On 7/18/2025 at 6:45 AM, gargamon said:

Yes, I've used Bumrungrad for a couple of things in the last few years. Getting old is a bitch. 

well, since you are "getting old" , if you can meet 1 of the 4 different BOI LTR visa then you would have 10 years of no 90-daly reports, in and out of the country as many times as desired, no taxes of any foreign income whatsoever, and the cost is still as cheap as the retirement visas IMHO based on in and out of the country as well as the cost of the visa...Just saying, as IMHO the LTR if qualified, is a great visa to have.

Just do the 60 day entry + 30 day extension. Leave to Vietnam for a few days come back with 60 day exempt and leave.  Exactly where are you hearing this could possibly be an issue? It seems like you are making this a little bit dramatic. 
I don't agree with the 60 day exempt  then  leave for a few days and come back with 60 + 30 for the simple fact that you are assuming that nothing will change by the Winter of 2026.  If you come back in the Winter of 2026 and then it's only a 30 day exempt you can still extend 30 days in country. This talk about agents needed to get back in is pretty silly. 

On 7/18/2025 at 7:40 AM, DrJack54 said:

If just a bounce then flight to Udon Thani and couple of nights in Vientiane would be possible. 

 

My friend wanted to go my route, and get a Non-O based on retirement. Now "stuck" with the bank issues, and needs more time to find an agent. He arrived in May, and is on his 30 days extension now. His border run is due in a couple of weeks. He has not been in Thailand since 2018.

 

I recommended a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, 2 days, but now I'm not sure if even that would be safe. He does not want to stay longer than a couple of days.

 

You mentioned Udon Thani, and a border hop via Vientiane. 2 days there instead. Is that a safer option? He also added he is short of the 20k baht to be shown if asked, his pension arrives a week later. Forward ticket and accommodation is not a problem.

 

How do you see his chances here? I think it would be safe either way, since he only has 3 months in Thailand prior to his next run.

 

One more question: Is Don Mueang seen as a tougher immigration to get through than Suvarnabhumi? Or is that the same? 

 

Thanks, Dr.Jack 🙏

2 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Just do the 60 day entry + 30 day extension. Leave to Vietnam for a few days come back with 60 day exempt and leave.  Exactly where are you hearing this could possibly be an issue? It seems like you are making this a little bit dramatic. 
I don't agree with the 60 day exempt  then  leave for a few days and come back with 60 + 30 for the simple fact that you are assuming that nothing will change by the Winter of 2026.  If you come back in the Winter of 2026 and then it's only a 30 day exempt you can still extend 30 days in country. This talk about agents needed to get back in is pretty silly. 

You are right, it is silly until you run into an IO who is having a bad day.

 

I did the a similar procedure as u describe this year, in fact I had 4 entries to Thailand due to taking 2 side trips to Vietnam totalling 3 weeks and also a week in mainland China. Flew into DMK on 2 of those entries, BKK the other 2. I had no issues but read some of the other stories on this forum and they make you wonder. I'm now back in the UK until late October this year or January next year. 

 

I have a long history of travel into Thailand without issues but still, assured entry is something I've half considered recently as a result of seeing these stories, even if it is paranoid. If you've paid >£2k a month for an accommodation somewhere in BKK, laid plans etc. and then they get side-tracked then I don't blame anyone for considering it. 

 

One thing I would add - I got hassled by Vietnam Airlines in Hanoi to produced 20k baht in cash and show onward flight out of Thailand, for no good reason except the counter agent was in a bad mood. They shut up when I showed them my EVA biz flight return to the UK. I had the cash but be careful if u don't. 

5 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

I got hassled by Vietnam Airlines in Hanoi to produced 20k baht in cash and show onward flight out of Thailand, for no good reason except the counter agent was in a bad mood

It's standard practice to be asked for onward flight by the airline if you are flying visa exempt entry to Thailand. 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It's standard practice to be asked for onward flight by the airline if you are flying visa exempt entry to Thailand. 

Not to produce 20k in cash as well.......never had that happen either outside or inside Thailand in 20 years. Though I carry it since they are the rules. And I rarely get asked to produce the onward flight, tho I do always have one....

3 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

Not to produce 20k in cash as well....

True, airline would not ask for the 20k.

My post referred to onward flight. 

6 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

Not to produce 20k in cash as well.......never had that happen either outside or inside Thailand in 20 years. Though I carry it since they are the rules. And I rarely get asked to produce the onward flight, tho I do always have one....

On a flight from Sapporo to Thailand I had the check-in agent ask me if I had "money."
I just said yes and she let me on my way.  But it's not unheard of to be checked on other requirements than the onward travel.

On 7/21/2025 at 3:34 AM, alex8912 said:

Just do the 60 day entry + 30 day extension. Leave to Vietnam for a few days come back with 60 day exempt and leave.  Exactly where are you hearing this could possibly be an issue? It seems like you are making this a little bit dramatic. 
I don't agree with the 60 day exempt  then  leave for a few days and come back with 60 + 30 for the simple fact that you are assuming that nothing will change by the Winter of 2026.  If you come back in the Winter of 2026 and then it's only a 30 day exempt you can still extend 30 days in country. This talk about agents needed to get back in is pretty silly. 

A lot depends on just how long I want to stay -- 4 months or 5 months.   

 

If only staying 4 months, then 60-day VE + exit to Laos/Vietnam for at least several days + re-enter on another 60-day VE makes the most sense as it avoids the trip to immigration for the 30-day extension as I would still need to exit the country after the 90 days are up. 

 

The 30-day extension only makes sense if I need to stay for 5 months.  There's not much difference between 4 and 5 months, so I will likely limit my time to 4 months in Thailand and a week or two in another SE Asian country.   

 

The other benefit to a second consecutive 60-day VE is that I won't need to buy a separate disposable onward ticket to present on re-entry as I will already have a return ticket to Canada for March.  I will have to have a short-dated onward ticket for the first entry, however.  And I will hold the hotel reservation and 20K in cash just to be safe. 

 

3 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

A lot depends on just how long I want to stay -- 4 months or 5 months.   

 

If only staying 4 months, then 60-day VE + exit to Laos/Vietnam for at least several days + re-enter on another 60-day VE makes the most sense as it avoids the trip to immigration for the 30-day extension as I would still need to exit the country after the 90 days are up. 

 

The 30-day extension only makes sense if I need to stay for 5 months.  There's not much difference between 4 and 5 months, so I will likely limit my time to 4 months in Thailand and a week or two in another SE Asian country.   

 

The other benefit to a second consecutive 60-day VE is that I won't need to buy a separate disposable onward ticket to present on re-entry as I will already have a return ticket to Canada for March.  I will have to have a short-dated onward ticket for the first entry, however.  And I will hold the hotel reservation and 20K in cash just to be safe. 

 

Don't forget you can buy a cheap onward ticket for about $16. Also with my plan you could stay four months and a week or two ( if you want to change plans) Also you are still assuming a 60 day entry will still be an option in 2026. Also there is quite a difference between 4 and 5 months. 

3 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Don't forget you can buy a cheap onward ticket for about $16. Also with my plan you could stay four months and a week or two ( if you want to change plans) Also you are still assuming a 60 day entry will still be an option in 2026. Also there is quite a difference between 4 and 5 months. 

Right.  If they reduce the 60 day VE to a 30 day VE (unlikely but possible), I can still get the 30-day VE and then extend it for another 30 days.   Again, it doesn't make sense to extend the first 60-day VE if only staying in Thailand for 4 months total.  

14 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

Right.  If they reduce the 60 day VE to a 30 day VE (unlikely but possible), I can still get the 30-day VE and then extend it for another 30 days.   Again, it doesn't make sense to extend the first 60-day VE if only staying in Thailand for 4 months total.  

Okie dokie. This was the title of your post however. 
 

"Visa options for 4-5 month snowbird stay for winter 2025-2026" 

2 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Okie dokie. This was the title of your post however. 
 

"Visa options for 4-5 month snowbird stay for winter 2025-2026" 

Yes, I guess I was thinking it through with the help of other board members including yourself.  Thanks.  

On 7/18/2025 at 5:02 AM, ultramarine said:

t seems that the longer you stay outside of Thailand in between VE stamps, the less likely you are going to run into problems the second time around.

That, and NOT extending your initial-entry, before the 2nd entry.  If only needing to extend one entry of two, I would extend the 2nd entry.

On 7/23/2025 at 11:59 AM, Rob Browder said:

That, and NOT extending your initial-entry, before the 2nd entry.  If only needing to extend one entry of two, I would extend the 2nd entry.

Why?  I've never heard that being a better option and you are assuming the Winter of 2026 there will still be a 60 day visa exempt. I also think the Thai immigration offices will wonder after so long in Thailand already 60 days plus visit to another country plus 60 more days ( only maybe ) and THEN an extension for 30 days more may be too much. When wanting about 5 months for Winter in Thailand once you enter after a 60+ 30 day extension you can hopefully just come back in

on a 60 day exempt ( only maybe in 2026 ) and be home free with no more extensions needed also if there is still a 60 day exempt available you would have your ACTUAL ticket back to your home country in just under 60 days and it looks pretty legitimate that you will be leaving for good. 

49 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Why?  I've never heard that being a better option and you are assuming the Winter of 2026 there will still be a 60 day visa exempt

You miss the point of guy you quoted. 

If after 5 months a 60 visa exempt exempt followed by another (especially land border)  + 30 day extension is good plan 

We can only post based on visa exempt being 60.

If things change then of course so dose advice

 

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You miss the point of guy you quoted. 

If after 5 months a 60 visa exempt exempt followed by another (especially land border)  + 30 day extension is good plan 

 

I'm going by the op. He wants 5 months in winter ( maybe less) so I'm not sure what other topic the poster I quoted was talking about.  I am only adding to what the OP is looking for. No other stay  of longer than 5 months. I will also do 60 + 30 , leave a short time ( hopefully it's 60 days exempt in Winter 2026) come back for the 60 days then go back to my home country. Another good thing about this plan is if it's just a 30 day exempt in winter 2026 ( no one can predict this yet) you already have had 90 days in Thailand and come back and do 30 + 30 day extension then back to home country. 

2 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Why?  I've never heard that being a better option and you are assuming the Winter of 2026 there will still be a 60 day visa exempt. I also think the Thai immigration offices will wonder after so long in Thailand already 60 days plus visit to another country plus 60 more days ( only maybe ) and THEN an extension for 30 days more may be too much. When wanting about 5 months for Winter in Thailand once you enter after a 60+ 30 day extension you can hopefully just come back in

on a 60 day exempt ( only maybe in 2026 ) and be home free with no more extensions needed also if there is still a 60 day exempt available you would have your ACTUAL ticket back to your home country in just under 60 days and it looks pretty legitimate that you will be leaving for good. 

Because there have been countless reports of people being pulled out of line and interrogated after doing a 60-day entry, 30-day extension, and then a border bounce.  Immigration gets angry when you do 60+30 and then leave and come back.  But if you do 60, leave and come back, and then extend the SECOND entry, rather than the first, you are at a much lower risk of experiencing problems.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

Because there have been countless reports of people being pulled out of line and interrogated after doing a 60-day entry, 30-day extension, and then a border bounce.  Immigration gets angry when you do 60+30 and then leave and come back.  But if you do 60, leave and come back, and then extend the SECOND entry, rather than the first, you are at a much lower risk of experiencing problems.

This makes sense whether I end up staying for 4 months or 5 months.  

 

Thanks. 

On 7/28/2025 at 9:16 PM, BrandonJT said:

Because there have been countless reports of people being pulled out of line and interrogated after doing a 60-day entry, 30-day extension, and then a border bounce.  Immigration gets angry when you do 60+30 and then leave and come back.  But if you do 60, leave and come back, and then extend the SECOND entry, rather than the first, you are at a much lower risk of experiencing problems.

@alex8912 - This ^^ - and because there have not been any problems with folks extending their TR-entries 30-days at immigration offices - even when they use agent-assisted entry to stay on TR entries + extensions nearly year-round. 

 

Of course, that 30-day extension policy - and the 60-day VE policy - and everything else (insert everyone's currently "safe" permitted stay here) can change without notice, at any time - because, TIT.  One can only guess about the "odds" of future problems, based on past patterns.

On 7/28/2025 at 10:16 AM, BrandonJT said:

Because there have been countless reports of people being pulled out of line and interrogated after doing a 60-day entry, 30-day extension, and then a border bounce.  Immigration gets angry when you do 60+30 and then leave and come back.  But if you do 60, leave and come back, and then extend the SECOND entry, rather than the first, you are at a much lower risk of experiencing problems.

I read the forum a lot. This issue doesn't seem to happen. I guess I missed the countless times but I really wonder any truth to it. Did they get back in? If yes then it doesn't matter. But I stand to think when you come back after a 60 + 30 and return for 60 and have a ticket back to your home country there will be no problem. When you use the term " border bounce " If you mean taking some mini van to Cambodia or Laos and returning them maybe you deserve to have trouble getting back in. Many many members do not do this type of exit and entrance. We use planes and fly in and out. 

22 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Many many members do not do this type of exit and entrance. We use planes and fly in and out. 

Seem quite smug to me. 

Entering Visa exempt via air has a risk of questioning and even refused entry by immigration. 

This is all to do with history spent in Thailand and in particular time spent out between exit and reentry. 

13 hours ago, alex8912 said:

I read the forum a lot. This issue doesn't seem to happen. 

You do realize this forum isn't the entire internet?  There's a LOT more information available on Facebook, Reddit, etc.

7 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

You do realize this forum isn't the entire internet?  There's a LOT more information available on Facebook, Reddit, etc.

The entire internet is not about Thailand. 

On 8/1/2025 at 11:43 AM, alex8912 said:

If you mean taking some mini van to Cambodia or Laos and returning them maybe you deserve to have trouble getting back in.

Oh, no - quite the opposite.  Those involve agents, who take care of immigration's brown-envelopes, so you can do them in-perpetuity without worry.   Also "safe entry" by air, also via agents - no hassle and no limit with next day return. 

 

It's only doing the "right thing" DIY - like flying all the way home to Euro/USA, then back 2 weeks later, which can be a disaster.  This is done in order to encourage agent-use, for obvious reasons.  This is why Thai immigration law only proscribed specific reasons for denying-entry - trying to reduce corruption potential - but immigration now ignores this, and there is no oversight.

To the OP,

 

If you have already been visiting Thailand for 10 years and jumping through the hoops for border runs constantly getting Tourists Visas etc.

 

Best to get Retirement Visa or better yet the LTR visa if you qualify 

 

Especially if you’re planning on visiting for the next 10 years.

 

LTR Visa good for 10 years divided by two 5 year permission to stay.

 

You can come and go as you please.  No Re-Entry permit required.  Fast Track coming and going at the Airport,

 

A little paperwork up front ensures 10 years hassle free.

 

BOI website has the details.

15 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

A little paperwork up front ensures 10 years hassle free.

 

BOI website has the details.

... and more paperwork at the 5 year mark - no reports yet on how that will go.  They should just call it a 5-year "extendable" visa.  It has some benefits, though - not knocking it overall, for those who qualify.

23 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

... and more paperwork at the 5 year mark - no reports yet on how that will go.  They should just call it a 5-year "extendable" visa.  It has some benefits, though - not knocking it overall, for those who qualify.

no more than the original.  Should take less than hour overall.

 

one had already submitted once.  just do it again.