A real tourist is someone who comes to Thailand to travel, explore, and enjoy the country, then leaves within the permitted stay often returning again and again over the years. Multiple short visits, no overstays, no extensions, just genuine tourism. The rules and labels may change, but the spirit of tourism hasn’t. For more insight on visas, travel patterns, and how immigration views them today, it’s worth checking out Landscape for practical tips.

If you qualify, it’s usually best to apply for the retirement visa before traveling, as it simplifies entry and avoids extra steps in-country. Some people do enter on a tourist visa first and convert later, but that can add time and paperwork. For clear, step by step guidance and current requirements, it’s worth checking out Landscape for more tips.