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?

I’m hoping to spend 7 months in Thailand and currently trying to get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa from Canada right now but they have asked for a detailed account of what I am going to be doing during my stay. So I have asked the KPT Language school if I can pay for a 4 month course ‘Thai for Beginners’ in advance, from Canada. I was going to enrol regardless but I had wanted to do it in Thailand - but that’s fine. My question is: I was relying on applying for a 30 day extension and doing a land border bounce through an agent - after reading many posts, I am worried now. Do you think I will have issues?

I know of someone that has a felony that would like to travel to Thailand. Would they be permitted to enter the country to visit for a few days for travel purposes?

What is the situation in Krabi with this tremors in Andaman sea as I vist July

Just wanted to notify that I just flew into Thailand today at DMK airport. They are going at it with extra questioning with tons of people having to fill a statement form as well, especially visa-exempt entries. The questioning area was packed. My TDAC was completed before my trip.

I was pulled aside and questioned for an hour because I was going to enter on my 2nd exempt entry. This is the first air-entry in the last 3 years and they still went at it. I kept on providing proof for everything they asked me and I was finally allowed to enter. They warned me to not enter without a visa next time. I thought it was excessive since many people have reported multiple back to back visa-free stays with no issue. I leave in 29 days. Not 60 or 90, so I don't know why I was treated as if I was trying to live here off exempt stays.

Also most others seemed to have issues since they had no booked flight back, as expected.

Hey folks, for DTV holders who arrived after May 1st, what did you select under "purpose of travel" in the TDAC?

I've been in and out multiple times already but this week will be my first time arriving after the TDAC became mandatory.

Returned to the USA 🇺🇸 last month and plan on going back to Thailand 🇹🇭 late November. Was wondering if there has been any more talk about stopping the 60 day visa exemption?

TIA.