Why was I denied entry into Thailand on a tourist visa after multiple visits?

Jun 16, 2024
6 months ago
Rob *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
. I have been coming to thailand for years my passport is full of 60 day tourist visas + 30 day extension . I go back to aus for 2 months to work and then return for 90 days. This time they said that they will not let me in again on a tourist visa.? im not retired i thought i was followng the rules and regulations .And yes i have asked at immigration and im still confused . Any suggestions???
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user reports being denied entry to Thailand on a tourist visa after frequent visits and extensions. Community responses suggest that spending over 180 days a year in Thailand could classify someone as residing rather than just visiting, leading to the need for a long-term visa. Recommendations include seeking a retirement visa if over 50, as well as considering language school visas or consulting an immigration agent. The necessity of compliance with both immigration laws and potential tax obligations based on residency status was emphasized.
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Allan ************
Considering the most days on tourist visa are 180 per year,at what date does the year start? would it be
*****
/2024 or Thailands financial year?
Kevin **********
@Allan ***********
same same

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Allan ************
@Kevin *********
many thanks
Jeff ********
Sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it too. Good luck with that.
Alan ******
Add up how many days in the year did u spend in Thai.
Henrik *****
Many other countrys also have 180 days as the point where you considered as resident, instead off being a tourist.

So don’t criticize Thailand for that.
Wojciech ********
You can go to Thai language school and have visa for 1 year with possibility of extending this visa for 4 years
Brandon ************
@Wojciech *******
an education visa is not suitable for someone who will be leaving and returning multiple times. You will be denied entry as you're supposed to be in class studying, not traveling.
Wojciech ********
@Brandon ***********
you’re right
Henrik *****
But then you need to allocate most of you time to attend classes.
Wojciech ********
@Henrik ****
two times per week, something like 2 hours per day - not bad
กะลาสี *****
If I were you I'd contact an agent.
Tse *******************
Me too rejected. I am not 50 yet
Mark ***********
@Tse ******************
get elite visa but expensive
Martyn ***********
Your over 50 get a retirement visa... Probably will come in handy soon enough too...
Kim *********
@Martyn **********
there are 2 requirements for a retirement visa - the 2nd is that you actually have to be retired (that's what the Thai embassy in Denmark is saying and I have seen it elsewhere too)
Angelo ***********
@Kim ********
There is no requirement to be retired. You only need to be 50 or above, years old.
Andy ************
@Kim ********
That's not correct. There's no requirement to be retired. The visa is actually a non-O (over 50 years of age)
Kim *********
@Andy ***********
well as I said this is what the Thai embassy in Denmark says and other sources says the same - a screenshot from the Royal Thai Embassy Denmark
Angelo ***********
@Kim ********
That is wrong. And why post screen shots, when you simply could copy/paste the web page?
Kim *********
@Angelo **********
to make it easy because there is a lot on the web site and it isn't wrong for Denmark since that is what the embassy says but I know now it is not wrong for other countries. I have read the Australian version and it also mentions retired when using the 65k method and they don't mention it with the 800k method.
Angelo ***********
Does not matter if the embassy says so. The rules are the same for all. And not posting the link makes it impossible to verify what you have in the screenshot. The embassy probably simply does not like to process visa applications (hence the: can not apply) from people who have not retired. Perhaps they include an adidavit about retirement and income. No idea about that.

For a Non O based on retirement INSIDE of Thailand you only need to be above 50 and have the funds. No need to actually be retired (would not really make sense anyway).
Andy ************
@Kim ********
That's Denmark. Fortunately other countries do not have that stipulation. Best for Danes to come in on tourist visa and to convert to Non-O at an immigration office. There's no retirement requirement there
Kim *********
@Andy ***********
I didn't realize there were different requirements regarding visa rules depending on the country but there are I see now . Good advice from you - thank you 👍
Andy ************
@Kim ********
Every embassy and Consulate has its own policies. It's very irritating that there's no international standard
Kim *********
@Andy ***********
indeed and I thought there was 😔
Andy ************
@Kim ********
This is the in-country application for a non-O (over 50) visa

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Kim *********
@Andy ***********
thank you - interesting. If 800k in the account then ok with not on pension - otherwise documentation of source of pension income re. 65k per month.
Andy ************
@Kim ********
Yes. If your embassy in Thailand can sign the affidavit you don't need to transfer money to Thailand
Martyn ***********
@Kim ********
I was never asked..
Kim *********
@Martyn **********
well that was lucky if you are not retired
Bonnie *******
So you like to vacation in Thailand. Why do they have a problem?
Andy **********
@Bonnie ******
Possibly because you are spending more than 180 days a year in Thailand, so would be considered a tax resident, and may be required to pay taxes on your foreign sourced income and savings.
Herve *********
@Andy *********
by sourced you mean transferred from your country (the source) to Thailand? What if you do not transfer anything, just bring some cash?
Andy **********
@Herve ********
Transferred include suitcase.
Kev **********
@Bonnie ******
there is a difference between holidays and residing. You have to follow the rules it's simple.
Brett *******
How does living Thailand for 180 days a year or even slightly less affect an Australian pension.
David ********
@Brett ******
It shouldn't. You get the basic pension but lose the extras benefits.
Will ************
The way its going is that they want anyone living in Thailand more than 180 days a year to be on a long term visa. This appears to tie in with them wanting everyone living here more than 180 days a year to file a tax return.
Andy ************
@Will ***********
A tax return is only required if you have assessable income.
Will ************
@Andy ***********
all income is assessable you will get a tax credit in one country and offset it against tax in another
Bob **********
@Will ***********
All Speculation at this time
Andy ************
@Will ***********
Apologies. I always look at things from the Australian point of view with the assumption that other countries have a similar DTA, but as Brits and Americans have pointed out they don't have the same protection as Australia. If retirees are only importing pension payments these are not taxable in Thailand, hence a tax return is not required
Dave **********
@Andy ***********
you may need a tax return to show the funds you brought in are not taxable.
Andy ************
@Dave *********
Not required, as the return would indicate a sequence of '0's. As pension payments from Australia are not taxable in Thailand there's no requirement to show them, as they are not assessable
Paul ********
My friend is also from Australia and had the same thing and he ended up getting a retirement visa. He was told that would be his last entry and the next one had to be qualifying for retirement
Brandon ************
Given what you've indicated, you are spending well over 50% of the time in Thailand. That is living in Thailand. Tourist entries are not for living here. You'll either need to find a sufficient long-term visa or spend more time elsewhere.

Each immigration officer gets to determine what they believe is excessive, so there's no way to guarantee entry without a long-term visa.
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