Thai border entry by land

[lcosini]

What’s the real deal on the new policy with border entry by land/sea (not air)?
I was told we now can only get a 15 days stamp per entry TWICE a year and no more.
And unlimited 30 days stay stamp by air.
But I’ve heard that people still crossing by land are getting 30 days stay stamp!
So what is true or is the whole thing a hoax to get people to purchase visas at their embassies?
Anyone crossed lately and gotten 30 days stay stamp?

[phuketrichard]

for most all westerners,  30 day visa exempt by land entry TWICE /calendar year

so far, no mention of limit of flying in but figure after 3 there going to ask, especially if there just turn around's.

[ubonjoe]

Moved to here.

Since January 1st of this year all nationalities get a 30 day visa exempt entry at land border crossings. The 15 day entry rule was rescinded when the 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year at  land border crossings ministerial order went into effect.

[phuketrichard]

all nationalities ??
what about those that cant receive visa exempt  or need visas ( Africans,Indians,etc etc)

90 days (5 nations)
30 days waiver (6 nations)
30 days exemption (45 nations)
14 days (2 nations)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Thailand#Visa_exemption_for_normal_passports

 

 

 

[lcosini]

Good to know about the 30 days - but the staff at the Thai consulate still say it's 15 days (I was there recently to get my tourist visa 1 week ago). Did you (or anyone) actually get a 30 days stamp?

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, phuketrichard said:

all nationalities ??

A those that qualify for a visa exempt entry. I think that would be understood by most people.

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, lcosini said:

Good to know about the 30 days - but the staff at the Thai consulate still say it's 15 days (I was there recently to get my tourist visa 1 week ago). Did you (or anyone) actually get a 30 days stamp?

Just outdated info from a consulate. Embassies and consulates are not a good sources for info on entry rules.

Thousands of people have gotten 30 day entries since January 1st of this year.

 

[Fatman666]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Just outdated info from a consulate. Embassies and consulates are not a good sources for info on entry rules.

Thousands of people have gotten 30 day entries since January 1st of this year.

 

Can confirm this.. A friend of mine got a 30-day stamp 2weeks ago. Entry was at Padang Besar.

[anon789561]

1 hour ago, lcosini said:

Good to know about the 30 days - but the staff at the Thai consulate still say it's 15 days (I was there recently to get my tourist visa 1 week ago). Did you (or anyone) actually get a 30 days stamp?

it's 30 days, my mate just went to ban laem a few days ago and got 30 days. apparently resets midnight new year by the way as he wants to do one next month and has used his 2 land borders this year

[phuketrichard]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

A those that qualify for a visa exempt entry. I think that would be understood by most people.

usually ur spot on but

 

say what you mean, mean what you say :-)

[lcosini]

Another silly question:

If I entered TWICE by land BUT with a Tourist Visa obtained at the consulate, would it be counted towards "the 2 entries per calendar year by  land border crossings" policy or can I do TWO more additional "visa exempt entry at  land border crossings" still?

[BritTim]

11 hours ago, lcosini said:

the staff at the Thai consulate still say

Never trust anything a Thai embassy/consulate tells you about anything other than the rules they apply for issuing visas. People assume they must have had training that allows them to assist travelers, but in reality taking advice from them is, at best, a game of Chinese whispers. They are rarely right.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, lcosini said:

Another silly question:

If I entered TWICE by land BUT with a Tourist Visa obtained at the consulate, would it be counted towards "the 2 entries per calendar year by  land border crossings" policy or can I do TWO more additional "visa exempt entry at  land border crossings" still?

Visa exempt entries and entries with a visa are treated differently. There is no limit to the number of times you can enter with a visa. The limitation of twice per calendar year applies only to visa exempt entries by land.

[steve187]

8 hours ago, phuketrichard said:

usually ur spot on but

 

say what you mean, mean what you say :-)

everyone that gets a visa exempt gets 30 days, why you making a fuss

[AloisAmrein]

22 hours ago, lcosini said:

Good to know about the 30 days - but the staff at the Thai consulate still say it's 15 days (I was there recently to get my tourist visa 1 week ago). Did you (or anyone) actually get a 30 days stamp?

Yes, I did this year in January, when entering Thailand from Savanakhet, Laos, to Mukdahan.