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Why is the process of having tourists exit and re-enter Thailand just for a stamp in the passport necessary?

Thailand Visa RegulationsTourist VisaVisa ExemptionsBorder RunsLong-term VisasRe-entry Procedures
Feb 6, 2025
a month ago
Pietro *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I don't understand the reason why they send a tourist out of the border, and then return shortly after, just to have a stamp (free of charge by the way) in the passport... they could have given it to me at the immigration office...!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the confusing procedures surrounding tourist visas in Thailand, specifically regarding the requirement for visitors to exit the country and then re-enter to obtain a new stamp. Several commenters clarify that this policy is in place to ensure that tourists do not overstay their welcome under a tourist visa. Suggestions for obtaining different visa types, such as retirement or long-term visas, are offered as alternatives. The conversation addresses frustrations with the bureaucratic nature of immigration procedures in Thailand, compared to those in other countries.
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Abu ********
It's a funny provision! Stupid too!
a month ago
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Aaron *******
Well actually, that is taking an advantage of the process. The intention is for tourists to be free to visit international destinations, and return to Thailand, with little hassles. Like if a tourist wanted to see Angkor Wat in Cambodia, its not a big deal. Which is why you will see comments from immigration, stating "not acting like a tourist," when someone repeatedly leaves and comes back in one day.
a month ago
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Aly *******
Just wondering if you can still do border crossing and get 60day stamp up at .. freedom bridge non kai to leow on a sunday before i go thanks in advance
a month ago
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Gio *****
Free Schengen visa in Italy for Thai people?
a month ago
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James ******
Do they have endless visas in your country?
a month ago
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Jon *****
And what are the possibilities for a Thai who wants to visit Italy, a country belonging to the Schengen zone ?
a month ago
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Jeremy *********
Says the Italian where his nation only allows tourists 90 days then has to be gone and not allowed to reenter for how long 🤔😂😂🖕
a month ago
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John *******
I really tried to figure out the why on this too. I think the reason is that if they declined your stamp, the likelihood of you leaving drops significantly. If you're outside at the time, they can block your return. So even though the waste is astronomical, it's easier for immigration to manage.
a month ago
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Ash **********
Yep..just let anyone stay forever on revolving visas...said noone ever. How would you like that in your country. You have to LEAVE in order to RETURN.
a month ago
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Julian *******
As a country that announced a green agenda , it seems that flying or using a diesel bus for hours doesn’t seem to matter. Other countries do allow in country renewals and extensions and changes including Philippines and Malaysia- so I agree it doesn’t make sense but the Thai bureaucratic system is always convoluted, complicated and largely unnecessary
a month ago
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Luit *****************
@Julian ******
 It is not Thailand making people doing border bounces.

Only people who did choose wrong visa or visa exempt have to do so.

When you choose correct visa for your purpose of stay, you don't need border bounces.
a month ago
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Julian *******
@Luit ****************
 you do if you want to change your visa , for example from a marriage to a retirement etc
a month ago
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Luit *****************
@Julian ******
 as far as I know you can just ask for the next 1 year stay to be retirement in the country, absolutely not necessary to go to the border.
a month ago
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Julian *******
@Luit ****************
 phang Nga immigration are saying I must exit. Apply for the visa abroad and re enter
a month ago
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Luit *****************
@Julian ******
 This depends a bit on your current situation. In case you are still on a valid marriage visa, and not on an extension of stay, the original visa should be cancelled first.

From your second extension of stay on, you normally should be allowed to change extension from marriage to retirement when you comply with retirement requirements.
a month ago
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Pietro *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julian ******
.. Marriage... Hoo poor me...!!

Pukin... Worse than the visa at the border...!!​ Tanks you for advice
a month ago
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Pietro *************
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Bill ********
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************
81usd buck-a-rooss,,,,,,,
a month ago
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Pietro *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill *******
.. Thanks for the information... However, the visa is given at the Laos border... My doubt is whether after two days of stay in Laos, the Thai customs will let me return without difficulty...?
a month ago
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Pietro *************
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Nicholas *******
Be grateful they stamped it
a month ago
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Rob *********
Yeah it seems to not make sense, it would be better to spend the money here in Thailand better than in an absurd border bounce, but we also have western immigration rules in our countries, every country is legitimate to do what they want.
a month ago
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Luit *****************
@Rob ********
 it might not make sense, but it are the "tourists" themselves choosing this trick to use the visa or visa exempt in a way it certainly was not meant, but it is difficult to change the rules in a way you only filter the ones that use the visa or visa exempt in an alternative way.

Authorities never planned a rule to make "tourists" do a border bounce.
a month ago
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Andrew *******
@Rob ********
 So the reason the DTV is 180 and leave is because of tax liability, and it's not really a stretch for them to think 'true digital nomads' would move between 3-4 countries a year is it, part of the reason to become one is to travel is it not??
a month ago
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Rob *********
@Andrew ******
 Possible, but not sure.
a month ago
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Rob *********
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Joseph **************
Their rules. Abide or go home. You're a guest.
a month ago
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Greg ******
As many will say, “You are a guest, follow the rules! If you don’t like it leave.”

Most all immigration actions in all countries are completely unnecessary.
a month ago
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Christopher ***********
This is the DTV visa advice page. Your options are to either apply for extension at immigration office (1,900 baht) or exit and renter Thailand after 180 days. In either case, you must exit 360 days after each entry. Therefore, only one extension permitted per entry.
a month ago
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Adam *****
@Christopher **********
 it's not only DTV? The title says all visas
a month ago
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Christopher ***********
@Adam ****
 That’s what is confusing. The OP mentioned tourist and DTV is classed as a tourist visa. Comments refer to visa exempt entries. Retirement visa has also been suggested.
a month ago
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Christopher ***********
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Paul ********
Well, you're in someone else's country dude, so do what you're told.
a month ago
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Greta *****
Maybe because you're Italian? Kapish??
a month ago
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Gio *****
@Greta ****
 capisce is the word
a month ago
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Kim *********
@Greta ****
 Capisce or Capisci - depending on whether you are polite or not
a month ago
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Greta *****
@Kim ********
 Wasn't trying to be polite
a month ago
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Kim *********
@Greta ****
 then it's Capisci
a month ago
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Kim *********
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Ralph *******
That ‘free’ stamp is not guaranteed. They are at liberty to refuse entry. The 60 days is intended for tourism. If you are staying long term there are other visa options.
a month ago
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Jordan *****
@Ralph ******
 define tourism
a month ago
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Ralph *******
@Jordan ****
 I will leave that to immigration.
a month ago
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Ralph *******
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Jeff *********
It’s keeping the wheels greased, divvy up the farang money a little, Thai style 😊
a month ago
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Anthony ******************
They should clarify and impose limits on the number of free entries. They could also impose a 500thb biometric data collection fee. Parity.
a month ago
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Baz *********
Thier country and thier rules..

If you don't like it or don't want to comply then you are free to leave at anytime
a month ago
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Jeff *********
@Baz ********
 wow you are so original, you must be a super creative guy 😆
a month ago
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Paul ********
@Baz ********
 thaks for trying to piss tourist off
a month ago
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Paul ********
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Nadiya *************************
It’s not about understanding
a month ago
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Mark ********
I don't understand why so many more DTV visa holders are so much dumber than the ones that get other visas.....
a month ago
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Michael ********
@Mark *******
 mainly because most are much younger !!!!
a month ago
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Mark ********
@Michael *******
 Yes the millenial phenomenon,everybody should be doing it for them. Can't wipe there own arse..
a month ago
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Jeremy *********
@Mark *******
 it's truly amazing to see most don't even know they have to check in after 90 days muchless they're gonna be really surprised when they go to do a 180 renewal in country and can't show funds or proof of activity 😂
a month ago
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Jeremy *********
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Mark ********
@Jeremy ********
 I am surprised they actually remember to breath....
a month ago
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Jeremy *********
@Michael *******
 dude a ton of old ones to trust me the shit I see on a few DTV groups is abs amazing to think these people travel
a month ago
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Jeremy *********
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Jeremy *********
@Mark *******
 it seems to be very rampant for sure 🤦‍♂️😂
a month ago
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Jeremy *********
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John ********
This is Thailand they have rules and regulations
a month ago
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Rick *********
@John *******
 so does every other country.
a month ago
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John ********
@Rick ********
 your very clever so clever that I do believe that you have a brain but it is dead now 😀
a month ago
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Rick *********
@John *******
 of course a retard would respond like that, grow up child.
a month ago
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John ********
@Rick ********
 again a brainless donkey has nothing to say 🤣😅🤣
a month ago
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Rick *********
@John *******
 looking in the mirror are you.
a month ago
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John ********
@Rick ********
 your boring rubbish is worthy of nothing 😴 and very boring
a month ago
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Rick *********
@John *******
 a reference to yourself
a month ago
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Rick *********
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Fred *********
To keep the airport and airlines busy
a month ago
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Michael *******
@Fred ********
 and keep the garbage out
a month ago
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Michael *******
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Pui *****
And exactly how does your country (and most countries) handle visa free entries? Thailand is actually less restrictive on re-entries than many countries worldwide.
a month ago
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Uwe ****
Just get a retirement visa and you don't need to leave anymore...
a month ago
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Tin **********
Nothin is free
a month ago
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Lo ******
@Tin *********
 even the death cost you your life.
a month ago
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Lo ******
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Edward ******
Unfortunately I’m willing to bet the policy in your country (most) would be more restrictive towards Thai citizens.
a month ago
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Benjamin *********
"They" don't send you anywhere. You choose to go and come back immediately.
a month ago
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Rob *******
“Free of charge” 🤔
a month ago
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Pietro *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob ******
 I expressed myself badly, Google translates "free of charge"... it was meant to be ironic... I want to pay every month for the visa and the extensions, as was done in past years Of course it's wrong to let anyone in for free... But Thailand made these new rules... What can I do
a month ago
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Pietro *************
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Maksym ***********
Without a fee?:)
a month ago
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Pietro *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maksym **********
 It's the Thai customs that lets you enter for free for 60 days... I would like to pay for the visas and I would like to be able to stay for 6 months without going to the border... and be able to spend a lot of money in Thailand...!
a month ago
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Michael *******
@Pietro ************
 there a visas that permit that - just not the tourist visa
a month ago
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Maksym ***********
@Pietro ************
 METV and DTV visas
a month ago
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Maksym ***********
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Rene ******
@Maksym **********
 some borders ask 1200-2000 baht and/or staying some days out of Thailand 🤷‍♂️
a month ago
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Rene ******
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Brandon ************
Because you entered as a tourist with visa exempt. Tourists are not supposed to be living in a country. If you want to stay without having to do that, get a proper long term visa.
a month ago
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Pietro *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Thanks for the information... last year the first 90 days ended, I went to the Chiang Khong-Laos border and came back after 5 minutes... I had 30 days free, then I got an extension for another 30... in total I stayed for 150 days... But this year we have to stay out of Thailand for a few days and then return... Is that right...? What do you think..? What is written in English in the post (Google translation - free of charge) is not what I wanted to say.. It was ironic
a month ago
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Pietro *************
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