🇹🇭 Advice Needed: Overstayed 180-Day Rule - Returning in February 2026?

Hello everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice from those with recent experience regarding Thai immigration and the 180-day rule.

I recently returned home last month, but looking back at my 2025 travel history, I realize I spent significantly more than the official 180-day limit using visa exemptions. I wasn't fully aware of the official rule, and I accept my mistake.

My 2025 History (Visa Exemption):

* Total Stay: Approximately 9 months (200+ days) in Thailand.

* Method: This was accomplished through a combination of initial entry, one border run, and two visa extensions at immigration offices.

* Current Status: I left Thailand last month (November 2025) and am currently in my home country.

My Questions & Plan for February 2026:

My current plan is to return to Thailand in February 2026, to immediately enroll in a course and apply for an Education Visa (ED Visa).

* Entry on Visa Exemption (Feb 2026):

Given my long stay in 2025, will I be allowed to enter Thailand on a standard visa exemption in early February 2026?

* Immigration Risk: Since the calendar year will have reset, the 180-day count should theoretically reset. However, will my significant overage/long stay in 2025 flag me for denial of entry when I arrive?

I am nervous about being denied entry due to my past history, even though I will be entering in the new year with the intention of switching to a long-term education visa right away.

Any advice or experiences from people who have re-entered after staying long periods under the exemption scheme would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Malaysian BORDER RUN in 2025 question?

Specifically if anyone with less than the 150 days total in Thailand has success or failures crossing this border after Nov 17, 2025? ...& which border crossings?

I'm wondering what is the success chance to do a Malaysian border run from Southern Thailand in Dec 2025? I've read I need to stay minimum 2 days out of Thailand before returning.

In my current CANADIAN passport, I HAVE:

28 DAYS stay: ENTERED Thailand 2025 January, from Sri Lanka.

- in-between: Indo, Malaysia > CANADA stay for 9 weeks + other countries.

60+30 Extension: ENTERED Thailand Sept 22, 2025 until now. Entered flying in from Canada.

So total days in Thailand in 2025 less than 120 days.

ONLY other THAI stamps are:

- 2 Thai retirement visas. Expired.

- a 30+30 Extension in 2023 Jan.

- a 60+30 Extension from Sept until Dec 2023

My past passports did have many 60+30 days stamps though.

If I don't get any positive feedback, I will probably use a visa agent for the Border run instead.

A couple days ago a friend of mine took a 15 hour bus from Pattaya to Vientiane, Laos in order to exit the country in an attempt to re-enter for his third VISA exempt entry in a relatively short time and was denied the ability to EXIT Thailand at Nong Khai, into Laos after the Thai Immigration official saw his passport. He had a heart procedure scheduled in Thailand in a few weeks and he thought if he showed his medical paperwork they would allow him back into Thailand one last time. However, they sent him away and he had to return to Pattaya with two days left before he will be an overstay. What happens next I don't know. Just thought this info might be helpful.

Hi:) question. I flew in with 60 day visa exemption from the states very end of september. Did 30 day extension end of November and now that ends december 28th.

I heard chiang mai (where I am) is still doing border runs to laos, with for someone like me - first border run and flew in with one visa exempt this year - i would do the 3 day 2 night option.

But, I know it can be risky. You think it would be better to just leave the country for like 2 weeks and then come back and use an immigration service which would easily get me past border control at airport?

Idk what the better options would be.

Especially because once january 13th comes along - my passport will be at its 6month mark (it expires july 13 2026).

And once id get back in with 60 days, i would renew my passport here. Stay 60 days and do an extension (clean slate for new year granting 30 days, Ya think?)

Or, better to just fly and renew my passport in another country and then fly in using immigration service Friendly Thai Visa Services ??

Anyones legit opinions can help me make a decision, thank you.

My one friend said to do land border run and if it doesnt work out then go to another country, renew my passport and try to fly back in. But idk.

To note again, i only have one visa exempt when i flew in in september 30 2025.

Hi everyone!

I’m planning to go to Thailand for 96 days FROM January- do I need a visa?

Thank you!

What is the status of Cambodians visiting Thailand by air? Before the "troubles" it was that a Cambodian would automatically get a 2 week visa free. I had heard that had been reduced to 1 week but I cannot confirm that. My friend just went to Thailand for a medical visit and got 4 days. The Thai embassy in Cambodia is non responsive.

Ok sorry to ask but I’m someone who lives in phillippines that comes to Thailand for a week every couple of months (Canada passport). I saw now it’s only 2 visa exempt entries a year? How does this apply to me does it mean these week trips to Thailand are over or I need a visa?

Ok sorry to ask but I’m someone who lives in phillippines that comes to Thailand for a week every couple of months (Canada passport). I saw now it’s only 2 visa exempt entries a year? How does this apply to me does it mean these week trips to Thailand are over or I need a visa?

I know there is now a new requirement to enter Thailand. I have a passport and plan to stay 90 days. What new paperwork do I need to enter the country?

Confused with all the changes. Seeking clarity…

My friend arrives from South Africa tomorrow into Bangkok. Then will fly to Chiang Mai where she will travel to Pai.

With a South African passport, will she be given 60 days exempt visa (or 30 days)? And can she extend for another 30 days giving her a 90 day stay in total?

This will be her first visit to Thailand.