@Graham *****

well, Visa Exempt is also 60 days with a possible extension of 30 days (so 90 days in total).

I would get the tourist visa if it would help my case, but while Immigration officers always talk about "getting the right visa" they still often deny you if you get one. It seems to be more dependent on the mood of the IO than the visa that you got.

@Jordan ****

yeah, crossing overland sounds much better (or less bad) in case you are turned away. Just the chance of being put in a detention cell and then being forced to fly back home already kinda ruins my holiday before it even started.

@EM ****

as far as I know there are no written rules regarding visa exempt entries. Though if you enter too often or stay too long on Visa Exempt stamps some immigration officers suspect you are trying to live long term in Thailand on Visa Exempt stamps (or Tourist Visas).

What really bothers me is that it's kinda like russian roulette. It's completely random as to when someone is being questioned or denied entry into Thailand. Some people seem to get away with years and years of back to back Visa Exempt entries and others are denied entry at the 2nd time of trying to enter in a calendar year. Playing russian roulette is not a pleasant start of a holiday for me.

@Todd ********

I do think the chance of being denied entry is small, but I have read so many comments of people on Facebook and Reddit recently who haven't been in Thailand for around as long as I have and which have been denied entry because of a few visa exempt entries (with extensions) in the past.

Just to add, I stayed in Thailand for ~5-6 months on Visa Exempt stamps every calendar year from 2021 to 2023.

@Ian *********

you're probably right. I forgot to add that one other major reason why I am thinking about entering overland is because even if they deny me entry at least they will just send me back to the country I just came from instead of all the way back home.

@Frangipani ******

well, I'm only planning to stay 3 months max this time and from what I have read denials of entry seem to happen just as much with tourist visas as with visa exempt entries (and both give you 60 days with possible 30 day extension).