Hi, I'm a Brit and I’ve been flying in and out of Thailand over the past few years on tourist visas and occasionally entry stamps.

When I go out I always stay out for a couple of months before re-entering by plane. I haven’t had any problems so far any ideas how long I can do this, anyone?

Cheers

Shouldn’t be a problem how you describe your visits. 

 

The problem starts when you have multiple border crossings back to back and also extended stays based on visa exemption. 

 

 

OP, to clarify re visits to Thailand.

How many months in any given year do you spent in Thailand.

Longest period that is almost continuous?

Meaning visa exempt + extension etc

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, to clarify re visits to Thailand.

How many months in any given year do you spent in Thailand.

Longest period that is almost continuous?

Meaning visa exempt + extension etc

 

I've itemised below my time spent in Thailand in the last 12 months

 

15/09/24 Entered Thailand on Permission to stay 60 days at Poipet border

16/09/24 Departed to London

Length of stay 1 day (Permission to Stay)

 

Length of time outside Thailand 96 Days

 

20/12/24 Entered Thailand on Permission to stay for 60 days at BKK

Extended for 30 Days

19/03/25 Departed Thailand at BKK

Length of stay 90 days (Permission to Stay)

 

Length of time outside Thailand 72 days

 

31/05/25 Entered Thailand on Permission to stay 60 days at BKK

Extended for 30 days

27/08/25 Departed Thailand at BKK

Length of Stay 90 days (Permission to Stay)

 

181 total days in Thailand in the last 12 months

 

When I plan to re-enter Thailand on 27/10/25 I will have been outside for 60 days

 

I’m currently in Vietnam and planning to return fly to to BKK, Thailand on 27/10/25 with a tourist visa

 

Obviously if I get the tourist visa there shouldn’t be be a problem re-enetring but just trying to figure now out my odds of getting one.

 

Thanks for any help

12 minutes ago, BillStrangeOgre said:

Obviously if I get the tourist visa there shouldn’t be be a problem re-enetring but just trying to figure now out my odds of getting one.

Geez.. Such a well set out detail of your visits. 

Bit surprised you bother with tourist visa now to come from Vietnam to Thailand. 

Both tourist visa and visa exempt entry provide 60 day stamp. 

Final advice.. I'm thinking you are fine. 

Clearly a tourist. 

Most likely Thai immigration would warn you priir prior to denied entry. 

 

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, to clarify re visits to Thailand.

How many months in any given year do you spent in Thailand.

Longest period that is almost continuous?

Meaning visa exempt + extension etc

 

I always stay 60 days on a tourist visa and then 30 day extension. In the last 12 months I've spent 

21 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Geez.. Such a well set out detail of your visits. 

Bit surprised you bother with tourist visa now to come from Vietnam to Thailand. 

Both tourist visa and visa exempt entry provide 60 day stamp. 

Final advice.. I'm thinking you are fine. 

Clearly a tourist. 

Most likely Thai immigration would warn you priir prior to denied entry. 

 

 

Thanks for that. Yes, my gut instincts tell me I should be okay but just wanting others opinions as well.

Better to come on a permission to stay. Both offer the same amount of days in the country but permission to stay is a saving over the visa fee.

My thinking is, I'm more likely to be given permission to enter if I take a more formal approach including a payment by applying for a tourist visa.

Thanks for all your help

Bill 

 

I suspect that you're on the cusp of the legal number of days you can spend within a 12 months period without an 'appropriate' visa.  I understand that is 181 days including the days of arrival and departure. 

 

You might be challenged in the unlikely event that a diligent immigration officer takes the time to count them in your passport.

 

I know an elderly Chinese couple from Hong Kong with an apartment here who were coming and going as you do but were 'advised' by an airport immigration officer to get Retirement Visas for Thailand.  

14 minutes ago, LoudHailer said:

I suspect that you're on the cusp of the legal number of days you can spend within a 12 months period without an 'appropriate' visa.  I understand that is 181 days including the days of arrival and departure. 

There is no such rule like what you outline. 

I have been shuttling back and forth between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand for over 3 years now , always on visa exempt (+extension twice), and haven't had any problems yet, no questions asked at airport or land border. 

I wouldn't worry too much in your case. 

On 9/12/2025 at 3:52 PM, BillStrangeOgre said:

 

Thanks for that. Yes, my gut instincts tell me I should be okay but just wanting others opinions as well.

Better to come on a permission to stay. Both offer the same amount of days in the country but permission to stay is a saving over the visa fee.

My thinking is, I'm more likely to be given permission to enter if I take a more formal approach including a payment by applying for a tourist visa.

Thanks for all your help

Bill 

For the last 7 years or so I have been visiting Thailand for between 5 and 6 months per year - pretty much 2 months in Thailand, 2 months out. I mainly apply for single entry Tourist visas. Occasionally visa exempt.

 

I agree with you that it is beneficial to apply for and obtain a tourist visa. I personally believe it is viewed more favourably by immigration over constant visa exempt arrivals, regardless of both options currently giving you 60 days entry.

 

Based on my experience over the last 7 years I do not believe you will have any issues with your plans.

I have been doing similar for years, TV until 2022 and VE since then. The 60 days visa exempt is very favorable for  me, as my optimum time in Thailand is 1-2 months anyway. I don't do extensions because I like to travel elsewhere anyway. For me it's 1-2 months in Thailand, 1-2 month elsewhere (in summer home in Germany, else mostly Cambodia, Myanmar, China 1-2 months). Total time in Thailand about 6 months per year (calendar year or rolling, all the same). I was pulled for interrogation once but then stamped in. 

 

I come prepared with cash (at least 1000 Euro), address (needed for DTAC anyway), a travel plan (national parks, temples, festivals that I want to visit).