It's been a while since I checked, but is Chiang Mai still the safest bet for flying in internationally for those of us who've been in Thailand "too long"? I know to avoid DMK and BKK, and I used to fly in at u-tapao without issues, but I'm not finding flights from Hanoi to there. Is hat yai "Safe" these days?

 

Any feedback is appreciated.

Lots of chat about safe entry services.  Why not try the one mentioned in this thread....

 

No, Chiang Mai is not a safe bet.  Many reports of people having issues there.  I believe Samui and Krabi are still safe-ish.  But better to just fly into BKK or DMK with a safe-entry service.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552069237778

 

From Hanoi most likely AirAsia 

Hanoi to DMK. 

12 hours ago, Glenn128 said:

is Chiang Mai still the safest bet for flying in internationally for those of us who've been in Thailand "too long"?

Nope, sadly that ship sailed and people are being routinely denied flying in to CNX after milking free 60 day entry stamps too many times. 

Your best bet is to use a safe entry company and have them bring you in to DMK or BKK (I don't know if they do CNX anymore)

SWD Transport does safe entry (they're the border bounce company that's run from On Nut Tesco to the border and back the last 25 years)

www.thaivisaservice.com  

Why are you here 'too long'?

Get a proper visa for you stay if you are worried.

 

6 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Why are you here 'too long'?

Get a proper visa for you stay if you are worried.

 

 

Because there is no rule in Thailand that says how long is too long. 

2 minutes ago, raz0r21 said:

 

Because there is no rule in Thailand that says how long is too long. 

There are rules, but it depends if they are implemented.

If you are staying for longer periods you should get the appropriate visa. 

1 minute ago, frank83628 said:

There are rules, but it depends if they are implemented.

If you are staying for longer periods you should get the appropriate visa. 

Cool, show me the rule then. Because I have asked Immigration too and never gotten it. Specifically how long you can stay as a tourist. Thanks in advance!

5 minutes ago, raz0r21 said:

Cool, show me the rule then. Because I have asked Immigration too and never gotten it.

He can't show you the rule because there isn't one. 

It would be very easy for Thailand to have stated rules in place. 

For some reason they opt not to. 

On 7/9/2025 at 1:01 PM, raz0r21 said:

 

Because there is no rule in Thailand that says how long is too long. 

since people continue to bring it up on the forum, the immigration folks obviously are enforcing whatever restrictions might be in the Thai laws.  But with all the available visas and if necessary agents then I fail to understand why so many people do have problems.

On 7/9/2025 at 1:10 PM, raz0r21 said:

Cool, show me the rule then. Because I have asked Immigration too and never gotten it. Specifically how long you can stay as a tourist. Thanks in advance!

Why not say here how long you have been here on tourist visa and how many times have you been in & out, that will explain why they said "too long"

 

A tourist visa is for 60 days + 30 day extension.

Other than gap years students, world travellers and the independently wealthy, not many can afford multiple months of work free tourism.

Do you fall in any of those categories?

On 7/12/2025 at 3:42 AM, frank83628 said:

Why not say here how long you have been here on tourist visa and how many times have you been in & out, that will explain why they said "too long"

 

A tourist visa is for 60 days + 30 day extension.

Other than gap years students, world travellers and the independently wealthy, not many can afford multiple months of work free tourism.

Do you fall in any of those categories?

 

This has been discussed forever on this forum. There are many who go to Thailand during the winters from northern countries for example. Its nothing new. The only thing I want is to have an answer to how long is too long, but so far there are no official rules - just whatever the IO decides when you arrive at the airport. That is the biggest problem right now.

39 minutes ago, raz0r21 said:

 

This has been discussed forever on this forum. There are many who go to Thailand during the winters from northern countries for example. Its nothing new. The only thing I want is to have an answer to how long is too long, but so far there are no official rules - just whatever the IO decides when you arrive at the airport. That is the biggest problem right now.

Exactly, the op has been a menber since 2018, so should know how things work and what you can and cant get away with.

But didnt give any info.

2 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Exactly, the op has been a menber since 2018, so should know how things work and what you can and cant get away with.

But didnt give any info.

 

What you can and what you cannot get away with varies a lot between checkpoints and even individual immigration officers.

 

Ultimately, you have a decision to make, either play it safe and pay upfront or take your chances and potentially deal with a denied entry.