip *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I had forgotten about that. My apologies. Does that change anything?
a day ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Philip *******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What are the implications of 'comments' in the Thai immigration system and how can they affect future entries?
18 comments
11 days ago
What visa options are available for long-term stays in Thailand after multiple 60-day entries?
95 comments
13 days ago
Will Thai immigration have issues with my border crossing from Cambodia after multiple trips?
11 comments
2 months ago
Should I be concerned about re-entering Thailand after multiple border runs and an extended absence?
9 comments
3 months ago
What should I consider when trying to re-enter Thailand after being denied entry on a tourist visa?
89 comments
4 months ago
Why was I pulled aside by immigration when re-entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption after frequent visits?
22 comments
6 months ago
What should I expect at Phuket airport immigration after returning from Vietnam on a visa-exempt entry?
9 comments
6 months ago
Can you re-enter Thailand after receiving a warning from immigration?
16 comments
a year ago
Can I re-enter Thailand through the Nong Khai border with a visa after being advised against it?
38 comments
a year ago
What challenges might I face when applying for a tourist visa in Thailand after several border runs?
47 comments
2 years ago
Will immigration question me if I continue visa runs in Thailand after six months?
14 comments
2 years ago
Are visa runs in Thailand being cracked down on? Should I consider long-term visas instead?
101 comments
2 years ago
What are the risks of doing border runs in Thailand, and how should I obtain a visa to stay longer?
148 comments
2 years ago
Is there a 2-week rule for re-entering Thailand after a border run?
51 comments
2 years ago
Can I re-enter Thailand after multiple land border runs this year?
19 comments
2 years ago
What should a Vietnamese citizen do to avoid issues with re-entering Thailand after multiple visa-exempt entries?
32 comments
2 years ago
Is repeated visa-exempt entry into Thailand a problem for expats?
181 comments
2 years ago
What advice do you have for entering Thailand after multiple visa extensions or runs?
1 comments
3 years ago
Can Thai immigration really prevent me from using tourism visas in the future after multiple past entries?
18 comments
6 years ago
Should I be worried about being stopped at immigration in Thailand after frequent visits?
0 comments
6 years ago
Why did I receive a warning at DMK without my required documents?
43 comments
6 years ago
Why should expats avoid using land borders for visa runs in Thailand?
0 comments
6 years ago
What should I expect at Thai immigration after multiple tourist visas and frequent entries?
39 comments
7 years ago
What are the current rules for Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant B visas regarding border runs in Thailand?
47 comments
7 years ago
What should I do if flagged for multiple visa exempt entries into Thailand?
38 comments
7 years ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?
7 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?
9 comments
a month ago
What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?
21 comments
a month ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?
16 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?
8 comments
a month ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.