2 minutes ago, persimmon said:

I will need to leave the country shortly, probably to Laos via Nongkhai. Not sure whether to apply for a visa,  or just do a bit of travelling around for a week and then reenter either via Nongkhai again,  or fly back to DMK. I only need around 55 days , so a VEE 60 days would do .

Would a week out of the  country be enough for them to let me back in? Better to fly back or do a land border crossing  ? 

How many days have you stayed in Thailand this year?
That will be the deciding factor.

I'm 2 months on a non O 90 day. My last VEE was 3 years ago . I planned this trip before all the changes. 

13 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Were they refusing anyone entry ?

A few, yes, based on the number of VE entries already this year and the total number of days already stayed.

 

I had an extension + reentry permit, no issues.

My friend was questioned as to the reason he was leaving Thailand and advised he would not be allowed any further entries, either VE or TV.

He informed them he was applying for a Non O visa (based on Thai spouse) at the Thai Consulate.

His history was a 60 day VE entry by air + 30 day extension, a further 60 day VE entry by land before during which time he married, then a further 60 day extension, so 210 days in total.
He was in that catch 22 situation where he couldn't open a bank account.

 

He submitted his application Thursday, received an appointment to visit the Consulate and pay the fee Friday, and received the e-visa Monday morning.

Likewise, he re-entered Thailand Monday afternoon at the same land border crossing with his Non O without any issues.

 

On a slightly off-topic note. I'd previously contacted both the Thai Embassy and Consulate in Lao by phone regarded the requirement for the 400K and was informed by both it had to be in a Thai bank account for 3 months. That wasn't the case, they accepted a 3-month statement of his foreign bank account proving the equivalent of 400K THB without any hesitation.

 

 

43 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The figure of 150 days is frequently mentioned by Immigration before coming under scrutiny and possibly denied entry as a 'Tourist'.

 

So a stay of 60 days + 30 day extension = 90, then a second entry with a stay of 60 days = 150 days, hence only a 7 day extension for the second entry.

 

Yeah, I get that, but wondering whether this is about consecutive visits, or total per year...

19 minutes ago, persimmon said:

I'm 2 months on a non O 90 day. My last VEE was 3 years ago . I planned this trip before all the changes. 

You shouldn't have an issue with a 60 day VE entry, either by air or land.

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

As a tourist.  Plenty of other options if you want to stay for a long time.

 

Currently I don't... Just interested to, say, visit a few times a year for up to four or six weeks each time.

34 minutes ago, persimmon said:

I'm 2 months on a non O 90 day. My last VEE was 3 years ago . I planned this trip before all the changes. 

Thinking the plan you outlined in first post will be fine. 

Fact is your last ve entry was years back and you most recently entered with a visa (non O) then next entry via land or air will be first ve entry (in recent times) 

Have a flight out within 60 days. 

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

why not leave and apply for a visa in Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma?
 

 

I am going to do that on the 15th

 

 

3 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Yeah, I get that, but wondering whether this is about consecutive visits, or total per year...

Both.

 

18 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Currently I don't... Just interested to, say, visit a few times a year for up to four or six weeks each time.

Define 'a few times a year' ?

 

After 2 VE entries you are likely to be questioned about your intentions.
Watch this useful video by Tim Newton for an explanation of how the new requirements may affect you.

 

 

1 minute ago, Liquorice said:

Both.

 

Define 'a few times a year' ?

 

After 2 VE entries you are likely to be questioned about your intentions.
Watch this useful video by Tim Newton for an explanation of how the new requirements may affect you.

 

 

 

7-8 maybe, anywhere from two days to six weeks...

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Wow! So, technically it is only 'safe' to visit for 157 days per year... 

 

As long as I can get back in, early January on a Tourist Visa, and get a 30 day extension (it could be a bit shorter), that will be "safe" enough for me for the moment!

 

The rest of the year can look after itself!

 

I'm not about to speculate on the direction the roller coaster that is the Thailand "Tourist " entry system is going when it gets round the next blind corner!

 

😄

 

 

7 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

7-8 maybe, anywhere from two days to six weeks...

IMO you are likely to be targeted based on the number of entries and/or the total number of days spent in Thailand.

3 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

IMO you are likely to be targeted based on the number of entries and/or the total number of days spent in Thailand.

 

Yeah, my guess too. 😟

What are the requirements for the 60 days exemption if you decide to come back to Thailand via air on 2026? Do the same rules still apply or has something changed?

33 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

What are the requirements for the 60 days exemption if you decide to come back to Thailand via air on 2026? Do the same rules still apply or has something changed?

The requirements? Have a passport from a valid nation.  That's the requirement to be eligible for visa exempt.

The requirements to enter Thailand as a tourist are the same as well

Proof of funds

Proof of onward travel within the numbers of days you'll be stamped in for

Proof of lodging

 

Just because the calendar year changed doesn't mean immigration will ignore that you are a border bouncer.  They're looking for patterns, not the year.

2 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

The requirements? Have a passport from a valid nation.  That's the requirement to be eligible for visa exempt.

The requirements to enter Thailand as a tourist are the same as well

Proof of funds

Proof of onward travel within the numbers of days you'll be stamped in for

Proof of lodging

 

Just because the calendar year changed doesn't mean immigration will ignore that you are a border bouncer.  They're looking for patterns, not the year.

how do you show funds? Bringing 10,000 thb cash?
I would enter via air, not from a border bounce
 

25 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

how do you show funds? Bringing 10,000 thb cash?
I would enter via air, not from a border bounce
 

20 000 THB in any currency you wish, bit honestly, never bothered to do. If you frequently travelling in and out without proper visa, you might consider it

Not really adding anything however noticed this in another forum. 

Seems to be notice at Surat thani imm. 

Love the way these things are introduced on a whim and offen flip flop. 

 

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not really adding anything however noticed this in another forum. 

Seems to be notice at Surat thani imm. 

Love the way these things are introduced on a whim and offen flip flop. 

 

Also love "exception" instead of "exemption"

2026 everything will be reset and no need to apply for a tourist e-visa, that's great haha. I'm waiting for the countdown then 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Not really adding anything however noticed this in another forum. 

Seems to be notice at Surat thani imm. 

Love the way these things are introduced on a whim and offen flip flop. 

 

 

Good news about the 'Great Reset' if it's applied across the board. An announcement on the Thai immigration website would be nice but I suppose is asking too much.

 

Interesting that they've included an SETV as a valid visa to apply for after the two VE60 even though they're effectively the same thing 🤔

32 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

2026 everything will be reset and no need to apply for a tourist e-visa, that's great haha. I'm waiting for the countdown then 

Intending to arrive VE, by air, or land border?

1 minute ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Interesting that they've included an SETV as a valid visa to apply for after the two VE60 even though they're effectively the same thing 🤔

Not at all.
Entering VE via a land border, you cannot apply for a 30 day extension.
Entering with a valid TV at a land border, you can apply for a 30 day extension.

 

However, if you max out two VE entries by staying 60 days each time, you are likely to be questioned and refused entry a third time even with a TV as that would then total 180 days.

1 hour ago, Jack1988 said:

2026 everything will be reset and no need to apply for a tourist e-visa, that's great haha. I'm waiting for the countdown then 

One biggie for 2026 will be if possible to go beyond 180 days with VE and TV - with the help of agents?

 

We will know when we have someone who maxed out two VEs in 2026 for 120 days, then trying Fast Track with a SETV or METV.

So, just to clarify: 60 day visa exemption is still okay, and it is possible to extend for 30 days too?

2 minutes ago, FruitPudding said:

So, just to clarify: 60 day visa exemption is still okay, and it is possible to extend for 30 days too?

30 day extension possible for the first 60 day entry by air and sea, not by land border.

2 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

30 day extension possible for the first 60 day entry by air and sea, not by land border.

 

Thanks, how does it work with return flight?

 

Does immigration want to see return flight within 60 day period?  Then have to change flight afterwards? 

 

Does anyone know if they are strict with dates of onward travel?

2 hours ago, FruitPudding said:

 

Thanks, how does it work with return flight?

 

Does immigration want to see return flight within 60 day period?  Then have to change flight afterwards? 

 

Does anyone know if they are strict with dates of onward travel?

 

Best to have a return or onward booking since you probably don't have a visa. Phuket immigration have mentioned targeting 'unpaid' return/onward bookings so maybe have a "full" r/t or onward flight itinerary rather than a fifteen buck o/w "emergency" one. For example, on my THIRD visa-exempt entry since January and BEFORE these new guidelines were published, I was asked to show the outward flight booking. First time EVER.

 

Ideally outward travel within the 60-days. If you get an extension on your visa-exempt entry, of course you will need to change the flight dates. Up to you and your budget on how you handle that.

 

You'll get 60-days, and again it's up to you if you want to max that out. I would reckon using a 60-day visa-exempt to the max won't get you any brownie points going forward.

 

Regardless, what is your visa-exempt history and how many days have you managed to accrue without a visa so far? Maybe get a visa rather than try and second-guess what they'll do?

4 hours ago, FruitPudding said:

 

Thanks, how does it work with return flight?

 

Does immigration want to see return flight within 60 day period?  Then have to change flight afterwards? 

 

Does anyone know if they are strict with dates of onward travel?

Both airlines and Immigration are aware you can apply for a 30 day extension.

It's the airlines that are most likely to check, but no problem, having a return ticket within 90 days.

8 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Intending to arrive VE, by air, or land border?

by air. Should it be fine if i show a ticket out of thailand within 60 days, 20,000 thb cash and hotel address details?

I want to apply for an ED visa or DTV after 60 days exemption + 30 days extension. That's my plan