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Will frequent exits and a short stay in Thailand negatively affect my entry as an expat?

Thailand immigrationexpat concernsvisa rulesentry denialresidency questionstourist visavisa exemptions
Nov 7, 2018
6 years ago
Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
There are so many worries these days across groups about Thailand getting strict about those appearing to live here and denying them entry.

I spend four months of the year out of Thailand — 2 over burning season as well as July/August.

Which means I’m only here about 3-4 months before I’m gone for a long time. Does this look favourably with immigration? I’ve been doing this for 2 years now and am on my third winter. Now getting worried (since I have a long term lease) that my next exit/entry will be met with a warning stamp...

Do they care that I often leave for lengths of time, or do they just see how many entries I have and seek to deny me?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expresses anxiety over their frequent exits from Thailand and how it may affect their immigration status, especially in light of concerns about stricter entry regulations. They detail their travel patterns, spending four months in Thailand annually, and ask if these travel habits could lead to complications at immigration. Commenters advise having proof of funds and onward travel, suggesting that since the user isn't on back-to-back tourist or visa exempt entries, their chances of being questioned at passport control are low.
Robert *******
You say on your profile you live in Chang Mai, you just write you're outside Thailand long times, but 4 out of 12 months is not that long. As Tod said have the three proofs, I would add proof of money coming in from abroad to avoid suspicion of working inside Thailand and get some information about other than Tourist Visa and Visa Exempt entry to live inside Thailand.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
@Michelle ******
 Out of experience, they do not ask, they just do it. Believe it or not Facebook is not only used by foreigners, also by lots of Thai people, Thai Immigration Officers, Thai Police etc. I would not even be surprised if one of them is member in this group.
6 years ago
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Ian *******
@Michelle ******
 oh ok cool
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think he's talking to me ;)

Mine says I live in Chiang Mai... which I think is totally irrelevant. I highly doubt immigration will ask to see my FB profile LOL
6 years ago
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Ian *******
Over the past two years I've spent less than half that time in Thailand. The rest in Vietnam and Malaysia. Each time i leave Thailand I'm away for 3 months. I know a lot of people bounce in and out. I'm not one of those people. My Facebook profile doesn't say i live in Chiang Mai. I've tagged CM in some Instagram posts, so maybe that's what you've seen.
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Doesn’t money come in kind of mean that I’m working though?

If I saw that I would know for sure someone has work because money doesn’t usually just freely enter ones bank account 😉
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Unfortunately since I do leave often, the education visa or self defence visa doesn’t sound like a good option for me.

My next trip to Canada is July, in which I will apply for the 6 month visa.

But until then I need to make it through somehow! 🙂
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
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Ian *******
One more thing. Just remembered. I didn't have a flight onward booked. Not smart I know. I had flights booked the last two visits and they didn't ask. I encouraged the official to look at my near full passport and see that I've never overstayed anywhere, and got away with that.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
As you are not living here full time on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visa entries I would say you have a LOW chance of being questioned by passport control when stamping in.

I would say have the proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH) and proof of onward travel when you enter the country <- just in case you're asked for them and you should be fine
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m aware, not the point that I was making however.

If staying in Thailand for 180+ days in the year was not allowed then the METV visa would be problematic for that same reason.

But of course we will all just argue for the sake of arguing, so I don’t need to keep comments open as the information provided already is all that is needed for me and others like me.
6 years ago
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Luke ******
@Michelle ******
 No, a multiple entry tourist visa allows multiple entries into Thailand during its validity of 6 months, each entry is limited to maximum 60 days per entry, each entry can be extended for a further 30 days if necessary.

So it doesn't give you "180+ days of living in Thailand".

The fact that people interpret that as: "let's do visa runs to stretch it", and Immigration has allowed it, does not mean the visa itself had been designed for this purpose.
6 years ago
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Scott **********
@Michelle ******
 Mostly true Michelle. With a METV you typically loose a little on the front end because the clock starts the day it is issued but if you plan your border bounces correctly I think you can get more than 180 days. In such a situation I am sure an IO would not complain. I do think I have read at least one report of an IO using 180 days as a reason to deny in a different situation. If I am correct this is something you should be aware of but hopefully never run into. Tod is the guru and I am hoping he can confirm whether this was an IO making something up to keep someone out who had stayed too long or whether it is an actual rule. In any case good luck!
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Of course that’s always a risk, but a low risk, I think.

A 6 month multi entry gives you 180+ days of living in Thailand... so if that’s allowed... it’s still a Tourist visa, is it not?
6 years ago
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Scott **********
Tod I thought I saw as somewhere that some IO at least consider you to be living in Thailand if you spend more than 180 days in a calender year. If true that might be a problem for this poster?
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian ******
 agreed. I’m heading back to Canada, my home country, in July for a couple months ... and would hate to have to go earlier cause yeah the weather in our countries is not nice 😅
6 years ago
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Ian *******
Not bad no. Still a deterrent though. I move around South East Asia so being forced to fly home to UK would be disastrous (as can happen)
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well that doesn’t sound so bad.

She’s just asking a general question, that’s fine.

In some countries I’ve been grilled for 0 reason so that’s fair to ask.
6 years ago
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Ian *******
Why I spend so much time in Thailand? I said "because i love Thailand, have Thai friends, love playing pool in Chiang Mai". She was friendly and apologetic. That's when she said she had to ask because of the 6 entries (not back-to-back)
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian ******
 What questions did they ask?
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks 🙏🏼
6 years ago
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Ian *******
I was questioned this time and I spend 3 months away minimum at a time (over the last 2 years)
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Excellent. I was thinking the same, and I know of many others in a similar position now getting worried. So I hoped to give them the same council!

I don’t usually have onward travel but I know now to start planning in advance 😉
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
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Tod *********
and how do you stay here? <- Meaning do you BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate before you wing your way here, OR do you show up without a visa on a 30 day visa exempt entry ?
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Both. Usually I arrive from somewhere I can’t access the 60 day visa. Then on my next trip I get the visa.

So combination of visa on arrival or exemption, 60 day visa, and extensions.

Always from different embassies if I do get the 60 day.
6 years ago
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Michelle *******
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