@Len ****

This supposed to be ok even with only Visa Exemption until just a few weeks ago. And probably still possible depending on the officer at the Airport's immigration. But if someone will really want to look into the 150 days rule it could be a problem. Now, again. If a proper visa is used than this should be ok. Personally I am not staying more than 180 days / year myself because of some other rules in my country. In fact, lately I didn't stay more than 160 days (or less). So 150 days would be enough for me anyway. But I will apply for tourist visa (again) in the future (anyway).

@Razak *********

Very good question! And I am not sure! Because my concrete case is about 2025. Also, next time I will apply for a proper tourist visa and I am not spending much more time and effort to answer all the questions right now (to myself, of course)! But I have my visa now until 25 January. Supposed I will get another 30 days this will result in about 55 days stay in 2026. So, I could be counting on about 95 days left for 2026. Meaning that I could attend to come back to Thailand even with Visa Exemption already from first of October... But....

@Michael **********

Yes, it's confusing because it's first now they decided to look at this seriously. And also because I am not sure if even the officers at the immigration knows exactly how things are and the risk rises even more... My understanding is that with only exemption visa you can get a 60 days visa (depending on which country you're coming from) the first time entering the country. Then another 30 days as visa extension inside Thailand at Immigration. Visa runs looks like are out of the equation. But flying to a nearby country and back a few days later might still give you another 60 days. This makes it 150 days. After that you need to wait another 6 months before being allowed to get back to Thailand the same way. But, I guess it is still possible to visit Thailand earlier with a proper tourist visa or alternative visas... Need to learn more about it. Hopefully, things would change for the better somehow.

@Dan ******

Yes. Never happened to me before neither. That's why I am going to apply for a proper tourist visa in the future too...

@Len ****

Yes. That's already different. I understand that this rule about 150 days without proper visa , only visa exemption (!) it's not even new! But, before, as in many other cases, the officials didn't really care about it. In fact, for about 2 years ago I was also able to get full extension by just leaving Thailand an coming back. Again, only with visa exemption.

Looks like right now , for some reason, they are reinforcing the law properly.

@Len ****

Well, I am just saying what I've been told by the thai immigration officer at the airport. She said repeatedly 150 days! So, if some other official will say different so be it. Myself I would never ever attempt a Thailand entry by (obs!) visa exemption after 150 days because I don't want to risk to be sending back. Now, a proper tourist visa (single entry ?) it's different. And I guess it offers 180 days.

I finally found out 10 days ago when I came to Thailand for the third time this year, that it's not really about how many times within a year you attempt visiting Thailand. Visa exemption is about the number of days / year you are staying in the country : maximum 150! This information came from the immigration's officer at the airport.

@Sue ***********

So how many tourist visa was too many...? Seriously. Thanks!

Ok! Thank you all for answering/helping ! 🙂

It's based on retirement. So I could apply for 12 months retirement but I can't really used because I have to leave Thailand. But I would like to find a way to stay another 3 months after May 17..