1 hour ago, madmitch said:

I'm surprised they don't copy the Schengen model of not allowing more than 180 days stay in any 12 month period. That's the most logical way to prevent the visa run abuse.

They do that now don't they?  I hear and read of most immigration points telling people that 180 is too much?  Or is that not quite codified officially?

1 hour ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

That would be fine if they copied the Schengen, UK, USA, Canadian and Australian models of allowing tourists to stay for up to 6 months without the need for extensions or to leave the country after 3 months.

You can’t stay up to 6 months on the Schengen visa exempt. The rule is a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period. Reasonable for just one country, but a real problem for tourists wanting to spend some time in Europe, as this rule applies to the combination of 29 countries in the Schengen zone.

17 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

a few years back I made a rare visa run to cambodia to extend my stay.  I was doing visa exempts.  Around 2012 I think it was.  On the mini van was a nice young lady also from the USA that was teaching english up in Loei. I probably spelled that wrong.  She probably did not have the proper work permit, visa etc. as this was very common in years past.  She was not a professional teacher nor had any credentials.  She certainly was a native english speaker as am I , born and raised in the USA.  She certainly could teach reasonable conversational and basic english alphabet and reading and writing and speaking.  I have no idea of the number of people that did that and worked fairly cheaply and worked with younger Thai students.  No idea how common it is now.  But I imagine such loose teaching arrangements are going to be less common.

 

I started working here around that time and it was a very different place for teachers back then. You had guys who lived near the borders jumping on a bus at the end of every month to renew their VE30s. Others opted to go back to their home countries once a year to get a multiple entry 'O' visa for visiting friends and family. Of course, I had a degree / WP so was always fully legal but had to deal with waivers and the dreaded TCT tests shortly after.

 

I miss those more carefree days 🤧

2 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

For those of us that have just turned 50, there are other ways and means.

 

One door closes...another one opens 🙂

in 2004 I was 47 and made my first visit to Thailand.  was enamored with the place.  I quickly checked on the retirement visa options. At the time USA citizens could do the income verification affidavit with their embassy.  Great, fantastic.   I knew a few americans here at home that had their retirement visas/extension stamps.  I was 100% sure and planning on getting a retirement stay as soon as I was eligible at age 50.  I would not be retired as I still do contract engineering work but I thought it would be great to have the visa and extension stamp in my back pocket so anytime I wanted to head to Thailand I was good to go.  Planned on buying a condo, etc.  well staying long time got more challenging.  USA embassy no longer doing affidavit letter.  Had to deposit money.  Then a few years ago very strict enforcement and requirement for monthly transfers in option.  I then thought of the Elite Visa which was palatable but a bit expensive.  Then recently they raised that price from 500k to 600k.    I returned 14 more times up until 2019. I was working more than not working so visiting Thailand on visa exempts with occasional extension was ok.

 

Now I got my non imm O 90 day visa in hand and am going to Thailand Dec 2.  Scoping out if I really want to stay long term there as things have changed a lot since 2004. I can easily afford it in many ways.  but even starting the first extension, one Must and I mean must depositn 800k baht for that first year extension.  That is around $25,000 USD.  That is a significant amount of monies one would have to put there that would not now be invested in your home country earning interest, dividends, or gains from trades or whatever.  To get the O visa, I had to show proof of income for the last three months.  That really should be all that's needed to get the first year's extension.  And also when applying for the first extension, show at least two months of transfers in.  That is reasonable proof of financial 65k income available.  Each 90 day report could then check that you still are making income transfers.  If not, then visa is revoked and out you go.   Having to initially deposit 25K USD is a pain

17 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

You can’t stay up to 6 months on the Schengen visa exempt. The rule is a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period. Reasonable for just one country, but a real problem for tourists wanting to spend some time in Europe, as this rule applies to the combination of 29 countries in the Schengen zone.

 

I was thinking more of visas rather than VE

2 hours ago, madmitch said:

I'm surprised they don't copy the Schengen model of not allowing more than 180 days stay in any 12 month period. That's the most logical way to prevent the visa run abuse.

Thailand PM did start discussions in 2024 on a Schengen model of visa

A Thailand-initiated single visa programme for six ASEAN countries is expected to help Vietnam attract more long-haul and high-spending travellers, according to insiders.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has discussed the Schengen-type visa with his counterparts in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent months, aiming to ensure seamless mobility for travellers in all six countries.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/tourism/40038238

The Schengen model is 90 days over a period of 180 days 

9 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Dude Thai visa abuse has been going on since I hit these shores in the 80s.

 

The burgeoning Thai message Boards way back when had the EXACT same stories about Visas you see here.

 

Its like air pollution, same same but different...this time.

 

Exactly. As long as they seriously don't want to put a full stop to corruption due to greed, visa abuse will continue into eternity for the simple reason that it is facilitated to push some brown envelopes under the table whether it is about immigration or business operations. 

Felt

9 hours ago, Kandinski said:

Common knowledge but that doesn't stop the keyboard warriors from a good Thai bashing. Often wonder what the grumpy crowd sees in Thailand?

Sex drugs and rockn roll for the poor obviously 

1 hour ago, gk10012001 said:

one Must and I mean must depositn 800k baht for that first year extension.  That is around $25,000 USD.  That is a significant amount of monies one would have to put there that would not now be invested in your home country earning interest, dividends, or gains from trades or whatever.

 

Actually I was alluding to an alternative method of getting the visa which I assume is still feasable 🙂

4 hours ago, yozah said:

Weird phenomenon. You would expect Thailand to be last place for bootlickers. Maybe somewhat reasonable that reaching 50 makes one want to pull the ladder up.

 

It makes me wonder whose boots are being licked.

 

No Thai person I've ever known cared about poor farangs who didn't bother anyone.  The rich foreign dickwads who try to throw around their money are the ones who cause the consternation.   The locals got far more upset about that Swiss guy who put the boots to the Thai doctor than they did about that Brit (yes, he was a Brit) who shat in the gutter and washed himself in the public fountain. It's not as if there's a benefits system that's being milked and it doesn't appear that the Thai government puts up foreigners in refugee hotels. 

1 hour ago, vinny41 said:

Thailand PM did start discussions in 2024 on a Schengen model of visa

A Thailand-initiated single visa programme for six ASEAN countries is expected to help Vietnam attract more long-haul and high-spending travellers, according to insiders (...)

 

Meaning, it will never happen. Thailand doesn't want to share tourism income with neighbouring countries. Once you travel to Thailand via Bangkok, you're, basically, trapped (e.g. a few days in Thailand, then a week in Malaysia, flying back to Bangkok, later off to Laos, Thailand again, Vietnam, and, after so many trips to neighbouring countries... the questions might start at the airport upon reentering Thailand again: 'why you come Thailand many times?', with a possibility of being denied entry.

 

And even, if they agreed to such a visa policy, it would probably just be for citizens and not third-country tourists.

3 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

You can’t stay up to 6 months on the Schengen visa exempt. The rule is a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period. Reasonable for just one country, but a real problem for tourists wanting to spend some time in Europe, as this rule applies to the combination of 29 countries in the Schengen zone.

The utter stupidity of Brexit in action.

Guess what the scammers will do to bypass visa exemption ? DTV visa through cooking school.... It's a never-ending cat and mouse game.... And Legit DTV holders will get f******

Hi all a little help with the Visa this time I'm married to a Thai national and in the past had no problem getting a Visa for three months however on this application I seem to have hit a dead end I am in the UK and made my application for my NON Imigration O  Visa to visit my wife's family and stay with them for three months, but The Thai Embassy in London returned Visa and said they want original copies of my wife's and I marriage certificate and a bank statement showing a balance of £1000, although my stament showed more than enough money in an out over £3000 at the time it didn't show a balance of 1000 I was unable to get a current balance with my name and address on it from the HSBC bank, I cant get end of month stament but to asI used to on the App showing the current balance with my name on it worked on this with the bank for 3 days to no avail.  All I could get was a printout with my name on it showing more than £1000 funds. I have a Credit Card showing plenty of funds available with nothing owing. All these are returned to the Thai embassy in London. and since then I've heard nothing for two weeks now we have constantly contacted them by phone on the occasion that we do get through they say ring back in 2 o'clock but nobody answers the phone, trying to email them we get the response of the email is full we leave in a week I'm unable to get my 90 day Visa as I always have done for the last 20 years any advice on this. We have rung them every day for the last week, with no answer 2 pm to 4.30 pm.. What are my options? Cheers

Well, i don't see the problem if someone wants to remain in thailand for less than 180 days. Why should he try to get a long term visa? 

8 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Necessary for what, after all the fk ups over the past 10 years (the nonsense started back in 2015 with visa crack downs, a year after the coup), they will end up with only much more empty hotels, less rented real estate and more empty activities, restaurants and bars as a consequence. Shops are done since ecommerce exist already too, so what will actually be left at that point? Just the beaches and national parks essentially.

 

We all know they know too, and after a crackdown round they will start from 0 again to allow everyone in. Same with selling land on islands. Most people arrested for working illegal etc in recent weeks news down south, were all released the same day to continue. Try the same thing in Chiang Mai and you would be blacklisted for 10 years or life as well deported.

actually the crack downs on visas started in early 2000's (i'm thinking 2003-2004ish) with Thaksin going after overstayers and visa exempt.   Visa exempt became a nightmare for awhile with lines being really long due to IO's having to flip through passports to count days. (you were only allowed so many days in a 6 month period, cant recall the number of days), Overstay fees were increased with a new higher max. Ever since then it's been back and forth, relax then tighten.. Typical Thai government knee jerk reactions.  

5 hours ago, Merrill said:

Hi all a little help with the Visa this time I'm married to a Thai national and in the past had no problem getting a Visa for three months however on this application I seem to have hit a dead end I am in the UK and made my application for my NON Imigration O  Visa to visit my wife's family and stay with them for three months, but The Thai Embassy in London returned Visa and said they want original copies of my wife's and I marriage certificate and a bank statement showing a balance of £1000, although my stament showed more than enough money in an out over £3000 at the time it didn't show a balance of 1000 I was unable to get a current balance with my name and address on it from the HSBC bank, I cant get end of month stament but to asI used to on the App showing the current balance with my name on it worked on this with the bank for 3 days to no avail.  All I could get was a printout with my name on it showing more than £1000 funds. I have a Credit Card showing plenty of funds available with nothing owing. All these are returned to the Thai embassy in London. and since then I've heard nothing for two weeks now we have constantly contacted them by phone on the occasion that we do get through they say ring back in 2 o'clock but nobody answers the phone, trying to email them we get the response of the email is full we leave in a week I'm unable to get my 90 day Visa as I always have done for the last 20 years any advice on this. We have rung them every day for the last week, with no answer 2 pm to 4.30 pm.. What are my options? Cheers

Just come in visa exempt and get 60 days which you can extend at IO and get another 30/60 days which is obviously the same thing 90 in total .Only issue is the return flight date so maybe buy a flexible ticket or change return date once in Thailand 

18 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Agreed.

 

Thailand has never wanted people living in the country on tourist visas. Just because the visa has a 5 year expiration date doesn't mean they  intend you to literally stay for 5 uninterrupted years. 

 

I'm slowing getting annoyed with the DTV people because over and over again they have this entitled attitude about their "right" to live in Thailand for FIVE YEARS because they took a cooking class or sell some trinkets online.  

and what people thailand want? Falangs married to a thai women to lose all their money?. I guess that's the true

13 hours ago, geisha said:

That’s very easy to say! There are no exact rules to the 60 days exempt. 
If they want to stop the abuse,

 then they should Print the  details.

For example, « only one 60 day exempt allowed per 6 months «  or similar. 

Nothing is clear. Some people get away with 2 extensions with no problems, some get a stern warning, some are categorically refused re entry. 
Im a snowbird and have been since 1984.  I have never had a problem. I do not work/ abuse any Thai laws. I’ve usually stayed 4 months, but less as I’m getting older. If I was told I could stay only 2 months , then I would, or go elsewhere. 
Then is the question of home owners. A lot of my neighbors have been snowbirds like myself,  lots not retired and still working in their home country. Lots are under retirement age. Lots only stay 3/4 months . 
So which visa is correct for them ? Are they abusing the system ? 

 

This is similar to my situation and probably fairly common   As snowbirds, we felt getting a retirement visa was unnecessary and too much trouble since we didn't want to stay the whole year.  So how to stay for 4 winter months -- aye, that is the question!   Getting a 60 day SETV and then extending it once gets you 90 days.  Not bad, but you're flying back home in February.  Not an appealing prospect.  

3 hours ago, Jack1988 said:

and what people thailand want? Falangs married to a thai women to lose all their money?. I guess that's the true

 

Joke around wise guy but that's who they give the non-O visa too. It's not even about us, they're doing it for the woman. If they didn't even offer the mere 12 month right of stay then that would be make it effectively impossible for the women to find the guys who support them.

 

Bottom line is if they want you to live in the country then they'll give you a non-O.

On 11/13/2025 at 8:53 AM, novacova said:

Good, as this is highly abused. Get a proper visa or find another place to “visit”.

What harm are they doing you exactly?  

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Joke around wise guy but that's who they give the non-O visa too. It's not even about us, they're doing it for the woman. If they didn't even offer the mere 12 month right of stay then that would be make it effectively impossible for the women to find the guys who support them.

 

Bottom line is if they want you to live in the country then they'll give you a non-O.

I don't want to play these thai immigration games. For me Thailand is good for just a few months 

Obviously it's pure coincidence that the clampdown is happening just as high season approaches 🤔

Is METV still live ?

 

I wonder would they not allow that last day exit to extend it to just under 9 months.

On 11/14/2025 at 2:15 AM, crazykopite said:

If that’s the case they will have to compensate all those who paid for that particular visa I’m on an O visa have been for many years why they can’t offer a five year multi entry visa at a reasonable cost is beyond me 

Compensate if they have brakes the law about DTV? U must be joking!

33 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Is METV still live ?

 

I wonder would they not allow that last day exit to extend it to just under 9 months.

 

According to the new policy...definitely no 🤨

 

Yet another vaguely defined system. Qualitative not quantitative. No numbers (or brains) in sight. 

I have been on long term visas for years  but when I bought my Condo  nobody ever said I could not fly in and out of Thailand as many times as I like on a US passport visa exempt. Now the vast majority doing nothing wrong are being painted with the same brush and dragged down by the lowest of the low foreign scum and rubbish.  Wish Thai immigration  would just set a clear standard like 2 or three times per year maximum 90 or 180 days but a better solution is to ban visa free travel completely and require home country criminal checks. 

Thai Immigration is akin to VAR......A multitude of rules , but administered by officialdom according to subjective interpretation. Conflict and confusion,

On 11/13/2025 at 9:32 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

There is no ban on alcohol sales.    

 

Not anyone can captain a boat, they have to be licenced.

As in .....not anyone can drive a motor vehicle without being licenced ? 

This topic reminds me of a joke...

 

John was in charge of a grass field in city park, and put up the sign "No walking on grass! Penalty 1$!"

 

On visiting, his friend remarks that 1$ is a very low fine. Why not make it a lot higher?

 

"Because then nobody will walk on grass!"

 

If Thailand wanted to crack down on overstayers and visa abuse, they could do that instantly. And whoever says their systems aren't capable is unaware that entire history of at least 20 years is digitized and can be pulled out by push of a button. I was surprised when I had missing stamp (the officer stamped my PR booklet but forgot to stamp passport) and went back to Swampy to get that corrected, and after taking my passport to their office inside, I was presented with a paper printout of all my entries dating back to 1994, despite several passport changes in between...

 

Don't assume they lack information.