@Nongnuch *******

Prefer Cognac myself although I did drink UK dark rum in my youth. Always found JD inconsistent in comparison with single malt Scotch Whisky. Not fond of sweet mixers so used to drink the JD neat for the period of time I drank it. Some bottles were OK but some a bit ‘hot’, hence the inconsistency. Only ever had a couple of glasses of Thai Whiskey, at family events, but it is similar in taste to the spicy rums that were popular in the UK for a time. Not really my tipple. There is a big Thai Whiskey ‘distillery’ in the province and maybe 25km away. Might give it more consideration in the future, when I have time on my hands.

@Nongnuch *******

Well I haven’t had a drink for about 10 days as I’ve been working nightshift here. I will indeed have a beer or 10 when I get the opportunity but I won’t be moaning about Thailand while I’m in my cups.

The ‘work’ addition to the non-O was a typo by the way, that I haven’t been able to correct yet. Plain non-O.

Now you can get back onto your Sam song and relax with your farang compadres, without the requirement of having to worry about my apparent alcoholic destitution.

@Brandon ***********

Thanks for the clarification. I may myself have to purchase a re-entry permit and your reply has cleared this up. I would hope you could do this re-entry application at your local immigration office?

@Ambro *****

If immigration enforce the advisory. Although I think you’d be foolish to gamble on the chance they won’t.

@Rene *****

They are clamping down across the board now. Alleged Chinese money laundering. Agents with Bangkok Bank contacts. Border conflict with Cambodia. Laos rebels operating close to the Northern border. Conflict in Myanmar. Drug mules smuggling cannabis out of Thailand…….

OK, for the doubting Thomas’s, I’ve gone back and found the information covering the day limit in country. In fact the wording covers 90 days in 6 months rather than 180 days annually. -faq

The wording is as follows:

Furthermore, foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry.

@Rene *****

and why do you ‘apparently’ come to that conclusion? I’ve stated that I’ve seen this in black and white so if you are interested you could try looking up both the UK and Thai embassies and visa sections. I also stated that the immigration officers have the final say and possibly don’t dance to the same tune as the embassies, so may not enforce this.

It’s fairly normal practice in most countries that you can’t enter visa free for more that 180 days annually, so why would Thailand differ?

Seems to me that some stuck in the past, old barstool barristers find it difficult to grasp that Thailand is progressing into the future and they don’t approve.

I’ve seen information on the official embassy site saying you are restricted to 180 days entry annually. I’ve also been informed that immigration is a separate entity from embassy and each immigration officer makes his own judgement. Personally I’ve never stayed longer than 4 weeks at a time each entry, usually less, so can’t give you the benefit of my experience. Haven’t come close to the 180 day limit either. Seems like you are pushing the boundaries and are even trying to come back at a time when you’ve exceeded your 180 days quota!

My advice, spend US$80 and get a non-O.

@Andy **********

Valid question