The newb saying that this is already happening are missing the point. Yes, it's already happening, but what is proposed is forcing hotel and others to charge dual pricing. It's very different from having freedom of choice. Hotels are pushing back against that because they know that this will get worldwide coverage if implemented. You guys are selfish and narrow-minded. This will push away local family industry, etc, in favor of "rich tourists" who goes to fancy hotel and restaurants. The poor street food vendor and guesthouse owner will once again be the one losing here.

This LTR visa only apply to 1% of foreigners.

I have never heard of anyone getting an extension based on marriage with an agent for that amount. The whole point of using an agent is they will put the money into your bank account.

@Mark *******

Extension based on marriage is around 35k-37k baht a year with an agent. The whole point of using an agent is to by-pass the financial requirement.

OP's friend was caught at the airport upon leaving so he should not have been banned. The story is missing some parts. But yeah, 5 years for 3 days is insane. Was your friend working illegally or anything like that?

@Sarinya *********

There is no ban if caught at the airport for less than 90 days overstay. A 5 years ban while leaving Thailand is for a 3-years overstay. Your friend is not telling you everything, but it doesn't matter. The 5 years ban is over, he should be able to come to Thailand.

Yes, I know the law. The left side of the picture is always enforced, but not the right side. To get the 5 years for 2 weeks overstay there must be more to the story. It would be like getting jail time for ecigs.

I have never heard of anyone ban for 2 weeks' overstays, let alone 5 years. Your friend is not telling the full story.

@Frank-Steven **********

You do not need a visa to border run. In your OP you mention not entering the 2nd country and staying in no-man land, which doesn't mean that the only alternative is to get a visa beforehand. I'm Canadian and I do not need a visa to enter Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. I can get a visa-exempt or visa on arrival or wtv the name is directly at the border upon entering. The process is very quick. Then you turn around and go back into Thailand. In Laos, you can go in and come back to Thailand within an hour. If one hour is too much I don't know what to tell you. The whole process is no longer than entering Myanmar with that 500 baht piece of paper.

You seem to think that avoiding a stamp = fewer restrictions, which I don't think are related. If you are unvaccinated and looking for a quick border run, I don't think it will be possible anywhere for a while.