raz0r21

Yeah its much more comfortable to fly. But its gonna cost quite a bit probably, especially if you fly to udon thani and back from u tapao. On top of that are the added fees for the visa run, not really worth the hassle - considering you will have to spend time in a van in Laos too. Its unfortunate about the Cambodia border situation. If you are worried and want the cheapest option I suggest talking to the visa agent and telling them you want to use their safe entry service. So just fly to Vietnam as you planned, and enter by air after you sorted out the safe entry.

My guess would be that the DTV is making it very difficult for them to use the "you stay in thailand too much" excuse, since it its multiple entry and exactly what they ask for when they give you a hard time on tourist visas (a proper long stay visa). Another issue they face is the classic "lack of funds" reason for denied entry - considering you need a hefty amount of money to even get the DTV. They also dont have the time to go through all the supporting documents at the booth, while hundreds of people are waiting in line. However, I am almost certain that the soft power variants of the DTV will be looked at more thoroughly in the inspection zones nearby, probably in the near future. And maybe the workcation category aswell (however that one requires you to have income too, on top of the 500k THB). But if your documents are in order, you still have the amount required for the DTV, and you fulfill the requirements for the visa - I would not expect issues even at secondary inspection. I have seen reports online of people doing the extensions at immigration aswell, but there they seem to require even MORE evidence, and company stamps (who even uses those anymore?), etc. So good luck with that.

My take on this is that it probably will receive more scrutiny in the future. Especially for those short term cooking classes or muay thai training camps. It does not really make sense that you get 5 years for a 6 month course, and I am suspecting that this will be cracked down on sooner rather than later. I have been scouring the web looking for any denials of DTV holders, and so far nothing. And as you wrote, most of the "harder" questioning seems to apply to those who applied for it in a nearby country. I posted this in another thread before which makes me believe that the airport immigration division is actively pushing for the DTV for long term visa runners. In the video they point to it being a correct visa. You can check it out here: (https://www.instagram.com/p/DEEjJ0TSCdm/). And the screenshot is attached in this post.

Just to add into this discussion: The "safe entry" cost also goes up the longer your history of stays are. So in the long run, if you really love thailand (as many of us here do), try to get on a more long term visa solution. I got a really hard time from the IO last time at the airport with a SETV, even though I had stayed in my home country for over 5 months. I am now on a DTV (workcation category). It just got to the point where it was too much of a hassle, and the constant worry in the back of my head that they would not let me in. Good luck on your travels!

Yeah he got it. I have never heard of anyone getting denied an extension, unless they didnt have all the required paperwork. He went to the other immigration office after that though.

It does seem they are tightening up more and more now. What I have been reading in the news is that after the latest Tourist Authority of Thailand meeting "TAT Action Plan 2026" - they want to focus on value over volume. Not really sure what it means, but I am guessing its not gonna get any easier for visa running with tourist exemptions 🙂 Picture attached.

My friend got a really negative experience while extending a visa exemption at the immigration in Hua Hin, the Bluport one. The IO asked him why he comes to Thailand so often, etc etc. The usual stuff that usually happens at the airports.

Dont gamble and risk denial. Pay for the safe entry if you have to stay with that kind of visa, or do a border run with a visa run agency.. Its 3500/4000 baht usually for the safe entry which at the moment is one of the better options because of the travel times by van.

This has been discussed forever on this forum. There are many who go to Thailand during the winters from northern countries for example. Its nothing new. The only thing I want is to have an answer to how long is too long, but so far there are no official rules - just whatever the IO decides when you arrive at the airport. That is the biggest problem right now.

Cool, show me the rule then. Because I have asked Immigration too and never gotten it. Specifically how long you can stay as a tourist. Thanks in advance!

Because there is no rule in Thailand that says how long is too long.

Its no secret you can get a business visa through an agent, even without having a "proper" company with thai employees etc. The price is around 90k to 100k baht. With yearly renewals (not sure about the cost). However, these shady arrangements have gotten much more difficult after the recent crackdown. Some YouTubers might still be on those visas though.

This is a very interesting topic. I have noticed many YouTubers that I have watched during the years that suddenly just dissappear, most probably because their luck ran out with long term stays or for economical reasons. With the DTV its much easier so now theres more channels than ever. But making it in the YouTube space in 2025 must be really tough, especially when most of the Thailand topics are covered already. My guess concerning Mickey is that he has a company here with employees. It seems to be a bigger operation at least, with all the different products. And he genuinely seems to love Thailand so I am sure he would want to do everything by the book.

Sorry I dont know. I recommend to ask them

That sounds like a complete nightmare. Just doing a short run to cambodia is an ordeal already. Double that time and you will have the Savannakhet run. The visa run company i used previously now offer Savannakhet runs by air to Nakhon Phanom from Bangkok. It will cost alot more tho since you need to pay for your flights aswell, maybe 2-3k baht extra. Have a look here: https://thaivisaservice.com/

Huh? just go to soi 94 in hua hin and theres a visa agent right there on the beginning of the soi, to the left side. Just book a spot and then go to the pickup point at the time they tell you to be there. After that you get in the van, ride to the border and get stamped in/out. Then back to Hua Hin. The process is done in around 12 hours. Alternatively you contact them through LINE or whatsapp or phone, i linked one company here in the thread before: MY RIDE Thailand Ltd. BOOKING: 082496 2249 WhatsApp:: me/+660824962249 Line:: https://line.me/ti/p/yRKsmm-FFc

A friend of mine did the Myanmar border run from Hua Hin. Its a pain in the ass too, but not as bad as going to Laos. It takes around 12 hours to complete, but at least it can be done in a day. Maybe a good option if living close by, or if going for a short stay in Hua Hin. There are companies at soi 94 that advertise the runs. I also found one company on Facebook that does the runs for 5 300 baht: https://www.facebook.com/groups/221530661758247/user/100083392478106/ To go all the way to Savannakhet in those vans with random strangers, and try to sleep in them during the night... nah man, nah. Im good.

One thing to remember is that this is the low season. That means that the immigration officers have more time to look at your entry/exit history since there is less queue. Arriving during the low season might also raise questions of the legitimacy of your stay since most tourists arrive from October and onwards (especially if you have been coming and going to Thailand frequently).

Thanks for the reports in the thread. Thats a small price to pay for peace of mind.

I think the agent assisted DTV border runs are for those who have problems justifying a long term stay if asked by an immigration officer. Still learning to cook pad thai after 2 years? Doing dental work 3 years straight? Might raise some eyebrows at immigration, for example.

I am almost sure they will start to crack down on DTV holders on the soft power activities. Sooner rather than later. That is probably why there already is a service available (5700 baht) for a new 180 day entry.

Hey OP, I would take the IOs comment as the first warning, and would not push it after this with a new exempt (especially flying in). I dont think a safe service is needed if you have several months in between your trips, but certainly another visa. The DTV is one of the best options right now for us long stayers / "you stay too long in Thailand" travelers. And to those who have commented that the IO has too much power to deny entry. The officer will most likely ask for a supervisor to come and check the situation. Last time the boss came up to the booth and checked my tourist visa, said something to the IO, and then I got stamped in.

There is a bit of a difference between an ETA and a TM6. ETA is something that is needed to authorize travel, while TM6 is just mandatory "information reporting" for your trip. You can probably fly without filing a TM6 but pay a fine, just like with the TM30. Without an ETA you will not even be allowed to board the plane. But it will be an absolute nightmare if both those systems are implemented. The amount of hoops to jump through would be so immense that the losses from tourism would be astronomical. I am sure most tourists will just look elsewhere if its too difficult to go to a country for a holiday.

Just my 2 cents, right now it is high season and the staff are probably very stressed. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, but yeah... I have also had my fair share of uneasy conversations at Immigration. I always feel tense and nervous interacting with them, and this mostly boils down to previous "interrogations" for staying "too long" in Thailand. Next trip I am aiming to arrive with a DTV to avoid all this. As the OP wrote, if there only were some clear rules. Maybe the new ETA will bring some clarity. In the video below the guy on the left says that the alarm bells will start ringing after 3 VE:s per year, and then you get blocked by the system. After that you have to apply through the e-visa portal and obtain a real visa, not exempt. I don't know what he bases this on, but it seems he knows a bit more than usual. You can have a look here:

Some borders require this now, but not all. My guess it will keep expanding though, probably to stop people doing visa runs by themselves to stay in Thailand. Best to use a visa service to avoid problems, even if it comes with a cost.