4 hours ago, Chuck443 said:

Interesting. May I ask how many days in total for 2025?

All days.

I came back to Thailand in January 2024 on visa exempt.

My history:

April 2024 - April 2025 - ED VISA
April 2025 - July 2025 - Visa exempt + extension
July 2025 - Oct 2025 - Visa exempt + extension
Oct 2025 - until january 9, 2026 - visa exempt + extension

Did border run april, july and october (back same day).

I actually only went because my friend went the day before and told me he got 30 days.

I was ready to go do safe entry but didn't need to.

The immigration used is near the airport:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Songkhla+Immigration+Office/@6.9404268,100.3845377,16z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x304cd8f93a46df61:0x327786a590433c52!2sImmigration+Division+6!8m2!3d6.9404268!4d100.3871126!16s%2Fg%2F1pzy89xlg!3m5!1s0x304cd9507966d983:0xff8e2acc9064820e!8m2!3d6.9403538!4d100.3854433!16s%2Fg%2F11jz4hqzhv?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

4 hours ago, hatyaidan said:

 

Can you tell me where in Hatyai did you extend? 

I know the immigration office is closed in the city. 

Also was the visa exempt you extended after a land border run? 

Thanks. 

 

We called Krabi immigration and they told us they would still give extensions after visa runs but would much prefer Hatyai as we live here

It is near the airport. First we went to Immigration Division 6, but it is the building just 100 meter further down the road. 

Here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Songkhla+Immigration+Office/@6.9404268,100.3845377,16z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x304cd8f93a46df61:0x327786a590433c52!2sImmigration+Division+6!8m2!3d6.9404268!4d100.3871126!16s%2Fg%2F1pzy89xlg!3m5!1s0x304cd9507966d983:0xff8e2acc9064820e!8m2!3d6.9403538!4d100.3854433!16s%2Fg%2F11jz4hqzhv?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

20 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

It's commonplace to check for criminal issues, and to question those coming from low-wage nations to high-wage nations, as they are more likely to be coming to work illegally. 

 

Thus, they would be protecting the well-being of their countrymen - not creating barriers to harm their financial prospects, as is the case with Thai immigration - and for corrupt reasons.

  

The "abuse" is by immigration, who are breaking the law laid-down in the Immigration Act by denying entry for a reason not listed ("coming too long / often"). 

 

Adding insult to injury, they are doing this to force people who are supporting Thai businesses / jobs to pay them off with "safe entry" payoffs via their agent partners.  It's all just a scam to line their pockets. 

 

There is no rational reason to stop people from higher-wage nations spending their money in Thailand - instead of Cambodia, Vietnam, etc - which is the only outcome of this policy.

 

 

... because they don't get a "cut" of that spending - "other" Thais get it.  Immigration could not care less about Thailand or Thais - is what is so infuriating about dealing with them.  If spent their energy busy busting foreign scab-workers who undercut Thais for jobs, I'd be their biggest fan. 

 

The immigration sets the rules, trying to make it easier for the tourists, then  see whats happening, and as expected the system is abused and creates to much problems. 

 

If nobody abused the liberal immigration rules, there wouldn’t be any changes would it ? 

Some folk might find this blog of interest.

Mentions a current viral video, visa exempt entries the 20k funds etc. 

One of the more watchable guys. 

 

Source: YouTube
https://search.app/8hDQ9

2 hours ago, Hyggefyren said:

It is near the airport. First we went to Immigration Division 6, but it is the building just 100 meter further down the road. 

Here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Songkhla+Immigration+Office/@6.9404268,100.3845377,16z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x304cd8f93a46df61:0x327786a590433c52!2sImmigration+Division+6!8m2!3d6.9404268!4d100.3871126!16s%2Fg%2F1pzy89xlg!3m5!1s0x304cd9507966d983:0xff8e2acc9064820e!8m2!3d6.9403538!4d100.3854433!16s%2Fg%2F11jz4hqzhv?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

 

Ah cheers. 

My girlfriend also called Phatthalung  immigration and they said we could go there. 

My visa exempt expires January 4 so will probably go on Christmas Day as we are collecting family at airport. 

🫸

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Some folk might find this blog of interest.

Mentions a current viral video, visa exempt entries the 20k funds etc. 

One of the more watchable guys. 

 

Source: YouTube
https://search.app/8hDQ9

This guy ("Cal") is so good I almost believe that he is employed by Thai Immigration. 

 

He seems to have special access to key sources.

2 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

This guy ("Cal") is so good I almost believe that he is employed by Thai Immigration. 

Bit off topic but I do find his vids accurate and well researched. 

Lot of absolute rubbish ones out there. 

On 12/12/2025 at 1:25 PM, Hyggefyren said:

All days.

I came back to Thailand in January 2024 on visa exempt.

My history:

April 2024 - April 2025 - ED VISA
April 2025 - July 2025 - Visa exempt + extension
July 2025 - Oct 2025 - Visa exempt + extension
Oct 2025 - until january 9, 2026 - visa exempt + extension

Did border run april, july and october (back same day).

I actually only went because my friend went the day before and told me he got 30 days.

I was ready to go do safe entry but didn't need to.

The immigration used is near the airport:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Songkhla+Immigration+Office/@6.9404268,100.3845377,16z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x304cd8f93a46df61:0x327786a590433c52!2sImmigration+Division+6!8m2!3d6.9404268!4d100.3871126!16s%2Fg%2F1pzy89xlg!3m5!1s0x304cd9507966d983:0xff8e2acc9064820e!8m2!3d6.9403538!4d100.3854433!16s%2Fg%2F11jz4hqzhv?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I'm just leaving Hatyai immigration. 

They told us that they don't offer anyone extensions after land border crossings. 

I showed them the post and they said nobody would have got visa extension from a border run. 

Absolutely gutted. 

 

16 minutes ago, hatyaidan said:

They told us that they don't offer anyone extensions after land border crossings. 

That's been pretty widely advertised across the entire internet for a few weeks.

8 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

That's been pretty widely advertised across the entire internet for a few weeks.

Yes definitely and I was aware. 

Just that we live in Hatyai and the poster got extension and we thought had a chance. 

I don't doubt the posters story but they definitely not giving anymore extensions

2 minutes ago, hatyaidan said:

Yes definitely and I was aware. 

Just that we live in Hatyai and the poster got extension and we thought had a chance. 

I don't doubt the posters story but they definitely not giving anymore extensions

Poster probably acquired extension prior to November 17th when the changes became effective.

Also the craziest thing is they were giving me the 30 day extension and looked my passport and said "yes 30 days".

Then 90 minutes later the very nice man came over apologizing and said unfortunately can only give 7 days but he advised me not to take it as it wouldn't look good on my passport. 

We also showed our " Freedom to Marry" application from November. 

 

My stamp expires on 4 January and on my passport it says 3 February extension and in red writing cancelled. Ha. 

 

Possibly it didn't get approved at head office. 

 

They couldn't have been nicer and refunded my money and advised me to get a tourist visa in Malaysia. 

 

Another thing, yesterday when we were bringing relatives to the airport we stopped at the immigration centre and I asked if I could come back tomorrow and get 30 days. He looked at my passport, said "yes", gave me the forms and today I was first as they opened at 8:30am.

 

But, they couldn't have been nicer and refunded me my money. 

 

My fiance is from Phatthalung and already they said can come for 30 days but I am highly skeptical. 

 

It was my 3rd visa exemption this year but I arrived in Thailand in April with the intention of getting married as we had applied from the Irish embassy. 

However in May my girlfriend had a serious health issue and was in hospital here for 7 weeks. 

 

I applied for the freedom to marry in November and still waiting. 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, hatyaidan said:

My fiance is from Phatthalung and already they said can come for 30 days but I am highly skeptical. 

 

Now that you already have a canceled extension stamp from elsewhere in your passport, you can be reasonably sure that no other immigration office would give you an extension, seeing that.

1 hour ago, hatyaidan said:

I applied for the freedom to marry in November and still waiting. 

Off topic, but have the Embassy returned your documents.

 

1 hour ago, hatyaidan said:

It was my 3rd visa exemption this year but I arrived in Thailand in April with the intention of getting married as we had applied from the Irish embassy. 

However in May my girlfriend had a serious health issue and was in hospital here for 7 weeks. 

So you've been permitted to stay for 8 months this year.
Even accounting for the 7 weeks your g/f was hospitalised, you've hung around for some considerable time before applying for the 'freedom to marry'.

 

Best option is early January apply for a TV at a local Thai Embassy, return and get married.

17 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Off topic, but have the Embassy returned your documents.

 

So you've been permitted to stay for 8 months this year.
Even accounting for the 7 weeks your g/f was hospitalised, you've hung around for some considerable time before applying for the 'freedom to marry'.

 

Best option is early January apply for a TV at a local Thai Embassy, return and get married.

I always did the right thing. 

Also arrived on tourist visas. 

Not one day overstay. 

Maximum stay each year a few months. 

Unfortunately this year my fiance got sick and is still undergoing outpatient treatment. 

I never abused the system. Unfortunately my fiance was not fit to fly to Bangkok under doctors advice to attend the embassy in June. 

I am from Ireland, respectable career, dressed nice, polite. 

 

Yesterday they told us we would get 30 days. Today they also told us the same. 

 

Just unlucky that the Head office in Bangkok refused. 

 

They even stamped my passport today to February 3.

 

The immigration officers were extremely nice and told me that it would not affect future stays. 

 

Even gave us phone number of border immigration for January to make sure we get 60 days extra. 

 

Just unlucky that head office denied.

 

If we don't get "freedom to marry" appointment we will go to border to extend. 

 

My main point of writing the post was to 

help other people avoid disappointment

 

 

 

 

14 hours ago, hatyaidan said:

My main point of writing the post was to 

help other people avoid disappointment

Thanks for report. 

Very easy for folk to type chill. 

Your experience very unfortunate. 

Suggest you reload and look at exit Thailand and options to facilitate plan moving forward. 

Obviously you are under 50? 

1 hour ago, hatyaidan said:

If we don't get "freedom to marry" appointment we will go to border to extend. 

You didn't answer my question.

4 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Off topic, but have the Embassy returned your documents.

 

16 hours ago, hatyaidan said:

I'm just leaving Hatyai immigration. 

They told us that they don't offer anyone extensions after land border crossings. 

I showed them the post and they said nobody would have got visa extension from a border run. 

Absolutely gutted. 

 

Sorry to hear that. My stamp expired on december 10 and I actually went on december 11 because of public holiday. I got my 30 days, no question asked and it was after a border run and it was the 3rd this year in 2025. And my friend who went on december 9 and has the same history as me also got his with no question asked.

I have been in thailand since 2018 (were back in my home country from june 2023 until january 2024 but other than that, have been in thailand the whole time since then.

I can post my stamp and the previous too but I guess it wouldn't help anyone because it seems they do reject 30 days extension. But can't  say why both me and my friend got it then

15 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Poster probably acquired extension prior to November 17th when the changes became effective.

I went on December 11. Really don't know why he was refused (other than the much stricter enforcement now that apparently didn't happen to me or my friend) - Guess we are just lucky

3 hours ago, Hyggefyren said:

I can post my stamp and the previous too but I guess it wouldn't help anyone because it seems they do reject 30 days extension. But can't  say why both me and my friend got it then

Yea I know both of you got it as they were giving me mine too. 

They were even about to take my photo when I guess head office refused. 

They offered me 7 days but told me it wouldn't look good on my passport. 

 

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Thanks for report along with pic stamp. 

Very easy for folk to type chill. 

Your experience very unfortunate. 

Suggest you reload and look at exit Thailand and options to facilitate plan moving forward. 

Obviously you are under 50? 

Thanks. 

I am under 50.

Applied for freedom to marry since November again. 4 month waiting list with my embassy, but they estimate January or early February. 

Have a few options to buy time until then. 

Tourist visa in Malaysia, safe entry service too. 

Phatthalung said they will give 30 day extension but must stay hotel there one night previous for tm30. Highly doubt I would take that chance again:). 

Also we were given the number of the female immigration officer at a border checkpoint here. 

My fiance called her and she will give us 60 days on January 4 if we need. 

 

 

36 minutes ago, hatyaidan said:

My fiance called her and she will give us 60 days on January 4 if we need. 

Seems a nice safety plan

5 hours ago, Hyggefyren said:

I can post my stamp and the previous too but I guess it wouldn't help anyone because it seems they do reject 30 days extension. But can't  say why both me and my friend got it then

 

It's quite normal to see some inconsistencies between different immigration offices in Thailand. Nice that it worked in your favor this time. 

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems a nice safety plan

Thanks for all you're advice Jack and everyone. 

Looking at every option. 

Even the though the lady at border said she would give 60 days, who knows what might happen when we arrive to the border. 

I was thinking maybe I fly home to Ireland on Christmas Day as flights very reasonable that day. 

Then apply for a tourist visa in Ireland in February and come back on March 1 to get married. 

It will give my fiance time with her family over new year and to recover after her surgery. 

 

The only big concern I have is that "cancelled stamp" yesterday on my passport. 

Like even applying for the tourist visa at home. 

They want to see the last page on my passport when I apply. 

Will they reject me over the stamp yesterday? 

The immigration officials told me not to worry yesterday as it just says cancelled not denied. 

 

8 minutes ago, hatyaidan said:

Will they reject me over the stamp yesterday? 

The immigration officials told me not to worry yesterday as it just says cancelled not denied. 

That should not be an issue. 

 

In regards to going back to Ireland just to apply for an setv, you could consider alternatives. 

You could have a mini holiday in Vietnam as just one example and obtain tourist visa (eVisa) there. 

Not sure if Irish pp is visa exempt is visa, free entry to enter Vietnam. 

At a guess it does. 

42 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That should not be an issue. 

 

In regards to going back to Ireland just to apply for an setv, you could consider alternatives. 

You could have a mini holiday in Vietnam as just one example and obtain tourist visa (eVisa) there. 

Not sure if Irish pp is visa exempt is visa, free entry to enter Vietnam. 

At a guess it does. 

It's unlucky Irish citizens need visa for Vietnam. 

Also going back to my home country would look better. 

We contacted our landlady in the morning to say I might possibly be leaving on Christmas Day and showed her my "cancelled stamp".

She is messaging her friend at immigration here to try and see what can be done. But it's a long shot. Waiting to hear back before final decision on plans. 

 

They were so close yesterday to giving us the stamp and even at the end he tried his boss again. 

 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, hatyaidan said:

I wonder would you delete the photo yesterday of my "cancelled stamp" as I don't want any further issues. 

Yes

Is this offer by a visa agency for real?

"We now offer a full door to door 30 day extension service. This guarantees you receive a 30 day stamp and avoids the risk of getting seven days."

3 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Is this offer by a visa agency for real?

Provide link or at very least details. 

Your post is meaningless