10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

What advice do you actually want. 

 

All I want to know right now is whether I can take a 2 week xmas holiday, then fly back from Manila, Laos or Vietnam in January with an evisa, without paying for anything else?

 

34 minutes ago, SenorTashi said:

All I want to know right now is whether I can take a 2 week xmas holiday, then fly back from Manila, Laos or Vietnam in January with an evisa, without paying for anything else?

 

 

Nobody can give you a definitive answer because there are no official rules.

 

I spent 7 months here last year and was pulled aside on my 3rd entry (after 2 x VE30+30) but let in. I returned this year after a 6 month 'xmas holiday' in the UK and was questioned about an onward ticket but again let in.

 

On my 2nd entry this year, I breezed in without any issues but I had an onward flight ticket. Officer was also male.

 

The only pattern here is that an onward ticket increases your chances or maybe it is just coincidence 🤔 

36 minutes ago, SenorTashi said:

then fly back from Manila, Laos or Vietnam in January with an evisa, without paying for anything else?

You were told by immigration (last entry) to obtain a Visa. 

Assume in your post your plan is to obtain a tourist eVisa. 

That's an option that should be fine. 

The other being to use "safe entry agent" 

 

5 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

The only pattern here is that an onward ticket increases your chances or maybe it is just coincidence

In the main the onward ticket is often required by the airline for boarding pass for flight to Thailand rather than immigration on arrival. 

 

15 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

 there are no official rules.

 

 

they were going back through the last 4 years of stamps in my passport, which shows that I spent the whole of 2023 and most of 2024 outside of Thailand. They were really picking at straws to be honest

3 hours ago, SenorTashi said:

they were going back through the last 4 years of stamps in my passport, which shows that I spent the whole of 2023 and most of 2024 outside of Thailand. They were really picking at straws to be honest

 

If they didn't harass any people, nobody would buy their safe entry service. There's really no need to overthink this.

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

If they didn't harass any people, nobody would buy their safe entry service. There's really no need to overthink this.

 

I got harrassed when I arrived VE by air, from UK, on Friday 10th October, after being out of the country since 9th April.

 

My previous entry was VE overland from Laos on 15th January, with zero IO interest/comment on length of stay in Laos/documentation/hotels booked/cash held, etc......I subsequently got a 30 day extension.

 

On 10/10 the IO told me that because I had "only"  spent 3 nights in Laos in January, after arriving there from Thailand on the 12th, I would have to get a visa for my next entry.

 

He also told me I would have to report to immigration ".....in Bangkok on Monday".

 

I replied "I'm going to Korat tomorrow".

 

He said nothing else and peevishly stamped me through.

 

The next day I travelled to Korat.

 

PS My passport was issued in '24 and showed only 1 entry (VE) in October '24 and the Jan VE entry '25.

 

 

 

 

 

25 minutes ago, Enoon said:

On 10/10 the IO told me that because I had "only"  spent 3 nights in Laos in January, after arriving there from Thailand on the 12th, I would have to get a visa for my next entry.

IO was bit harsh IMO. 

Clearly they don't like bounces out and back with only couple of nights out. 

So many posts using the menu of visa exempt entry + 30 day extension + bounce (minimal time out) and enter again visa exempt + even another extension = 6 months. 

30 minutes ago, Enoon said:

He also told me I would have to report to immigration ".....in Bangkok on Monday".

That was rubbish. 

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

My previous entry was VE overland from Laos on 15th January...

 

On 10/10 the IO told me that because I had "only"  spent 3 nights in Laos in January, after arriving there from Thailand on the 12th, I would have to get a visa for my next entry.

 

Can I ask how long you were in Thailand for before 15 Jan?

 

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

PS My passport was issued in '24 and showed only 1 entry (VE) in October '24 and the Jan VE entry '25.

 

I got a new passport in the same month as you when I went back to the UK. Came back after a gap of 6 months with completely clean passport but was still hassled 🤔

4 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

If they didn't harass any people, nobody would buy their safe entry service. 

I'd never heard of it until I came on here yesterday.

2 hours ago, SenorTashi said:

I'd never heard of it until I came on here yesterday.

 

That's kind of the problem. The "worst offenders" who habitually spend a lot of time in Thailand visa exempt know these services, while those whose history isn't really that extreme often don't. So I'm not really surprised that the threshold for questioning people moves accordingly. 

38 minutes ago, Caldera said:

So I'm not really surprised that the threshold for questioning people moves accordingly.

There would be no need for all this nonsense if Thailand made clear "rules" For visa exempt entries via land + air. 

Don't blame the folk that come to Thailand with completely unclear non existent rules re visa exempt entries. 

" At the discretion of io" ... Surely that's a joke. 

Money in hand. Onward flight proof etc. 

 

18 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

Can I ask how long you were in Thailand for before 15 Jan?

 

 

I got a new passport in the same month as you when I went back to the UK. Came back after a gap of 6 months with completely clean passport but was still hassled 🤔

 

I had arrived 15th October '24......my first use of the new passport, which was issued on 4/6/24

 

 

20 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

I got harrassed when I arrived VE by air, from UK, on Friday 10th October, after being out of the country since 9th April.

 

My previous entry was VE overland from Laos on 15th January, with zero IO interest/comment on length of stay in Laos/documentation/hotels booked/cash held, etc......I subsequently got a 30 day extension.

 

On 10/10 the IO told me that because I had "only"  spent 3 nights in Laos in January, after arriving there from Thailand on the 12th, I would have to get a visa for my next entry.

 

He also told me I would have to report to immigration ".....in Bangkok on Monday".

 

I replied "I'm going to Korat tomorrow".

 

He said nothing else and peevishly stamped me throug

 

PS My passport was issued in '24 and showed only 1 entry (VE) in October '24 and the Jan VE entry '25.

 

Doesn't matter if u have made a new passport.The IMM have ur past arrivals in the system anyway.Many people who get a warrant or blacklisted try to get in to Thailand and get arrested in the airport.

 

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

I had arrived 15th October '24......my first use of the new passport, which was issued on 4/6/24

 

 

They have ur past arrivals anyway.Many people think getting a new passport will help but it don't.

Some people get a warrant or in the blacklist get surprised when they get arrested on arrival.

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

IO was bit harsh IMO. 

Clearly they don't like bounces out and back with only couple of nights out. 

So many posts using the menu of visa exempt entry + 30 day extension + bounce (minimal time out) and enter again visa exempt + even another extension = 6 months. 

That was rubbish. 

 

Next bounce I'll probably stay out a week.......no big deal.

 

When he came up with the reporting to Immigration thing I was thinking "You silly ****!"

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, norsurin said:

They have ur past arrivals anyway.Many people think getting a new passport will help but it don't.

Some people get a warrant or in the blacklist get surprised when they get arrested on arrival.

I'm not so sure about that anymore, they had that intention but it seems they messed up their systems because when they stopped me a few months ago they could not even see my history, as I told them that I just got a new passport and had had annual visa's for many prior years. I peaked in his screen and it only showed recent entries. Sure blacklists or warrants are logged in another way, that doesn't dissapear.

 

9 minutes ago, norsurin said:

They have ur past arrivals anyway.Many people think getting a new passport will help but it don't.

Some people get a warrant or in the blacklist get surprised when they get arrested on arrival.

 

👍😉

 

 

15 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

I'm not so sure about that anymore, they had that intention but it seems they messed up their systems because when they stopped me a few months ago they could not even see my history...

 

When I came in April of this year, with a totally blank passport, I was given a parting shot at the immigration desk of 'you can't keep doing this'

 

She must have been able to see my 3 entries from last year on her screen 🤔

6 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

When I came in April of this year, with a totally blank passport, I was given a parting shot at the immigration desk of 'you can't keep doing this'

 

She must have been able to see my 3 entries from last year on her screen 🤔

Right.They have ur history.

This going a bit off topic but I may as well finish the job. I'll quote the relevant parts of my previous posts so as not to repeat myself

 

On 10/29/2025 at 7:37 PM, GanDoonToonPet said:

Have a quick question so may as well post it here instead of starting a new thread.

 

I'll be flying out to Phnom Penh this Halloween and returning to DMK after a few days. My history so far this year is 2 x VE60+30 back-to-back. I guess the price will be 4.5k unless there's been a change.

 

What I'm concerned about is how to pay...

 

On 10/30/2025 at 12:05 PM, GanDoonToonPet said:

Well, I contacted the company but didn't get to the payment questions as something else has thrown a spanner in the works. I was informed that:

 

'Flying in from Cambodia is not accepted by immigration...because of the situation between the countries'

 

Apparently this 'policy' was implemented about a week ago 😔

 

EDIT: I should clarify that people can still fly in from Cambodia but cannot use the safe entry service

 

On 10/30/2025 at 12:29 PM, GanDoonToonPet said:

On 10/30/2025 at 12:20 PM, DrJack54 said:

Might make your entry visa exempt via air problematic.

 

Yes, I'm unsure of what to do. I could do the 'dummy ticket' thing and chance it but I did that on my 2nd entry. Don't know if they'll have a record of that except on the TDAC 🤔

 

Long story short...I made it through Thai immigration quite easily considering. Wasn't even sent to the naughty corner 🙂

 

I arrived back last Monday evening. As I approached the immigration desks, I made a beeline for a male officer who I'm sure was the same chap who processed me last time. Think he's the only one on duty at that time.

 

He asked me how long I was staying this time and I replied that I was only staying a few weeks then going back to England for Christmas / New Year.

 

He then asked to see my 'return' ticket so I handed him the printed copy of my 'dummy' ticket. Don't know if he checked that is was legit but he was typing away on his little computer for about 10 seconds.

 

After that, he gave me a lecture about being here too long and to get a visa next time blah blah blah. He actually specified visa types like DTV, retirement, work etc. No mention of TR or METV

 

I asked him how long I was allowed to stay on VE / TR and he said 3 months. I was about to start a discussion about how he can stay in my country for 6 months on a TR but thought better of it, thanked him and retrieved my passport.

 

I think next time I'll definitely need safe entry but it may be moot as there's a strong possibility I'll be going back to work in China again before that.

 

Anyone who wants to try 4 in a row, be my guest. Please report back on your experience 🤪

 

22 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

He then asked to see my 'return' ticket so I handed him the printed copy of my 'dummy' ticket.

First up thanks for the update. 

I would have been extremely nervous. 

Unusual that he asked for onward ticket. 

BTW did airline at departure PP ask for onward flight. 

Actually the io sounded like he was trying to give sound helpful advice. 

 

Good you made it into Thailand without issue. 

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Unusual that he asked for onward ticket.

 

You really won't let this one go will you 😂

 

I was asked for one (also the printed ticket) on the last entry and also asked on my first entry after spending 6 months in the UK. First entry was probably due to me spending 7 months here last year; or maybe not

 

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

BTW did airline at departure PP ask for onward flight. 

 

No. Actually, as you may know, the new big airport (Techo / TKI) opened over there last month. The Air Asia check-in guy seemed quite confused about a lot of things. I'd received an email (the previous day) from Trip.com about the flight being delayed by 30 minutes and even a new ticket was issued. The screens still showed the original time so I enquired about it and he said he didn't know 🤧

 

So I think it's safe to say, after 4 trips in the last 2 years, that no onward ticket is required when flying in from Phnom Penh

 

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

First up thanks for the update...

 

Good you made it into Thailand without issue. 

 

Doubly appreciated 🙂

On 11/1/2025 at 2:25 AM, DrJack54 said:

You were told by immigration (last entry) to obtain a Visa. 

Assume in your post your plan is to obtain a tourist eVisa. 

That's an option that should be fine. 

I should have replied months ago... but I'm wondering if anyone knows,

how many times per year I could come in on a tourist evisa?

I'm not in Thailand right now and considering my next move.

Having a retirement visa doesn't really work for me because I'm always bouncing around

so I like the freedom of coming and going and I'm happy to pay $40 for 3 months.

Just not sure if they'll have an issue with me doing that several times in a row.

6 minutes ago, SenorTashi said:

I like the freedom of coming and going and I'm happy to pay $40 for 3 months.

Just not sure if they'll have an issue with me doing that several times in a row.

They will have an issue.

You mention 3 months. Assume the plan is obtain SETV eVisa + extension = 60+30.

Wash and repeat.

No. Not back to back ongoing.

You stated "several times in a row"

Get a METV is one option

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

They will have an issue.

You mention 3 months. Assume the plan is obtain SETV eVisa + extension = 60+30.

Wash and repeat.

No. Not back to back ongoing.

You stated "several times in a row"

Get a METV is one option

Sorry to ask but what is SETV and METV? I'm very jet lagged right now.

27 minutes ago, SenorTashi said:

Sorry to ask but what is SETV and METV? I'm very jet lagged right now

Single entry tourist visa

Multiple entry tourist visa

.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Single entry tourist visa

Multiple entry tourist visa

.

I just had a good look at all the options. So I probably shouldn't come in on a SETV, leave for a couple of weeks, then apply for another one.

I mentioned 90 days originally because I mis-understood and thought the offer was to pay $40 to stay 90 days. I can't stand the stress and boredom of a day in immigration so I'd rather avoid that.

After all the aggro I had at the border last time, they seemed to do the same thing to me in immigration when I was just trying to extend for 5 days. They made me hang around for a couple of hours while everyone else walked out with their passports.

The info I just read about the METV was that I need to have 200,000 thb in a bank. Do you know if that's enforced? I have it but not all in one bank.

Seems like my best option is to get a SETV then switch back to retirement visa.

1 hour ago, SenorTashi said:

Seems like my best option is to get a SETV then switch back to retirement visa.

You can change from setv to Non O retirement in Thailand.

Many threads on this.

You use a TM86 and satisfy the other requirements.

In the main financial.

The most important thing is to have Thai Bank account in your name.

If you don't then you obtain Non O e-visa prior to entry

Frankly there are many options especially if over 50.

Pick one that matches your ongoing stays in Thailand