Happy 66th Birthday to The Legend ...

Our very own Tod Daniels, Moderator.

Serving expats for over 20 years with solid Thai Visa Advice on this and many more forums. We wish Tod continued good health, sharp mind and prolonged patience in responding to your many questions.

I'm currently having a huge argument with a moderator of an English-speaking group

He is absolutely convinced that he believes what Tod Daniels wrote a week ago about the 60-day visa-exempt entry.

I, on the other hand, and the admin of another English-speaking visa advice group, are of the opinion that you shouldn't believe everything and should wait and see whether more reports of this kind come in.

It's true - there have been no other such statements so far.

Tod Daniels (a great guy, the visa guru of the advice groups!)

came to the conclusion a week ago that since July 15th you can make UNLIMITED 60-day visa-exempt entries via a land border. The limit of crossing a land border twice per calendar year has been dropped, he wrote

unfortunately, he is basing his argument on ONE single report, as well as the passport and the story of a Filipino who was stamped in at Nong Khai

this Filipino had already overstayed three times (!!) and had already made THREE 30-day visa-free entries since the beginning of the year!

and then the guy claims that after a 60-day visa-exempt stay permit was stamped into his passport, he asked the official how many times he could re-enter from there on

and the official answered him: "unlimited!"

I don't believe a word of this story

because - who is so stupid as to point out to the official at the border with such a stupid question that he might have made a mistake?

He would have expect that the border official will take a closer look at his passport and possibly revoke the stamp!

Do you understand?

that's why I don't believe this story

and Tod Daniels may have fallen for this story

And what else can you say about the little phrase "unlimited visa-free travel"?

The phrase "unlimited visa-free travel by air" has already suggested something that didn't actually exist

In the past, at a certain point, let’s say, the third consecutive attempt at visa-free travel, you would be taken aside at all airports (and at land borders!) and questioned about your true intentions.

And you would be warned that this would be the last time you would be allowed to enter without a suitable visa for a specific purpose.

So, please, why would it have been changed to "unlimited visa-free travel for 60 days for the rest of your Life" as of July 15th?

Based on just ONE report from a Filipino traveler about his experiences at a land border to Laos?

Why should one now start to believe that the phrase "unlimited" actually means unlimited entries by air and land?

Each entry is still granted at the discretion of the immigration officer at the border.

If an immigration officer decides that you have used visa-free entry often enough in a row and have "abused" it for a long-term stay, you can flush the next "unlimited" entry down the toilet

Tod Daniels. They should build a statue in your honor. The information/service/advice that you provide is invaluable. I'll soon be retiring to Thailand (marriage) and my time will certainly be spent investigating the advice that you have provided to others in a similar situation. Thanks again for your time and patience. Regards, Mark.

Met Tod Daniels today at Immigration. Despite him telling me not to tell anyone, he's a pretty nice guy. Very knowledgeable with an earnest desire to help people. Thanks again for your help on the forum and it was nice meeting you. ;)