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Ha - Yup - That was an important word - It did have me thinking for a while - The border is not even friendly to agents.

Right - And if I ever I have no choice in the future and must do that particular border crossing - Then I will always use an agent - No question.

Mnnn - Looks like I am behind the curve - Yes just founds sites showing same as you are reporting USA/European/UK it is $40 at the border (at airports there is also a $1 processing fee) The other option is $50 by getting the evisa online before getting there.

Yup - Cambodia - Even If using the more friendly border crossings Ban Laem Border - If doing this without own transport its even uneconomically trying to save on the trip once you are faced with the added complexity of transport - So either way its better to use an organised agent bus / van border bounce if ever going through Cambodian borders. I did the Aranyaprathet/Poipet eighteen months ago for a bounce and with the amount of drama involved - I think I could have produced a three hour movie.

Ahh - Brilliant - So no issues to report - Just turn up with $35, passport, paperwork, photo, 30Thb bus fare and back to Nong Khai for coffee - Thanks for that thaitom

Thanks DrJack - Identifying that there is a lack of reports of any such problems occurring is useful to know - Thanks

I am approaching the first 60 days on my Visa exempt on a UK passport and the last time I was in Thailand was eighteen months ago while also on a Tourist visa. I will be in Nong Khai on the last day of my exemption and intend to do a border bounce at the Vientiane side without actually going into Vientiane. From past experience this border has always been mostly forgiving, but I have never attempted an actual bounce at the border nor have I used the border since the 60 day exemption increase. Is a bounce likely to succeed or is there some new unwritten rule requiring you to spend a night in Vientiane or perhaps the border bounce is only realistically possible through the use of an agent. I am guessing from past previous experiences that it will be possible to do this solo and without staying in Vientiane overnight, but stuff changes and any recent experiences from anyone doing the same would be useful.

I now do the same 6m/6m after previously living in Thailand continuously since 2011. I hence looked into the same question for myself. I reached the following conclusions. No Fixed Rule: There's no absolute rule that staying in the UK for 6 months guarantees you have proven that you are maintaining a UK habitual residence. It's a guideline, not a legal threshold (unlike Statutory Residence Test, but this is a completely different consideration). Each case is assessed on its own merits, considering various factors beyond just the length of stays. Keep UK Ties Strong: In order to demonstrate strong UK ties maintain a UK address, bank accounts, and show regular communication with UK institutions and if possible demonstrate existing family ties. This is only required if there was an investigation, but this is unlikely to happen when you are in the UK for 6 months. Pattern of Stays: Regular patterns of long stays could influence any DWP's assessment, however any trips back to the UK, even short trips demonstrates ongoing ties to the UK. The longer the stay the stronger the tie to the UK. Even on the very small chance you are investigated and lose the case there is a procedure to demonstrate how you can become a UK resident again by doing normal thing like showing where you are living and proving you are paying bills for the stuff that you consume in the UK (for things like utilities and groceries over a two or three months period). Hence theoretically there could be a small period when indexing was lost however its quickly retrieved and you should have no problem in doing this.

Thank you impulse - This is really good feedback. This is real life data . Even if another person was not, I was surprised and found the information valuable that multiple Visa Exempt entries, when staying only a small amount of days was was acceptable over a very long period of time by immigration. Thank you for great feedback.

Good to hear - Thanks for adding this ChaiyaTH

Actually Good point - I had not thought through the calculation. However it might be that a previous border run before the 60 days Exempt then got affected by lenience on the new rule for a second border run after the 60 days Exempt new rule. But.....even as I type this, I know I am stretching sensible considerations a little too much here.

Fair Enough!

Theoretically it would be possible to get unlimited exemptions for appropriate passport holder, however as always immigration has the last say. Previously immigration were intolerant of multiple entry Visa exempts and directed visitors to apply for the right Visa. Is there any evidence that consideration has become more lenient since the new 60 day Visa exempt, which has now been available for close to 3 months ?

Sounds like the VE + Ext = Best solution. Thanks (also Enoon and Lite Beer) Last time I did a border hop Poipet Border and got a Cambodia and Tourist Visa via Nong Khai / Vientiane. Poipet from my last experience should be completely disregarded for border hop. - I am guessing that you are recommending Nong Khai - For any border hops? Yup Vietnam should be mini holiday, I have visited a number of times - Favourite is Da Nang.

Theoretically it is possible to enter Visa exempt and get 60 days, then leave and re-enter and get 60 days, then leave and re-enter and get 60 days for 180 days I am a UK passport holder and have been out of Thailand for last 15 months - I previously had mix of OA and O (retirement) over last 14 years, but my last visit was for just 6 months: 45 day exempt entry and 45 day exempt (Border hop) and extension in Bangkok and tourist visa in single entry Venetian. If my plan is possible, which border next to Thailand is the safest and how long is required to stay before returning for Immigration to accept re-entry for a land entry. If I was to take a different option by doing the exit and re-enter via Vietnam on either entry, and since Vietnam is not bordering Thailand this will need to be an air crossing and not a land crossing - would this increase the probability of success for either of the attempts for exit / re-entries on visa exempt 60 days.