6 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

 

What "proper" visa ? I don't live there. I have a house in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai but still working in my home country for a few more years. Reading through what @vinny41 posted, it looks like I am fine.

 

 

What's the purpose of your visits, to tour, or visit Thai family.

VE is for tourism only.

You can apply for the TV or Non O for the purpose of visiting Thai family.
That's what they mean by the 'proper' visa.

7 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

 

What "proper" visa ? I don't live there. I have a house in Thailand and I'm married to a Thai but still working in my home country for a few more years. Reading through what @vinny41 posted, it looks like I am fine.

 

 

So you should be on a marriage visa. Just like What the immigration officer told another user here when he entered and also was married. You're playing the system, you have a house here and a Thai wife and are doing visa-exempt entries.

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

What's the purpose of your visits, to tour, or visit Thai family.

VE is for tourism only.

You can apply for the TV or Non O for the purpose of visiting Thai family.
That's what they mean by the 'proper' visa.

He's clearly not a tourist. No tourist buys a house in Thailand, let alone also being married to a Thai, and keeps coming to Thailand multiple times a year. That's what immigration is cracking down on, people playing the system.

13 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

He's clearly not a tourist. No tourist buys a house in Thailand, let alone also being married to a Thai, and keeps coming to Thailand multiple times a year. That's what immigration is cracking down on, people playing the system.

Clearly not, but the Thai Embassies offer the TV for the purpose of visiting Thai family as well as Tourism, Medical, Football trials etc.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-single-entry-visa

 

The Non Imm O ME used to be ideal for those still working but regularly visiting Thai family, but this was withdrawn due to abuse.
Many are not opposed to obtaining 1-year extensions, the issue being they don't/can't stay in Country long enough to complete the application process.

2 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Clearly not, but the Thai Embassies offer the TV for the purpose of visiting Thai family as well as Tourism, Medical, Football trials etc.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-single-entry-visa

 

The Non Imm O ME used to be ideal for those still working but regularly visiting Thai family, but this was withdrawn due to abuse.
Many are not opposed to obtaining 1-year extensions, the issue being they don't/can't stay in Country long enough to complete the application process.

So he should be getting a proper visa, an SETV or marriage visa etc. That's the whole point of what the visa-exempt abuse crackdown that recently started is all about. 

8 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

So he should be getting a proper visa, an SETV or marriage visa etc. That's the whole point of what the visa-exempt abuse crackdown that recently started is all about. 

A friend who regularly visits his Thai spouse 4/5 times a year for periods of 3-5 weeks has always obtained the SETV for this purpose, however that hasn't prevented him from being stopped and questioned at least twice this year and informed to obtain the correct visa. He clearly had, as he pointed out, even showing them the London Embassy website as to the applicable purposes for the TV.

The contention here is that the Thai Embassies and Immigration border control have no idea of each other's policies and don't communicate.

6 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

A friend who regularly visits his Thai spouse 4/5 times a year for periods of 3-5 weeks has always obtained the SETV for this purpose, however that hasn't prevented him from being stopped and questioned at least twice this year and informed to obtain the correct visa. He clearly had, as he pointed out, even showing them the London Embassy website as to the applicable purposes for the TV.

The contention here is that the Thai Embassies and Immigration border control have no idea of each other's policies and don't communicate.

So Immigration doesn't think that he has the correct visa, just like another poster who also was married and told to get the correct visa but was on visa-exempt entries.

 

Thai embassies only issue visas. Immigration are in charge of letting you in. If Immigration said he needs a marriage visa, then I guess a marriage visa is the correct visa for someone married to a Thai. Makes sense though. He's probably flagged in Immigration's computer system as being told to get the proper visa, so could face issues next time if he doesn't.

38 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

He's probably flagged in Immigration's computer system as being told to get the proper visa, so could face issues next time if he doesn't.

He hasn't been flagged, border IO just weren't aware the TV could be applied for the purpose of visiting Thai family.
He always carries a copy of the Thai Embassy TV webpage, his marriage certificate and an invitation letter from his wife.

 

There is no such visa type as a 'marriage' visa, I'm sure you mean the Non O visa.
The difference between the TV and Non O for the purpose of visiting Thai family is the TV is for stay less than 60 days (which his are) and the Non O for visits more than 60 days.

VE is entirely a different matter.

16 hours ago, bbi1 said:

So you should be on a marriage visa. Just like What the immigration officer told another user here when he entered and also was married. You're playing the system, you have a house here and a Thai wife and are doing visa-exempt entries.

 

it's a vacation. I'm in for two weeks, leaving then coming back for another vacation 3 months later. Hardly a border run.

Many people travel to other countries to visit relatives for short breaks on VE do they need visas ?

I suppose I'll find out in December on my 4th visit this calender year.

 

 

 

18 hours ago, Liquorice said:

What's the purpose of your visits, to tour, or visit Thai family.

VE is for tourism only.

You can apply for the TV or Non O for the purpose of visiting Thai family.
That's what they mean by the 'proper' visa.

 

Surely a non O is if you are planning to live there?

 

Google AI

No, you do not need a Thai marriage visa for short visits

. As a UK citizen, you can enter Thailand for tourism for up to 60 days at a time, and you plan to visit for only two weeks four times a year, so a standard visa exemption is sufficient for your visits. A marriage visa is for long-term stays, not short tourism trips.

 

On that basis I haven't been breaking any laws except I forgot the TM30 last time.

 

With the new changes, maybe this is out of date but to say I should have had a non-o or marriage for my previous trips seems contrary to whats being suggested.

 

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

 

it's a vacation. I'm in for two weeks, leaving then coming back for another vacation 3 months later. Hardly a border run.

Many people travel to other countries to visit relatives for short breaks on VE do they need visas ?

I suppose I'll find out in December on my 4th visit this calender year.

 

The Thailand Immigration Department is known for making up their own rules (as, presumably, they are entitled to according to the law of the land), so, what your experience will be in December is anyone's guess, and you will only know once you get here. (There are reports that about 2,900 foreigners were denied entry so far this year, so it's always good to have a 'plan B'...)

38 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

The Thailand Immigration Department is known for making up their own rules (as, presumably, they are entitled to according to the law of the land), so, what your experience will be in December is anyone's guess, and you will only know once you get here. (There are reports that about 2,900 foreigners were denied entry so far this year, so it's always good to have a 'plan B'...)

 

Thanks. Not sure what Plan B I can put in place as they tend to send you back to the country of origin. 

I hope common sense prevails but I don't see much of that in Thailand these past years. 

One thing that I hope is in my favour is that I have never had a visa extension and all my flights over the years have been through DM and SUV, I've never done a border run. 

 

Just googled for more info

 

No, your travel plans should not be an issue as long as you are flying

. You can enter Thailand for up to 60 days under the visa exemption scheme, and you can visit as often as you like via air travel, according to ThaiEmbassy.com and The Economic Times. The new rules limiting land and sea border entries to twice per calendar year do not apply to air travel

 

Then there is this from thaiembassy.com

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-visa-latest-update

 

Looks like I should be fine. I think 🙂

 

39 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

 

Thanks. Not sure what Plan B I can put in place as they tend to send you back to the country of origin. 

I hope common sense prevails but I don't see much of that in Thailand these past years. 

One thing that I hope is in my favour is that I have never had a visa extension and all my flights over the years have been through DM and SUV, I've never done a border run. 

 

Just googled for more info

 

No, your travel plans should not be an issue as long as you are flying

. You can enter Thailand for up to 60 days under the visa exemption scheme, and you can visit as often as you like via air travel, according to ThaiEmbassy.com and The Economic Times. The new rules limiting land and sea border entries to twice per calendar year do not apply to air travel

 

Then there is this from thaiembassy.com

 

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-visa-latest-update

 

Looks like I should be fine. I think 🙂

 

 

I don't want to burst your bubble, but tread with caution:-

 

From a 2023 post on this here:-

 

The website you're quoting from has nothing to do with the Thai government, contrary to what you claim in your post. And if you look at the top of the webpage you linked to, you'll see the snippet -- "This website is managed by Siam Legal
International - a law firm in Thailand"

 

Another giveaway would be the fact that the "HTTPS://www.thaiembassy.com" website you're quoting from has a "dot-com" domain, which means it's hosted by a commercial entity like a law firm, instead of the typical "go.th" domain for a Thai government agency.

 

Of course, it also says at the very bottom of the webpage -- "This is NOT the official website of the Thai Embassy."

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

"You can enter Thailand for up to 60 days under the visa exemption scheme, and you can visit as often as you like via air travel, according to ThaiEmbassy.com and The Economic Times (...)"

 

...at the discretion of individual IOs and/or their supervisors. 😆 

 

Yes, most countries have exact immigration laws and rules, and, theoretically, Thailand's visa exempt entries are 'unlimited'.

18 hours ago, bbi1 said:

He's clearly not a tourist. No tourist buys a house in Thailand, let alone also being married to a Thai, and keeps coming to Thailand multiple times a year. That's what immigration is cracking down on, people playing the system.

 

Clearly he is a tourist according to the law and any sane person's definition 🤔

 

How would you describe British people who buy property / timeshares in Spain and use it as a holiday home?

 

All this talk of getting the 'proper visa', abusing VE / tourist visas or playing the system is becoming extremely boring and cliched.

 

As long as people aren't working illegally or commiting serious crimes there is nothing wrong with them choosing the visa or VE that suits their purpose, as the customer.

 

BTW the last 2 serious crimes I read about that were committed by foreigners, one was on an Elite Visa and the other one was on an Education Visa. Should there be a clampdown on the abuse of these visas? 🤔

7 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

 

it's a vacation. I'm in for two weeks, leaving then coming back for another vacation 3 months later. Hardly a border run.

Many people travel to other countries to visit relatives for short breaks on VE do they need visas ?

I suppose I'll find out in December on my 4th visit this calender year.

 

 

 

Anyway, let us all know how you go in December. Maybe you'll just get a warning. At worst, you may be locked up in Immigration Detention at the airport, asked to buy a ticket out on the next available flight back to where your flight came from or your country of origin. There's been some reports of this recently, especially from a YouTuber. But he was actually holding an ED visa.

5 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

Clearly he is a tourist according to the law and any sane person's definition 🤔

 

How would you describe British people who buy property / timeshares in Spain and use it as a holiday home?

 

All this talk of getting the 'proper visa', abusing VE / tourist visas or playing the system is becoming extremely boring and cliched.

 

As long as people aren't working illegally or commiting serious crimes there is nothing wrong with them choosing the visa or VE that suits their purpose, as the customer.

 

BTW the last 2 serious crimes I read about that were committed by foreigners, one was on an Elite Visa and the other one was on an Education Visa. Should there be a clampdown on the abuse of these visas? 🤔

A tourist doesn't own a house in Thailand or has a wife in Thailand, or both at the same time.

 

You're saying that Thai immigration is insane, which is possibly true, but it is what it is. As they say, TiT.

I doubt they start turning away westerners using agents at the border, this law is most likely for chinese/burmese criminals that hop back and forth constantly.

7 hours ago, bbi1 said:

Maybe you'll just get a warning. At worst, you may be locked up in Immigration Detention at the airport, asked to buy a ticket out on the next available flight back to where your flight came from or your country of origin. There's been some reports of this recently, especially from a YouTuber. But he was actually holding an ED visa.

Dramatic much? I've been here 3 years straight and nothing has happened.

14 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

No, your travel plans should not be an issue as long as you are flying

 

Flying is way MORE risky than land crossings. The immigration women at both bkk airports are tough and they will hassle you if you're there more than twice. If you're flying and have a lot of crossings already, bring at least 20k baht to show them, have a local pick you up at the airport, and have an agent number as backup, plus an onward ticket somewhere else like cambodia if you're really worried they'll refuse you entry.

2 hours ago, captain_shane said:

I doubt they start turning away westerners using agents at the border, this law is most likely for chinese/burmese criminals that hop back and forth constantly.

Dramatic much? I've been here 3 years straight and nothing has happened.

Flying is way MORE risky than land crossings. The immigration women at both bkk airports are tough and they will hassle you if you're there more than twice. If you're flying and have a lot of crossings already, bring at least 20k baht to show them, have a local pick you up at the airport, and have an agent number as backup, plus an onward ticket somewhere else like cambodia if you're really worried they'll refuse you entry.

 

I'm quite relaed about it. I very much doubt I'm the sort of fish they are looking to hook.

 

On 11/19/2025 at 12:05 PM, bbi1 said:

So Immigration doesn't think that he has the correct visa, just like another poster who also was married and told to get the correct visa but was on visa-exempt entries.

 

Thai embassies only issue visas. Immigration are in charge of letting you in. If Immigration said he needs a marriage visa, then I guess a marriage visa is the correct visa for someone married to a Thai. Makes sense though. He's probably flagged in Immigration's computer system as being told to get the proper visa, so could face issues next time if he doesn't.

A "proper" use of a TR entry - with or without a visa - is not working a Thai job, and spending money which originates outside of Thailand.  This is why that entry-option exists - because it is good for Thailand and Thai people.

 

The criteria for "letting you in" is legally denied ONLY for specific reasons given in the Immigration Act.  "Coming to often / staying too long" are not listed.  Neither is, "Being married to a Thai."  Denying for any reason not in the Immigration Act is illegal, and that is why the IOs put a lie-stamp about "didn't have money" in the passports of those they deny, to cover for their crime.  Their agenda is clearly selling "safe entry."

 

Folks can stop pretending their is anything "proper" about how Immigration operates - it's a joke, and everyone sees through it.  Eliminating Thai people's service jobs, by cutting off the funds which pay them, and sending pallets of visitor-money to Cambodia instead, is not "proper." 

On 5/29/2024 at 11:36 PM, kwilco said:

What is a "short term business engagement"?

Probably business meetings, seminars and such. They usually last a day or three and can be classified as work, I suppose.

On 11/20/2025 at 5:59 AM, bbi1 said:

Anyway, let us all know how you go in December. Maybe you'll just get a warning. At worst, you may be locked up in Immigration Detention at the airport, asked to buy a ticket out on the next available flight back to where your flight came from or your country of origin. There's been some reports of this recently, especially from a YouTuber. But he was actually holding an ED visa.

But there's also been reports that you don't have to worry about any of that, if you just pay for safe entry service. 🙄

17 minutes ago, thaiasia said:

But there's also been reports that you don't have to worry about any of that, if you just pay for safe entry service. 🙄

 

While that's currently true, keep in mind that overland border runs were put on hold pretty much overnight. If the same were to happen with airport safe entry services, at least have a viable plan B.

16 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

While that's currently true, keep in mind that overland border runs were put on hold pretty much overnight. If the same were to happen with airport safe entry services, at least have a viable plan B.

 

Whats a viable plan B ? I ask because I thought that if you are denied entry, your airline has to send you back to the originating country. Is there scope for flying into Vietnam for example ?

 

Also, if the IO denies you entry, what recourse do you have ? Is there an arbitrator, i.e. the IO's manager to discuss further with ?

 

I see myself as a genuine vistor (although others may disagree) but fear I might get caught up in these shenanigans visiting 3-4 times a year on two week vacations

 

 

5 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Whats a viable plan B ? I ask because I thought that if you are denied entry, your airline has to send you back to the originating country. Is there scope for flying into Vietnam for example ?

There are 3 things that can happen.  I'll list them from most likely to least likely:

1. You are sent back to where you flew to Thailand from
2. You are allowed to choose where you fly back to
3. You are sent back to your passport country

5 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Also, if the IO denies you entry, what recourse do you have ? Is there an arbitrator, i.e. the IO's manager to discuss further with ?

You can ask to speak to an immigration judge.  That could result in your being in immigration lockup for some days before you see a judge.  They can also ignore your request and send you out anyways.

 

6 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Whats a viable plan B ? I ask because I thought that if you are denied entry, your airline has to send you back to the originating country. Is there scope for flying into Vietnam for example ?

 

Also, if the IO denies you entry, what recourse do you have ? Is there an arbitrator, i.e. the IO's manager to discuss further with ?

 

I see myself as a genuine vistor (although others may disagree) but fear I might get caught up in these shenanigans visiting 3-4 times a year on two week vacations

 

With having a viable plan B, I meant that if someone has relied on visa exempt entries to stay in Thailand longterm, this crackdown and the suspension of border runs should serve as a reminder that these things can change quickly.

 

Flying in without a safe entry service would be madness for someone who fits the profile. Risking a denied entry isn't what i would call a viable plan B.

 

Spending time elsewhere or applying for a longterm visa would be the obvious alternatives, if and when safe entry services become unavailable as well.

So at some point, somewhere in this and other threads, is discussed that VE is going back to 30 days from 60.

I just looked at the London Embassy website and it still shows 60 days  https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/exemp-visa

(This for people whom the Thais regard as "genuine" tourists, of course)

 

As such an individual, I'm confused...30 or 60??

5 minutes ago, VBF said:

So at some point, somewhere in this and other threads, is discussed that VE is going back to 30 days from 60.

I just looked at the London Embassy website and it still shows 60 days  https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/exemp-visa

(This for people whom the Thais regard as "genuine" tourists, of course)

 

As such an individual, I'm confused...30 or 60??

 

That hasn't changed, it's still 60 days.

14 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Also, if the IO denies you entry, what recourse do you have ?

 

TM11 form is for appealing  a decision to refuse you entry.  It is addressed to "Prime Minister and Minister of Interior" so may be some time before it's dealt with.

5 hours ago, treetops said:

 

TM11 form is for appealing  a decision to refuse you entry.  It is addressed to "Prime Minister and Minister of Interior" so may be some time before it's dealt with.

 

Form TM.11

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/8.อุทธรณ์คำสั่งของพนักงานเจ้าหน้าที่ที่ให้เดินทางออกนอกราชอาณาจักร-ตม.11.pdf

 

Section 22 of the Immigration Act applies.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12plhSoVwsNWQJt9EdMRzl9DRYD4vKKiz/view?usp=sharing