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

@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.

@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!

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?

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)

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)

I was questioned this time and I spend 3 months away minimum at a time (over the last 2 years)