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Will my friend be denied entry to Thailand after two visa exempt entries this year?

Visa Exempt Entries Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Laws Pattaya Visa Agents Visa Regulations Entry Refusal Travel Patterns Border Runs

Nov 22, 2025

a day ago

Vaughn **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I just watched a YouTube video posted today from a visa agent in Pattaya, he stated that a maximum of 2 visa exempt entries in 1 calendar year into Thailand is law now and that anyone trying to re-enter more than twice on visa exempt in 1 calendar year will be refused entry at immigration, regardless, even if you have never applied for an extension or done border bounces before.

My friend is due to arrive from Australia on Wednesday, he has done 2 visa exempt entries this year and has always returned to Australia after each visit, his last entry in to Thailand was August this year.

Will he be denied entry this time, he is applying for a tourist visa today after hearing this news but he may not receive the visa in time for his departure flight from Australia this Wednesday?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user raised concerns about a friend's potential denial of entry to Thailand due to two visa exempt entries in one calendar year. Commenters shared varying opinions, with some disputing the existence of a new law limiting entries and suggesting that travel patterns matter more than the number of entries. If the friend did not extend past stays and returned home between visits, many believe he should face no issues re-entering. Others recommended applying for a tourist visa for peace of mind, while cautioning that any changes in immigration policy could be determined by individual immigration officers.

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Braulio *********

only way to know is for the friend to try.. with no extension he may not have a problem

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Steve ******

Your agent is talking utter nonsense. I returned yesterday into Suvarnabhumi, 5th Stamp on arrival this year average stay 5 weeks a time and no issue atall. Asked the nice lady on the desk she said its all rubbish. It's border runs they are targeting nothing else.

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Jeffrey *********

That's made me feel a lot easier Thank you mate

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Steve ******

Her exact explanation was, along as you are outside of Thailand more than you are inside over the year and have gaps between your visits then you will be viewed as a tourist

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Steve ******

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Jeremy ********

I watched the same exact video on YT

all you friend has to do is buy a 60 day SETV visa and he should be good to go

This is only if he doesn’t go over 180 days in a calendar year

Buzzin Pattaya Thailand visa and Drivers License crisis

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Jeffrey *********

I saw it as well opportunistic business shout perhaps

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Jeremy ********

The visa agent sounded like he knew what he was talking about

Self promotion well of course like all YT videos

But the knowledge was there from a seasoned veteran with contacts

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Jeremy ********

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Steve *******

No such law has been passed.

But this is good. Now you know to never to trust that particular agent, as they're either lying or incompetent.

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Colin **********

The initiative its to stop people living here with back to back extensions. Conversely if you come here 6 times a year, from your home country and going back, with booked hotels and return flights there would be no problem. Unfortunately, there will be most probably somewhere in the middle, and here the immigration officer will judge by what you say, and your trip history to determine if your a tourist or not.

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Matthew *********

Bull shit. There was bo such law passed. Had no mention of this for nov13 update from immigration. TOTAL BULLSHIT INFORMATION

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William ***********

@Matthew ********

They are choosing to enforce the law already on the books. Officials ignore laws in every country until they don’t.

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Matthew *********

@William **********

there is no new law on limiting entries . It is clearly stated crack does on extension and border run. Nothing more or less. There is mo such law as 2 entries for visa exemption. If you believe it so much post the law. You can't because it doesn't exist

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Graham ******

@Matthew ********

It is in the 2017 Immigration Act but was previously only enforced for land border entries in a calendar year

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Graham ******

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Ian ********

if he didn't extend on either of his entries he should be good to go - especially as he returned to his home country each time

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Marianne ********

If he maxed out his time with 60+30 days on both entries, it might raise some suspiciouns.

But if he didn't, and also went back home and spent a significant time back home in between visits he will likely fit the pattern of a actual tourist and it will not be a problem.

He could just apply for a tourist visa too, if he is worried.

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Kim *********

@Marianne *******

which he actually did

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Marianne ********

Hopes and dreams that it gets sorted before he leaves then.

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Marianne ********

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Michael ********

Its amount of time and travel patterns not amount of entries. My mates just arrived for the 8th time this year, only short visits and no problem entering

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James ********

@Michael *******

A sensible and to the point reply. Well done.

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Lim ***********

@Michael *******

yes agree, shouldn't affect short term visitors. There are lots of visitors from Singapore and Malaysia who love to visit Thailand several times a year for short getaways.. I can't imagine them being turned away.

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Jared **********

@Michael *******

i think the agents are being opportunistic with driving up business, it’s pretty obvious between tourism (frequent/semifrequent) and what’s being labeled as abuse

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Jeffrey *********

I'm in a similar situation Jared flying 25th November it will be my 3rd exempt this calendar year March 60 days August 43 days always returning to UK I saw that video Buzzin Pattaya and began panicking but then thought exactly the same Scaremongering for business

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Jeffrey *********

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Ant ***********

He could apply for a Multi Entry Visa from Aust. - but - if his flight is next Wednesday , that won’t be approved in time

With his previous entries this year - did he stay 60 days + extend another 30 both times ?

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Ant ***********

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