UK Tourist Visa Exemption 5 times in 6 months

[bts111]

I am British and visiting friends in Thailand. Last week after arriving from Siem Reap to Bangkok I realised once through passport control that I have now entered Thailand 4 times in the last 6 months. Looking at the 30-day Visa Exemption Scheme online (http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/84451-Tourist-Visa.html) I have just learnt that:

 

Passport holders of the countries eligible for Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 30 days on each visit (please click on the list for more details). 

Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6-month period by flight and 2 times a year for overland crossing.

 

However, as I mention above, last week was my 4th entry into Thailand within 6months (beginning of April (for 6 days), end of April (for 6 hours), beginning of July (for 8 days), and currently mid/late July (which will be a total of 12days)). With the above statement from the Thai Embassy in mind, was I just lucky to have been allowed back into Thailand via the visa exemption? As you can see, my visits have always been short (nowhere near the 30 day limit).

 

I am leaving Bangkok this week for 14 days in Vietnam, but I am then coming back to Bangkok for 24 days before heading back to the UK mid-September. This will be my 5th visit into Thailand within 6 months. Will I have problems at immigration when I arrive back to Bangkok in approx. 2 weeks? Is it worth me going to the Thai Embassy in Vietnam to apply for a Single Entry Visa? Or as my visits have always been short is it not an issue? (I understand the rule used to limit consecutive days spent within Thailand within a period, rather than limiting the number of visits in a 6 month period)

 

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me!

[bts111]

sorry, forgot to ask -

 

If I do need to go to the Thai Embassy in Vietnam (Hanoi) to apply for a Single Entry Visa does anyone know if I will need to book an appointment? Or can I just turn up at the embassy (probably the one in Hanoi), fill out the forms there and get the visa sorted?

 

Thanks in advance

[ubonjoe]

38 minutes ago, bts111 said:

Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6-month period by flight and 2 times a year for overland crossing.

That is out of date by about 10 years for the part about by air. It was actually 90 days in 6 months. By air there is no written limit. By land the 2 entries per calendar year is correct.

You should have no problem getting another visa exempt entry since you will be out of the country for 2 weeks.

[bts111]

Thanks for your help ubonjoe

 

I see. So strange that the UK Thai Embassy website shows that rule then. 

 

Will I only be ok as I am out of the country for 2 weeks? Say, if I was leaving Thailand for 1 day then coming back would there be an issue?

[elviajero]

There is no officially published (by immigration/government) limit on the number of entries by air, there’s only an official limit of 2 by land in any calendar year. The 90 day in any 180 days was rescinded years ago.

 

That said, IO’s at the airport can use discretionary power to deny entry to anyone they consider is staying too long on the country as a tourist using visa exempt entry. They are more interested in the time spent in the country rather than the number of actual entries.

 

Tou should be ok getting another visa exempt entry by air. Whenever possible get a tourist visa and don’t rely on visa exempt.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, bts111 said:

Thanks for your help ubonjoe

I see. So strange that the UK Thai Embassy website shows that rule then. 

Will I only be ok as I am out of the country for 2 weeks? Say, if I was leaving Thailand for 1 day then coming back would there be an issue?

It appears on other embassy and consulate websites. I assume it is because they were not informed of the new immigration rules.

The two weeks helps since it makes look like a legit tourist not somebody trying to live her on visa exempt entries. One day might cause some questions to be asked.

[Cletus]

19 minutes ago, bts111 said:

Thanks for your help ubonjoe

 

I see. So strange that the UK Thai Embassy website shows that rule then. 

 

Will I only be ok as I am out of the country for 2 weeks? Say, if I was leaving Thailand for 1 day then coming back would there be an issue?

Yes, it could be a problem if you fly back to Bangkok after just one day .

The idea is that IOs in BKK and DMK don't like to see people permanently living in Thailand on back to back visa exempt entry and/or tourist visa.