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Why was my visa exempt entry to Thailand declined at the Nong Khai border?

visa exemption Thailand immigration Nong Khai visa rules expat advice Thailand entry issues border crossing tourism policy visa types

Feb 18, 2025

3 days ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

My visa exempt entry to Thailand at the Nong Khai post was declined today. 

I obtained my new US passport last year. I flew to Thailand twice last year, got 1 extension of the two exempts. And used one border cross from last year. This was going to be my very first entry to Thailand in 2025, I am very surprised to be declined. Did anyone have a similar experience lately ? Supervisor said I stayed too long in Thailand, he said I should go back to Laos and fly to Thailand. But on the paper he gave me he marked (1) and (3), I think meaning they think I work in Thailand, which is nonsense, I don't work.  I think we are back to pre-pandemic days, Thailand does not need repeat tourists anymore

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user faced a declined visa exemption entry into Thailand at the Nong Khai border and is seeking insights from others with similar experiences. Comments indicate a crackdown on visa exemptions, especially due to extended stays. Various users suggest considering proper visa types instead of reliance on visa exemptions, emphasizing the need for clarity on immigration rules and individual officer discretion.

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Andriy ***************************

Thailand only wants dummies to come here for a short time, empty their wallets, then go the fuck home.

a day ago

Luit *****************

@Andriy **************************

I think Thailand has visa for almost every purpose, so everybody who is not a dummy can just apply for a visa. Staying for a long time in most other countries also needs to apply visa, so why should Thailand be different?

a day ago

Andriy ***************************

@Luit ****************

hurry up and empty your wallet then go home

a day ago

Reply to

Andriy ***************************

Keith *******

Definitely wouldn't go to Cambodia.

2 days ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Exempt entry stamp is used for tourism purposes. There is 2 exempt land crossing per year rule. There is NO limit to airport visa exemption entry. Plus exempt stamps are allowed to extend another 30 days with a cost of 1900 THB. If Thailand does not want visa exempt entry to be used more than certain times within a year they can easily make it a rule or they can make exempt stamp only 15 days not 60 or they would not let 30 extra day extension. This is the source of confusion, depending on the immigration officer and their daily mood swing your outcome is determined. I go to islands, mountains, rent motorcycle, every night pay for a hotel, don't work in Thailand; yes I am definitely a true long-term tourist and there is no law that prohibits using exempt entry for this purpose.

2 days ago

Caz *****

@James ******

What do these immigration officers think I wonder, that we are all countryless and coming to Thailand for their social welfare benefit system 😂 to get free housing and schooling, to get access to a free healthcare system. Like you say, there are people wealthy enough to travel long term and if they are complying with Thailand visa exemption policy (as I did last year), what is the problem? We are all paying money into the Thai economy while we are there. Constantly. The scales are tipped in their favour financially.

2 days ago

Caz *****

@James ******

💯

2 days ago

Luit *****************

@James ******

there is no 2 exempt land crossing rule. Of course they can make rules different, but stricter rules means real tourist get inconvenience, because there is a hardcore group trying to live in Thailand, refusing to buy a visa for their purpose. And don't forget, for long term tourists METV exists, but of course you can try to profit from free entries as long as it gets, but the visa exempt just is tot created for that purpose, and by using it, you accept that you depend from the individual officer.

2 days ago

Ni**

@Lu**

: why would any tourist already here go back overseas and jump through bureaucratic METV hoops in their home country for zero benefits over repeat 60 day exempt entries? If Thailand didn't like the visa run & fast track business they could shut it down overnight.

Repricing strategy, not 'crackdown'.

Many would rather pay double for this business model than dealing with bureaucracy. How does this 'abuse' harm Thailand? Why not automatically block repeat entries at borders and airport gates? 💰

a day ago

Luit *****************

@Ni**

tourists planning long trips to a number of countries prepare the necessary visa in their home country before they travel. People who stay already in Thailand and need extra time are not tourists. And of course the fact a lot of people profit from this bypassing the system might keep it alive.

a day ago

Reply to

Luit *****************

Rod *********

Makes me laugh they come here fall in love with a prostitute and think they can easily extend just to sink the sausage

2 days ago

James *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Rod ********

how do you know your wife was not a former street laborer in Pattaya and everyone in this group passed her at least once ? Be civilized or be treated in a language you can understand

2 days ago

Reply to

James *******

Carlos *********

Youre using a free exemption to live there and they wont like that. They think you are abusing their benevolence of the exemption purposes