Visa exempt entry is not guaranteed. Especially now, playing the game and not being a “real tourist” can lead to you not being granted entry at immigration.

This leads to the recommendation to get a visa. Am I correct that a visa is also not a guarantee to entry. What would lead to entry not being granted at immigration if you had a visa?

Caveat: if you are a tourist with more than one trip annually, what is the difference for entry between visa exempt and SETV?

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

I work 3 weeks on 3 weeks off and travelled to thailand 5 times this year for 18 days at a time under the new law will i be denied entry if fly out end of december just before new year thanks

What happens if the airport officer refuses the visa?

I wanted to share a real-world update from my current stay in Thailand in case it’s helpful to anyone stressing about border runs. I’m married to a Thai (4 years now) and usually stay in the village at her home. My pattern is pretty simple: I come for about two months at a time, every six months or so. U.S. passport, long validity, nothing exotic.

This trip I planned a longer stay — around three months — splitting time between Koh Tao for diving, village time to work on the house, and a quick side trip to Laos for some ziplining and waterfalls. We use my wife’s online immigration account (tm30.immigration.go.th) to log my address every time, so immigration has had a complete record of my movements for years.

Here’s the part people worry about:

When I left Thailand for Laos, I had 2 days left on my original visa-exempt entry. Zero issues leaving. I did the visa on arrival at Chong Mek (not the e-visa — timing didn’t work), which did take up a full passport page. Stayed two nights in Laos. When I came back, Thai immigration stamped me in with a fresh 60-day exemption with no comments, no questions, no drama.

Despite all the fear-mongering (one attorney/agent even told me not to go), the reality was simple: If you’re not trying to live in Thailand indefinitely off back-to-back tourist exemptions, you’re probably fine. My travel pattern is normal, my stays are reasonable, and immigration treated it exactly that way.

Posting this for balance — the internet tends to amplify the horror stories, not the routine experiences that go smoothly.

-- Pic of me and my wife added for a bit of flex. And yes — before anyone says it — I’m fully aware I’m punching above my weight class. 😄

Im reading a lot about immigration clamping down on long stays.

Im a Uk passport holder and have been out of Thailand for four plus months now.

I have already had one 60 day visa exempt and 30 day extension totalling 90 days last time I came earlier in the year.

I also did the same and the end of last year so that took me upto mid January this year.

My logic is I’ve been out for nearly five months I should be fine but I’m concerned about being turned away.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

PENDING CHANGES TO VISA EXEMPT ENTRY/EXTENSION PROCESS

There is no doubt that the "winds of change" are blowing regarding the 60 day visa exempt entry program and the extensions associated with them. It also appears these changes (what ever they turn out to be) will take effect Monday Nov 17th

The inter-web is rife with every Tom, Dick & Somchai influencer :O posting about the changes like they have some back-channel path to what's really gonna happen

BUT

at this time there is no real direction from the immigration office as far as what will happen and how any changes will be implemented.

Because of this, we're not letting posts on the group asking about it and we're deleting comments that try to quote what the changes will be. Until we get hard evidence from immigrations spelling out exactly how these changes will work, who they will affect, and what they really are we're keeping a lid on the rampant speculation sweeping the tiny portion of the inter-web that is thai related.

We realize these changes will affect many people and as soon as we know ANYTHING concrete as far as what will be happening we will indeed share it

We're just not gonna fan the flames of mis-information that are raging out of control on the inter-web..

Thanx one and all for your understanding in this matter...

I'm planning on staying 6 months in Thailand or 2 x 3 months a year. Can anyone help me with what visas I would need? I'm 61 from the UK. I'm just struggling with all the different visas. Thanks in advance

Previously I had a Non-Imm O. I have been out of Thailand for a few months. I wish to return for 60-90 days this time. I own a condo in Bangkok. However, I am wondering how strict they are on having an ongoing flight or train ticket etc?

Hello to all,

I have done already 2 Visa Runs on Thailand on the North Border (by land both), everything was very smooth.

Now I want to make the 3rd by air, going to Malaysia, to stay in Thailand for the Christmas, after that I have other place to go.

🤔 Is it possible to make it (3rd)? By air is something different? Should I apply on Malaysia for a visitor visa or just get back to CNX? (Visa on Arrival?)

*If someone knows an agent who are good with this, please let me know. 🙏