@Robert *********

it seems obvious that with the announcement by a senior Thai Immigration officer last month regarding extensions on Visa Exempt entries (I'm not sure about actual Tourist Visas), that you won't be allowed to do any more than 60+30+60+7 (157 days) in a one year period.

If you think that your relationship with your girlfriend is strong enough to commit to marriage, then I'm thinking this; if you marry your girlfriend you could use one or more Non-O Visas, based on marriage. That would mean that at the time of applying for that visa, you can prove that you have the equivalent of 800k Baht in a bank account, in your home country or elsewhere. I've seen over the past three years, a number of mentions of people using this Visa to visit their Thai wives, while not extending them. Just need that proof of funds for however many times you apply for this option. Or a Non-O Visa supplemented by one or two Visa Exempt entries and the allowed extensions.

I don't know, but more knowledgeable and experienced people might say this will or will not work any better than what you have tried to do already.

@Cloana *******

no, you're wrong there. I remember clearly the announcement from the Senior Immigration Officer that made the announcement in early November regarding Visa Exempt entries and Extensions on those. It was said that on the first entry, a 30 day extension could be granted and the second Visa Exempt entry would only get 7 days. That's 60+30+60+7 = 157 days. That's if you're maximising the free entries and Extensions as

@Greg **********

was explaining.

@Darren *********************

no worries. I understand Brandon is providing a comment based on Thailand's Immigration rules, but with them so often not applying them, some Officers taking a bit of cash to 'look the other way', then the new guidelines set out in November (which is more about stamping out cybercriminal activities and trying to live in Thailand without the appropriate Visa), everything is, in the eyes of many foreigners, as clear as mud.

I don't know where you're up to in your plans to visit Thailand, your history of visiting the country, or where you plan to visit, but you perhaps have a couple of options, which may or may not require extra planning compared to what you wanted:

1) stay a maximum of sixty (day of arrival counts as day one)

2) If you don't anticipate another trip to Thailand within a year of the currently planned trip, maybe in the last thirty days of your 60 day Visa Exempt entry, using a bus ticket purchased before you leave home, go to Laos or Malaysia (I believe a train also runs from Bangkok into Malaysia) and return a day or two later and get another Visa Exempt entry into Thailand. Due to the Myanmar internal conflict and Thailand's border conflict with Cambodia, they are probably not recommended, though flights between Thailand and Cambodia are no problem at the moment.

3) if you want a longer than sixty day holiday before flying home, maybe fly to from Thailand to Vietnam, Malaysia, or another South East Asian country with a flight then back home.

Good luck

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

ok, so that's the rules, but how often do Immigration Officers strictly apply the rules, such as proof of funds outward tickets and accommodation bookings, especially towards genuine tourists who don't have any history of abusing or 'playing' the system? Thailand really should do something to stop all the confusion among tourists, perhaps removing the option of extensions for tourists. That way, visitors know exactly what is the maximum time they can spend there. This isn't something that has affected me and probably never will, but I can see where it causes issues for people that can take more time for holidays.

@Nongnuch *******

fair enough, with that little more explanation, I can see what your original comments were getting at.

@John ********

WRONG! If an Immigration Officer asks for proof of funds, it HAS to be cash, whether it be Thai Baht or any other currency

@Greg **********

well explained, thank you

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

that's fine to say, but what if you haven't had any history of staying in Thailand that will cause any questioning by Immigration Officers and you want to stay between sixty and ninety days?

I rarely fly, but from my experience in the middle of 2023, when I booked a return flight to Thailand and had an unavoidable change of circumstances, I lost $AU600 in cancellation fees, of an airfare that cost me somewhere around $1,200 (that was through a recognised Travel Agent 50% by Agent 50% by Airline). Not having definitive, specific Rules that makes it clear to everyone where they stand, can make it very difficult, depending of course, if you have a 'history' that IO's might scrutinise.

There seems to be a variety of interpretations and opinions as to what can and can't be done since the new 'guidelines' were announced a month ago by Thai Immigration,so "Problem solved, done and dusted", I don't think so.

@Nongnuch *******

you've made this comment twice and also another about "rainy season". What difference does it make as to when extensions of stay start or end? Also, do Immigration Offices close for rainy season, or days when it rains at that time of year? It doesn't rain every day of rainy season does it, preventing someone from going to their Immigration Office?

@Michael *******

I'm not a troll, that's not my personality, but after reading your post this last week, then you post this CRAP, it just became too hard for me to resist making a few comments. Ok, let's race to see who can block who first. If you can't take advice from really good, helpful advice from members of the group, but instead choose to whine, rather than going about you business quietly, I certainly won't miss seeing your name. You think I'm wrong, tell me how many negative comments and how many positive comments you've received on this post‼️