This type of process is so typical here. They make the process easy so more people can more easily come here and spend there money. Now maybe they are seeing that control is being lost, so it's time to backtrack by now making things more difficult for visa exempt entries. But of course it's the tourists fault for not applying for proper visa. No loss of face for officials.

@Steven *****

I don't know your age so I don't know if you would qualify for Non-O retirement. Marriage may be your only option to get a Non-O. With the online system they now use, I believe there are no longer one year multiple entry Non-O visa's available. You apply for the first 90 day visa and then extend in Thailand. You may want to speak with a visa agent to see what alternatives you might have. All the best to you and Good Luck!

@Steven *****

The problem these days with short work rotations is you are never in Thailand, or neighboring countries, long enough to get a visa. I had the same problem when I worked offshore. I was very happy when I hit 50. I then could go onto a retirement visa which was much easier to manage than a marriage visa. So many people live in Thailand that work offshore. I do not understand why Immigration cannot cater more to this group.

I'm not sure I understand your post. I've never worked in Thailand, only help my wife with her properties / businesses. I've always worked offshore outside of Thailand. I did not know, as a foreigner we could use free health care and housing in Thailand.

@Steven *****

You should consider carrying an invitation letter from your GF and possibly her family every time you leave for work. If asked upon reentry you can easily provide. Years ago I would always go to KL for my Non-O visa application. I always needed to give them an invitation letter from my Thai wife.

I think you are correct. They are after tourist money so make it relatively easy for tourists. For long term retirees or members of a Thai family, it may become harder and harder. The tax law enforcement comes to mind when thinking about this.

Yes, very complicated. I recently visited a local Immigration office in Isaan. Even the officials there looked quite tired of the entire situation. They simply said, there are too many different visas. I can't imagine them trying to figure it all out. I guess that is why standards may vary from office to office.

Only comments by some in this group. That's all. I haven't heard anything more elsewhere. I've been on Non-o for about 20 years. The 10 years before this I was on a mixture of visa exempt and Non-o. Me also, never an issue.

There should be no one person being able to make a decision if a foreigner can enter visa exempt or not. Why can't they just put it in black and white saying you can enter visa exempt X amount of time in a given period, regardless if you are a tourist, possibly planning to stay long term or any other status. Cut and dry, no questions asked. Too easy, but they won't do it, will they? Think about it, there is a reason for that.