Answered9 years ago

Will my visa-exempt entry and travel history raise concerns when re-entering Thailand?

Visa Exempt Thailand Visa Rules Visa Runs Travel History Re-entry into Thailand SETV Visa

Álvaro **********

asked Apr 18, 2018

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A bit of a long question regarding my visa/exempts history. My recent history is:

- Entered the Kingdom on December on a visa exempt

- Leave Thailand on December - just stayed 5 days

- In Febrary I went again into Thailand, with a SETV

- I extended my SETV once

- Now (this week) I'm leaving Thailand - flying to Vietnam

After visiting Vietnam for one or two months, I'll come back to Thailand because my flight back to home is from Chiang Mai. I plan to enter with a visa exempt, because it'll be just a couple of weeks. I have my plane ticket back to my home country - I'm going back home in late June, I bought the ticket back in December.

My doubts are:

- Could the officers think I'm "living on visa runs"? I'm not, and between one enter and another I always spend more than one month out of the country, but my fear is there.

In addition, I plan to come back to Thailand next winter if all goes well with my business back in home and I have enough money saved during the summer and fall :D 

- Could it be an issue my history when flying into Thailand next winter?

All the entries to Thailand will be done by air, and my passport from Spain allows me the 30 days visa exempt.

Thank you!

Answer summary

The user is concerned about re-entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis given their recent travel history, including multiple entries and exits while on a visa-exempt entry and a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV). They have received reassuring responses indicating that their travel history does not suggest 'living on visa runs' since they have always spent more than a month out of the country between entries. Additionally, they have proof of onward travel, which further supports their case. Other users have shared similar experiences, emphasizing that such travel patterns are common for tourists in Southeast Asia and have not faced issues upon re-entry.

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Danny *********

People sometimes get way too paranoia. 😉

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

@Danny ********

yes, EU passport, it's a bit of peace of mind ;)

9 years ago

Danny *********

@Álvaro **************

You probably have an EU passport from Spain, don't worry. :)

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

Yes, I do 😅😅

9 years ago

John *********

I agree with Tod and he’s the expert on these matters.

To share my experience for the past several years I would spend 6-7 months at a time in Thailand.

Come in visa exempt and then extend. Go to Laos for one night for SETV, then extend. Repeat trip to Laos for SETV, extend again if necessary. (I sure miss having the old double-entry.)

Never had an issue. Nary an eye or explanation. Never showed funds or onward tickets. Came to Thailand on one-way air tickets.

Your itinerary is perfectly acceptable and normal. It is that of a tourist to SE Asia. I’ve done the SE touring over the years and fell in love with Thailand which is why I did what I’d done.

9 years ago

James ***********

fair enough! i gotta say, it puzzles me about these recent reports of guys getting turned away/hassled when going for VE's at the 2 main Thai airports.

maybe its the country you come from and errrr what kind of permanent dark suntan you might have.

9 years ago

John *********

Hey James, not a fan of the requirements. Getting sorted this year with an education visa so I can learn and stay long-term.

9 years ago

James ***********

Hi John. I pretty much do the same as you.

Just curious as to why you dont get a multiple entry visa from your own country?

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

That reassures me, thank you :)

The same with me: I'm slowly traveling through SEA (it's my 3er visit, previous were on 2013 and 2014) and like to stay for some time in Thailand because it's the country I like the most :)

9 years ago

Tod *********

could they think you're living on visa runs <- they could but your history isn't back to back runs out and then right back in, PLUS you have proof of onward travel when you come in this time

could it be an issue <- your current visa (or lack there of) history will have no bearing on your coming back

I'd say you're going to be totally fine

9 years ago

Álvaro **********

Thank you Tod, it's peace of mind to read it :)

I'm not doing visa runs/bounces, in fact I'm visiting all SEA (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and now Vietnam) but staying in Thailand between countries.

In addition, my onward travel was bought back in December - I bought a return trip because it's cheaper and because I need to return to home in summer :D

Thank you again :)

9 years ago