Tourists by definition spend 2-3 weeks here, as I did for many years with my family, before my wife and I took the decision to retire here, 7 years ago, on the correct retirement visa. What we are now seeing in many areas, is uncontrolled migration through abuse of the visa system and Thai hospitality, some areas are now no go zones due to uncontrolled visa abuse anti social behavior and criminality that invariably follows. It’s driven a property price bubble, which won’t end well and damage to the environment and oceans, not sustainable.

@Wayne ********

not guaranteed agent will highlight risk of rejection before you set off though which has its benefits.

@Steve ******

or otherwise, at least you will know before getting to the border agent will know if risk of rejection is high

Sorry , I defer to you wider knowledge of Thailand, its culture and immigration laws. I will stick to my experience over 47 years of visiting, since 1978 , and past 7 years of retirement with my non Thai wife and our two rescue dogs who probably talk more sense than you - enjoy your day 🐶🐶

@James *******

Best way for average Joe to keep his nose clean is obtain correct visa, contributing to the Isaac economy, I get….but we don’t pay taxes, and income earned remains under the radar - tourists contribute huge amounts to the Thai economy as they spend on accom, transport and restaurants….average Joe doesnt, he might pay rent for a room and motorbike……

Basically the same as if you pull this stunt in US, UK Europe, Singapore to name but a few, obtain correct visa and enjoy your stay.

@James *******

they welcome tourists with open arms, but a tourist stays for a few weeks and goes home to their place of work and earns enough for their next adventure……….a tourist doesn’t plot up here for 6 months doing border runs and generally abusing the system - try pulling that stunt in Singapore , or Hong Kong etc

When is a tourist not a tourist, usually after 4-5 weeks……who gets that much annual leave if they have a job……if they don’t they are earning some kind of income in Thailand - go figure where the problem is - disaster for Isaan though

You want to advertise on SM that you are bribing immig officers - really 🤔🤔

@Barbara ******

that’s sound advice, once you get caught up with agents very challenging to extricate yourself , and cost soon mounts up - my wife and and set off on this journey 7 years ago, and annual trips to immig are an adventure and part of living here, and we have no shortage of time on our hands…..good luck