dtag

I'm in my 40s not working for the short term, doing some slower living/ travel after a tough few years. Lived in Thailand a few times before with work visas pre - Covid. Because of familiarity with the language and culture , Thailand would be the easiest place for me to stay for a while. I recognize that I can't really do that unless I get a work or education visa though. Would be nice to be able to come in and out while I am visiting other SE Asian countries without having to worry about the mood of the IO I happen to hand my passport to. It is what it is. I'll get the tourist visa ahead if I think I want to come back in March, or I will just stay gone longer.

Ok thanks. Sounds like to be on the safe side, I should apply for tourist visa before making definite plans to return.

I have heard this said and seen some sites saying it, but the information may be outdated or inaccurate. If you go in and out as a tourist several times, is there a limit to the total amount of days or months you can stay per year ( or per 6 months) in Thailand? I was in for about 42 days in October to early December, then out for 2 weeks, and am back from late December until early February . I was thinking of returning in late March. I will have stayed in Thailand for a total of about 86 days from late October through Feb 3. Would there be any issue with me returning for another visa exempt entry in late March? Would a land crossing as opposed to flying in make any difference ( I flew in both previous times) Thanks

Where did you get the idea that the main cities and the bar girl town were going to be the nice places to visit? Slagging off the whole of the PI when your top place to retire is the biggest sh#*hole in Thailand is pretty funny.

I entered Thailand on a Non Immigrant O for Employment last August. My job was ending in June, but I planned to return to travel for about 6 weeks in the summer. I left before my visa was expired and flew to Phnom Penh to stay for 8 days and get a 60 day tourist visa. My work permit and Non O were cancelled before I returned. I flew in on Tuesday with a valid tourist visa from the Thai embassy and was taken to the immigration office at Phuket airport. A younger immigration officer there who seemed to want to impress his older colleagues told me he "knew" I was coming back into work illegally. I explained my situation, showed him reservations for hotels for the start of my travels, and got my former employers on the phone to speak with him. He basically said he decided already I could not come in. I had a total of 2 visa in my passport- the 1 Non Immigrant O , which was valid for the year I worked and the new tourist one that I was seeking to use now. I have never had any overstay , etc. He still acted as if I were a serial visa runner, and refused to listen to anything I said. I was told I had to return to the place I flew in from, which was Phnom Penh. Just leaving the country on the first available flight was not allowed. Since the flight is not daily, I have been detained at the Phuket Airport for 3 days now, basically only leaving the detention room for a couple short meals a day. Keep in mind this is my first ever entry as a tourist. I have had several different people detained with me for shorter periods during these 3 days to discuss their situations. Some have been what could be described as "visa runners". Others were people on vacation who came in with valid visas that were simply not accepted or were on short jaunts around SE Asia from their home country and just happened to be entering Thailand a second time. The arbitrariness of it makes it seem as if the immigration officers are just trying to fill a quota of people they refuse entry to. Some chats I have had with some of the people "guarding" me makes it clear they have noticed a sudden escalation in people being refused entry and are finding it strange. For now, I would advise any friends coming to Thailand to avoid flying into here. They are likely better off just entering in Bangkok taking a domestic flight down. As for me, I'm taking my tourist dollars elsewhere- for good. Bye Bye LOS. You've really hit rock bottom when you won't honor visas from your own embassies.