What visa options should I consider for my next stay in Thailand after a visa run?

@David **********

Yep, it's all down to the rules of the SECTION 12. . . . . . . the previous travel history is what mostly counts, and you are right, the overall appearance. The attitude - are you polite? Never get agitated. Are you a "real" tourist or are you trying to "milk" the visa-free system? And never ever show them a rental contract, this will make you a "non"-tourist. Never say you visit your girlfriend - this makes you even more fishy in their eyes

@Gr**

sure you do buddy - you are the expert - I bow to your superior knowledge. Bs

@Brian ********

A word – no warning and no scaremongering! – on the consecutive use of touristic entries.

Okay you have to realize this is not the Thailand it was BEFORE they went from 30 day free entry to 60 day free entry back on July 15th, 2024

It was a LOT easier to 'live here' or staying long term on free entry, than is now. And with a multi-entry tourist visas you had been able max it out to almost 9 months stay.

Apparently, according to what we read and hear every other day, Immigration has gotten progressively tighter over time about 'tourists' and consecutive visa-exempt entries

While in theory you can get almost 9 months of stay out of a 6 month METV, in practicality now we can’t tell if you'll get hassled at the border when bouncing out and back

I would say even on a single 60-days tourist visa you'd be questioned entering by air, given your previous entry/stay history is excessive. I would prefer to bounce by land and not do it by air.

And remember just because you have a valid visa in your passport it doesn't guarantee you entry.

All it means is if they let you in, they will stamp you in for the days the visa allows.

The safest way to get a second visa-exempt entry would be to use a “Visarun-Company” service to bounce you out and back by a land border. They have it set up so their clients do a border run without any issue.

@Nelly *****

Switch to what? A Non-O is a long stay Visa for a number of reasons such as retirement, marriage, Thai family etc.

@Graham *****

non O is 90 days...

@Nelly *****

Yes with 12 month Extensions of Stay hence long term

@Graham *****

that's a non OA

@Nelly *****

they both get a 12 month extension

@Lawrence *******

thanks for clarifying. by doing this border bounce, he gets another 60+30 days or no? If yes, then what's the need of a visa then? If the visa also requires you to leave country?

@Cruise *****

That's correct. The only downside to border bounces are eventually you will be denied entry on account of trying to live in the country on free tourist entries

@An**

they are not tourist entries they are visa exempt could be work family or tourism

@Brian ********

you cannot work on a Visa Exempt entry;)

@Gra***

you can attend meetings what you can’t do is work in Thailand as a thai tax payer I think you are being rather pedantic and I’m unsure why. I’m trying to be helpful not upset anyone.

@Brian ********

Why would a family visit be 60 days?

i telling you facts not having a debate buddy - Visa exempt is just that

@David **********

Probably not, but you'd still be at the mercy of the immigration officer when you're re-entering. If he believes you are working illegally in the country, you'll be denied

@David **********

Haven't you got a non-O?