Will getting a new passport help avoid entry issues in Thailand after a year-long stay with COVID extensions?

Like it was stated here, they have all your history in the computer. I traveled years to Thailand, never had problem entering. I have now a retirement visa, and I live here here with my wife. We left a month to Europe, had thought about the re entry permit, and yet had interrogation at the airport for an hour. I heard they are checking everything and making hard time for some these days. They asked about my retirement-visa, said, I had to follow Thai laws and respect the king. I stayed cool, and smiling, and said to them, if something is wrong, they should inquire with Chonburi immigration, who gave me the visa. And that I follow all Thai laws, and cannot be hold responsible if Chonburi immigration, made a mistake. After 30 minutes, it was ok, for me, but not for my Philippine wife. New discussion. The head officer, kept moving my passport for and back, would not surprised, that he expected a few bills in it. This the last thing I would do! Finally, he let us go, but when we passed the boot, again one of the officiers inside, said to him, something is wrong. But then he gave some instructions and we were stamped. Do not know what they see in the computer, to have all this trouble! But when we went to get our luggage, the officer came after us, and asked, if we could buy him chocolates for his trouble. Now, this was in March. They had probably time on their hands.

I had 6 covid extensions and since that time i came in twice visa exempt. No questions at all. if asked i can validate I work in Singapore(resident work pass) i earn my money in Singapore and spend here in Thailand. i am not here enough to justify I visa.

Is this a common experience?

How many times a year can you come in on a visa exempt.

I plan to see partner 4 times a year starting next year each time for a period of 2 weeks . Would that be ok you think ?

Now entry to Thailand is getting relatively easier (than the last two years), we’re seeing more stories of people being grilled at immigration on arrival if they’ve had numerous back to back tourist visas or exempt entries. Especially so if you’ve had previous covid extensions.

If this is the case for you then expect to be questioned on arrival.

To mitigate chances of being refused entry make sure you have the three “proofs” that they may request.

1. Cash. 20,000 baht or equivalent in a major currency. Has to be cash. A credit card or bank statement or phone app will not suffice.

2. Accommodation booked. At least for the first few days. If you’re staying with a friend or relatives then have them write you an invitation letter clearly stating that you will be staying with them.

3. A flight (or bus ticket) out within the number of days your entry allows regardless that you can apply for and extension in country. If it’s a bus ticket it must be an international one. A ticket to a border town -where you can walk across a border won’t cut it.

None of the above will guarantee entry, as it’s up to the immigration officer you hand your passport to.

The reasons for a grilling may be complex, but generally if they think you’re milking the system of visa entries, or perhaps even working here then they’ll see a red flag. Before covid many people used back to back entries to stay in Thailand long term and they were starting to crack down. During covid they generally didn’t bother as it was so difficult just to get in that if you had jumped through all the hoops you probably had a legitimate reason for coming. Now with restrictions easing they’re starting to question again.

How much you paid?

Covid chancer

How are you supporting yourself? This is what the immigration officer will be asking.

Interesting, did you arrive this time on a tourist visa? I had a passport full of covid extensions too and came back last month but no issues.

Entry is controlled via biometrics these days. Everything is computerised. A new passport will make no difference. Even coming in on a different countries passport (if you had one) would all be linked back to your entry history.