I believe that I am allowed a maximum of 2 tourist visas per calendar year now. So in the following circumstance:

 

• I am on a tourist visa currently, issued this calendar year
• I go to Vientiane for a different visa type
• Application is denied for whatever reason 

 

In this scenario I believe I can not get back into Thailand for a while, perhaps a 90 day wait is needed.

 

I think one can not have back to back tourist visas anymore.

 

Is that correct? I am operating from memory and could very well have the facts wrong or overlook something else.

 

 

Edited November 3, 20196 yr by Hal65

Vague questions / requests for information only generate vague or no answers.

You need to be more precise about your situation and plans if you want to receive correct advice and information.

As a minimum:

- What is your present Visa situation (which type Visa you now have, date of expiry of that Visa, last day of permission to stay as stamped into your passport);

- What is your exit/entry history over the last 12 months (precise enough so that can be determined how many days you stayed in Thailand, and where/how many times you entered);

- What is your present plan - and when entering Thailand how long you want to stay.

Success...

 

Either one can get into the country on back to back tourist visa's or they can't. I understand discretion is involved at the airports but I believe land borders follow the rules.

I believe you are allowed 2 visa exempt entries per year when crossing the border by land. There is no official limit of tourist visas. However, if you have too many tourist visas and they are back-to-back then over time you will attract scrutiny by Immigration officers at the borders and at the airports. How much is too much is up to the discretion of the Immigration officer. The standards are not uniform. 6 months within a year often is the un-official limit unless you purchased a 6 month tourist visa. Some Consulates will not issue visas to people who have spent too much time in the country. Again, standards are not uniform among Consulates. There are often restrictions on the use of educational visas as well.

 

You have to be specific about your previous travel history and travel plans and then people can advise the best options for you. Also, what country passport do you have?

Edited November 3, 20196 yr by Martyp

My situation is that I have spent 5.5 years in the country near continuously, with 3 days per year in Vientiane to pick up ED visas at the turn of each expiration. I would like to use the tourist visas in-between EDs now. I am aware of the tightening ED (and other) visa regulations.

 

I didn't know the "6 months of tourist in one year" was unofficial, that's the crucial detail I was looking for. I think I should be okay although the continuous time in the country on ED visas may be looked at more harshly than I realize.

10 minutes ago, Hal65 said:

My situation is that I have spent 5.5 years in the country near continuously, with 3 days per year in Vientiane to pick up ED visas at the turn of each expiration. I would like to use the tourist visas in-between EDs now. I am aware of the tightening ED (and other) visa regulations.

 

I didn't know the "6 months of tourist in one year" was unofficial, that's the crucial detail I was looking for. I think I should be okay although the continuous time in the country on ED visas may be looked at more harshly than I realize.

With that history inside Thailand you have to be prepared to be denied entry at any time. Which means you may be traveling to various countries outside Thailand to find a way in or that you may have to abandon whatever assets (and relationships) you have inside Thailand and can't get to because you have been denied entry. It's a matter of percentages for you. You will probably be OK but if you get denied entry you shouldn't be surprised. Even you should realize that you are not a tourist at this point.

Edited November 3, 20196 yr by Martyp

Flying in through any airport, but particularly DMK, BKK, HKT, with your history of staying here long term, its very likely you would be pulled up and grilled - and probably denied entry.

 

I'm surprised you were able to keep hitting Vientiane for 5 years back to back for ED visas - what was you studying?!

 

You can indeed enter on back to back TR visas, but, again if your history is long, the IO can question you, and/or refuse entry.
 

The consulates have started to now deny issuing visas, for people with 'a few' entries, and in some cases on only the 2nd tourist visa request

 

Its a gamble, good luck

 

 

bottom line is thais dont want a person living in the kingdom on multiple visas.  if you want to live here get the appropriate visa for that. not piece mealing visas together

You will get denied, 99.9% chance of it. 90 days in country on TV. ED very questionable after 1 year.

 

15 days Visa exempt land crossing then goodbye. Married, business (?), or retired

There is no hard limit on the number of tourist visas you can get. It is up to the consulate. However, Vientiane will likely not give you a tourist visa if you have already had three in your current passport, especially if they were this year/ Further, even with a visa, immigration at several airports are still liable to deny you entry if they judge you have enjoyed Thailand for too long.

If you are in Vientiane, and your request for a visa is denied:

• if you have not already used two visa exempt entries by land in 2019, you can enter Thailand via the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai in Thailand, receiving a 30-day entry which can optionally be extended for a further 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand;
• if you have already entered visa exempt, by land, twice in 2019, ask the embassy if they will issue you a transit visa. This costs 800 baht, and also provides a 30-day stay, but is not extendable.

In any case, I would advise against trying to fly back from Vientiane to either Bangkok airport with your history. Good luck!

On 11/3/2019 at 1:37 PM, Hal65 said:

My situation is that I have spent 5.5 years in the country near continuously, with 3 days per year in Vientiane to pick up ED visas at the turn of each expiration. I would like to use the tourist visas in-between EDs now. I am aware of the tightening ED (and other) visa regulations.

 

I didn't know the "6 months of tourist in one year" was unofficial, that's the crucial detail I was looking for. I think I should be okay although the continuous time in the country on ED visas may be looked at more harshly than I realize.

Good Luck!

On 11/3/2019 at 7:37 PM, Hal65 said:

My situation is that I have spent 5.5 years in the country near continuously, with 3 days per year in Vientiane to pick up ED visas at the turn of each expiration. I would like to use the tourist visas in-between EDs now. I am aware of the tightening ED (and other) visa regulations.

 

I didn't know the "6 months of tourist in one year" was unofficial, that's the crucial detail I was looking for. I think I should be okay although the continuous time in the country on ED visas may be looked at more harshly than I realize.

i think without a long stay visa, your days in Thailand are numbered, you haven't mentioned your age, but i would think under 50,