@Stanley *****

to be safe make sure you do a land border bounce with a border run company when you are about to do your last entry just before the visa expiration date. At that time you are likely to be over 180 days in country recently due to coming in prior on exempt. The Bangkok airports have seemed to be getting strict in that area.

what are you trying to do, be more specific what your plans are in Thailand and the length you plan to be here, as well as your recent history In the country for the best answer

If have a degree you can get a job as an english teacher and have work visa. Otherwise the only other thing not yet mentioned is METV for almost 9 months, then spend some time in nearby countries and home country (need to be in home country to apply for that visa) for about 6 months before returning again.

Last month after maxing out my METV I returned through the DMK airport in Bangkok after a 5 week absence. I wasn't that concerned about coming in visa exempt since I had a valid reason with a clearfile full of documents to show them why I was coming back in. I was pulled aside as expected and was told that they couldn't let me in as "a regular tourist" as I had spent longer than 180 days in country in the past 12 months. I had to talk to their superior to be let in. But based on that 180 day calculation I would suggest you time your back to back visas so that when you re-enter that you have had enough time away to not trigger that number. ie do your 8.5 months in Thailand, go elsewhere/home for 6 months. On another note, I was also talking to my Thai friend who works in investment and tax accounting firm last week. He told me with the new tax laws they are advising their clients to keep under 180 days in a tax year to avoid paying the new Thai tax if it gets finalized.

So when I re-entered last month after maxing out my METV (was away 6 weeks after METV finished) I was questioned at DMK airport. The reason given was I had been in the country for over 180 days in the past year “as a regular tourist”. The 180 day in country appears to be a trigger point they are applying at the major airports. Assuming you have maxed out your 3 entries by the time you plan to return you will also be around the 180 mark. In hindsight doing your land border runs last may had been safer.

If your education provider is legitimate then would suggest carrying a copy of your application and school documentation with you to show to immigration when you return. Also leaving now while you are still under the 180 days and returning closer to the time of your course could be a way to increase your chances of re-entry.

@Alan *****

ok understood. That’s the fare difference in play when changing to a flight that already has many of its seats booked.

@Alan *****

was there an actual limit that wasnt clearly advertised? I have a multi flexi fare that I'm going to have to keep active for perhaps a year.

Scoot airlines have changeable tickets for an additional $20 Singapore. Just fair difference applies. So when fly you can show them a ticket out in 30 days and then change it once you get to Thailand. I assume you plan to go back to another SE Asian country first before flying home? I was asked at the airports of my exit flights on some of trips around the area.

@Lorenzo *******

since May last year?

If you have spent 180 days in past 12 months as a regular tourist in country then at the main airports in particular is triggering an alert to pull you aside for questioning.