As an additional data point on the new limitations on visa exempt entries, here’s my Thailand entry / exit history for 2025 (USA passport). I entered again yesterday afternoon on a visa exempt basis and had no issues or questions.

Sept. 29 enter Thailand at BKK visa exempt. Leave Thailand on Oct. 17 and fly to Vietnam. (19 days)

Nov. 17 enter Thailand at BKK visa exempt. Leave December 13 and fly to Bangladesh. (27 days)

Dec. 24 enter Thailand at BKK visa exempt.

Obviously, this is a pattern for a genuine tourist rather than someone trying to live here on a visa exempt basis. No problem at all on the third entry.

Hello friends!

Is it true that from January 1st the entry rules for Thailand will change and that entry will only be allowed twice per year?

Hello, could you please confirm whether this is accurate? The rules appear to be changing frequently.

Thanks for all good advice previously

Any one of us tourists experienced any denial of entry when arriving from Phom Penh by air. South Africa passport and this will be my 4 th entry in 12 months , but only ever stayed between 10 and 20 days

Not sure if a METV would help .....

Appreciate any current experience

Thanks

Hi All. My wife and Daughter live Laos so my flight is from UK to Laos , we may travel for a week from chong mak boader first of the year as tourists and return as my departure is from Pakse airport any issues you can see , Thanks

I was in Thailand in January and July this year. I didn't do the extension and flew back to the UK before the 60 days on both occasions. I am planning to fly back to Thailand end of the month and planning to stay for less than 8 weeks. Will this be OK or is it best to get a tourist visa?

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS

Visa Exempt Entry

We're getting inundated with posts by people worrying about whether they'll get in or not and I've probably denied over 100 posts from people who outline their stay history on free stamps and then ask if they'll get in or not next time.. :O :/

Believe it or not, no one on this group or any other thai related group has a clue whether your entry/stay history will flag when you go to stamp in at passport control. It seems pretty hit or miss and quite random right now.

It does appear that you're a "real tourist" <- as in you're not trying to live here on repeated free visa exempt entries w/extensions you should have no issue at all comin' into the country. Especially if when you come here you don't stay the full time the visa exempt entry allows (60 days)

However if the officer sees your entry/stay history and it's more than a few free stamp entries especially if there's very little time outside thailand between them you can almost bet you'll be pulled aside and questioned on what you're doing..

All you can do is have proof of onward travel (preferably showing you're going back to where ever you come from in 60 days) and hope for the best.

Extensions of stay on visa exempt entries

Now as far as extensions on visa exempt entries go, it does appear that the immigration offices are indeed issuing 7 day extensions if you already got one 30 day extension on ANY visa exempt entry this year (since Jan 1 2025).

It is totally up to the immigration officer you're in front of when you apply for the extension and they'll tell you if you can get the 30 OR if you're only gonna get the 7 days. Some people with a 30 day extension already on a previous visa exempt entry report getting another 30 extension without any issue, some are told they only get 7 days. So your mileage may vary :(

Land border crossings

For all intents and purposes you people need to consider the Lao land borders closed :O They're not letting people out if you're wanting to come back visa exempt. They just turn you back at the border crossing. There are reports they weren't even letting people on valid multi-entry visas out at that border last week.

It appears to be the same for the Ranong/Kawthaung border with burma, and the Satun border with Malaysia in the south.

NOTE; One last thing;

Just so we're all clear, there is no official rule stating you get 2 visa exempt entries in a calendar year. Nothing stating that has been published at all :O It's only worded that there will be "heightened scrutiny" for people who have multiple visa exempt entries.

That's about all I got as far as info.. Sorry it's so vague

Hello everyone,

I have submitted my application to the Thai embassy in Paris for the DTV soft power option (cooking class of 6 months than can be rescheduled over a year time). I am French.

They have asked for an explanation letter of what I plan to do outside of my cooking classes, as it is not full time.

I used to work in Thailand under BOI work permit for 4years on a stressful job. Now with the DTV, I plan to take some time to actually enjoy Thailand with the cooking course and some 'normal' tourism like scuba diving or hiking in the North. Also I expect to go back to France regularly to see my family because you have to go out every 180 days.

Any advice on how to phrase the explanation better?

Many thanks!

I know people have been saying they've had issues entering in Phuket but I just went through immigration in Phuket. No issues at all! Took less than 5 minutes. Even had a laugh with the officer who served me. First time entering on my DTV! I will be going in and out of Bangkok a lot for the rest of the year so will keep you updated.

hi, just wanted to quickly confirm that Canadians are eligible for a 30 day extension on a VOA?