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.

@Yorgos *************

UK citizens get stamped in for 90 days without visa to Malaysia

@Joe ******

apply for your regular 30 day extension first at your local immigration. Every entry is entitled to one 30 day extension on a tourist visa or visa exempt. After that is expired you need to leave the country and do the border re-entry process.

Although there’s no offical limits other than the 2 land borders, be wary about entering via the 2 major airports in particular if you have spent over 180 days in country in the past 12 months. The immigration officers at the Bangkok airports in particular are at their discretion pulling aside people who have been in country over 180 days as a regular tourist. It happened to me on 1st May and I needed approval by their superior to enter. If you are over that limit then you really need to look at other options to extending a visit ie making use of the 2 land border bounces (with a border run company) if not yet used, or applying for METV well in advance of a long planned trip.

@Joe ******

you’ll have to google search for ones from your area or consider travelling to somewhere where they do them.